Two wars have broken out over at NBC. The first, of course, is the rumbling between Giants and Patriots fans leading up to Super Bowl Sunday — but the second surrounds an alleged bidding war between anchors Brian Williams and Matt Lauer over who will land this year’s pre-game interview with President Obama. Sources told the New York Post that reps from Lauer’s “Today” show and Williams’ “Rock Center” have been calling the White House to jockey for the gig, which Lauer did last in 2009. “Brian needs this interview right now,” said one representative for Williams. “Giving it to Matt shows that pleasing him is a bigger priority at NBC.” And while sources say that Lauer is leaving NBC’s “Today” show when his contract ends in December, an NBC rep said there’s no competitive friction between the two anchors. “The request from Brian to the White House was for a completely different opportunity,” they said. “Matt’s interview with President Obama, when NBC hosts the Super Bowl, has become a bit of tradition for us.”
