# Diane Sawyer WTF? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 8, 2012, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diane-sawyer-wtf/640327 "2012-11-08T04:10:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2012, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diane-sawyer-wtf/640327/61 "2012-11-10T21:44:09Z")
I have found that when I am especially tired and/or dehydrated, alcohol hits me harder than when I am well rested. Nor am I able always to smell alcohol on someone’s breath from twenty feet away. Especially if it is not just alcohol. > [@](#): > > I watched her walk, I watched her speak and interact. Well, I didn’t see her walk, but I did hear her talk and interact. And I also watched **Crazyhorse** ’s YouTube clip, and she was sure as hell drinking something red out of a wineglass and washing down a pill that she took out of a prescription bottle. And that was apparently right before she was going to go on the air. I respect your observation, but I will make up my own mind, thank you very much. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diane-sawyer-wtf/640327/62 "2012-11-11T01:13:42Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > I’m not saying you’re lying, I’m saying that, unless you went to the bathroom with her in the same stall, you really don’t know any more than any of us. Functional alcohol and drug (ab)users are exceedingly skilled at hiding their use, even from people they \*live \*with. Until something happens where their routine is disrupted and their impairment become obvious…and then it generally becomes obvious to those who _don’t_ know them well before those who do know them well see it. Especially with functional users in positions of (social, political or job related) power or authority, they’re generally surrounded by people in denial as much as they are in denial. > > I truly do hope that you’re right and that she feels better after a good night’s sleep, but I can also say that if I’dda been there and was convinced she \*wasn’t \*drunk/high/stoned, I’d have called an ambulance to have her evaluated for a stroke. That was not a well functioning person. Okay I yield. I know nothing more than anyone on the planet who was not watching her while on the air AND off. You are right and I an, wrong. Be ready to be called a complete on not knowing what you saw every single time you post something you witnessed first hand. Apparently I missed the memo on this. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diane-sawyer-wtf/640327/63 "2012-11-11T01:17:08Z")
> [@Cartooniverse](#): > > Okay I yield. I know nothing more than anyone on the planet who was not watching her while on the air AND off. You are right and I an, wrong. > > Be ready to be called a complete on not knowing what you saw every single time you post something you witnessed first hand. Apparently I missed the memo on this. You okay? You’re generally a pretty cool poster; I think you’re kind of overreacting on this one. Your experience as a cameraperson and Guy Who Knows Stuff about movies \*is \*well respected here. But you’re just as capable of being fooled by drug/alcohol use as anyone else, just as Ms. Sawyer is as capable of being exhausted as anyone else. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diane-sawyer-wtf/640327/64 "2012-11-11T01:34:20Z")
Yeah, why you taking this so personally? There is no need. People aren’t trying to be wicked to you, just have a different view is all. Again, no one is doubting the veracity of your claim of what you saw, or that you were there. Only that ‘what you saw’ (or smelled?) is not empirical evidence against her having taken a few drinks at some time prior to being in your sight. No need to swear retribution against the villagefolk! ---
**Author:** ![Wargamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df705f/32.png) [@Wargamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wargamer)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diane-sawyer-wtf/640327/65 "2012-11-11T02:18:49Z")
But retribution against the villagefolk is all I have left! ---
**Author:** ![Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/face_intentionally_left_blank/32/288_2.png) [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2012, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diane-sawyer-wtf/640327/66 "2012-11-13T04:09:06Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > **Cartooniverse** I respect that you were there. I still think she was acting abnormally for a professional broadcast journalist. > While I have never seen anyone that has stayed up for an extended period of time act like a giddy drunk\* I will accept that explanation for now. > If this is true, the network should ensure that their on air people get a bit of rest before a big night like a presidential election. > If on the other hand, it is announced in the new few weeks that she is going into rehab, I will not be surprised. > > - I have seen lots of people that after 24-48 of no sleep act like a zombie drunk, but never a giddy drunk. Just for the fun of dueling anecdotes, I have seen several people