Henry Louis Gates Jr confronts Al Roker on 'Today' for canceling 'Finding Your Roots' appearance

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: During a recent appearance on ‘Today’ Show, Henry Louis Gates Jr didn't hold back in expressing his frustration as he teased Al Roker for a previously canceled appearance on the show ‘Finding Your Roots.’

Gates, the Harvard professor who hosts the program, was discussing his dream guests for the show, which explores the hidden ancestry of celebrities.

In the segment with hosts Al Roker, Craig Melvin, and Sheinelle Jones, Gates took the opportunity to share this interesting tidbit about Roker's past involvement with the show.

The promotion on ‘Today’ also included information about the upcoming Season 10 of 'Finding Your Roots,' featuring Ciara and Alanis Morissette in its premiere episode airing on PBS.

Henry Louis Gates Jr playfully calls out Al Roker for canceling on him

During a visit to the ‘Today 3rd Hour’ segment on January 2, Henry Louis Gates Jr shared his running list of dream guests for the PBS series ‘Finding Your Roots.’

Interestingly, Al Roker holds the top spot on Gates' list. When asked about his dream guests by Sheinelle Jones, Gates promptly responded, "Let me see ... Al Roker!" playfully turning towards the weatherman.

Gates revealed during the discussion that he and Roker had previously discussed the possibility of Roker appearing on the show.

Gates said, “I had begged him. He’d say yes, then he called and said he changed his mind.”

Melvin jokingly added referring to Roker, “I can’t wait to until this one sits at the table.”

Gates questioned Roker, “Is this a commitment?”

Roker then expressed his willingness, “Yeah, we will talk about this. Seriously.”

He added that before moving forward, he would need to have a conversation with his siblings.

Gates shared a list of potential future guests for ‘Finding Your Roots,’ including notable names such as Dolly Parton, Johnny Mathis, Clint Eastwood, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Gates also expressed his admiration for Martin Scorsese, “I would love (to get him). He’s like God to me.”

Gates admits his list of potential guests is composed of individuals whom he considers "heroes" and whom he admires.

Henry Louris Gates Jr on ‘Finding Your Roots’ Season 10

The lineup for Season 10 of ‘Finding Your Roots,’ which premiered on January 2, boasts an impressive array of celebrities, including Valerie Bertinelli, Danielle Brooks, LeVar Burton, Ciara, Michael Douglas, Lena Dunham, Brendan Fraser, Sammy Hagar, Sunny Hostin, Tracy Morgan, Alanis Morissette, Ed O’Neill, Bob Odenkirk, Anthony Ramos, Iliza Shlesinger, Wes Studi, Dionne Warwick, and Jesse Williams.

‘Finding Your Roots’ often leads its guests to encounter unexpected and sometimes emotionally charged revelations as they explore their ancestry with Henry Louis Gates Jr.

For instance, in the previous season, actor Joe Manganiello discovered African ancestry, and Niecy Nash learned that she wasn't biologically related to the man she thought was her grandfather.

Gates emphasizes the authenticity of the reactions from guests, stating that the shock and surprise seen on their faces are always genuine.

He said, “We’ve never had a guest who wasn’t moved.”

He believes that the show's impact extends beyond the individual guests, hoping it inspires viewers to delve into their family trees, because for him, “knowing about your ancestors is a way of knowing about yourself.”

To underline this point, Gates shares a quote from one of his heroes, Stephen Hawking, "Stephen Hawking, one of my heroes, has a quote that I share with each of my guests. It is the past that tells us what we are. Without knowledge of the past, we lose our identity. And I think that's true.”