Cousteau Refuses to Let American Speak

French oceanographer Jacques-Yves Cousteau, famed for his TV documentaries, sank half of a “Today” discussion on Antarctic issues today by refusing to yield his seat to an American guest awaiting his turn on the show.

The incident occurred at NBC’s facilities in Paris. Delegates of 33 nations are meeting in that city to discuss an Antarctic treaty. Cousteau is part of the French delegation, which wants the Antarctic made into a world park.

Before his appearance, Cousteau, who opposes any Antarctic development, refused to discuss the Antarctic issue on “Today” with R. Tucker Scully, head of the U.S. delegation to the conference, NBC spokeswoman Peggy Hubble said.

However, she said, Cousteau had told NBC officials that he would leave after his interview so that Scully, awaiting his turn in the Paris studio, could be interviewed about the U.S. position on the Antarctic.

But after “Today” news anchor Deborah Norville concluded her interview of more than two minutes with Cousteau, “he wouldn’t leave,” thus blocking Scully’s scheduled appearance, Hubble said.

Viewers didn’t see Cousteau staying put. Nor did they see Scully awaiting his turn.

“We’re having a little difficulty getting Mr. Scully hooked up there in Paris,” Norville told viewers as the off-camera problem, of which she also seemed unaware, began across the Atlantic.

After a few seconds, she reported that “we are having some difficulty with our feed there in Paris, and we will not be able to talk with Mr. Scully to get the United States’ side.”

“Our apologies to him and our apologies to you for not being able to give you the other side of that discussion. Our thanks, though, to Capt. Cousteau in Paris.”

Immediately after a station break, though, Norville was back on the air, offering “a little explanation as to how strong the feelings run on this Antarctic issue. Capt. Cousteau refused to move over so that we could talk to Mr. Scully, who was sitting right there, waiting.”

At that point, co-anchor Jane Pauley, who is reportedly unhappy over Norville’s increasing prominence on the show, smiled and said, “Deborah’s feelings run strong, too.”