act like giddy, silly drunks while sleep-deprived, on various occasions, without the help of alcohol or drugs. ---
**Author:** ![Gukumatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/74df32/32.png) [@Gukumatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gukumatz)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2012, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diane-sawyer-wtf/640327/67 "2012-11-13T04:38:05Z")
I work nights and do freelance and volunteer work during the daytime. I essentially rotate my sleep schedule by plus or minus eight hours at least four days a week. Occasionally I mess up - like when a relative pops up in town without warning - and I have to go to work two consecutive eight hour shifts without having slept in the last 24 hours beforehand. I can easily see myself going what we call wide-eyed zombie in her situation and if **Cartooniverse** says he didn’t smell anything, I’m sold. ETA: The worst it ever got was when I crewed for [The Gathering](http://www.gathering.org/tg12/en/)after going off a work week and ended up being awake for 64 hours. I was actually _hearing things_ at that point. ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2012, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diane-sawyer-wtf/640327/68 "2012-11-13T04:49:43Z")
> [@Gukumatz](#): > > I can easily see myself going what we call wide-eyed zombie in her situation and if **Cartooniverse** says he didn’t smell anything, I’m sold. Perhaps, but it’s pretty hard to smell Valium, Soma, Ativan or high quality Czechoslovakian angel dust; The point is she may well have been all fuckered up on any number of Rx goofballs (God knows she acted like it) and **Cartooniverse** wouldn’t have any way of knowing it by smell or lack thereof. Have you watched the link of her in action back in 2008 from **Crazyhorse** up in post #52? I would imagine that 95% of all people who watch those clips would conclude she was clearly intoxicated, just not tired. ---
**Author:** ![Beastly\_Rotter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/45deac/32.png) [@Beastly\_Rotter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beastly_Rotter)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2012, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diane-sawyer-wtf/640327/69 "2012-11-13T20:49:17Z")
> [@Cartooniverse](#): > > Okay enough of this crap. I am a cameraman. I was in that studio. Within 20 feet of her from 5:00 pm to 2:00 am almost nonstop. I watched her walk, I watched her speak and interact. I was close enough more than once to have smelled booze. Did Colin Farrell at least start making out with little girls there? ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2012, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diane-sawyer-wtf/640327/70 "2012-11-14T04:09:32Z")
> [@Beastly\_Rotter](#): > > Did Colin Farrell at least start making out with little girls there? I assume this is a reference to something from another thread, because it makes no fucking sense here. If you have a problem with someone, take it to the Pit – don’t follow them around taking pot shots in unrelated threads. No warning issued. **twickster** , Cafe Society moderator ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2012, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diane-sawyer-wtf/640327/71 "2012-11-14T04:13:12Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > You okay? You’re generally a pretty cool poster; I think you’re kind of overreacting on this one. Your experience as a cameraperson and Guy Who Knows Stuff about movies \*is \*well respected here. But you’re just as capable of being fooled by drug/alcohol use as anyone else, just as Ms. Sawyer is as capable of being exhausted as anyone else. Thank you for the kind words. My irk comes from the fact that the accepted SDMB proof protocols are thrown over here. Usually it’s : 1. Anecdote . 2. Accepted cite. 3. Firsthand knowledge. I claim no booze or drugs, but exhaustion. Want a cite? YouTube any Jerry Lewis MD Telethon. Hour 1 opposed to Hour 24 is a study in broadcasting while exhausted. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2012, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diane-sawyer-wtf/640327/72 "2012-11-14T11:07:37Z")
> [@Cartooniverse](#): > > Thank you for the kind words. > > My irk comes from the fact that the accepted SDMB proof protocols are thrown over here. Usually it’s : > > 1. Anecdote . > 2. Accepted cite. > 3. Firsthand knowledge. > > I claim no booze or drugs, but exhaustion. Want a cite? YouTube any Jerry Lewis MD Telethon. Hour 1 opposed to Hour 24 is a study in broadcasting while exhausted. I agree that’s the generally accepted proof protocol (and I love that phrase, it sounds like a batch of popcorn just starting to pop!). My point of view is far from mistrusting \*you \*- I trust you as well as I can trust any group of pixels I’ve known for nearly a decade ;). It’s mistrusting drug abusers, and having my own first hand knowledge that one can be utterly and completely fooled by a functional drug addict. I lived in a small two bedroom apartment