An Iowa mother, home alone with her three children, fatally shoots a local teenager who she claims attacked her. When investigators discover the identity of the teen, they wonder if the mother has something to hide. Dennis Murphy reports Twisted on Friday, June 1st, at 9pm/8c.
“Dateline,” NBC News’ longest-running primetime newsmagazine, made its debut in 1992. From mysteries and breaking news, to hidden-camera investigations and documentaries, “Dateline” continues to provide viewers with classic storytelling at its best, 20 years later.
On Tuesday, May 22 at 10p/9c, Dateline’s 20th Anniversary Special will highlight some of the most extraordinary stories -- and the most remarkable people -- in the newsmagazine’s history. Jane Pauley interviews Michael J. Fox; Tom Brokaw profiles Aron Ralston; Matt Lauer reports on two extraordinary families brought together by fate; Ann Curry checks in with the McCaughey septuplets; Hoda Kotb interviews Carrie Underwood. Favorite moments from the work of Chris Hansen, Josh Mankiewicz, Keith Morrison and Dennis Murphy to be featured as well. In addition, Michael Buble wishes “Dateline” a happy anniversary in a personal and special way.
“‘Dateline’ has gone through many changes over the last 20 years, but one thing that hasn’t changed is the loyalty and enthusiasm of its audience,” said David Corvo, Senior Executive Producer of “Dateline.” “We are grateful for that.”
“We’re thrilled to celebrate this milestone by catching up with some of the remarkable people who’ve shared their stories with us over the years,” said “Dateline” Executive Producer, Liz Cole.
“Dateline” anchor Lester Holt is joined by esteemed correspondents Chris Hansen, Hoda Kotb, Josh Mankiewicz, Keith Morrison and Dennis Murphy. Dateline’s 20th Anniversary Special will feature the following stories:
Jane Pauley / Michael J. Fox
In 2003, Jane Pauley spoke with Michael J. Fox as part of her final “Dateline” broadcast. Nine years later, Jane returns to “Dateline” for the first time since to sit down with Fox once again. Remarkable things have happened for Fox since that interview nine years ago, including an Emmy award in 2009 for his role on "Rescue Me" and three more Emmy nominations, including one last year for his recurring role on " The Good Wife." Fox’s inspiring battle with Parkinson’s disease has become his life’s mission. He has testified about the disease before Congress and, through The Michael J. Fox Foundation, he is determined to find a cure.
Matt Lauer / Mistaken Identity
Matt Lauer told the families of this remarkable story of mistaken identity, “I don’t know how long I’ll do this job, but for as long as I do it, I think your families will be the most extraordinary families Iʼve ever met.” In 2006, 18-year-old Whitney Cerak was one of nine people in a car accident that killed five students, including her classmate, Laura Van Ryn. Because the two young women were misidentified at the scene of the accident, Van Ryn’s family believed that they were caring for their daughter in a rehabilitation center, when in fact, they were caring for a comatose Whitney Cerak – who officials believed had been killed. More than five weeks passed before the misidentification was discovered. Six years after the accident, Matt Lauer sits down with Whitney Cerak.
Tom Brokaw / Aron Ralston
In 2005, Tom Brokaw shared the incredible story of Aron Ralstonʼs survival after Ralston became trapped in a Utah canyon, forced to amputate his own arm. Many things have happened since that interview, perhaps most famously the Academy award nominated film 127 Hours, which was based on his experience. Ralston, now a father, is back to climbing, hiking and motivational speaking across the country. Seven years after they first sat down together, Tom Brokaw catches up with Ralston in Colorado.
Hoda Kotb / Carrie Underwood
At the ripe age of 22, Carrie Underwood was the winner of “American Idol’. Almost seven years to-the-day later, she has become a multiplatinum, Grammy-winning artist, topping the charts with a dozen #1 Billboard singles. Her fourth album, “Blown Away,” was a major accomplishment, as Underwood co-wrote eight of the albumʼs 14 tracks – a long way from the one song she co-wrote on her debut album. Hoda Kotb, who first sat down with Underwood after her Idol win, will catch up with her all these years later.
Ann Curry / Septuplets
Ann Curry introduced the McCaughey septuplets to the world in 1997. The septuplets hold the title of most appearances in “Dateline’s” history, with 13 broadcasts featuring the family. Their parents, Kenny and Bobbi McCaughey, have their house and their hands full with seven 14-year-olds. Ann sits down at home with the family and talks to the septuplets about life as teenagers. We’ll also hear from Bobbi and Kenny about their changing experiences as parents over the last 15 years.
Learn more about Christina-Taylor Green and the memorial foundation that her parents have begun in her name:
Christina-Taylor Green Memorial Foundatinon
http://www.christina-taylorgreen.org/
Read this excerpt from the foundation's website about Christina-Taylor Green:
Christina-Taylor Green was the vivacious and loving child of a caring family who lost her life abruptly in the violence that occurred on January 8th, 2011, in Tucson, AZ. The shots fired resulted in the wounding of 13 people and the death of six, including Christina-Taylor Green.
At 9 years of age, Christina was interested in politics to the point that she went to meet Gabrielle Giffords, at an outdoor constituent event, held by the representative on that fateful Saturday morning. Having just been elected to the student council at Mesa Verde Elementary School, she was eager to ask her Congresswoman questions concerning the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and what it was like being a politician.
