Al Roker on the 85th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade: "You Always Feel Better After the Parade Than You Were When You Started"

Al Roker said it plainly: "You don't come away from the Thanksgiving Day Parade feeling bad. You always feel better after the parade is over than y…" — and Premier Guide Miami was in the room when it happened.

On November 17, 2011, NBC Universal held a press call for the 85th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, airing Thursday, November 24th at 9 a.m. on NBC. Al Roker, NBC Today Show anchor and longtime parade host, joined producer Amy Kule on the call. Premier Guide Miami was among the outlets on the line.

You don't come away from the Thanksgiving Day Parade feeling bad or have any bad feelings. You always feel better after the parade is over than you were when you started. As a country we gather around the TV set and share a communal moment. I don't think there's any event on TV, maybe save the Super Bowl, where more people are gathered around the TV at any one time.

Ann Curry joins the broadcast booth

Roker opened with the news that Ann Curry would be joining him in the broadcast booth for the first time: "That will be something a little different and fun, continuing the tradition of The Today Show being just extending our morning and being part of an American tradition, which we are all thrilled about." On what the mood would be: "It's joyful, it's Thanksgiving, it's playful. We have a good time. I think Ann's really in for a wonderful morning."

Why the parade endures — and what it means as a communal moment

Roker was reflective about the parade's staying power: "Everybody has a Thanksgiving memory and for most people I think that memory is kicked off by the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. I remember we would watch the parade on Channel 4 here in New York in our pajamas. And when it was over it was time to get upstairs and get dressed. You could smell the turkey cooking while the parade was on. It was always the anticipation of a great meal and family and friends. And so I think everybody wants to duplicate that for their family as they grow older." On the parade as a national gathering: "You don't come away from the Thanksgiving Day Parade feeling bad or have any bad feelings. You always feel better after the parade is over than you were when you started. As a country we gather around the TV set and share a communal moment. I don't think there's any event on TV, maybe save the Super Bowl, where more people are gathered around the TV at any one time."

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His daughter on Santa's sleigh — and his parents watching from above

Asked for his favorite parade memory, Roker went personal: "My daughter was on a float a couple of years ago. She was on Santa's sleigh. And she was a Christmas tree." He paused. "And I just always remember looking at that. And my parents had both passed at that point. And I know that they must have been looking down just beaming at their granddaughter." His favorite balloon from the parade's history: Bullwinkle. "I'm probably dating myself. But I kind of now enjoy — because my kids are big SpongeBob fans — I love SpongeBob." On what he was thankful for that year: "The health of the folks I know — my family and friends. I'm thankful that I have a job to go to. And I'm thankful that, no matter how bad things can be, I still live in the greatest country in the world."

Thanksgiving in St. Albans, Queens — and his mother's sweet potato poon

Roker described his childhood Thanksgiving ritual in detail: "It was the same thing every year. You watch the parade on Channel 4, then you flip over to Channel 11 and watch March of the Wooden Soldiers with Laurel and Hardy. Then it was time to get dressed. And then family would come over and, in my neighborhood in St. Albans, Queens, friends would stop by, neighbors. It was a big party." On his Thanksgiving plate: "Some dark meat turkey and stuffing — you can't go wrong. And one of us makes my mother's traditional sweet potato poon, which is like a crustless sweet potato pie. And some cranberry. The usual." He also shared a Christmas memory: "I remember one year — I think I was 4 or 5 — I had the mumps. And I was sick. And I was too weak to get out of bed. And my parents moved the Christmas tree and everything into my bedroom." The 85th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade aired Thursday, November 24, 2011, on NBC at 9 a.m.

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