Willard Scott retires from NBC

81 year old US weather presenter Willard Scott has retired from NBC after an incredible 65 years at the network, and 35 of them on the Today show.

According to NY Daily News, Scott said, “Well, Donald Trump wrote me in his will.

“And I figured, I don’t need to work anymore. This is crazy. So I told NBC to take this job and …”

The beloved Scott was surprised when the stretch of Rockefeller Plaza outside the show’s NYC studio was temporarily rechristened “Willard Scott Way.”

“This is my guru,” said Al Roker as the pair sat side by side at Scott’s Virginia farm. Roker, who took over from Scott back in 1996, planted a kiss on his predecessor before they shared a champagne toast.

The show rolled out a 10-minute Scott tribute, with clips from throughout his long career — back to his time as a TV clown through his Today appearance in a Carmen Miranda outfit.

“He’s entertaining, he’s warm, he’s endearing, he cares, he represents the tradition of the show — all in one loveable package,” said Today show co-host Matt Lauer.

Tributes came from Tom Brokaw, Katie Couric, former first lady Barbara Bush, and a rare video tribute from 89 year old film critic Gene Shalit.