Willard Scott, “America’s Weatherman,” is hanging up his umbrella at NBC’s “Today” show. His retirement was announced Friday by Matt Lauer.
Scott’s last day at work is Tuesday.
“NBC News have already begun to pay tribute to the wide-grinning weather personality,” Variety noted. “As part of the segment that aired Friday, journalists reminisced about Scott’s coverage of the George Bush inauguration ceremony that resulted in a kiss from newly minted first lady Barbara Bush.”
“Suddenly I look over and see this very happy face, race over and give that face a kiss [and] race back to George,” Bush recalled in the segment. “He said ‘I didn’t know you knew Willard Scott.’ I said, ‘I don’t know Willard Scott. I just love that face.’”
The Twitterverse was raining praise and sometimes snark:
“He is literally my second dad. I love that man.” –@AlRoker paying tribute to his mentor and hero, Willard Scott. pic.twitter.com/xsQEDlWtkc
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) December 11, 2015
Willard Scott has officially retired from @TODAYshow.
He’ll probably be back on the show for a cameo in about 20 years on a Smuckers label.
— Noah Kinsey (@thenoahkinsey) December 11, 2015
A favorite Willard Scott fact: He’s the original Ronald McDonald https://t.co/6eRELuC9Ov #ThankYouWillard pic.twitter.com/TXXlAnMyWq
— Ian Sager (@ian_sager) December 11, 2015
Willard Scott was the first Ronald McDonald – he was fired for being too fat even though McDonald’s is the reason why 20 million are obese.
— Shocking Realities (@shock_facts_wow) December 10, 2015