Craig Melvin was recently away from his usual spot on Today. However, he has since explained what was going on. However, it was one of his co-stars who first broke the news.
Willie Geist Recently Filled In For Craig Melvin During A Recent Episode Of Today
Melvin has been part of Today since 2018, becoming a permanent part of the Third Hour the following year. Early last year, he stepped into the role of main co-anchor of the first and second hours, taking over for Hoda Kotb.
This past Thursday, Melvin was away from the studio. In his place, Willie Geist was filling in, working alongside Savannah Guthrie.
The following day, however, Melvin appeared back on the show, where he explained what happened with Dylan Dreyer. However, it was Dreyer who first announced some big news.
As Dreyer shared, “We do wanna give a shout-out to our buddy Craig this morning. You know he always represents his hometown of where? Columbia, South Carolina. Well, it doesn’t go unnoticed. Craig was just recognized with the Ripples of Impact medal. It is the first year Columbia’s mayor has given out the award honoring people who have elevated the community through their leadership and commitment to making a difference.”
Dubbing the award a “big deal,” Dreyer told her co-host, “You are making a difference, and you have an impact, and you talk about South Carolina all the time.” For his part, Melvin was touched by her “very sweet” words.
Melvin Wasn’t The Only Figure To Receive Such An Honor In South Carolina
Melvin shared, “It was nice being back. Being honored, of course, it’s nice, but it was the group I was honored with. [Las Vegas Aces center] A’ja Wilson — she couldn’t be there because she was in the playoffs. But A’ja Wilson was honored, and some of the folks that, growing up in Columbia, South Carolina, that I sort of idolized, they were among those being honored, [including] one of the first Jewish businessmen in our community.”
Melvin also noted another perk of his recent homecoming: reuniting with his family. He shared, “The people who sort of shaped me and molded me, they were all there, and it was nice.”
Melvin was just one of the honorees recognized by the mayor. As noted by TV Insider, others included “Isadore Lourie, Charity Adams Earley, The Darnall W. and Susan F. Boyd Foundation, Rev. Dr. Simon P. Bouie, William Tobin “Bill” Cassels, Jr., and South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster.”
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John Witiw has been a writer since at least 2015. He’s covered a variety of topics, especially when it comes to film and television.