with a girl doing alcohol and \*heroin \*for 6 months before I got the first inkling that there was a problem here. I was 16 before I ever discovered my father was drunk, even though he went through at least a case of beer a day every day of my life. And even then, I only knew because I suggested we go across town for lunch and he said, very calmly, quietly and undrunkenly, “I think I shouldn’t be driving right now.” I knew the case was in the fridge; I didn’t know that he refilled the same case with new bottles while we were sleeping so no one knew how quickly the case was being depleted. I was 34 before he let things slip enough that I realized he has an actual alcohol abuse problem complete with DT’s when he tries to quit. He’s been drinking so much so long that he needs that case of beer just to get to sober. No one has any idea that he’s a drunk - he kept a great job until retirement age, managed teams of engineers, has thousands of patents to his name, built a beautiful house - he’s exceedingly functional when he’s using alcohol. Until suddenly he’s not and he starts wandering the neighborhood naked. I’ve been in the position of knowing someone very very well and having no idea that they’re an abuser, is my point. More than once. And when it finally comes out, it’s a huge shock - not only that someone you’re close to has this problem, but that you (general you) could have missed it so completely. It’s…it’s embarrassing, is what it is. I felt like a damn stupid idiot…which I’m not. They were just very very good at hiding it. ---
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2012, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diane-sawyer-wtf/640327/73 "2012-11-14T13:14:13Z")
> [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](#): > > Just for the fun of dueling anecdotes, I have seen several people act like giddy, silly drunks while sleep-deprived, on various occasions, without the help of alcohol or drugs. I was going to say this. In fact, I had to run tests all night in our lab, (without sleep naturally) and when the morning shift came in, many people commented that I was acting like a giddy drunk. I was actually scared to drive home, fearing that a cop would come to a similar conclusion. And they’d have been technically correct as I was “impaired”, but not by substances. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2012, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diane-sawyer-wtf/640327/74 "2012-11-14T14:01:44Z")
> [@BwanaBob](#): > > I was going to say this. In fact, I had to run tests all night in our lab, (without sleep naturally) and when the morning shift came in, many people commented that I was acting like a giddy drunk. I was actually scared to drive home, fearing that a cop would come to a similar conclusion. And they’d have been technically correct as I was “impaired”, but not by substances. I am familiar with this state. Not only have I been there, but I have been around children in this condition, so tired that they get downright silly. In my opinion (which I feel fine offering, since this thread is in CS and not GQ or GD) this is a different ball of wax. Diane’s demeanor doesn’t fit with what I recognize as that sleep deprived confused state I have witnessed when one is exhausted. It fits with that tipsy, slurring, euphoric looking condition that I have seen people in when they have had a few too many glasses of champagne. I could be wrong, but I am not going to be convinced I was wrong by facts like people not smelling alcohol on her. Plenty of times I figured out my own husband was drunk after some time observing his mannerisms; long after I should have smelled it on him if the smell was such an automatic giveaway. I hope people’s noses aren’t as good as they think they are. I love garlic and fish and all kinds of things that I hope casual coworkers didn’t always automatically smell after I had gone into the bathroom to wash up and rinse out and grab a mint. For the record, I do respect firsthand knowledge of the posters on this board. But if I have a different opinion, after taking their information into consideration, then that’s ok and not at all meant to be disrespectful in any way. ---
**Author:** ![Belowjob2.0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Belowjob2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belowjob2.0)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2012, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diane-sawyer-wtf/640327/75 "2012-11-14T17:20:21Z")
> [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > What’s with the blow job comments? They seem a bit left field and (not surprisingly) misogynistic. > > I know, I know. Any woman on your TV only exists only for your sexual amusement and thus is open game for sexual jokes, but at least let them be funny. True, except for the “on your TV” part. Delete that and we’re all good. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2012, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diane-sawyer-wtf/640327/76 "2012-11-14T17:24:27Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > For the record, I do respect firsthand knowledge of the posters on this board. But if I have a different opinion, after taking their information into consideration, then that’s ok and not at all meant to be disrespectful in any way. Perfectly stated, and something that I agree with 100%. ---
