Carson Daly loves his job so much he got another one.
Daly, 53, is adding a sixth day to his workweek with his new role co-anchoring NBC's "Saturday Today" with Laura Jarrett. His busy schedule already includes co-hosting the weekday episodes of "Today" – a position he has held since 2013 – along with hosting and executive producing "The Voice" and serving as executive producer on its spinoff, "The Voice: Celebrity," but he tells USA TODAY he's never been one to sit still for too long.
"I'm the type of person who's always looking to evolve," Daly says. "I actually asked if they needed somebody to fill in on Saturdays, or even on holidays, because it would be a chance for me to sit in an anchor chair and flex that muscle, which I don't get to do a lot.
I thought that it would just be another way that I can become a better broadcaster."
"He's so humble," Jarrett, 43, quips. "He's Carson Daly. He can do whatever he wants. That's why everyone's so excited about this, because it's just more of what you already want. He's that guy on your screen that you already have this relationship with, and now you get him on Saturdays, too. It's a win win."
Daly's official first day on the morning show is Nov. 7, but he has appeared behind the anchor desk for several weeks in a temporary role. He says he and Jarrett "really hit it off," and the decision to make it permanent was a "no-brainer."
"It became this really obvious: 'Should we do this?'" he says.
Below, Daly and Jarrett open up to USA TODAY about the new Saturday gig, why it's especially important for the "Today" family to celebrate the wins after a tough year and how Daly's family responded to his new job.
(Questions and answers have been edited for length and clarity.)
Question: You have so much going on already. What made you want to take on this opportunity? Were there any hesitations or considerations of leaving "Today" or "The Voice"?
Carson Daly: Not really. I mean, let's just seat this in reality – I'm not digging ditches. People work a lot harder five days a week than I ever have in my life. Obviously there were family concerns, like, "Is this gonna work logistically?" But I've got two teenagers who don't wake up before noon. And after working with Laura and doing the show four weeks in a row and getting into the rhythm, meeting the Saturday crew, it just made perfect sense. If they'll have me, I'm definitely gonna take this.
Laura, what does Carson bring to the desk that the show really needs right now?
Laura Jarrett: He's the full package. Part of it is that people feel like they know him, because he's been doing this for a really long time. He is a legend, but that's what's so great about it, is that even though he's a legend, he is humble, he is curious, he doesn't take anything for granted. He's obviously witty, but he also is a deep feeling, caring person. He actually really does care about people, and he is one of the rare people on television who what you see is what you get. We are lucky to have him.
Daly: That's very sweet. I have a lot to learn, but I'm excited about it. It's a new chapter for me, and it's really thrilling at my age and at my stage in my career. I'm proud of myself for not resting on my laurels and just phoning it in. I really do care. I walk into 30 Rock every day and feel lucky to be here. It's never lost on me.
Carson, you said in your announcement that your kids were more concerned about you making them pancakes on Saturday mornings. What was your family's reaction?
Daly: They were all very supportive. I couldn't juggle all the things that I do in my life without having such a great support system. My wife Siri has been incredible, and the kids too. Jackson is 17 and looking at colleges right now, so he's been busy. He's in his senior year high school. Etta's 14 going on 30. London is 12, and Goldie is 6. They are all just great.
How do you plan on balancing all of it while also being there for them?
Daly: Leading by example is a huge parenting tactic. I figure if I just do me in my professional moment, hopefully my kids will see that I'm not afraid to take another job or another challenge, not afraid to mess up, not afraid to get back in there. And the show's never more than two hours, so whatever's going on in their lives, I certainly won't miss on a Saturday. It's just me getting out of my house for two hours, and then I'll go right back to my cargo shorts and flip flops.
Which of your "Today" costars had the best reaction to the news?
Daly: Craig Melvin was the first person to call me and was gushing for 10 minutes, saying how proud he was of me. Jenna Bush Hager, who is like my sister, was texting us when I was auditioning for the gig. She was like, "Bro, why are you on 'Saturday?'" I was just like, "Well, why not?" People see all of us and wonder, "Are they really friends? Do they really get along?" And the truth is, you can't fake this. We are a family. So the totality of everybody's authentic sense of joy for me really meant so much to me.
Jarrett: Willie Geist said to me when he found out, "We got another one on the weekends!" He was hyped for this, too.
Does this high you're currently experiencing feel extra significant given the tough year the "Today" family has been through?
Jarrett: It shows you don't take anything for granted, try to live in the moment every time, hold your loved ones close and be around the people that you love and respect, and realize not everybody gets to do this. We get to do this. And that's an extraordinary thing.
Daly: As we were all gathering to make the announcement, we did have a moment when we all looked at each other and were like, "It's so nice for us all to be together for a good reason." Because, of course, we've all been together for not great reasons, both personally and with stuff that's going on that we cover. There are the highs and lows. This isn't really a job, it's a lifestyle, and it is nice. You've got to celebrate the victories.
Mental health always has been important to you. How are you planning to maintain a self-care routine now that you have more demands in your schedule?
Daly: I was diagnosed with panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, and ironically, as I add on new things on my plate, that actually helps the mental health side of it all. What actually helps me is talking about it. Everybody's going through something. So my new responsibility on Saturday mornings is to be honest on the air. I'm not afraid of what people think of me. If they think I'm less of a broadcaster, or a man, or a person, because I talk about being scared, or my nervous system not being regulated, or whatever I choose, this is life. We all have to deal with this stuff.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Carson Daly says new role gives 'Today' family 'a good reason' to celebrate | Exclusive
