Rock Center
In Meredith Vieira's debut appearance on Rock Center with Brian Williams, she talks to Mimi Alford, a woman who says she had an affair with President John F. Kennedy when she was an intern at the White House in the 1960s. Alford claims the affair lasted 18 months and has written about it in a soon to be released memoir, Once Upon a Secret My Affair with President John F. Kennedy and its Aftermath. In this online exclusive video, Vieira previews her exclusive interview with Alford. Vieira's full report airs Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 9 pm/8c on NBC.
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Shame on you with the Kennedy story you are about to air. I have enjoyed your shows in the past, but to sink to this. Growing up I remember watching the news of Viet Nam, and the journalists/ newsmen who covered the war. Then the whole Nixon debacle. I have always had a true respect for newsman, but for the last 10- 15 years, you report on crap. What has happened to your profession. Other than PBS, you are unable to obtain real no nonsense news. It's all TMZ. It is no wonder that the American people are so uninvolved, I will never watch you show again. What is to gained by this story, other than rating, does it not matter that Kennedy's daughter is still alive. Has not this young lady been through enough? Going back to cable.
Perhaps a good therapist could have helped her open a window (symbolically speaking) where the light could have entered to wipe out her darkness. And we could have been spared the story.
finally...a democrat being exposed by the liberal media. About time this happens. NBC is becoming Fair AND Balanced... NBC is following Fox News and reporting on their own. This is awesome.
I have not watched the video above nor will I watch the show. Why is the press so demanding in participating in efforts to constantly bring our Presidents and other leaders down through controversy and tabloid trash? After all these years the only consequence of your show will be to help her sell more books. Even with 21 US deaths in Afghanistan last month, a potential way in Iran, oh yea politics I would offer that there are hundreds of really good things to talk about that are much more important.
I second that. Pathetic.
Thank you for airing this story. In the end, JFK was a man with flaws, just as all humans. The difference, unlike most, he had and still has protectors of his legacy. But if this man is to be better understood, then these stories must be told by those who were there, for better or for worse. The truth will set you free. Accept the truths about this man and move on. Stop protecting your fantasy of him and of those around him.
You are assuming that this is all the truth. How easy, how easy. Mindless people.
I cannot believe NBC is so hurting for something to air they had to reach way back and pile more on top of a man who is not here to defend himself. I thought NBC had better morals than this. If this is true, why did it take this woman so long to "come forth." I will NOT watch this episode of Rock Center and hopefully others will feel the same. One more issue, how do you think this is going to impact Caroline? Do you not have any sympathy for this lady. She has been through so very much in her life, she doesn't need anyone, especially a TV program, to add to her misery. Why don't you report on our current president and reveal what is coming out about him? We are in trouble in the U.S. and he isn't the one to help us. Tell ALL on him and leave those who cannot defend themselves alone. SHAME ON NBC!!!!
I agree with the majority above, so much so that I feel compelled to leave a comment. SHAME ON YOU NBC AND ROCK CENTER!!! Why is this even news?? Why is she just NOW coming forward..the man is not even alive to defend himself...regardless if he did or did not do what she says??? Is NBC that starved for a news story that you sink to this level????I can recommend a few newsworthy stories...one that comes to mind is the fight in Ohio to have HB108 passed to protect our animals from abusers. Look up Nitro's Law and there you will have a excellent story to report...I have been a Today Show fan for many years now, but since the first time I heard this story...I am just baffled to why this is even worth reporting..and interviewing and being on a nighttime show??????? SHAME ON YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Shame on you for giving this woman a forum to sell her book!!! Kennedy was a sleaze if he did this, which he probably did, but she was a sleaze to have an affair with him. She didn't know he was married??? I strongly urge everyone not to buy her book. If you commit a sin, which she did, isn't it adding to that sin to profit from telling about it? I think it is the sleaziest kind of journalism. I would love to see NBC do something to honor the soldiers who died in Afghanistan recently, a special about our Navy SEALS and etc. Even true crime stories top this trash. Makes me feel disgusted with her for telling this story for profit and disgusted with you for giving her publicity. The word SHAME stings for a reason, it's called conscience and a sense of decency. SHAME ON YOU NBC!!! If I were your reporters/interviewers/Today show Hosts I would refuse to participate in any way.
I will never comment again. My comment was edited to delete my remarks Shaming NBC for running the story
. SHAME ON YOU NBC!
My comments were also deleted by NBC and it was the first time that I commented. Shame on you NBC, Rock Center, and Brian Williams. A story such as this should never have aired. Broadcast journalism has reached another all time low. And, this show in particular is certainly not destined for an Edward R. Murrow award. Fortunately, there is still 60 Minutes.
My comment was also deleted, I felt the same way 90% of everyone else did, but I did praise prior shows and Merrideth but not this story.
Affair with JFK? From the 60's? R U kidding me??? WHO CARES???? NBC has hit a new low...Meridith you should know better. Quite the hard hitting news report. HAHAHA What a joke.
I am HUGELY disappointed in Meredith and NBC for going on and on with this intern affair subject. What a bore. And this woman is a grandmother? I pity her poor grandchildren having to hear this story and live with it. How tacky.
