Carson Daly to join ‘Today’ as host of ‘Orange Room’

The “Today� couch just got a little more crowded: Carson Daly will be joining the NBC morning show as host of the “Orange Room,� a brand new digital studio that will be unveiled Monday.

“I think a lot of people associate me with nighttime,� Daly said. “But truth be told I’m more of a morning person.�

The “Orange Room� will be a place “where ‘The Today Show’ viewer will feel like they have a home,� Daly said. The space, a “casual, lounge-like setting,� will provide a “nexus point between the ‘Today’ audience and the show,� NBC elaborated in a press statement.

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Daly, who rose to fame as host of MTV’s “Total Request Live� during the late ‘90s teen-pop heyday and has been a frequent guest host on “Today,� described the show as “‘TRL’ for grown-ups� and characterizes his new role on the show as a “digital doorman.�

Squeezed in to the couch next to his new co-workers, Daly said he will continue to host the network’s top-rated competition series, “The Voice,� as well as his radio program, but did not address whether he’ll continue with his late, late night show, “Last Call,� which was renewed in April but whose fate appears uncertain.

He joins an ever-expanding roster of on-air talent on the morning show, which has struggled to retain its pre-Ann Curry ratings glory after falling to second place behind “Good Morning America� last year. In addition to Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb, who anchor the show’s loopy fourth hour, Willie Geist began hosting the third hour of the show in November.

The “Orange Room� is but one part of a studio redesign, the first for “Today� in seven years. The new set will feature an open floor plan and an interactive weather monitor designed by Al Roker and his team.

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Twitter: @MeredithBlake