NBC News gets Charlie Sheen interview; will air ahead of ABC’s 20/20 special

By Chris Ariens 

NBC has scooped competitor ABC by getting an interview with troubled actor Charlie Sheen and airing it first — or at least at about the same time.

NBC’s press release, sent earlier this evening claims this is Sheen’s “first television interview since his contentious public comments against CBS and “Two and a Half Men” co-creator Chuck Lorre.” NBC’s Jeff Rossen sat down with Sheen for an interview that will air Monday on “Today.”

As we reported yesterday, ABC’s Andrea Canning, has already interviewed Sheen for a “20/20” special which will air in primetime Tuesday night, with excerpts airing Monday and Tuesday on “Good Morning America.”

Advertisement

It’s a coup for “Today” and could take some of the wind out of the sails of “GMA”‘s post-Oscar telecast, which could be the show’s greatest chance of getting close in the ratings to #1 “Today,” if only for a day.

So far tonight during the Oscars telecast ABC is promoting “Good Morning America,” but with news from a different star: “Britney Spears, with the announcement that has everyone talking,” goes the promo.

Advertisement