March 2, 1999
Web posted at: 2:11 p.m. EST (1911 GMT)

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, March 2) -- This may be the biggest television event since "Who shot J.R?" on the popular 1980s TV series "Dallas." Many ABC News executives are anticipating a large increase in viewers Wednesday night for 25-year-old Monica Lewinsky's exclusive interview with "20/20" host Barbara Walters.

According to the New York Daily News, which obtained portions of unedited audio tapes of the ABC interview, Lewinsky talks about her childhood, lifestyle, her troubles and the 18-month romantic affair that eventually led to President Bill Clinton's impeachment. The two-hour interview airs at 9 p.m.

"This was not a puff piece," Walters insisted to reporters. "This was not a huggy-kissy piece."

Looking back over her years in Washington, Lewinsky has had time to reflect on the whirlwind events in her life. During the interview, Lewinsky concludes, "I think I have self-esteem and I'm self-confident in some ways, but I don't have the feelings of self-worth that a woman should have," she says. "And that's ... been the center of a lot of my mistakes and a lot of my pain."

Lewinsky explains the relationship between her and the president was about a "man and a woman, and not a president and an intern." Lewinsky said Clinton "was very tender with me. He was very affectionate ... We would talk, we would laugh, we would tell jokes."

The former White House intern said the president never talked with her about his marriage, nor did he ever tell Lewinsky that he loved her. At one point in the interview, Lewinsky is seemingly apologetic toward first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and Chelsea Clinton, saying she was sorry for "what they've been through." And Lewinsky vowed to "never have an affair with a married man again."

Walters said viewers may change their perception of Lewinsky's and Clinton's character. "I think you'll have some insight into him that you haven't had before," she said. Walters described Lewinsky as difficult at times, funny and extremely articulate. "This is not a Valley Girl," she said.

When Walters asked Lewinsky why she didn't walk away from the relationship, Lewinsky said there were people, including former colleague Linda Tripp, who were encouraging the relationship. Tripp's secretly recorded conversations with Lewinsky played a key role in sparking Independent Counsel Ken Starr's investigation of the president and resulting perjury and obstruction of justice charges. Clinton was acquitted after a Senate trial.

One analyst predicts ABC will earn large ratings for the special. It is estimated that the two-hour Lewinsky interview may surpass the country's top-ranking television drama, "ER," in the number of households tuned in.

"People are sick of it, without a doubt, but no one has had a chance to sit down and hear what she's had to say," said Marc Berman of the Seltel advertising firm. "This is an event. People are going to watch it."

Since ABC only owns domestic distribution rights to the interview, the network cannot stream video or release the full transcript of the interview over the Internet. But the network plans to offer short video clips and parts of the Lewinsky transcript on its Web site at ABCnews.com.

Tuesday, March 2, 1999

• Gov. Bush announces plans for presidential exploratory committee
• RNC picks new chief of staff
• Senate report says Y2K would not pose major disruptions
• Senate report: Investigating the Impact of the Year 2000 Problem
• Federal judge may order investigation into Hubbell indictment
• Buchanan kicks off third White House bid
• Monica's big day: Will the nation tune in?
• Poll: Most people not interested in Lewinsky interview
• Justice opposes renewal of independent counsel law
• Bradley encourages lively 2000 race
• Lewinsky book already a best-seller
• Jackson mum on second White House bid
• Linda Tripp to return to Pentagon
• High court hears case of nut company that gave gifts to Espy
• Prosecutor tries to block day trips for Hinckley
• Latest Top 100: 20th century's best U.S. journalism
• Lewinsky interview could be easy money for ABC