BARBARA WALTERS SPECIAL, THE: PATRICK SWAYZE: THE TRUTH (TV)
Summary
One in this occasional series of interview specials, hosted by Barbara Walters.
This episode features an interview with actor Patrick Swayze, discussing his career and battle with cancer. Walters introduces the special, noting that Swayze’s condition has given him only a short time left to live. Walters discusses Swayze’s latest role, portraying an FBI agent in the A&E action television series “The Beast.” He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer a year ago, but has continued his work seemingly unabated. His appearance at a cancer fundraiser is met with great applause and support from his fans, remembering him from cult films such as “Dirty Dancing,” “Roadhouse,” “To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar,” and “Ghost.” He sits down with Walters for his first television interview since his diagnosis was made public. He notes that his first indications of the illness were heralded by a number of digestion problems, coupled with sudden weight loss and jaundice. He then was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and was told that it was spreading to his liver. Walters also interviews Swayze’s wife, Lisa Niemi, and asks her about the moment when she had to inform Swayze of his condition.
Despite his desire to keep his diagnosis secret, the media found out early in 2008 and it became a major entertainment news story. Swayze found himself incensed at them for involving his family in the matter and decided to take a defiant attitude towards them. Walters also interviews Dr. George Fisher, a top cancer specialist at Stanford University, who says that Swayze was referred to him while he was in the most advanced stage of his cancer. He notes that pancreatic cancer is among the worst varieties of known cancers, and gives Swayze a prognosis of only several months to live. He notes that he believed that the “anguish” incurred by the various media and tabloid representations of Swayze’s condition was unhelpful. Despite the many factors against him, Swayze becomes determined to fight the cancer and try to make the most of whatever time he has remaining. He has already survived much longer than many people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and undergoes chemotherapy “constantly.” Walters asks Swayze if he has utilized any alternative or holistic treatments, and he says that apart from some “Chinese herbs,” he has mostly pursued conventional medicinal practices, especially regulating his nutrient intake.
Because Swayze’s cancer had spread to his liver, it became impossible to surgically remove. Dr. John Chabot, a cancer specialist at the New York Presbyterian Columbia Medical Center, notes that the cancer is often not diagnosed until it has spread to too many organs to safely remove. It is a possibility that Swayze’s long smoking habit could have been a cause of his cancer, and he says that he has “seriously cut down” as of late. He admits that it is probable that his smoking could have been a contributing factor, but has not stopped since he feels that doing so would have no effect on his current condition. Swayze does not wish to allow his cancer to interfere with his acting work and signed up for “The Beast.” His participation required that he convince television executives that he could handle the strenuous action-heavy role, and despite his condition the series was approved after its pilot. A&E president Bob DeBitetto discusses his reactions to finding out about Swayze’s cancer, and Swayze’s successful attempts to convince him to keep him on the show. DeBitetto believes that beyond the business end of the arrangement, that keeping Swayze on was “the right thing to do.” The working days are long and difficult, but Swayze takes to the part with great enthusiasm, and he does not complain or bemoan his condition on set despite the continued difficulties his suffered with toxin buildup within his digestive system. He even performs his own stunts, claiming that he has “energy for days” and can “rage through” his pain.
Walters asks Swayze why he chose to work instead of spending all of his remaining time on his ranch with his wife, and Swayze notes that he wants to “give something back” to the world before he dies. Walters also speaks to Whoopi Goldberg, Swayze’s co-star in the film “Ghost,” who believes that Swayze “needs to work” as a means of helping his “psyche.” Niemi supports Swayze’s decision and directs one of the episodes of “The Beast.” They talk about their long relationship and 33 years of marriage; Swayze calls her his “creative partner” and says they are “soulmates.” They both have attempted to use humor and their deep love for each other as methods of keeping their spirits up during recent times. He believes that he would not be able to cope without her. They also talk about why they never decided to have or adopt children, and their recent decision to renew their marriage vows. Niemi talks about her reactions to Swayze’s condition and the difficult prospect of life without him.
Swayze’s stand against cancer has proven to be inspiring to many of his fans, making him something of a symbol and prompting an outpouring of support. Miraculously, Swayze has survived over a year whereas most pancreatic cancer sufferers perish within months. He has switched chemotherapy treatments, as his cancer had started to adapt and resist the initial methods. He is uncertain of how much time he has left, but is focusing more on the “quality of life” rather than measuring his remaining days. He occupies himself with activities such as his acting, his equestrianism, and the development of a large-scale forestry stewardship project. Walters notes that Swayze has lost people in his life before, such as his father and sister, and recalls discussing his father’s death in her first interview with him in 1988. Walters parts with Niemi and Swayze with some final thoughts about his outlook on life and prospects for the future. Includes commercials.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: January 7, 2009 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:58:37
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 101853
- GENRE: Talk/Interviews
- SUBJECT HEADING: Talk/Interviews
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1976-
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV – Commercials – Applebee’s restaurants
- TV – Commercials – Aquafresh toothpaste
- TV – Commercials – Cheerios breakfast cereal
- TV – Commercials – H&R Block tax services
- TV – Commercials – Lincoln automobiles
- TV – Commercials – Macy’s department stores
- TV – Commercials – Nicoderm CQ nicotine patch
- TV – Commercials – Nissan automobiles
- TV – Commercials – Olive Garden restaurants
- TV – Commercials – Polident denture cleaner
- TV – Commercials – Ritz crackers
- TV – Commercials – Vaseline moisturizer
- TV – Commercials – Verizon phone service
- TV – Commercials – Wal-Mart department stores
- TV – Commercials – WeightWatchers diet program
- TV – Commercials – Wendy’s restaurants
- TV – Commercials – Yoplait yogurt
- TV – Commercials – “Frost/Nixon” motion picture
- TV – Commercials – “Gran Torino” motion picture
- TV – Commercials – “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” motion picture
- TV – Promos – “20/20”
- TV – Promos – “Desperate Housewives”
- TV – Promos – “Good Morning America”
- TV – Promos – “Grey’s Anatomy”
- TV – Promos – “Lost”
- TV – Promos – “Private Practice”
- TV – Promos – “The Beast”
- TV – Promos – “This Week with George Stephanopoulos”
- TV – Promos – “Ugly Betty”
CREDITS
- David Sloan … Executive Producer
- Patricia Arico Fasce … Executive Producer
- Joan LeFosse … Coordinating Producer
- Rob Wallace … Senior Producer, Producer, Writer
- Dan Woo … Senior Producer
- Katie N. Thomson … Producer, Writer
- Myrna A. Toledo … Associate Producer
- Jessica Hornig … Associate Producer
- Iman Hobbs … Associate Producer
- George Paul … Director
- Ann Benjamin Ruff … Director
- Patricia Dauer … Writer
- Kim Powers … Writer
- Barbara Walters … Writer
- Richard Gerdau … Writer
- Joneil Adriano … Writer
- Barbara Walters … Host, Interviewer
- Patrick Swayze … Guest
- Lisa Niemi … Guest
- George Fisher … Guest
- John Chabot … Guest
- Bob DeBitetto … Guest
- Whoopi Goldberg … Guest