Craig Melvin Is Literally Crowned PEOPLE’s Sexiest Morning Show Host — And His Co-Stars Declare, “Your Hotness Is What America Needs!” Craig Melvin Was Left Blushing After Being Handed A Crown And Named PEOPLE’s Sexiest Morning Show Host, But It Was His Co-Hosts’ Unfiltered Teasing That Stole The Show. From Carson Daly’s cheeky towel joke to Savannah Guthrie’s bold declaration that his “hotness” is exactly what America needs, the Today anchor could barely escape the spotlight. And just when the jokes seemed to be over, his wife Lindsay Czarniak joined in with an unexpected call and her own hilarious suggestions for making everyday family activities a little “sexier.” A Surprise Crown, Unrelenting Teasing, And One On-Air Moment That Had Everyone Laughing.

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Craig Melvin Gets Crowned PEOPLE’s Sexiest Morning Show Host as His Today Co-Stars Celebrate With Playful Teasing

Craig Melvin has a new title to add to his résumé — PEOPLE’s Sexiest Morning Show Host. The Today anchor was crowned the winner of PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive Reader’s Choice poll in the category celebrating the host who is “Hotter Than Your Cup of Coffee in the Morning,” prompting an on-air celebration filled with jokes, a crown and a few affectionate roasts from his colleagues.

The fun unfolded on Thursday, October 22, when Melvin’s Today co-hosts surprised him with the honor during the show’s PopStart segment.

Craig Melvin Is Crowned (Literally!) PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive

Craig Melvin’s Co-Hosts Present Him With a Crown

Carson Daly announced the result, telling viewers that Melvin had officially been voted PEOPLE magazine’s Sexiest Morning Show Host before inviting the team to bring out his crown.

Melvin was quick to question the ceremony, insisting, “There’s not a crown!” But Savannah Guthrie assured him that the royal accessory was very real, adding, “Oh, there’s a crown. Long may you reign.”

The team had another surprise waiting for the newly crowned winner: one of PEOPLE’s exclusive Sexiest Man Alive beach towels. Daly couldn’t resist turning the gift into another joke, quipping that the magazine knew how much Melvin sweats and had provided a towel accordingly.

Craig Melvin Is Crowned (Literally!) PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive

Guthrie joined in, suggesting that his perspiration had finally been explained: “Now we know why you sweat! It’s ‘cause he’s so hot.”

Clearly embarrassed by all the attention, Melvin thanked PEOPLE and attempted to bring the celebration to a close. “I don’t think we need to put the crown on,” he said before reluctantly accepting the moment and adding, “I’m glad it’s over. Thank you.”

He also joked that his victory might have had something to do with two particularly enthusiastic supporters: his mother, Betty Jo, and his wife, Lindsay Czarniak.

“Thanks to my mom and my wife who voted at least 100, 200 times I’m sure,” the father of two teased.

‘Your Hotness Is What America Needs Right Now’

Craig Melvin Is Crowned (Literally!) PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive

The playful congratulations continued outside on the Today Show Plaza, where Dylan Dreyer joked about standing so close to the newly crowned winner.

“I don’t know what to do standing so close to hotness,” Dreyer remarked.

Guthrie enthusiastically backed her up, saying Melvin’s appeal was warming up the immediate surroundings before delivering the line that summed up the celebration: “Your hotness is what America needs right now!”

But the jokes were far from over. During the show’s third hour, Melvin received a surprise phone call from his wife, who was eager to congratulate him on the accolade.

“I’m just so proud of you! I’m so proud. This is amazing!” Czarniak said.

Al Roker pointed out that the win gave her some well-earned bragging rights. Czarniak, however, was more interested in what the new title could mean for everyday family life.

“Almost too much to bear, Al,” she joked, before adding that her husband was “just sexy in everything he does.”

She then suggested that the honor should inspire Melvin to make ordinary activities a little more glamorous — including cooking and the family’s pumpkin-picking outings.

“Now this doesn’t mean that you have to stop doing things, but it just means that everything can get a little sexier like sexy cooking, right? We can have sexy pumpkin picking again. The kids want to go back,” she said.

Craig Melvin Is Crowned (Literally!) PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive

Lindsay Czarniak Has One More Reason to Be Proud

Czarniak made sure to bring a few props to the celebration, holding up a spatula decorated with press-on letters spelling out “SEXY.” She also introduced the family dog, Miles, joking that he was especially excited about his owner’s newfound reputation.

Melvin quickly pointed out that the dog did not appear particularly impressed. “He couldn’t be more indifferent!” he said, laughing.

Beneath the teasing, however, Czarniak made it clear that her pride in her husband went beyond a magazine title. After 15 years of marriage, she closed the segment with a heartfelt compliment.

“I am really proud of you because you’re sexy at heart as well,” she told him.

For Melvin, the recognition brought an entertaining moment on live television, complete with a crown, a beach towel and plenty of jokes from the Today team. For his wife and colleagues, it was also an opportunity to celebrate the popular anchor while reminding him that, even with a new title, he would never escape their good-natured teasing.