The production staff of NBC's "Rock Center" "had to switch gears" when it learned Bob Costas was going to conduct a phone interview with former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky for Monday night's episode, according to Marisa Guthrie of the HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Joseph Amendola, who is defending Sandusky on 40 counts of child sexual abuse, "had a previously scheduled sit-down with Costas," but suggested "at the last minute" getting Sandusky on the phone. The portions of the 20-minute phone conversation that made the broadcast "featured Sandusky's disembodied voice alternating between a tight shot of Costas asking questions and still photos of Sandusky." "Rock Center" Exec Producer Rome Hartman said, "We talked about how we could make (the interview) most effective. The one thing I was absolutely determined about was that we not do anything visually that would distract from the powers of his words." He added, "I think we had an absolute imperative and requirement to conduct a thorough and challenging interview. And I think that’s what Bob did” (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 11/15). Costas said, “Some of the preparation I had done for the Amendola interview informed the questions I asked Sandusky, but I had not specifically prepared to interview Sandusky.” In N.Y., Bill Carter noted Costas has been “widely praised for his questioning and his demeanor in the interview” and many “were also struck by Mr. Costas’s direct tone” (NYTIMES.com, 11/15). “Rock Center” averaged 4.5 million viewers in the 10:00-11:00pm ET window on Monday night, along with a 1.3 rating among people 18-49, which is the show's best mark in that demo since its premiere. By comparison, ABC’s “20/20” led that window with 13.4 million viewers and a 2.8 rating among people 18-49 for Diane Sawyer's interview with U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-Ariz.) (Austin Karp, THE DAILY).
SKILLFUL JOB: Costas said, "This is a legitimate sports story. Even if some of the material is unsettling, even if many of the details are lurid, even if there is an aspect of this that would appeal to the tabloid crowd, that does not mean it has to be covered that way” (“NBC Sports Talk,” Versus, 11/15). In N.Y., Richard Sandomir wrote Costas “underscored his ability to ask the right questions” during the interview. A prosecutor "might be no easier than Costas was,” as he could be seen “speaking authoritatively and directly to the camera.” Whatever Costas felt, “he did not raise an eyebrow or look as if he doubted Sandusky’s answers” (NYTIMES.com, 11/15). Also in N.Y., Alessandra Stanley writes Costas “did a skillful job of asking hard questions and absorbing worse answers," but the "exercise was gruesome to watch” (N.Y. TIMES, 11/16). SportsNet N.Y.’s Adam Schein said Costas "did a fantastic job grilling Jerry Sandusky," as he was "intelligent, direct and poised in his questioning." Schein: "Costas, the best in the business, he was able to get some stomach-turning answers from the pedophile. Frankly, it was vintage Bob Costas” (“Loud Mouths,” SportsNet New York, 11/15). In St. Petersburg, Gary Shelton asks, “Wouldn’t you love for Costas to spend a little quality time with [Joe] Paterno? Just two guys, a camera and a crew?” (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 11/16). WFAN-AM's Mike Francesa: "I thought Bob did a good job. ... Overall, he asked the most important things. I would have asked a couple different things myself. ... I'm not meaning this to be critical of Bob at all, but the thing I would have asked him is 'Will you submit to a lie detector test?'" (“Mike Francesa,” WFAN-AM, 11/15). USA TODAY’s Michael Hiestand writes the interview “wasn’t about the interviewer using the occasion to call attention to himself.” That happens “too often on TV.” Instead, Costas “used concise questions to let the viewers draw their own conclusions.” Hiestand notes as TV chases Sandusky-related interviews, “interviewers should remember Costas’ example and remember they aren’t the story” (USA TODAY, 11/16).
STYLE OVER SUBSTANCE: YAHOO SPORTS’ Graham Watson noted CBS News' Armen Keteyian yesterday “tweeted that he was going to have an exclusive interview with Penn State wide receivers coach Mike McQueary,” who witnessed Sandusky in a shower with a young boy in '02. Various e-mails “surfaced on Monday, in which McQueary claimed he stopped Sandusky’s abuse and went to the police.” CBS' "Evening News" aired a brief segment that left viewers "no more informed [than] we were before the interview started.” Watson wrote it "wasn’t a real interview” and CBS “gets a FAIL for its promotion of the interview.” CNN and NBC “are out in front and this was a sad ploy to try and catch up” (RIVALS.YAHOO.com, 11/15). The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER’s Sofia Fernandez notes CBS News “never said there was more to the interview, but the 25-second snippet was roundly mocked” (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 11/15). The Chicago Tribune’s David Haugh said, "That’s what they were promoting? ... That was a brush-off, that was McQueary brushing off CBS. That was not that compelling. ... That was essentially, ‘No comment.’” Crain’s Chicago Business’ Ed Sherman: “That’s amazing, to promote something like that that was essentially a ‘No comment.’ ... I think CBS is really going to catch some heat for that one” ("Chicago Tribune Live," Comcast SportsNet Chicago, 11/15). SI.com’s Jimmy Traina wrote on Twitter, “There are no words to describe the sham CBS just pulled. ‘Interview’ was 2 questions. Lasted 10 seconds. Pathetic.” The N.Y. Times’ Pete Thamel: “So much for that McQueary interview. Bad job by CBS promoting it. That was a no comment.” CNBC’s Darren Rovell wrote, “The FCC should fine CBS for false advertising in the McQueary ‘exclusive.’” SI’s Stewart Mandel: “Nice job milking that one CBS. I'll now go back to not remembering who their anchor is now.” The Palm Beach Post’s Ethan Skolnick: “Next, CBS is going to promote an interview with a Paterno statue.”
DISSECTING THE PLAY: Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show” discussed Costas' interview with Sandusky, with host Jon Stewart saying, “I've seen my share of crazy (expletive) on TV. Monday night, though, Brian Williams’ new show, the insanity bar was raised." Stewart: "I'm no lawyer, but it seems to me when you're accused of one of the most heinous crimes imaginable, you may not want to literally phone in your defense on national television.” A video clip was aired of Costas asking Sandusky, “Are you sexually attracted to young boys?” Sandusky replied, “Am I sexually attracted to underage boys?” Stewart exclaimed, “Did you just repeat the question!? Because you must have known that question was coming, but everyone knows the only time you repeat a question is when you're guilty!” After another clip was shown of Sandusky denying he is attracted to young boys, Stewart said, “You can't even bring yourself to lie emphatically! ‘Good God, no! Sexually attracted to…! I'm not!’ It's like in that phone conversation you're actually fighting the urge to come clean!” Stewart noted, “In case you're wondering, where the hell is Sandusky's lawyer while he's saying all this? He's sitting right next to Bob Costas!” (“The Daily Show,” Comedy Central, 11/15).
