It's kind of laughable when Barbara Walters describes herself as a "reporter" in one of these episodes. She hasn't been a real journalist for more than 55yrs, and I don't think she could ever be described as a "reporter".
These episodes are the most sensational cases, media-wise, since the media began emphasizing tabloid TV over hard news. There is a lot of ridiculousness here, to be sure. But, for someone who saw all these events as they unfolded or were tried in court, there is no new info here. Maybe a couple tidbits, with Barbara's bias thrown in for free. These cases show the worst of public opinion, and the rise of mob mentality which social media capitalized on, with the internet. To be fair, I think most people were outraged and sickened by the media's titillating and double standard coverage of these cases, but Barbara doesn't care here.
I'm not sure what is wrong with Barbara Walters, but any respect for her I had is now gone after watching this. Not only does she reinforce the racial stereotypes that are a big reason we find ourselves at the point we do in 2020, but the double standard and defense in the face of all reason of Mary Kay Letourneau is outrageous.
Mary Kay was a married with 4 children, elementary school teacher who had an affair with her 12yr old student, then discovered, arrested, imprisoned. She gave birth to both his children in prison. These children are now grown and Letourneau and Vili have been together, off and on, for 25yrs, married for 14 or so (by 2019). The media has always treated this case much more favorably than if a male teacher had had sex with a 12yr old female student. And it doesn't get any better in this 2015 interview. Worse, in fact. Barbara gives a good impression of trying to be tough, but really, she's just swept up in the "romance" of it all. Letourneau is either incredibly naive or it's an act ("I didn't know it was a crime."). Barbara would NEVER have spent an hour interviewing a male predator like this (A priest? Not likely! (Letourneau is a conservative Catholic)). One has to wonder how the case would have been covered if Letourneau wasn't attractive?
I think these two, and people who think that a young boy's fantasy of sexual escapades with an older woman justifies this, are blind to all the costs and pain that their relationship has caused. There isn't much talk of her 4 children from her first marriage, who no doubt have suffered the most. There is no association made made between Vili's vast personal problems (drugs, suicide attempt, hs drop out) and his victimization, not to mention the effect on her 6 children. A lot has happened since this program, so worth a search. Esp her family's high political connections in the G.W. Bush and Trump admins, her father's affair with HIS student and their 2 children (hmmm, Barbara missed that opportunity), and on and on. A sad group of narcissists/sociopaths and their long 15min of fame.
