Craig Melvin is grateful for his new role on Today, but he admitted there’s one part of the job that seriously “stinks.” The TV personality opened up about his early wake-up time and getting used to his new schedule as Hoda Kotb’s replacement.

“I was like, ‘Are they forcing you out?’ She’s like, ‘No Craig, I’m OK. I’m leaving,’” he recalled. “I was legit stunned, so much so that after she left, I went back to her dressing room, and I was like, ‘Are you sure you’re OK?’ It takes a certain kind of courage to leave anything when you’re at the height of your game.”

They will have to come in with boxes and security and say, you're done,' Melvin joked while exclusively chatting with Parade for the Jan. 17 cover story.

Fans can vote on the loser's punishment: chug from a shoe, wear a sign in the subway or get a temporary tattoo of the other's face.

Dressed in a navy suit and yellow tie that his wife and kids picked out for the occasion, Craig stands at the TODAY desk reading over copy when music begins playing. He looks up, surprised, as the first verse of Hootie & the Blowfish’s “Let Her Cry” comes through the studio speakers.

After the video ended, NBC host Craig Melvin asked Rubio what message the pardons send to the rest of the world. Rubio replied that he would not “engage in domestic political debates” with the media and could not in his role as the head of the State Department.

The newsman, who shares son Delano, 10, and daughter Sybil, 8, with wife Lindsay Czarniak, is taking over the position from longtime Today anchor Hoda Kotb, who said her farewells on Jan. 10 after 17 years at the show.

Today's new co-anchor Craig Melvin opens up in this week's PEOPLE cover story about the new hobby that he can't stop gushing about.

Hoda is a proud parent to Haley, seven, and Hope, four; she shares her daughters with her ex-fiancé, Joel Schiffman. The former anchor handed over the hosting reins for Today's first and second hour to Craig Melvin, who received a sweet message from Hoda upon filling her role.

Johansson is joining Bush Hager as a guest co-host for the week, and PEOPLE was there for an exclusive behind the scenes look

"Totally ignoring us," Savannah captioned the tongue-in-cheek image. It's been a busy time for Savannah, who recently said goodbye to her good friend and co-star, Hoda Kotb, who left the show after 17 years, seven of which alongside Savannah as her co-anchor.