Today show favorite looks unrecognizable as Beetlejuice with hosts going all out for Halloween
Written by Nola Ojomu, Senior Entertainment Writer for Dailymail.com
Posted: 14:32 GMT on October 31, 2024 | Latest update: 15:13 GMT on October 31, 2024
Fans of the Today show were in for a delightful surprise this Halloween as the cherished hosts showcased a variety of amazing costumes.
On Thursday morning's show, Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager took on the roles of Jack and Rose from Titanic.
In the meantime, Savannah Guthrie paid tribute to one of cinema's most beloved attorneys, the legendary character Elle Woods from Legally Blonde.
The most exciting moment occurred when Dylan Dreyer and another host portrayed characters from Tim Burton's iconic 1988 film, Beetlejuice.
Similar to the film, Dylan, portraying Lydia Deetz (a role originally taken on by Winona Ryder), called forth the playful spirit from the beyond by repeating his name three times: "Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice!"
On Thursday morning, Dylan Dreyer and a co-host donned costumes inspired by characters from Tim Burton's iconic 1988 film, Beetlejuice.
The first Beetlejuice, featuring Michael Keaton, came out in March 1988 and has since gained a dedicated fan following. The sequel hit theaters in September.
Rather than Michael Keaton portraying the character, it was Al Roker who stepped into the spotlight, delivering an amazing impression of the beloved ghoul.
The duo then joyfully reenacted the iconic dance moment, with Harry Belafonte's famous song "Banana Boat (Day-O)" playing in the background.
Thanks to the film, the song has become a favorite among listeners during the Halloween season.
Audience members were quickly captivated by the scene, with one user commenting on X (formerly Twitter): "Incredible. Truly incredible."
"Well done, everyone!" another person expressed on Instagram, while one user remarked, "This is amazing [laughing emoji]."
Costume designer Staci Greenbaum shared with Today that creating Al's Beetlejuice outfit required some effort to perfect, including weathering the striped fabric used for his famous suit.
She described the process: "We needed to pinpoint the appropriate weight for the suit, then give it a worn and aged look that would match the makeup and hairstyle, since the character is deceased and has a decayed appearance."
The designer mentioned that creating Al's Beetlejuice appearance involved a visit to the craft store to gather some moss to enhance his outfit.
Similar to the film, Dylan took on the role of Lydia Deetz, a character first portrayed by Winona Ryder, and he summoned the naughty spirit. This time, it was Al Roker who appeared on screen as the beloved ghost.
Costume designer Staci Greenbaum shared with Today that creating Al's Beetlejuice outfit required some effort to perfect, which included distressing the striped fabric used for his famous suit.
The duo joyfully reenacted the iconic dance moment while Harry Belafonte's famous song "Banana Boat (Day-O)" played in the background.
The other coanchors of Today joined in on the excitement as part of this year's VHS Rewind theme.
Willie Geist showed up in a costume as Ron Burgundy from Anchorman, while Carson Daly and Sheinelle Jones transformed into Austin Powers and Foxxy Cleopatra from Goldmember.
Peter Alexander donned a costume inspired by Mrs. Doubtfire, while Laura Jerrett embodied the spirit of Bring It On, and Craig Melvin opted for the iconic look of Axel F. Foley from Beverly Hills Cop.
Beetlejuice has recently regained its popularity with the arrival of a new sequel film in September.
The film’s director, Tim Burton, who is 65 years old, has included Jenna Ortega, Justin Theroux, and Willem Dafoe in the cast. He has also cast his partner, Monica Bellucci.
Michael Keaton, Catherine O'Hara, and Winona Ryder excited fans by returning to their original characters for the film.
