Craig Melvin is taking a “well-deserved vacation” while Savannah Guthrie leads the news desk alongside guest anchor Hoda Kotb this week.

Why is Craig Melvin absent from Today, and who is filling in alongside Savannah Guthrie?

Craig Melvin is taking a "well-deserved vacation" while Savannah Guthrie leads the news desk alongside guest anchor Hoda Kotb this week.

By Leigh Blickley

April 13, 2026 1:21 p.m. ET

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Craig Melvin on 'Today'. Credit:

Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty

Craig Melvin will be absent from *Today* this week as he takes a "well-deserved vacation."

The news anchor held down the fort while his cohost Savannah Guthrie was absent for two months as she took time off to focus on the ongoing investigation into her missing mother Nancy Guthrie. She returned to the program last week before Melvin's rest period.

So, who is filling in for Craig Melvin?

Melvin announced on April 9 that he would be heading out on vacation, while Guthrie revealed she would be joined by a very special guest in his absence: Hoda Kotb.

"You've been holding it down here for a long time," Guthrie told Melvin. "And Monday, we're going to try a new host here. Her name is Hoda."

Melvin jokingly replied, “Oh, I’ve heard of her," to which Guthrie quipped, “So that will be fun.”

On Monday, April 13, Kotb returned to the *Today* news desk — the first time she's been back on the morning show with Guthrie since she departed the NBC program in January 2025 to spend more time with family.

"Hi, everybody, good morning, and welcome to *Today*. Nice to have you with us on a Monday morning," Guthrie said at the top of the broadcast before turning to Kotb and touching her arm. "I'm so glad to have you here, Hoda!"

"I'm so happy sitting next to you in this chair again," Kotb responded.

"Yeah, it's good. It's just like the old times!" Guthrie added.

Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb on 'Today'.

Nathan Congleton/NBC/Getty

The pair made history as the first female duo to ever host *Today*, which they co-anchored together for seven years beginning in 2018. Despite her departure, Kotb and Guthrie have continued to host special broadcasts together outside of the show, including the 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Kotb recently returned to the program to fill in for Guthrie as the search for her missing mother deepened in Tuscon, Ariz. Nancy disappeared from her home on Feb. 1. and a police and FBI investigation into her whereabouts is still ongoing.

Kotb co-anchored alongside Melvin beginning on Feb. 9, with Sheinelle Jones and Laura Jarrett stepping in to help when needed.

Addressing her return at the time, Kotb said, "You know what, Craig? We always talk about our show as a family. We are a family. I'm part of the family. I'm happy to be with you because we show up for each other."

Guthrie, who also withdrew from hosting the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics due to Nancy's disappearance, officially returned to the show on April 6.

"It is good to be home," she said at the time. "Here we go. Ready or not, let’s do the news."

The journalist was emotional when she visited the *Today* plaza later on in the broadcast, where many fans were holding up signs cheering her on and welcoming her back to the program.

"These signs are so beautiful. You guys have been so beautiful," she said. "I’ve received so many letters, so much kindness to me and my whole family. And we feel it. We feel your prayers. So thank you so much."

The Pima County Sheriff's Department and the FBI urged those with information regarding Nancy Guthrie's disappearance to contact them at 1-800-CALL-FBI.

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When will Craig Melvin be back?

Melvin is expected to return to *Today* on Monday, April 20.

He is currently enjoying some R&R on the beach with his family, which includes wife Lindsay Czarniak, son Delano "Del," 12, and daughter Sybil "Sibby," 9.

"Out of office for a minute. My daughter thought this was a good idea," Melvin shared on Instagram Monday alongside a photo of himself lounging on a beach in front of crystal blue water.

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Source: “EW Morning”