From what we’ve seen, it’s impossible to work as a TV journalist without someone eventually showing up to wreck your broadcast.
And while we can hardly blame curious wildlife from disrupting a live report, the truth is that most of the time, most of these interruptions are going to come from humans who know precisely what they’re doing.
But while such intrusions are usually more annoying than funny for reporters, some can quickly make them feel unsafe . Nonetheless, we’re about to see that even these extreme examples don’t always stop the journalists involved from doing their jobs.
On August 30, NBC News reporter Shaquille Brewster was covering the aftermath of Hurricane Ida in Gulfport, Mississippi.
But while he was telling viewers about mail delivery in the area picking back up again, a man can be seen in the background pulling up in a white pickup truck and running towards him.
Because the man can be heard yelling at Brewster as he gets closer, the reporter soon becomes aware of his presence.
While the man apparently yells at him to report the news accurately without specifying what he means, Brewster soon directs his camera operator to change positions and keep the stranger out of the shot.
As he put it, “I’m going to turn this way because, you know we deal with some people every once in a while.”
And while the man’s outburts are clearly distracting for him, Brewster calmly continues his report, saying Gulfport’s mayor has yet to lift the city’s curfew.
However, he is only able to recount some initial reports of the hurricane’s damage before the man becomes more belligerent, at which point Brewster recommends cutting back to the studio.
Shortly before this happens, however, the man can be seen engaging Brewster physically and getting in his face.
This prompts anchor Craig Melvin to say, “We’re going to check in with Shaq Brewster just to make sure all is well. There is a lot of crazy out there, a lot of crazy.”
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Fortunately, both Melvin and Brewster would later confirm that the reporter and his crew made it through the incident unharmed.
And not only was the video of the incident that’s since been posted to Twitter a stunning demonstration of Brewster’s professionalism, but WLOX reported that it also helped police identify the man responsible.
His name has not been released at this time and it remains unclear as to whether he’ll face any charges.
