Two years after the 2008 Presidential Election, NBC’s Matt Lauer will interview former President George W. Bush. NBC will air a primetime interview with Bush Monday Nov. 8, with the former President sitting down for a live appearance on “Today” Wednesday Nov. 10.
Bush’s daughter, Jenna Hager, is a correspondent for “Today,” and conducted an interview for the program in April with former President Bill Clinton.
Since leaving office in early 2009, Bush has largely stayed out of the media spotlight. Now, it seems, he is finally ready to speak out. The appearances mark Bush’s first one-on-one television interviews with an American television network since leaving office.
Of course, the appearances are also tied to the release of his memoir, Decision Points, which will be available November 9.
Why choose NBC? The combination of a primetime network special and an appearance on the top broadcast morning show is sure to draw far more viewers than an appearance on any of the cable news channels, including the top-rated Fox News. When you are trying to sell a book, the size of the audience matters.
The press release is after the jump.
MATT LAUER SITS DOWN WITH PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH IN HIS FIRST ONE-ON-ONE TV INTERVIEW SINCE LEAVING THE OVAL OFFICE
The Interview Will Air Monday, November 8, 2010 as a Special Primetime “Matt Lauer Reports”
Bush Will Also Join Lauer Live on “Today” Wednesday, November 10
NEW YORK – August 2, 2010 – – NBC News’ Matt Lauer will sit down with President George W. Bush in his first one-on-one television interview since leaving the Oval Office. The extensive interview will air in primetime, Monday, November 8, as a special “Matt Lauer Reports.” President Bush will then join Lauer live on “Today,” Wednesday, November 10.
Since leaving office, President Bush has granted no one-on-one television interviews about his presidency. President Bush will talk to Lauer about the details of his upcoming book, Decision Points, to be released by Crown Publishers on November 9, and he will discuss the defining decisions he has made in his personal and political life.
Jim Bell is the executive producer of “Today” (Mon.-Fri., 7-11 a.m. ET).