NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: In a recent ‘Today’ episode, it was revealed TV journalist Craig Melvin has starred in the ‘Minor Issues, Major Opinions’ podcast and debated on getting ‘stuck’ in the middle airplane seat.
The revelation was made during a PopStart segment by Carson Daly who went on to explain to the audience and co-hosts sitting on the couch about Melvin’s debate.
Melvin returned to the morning show this week after missing last week. He divulged his whereabouts on his Instagram sharing snaps from Birmingham. The real reason behind his absence was that he was at Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex in Alabama for the NBCU Academy.
The 44-year-old journalist posted a bunch of snaps featuring the TV personality alongside NBC News president, Rebecca Blumenstein, and executive vice president, Libby Leist.
‘People should get both armrests’
On Thursday, August 10 ‘Today’ broadcast, anchor Carson Daly kicked off his usual PopStart segment. He popped up Craig Melvin who was featured in an episode of the ‘Minor Issues, Major Opinions’ podcast.
Daly said, “I hear they got pretty passionate about an airline seat debate. Is that true?”
Melvin looked confused alongside co-hosts Al Roker, Sheinelle Jones, and Savannah Guthrie. Daly quickly chimed in to fill in the hosts about the debate topic as he said, “The question was, should the person in the middle seat get both armrests?”
Melvin looked completely baffled and ‘perplexed’ as said Daly. The latter then played a short clip from an exclusive podcast, voicing Melvin’s opinion on the question.
Melvin said on the podcast, “As a civilized society, we collectively decided that if you are stuck in the seat between two adults, the least those two adults…the least they could do is enjoy the additional space and sacrifice a little elbow room.”
All of his fellow hosts agreed with him shouting, “I agree with that,” and Roker chimed, “Absolutely.”
Melvin instantly looked quite relaxed and said, “But you would be surprised how many people don’t.” Guthrie questioned him, “Would you get in a debate? Was there someone else that say ‘NO’”?
Melvin replied, “Someone else said it should be based on, you know, a lot of different factors,” as Daly chimes in, “Who sits down first, who sits first.” Guthrie shouted explaining her opinion, “What if people on each side think that armrests are theirs? Is middle seat guy supposed to be like this?”
Melvin agrees with Guthrie adding, “This is not fair,” and Daly further opinionated on the ongoing conversation, “I think window seat guy can do this,” as he demonstrated his idea.
Towards the end of the segment, Guthrie, Roker, and Daly went on to scream their opinions as Melvin raises both his hands in relaxation, assuring he was right.
Craig Melvin takes a dig at Al Roker
During the August 10 broadcast of 'Today,' hosts Melvin, Roker, and Jones kicked off a fitness segment on yoga mats. They welcomed Vicky Justiz, founder of the Daily Thrive app, for a 'Lazy Girl Couch Workout.'
The segment had a comical start when Roker announced exercises from the "comfort of the couch," but Melvin's laughter delayed the start. As they attempted "side leg raises," Melvin's humor led to him stopping exercises.
Vicky suggested a "clamshell exercise," leading to more laughter. Melvin joked about his position, and Roker playfully teased him, ending up being called a ‘jerk’ by the former host.
