i went to abc's boards and read as well. this person summed it up well
Shame on you. I had not watched TV in 5 months due to having a new child, and tonight, I sit down thinking "yeah, 20/20" and I got to watch an interview of a child molester. At first, I was going to stop watching, but then, I had to finish so I could write you and tell you how saddened I was to find this your final story as the news anchor of 20/20. Really, was it worth it to you, Barbara, to glamorize a woman who raped a child who was placed in her custody each day to be taught not to be molested? Would you have done the same "star lit" background setting for a Catholic priest? What about Michael Jackson? What about all the other convicted sex offenders? To hear you ask her questions, as if this was a love affair was completely irresponsible journalism. There is no "story" here to tell. This woman has thought of only herself these past 8-9 years without regard to anyone. She jeopardized the lives now of 6 children, and 2 other adults, and still thinks somehow she's O.K. They didn't "make love". I was completely in flabberghasted by the language you used in reference to this rapist? Further, the questions you asked did nothing to help the other 4 children whom are struggling with their lives. To know her mother had sex in "everyone room of their house" is plain disgusting. And did we as viewers really need to know that?! What was newsworthy about this interview? What did she contribute to our body of knowledge about an important topic? What information did you share about child sex offenders and what we, as parents, should be aware of...perhaps something could have been redeeming from this tabloid interview. It was tabloid journalism - nothing more - nothing less.
Again, shame on you, Barbara Walters for participating in such an interview to glamorize and romanticize a child rapist.