Hanging With Al Roker in His Neck of the Woods

I had the opportunity to chat with Al Roker for a profile, with the trade mag Broadcasting + Cable inducting the Today icon into its Hall of Fame. 

Roker spoke about growing up in Queens and studying at SUNY Oswego, in upstate New York, where he picked up his first TV gig, despite a professor telling him he had a face for radio. 

Roker eventually got hired at WNBC New York, and from there, landed at the Today show. Co-anchor Savanna Guthrie said of Al, “He’s the joy, he’s the spice, he’s the salt that makes the food tasty,” she said. “Al brings energy, humor and warmth. He’s our sunshine.”

The weather and feature anchor is up pretty darn early during the week, but he's not complaining. “My dad drove a bus eight to 10 hours a day,” Roker said. “This is one of the greatest jobs going.”