Hero Pilot Now Gives First Interview to CBS’ Katie Couric, Not NBC’s Matt Lauer

TVNewser has learned Capt. Chesley Sullenberger, the pilot of US Airways flight 1549, who was scheduled to give his first interview to “Today’s” Matt Lauer last Monday, has now agreed to speak first to CBS’ “60 Minutes.” Lauer’s former co-anchor Katie Couric will conduct the interview.

The interview with Capt. Sullenberger and the entire crew of flight 1549 is scheduled to air Sunday, February 8. Why the delay? Because NBC will be airing the Super Bowl on Sunday, February 1 when “60 Minutes” will be airing on CBS. Insiders tell us a date for the interview to take place is still being worked out.

Developing…

> More: Last Saturday, NBC announced they had secured the first interview with Sullenberger and that it was set for Monday morning. When it did not come to pass, Lauer explained on air that the pilot’s union had asked for the delay and that, “We have been guaranteed we’ll have the first interview with Capt. Sullenberger.”

> Update: The response from NBC News – “What Captain Sullenberger did in the cockpit on flight 1549 was heroic and admirable. Unfortunately, people close to him have not acted nearly as admirably over the past few days. They gave us their word, and then broke their commitment. We wish Captain Sullenberger the best.”

> Update (2): Insiders tell us Capt. Sullenberger will give his second interview to Good Morning America on the morning of Monday, Feb. 9. He’ll appear on CBS’ The Early Show following the GMA interview.

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