The Today Show is cracking down on unnecessary guests in the NBC studios after Craig Melvin came face-to-face with an intruder who had evaded security to gain access.
An email was sent via NBC to Hollywood PR firms on Thursday, July 23, outlining the new rules that will impact all guests, including A-list superstars.
“We wanted to reach out with an important update regarding studio access for Today interviews,” the email read, in part. “In light of the recent events last week, we are implementing stricter security protocols effective immediately.”
The new rules will only allow a maximum of two additional people into the studio per guest, with NBC allowing talent or their team to decide “who those two individuals should be”.
“Moving forward, there will be a maximum of two (2) people in the studio per guest,” the email continued. “This includes anyone accompanying the guest — PR representatives, hair/makeup, social media, photographers, stylists, studio representatives, or any other support personnel. We’ll defer to you on who those two individuals should be, but there will be no exceptions or additional personnel permitted in the studio during the interview.”
© GettyExtra additional guests will be allowed to sit in the green room, which is not on the set, although NBC has asked that only “essential team members” be invited in the first place.
Variety first reported the news.
© Noam Galai/NBC via Getty ImagesCraig and Al Roker have both been granted temporary restraining orders against Andrew Truelove, the 41-year-old man who broke into the Today Show’s studio on Thursday, July 16.
Truelove has been charged with two felonies: burglary in the third degree as a hate crime, and menacing in the third degree as a hate crime. A temporary order of protection was also put in place for both news anchors, who were subject to racial slurs from Truelove.
NBC confirmed with HELLO! that no-one was injured, although Craig did confront the intruder who, per the complaint, entered the NBC studio at Rockefeller Plaza around 9am local time by following an employee who scanned in for access.
Witnesses report he was looking specifically for Al but allegedly confronted 47-year-old Craig and yelled racial slurs.
“That’s what you wanted to get arrested for?” Craig reportedly responded.
“TODAY is cooperating fully with law enforcement as they investigate the matter. NBC and TODAY take the safety and security of our employees, talent, staff and guests extremely seriously. We are reviewing the incident and our security protocols and remain committed to providing a safe and secure environment for everyone who works at and visits our studios,” a statement given from NBC to HELLO! read.
Truelove has not yet posted bail, and is being held in jail on Rikers Island.
Craig broke his on-air silence about the incident the following day, telling viewers that they were “cooperating fully with NYPD as they investigate the matter” but were “just very happy that everyone is safe”.
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