Even tackier (forgive the understatement) that she does not regret the affair! No matter who was hurt then or who it hurts now. She says it was "fun". I wonder how much "fun" she would have had if her husband had cheated on her, taken a virgin into HER bed??? Great story for HER children! As usual, scum like her just want to "unburden" themselves of their sins, no matter at whose expense! Its all about them...oh, and the money. Don't forget the money.
I am fully offended by this woman. I am repulsed by anyone who tries to profit on the grave of another. She wants to "unburden herself"?! Outrageous. If Mimi feels the need to confess, tell her to find a priest of a bishop for God's sake. Mimi has contributed NOTHING through her effort except to titillate the insatiable palates of those who thrive on this type of expose. Fully, unredeemably disgusting. So, we now are graced with the news about one more woman that bedded down with JFK? Whoop dee doo. Where is the moral or social value in this tripe?
Sex with an unpaid intern, young enough to be your daughter. Sounds like something I've heard before. I can't believe how bent out of shape people are getting over this. Is it they actually still belive in the JFK legacy? Camelot? I have heard of other sex encounters by JFK from Norma Jean to 2 hookers at once. BFD. He was just another powerful guy in office not letting his zipper rust. But I suppose with all the years the liberal media has spent building up this guy it has to hurt.
i'm disappointed in rock center for airing this about our greatest president that america had ever seen and you make up a story on all hear say from some lady. shame on you mr williams,i'll never watch you again.
Meredith, wipe the look of total disgust and dismay from your face. It doesn't look genuine.
meredith viera asked, "why are you telling your story now?"
i doubt that mimi's answer was totally honest and complete, else she would have stated, "because anyone who could prove my story is not the truth is dead and because i really need the money the book and interviews will get me."
duh!
It sickens me that this old woman would resort to telling her story in the public eye and expect to sell books because of her supposed ancient affair. She's repulsive and a disgrace....I hope she doesn't profit from this...it's insane what people will do for money.
meredith viera asked, "why are you telling your story now?"
i doubt that mimi's answer was totally honest, else she would have also stated,"because now there is nobody left alive that can prove my story isn't true and because i need the money i will get for the book and the interviews."
duh!
BRIAN AND MEREDITH, YOU'RE RIGHT-WING MINDLESS CREEPS of the first magnitude.... Let's talk about Reagan who was insane and mentally ill during his entire presidency !!!...
This woman worked for the REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMMITTEE...
Caroline Kennedy is very much alive and I think it is inappropriate to air this woman's dirty laundry as long as there are children of the President alive. How disrespectful of Ms. Alford to expose her affair. She certainly should feel guilt for her actions both then and now. I hope this book is the biggest flop and she gets nothing for it. I also agree with others SHAME ON NBC for airing this story.
Why is the young intern always the one that the media tries to blame when
a Democrat president has an adulterous affair inside the white house? Ms. Viera
tried her best to make Mimi into some kind of "vixen" who stalked Meredith's beloved iconic president, JFK.
So what is the difference between JFK and Jerry Sandusky?
They both targeted the young for their own sexual needs?
I too am surprised at the negative comments. This is not a surprising story. JFK did not respect his wife and children. The knowledge his affairs would come to public life was always a possibility. The man could not keep it zipped.
Thanks for NBC and Meredith for telling this story. My personal opinion on hearing the story is that Meredith was taken advantage of by an older man. 2012 we would came an incident rape.
Feel free to make negative remarks. Jackie said after John died she made a mistake by calling his presidency Camelot.
I am surprised at so many negatives comments. I say good for NBC for telling this story.
OK, so let's be honest. This isn't really news, is it? The Kennedy legacy, the Kennedy curse, Camelot -- those of us who have been around to watch the myth unfold realize that the media exists to create hype. And we're titillated by these types of stories - they reduce demigods to human beings with foibles. No harm, no foul. It's TV for goodness sake. And in Mimi's case, she's capitalizing off of it. She's watched Kim K and said, "now's my chance!" Good for her. And Meredith - "way to go!" No more early mornings and the ratings will be killer. Love U.
I thought that Meredith did a very good job with the interview.
Surprisingly, Ms. Alford still seems to be in denial about how she was used by JFK, and believes that he saw her as special. No matter that he was sleeping with other "special" women at the time.
What of what she and JFK were doing to Jackie and the children? Ms. Alford dismisses that. How selfish and shallow!
Meredith, I felt sad and possibly offended that you were as antagonist and almost shaming toward Mimi as you were during your interview. You may not have intended to come off as judgmental as you seemed but from a perspective of one who has been in a situation that involved unwanted sex with someone, I felt a heartfelt compassion for the story teller. I am certain that you would have been viewed as a complete chauvinist if you had been a male interviewer and I often wonder if you have a need to be hard nosed to have a sense of superiority or possibly to seek out the acceptance and respect of your male colleagues. I am saddened that you offered not an ounce of empathy to her for being a 19 year old virgin faced with what must have seemed like an overwhelming and shocking advance from the President of the United States. Mimi was the exact same age that I was when my situation took place and I completely understand her need to come out of hiding and heal. I only wish you, Meredith, had the depth and wisdom to have heard her heart more deeply. Others may call her an opportunist but I choose to call her a hero of the female race owning her confused feelings surrounding
sexuality and power. Her vulnerable honesty was refreshing!