Viewers have hit out at a truly awkward segment which unfolded on US breakfast program, Today.
In the cringe-worthy clip, TV presenter Justin Sylvester is seen attempting to keep his co-host Jenna Bush Hager at arms’ length after she appeared to get a little too close for comfort.
During a cooking segment, Sylvester, 35, was receiving instructions for making chicken when Bush Hager, 40, patted his back and put one arm around his shoulders.
As Sylvester leaned out of the way, Bush Hager didn’t budge – so he proceeded to use one arm to push her away.
Bush Hager laughed at the diss, only to step back just as close to him.
when the Sisters First author continued to touch Sylvester’s back despite his arm still being held aloft between them, he glanced up, smiled and pushed her out of the way once more.
Bush Hager, backing up, raised her eyebrows at the cameras.
NBC viewers took to Instagram to bash her behaviour, with one calling Bush Hager’s actions “not cool at all” and advising her to “keep her hands to herself” from now on.
“He literally defined his personal space and she forced herself into it,” one social media user wrote of the awkward interaction.
Another added, “He was clearly uncomfortable and kept trying to push her off politely.”
Sylvester, who is a regular contributor to the Today show, often appearing alongside Bush Hager and Hoda Kotb, clarified in an Instagram Story video that his co-star was not “invading” his space.
“That’s not actually the truth,” Sylvester explained, calling Bush Hager the “nicest” person.
“What we were doing was we were both flirting. Well, I was flirting with the chef because he was cute, and I was pushing her out of the way so I could have a one-on-one moment with the chef.”
This article originally appeared on New York Post and was reproduced with permission
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