Gag Me with A Pitchfork

June 21, 2007 -- LOS ANGELES -

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.


Let me get this straight...Paris Hilton broke the law and by doing so endangered others, thankfully finally got caught and punished and spent a few days in jail, has not exactly been the most articulate interview subject in the past and NBC thinks that anything she would have to say in an interview (after a "slap on the wrist" punishment) is newsworthy AND worth a million dollars? What can this woman possibly say that commands that kind of money? Shame on her if she accepts the offer, which we all know she will. I believe that it is pretty much a given, based on things she has said to the media in the past, that she will make a fool of herself which is the only upside to this. It would be nice if she at least donated the proceeds of this farce to charity but we all know that won't happen. If anyone had doubts about what is wrong with our society, this answers the question. No wonder there are so many people around the world who have negative feelings towards this country. There are so many positive aspects about life here in America that apparently a lot of people take for granted. American television - can now be seen everywhere and anywhere and a "news" program like the Today show is sending out the worst possible message about life in America. Are ratings that important to NBC that it can be justified paying all that money to someone who is famous for doing nothing but going to parties and posing for the paparazzi...what is this country coming to? I know one thing for sure, whether this "interview" airs or not I will never ever, watch the TODAY show again. I find this just another example of the glorification of what is base in this country. The rich get richer is exemplified by this hunger for headlines. What kind of society are we that has a sheriff promising to make sure this young lady does not hurt herself in jail, which is why he released her in the first place? What ever happened to considering those SHE may have injured getting behind the wheel of a car DRUNK?And now the pay off for her fine behavior, and this is just the beginning, book and movie deal to follow. Joey Buttafuoco, Amy Fisher, the Clinton's Grotesque Road Show, Britney Spears 'Crotch, and now Paris is Burning ............some country, great role models.
We are suffering from a major ethical deficit............does it ever end?