New York superagent Judith Regan has bought the rights to the life stories of runaway bride Jennifer Wilbanks and her fiance after offering them $500,000 for a package that — in an unusual twist — included the first news interview with the couple.
NBC anchor Katie Couric interviewed the couple last weekend for an hour-long prime-time special to air Tuesday, but the network’s news and entertainment divisions say NBC isn’t paying Wilbanks and John Mason a dime. A deal memo to the couple’s spokesman, written by a Regan staffer, specified that an interview would be part of the agreement.
That is approximately $4200.00 an hour for the 120 hours community service she was sentenced to perform.
docG
This “story” once again demonstrates how superfluous 24 hour news channels really are. Now if we could just get Jennifer to run away with Michael Jackson, spring Scott Peterson from prison, and the three of them would help Bill rape Hillary again, then we would have some NEWS!!!!!
KC
I can’t watch cable “news” anymore. Good point docG.
Steven
It is fair to blast cable news because in most cases it has ceased to be news and has become the entertainment division. However, there are lots of people who watch this stuff, there will be lots of people who will buy her book and read the magazine articles about her (assuming she gets those to market before the next great event occurs). So that is my answer to people who complain about the media attention these events get—don’t watch, don’t buy the books, don’t watch the miniseries. Maybe then they’ll stop.
Marcus Wellby
So, it would appear NBC has lied about paying for the interview. Another fine moment in credibility.
Though don’t place this hysteria only at the feet of the media — the beancounters at NBC wouldn’t pay a penny for this unless they new that it stood to make a lot more.
Ken Hahn
Yawn. The only thing that could more boring would be a biography of Michael Jackson’s chimpanzee.
raroma
If Miss Jennifer had been a po gal the media would not have been envolved. I am sure many people have decided not to get married and took off. Besides, today we cannot expect to hear real news. So what else will fill our airwaves for 24 7. Reporters give real news at risk it will be their last.
herb ho
What does NBC say about whether it paid *Judith Regan* (or anybody else other than the interviewees) for the interview?