Roker’s co-host Craig Melvin teased him that he won’t make it to 73 if he eats that much bacon

NEED TO KNOW

• Al Roker celebrated his 72nd birthday live on Today with surprises including a bacon bouquet and a cocktail
• The celebration coincided with National Bacon Lover’s Day, inspiring a unique gift crafted by the show’s production team
• Roker reflected on his career and shared plans to celebrate with family and friends after the show

Happy Birthday, Al Roker! 

The famed Today show weatherman rang in his 72nd birthday live on the Today show on Thursday, Aug. 20, and was treated to several special treats and surprises. 

First, Roker rocked out to Raye’s live Citi Summer Concert Series performance on the Today Show Plaza, dancing in his plaid suit to the British singer. 

Then on the 3rd Hour of Today, he enjoyed several tasty gifts. 

“Al, it’s actually incredible that your birthday is Aug. 20 because you know what today is also? It’s National Bacon Lover’s Day,” Dylan Dreyer told her co-host. “So since we know how much you love bacon, we made you something that sizzles.”

Roker was presented with a bouquet made out of bacon flowers, which he happily munched on. 

“That’s a bouquet I can really get behind!” he teased. 

Dreyer, 45, shared that the production team on the show took actual roses off their stems and replaced them with bacon for the birthday celebration. 

“This bud’s for you! That’s fantastic,” Roker said, grinning. 

Co-host Craig Melvin warned him, “Here’s the thing, you eat all that you’re not going to make it to 73,” and fellow weatherperson Dreyer jokingly replied, “Here, have more!”

Roker was then treated to an early-morning cocktail called a Paper Plane. 

As for his post-show plans, Roker said he’s “just hanging out” with loved ones. 

“We’re going to dinner tonight with some family and friends,” he shared. 

And when Melvin, 47, asked him if the birthday causes him to reflect on his life, Roker quipped, “Yeah, when I look back, I see a lot of jerks.”

One person who doesn’t fall into that category? A young Today show fan Roker met on the Plaza. 

“There was a little boy out there. Mom asked, ‘How old do you think he is?’ He said, ‘53,’ ” Roker said. “I said, ‘I don’t know where that number came from, but I’ll take it!’ ”

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Earlier this year, Roker celebrated his 30th year on the Today show, speaking to PEOPLE about the milestone. 

“[I hope] people when they watch, that they didn’t feel like I wasted their time,” Roker told PEOPLE at the time. “And that hopefully they felt better after watching than before.”

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