5 things to know about SC’s Craig Melvin

Craig Melvin’s name continues to pop up as a potential replacement for Matt Lauer on the Today show.

It took just a day, after Lauer was fired on allegations of sexual misconduct, for Melvin to be floated as a potential replacement.

On Tuesday, Entertainment Tonight reported that the 38-year-old is a serious contender for the gig, while the Daily Mail reported he’s already in talks with his bosses about the job.

“This would give the network the opportunity to make Melvin into a star at NBC,” a source told Entertainment Today. “This would be clean slate.”

So that you’re prepared if Melvin becomes the daily face of TODAY, here are 5 things to know about the South Carolina native:

1. He’s no rookie

Melvin has been part of the NBC family since the get-go. He started his career in 2001 at Columbia’s WIS, an NBC affiliate. He moved to another NBC affiliate before joining NBC News in 2011. His most recent role with the company has been anchoring Weekend Today.

2. He has been called a ‘new type of journalist’

There are two types of TV journalists: those who just want to be on TV, and those who truly understand the power of the medium. His colleagues have said Melvin is one of the latter, because he “genuinely has a heart” for his job. He also doesn’t have the ego that would make him hard to work with.

3. He has Columbia roots

Melvin grew up in South Carolina’s capital and graduated from Columbia High School. When he lived in Columbia, he was seen jogging in the Rosewood area, retrieving his dog from his neighbors’ yards, hanging out at St. Pat’s in Five Points, the Rosewood Crawfish Festival and several area bars.

4. He cited his southern charm to win over his wife

Melvin is married to former ESPN reporter Lindsay Czarniak, who left the company over the summer, according to the Washington Post. Melvin told the paper that when he met her, he thought she was beautiful and made it a point to meet her.

After giving her a ride to her home from an after-party, Melvin insisted on walking her to her door.

“I’m from South Carolina,” he reportedly said to her. “That’s what you do.”

In the kitchen of her apartment, they kissed. The couple married in 2011 and have two children together, Del and Sibby.

5. He’s got a ‘bizarre fascination’ with politics

As TODAY’s potential anchor, Melvin will be able to speak with authority when reporting on politics, because he’s got the chops to back it up. Since joining the national NBC family, he’s covered both the Republican and Democratic conventions of 2012. He’s told his bosses that he has a “bizarre fascination” with American politics.

This story was originally published December 6, 2017 at 12:18 PM with the headline "5 things to know about SC’s Craig Melvin."