NEW YORK — Katie Couric has landed the first interview with the pilot who safely brought his distressed plane down in the Hudson River — a coup that comes at the expense of her former "Today" show partner Matt Lauer.
The interview with Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger and his crew will be shown Feb. 8 on CBS' "60 Minutes."
Lauer had been promised the first interview live on Jan. 19. But the day before, Sullenberger's pilots association asked him to postpone interviews while the investigation into U.S. Airways Flight 1549 and its water landing continued.
Sullenberger was praised as a hero for a deft landing on Jan. 15, after both of the plane's engines were disabled following a collision with a flock of birds. All 155 passengers and crew members were rescued.
Despite the postponement, NBC's "Today" said it had a continued commitment with Sullenberger's family and media adviser to have the first interview.
"What Captain Sullenberger did in the cockpit on Flight 1549 was heroic and admirable," said NBC News spokeswoman Megan Kopf. "Unfortunately, people close to him have not acted nearly as admirably over the past few days. They gave us their word, and then broke their commitment. We wish Captain Sullenberger the best."
The "Today" show has no plans now to interview Sullenberger.
The Sullenbergers' media adviser, Alex Clemens of the communications firm Barbary Coast Consulting, confirmed the "60 Minutes" interview but said he would have no other comment.The news continues a good run for Couric, who received praise last fall for her Sarah Palin interview and, more than two years after becoming the "CBS Evening News" anchor, is seeing her ratings go up.
CBS announced two other moves to give her more exposure: The network will air a special prime-time edition of the evening news at 8 p.m. Wednesday, and Couric will do a Feb. 4 interview special with leading musicians before the Grammys.
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