During prime Monday night, ABC ran promos for an exclusive “Good Morning America” interview with British housewife-turned-author E.L. James who penned the erotic novel “50 Shades of Grey.” One problem: James was also on the “Today” show.
ABC’s on-screen graphic read “exclusive” and the voice over said “she’s only talking to GMA.”
But NBC’s Michelle Kosinski also interviewed James about the success of the book. And in introducing the story, Matt Lauer pointed out that NBC’s corporate cousin Universal Pictures had secured the movie rights.
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Elizabeth Vargas did the sit-down with James for GMA. And to the show’s credit, they didn’t blare it as EXCLUSIVE. But apparently the primetime promo producer didn’t get the message.
Both “Today and “GMA” ran their interviews at the exact same time, at 8:19am. “CBS This Morning” also mentioned how the steamy book is also boosting sales at sex shops. Gayle King reported customers “are asking for some of the products described in the book.”