Sarah Palin Edges Katie Couric In Morning Show Viewership

4/5/2012 11:16 AM ET(RTTNews) - Sarah Palin and Katie Couric have competitive history but it seems the former Alaska Governor has taken this round. The pair squared off as competing morning talk show hosts this week with Palin serving as a guest host for NBC's "Today" while Couric guest anchored ABC's "Good Morning America."

Palin helped "Today" grab 357,000 more viewers than "Good Morning America" during her guest appearance on Tuesday. This is a jump of an addition 24,000 viewers for "Today" over its lead on Monday.

The move drew the ire of some critics who believe it gave a broad platform to a conservative political commentator. Comedy Central's Jon Stewart called the stunt a "detriment to the country."

"Today" executive producer Jim Bell studio behind the decision, however, telling latimes.com:

"It was great morning television, honestly in the best tradition of the 'Today' show. She's someone who can talk about politics; she's interesting to people. It was one of the better shows in my seven years here."

by RTT Staff Writer

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