Carson Daly brought Ella Langley’s signature bangs and a guitar to Today for Halloween. Wearing a dark wig and a red-and-white Western outfit, the former TRL host lip-synced “Choosin’ Texas” during the morning show’s annual costume celebration.
The Friday, October 30, broadcast honored NBC’s 100th anniversary with a tour through its entertainment and sports history. The theme gave the hosts room to choose from decades of sitcom characters, musical performers and familiar network personalities.
Savannah Guthrie served as an NBC page guiding visitors through the studios in a prerecorded costume reveal. The celebration began with a black-and-white sketch featuring Guthrie and Craig Melvin as old-fashioned broadcasters before moving through the network’s better-known shows.
As NBCUniversal noted, the anniversary dates to November 15, 1926, when NBC debuted with a four-hour radio broadcast. Friday’s festivities brought that history into the present, with celebrity guests and performances on Rockefeller Plaza.
Why Carson Daly Chose Ella Langley
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Daly’s appearance came during the tour’s visit to Studio 1A, the home of Today. His choice reflected his interest in music and admiration for Langley’s success.
“She’s a huge breakout star”, according to E! News. He explained that dressing as the singer seemed like a fun choice for someone with his musical background. Daly later joked on Instagram, “Love you” and “I’m so sorry about this,” according to Complex.
Guthrie and Jenna Bush Hager Revisit ‘Friends’
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Jenna Bush Hager became Phoebe Buffay, picking up a guitar for “Smelly Cat.” Her own cat, Maisie, made a guest appearance during the tribute to Lisa Kudrow’s character.
Guthrie changed into Rachel Green for the Central Perk scene, recreating Jennifer Aniston’s familiar hairstyle. The sketch also referenced Rachel and Ross’s enduring argument about whether they had been on a break.
Another sitcom supplied an actual cast member. Jack McBrayer appeared as Kenneth Parcell, the enthusiastic NBC page he played on 30 Rock, joining Guthrie in her tour-guide role.
Willie Geist reached further back into the network’s schedule as Johnny Carson, recreating Carnac the Magnificent from The Tonight Show. Dylan Dreyer followed another television classic, wearing Jeannie’s familiar pink costume from I Dream of Jeannie.
Rockettes, Snoop Dogg and Gumby Join the Celebration
Al Roker’s costume came from Eddie Murphy’s irritable version of Gumby on Saturday Night Live. Carrying a cigar and an Emmy Award, he complained in character about the recognition he believed Gumby deserved.
Sheinelle Jones took on a more physically demanding assignment. Dressed as a Radio City Rockette in sparkling green, she joined the professional dancers for a routine that included their signature high kicks.
The Olympics inspired two other transformations. Laura Jarrett dressed as Simone Biles in a segment incorporating gymnastics footage from the Paris Games. Melvin wore a Team USA outfit as Snoop Dogg, with Martha Stewart appearing alongside him as herself.
The hosts later competed in an NBC trivia game, according to Entertainment Weekly. Bush Hager, Geist, Dreyer and Jones formed Team Friends, while Roker, Melvin, Jarrett and Daly played for Team Seinfeld. Team Friends won, taking home Peacock pillows as their prizes.