Al Roker has officially hit a historic 30-year milestone at NBC’s Today Show, but if you’re looking for a retirement countdown, you won’t find one here. The 71-year-old weather icon is making it clear that he isn’t ready to hand over his clicker anytime soon.
Despite decades of early call times, Roker says the thought of stepping away hasn’t even crossed his mind.
Speaking exclusively with PEOPLE about his career longevity, Roker shut down any rumors of a pending exit.
“Well, let’s put it this way. I haven’t thought about retirement,” he shared, before jokingly adding that while he’s all in, “Somebody at NBC, that might be a different story.”
For Roker, the passion for the morning grind hasn’t faded since he stepped into Willard Scott’s shoes in 1996. He remains energized by the daily unpredictability of live television and the community he’s helped build.
“I love what I do,” he explained. “I feel good. I love this job. I love doing it. At some point, I guess I won’t be, but I don’t feel like that’s anytime soon, so I’m just gonna keep going.”
Looking back at his tenure, the “kid from Queens” still seems genuinely shocked by the life he’s led. He famously holds onto memories of being personally acknowledged by President Obama and Vice President Biden during the 2013 inauguration, a moment he says proved just how far he’s come.
Despite the fame and the high-profile interviews, Roker maintains a grounded perspective on his role. He describes himself as a “temporary custodian” of a morning show legacy that has lasted over 74 years. When the time eventually does come for him to sign off, his only hope is that the viewers feel he was a good use of their morning.
“People, when they watch, that they didn’t feel like I wasted their time,” Roker explained. “And that hopefully they felt better after watching than before.”
As he kicks off his fourth decade on the Plaza, it’s clear that Al Roker’s forecast remains bright.
