A lighthearted moment on NBC’s Today show turned into an unexpected conversation about body image after Jenna Bush Hager revealed the nickname Al Roker had given her.
During an episode of Today with Jenna & Sheinelle on October 22, 2026, Bush Hager recalled walking onto the set earlier that week wearing a red outfit when Roker greeted her with an unexpected phrase: “Hey, Big Red!”
Although Roker appeared to be making a playful comment about her outfit, the nickname immediately caught the attention of the women around them.
Bush Hager and her co-host, Sheinelle Jones, later shared the story on air, describing how their colleagues reacted with surprise.
Why Al Roker’s Nickname Surprised Everyone
According to Bush Hager, the moment happened when she arrived on set wearing red on October 20.
“Earlier this week when I was wearing red, remember this?” she asked Jones while recounting the incident. “And I walked onto the set and Al goes, ‘Hey, Big Red!’”
Jones remembered the reaction from the other women, including fellow Today host Savannah Guthrie.
“And all the girls were like, ‘No, no! Don’t say that!’” Jones recalled, playfully reenacting their response.
Roker reportedly did not immediately understand why his greeting had caused such a reaction.
Jones explained that Guthrie was surprised by the remark, while Roker turned to her and asked what he had done wrong.
The incident was not described as a major confrontation. Instead, the hosts discussed it with humor while explaining why a seemingly harmless nickname could be interpreted differently than intended.
Jenna Explains Why the Word “Big” Can Be Sensitive
Bush Hager made her position clear during the conversation.
“You can’t call somebody, a woman, ‘big!’” she said.
Her reaction highlighted how comments about a person's body can make people uncomfortable, even when the speaker intends to be friendly or funny.
Jones explained the situation by saying that people should avoid comments that draw attention to someone's size.
The discussion reflected a broader issue many people encounter in everyday life: a nickname that one person considers affectionate may feel embarrassing or inappropriate to someone else.
The exchange also showed how colleagues can address an uncomfortable moment directly without turning it into a serious dispute.
Al Roker Tries to Find a Better Nickname
After realizing that “Big Red” had not landed as intended, Roker reportedly attempted to come up with alternative nicknames.
Jones jokingly suggested “Skinny Red” as another option.
However, Roker's next suggestion did not win Bush Hager over either.
He reportedly tried “Tall Red,” prompting Bush Hager to respond, “Not okay!”
The back-and-forth kept the conversation playful, with the hosts laughing as they revisited the awkward greeting.
The story quickly attracted attention because viewers are familiar with the personalities on Today and enjoy seeing the unscripted interactions that take place behind the scenes.
The Conversation Brought Up Another Nickname
The discussion also recalled a nickname Bush Hager had previously shared with viewers.
In May 2026, she revealed that her children had been calling her “Biggie” or “Big Back.”
Bush Hager explained that the nickname came from the phrase “Big Back,” which she did not particularly like. She also expressed concern that her children might use the name when speaking to other adults, including their teachers.
The earlier story showed that comments about appearance can carry emotional weight even within a family where the intention may simply be playful teasing.
For Bush Hager, the latest exchange offered another opportunity to explain why people should think carefully before giving someone a nickname based on their body.
A Funny Television Moment With a Bigger Message
Al Roker and Jenna Bush Hager have worked within the same television environment for years, and the exchange was presented as a lighthearted moment among colleagues rather than evidence of a serious feud.
Still, the story resonated because it touched on a familiar social question: where is the line between friendly teasing and an unwanted comment about someone's appearance?
A nickname may seem harmless to the person who invents it, but the person receiving it may have a very different reaction.
Bush Hager's response made one thing clear—being on friendly terms with someone does not mean every joke will feel comfortable.
For viewers, the incident offered a glimpse of the personalities behind one of America's best-known morning television programs. It also served as a reminder that humor works best when everyone involved feels included in the joke.
The takeaway: Even a playful nickname can miss the mark. Sometimes, a little thought about how words might affect another person can make all the difference.