MSNBC ‘recreates’ gator habitat on set

After a giant alligator wandered onto a golf course in Florida, MSNBC‘s Jose Diaz-Balart had an actually gator in studio — complete with a backdrop to make the little guy feel at home.

Ron Magill, the communications director of the Miami-Dade Zoological Park, joined Diaz-Balart in his Miami studio with a much smaller alligator he brought along.

José Díaz-Balart debuts on MSNBC from Miami studio

During the segment the video walls on the small set that normally show a Miami cityscape were used to display photos of a marsh or swamp.

“The Rundown” also uses the monitor for topical graphics, such as showing the White House during political segments.

Diaz-Balart then got a chance to hold the critter and asked if he could put it down.

“Well, he might run off the thing…” said Magill.

Hey, Ron: That “thing” is an anchor desk!

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