NBC upgrades security at ‘Today’ after terrifying incident

EntertainmentThe NBC logo on the GE Building, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, in New York, Monday, July 29, 2013. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)(AP Photo/Richard Drew)By Kelly Corbett | kcorbett@syracuse.comNBC has installed extensive security measures at its 30 Rockefeller Center studios following a terrifying security breach that left “Today” show employees feeling unsafe.Per Page Six, the network reinforced defenses at the morning show’s production facilities this summer after an intruder confronted co-anchor Craig Melvin in July.On July 16, a man named Andrew Truelove slipped past security guards just before 9 a.m. and entered the restricted studio area where the broadcast is filmed. According to sources close to the production, Truelove lunged at Melvin, demanded to know where Al Roker was, and directed a racial slur at Melvin. Melvin quickly alerted security, and police took Truelove into custody. NBC subsequently fired a security guard in the wake of the incident.Compounding the growing anxiety at 30 Rock is the unresolved February kidnapping of co-anchor Savannah Guthrie’s mother.Nancy Guthrie was abducted from her Arizona home on Feb. 1 and remains missing. Savannah Guthrie took a leave of absence before returning to the program in April.Staff members admitted to feeling “on edge” following both high-profile safety scares, and sources described the new protocols as a “much-needed” relief.While representatives for the “Today” show declined to comment on the specific upgrades to the outlet, Variety reported in July that guest restrictions were immediately tightened. Under the updated rules, show guests are only permitted to bring two support staff members—such as publicists, hair and makeup artists, stylists, or photographers—into the studio. Anyone beyond that limit must wait out the segment in the green room.Insiders told Page Six that the team has embraced the changes without complaint.“Staffers are more than willing to oblige with the new protocols,” one insider shared. “It hasn’t been seen as a burden.”Sources added that while the rollout took a bit longer than expected, the overall atmosphere and sense of safety at the studio have noticeably improved.Kelly Corbett is a Trending News Reporter for syracuse.com | The Post-Standard. She covers a wide range of topics from celebrity and TV news to store closings and product recalls. In addition to syracuse.com,...