Mariah Switch From 'Today' to 'GMA' Enrages NBC

Hell hath no fury like a network scorned. Music-industry insiders and network sources say NBC is furious with Mariah Carey, her manager Benny Medina and her reps at Def Jam, because they promised Carey would perform on "Today" to promote her new album, "E=MC2" - but instead she's going on archrival ABC's "Good Morning America."

One music insider told Page Six, "Every morning show wanted Mariah on for her new album, so Benny started negotiating. He demanded that 'Today' promote her fragrance and also give her a guest-star role on 'My Name is Earl.' They agreed."

But her "My Name Is Earl" part, which was to coincide with the album release, was put off when it was decided the album needed work. "It was supposed to come out in November, then it was pushed back until February, and now the release date is April 15," said our source.

"The entire time, Benny told 'Today' it would get Mariah for its concert series on Rockefeller Plaza. But then he stopped returning calls. Turns out, he had done a side deal behind everyone's back with 'Good Morning America' - after NBC had agreed to all of his demands.

Medina, the inspiration for "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air," told us: "We want to do something really spectacular for Mariah's album debut. I don't want 'Today' to feel disrespected by me trying to do right by my client. But when we went on 'GMA' [two years ago], they closed down Times Square. It got great ratings and was a big success."

And Medina denies he ever promised "Today" that Carey would give a concert on Rockefeller Plaza. "If they can show me an e-mail from anyone committing to the concert, I will personally pay for the entire production myself," he said.

Laura Swanson, Carey's rep at Def Jam, said the outdoor plaza wasn't big enough for a concert, "thus, they're unable to meet our needs for a spectacular launch event." No one would divulge where Carey's mid-April concert for "GMA" would be held.

Megan Kopf, a rep for "Today," said, "Mariah has been a guest on 'Today' several times since the start of her career. We would certainly like to have her back on 'Today.' "