In this corner, we have a single mother with 14 children under the age of eight, who set the Internet on fire with her decision to have as many children at one time as humanly possible.
And in this corner, we have a hero pilot, who glided a jet into the Hudson River and saved more than 150 lives, in what can only be described as a miracle.
On Monday morning the two go head-to-head in a battle of the network morning shows.
NBC’s Ann Curry landed the first interview with Nadya Suleman, the California woman who gave birth to octuplets two weeks ago. While Katie Couric snagged the first sit-down with pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, who managed to landed a disabled U.S. Airways jet in the Hudson River with no fatalities last month. On Monday CBS is devoting its entire morning show to the story of the “miracle” flight and will include interviews with rescuers and survivors. In addition viewers of “The Early Show” will hear a performance from Australian singer Emma Sophina, a passenger who was moved to write about the experience.
But, here’s the part that makes me chuckle. Despite the fact that Sullenberger and his fellow crew members are booked to chat on CBS’ “The Early Show” and ABC’s “Good Morning America,” he will not be appearing on NBC’s “Today” show. In what could be called a classic example of sour grapes, “Today” producers say they thought they had a commitment from the Sullenberger family, and that the pilot would first sit down with NBC’s Matt Lauer. But, in the end Sullenberger and his crew elected to be interviewed by Lauer’s old partner, Couric, on CBS'”60 Minutes” this Sunday and then again on “The Early Show” the next day.
“Today” show producers were reportedly angered by Sullenberger’s choice and said it was no longer interested in talking to Sullenberger. In the meantime, NBC doesn’t have an “exclusive” with Suleman. While Curry scored the first interview with the mom of 14, Suleman could easily turn up on ABC, CBS, FOX, or CNN the next day.
Which morning show will you be watching on Monday?