LOS ANGELES - NBC has agreed to pay as much as $1 million for Paris Hilton’s first after-jail interview, which will appear on the “Today” show, The Post has learned.

The deal has infuriated ABC executives, the sources said, because they were banking on Hilton’s first remarks as a free woman going to Barbara Walters, who has become close with Hilton’s mom, Kathy.

Hilton agreed to the interview, but said she’d only speak with Vieira because of “disparaging” remarks her co-host Matt Lauer made about her.

A spokeswoman for NBC did not return a call for comment.

Hilton’s spokesman Eliot Mintz said he “can’t confirm or deny” the report.

If Hilton’s jailhouse fan mail is any indication, the interview will fetch great ratings.

She has received almost 5,000 pieces during her three weeks behind bars and she’s writing back to her admirers, authorities said yesterday.

A million the interview? It may find it beneficial to say an intelligent trick for once.

Source : http://www.nypost.com/