The Today show has implemented “stricter security protocols” following an incident where co-host Craig Melvin was confronted on-set by an intruder.
In an email to publicists Thursday, Today producers said that, effective immediately “in light of recent events,” there would be a cap on how many people a Today show guest can bring into the studio.
“Moving forward, there will be a maximum of two (2) people in the studio per guest. This includes anyone accompanying the guest – PR representatives, hair/makeup, social media, photographers, stylists, studio representatives, or any other support personnel,” Today producers wrote (via Variety). “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.”
The move to limit in-studio guests comes a week after a man later identified as Andrew Truelove allegedly snuck past a security guard on the Today show set and made his way toward the co-hosts in search of Today's Al Roker, who wasn't on-screen at the time.
Truelove, who has a criminal history as well as mental health issues, instead approached Melvin and hurled a racial slur at the co-host before he was detained.
“You may have heard that unfortunately an intruder made his way into an unauthorized area here at Studio 1A,” Melvin told the Today audience the next day. “Thankfully he was apprehended quickly, he was placed under arrest, we are cooperating fully with NYPD as they investigate the matter, and we are just very happy that everyone is safe.”
The NYPD arrested Truelove soon after and charged him with three felonies — hate crime, burglary; hate crime, menacing; and hate crime, criminal trespass — as well as harassment. An NBC security guard was reportedly fired following the incident.
“We understand this is a change from how we've operated in the past, and we appreciate your flexibility as we implement these new measures,” Today producers added in their email. “Anyone else accompanying the guest is more than welcome to wait in the green room during the interview – although we do encourage only bringing essential team members to the show in general moving forward.”
