Tripp To Talk To NBC, CNN

Linda Tripp, whose conversations with Monica Lewinsky sparked President Clinton's impeachment crisis, has agreed to interviews with NBC's Today show and CNN's Larry King Live.

Tripp's Today interview, a pre-taped talk with correspondent Jamie Gangel, is scheduled to air Friday morning. She'll talk live with King in prime time the following Monday, Feb. 15, CNN said Monday.

Tripp, who worked in the White House counsel's office before being transferred to the Pentagon, befriended Lewinsky and got her to talk about her relationship with Mr. Clinton while secretly taping their talks. She has yet to give an extensive public interview about the case.

Gangel repeatedly requested the interview over an eight-month period, Today executive producer Jeff Zucker said. It was Tripp's choice to do the interview on tape instead of live, and Gangel will speak to her on Thursday, he said.

"I think we're interested in what her thoughts are now that the trial is almost over and how this has affected her life," Zucker said.

Lewinsky has agreed to speak first to ABC's Barbara Walters first, but that interview can't be done until Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr grants permission. ABC had been hoping to run the interview during the February "sweeps" period.

Written by David Bauder