**Author:** ![Belowjob2.0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Belowjob2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belowjob2.0)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2012, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diane-sawyer-wtf/640327/77 "2012-11-14T17:26:11Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > That’s the thing that’s funny. You don’t have a position of knowledge. You saw her, and she didn’t look drunk to you. The fact that you think you’ve come up with conclusive evidence is funny. It’s just dueling anecdotes, and yet you think you’ve won. > > As **Nzinga** pointed out, it’s perfectly possible to believe you and still think that she was drunk. Or, even as pointed out, it could be pills–since the pills would not make her walk funny. _since the pills would not make her walk funny._ Yup, Viagra only has that effect on men. But, seriously, tranqs and ludes and opiates can also make you walk funny/affect your motor skills. ---
**Author:** ![aaelghat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c5a1d2/32.png) [@aaelghat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aaelghat)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diane-sawyer-wtf/640327/78 "2012-11-18T04:12:57Z")
I watched the video in Post #52 and I’m not sure why anyone would think it’s red wine. Whenever I see dark beverage in a water like that, I assume a Cola beverage. If someone was a drinker but trying to hide it, they would drink in their dressing room, or put vodka in water, but not have a water glass filled to the brim with red wine. A lot of people have to take a pill (prescription or otherwise) while at work. I usually pop a few Ibuprofen every now and then. I think it’s a huge jump to watch the video and come the conclusion it was red wine and happy pills. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diane-sawyer-wtf/640327/79 "2012-11-18T04:20:55Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > I agree that’s the generally accepted proof protocol (and I love that phrase, it sounds like a batch of popcorn just starting to pop!). My point of view is far from mistrusting \*you \*- I trust you as well as I can trust any group of pixels I’ve known for nearly a decade ;). It’s mistrusting drug abusers, and having my own first hand knowledge that one can be utterly and completely fooled by a functional drug addict. I lived in a small two bedroom apartment with a girl doing alcohol and \*heroin \*for 6 months before I got the first inkling that there was a problem here. > > I was 16 before I ever discovered my father was drunk, even though he went through at least a case of beer a day every day of my life. And even then, I only knew because I suggested we go across town for lunch and he said, very calmly, quietly and undrunkenly, “I think I shouldn’t be driving right now.” I knew the case was in the fridge; I didn’t know that he refilled the same case with new bottles while we were sleeping so no one knew how quickly the case was being depleted. I was 34 before he let things slip enough that I realized he has an actual alcohol abuse problem complete with DT’s when he tries to quit. He’s been drinking so much so long that he needs that case of beer just to get to sober. No one has any idea that he’s a drunk - he kept a great job until retirement age, managed teams of engineers, has thousands of patents to his name, built a beautiful house - he’s exceedingly functional when he’s using alcohol. Until suddenly he’s not and he starts wandering the neighborhood naked. > > I’ve been in the position of knowing someone very very well and having no idea that they’re an abuser, is my point. More than once. And when it finally comes out, it’s a huge shock - not only that someone you’re close to has this problem, but that you (general you) could have missed it so completely. It’s…it’s embarrassing, is what it is. I felt like a damn stupid idiot…which I’m not. They were just very very good at hiding it. Chillingly illuminating. Thank you for sharing this with us. ---
**Author:** ![aaelghat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c5a1d2/32.png) [@aaelghat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aaelghat)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diane-sawyer-wtf/640327/80 "2012-11-18T04:59:25Z")
Here’s a post quoting a source saying it was lack of sleep and overwork, and that the reporters from the New York Times and Hollywood Reporter were in the control room, and if she was drunk, they would have reported on it. > **[SOURCE: Diane Sawyer Was Not Drunk During Election Coverage -- She Was...](https://www.businessinsider.com/diane-sawyer-overworked-not-drunk-during-abc-election-coverage-2012-11)** [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diane-sawyer-wtf/640327.md?page=3)