20/20: THE JOURNEY OF CHRISTOPHER REEVE (TV)

Summary

One in this series of news magazines programs. On this program, Barbara Walters interviews actor Christopher Reeve, who describes how his life has changed since a horseback riding accident left him paralyzed from the shoulders down. Reeve discusses the following topics, among others: off-screen hobbies that always seemed to be adventurous; an explanation of how he's able to speak with the help of a respirator; whether the paralysis is accompanied by any sort of pain; whether Reeve remembers anything at all from the time of the accident until he woke up a few days later in the hospital; the reason he could not put out his hands to break the fall; the day-to-day dangers of being paralyzed and living off a respirator; the various problems associated with a spinal cord injury; the thoughts of death that went through his mind and his desire to give up hope; his change of heart upon seeing his children at the hospital; a summary of his life and acting career; the forecast for his career before the accident; the grueling therapy sessions he undergoes every day; his relationship with his wife before and after the accident; the huge amount of support he received in the form of letters from all over the world; comments by Dr. Wise Young, a leading physician in paralysis, about experimental drugs that may cure paralysis one day; tabloid reports about Reeve and his wife wanting to "pull the plug" in order to ease the pain; Reeve's future plans, which include directing a film and being an active spokesperson for paralysis victims; and the next steps in his home life. Includes a look at the O.J. Simpson trial and a preview of "Nightline." Includes commercials, promos, and public service announcements. This program is closed-captioned.

Cataloging of this program was made possible by The Marc Haas and Helen Hotze Haas Foundation, 1996.

Details

• NETWORK: ABC
• DATE: September 29, 1995 Friday 10:00 PM
• RUNNING TIME: 0:57:00
• COLOR/B&W: Color
• CATALOG ID: T:40793
• GENRE: News magazine
• SUBJECT HEADING: Actors; Biography; Film; Handicapped persons; She Made It Collection (Barbara Walters); Spinal cord - Wounds and injuries
• SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1978-
• COMMERCIALS:
  • TV - Commercials - "How to Make an Amercian Quilt" (feature film)
  • TV - Commercials - "Jade" (feature film)
  • TV - Commercials - AT&T phone systems
  • TV - Commercials - Acura automobiles
  • TV - Commercials - Biolage shampoo
  • TV - Commercials - Chrysler automobiles
  • TV - Commercials - Comfort Inn hotels
  • TV - Commercials - Florida's Natural orange juice
  • TV - Commercials - GlazoWellcome medical research
  • TV - Commercials - Mercury automobiles
  • TV - Commercials - New York Life insurance company
  • TV - Commercials - Sir Speedy copy centers
  • TV - Commercials - The Olive Garden restaurants
  • TV - PSA - AIDS Awareness
  • TV - PSA - Consumer Information Catalog
  • TV - Promos - "ABC College Football Doubleheader"
  • TV - Promos - "Coach"
  • TV - Promos - "Home Improvement"
  • TV - Promos - "Hudson Street"
  • TV - Promos - "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman"
  • TV - Promos - "Look Who's Talking"
  • TV - Promos - "Maybe This Time"
  • TV - Promos - "Monday Night Football"
  • TV - Promos - "Murder One"
  • TV - Promos - "Roseanne"
  • TV - Promos - "The Jeff Foxworthy Show"
  • TV - Promos - "The Marshal"
  • TV - Promos - "Trial by Fire"

CREDITS

• David Sloan … Producer
• Barbara Walters … Host
• Hugh Downs … Host
• Cynthia McFadden … Reporter
• Ted Koppel … Reporter
• Christopher Reeve … Guest
• Dana Reeve … Guest
• Wise Young … Guest