This year, TODAY host Al Roker will be celebrating his first Father’s Day as a grandfather.

Al’s granddaughter Sky was born in July 2023 to Al’s daughter, Courtney Roker Laga, and her husband, Wesley Laga.

Al sat down with the other TODAY dads at Lucali restaurant in Brooklyn to talk about becoming a “Pop-Pop.” TODAY show anchors get together to talk about Father’s Day.Nathan Congleton / TODAY
“The best part of Father’s Day this year is that I’m a grandfather,” Al said. His co-hosts immediately raised a glass to salute Al.

“I went and visited Al in the hospital not that long ago,” said Carson Daly, “so to hear that really warms my heart.”

Al said that he used to get bored when hearing other people talk on and on about their grandchildren, but after Sky arrived, he understood what all the fuss was about.

“It’s pure joy,” he said. “There’s no responsibility, other than you want them to be safe and happy. I don’t have to teach her anything.”

Al loves getting to be “the candy man,” he said. “It’s just the best.”

“It’s like renting a boat, not owning a boat,” said Carson Daly.

“What do you guys do together?” asked Craig Melvin.

“We sit. We talk. We just got the baby life preserver. We’re going out on the pontoon boat,” Al shared.

“I just had this block set that was Leila’s, and Nick’s later. I had this guy sand them down, clean them up. This past weekend she was playing with them. It was like: The circle remains unbroken.”

Al continued, “I’m so looking forward to this Father’s Day.” He paused. “I mean, I do have to put up with Courtney and her husband to get the baby.”

After laughing, Craig said, “Next Father’s Day, you and her are going to be having full-on conversations.”

“It’s all babble, but it’s like she’s talking. This is me in five years anyway,” Al joked. “She and I will be speaking the same language.” How will Pop-Pop be spending his Father’s Day?

  Al Roker said that if his family wants him to like the gifts they give him for Father’s Day, they should refer to his list of requests.Nathan Congleton / TODAY
“Well, you get to a point that it’s not about the kids anymore, it’s about you,” said Al. “Like, right now, I give a list of what I want.”

When Craig laughed at Al for handing out a wish list, Al said calmly, “You know, back in the day … a heartfelt, handmade card or an ashtray even though I don’t smoke. I’m past that now. I want stuff. If you want what you want, you ask for it!”