While a show like Today may not feel like a standout in a lineup like the 2025 TV schedule, the commonplace nature of such a program does always come with its own share of news. The recent passing of co-host Sheinelle Jones’ husband, Uche Ojeh, is one of the more unfortunate moments to make headlines, as that death has left Jones and her three children in a time of grief and remembrance.
Which, in turn, has inspired her colleague Carson Daly to offer some memories of a similar loss in his life, in the name of comfort. Those sentiments were part of a larger outpouring of support, which came in the form of the Today family’s announcement, which saw Sheinelle Jones very much in their thoughts.
When it came to the TV veteran of long-running NBC programs like The Voice and Last Call with Carson Daly, his remembrance of the loss of his father tied in through this introductory statement:
I can’t help but think of my own life in this situation. You think so much about these young children, your heart goes out to them. My father was 46. I was 5 when my dad died. My dad was young, [had an] unexpected cancer diagnosis, passed, and I think back now 45 years later, my faith in God.
Uche Ojeh’s death came after undergoing treatment for glioblastoma, a condition that would take his life at the age of 45. Survived by his wife, as well as their three children - Kayin, Clara, and Uche Jr - the love story of Sheinelle Jones and the family she built with her late husband unfolded through beautiful memories of the friendships that the Today crew had built with both parties.
So, of course, Carson Daly’s story of losing his father Jim Daly to bladder cancer hits close to the heart of the subject in discussion. That unfortunate event may have been an inspiration behind Daly’s messages of wanting to “scale back” in TV, as wanting to spend more time with his family is another indication that the personality truly treasures his time in life.
That's also part of the silver lining in this hopeful message from the previous host of MTV’s pop culture landmark Total Request Live. Continuing to reflect on his own experience with young loss, Daly also had this to say:
I mean God has blessed me in my life, so here I am, the young kid, and I say eventually, God gave me two incredible fathers, incredible figures in my life and my life has been so fulfilling and I’m so blessed for that. So I pray for their family and the kids that they’ll have that fortune as well.
Carson Daly's stoic optimism was only part of Today's tribute to Uche Ojeh. If you want to see the full clip, which includes a beautiful recap of Sheinelle Jones' romance with her dearly departed husband, you can take a look for yourself below:
This NBC morning show institution is certainly no stranger to heartfelt tributes, as we’ve seen in relatively happier times. Hoda Kotb’s big Today sendoff is another example of how the crew rallies together to make everyone feel like a proper workplace family. Carson Daly's humorous thoughts on Al Roker returning to work after a 2022 surgery only further prove how much everyone at this legendary news desk has each other's backs.
Though the circumstance of Sheinelle Jones’ husband passing is something much more dour and serious, the reaction is just as emotionally charged in both examples mentioned. It’s in that same spirit that we here at CinemaBlend extend our deepest condolences to Sheinelle Jones, her family, and friends, in this somber time of reflection.