3 Takeaways From Al Roker’s Candid New Book, ‘You Look So Much Better In Person’

Al Roker helps wake Americans up and navigate their weather each day. The morning show personality is as much a part of the day for many as that first cup of coffee.

The Today weather anchor has released his latest book, You Look So Much Better in Person: True Stories of Absurdity and Success. As its dust cover states, it’s about finding a life of “happiness and success through the power of yes.”

Roker revisits key points in his life where answering life’s opportunities in the affirmative – instead of avoiding or hiding – have led to his happiest moments.

1. Al Roker is open to almost anything

The Today veteran explained to TV Insider how the book came about, and how he wasn’t at all planning on writing a new book. He emphasized that the book’s story is in essence what it’s about – anticipating good things in new moments and experiences.

“In a sense, it’s kind of the theme of the book,” he explained, “which is to be open to new things and new ideas. I had no plans of doing this. This woman who would eventually become my editor, Krishan Trotman, came up to me after I gave a speech at the National Association of Broadcast Journalists two years ago now.”

The 65-year-old father of three didn’t have to be talked into the proposition. He was just open to the possibility.

“And she said, ‘I listened to your talk, and you’ve just got an interesting career and an interesting outlook,” he said. “‘I was wondering if you’d be interested in doing a book.’ Well, I’m always interested. I didn’t really think about it. And so, that’s how it started. But I didn’t really have any plans to do this. And fortunately, that’s been the story of my life.”

2. Al Roker loves writing books

His new book is hardly his first. It’s his 13th publication.

Roker’s previous titles include his weight loss memoir, Never Goin’ Back; Been There, Done That: Family Wisdom For Modern Times, which he cowrote with his wife, Deborah Roberts; books on weather events such as The Storm of the Century, on the Great Gulf Hurricane of 1990; plus his “morning show murders” mystery novel series; and a smattering of cookbooks.

Roker explains in his new book that a sense of humor has gotten him through some very dark times, including an emotional breakdown on the job.

Reframing difficulties and setbacks as opportunities, he states, can make all the difference in one’s day – and life.

3. His cheerfulness on camera isn’t an act

In his latest book, Roker reveals his perfected sense of humor, which it appears has come in handy as he’s gone through life – and the Rockefeller Center plaza. In an excerpt from his book, he explains its title.

“I make my way around the crowd, shaking hands, taking selfies, and chatting,” he writes. “I’m moving along when a viewer shakes my hand, looks me directly in the eye, and says, ‘You look so much better in person!'”

“I respond, ‘Why thank you!’ as I move onto the next person who wants a selfie. I get that so often that I’ve made it the title of this book about my career.”

Roker envisions the Today show fans in the plaza sending messages to all their friends and family, messages of relief that, in fact, he looks better in person than on their screens at home.

“There are probably frantic texts being sent all over the country…,” he wrote. “‘Guess what? We can all sleep much better at night now because it turns out Al Roker looks so much better in person! It turns out he’s not a gargoyle! He doesn’t really spend his spare time perched high atop an office building in New York City scowling over the unsuspecting populace!'”

You Look So Much Better in Person: True Stories of Absurdity and Success is available now wherever books are sold.