NBC touts Brokaw's Bush talk

ABC boasts Sawyer chat with accused murderer Peterson

By PAMELA MCCLINTOCK

WASHINGTON -- NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw has landed President Bush's first television interview since the fall of Baghdad, a sweet score that the Peacock will use Friday eve -- the second night of the May sweep.

ABC News has plenty to boast about as well, and will get a head start on the sweeps tonight, when it airs Diane Sawyer's exclusive sit-down with accused murderer Scott Peterson. That's to be followed by Sawyer's interview with the Dixie Chicks.

Brokaw's interview with President Bush will be broadcast during a primetime, one-hour report, "Commander in Chief: Inside the White House at War." The special airs 9 p.m. EDT.

Portions of Brokaw's interview will been seen earlier on "Today" and "Nightly News With Tom Brokaw," according to the net.

Brokaw, who will spend the full day traveling with President Bush aboard Air Force One, will talk with the president about the war and about plans to rebuild Iraq. Brokaw also plans to question the president about how the White House plans to boost the economy, as well as the 2004 presidential campaign.

Sawyer's special -- "The Peterson Case: A Question of Murder?" -- will air 9 p.m. EDT.

The "Primetime" special edition will be followed by the regularly skedded "Primetime Thursday," featuring Sawyer's sit-down with the Dixie Chicks, who will discuss the flap over comments they made regarding President Bush.