Dale to the Day: Behind the Scenes of the Today Show in Little Havana with Al Roker and Tom Llamas

Al Roker: Well, I think anytime we can highlight what makes America truly special—being a country of immigrants—it’s important. People come here, they see the U.S. as a beacon of hope, and they inevitably contribute their own culture to our shared culture. So, to be able to come here and see where that all started, especially in a place like Little Havana, is really special.

Tom Llamas: Miami has so many great spots, and Little Havana is one of them. It’s such a privilege to share my culture and the things I grew up with. Al is such a great guy—he embraces everything in life—so he’s been loving the food, the music. We’ve had such a great time. And you know, when you can show someone your hometown and they enjoy it as much as you do, that’s always something special.

Al Roker: Well, you know, I’ve had a Cuban sandwich before—but there’s something about having a Cuban sandwich in Little Havana that just makes it taste that much better. Anytime you give me a sandwich with ham and pork, I’m all in.

Al Roker: I think what’s great about the Today Show is that we’ve always made it a point to bring people to places they might not have been before. And to be able to do that with someone who grew up here—like Tom—makes it that much more special. I’m so thrilled he took the time to show us around.

Tom Llamas: For me, the viewers of Nightly News are who I work for. So to be able to show them my hometown—that’s incredibly special. That’s why we’re here this week. NBC has a long-standing tradition in South Florida. One of the first television stations in the country was based here. NBC News has had a bureau here for decades. We even built the Telemundo Center in Doral, which has become an economic engine in the area. We have deep roots in South Florida, and this community is all about roots. We wanted our viewers to know that we’ve never forgotten South Florida—and we always will be a part of its history. We’re just happy to be back.

Tom Llamas: I’d say—be curious. Read a lot. Watch the news. Always be learning. And find a mentor—someone in the business who can help guide you, answer your questions, and keep you on track. And most importantly, say yes. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that saying yes gives you an edge. A lot of people hesitate, but saying yes gives you opportunities others may not take. Raise your hand, take the extra shift. Al and I were just talking about how we’ve worked every shift in this business—every weekend, every day of the week. But when you love it, it doesn’t feel like work.

Al Roker: You know, I don’t really think about legacy. I just think about hanging on to my job! But seriously, to echo Tom’s point—when you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work. We are so lucky to have these jobs. We get to inform people, we get to tell stories, and we also get to see and experience things that many people never will. I remember once during the Olympics—I was hot and exhausted and complaining—and I told my mom. And she said, “Oh, you poor baby. You’re at the Olympics, getting paid to be there, seeing things most people would dream of. My heart just breaks for you.” I always remember that. Thanks, Mom!