Willie Geist Calls Al Roker 'Heart And Soul Of That Show' After His Return To Work

Like many fans of the "TODAY" show and other co-hosts, Willie Geist is excited about Al Roker's return to work!

The weatherman, who has been out of commission for some time due to serious health issues, was greatly missed by the audience and his co-workers. So it was no surprise when the journalist emotionally spoke about his older colleague and expressed relief that he had been cleared by his medical team and would return to his place on air.

The 47-year-old who hosts "Sunday Today With Willie Geist" is ecstatic about Roker's return to the show alongside everybody else, and he said as much in a chat with "ET's" Rachel Smith. 

While hosting the "National Board of Review," he spoke about the 68-year-old's recent health battles and how much he means to them. He told Smith, "Al means so much to all of us. I could get emotional, but I won't, maybe I will. He's so much more than our role model as a professional." 

The TV personality revealed that he considered him a role model as a dad, husband, and how to be a great professional, adding, "He grounds us all." He continued by expressing his relief that the old weatherman was now in good health and that he and the entire country were happy that he was back on screen because they had missed him.

Geist called him the "heart and soul of that show" and noted that he did not realize how critical his condition was till his doctors spoke about it. In his words:

"Honestly, I didn't until Friday when they played the piece where his doctors spoke out. Al gives off positivity and light all the time... It was a serious deal."

Known to be an integral part of the Today show, it was incredibly worrying to fans and especially his colleagues when it was reported that the elderly journalist was rushed to the hospital due to a life-threatening health risk of blood and lung clots.

Because of all the surgeries he had to undergo, he missed out on a lot of broadcasts on the "TODAY" show, especially the "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade" and "the annual Christmas Tree Lighting" at the Rockefeller Center, which he has been a part of for many years unfailingly. 

Roker, who has since returned to the show, came on air with his wife, Deborah Roberts, where they shared details on his condition's seriousness. Taking to his Instagram page, he posted pictures of himself and his lady alongside the other show hosts. 

Looking healthy, the slides showed them all sitting on a couch, laughing, and having a generally good time. In his caption, he wrote, "Can't thank @debrobertsabc enough for getting me through this medical crisis. And now that she's here at @todayshow, maybe she might stay? Just kidding!!!" 

In another post, the actor proved he was back as he could be seen looking dapper in his blue suit standing beside the screen handling the weather forecast. The following slides saw him seated at the table with his three co-hosts chatting as his caption read, "It is good to be back!! Love being with my TV family here on @todayshow." 

Another set of images he shared was a carousel of the author greeting fans who were just as excited to see him. Some held up cardboards with his face on them, while some wrote welcoming messages as they all brought out phones to take selfies with him.

As the "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" voice star walked around in his suit and matching blue hat, he noted in the caption, "Boy, did I miss #mypeople out in the @todayshow plaza. Thanks for all the love."  

Before the Christmas celebration, "Today's" favorite weatherman gifted his followers a thoughtful gift. Even though he had been in recovery after being hospitalized for a while, The Blast noted that the voice actor took time out to give a hint about what to expect from the looming weather. 

He began by showing how heavy snowfall had gotten through a reel on his Instagram page. It featured a grid where one-half of the video displayed Roker's outdoor yard filled with a lot of snow and drew his fans' attention to the trees covered in white. 

The bottom half contrasted the top as this part displayed his indoors by the fireplace, which emitted a warm, comforting glow. In his caption, he wrote, "It's beginning to look like #christmas, but please take your time getting to where you need to. Sometimes, if you can, delaying and waiting is the way to go."