I’m sure you’ve heard by now that veteran Today show host, Katie Couric will be leaving her post at the end of May to anchor the CBS Evening News. If you want to say goodbye in person you need to start making your travel plans now. I say this tongue-in-cheek, but the fact of the matter is I have traveled to New York City and stood outside the Today show studio to catch a glimpse of the show’s personalities (more on that later).
If you have been living under a rock or just don’t watch morning news programs then let me get you up to speed. The Today show’s studio is on the ground floor at the corner of 49th Street and Rockefeller Center (the exact address is 30 Rockefeller Plaza). While co-hosts Katie Couric and Matt Lauer relay news stories and conduct interviews inside, outside a crowd of people wave signs and hope to get on television.
My visit to “30 Rock” took place on a frigid December Saturday. That’s right, Saturday. I was only in town for the weekend so I became a member of the Weekend Today (now hosted by Campbell Brown and Lester Holt) crowd. But, keep reading because the tips I have to share regarding getting a good spot (a.k.a. your best chance to personally bid farewell to Katie Couric or at least have your mug broadcast to some six million viewers) are applicable to both shows.
Tip #1—Arrive early. The Today show airs Monday-Friday from 7a.m. to 10a.m. Saturday’s Weekend Today airs from 7a.m.-9a.m. The earlier you arrive (I spoke to some who said they were in place by 4a.m.) the better your chance of securing a coveted spot against the silver railings that frame the area where the anchors come out to chat during the show. I arrived “late” (8a.m.); by then the crowd was about four people deep and I really couldn’t see much of anything.
Tip #2—Location, location, location. It’s all about where you stand. If you arrive early and secure a spot smack up against the rail then you are almost guaranteed to get on television (as fleeting as it may be since a lot of the shots are quick pans of fans and their signs used as bump shots going in and out of commercial breaks). The best spot: the southeast corner directly behind the anchor desk.
Tip #3—Settle for Al Roker. Al Roker is outside more than Katie and Matt. He broadcasts his weather reports and mingles with fans every half hour beginning at 7:30 a.m. The same rule applies for Weekend Today, only Janice Huff does the weather on the weekends, not Al Roker. Katie and Matt (Campbell and Lester on the weekends) preview stories and mingle with the crowd beginning in the 8 o’clock hour.
Tip #4—Weather is EVERYTHING. When the weather is nice the hosts stay outside longer. For example, when I was there it was freezing. The hosts came out less than a minute before air time and high-tailed it back inside as soon as they were done. However, I have a friend who visited in August and she said Katie and Matt stayed outside to mingle with the crowd during each local news break (the five minutes given to affiliates each half hour to broadcast local news and weather updates). Also, when the weather is nice more segments are shot outside. For example, in the summer, cooking and gardening segments are shot outside, thereby allowing you the chance to see the hosts in action.
Tip #5—Stage an event or attend one. If you are celebrating a major milestone (e.g. 50th wedding anniversary, 16th birthday, birth of a new baby) don’t be shy to tell one of the technical people who are roaming around outside. Want to propose on camera? Let them know, more than 50 couples have gotten engaged on-air already. If that is not an option, then go to Plan B: visit on a day that the show is planning a major event. For example, the Today show’s summer concert series gives you the chance to see some of the world’s hottest music acts live in concert. During the month of December many celebrities show up to collect toys from fans outside the studio for the show’s annual toy drive.
Tip #6—Crazy Signs. Believe it or not it works. Large signs with unique messages are attention grabbers. Camera people walk up and down the Plaza looking for unique signs and use them in shots coming in and out of commercials. Have something extraordinary you want to share with the world, put pen to paper and hope for the best.
If you follow some or all of these tips (and the stars align just right) you may get the chance to say goodbye to Katie in person… or at least say you tried.