TV & VIDEO - July 13, 1988

“Nightline” anchor Ted Koppel has hung tough against requests from the Michael Dukakis campaign to have the Democratic presidential candidate sit next to Koppel during their scheduled interview later this week. The result? No interview, said an ABC official Tuesday. “The Dukakis campaign wanted him interviewed in the studio, but since we didn’t interview (Vice President George) Bush face to face, we didn’t think it was fair.” The Republican candidate blamed the remote camera setup for causing him to refer to Koppel as “Dan”--as in CBS news anchor Dan Rather. Koppel does occasionally share his desk--remember Gary Hart?--but only when the staff thinks it appropriate. ABC and the Dukakis camp are still trying to work out something, a Dukakis staffer said, but the interview was off as of Tuesday afternoon.