NBC has agreed to pay as much as $1 million for Paris Hilton’s first after-jail interview, which will appear on the “Today” show, The Post has learned.
Sources told The Post the sit-down will be conducted by Meredith Vieira the day after the heir-head is sprung some time next week.
The deal has infuriated ABC executives, the sources said, because they were banking on Hilton’s first remarks as a free woman going to Barbara Walters, who has become close with Hilton’s mom, Kathy.
ABC was the front-runner until NBC Universal boss Jeff Zucker personally called Hilton’s father Rick and made the pitch, the sources said.
Hilton agreed to the interview, but said she’d only speak with Vieira because of “disparaging” remarks her co-host Matt Lauer made about her.
A spokeswoman for NBC did not return a call for comment.
Hilton’s spokesman Eliot Mintz said he “can’t confirm or deny” the report.
If Hilton’s jailhouse fan mail is any indication, the interview will fetch great ratings. She has received almost 5,000 pieces during her three weeks behind bars and she’s writing back to her admirers, authorities said yesterday.
Source: NY Post
Paris got a lot more fan mail than the NY Post reported.
Publications in the U.S. are always trying to downplay Paris Hilton’s fame.