A well-known face will keep Craig Melvin’s seat warm over the next week or so as he takes time off from Today.
The NBC star – who co-hosts both the main Today with Savannah Guthrie, and the Third Hour alongside Al Roker and Dylan Dreyer – will be on vacation from July 20, with U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team player Taylor Twellman filling in for him.
The news was announced on the Third Hour on July 15, just a day before an intruder was detained after breaking into the Today studios.
The man got into the studios around 9am, reportedly asking for Al before confronting Craig and yelling racial slurs. He has since been charged with hate crime-burglary, hate crime-menacing, hate crime-criminal trespass, and harassment.
The incident was addressed by Craig and his co-stars the following day, with the NBC star telling viewers: “You may have heard that unfortunately an intruder made his way into an unauthorized area here at Studio 1A. 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.”
Laura Jarrett – who was filling in for Savannah Guthrie – added: “We want to make sure that you’re safe.” “Safe and sound,” Craig replied, as Laura echoed: “Safe and sound at all times.”
The morning show also shared a statement about the incident, declaring that protecting their staff was their highest priority.
“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,” the statement read.
“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.”
Al posted about the incident on social media ahead of Friday’s show too. He wrote: “A really heartfelt thank you to all who reached out over the last 24 hours to check in on my brother, @craigmelvinnbc. We are both okay. It’s moments like these that serve to pull us together. You all, like Craig, said ‘You come after one of us, you come after all of us.’ We’ll talk about it this morning on @todayshow.”