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TODAY SHOW IN SHOCK – DYLAN DREYER TAKES OVER BELOVED CO-STAR’S SPOT WITHOUT WARNING: Why was this kept SECRET?

Fans who tuned into the Today Show on Tuesday were greeted by a change in the regular line-up, as Dylan Dreyer filled in for her co-host Al Roker. This alteration comes hot on the heels of a surprise exit by an MSNBC anchor.

Meteorologist Dylan, aged 43, who normally presents during the 3rd Hour, was joined by presenters Craig Melvin and Savannah Guthrie, as Al was noticeably absent from the program. It wasn’t so long ago that Hoda used to present this time slot, but she bid a tearful farewell to the morning show back in January after an impressive 17 years on the job.

Typically, viewers can catch Dylan later on in the show alongside Al, Craig, and Sheinelle Jones, but on this occasion, she made an earlier-than-usual appearance on the Today show. Al’s absence comes a mere day after he, Dylan, and Craig revealed plans for the NBC morning show to go on the road later this month.

The news comes as CNN’s long-running host Jim Acosta “walked out” after show was brutally axed from schedule. On March 4, to mark the occasion of Mardi Gras, the hosts are set to present a live special show from New Orleans, Louisiana. Unveiling the news from Studio 1A, Al told viewers, “Now we’ve got some exciting news to share. We are taking the show on the road to New Orleans. On the 3rd Hour of Today on Friday, February 28 we’re going to head down to celebrate Mardi Gras in the Big Easy. We’re going to take in the parades, festivities, sights, sounds and tastes of the city.”

Dylan Dreyer filled in for her co-host Al Roker (Image: Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images)

Dylan has let slip that fans can get stuck into the live audience fun during a special broadcast, urging, “We want you guys to join in on our fun.”

Craig piped up too, announcing that Today is kicking off its first-ever grub fest, dubbed Taste of New Orleans.

It’s set to be a feast for the senses with top-notch chefs from the city whipping up their signature dishes. Fancy being part of the live crowd?

Tough luck – tickets are all snapped up, but you can still nab a spot at Taste of New Orleans here, setting you back $249.

Today’s been shaking things up of late, what with Hoda Kotb bowing out in January. The telly icon wrapped up her final day decked out in a crisp white blazer and trousers, surrounded by her workmates, including Al and Carson Daly, as she bid farewell.

Meteorologist Dylan, aged 43, normally presents during the 3rd Hour (Image: Getty Images for Hudson River Park Friends)
With tears streaming, the anchor gushed, “I’m not even able to articulate it because I’m a mess most of the times, but I just want to say thanks. Carson [Daly], you’re like the secret sauce on this show, man. Without you the show doesn’t hum. Like, you have the thing and you brought it. You bring it every day.”

She didn’t stop there, adding, “Al, you’re my first friend here, the first person I met. When I got sick, you were the first person that walked into the room and said I was going to be okay.”

She heaped praise on co-host Savannah, calling her “her person” and saying, “Who shows up for everybody? This girl When your brother died, it was this girl. When I was going through stuff with Hope, it was this girl. She’s in the room. She’s always in the room and I love you.”

Hoda ended on a high, sending out big ups to Craig, her successor. She gushed, “Craig, I mean, I’m so happy for you. You earned this. You own this. And come Monday at 7:00 a.m., I’m going to be dead asleep. But you’re gonna be fantastic. You’re going to bring it home! Craig, you’re gonna be so good. You and Savannah are going to be magic.”