Al Roker recently found himself at the centre of a light-hearted controversy on the Today show, after a comment he made about his colleague Jenna Bush Hager’s outfit sparked unexpected reactions from fellow hosts. During a broadcast on 20 October, Roker referred to Bush Hager as “Big Red,” prompting immediate disapproval from his female co-hosts.
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During a follow-up discussion on the Today with Jenna & Sheinelle segment aired on 22 October, Bush Hager recounted the moment that caught everyone off guard. She shared, “Earlier this week when I was wearing red — remember this? — and I walked onto the set and Al goes, ‘Hey, Big Red!’” The co-hosts’ responses were swift, with Sheinelle Jones recalling how all the women recoiled at the remark, exclaiming, “No, no! Don’t say that!”
Roker appeared genuinely perplexed by the reaction his comment evoked. In a bid to understand the gravity of his words, he turned to Jones for clarification, asking, “What did I do?” To this, Jones explained, “You can’t say anything that takes up space!” The term “Big Red” was soon identified as a misstep, with Bush Hager pointing out the issues in calling a woman “big.”
The incident revealed the sensitivity surrounding body image and language, particularly in the realm of how women are addressed. Bush Hager added, “You can’t call somebody, a woman ‘big’!” In a humorous attempt to shift the narrative, Jones suggested alternatives like “Skinny Red,” leading to Roker’s subsequent attempts to rectify his blunder by experimenting with “Tall Red,” all of which were met with a mix of laughter and disbelief from his co-stars.
Interestingly, this was not the first instance of Bush Hager grappling with unflattering nicknames. In an earlier conversation from May, she disclosed that her three children—Mila, 13, Poppy, 11, and Hal, 7—had taken to calling her “Biggie,” a name that she found both amusing and disconcerting. “They’re like, ‘Okay, Biggie!’ And I’m like, ‘Excuse me?’” she remarked, illustrating the humorous yet awkward family dynamic.
Bush Hager explained further, saying, “You know what it stems from? The root word is ‘Big Back.’” The name “Biggie” had evidently evolved from a more teasing label to an endearing yet embarrassing moniker in her household. Despite her playful acceptance of the nickname, she expressed concern over its implications, particularly with her son’s interactions at school, stating, “Hal’s gonna go to school and his teacher’s gonna be like, ‘Now, Hal, please turn in your homework.’ And he’s gonna be like, ‘No way, Biggie!’”
The exchange not only provided audience members with a glimpse of the camaraderie shared between the hosts but also shed light on prevailing issues regarding body image and the words used to describe women. Such conversations, while often laced with humour, serve as a reminder of the sensitivity required when discussing appearance, especially in a public forum.
Ultimately, the light-hearted misstep of Al Roker served to spark a broader discussion on language, respect, and the nuances of communication in a professional setting. As the incident was relayed by Bush Hager and Jones, it became evident that while accidentally stepping into murky waters can be amusing, it is also a learning opportunity for all involved.
As the segment concluded, the playful banter indicated that Roker’s intentions were never towards offense, but merely a slip in verbal execution. Viewers were left with both a chuckle and a thoughtful reflection on the weight that words can carry.