Marc Summers Unwraps: Al Roker

Parenthood, racism, neurodiversity - and the weather! Al Roker shares his wisdom from his career as a broadcaster and confirms that he has no intention of jumping out of a plane.

From The Today Show to Broadway - Al Roker is never tired of the live experience of entertainment. He and Marc discuss his journey into television across America hosting Macy’s Thanksgiving Day
Parade, dealing with racism during his career, and the craft of broadcasting.

Marc Summers Unwraps is about overcoming obstacles, with new episodes every Monday.

Chapters

00:00 - Intro
1:26 - Quintessential Broadcaster Al Roker
2:55 - Al growing up in NY, 1 of 6 kids in Queens….
7:50 - What was school like for Al Roker?
9:55 - The Best Advice Al Ever Got: Be Yourself.
14:44 - Did you know where Ronald McDonald came from?
16:43 - “Podcasts are the modern radio show.”
17:47 - How did Al get onto the Today show?
22:49 - Who is Sue Simmons, you ask?
26:29 - How long has Al been at Today Show?
30:50 - What’s the heart of the Macy’s Day Parade like?
32:33 - Al never wanted to do Broadway.
38:45 - Producing and Hosting, Food Fests, and Nick makes an appearance
41:49 - Al’s perspective on Social Media
46:43 - On being a parent, on different learners, and talking to grandkids on Facetime.
50:36 - What’s kept Al productive?
53:55 - Al, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and how Jewish his mother sounds…
55:42 - Rokerisms
56:42 - Would Al and Deborah make good reality television?
57:42 - Overcoming obstacles: racism.
1:01:20 - What is a Second Banana? What’s the difference between a Star and a star?