Al Roker Gets Extreme

Watercraft World

Tim McKercher poses as Al Roker as he makes a jump at Universal Studios Orlando.

Viewers of the May 15th episode of NBC’s “Today” got a little personal watercraft exposure thanks to jack-of- all-trades Al Roker. On hand to mark the opening of The Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios Orlando, Roker promoted an upcoming segment on interesting jobs by playing stuntman in the Universal lagoon.

Viewers not only saw Roker tooling around the waters aboard a Sea-Doo RXT-X as he gave the weather update, they also got a surprise—Roker carving up the water like a pro, before actually taking the RXT-X off a water-ski jump in the middle of the lagoon.

Seeing, however, is not always believing. In true movie-magic fashion, Roker switched places with an awaiting Tim McKercher after passing under a lagoon bridge. What viewers actually saw was McKercher, a former Sea World showman and current public relations guy, slashing around the lagoon posing as everybody’s favorite weatherman.

Watercraft World

Al Roker enjoys himself at the stunt show in Orlando.

It was McKercher who put the Sea-Doo through its paces inches from the lagoon walls before setting his sights on the awaiting ramp. After a perfect jump, the native Floridian then proceeded to dump his craft, falling into the water so NBC could make a quick cut to Roker, who was floating in the water.

“It was really fun doing stunt work again, and specifically to do it live for an audience of 6 million,” said McKercher after the show. “I thought those days were over for me, but I guess it comes back quick when it is in your blood.

“It’s a funny feeling, living like a rock star for 24 hours—staying at the five-star Portofino Bay Hotel, being catered to by half a dozen people in the morning, wardrobe, makeup, craft services, etc.—then being back in the office by noon the same day and taking out the trash and mowing the grass.”

Ah, the life of a star.