'Today' host Kristen Welker gets emotional as she quits morning show after 3 years for coveted new gig
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Star Kristen Welker has officially made her departure from the 'Today' show's Saturday news segments after announcing her new role.
After last week's weekend episode ended, host Peter Alexander told the audience that it was Welker's last day in the studio on the NBC news show.
He also introduced a short tribute to her time on the show, summarizing her most important and memorable moments.
The hosts and crew members gathered for Welker's emotional farewell after looking back on their journey and tearfully saying goodbye to the audience and colleagues.
'Today' pays tribute to Kristen Welker in a video montage
As Saturday's edition of 'Today' came to a close, the cast announced that these were the final minutes of Welker's participation on the show.
"This is a day of mixed emotions for us as we celebrate the last Saturday Today with our dear friend Kristen Welker," Alexander shared on the show.
"We couldn't let her go without looking back on some of our most memorable moments here," he went on to add.
The video shows Welker being introduced as a co-host of 'Saturday Today' and how she is getting more and more accomplished in that position.
The montage was a testament to how quickly Welker's role became central not only to the weekend newscast but also to many important events, including the final presidential election debate of 2020.
It showed that she was praised nationally for her work as a journalist, anchor and host for American political news.
Welker could be seen shedding tears and sharing laughs in the inset video as she reacted to the montage.
Kristen Welker gets emotional over the send-off
Welker was continuously dabbing her eyes with tissue papers. "I can barely speak," she said after the montage ended.
The hosts were then joined by Welker's husband John Hughes and little daughter Margo.
"I wanna say to our viewers: thank you for joining us every Saturday," Welker shared with a shaking voice, "To the entire Weekend Today' team which is the most amazing team in the world led by Matt Carluccio and Dave Shire."
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She also thanked the co-hosts Alexander along with the fill-in hosts Andy and Joe. "We love you so much!" Alexander said in response to Welker's emotional note.
Welker will now be moderating the show 'Meet the Press' which will not keep her too far from 'Today.'