STORM2K

SALT LAKE CITY - Elizabeth Smart says she's "still pretty much the same person" after her nine-month kidnapping ordeal, and tells NBC's Katie Couric in her first television interview that the experience has made her more compassionate toward the homeless.

Couric interviewed the 15-year-old high school freshman Tuesday at her family's ranch near Salt Lake City. The network did not pay for the interview, Smart's first for television, said NBC spokeswoman Caryn Mautner.

Ed and Lois Smart talked about the police investigation and how their faith helped them during the nine months Elizabeth was gone.

"It was a miracle that we could function as a family together because these ... types of things can wreck marriages and pull families apart, and I think we've become stronger and closer as a family," Ed Smart told Couric.

Brian David Mitchell, 50, and his wife Wanda Barzee, 57, are charged with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault and aggravated burglary in Elizabeth's June 5, 2002, abduction.

The homeless couple allegedly kept Elizabeth as Mitchell's second wife for nine months in Utah and California. They were found March 12 in Sandy, a suburb about 15 miles south of Salt Lake City, nine months after Elizabeth disappeared.

The one-hour program is scheduled to air Oct. 24.

Brave Girl

That whole situation was strange. Why didn't the sister tell what she knew right away?

Seems strange to me also, but I think I will catch that episode

Elizabeth Smart:America's Girl (the story) is starting now on CBS. 7pm central

Thanks Kelly! I'll have to turn it on, t.v. is in the other room, but I can listen to it.

I am glad NBC didn't pay anyone for the interview.

I wish I would have known it was on

I'm not too thrilled about the way Ed Smart has been playing the media ever since his daughter went missing...every opportunity, another "photo-op".

Jessi Lynch's family, on the other hand, placed their daughter FIRST...much smarter than Smart, IMHO.

Darn it, missed the movie!

But I do hope to see the interview. Strange case all the way around.

No Bonnie...you didn't miss the movie. It airs in November. This was an hour special and it did show clips from the movie though. I definitely want to see it. I was glad to see the hands on by Elizabeth's parents. They were on the set talking with the cast to make sure they got everything right and didn't exploit Elizabeth. From the scenes they showed in this special, the parents were there watching it be filmed and you could see how hard it was for them to relive it. They agreed to let CBS do the movie but only if they let them be involved so they could get all the facts straight.

The movie will air Sunday night, November 9th.

Thanks so much Kelli for the info--- I marked my calendar to remind me.

bfez1 wrote:Thanks so much Kelli for the info--- I marked my calendar to remind me.

lol.....I did too.

And you're welcome.

I assume this Katie Couric/Elizabeth Smart interview will be on Friday's Dateline NBC...

Dateline was on at 9:00pm Eastern, last Friday and is on this Friday at 8:00pm Eastern.

streetsoldier wrote:I'm not too thrilled about the way Ed Smart has been playing the media ever since his daughter went missing...every opportunity, another "photo-op".

Jessi Lynch's family, on the other hand, placed their daughter FIRST...much smarter than Smart, IMHO.

the whole smart family are publicity hounds

streetsoldier wrote:Jessi Lynch's family, on the other hand, placed their daughter FIRST.

I don't blame them either. Have you seen the vile garbage on the internet trashing Jessica lately?
I did a Google search last week, and was shocked at the disrespect and even outright hatred of this young lady...even mocking her for seeking a medical discharge from the military (it's even worse now than when she was in the hospital).

I'm come to three conclusions for the anger/ hate toward Jessi Lynch (and anyone who defends or praises her):

1) jealousy because she's an attractive blonde female. I've seen quite a few references such as "she only recieved special treatment because she's a pretty little blonde. If she were black or fat no one would give a rats ass about her" and "since when did being a blonde girl merit hero status" (I guess being a critically injured POW means NOTHING to many clueless folks nowadays).

2) an utter hatred of president Bush, his administration and the war on terrorism that many display, and have had since the 2000 election -- Jessica's injuries/ rescue is seen as the event that motivated U.S. from a near quagmire to rout of the Iraqi army in less than 72 hours following her rescue.

3) saddest of all, because she hails from the state of West Virginia. I've seen numerous internet references to Jessica as "hillbilly", "hick", "redneck", "white trash", and "illiterate".


What really gets me angry? I see numerous internet sites where her motives for writing a book and recieving compensation, doing interviews with Diane Sawyer and David Letterman (in November), and accepting a college scholarship
are questioned. Things like "who does she think she is"?

Many people must be clueless idiots....don't they realize OTHER former POW's have done the SAME thing. I know former POW Ron Young Jr and his parents, and live less than 4 miles from their home. Since his rescue from Iraqi captivity, Ron has been on tv NUMEROUS times...all the leading talk shows....he did a spread for People magazine as one of America's most eligible bachelors, and has recieved so many gifts and awards, he's having to store them....not enough room in the family home. Ron has also decided to leave the army...because he sees the possibility of making $$$$ from his celebrity status as a former POW. He wants to write a book, do tv/ commercial endorsements, and return to college here in Georgia.

Funny thing....I haven't seen ANYONE question his motives. In fact, I've seen NOBODY say anything bad or insulting about Ronald Young Jr...or ANY OF THE OTHER former POW's rescued with him on April 13th. Shoshana Johnson was ALSO recently granted a medical discharge from the military--and her injuries were far less serious than Jessica's -- yet NO ONE has called her a "quitter" or "coward".

Why has so much critisism and nasty hatred been displayed toward Jessi Lynch....after she spent nearly 4 months recuperating in an army hospital...wondering if she'd ever walk again? While she's still taking rehab trying to walk again without crutches or a walker?? Check out my list above. Jessica was unfortunate enough to be:

1) a young blonde female
2) a major reason we won the war
3) from rural West Virginia

God bless that heroic young woman from the Mountaineer State ....and God curse all those who mock and diss her to Satan's fiery furnace for eternity

rainstorm wrote:

streetsoldier wrote:I'm not too thrilled about the way Ed Smart has been playing the media ever since his daughter went missing...every opportunity, another "photo-op".

Jessi Lynch's family, on the other hand, placed their daughter FIRST...much smarter than Smart, IMHO.

the whole smart family are publicity hounds

I totally disagree.

This whole Smart episode has been wierd. I wouldn't let her out again. I watch mine like a hawk.

Tom, A Katie Couric Special: Bringing Elizabeth Home airs Friday at 9:00pm central.

southerngale wrote:Tom, A Katie Couric Special: Bringing Elizabeth Home airs Friday at 9:00pm central.

Okay, then either of two things, this special is replacing Dateline, or Miss Match, or Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is cancelled.