As TODAY celebrates its 75th anniversary, TODAY Archive It revisits legendary interviews, the stories that touched us, and other iconic moments from our 75 years on the air. These are the segments that shape TODAY and create a lasting legacy. Today we see Carson Daly joining the show on September 12, 2013.
When Carson Daly became a part of the TODAY family, he couldn’t wait to get to work. And all these years later, he’s still part of the show’s highlights.
When Carson officially joined TODAY on September 12, 2013, she had already made a name for herself as the host of MTV’s “Total Request Live” and NBC’s “The Voice.” At the time, he was tapped as the host of The Orange Room, which serves as a digital liaison connecting TODAY with its audience.
Thirteen years later, Carson looked back on her first day with Savannah Guthrie, Craig Melvin, Al Roker, and Jenna Bush Hager, when Carson officially introduced audiences to the Orange Room.
“I had to create my own little world here to be a part of this historic show. We were the connection point between the broadcast and the viewers at home,” Carson said on TODAY on Nov. 3.
He then unveiled the current version of the Orange Room and its new name: TODAY Lounge.
“It’s now called the TODAY Lounge. It’s where our digital producers capture content throughout the morning and share it on social media,” Craig added.
Carson’s role has certainly changed over the years, but he has remained a staple of the show and the voice of a generation. Below, revisit Carson’s TODAY appearance, which can also be watched here.
Joining TODAY was a natural fit for Carson
When Carson first joined TODAY, he was more than ready to try morning television.
“I think a lot of people associate me more with night time. Truth be told, I’m really a morning person. And now the TODAY show comes along,” she said at the time.
“Over 60 years of incredible morning television and now today feels like the beginning of a new era,” he added. “I was recently asked to be a part of this exciting new room in Studio 1A called the Orange Room. Viewers of the TODAY show feel like they have a home. They can connect with me by tweeting or via social media.”
Carson Has Always Been a TODAY Fan
Carson also shared his long-standing interest in TODAY.
“I feel like a kid in a candy store when I’m there. I think when I first joined TODAY, I was having so much fun that I tweeted, ‘The TODAY show is ‘TRL’ for adults,” he said. “Look, so this is the TODAY show. I feel like I was adopted by the first family.”
What Did Carson Think About Being on TODAY?
In 2013, Carson was eager to connect with her fans and share her own life with viewers. He jokingly described himself as the “welcome mat for TODAY show viewers.”
“I will be your digital doormat,” he said of his role. It was a task he could not wait to tackle.
“It’s literally the most fun thing you can imagine,” he added.