‘Today’ Al Roker Nearly Falls Off Table During Intense Segment
On a recent episode of Today, viewers witnessed a heartwarming and somewhat comical moment as the show’s beloved meteorologist, Al Roker, nearly took a tumble while welcoming US Open champion Coco Gauff. On Tuesday, September 12, the Today team — including Hoda Kotb, Craig Melvin, Savannah Guthrie, and Roker, extended a warm welcome to Gauff and her parents, Corey and Candi.
The Today Show team celebrates Coco Gauff
The warm reception was to celebrate the young tennis sensation on her recent victory at the US Open Championship. She is the youngest American to take the title since Serena Williams in 1999.
To share their excitement, most of the team took to Instagram to share videos of their meeting with Gauff. The posts included lots of warm embraces and congratulations.
Roker captioned his post, “I think we were just a tad excited to meet the reigning @usta and @usopen Women’s Champion @cocogauff today ahead of her exclusive sitdown tomorrow am on @todayshowand so thrilled to meet her days, @coreygauff.”
don’t mind us, just casually running into a champion. 🎾 @CocoGauff pic.twitter.com/cu2mjLuzHN
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) September 10, 2023
Back on the Today set, the exclusive segment with Gauff began with Kotb and Guthrie leading the way celebrating her major achievement.
As they discussed her victory, Gauff admitted, “It’s still crazy. I don’t think it’s digested. Like, even last night, I was telling myself, ‘You’re a Grand Slam Champion.’ And I’m like, ‘it doesn’t feel weird at all.'”
Kotb followed up with the question, “I think a lot of people wept when you got down on your knees a couple of times, and you were clearly saying a prayer. What were you saying in that moment?”
“I was just saying ‘thank you.'” she replied. Before adding, “And I understood all the tough times that were just to make that moment even sweeter.”
Al Roker came bearing gifts and a precarious seating choice
Later in the segment, Roker and Melvin made their entrance, bearing gifts for the new champion. Roker presented Gauff with some Today Show Tupperware, while Melvin passed out Chick-fil-A.
Gauff immediately showed her appreciation for the chicken sandwich.
“Yesterday was Sunday, I couldn’t get any,” referring to the chicken chains policy of always being closed on Sundays.
It was during this entrance that Roker provided an unexpected moment of levity. In a rather precarious choice of seating, Roker found himself perched on the edge of what appeared to be a glass side table. His choice found him nearing taking a tumble on the air.
Fortunately, Gauff’s father was there, extending a helping hand and preventing Roker from becoming an unintended meme.
In the end, the Today Show team’s continued support, light-hearted gifts, Roker’s near mishap, and Gauff’s endearing personality combined for a memorable segment. All without anyone becoming the latest meme to be shared all over social media.
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