On Monday I was a guest on the Dr. Phil show (airdate TBD) discussing my trip to Sex Offender Island for Inside Edition. On Tuesday the combative interview I did with Jesse James’ mistress, Michelle “Bombshell” McGee aired to huge numbers.
These two assignments could not have been any more different, yet they are possibly my favorite stories for Inside Edition thus far. I’ve been with the show since 2006, first as a daily West Coast Correspondent and now as a Special Correspondent, but this week has been surreal.
The sex offenders piece was a dark and serious subject. It was terrifying to come face to face with evil as I interviewed these violent predators with out so much as a glass divider between us. McNeal Island’s Special Commitment Center houses 280 “residents” to the tune of $160,000 a year, per offender. It was an eye opening and rarely seen report on how these people live and are treated behind bars. It was fascinating and a successful story for the show. We scooped Oprah who aired a similar story on the island a week later.
And then there was my “Bombshell” interview…The woman who destroyed Sandra Bullock’s marriage sat before me for two hours as I grilled her from everything from her white supremacy beliefs to her swastika tattoo to her 11 month affair with the married Monster Garage star. The press picked up on my aggressive interrogation of this tattoo covered stripper and AOL named it a TOP 5 Video Clip 2 days in a row. Ratings were huge, up in all top 20 markets and we even doubled our numbers in New York.
I love my job!
Hi Lisa I was very impressed with your courage to confront a sex affender today on Dr. Phil. The woman that was defending he “husband” is in for a big sirprise, I think if she chooses this man for the saftey of her children the state should step in. This woman did say something to the fact that she felt that Murders should have to register as well as a sex affender . I agree The reason why I agree is because my younger brother was Murdered in 2003. His perpetraders have done the time they were sentenced to, (so now they are forgiven?) My pain will never end.I would like to start a petition to change a law in Washington State (were the Murder took place) I don’t understand why these men are allowed to come live in the county were the families live and were the brutal act took place. I am still going to a grieve counseling. I feel the need to start a group for people who are in need of guidince in this kind of situation.Can you sugest were I might start? Thank-You for taking time to read my thoghts Sheila Scardino.
Comment by sheila scardino — April 28, 2010 @ 8:22 pm