Al Roker says being ‘Pop-Pop’ to granddaughter Sky is ‘pure joy’ as he shares his plans for Father’s Day

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK: 'Today' co-host Al Roker is overwhelmed as he will be celebrating his first Father's Day as a grandfather.

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

Al Roker opens about becoming a grandfather 

Roker sat down with the other fathers on the 'Today' show at Lucali restaurant in Brooklyn to talk about becoming a "Pop-Pop" (he wants his grandchild to call him Pop-Pop).

"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."

Roker claimed that before Sky arrived, he didn't understand why everyone was making such a big deal over their grandchildren and that he used to get bored listening to others babble on and on about them.

"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."

Daly added, "It's like renting a boat, not owning a boat."  

"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 then added, "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."

About how he will be celebrating Father's Day, Roker said, "Well, you get to a point that it's not about the kids anymore, it's about you," adding, "Like, right now, I give a list of what I want."

When Craig laughed at Al for handing out a wish list, Al calmly said, "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!"

Roker has constantly faced health issues. In 2020, Roker revealed that he was battling prostate cancer and underwent surgery to have his prostate removed. 

He was hospitalized for blood clots in November 2022 and in May 2023, he underwent a successful knee replacement surgery.

When Al Roker revealed what his grandchild will call him

Al Roker announced on March 15, 2023 that he was set to become a grandfather, while also sharing what he would like his first grandchild to call him.

"I think in honor of my dad I’m going to try to go for Pop-Pop," he said.

About his daughter's pregnancy, Roker said at that time, "I’ve known for a while," adding, "They just decided to go ahead (in announcing it). Wes’s goofy brother accidentally dropped it in a text. Thanks Cory!"

Roker recently celebrated Mother's Day with son Nicholas and wife Deborah, posting a sweet carousel of photos on his Instagram. Roker documented his family's Mother's Day celebration, which included church, brunch and a concert.