Production of the NBC morning show The Today Show was altered today after a man tried to harm himself outside the studio in Rockefeller Plaza. Though the show normally places one of more of its anchors outside the studio, surrounded by cheering fans, today’s 8-o’clock hour opened instead with a brief explanation from Today Show anchor Matt Lauer.
“Opening the 8-o’clock half-hour inside the studio today because there was an incident out on the plaza,” said Lauer. “A short time ago, a man out there attempted to harm himself with a knife. He did manage to cut himself. He was controlled by our security team out there, however he did harm himself in some way and so he’s now being attended to by medical personnel.”
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According to a New York Post report on the incident, the man who harmed himself was Pak Chong Mar of Queens. Mar was allegedly passing out flyers before screaming that he believes the IRS is watching him. He then began slicing his wrist and forearm, causing people in the area to panic. The man was then tackled by a Today Show, and shortly thereafter was taken to receive medical treatment. He is now in police custody.