Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 14, 1995 TAG: 9506140051
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: FRAZIER MOORE ASSOICTAED PRESS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
``I certainly remember all the Jackson Five songs,'' said the ``PrimeTime Live'' anchor, a smile crossing her face, ``and I loved `Thriller' and `Off the Wall.'
``I knew more about Michael Jackson'' - she laughed - ``than you might think.''
And that was long before she landed a live interview with Jackson and his wife, Lisa Marie Presley-Jackson, to take place from Los Angeles on ABC's ``PrimeTime'' tonight at 10 (WSET, Channel 13). Now, she is busily learning more.
So how to prepare?
``I'm doing what I do for any interview,'' Sawyer said last week. ``I read, I talk to people, I try to puzzle through the person, I free-associate: What is really singular about this man? What is important about his experience the last two years? And what is it like for him and his wife, even just alone in a car or in a room together?''
In her ABC News office overlooking Lincoln Center, Sawyer looked sharp in ivory slacks and a bright yellow cardigan. And relaxed.
``I haven't felt the pressure yet,'' she said, thinking of the high-profile broadcast just days ahead. ``But I assume I will.''
Pressure, she noted, is something Jackson must have long since come to terms with.
``I don't know anyone who has lived this long, this unrelievedly at the center of the spotlight - and from childhood.
``But not only is Michael Jackson a star, he is an industry within an industry, so a lot rides on him. In many ways, his future is integral to the future of certain parts of the music industry, and has been for years.
``He is this fascinating combination of art and commerce, of self-invention, of something mysterious and something recognizable. And we're forever trying to resolve the contradictions. I think that's one thing that keeps people coming back to him.''
This week's ``PrimeTime'' becomes the first Jackson summit since his 90-minute live interview with Oprah Winfrey drew a Super Bowl-size audience in February 1993.
That December, Jackson addressed a global viewership to declare himself innocent of child molestation charges. ``Don't treat me like a criminal,'' he implored the world during a four-minute statement carried live by CNN.
A man who clearly doesn't have to wait on hold for some talk-radio host when he wants to speak his mind, Jackson this time has tapped Sawyer to help him clear the air - on an hour of her network's precious airtime.
But why her?
``I don't know,'' Sawyer said. ``I really don't.''
Far clearer is why Jackson is going public: His need to reassure fans that he's not completely wigged-out or worse - and, oh, by the way, to remind everyone he's got a new album out.
Does this mean Sawyer is being used?
``It's an isometric event,'' she said. ``They have their interests, you have yours. You just have to make sure yours are served.''
Sawyer insisted her interests center on getting answers to the nothing-off-limits batch of questions she was readying.
``We hope to bring a measure of thoughtfulness to this,'' she said. ``There has been a real firestorm of publicity the last two years. So to stand back and say, `OK, what does this mean for him? And for the way we feel about him?' - that is also what I'm after.''
How much will she try to find out about the couple's curious and rumor-besieged marriage? ``I haven't made up my mind yet,'' she said.
Diane first met Michael (``very easy to be with'') and Lisa Marie (``very smart and very direct'') during a three-hour publicity-photo shoot in Los Angeles a few weeks ago.
``It was relaxed and surprisingly easy,'' Sawyer said. ``We laughed and joked around.''
But it won't be just joking around Wednesday night, she vowed.
``If I didn't feel this was a real news interview, that it's about very serious things, with interesting cultural and commercial consequences - I wouldn't be there,'' she stated flatly. ``I wouldn't be doing it.''
by CNB