Christina had a wide range of interests. She was passionate about dancing which included ballet, hip-hop, jazz and gymnastics. She was involved in sports, and was the only girl on her Canyon del Oro Little League baseball team, "The Pirates". She enjoyed singing in her church choir, and loved animals. Her older brother, Dallas, was her best friend.
Christina-Taylor had many hopes for her future and told her family that she wanted to have a career that involved helping people less fortunate than herself. More than once she told her mother, "We are so blessed. We have the best life."
President Barack Obama remembered Christina-Taylor in a nationally-televised speech to the Tucson community on Jan. 12, and said she was dancing in rain puddles in heaven. "I want America to be as good as she imagined it," he said.
The Christina-Taylor Green Memorial Foundation was created by the Green family to honor their beloved daughter's hopes and dreams. The foundation aims to make the community as good as Christina-Taylor imagined it by helping local schoolchildren who are in need.
NBC News' Natalies Morales will host a Google+ Hangout to answer your questions about how to talk to your child about discrimination, as featured in the Dateline hidden camera report 'My Kid Would Never Do That: Discrimination' from Sunday, May 6th.
Visit Dateline NBC's Google+ Page to watch and join our live Hangout on Monday, May 7th, at 12pm/ET.
Guests for the Google+ Hangout will include:
Read these personal accounts from kids and one parent on what it was like to be in Dateline NBC's hidden camera report on discrimination, part of the full series 'My Kid Would Never Do That.'
Allison Kempe
Let me start off by saying it was great to work with the many kind people of NBC. During this show, I learned a lot about myself and discrimination in general. I am lucky enough to live in a very diverse community where everyone is accepted equally. In a way, I knew there was discrimination, but I really didn’t think it was that bad, and I definitely didn’t think I would EVER discriminate.
Let me explain that I as a person do not see color when I’m choosing friends. It may sound cheesy but I look for what’s inside. When the amazing Latino young man (Nicholas) began to sing, I was thrilled! I loved the song he was singing and thought he did a great job! Plus even his (fake) accent was awesome! In the beginning , I thought that we were supposed to choose the person we wanted to win, so I immediately chose him! I then realized that we were choosing who we wanted to send home and the others were basing it on his race. I was appalled. I couldn’t believe they thought that way! There is simply no question that he is American. America is known as the melting pot of all cultures and ethnicities and I love it. When I heard all the horrid things they were saying about him I wanted to yell at them! And tell them how wrong they were, but in an attempt to be kind and please everyone, I tried to change how they were voting. I didn’t realize at the time that they were actors I tried to get them to understand, and in the end, I finally gave in because I felt like I had no other choice. We needed to make a decision so they could continue filming. I felt out-numbered and out of options. I gave in but refused to say anything about his race because I didn’t agree with it.
Everything happened so fast. I was chosen to give the verdict and instantly regretted it. When Natalie came out and told us we were on Dateline, on a segment about discrimination, and that two of the participants were actors, my heart broke into a million tiny pieces because I gave in! Even though I am so strongly set in my beliefs and ways, I gave into peer pressure! This made me realize that no one is immune to peer pressure, and it is VERY important to stand up and listen to your heart. If your gut says something is wrong, you need to voice it! Stand up for what you believe.
Instantly, the only thing that would make it any better was to apologize to the actor. He was very kind and understanding and very much the type of person I would be friends with back home. I feel for everyone who has to deal with discrimination on a daily basis and even though I am lucky enough not to have to, it is something that really needs to be addressed. Kids need to understand what they’re really saying when they make these derogatory comments. If everyone could feel even a fraction of the heartbreak I felt or could live a day in the life of the victim, maybe they could understand NO ONE is better than another person regardless of the color of their skin, their language or the religion they practice. We are ALL EQUAL and need to treat each other as such
In the end, this was an amazing experience and I thank Natalie, NBC, MY mom and everyone involved in this project.
Julia Kempe (Allison’s mom)
I was very happy that my daughter was chosen to participate as a judge in the “staged” Teen Singing Competition. I honestly felt certain that she would never let anyone persuade her to discriminate against someone. She is blessed to attend a very diverse school and I often listen to her rant and rave about select students who treat others unkindly or unfairly. She is definitely a proponent of all human rights.
She was most impressed with the young man who she was eventually persuaded to vote off. She felt so highly pressured that she eventually gave in so as to appear professional “on TV” and not come across as argumentative or not a “team player”. She was incredibly heart sick over the situation, but I was extremely proud of how she handled it. She couldn’t forgive herself without apologizing to the young man she had discriminated against and later, sharing a little of who she really is.
I think we both learned a great deal. She learned to be strong no matter what others think and to stand her ground. I learned that peer pressure can undermine who a person truly is. I also realize that having regular conversations with your child, not only about discrimination but about all of the issues that “Dateline: My Kid Would Never Do That” has reported on recently (and more) is the best way to help our kids be strong in difficult situations.
Amaru Cloud
Hey, I'm Amaru Cloud. My experience on Dateline NBC's 'My Kid Would Never Do That', is something that I will never forget for as long as I live. When I stepped into that auditorium and listened to the boy and girl (who turned out to be actors) begin to judge the best singer in the line up by the color of his skin, it immediately reminded me of Martin Luther King Jr's quote, "Judge a man not by the color of his skin but by the content of his character." When I was put under pressure to vote against someone just because of his ethnicity, I knew I had to stand up for equality. I had to do the right thing, because that could have been me being discriminated against. I think Dateline NBC is doing a great job with this show by teaching people across the country many important lessons.
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Visit the website for the full series 'My Kid Would Never Do That'
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