Mike Watkiss, an Emmy and Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist, has led a multifaceted career. His journey has taken him from the adrenaline-fueled world of tabloid television to the quieter pursuits of acting and authorship.
Early Life and Influences
Born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, Watkiss was the youngest of three sons. His parents, though members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, were "liberals" who were "not really into" the religion. Watkiss grew up idolizing his older brothers, who were teenagers in the '60s. While his brothers followed their father into law, Watkiss charted his own course.
He graduated from Stanford University in 1980 with a bachelor's degree in anthropology. Although he wasn't interested in studying law like his father, who represented major corporate clients and held political influence in Utah, he was inspired by his father's stories as a World War II combat vet.
The Allure of Journalism
Watkiss's path to journalism was influenced by the legacy of "Murrow's boys," journalists who worked alongside the legendary war correspondent Edward R. Murrow. At Columbia, Murrow's producer, Fred Friendly, was one of Watkiss's teachers. However, he credits John Schultz, a renowned video editor, with providing him with the most valuable piece of advice: "’You want to make good TV, kid?'"
Tabloid TV and Mainstream Media
Watkiss began his career at an ABC affiliate in Salt Lake City before diving into the world of tabloid television. He spent nearly a decade in the tabloid trenches, witnessing the blurring of lines between tabloid TV and mainstream media.
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The Tonya Harding scandal, where Harding's estranged husband orchestrated an assault on her rival Nancy Kerrigan, marked a turning point. Watkiss covered the story in Portland, Oregon, alongside correspondents from major networks like CBS. The O.J. Simpson case further solidified the shift, with Watkiss's crew among the first on the scene of the Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman killings.
Encounters with the Infamous
Throughout his career, Watkiss interviewed serial killer Richard Ramirez in a San Francisco jail. He reported on the women romantically obsessed with Ramirez, who terrorized Southern California with a string of home-invasion murders in the early 1980s.
Watkiss's career also took him to El Salvador in the mid-’90s, chasing stories and reporting from the front lines.
Covering the FLDS and Warren Jeffs
Watkiss dedicated a significant portion of his career to covering the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS) and its leader, Warren Jeffs. He reported on the abuses within the FLDS community, where polygamy was practiced despite being renounced by the Mormon church in 1890.
Watkiss made countless trips to Short Creek, accompanying anti-polygamy activists as they rescued women from the community. His six-part documentary, Colorado City and the Underground Railroad, won an Emmy and an Edward R. Murrow Award in 2005.
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Transition to Acting and Authorship
After leaving his role as a TV news reporter in August 2018, Watkiss pursued acting and writing. He has appeared in movies like Dumb and Dumber and is represented by talent agencies in Los Angeles and Phoenix.
Watkiss's memoir, "Story Hustler: Murder-Mayhem-PTSD," delves into his 40 years in the news business. The book covers his time as LA bureau chief of A Current Affair (ACA), staking out celebrities, as well as his 20 years working in the Valley.
"Story Hustler": A Glimpse into a Journalist's Life
"Story Hustler" is a collection of vignettes that takes readers through Watkiss's adrenaline-fueled existence. The memoir explores the challenges and triumphs of his career, as well as the personal toll that the job took on him and his family.
The book also touches on Watkiss's Mormon lineage and his awareness of groups like the FLDS. His knowledge of these communities informed his reporting and fueled his passion for exposing injustice.
Reflections on a Career
Looking back on his career, Watkiss acknowledges the impact of his work on the FLDS community. He believes that his reporting, along with the efforts of others, helped to bring about change and justice for the victims of abuse.
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Now focused on acting and film, Watkiss is eager to explore new creative avenues. He seeks roles that challenge him and allow him to showcase his talents.
The Duke Lacrosse Case: A Look at Media Scrutiny and Allegations
The Duke lacrosse case, which involved allegations of rape against members of the Duke University lacrosse team, provides a stark example of media scrutiny and the complexities of justice. An independent report prepared for the Duke University president examined the handling of the case by university officials and raised questions about the credibility of the accuser.
The report stated that the accuser initially told Durham police that she was raped and sexually assaulted by approximately 20 white members of a Duke team, a charge later modified to allege an attack by three individuals in a bathroom. This discrepancy raised concerns about the accuser's credibility and the reliability of her allegations.
The report also criticized school officials for relying too much on the initial skepticism of some in the Durham and Duke Police Departments about the accuser‘s claim. It suggested that more attention should have been given to the allegation itself, rape, assault, and the racial aspect of the case.
Despite the criticisms, the report concluded that there was no evidence of a cover-up on the part of Duke officials. Instead, it attributed the slow response time to lapses in judgment.
The Duke lacrosse case highlights the importance of due process and the need for a fair and impartial investigation when allegations of serious crimes are made. It also underscores the potential for media scrutiny and public opinion to influence the course of justice.