Captivating conversation with the Reverend Jeremiah Wright, in his first broadcast interview with a journalist since he became embroiled in a controversy for his remarks and his relationship with Barack Obama. After all the media hoopla, I can't believe we had to wait so long to see the real face of this much-demonized figure. Up close and personal with Bill Moyers, Wright turns out to be much more likeable and reasonable than some of its critics claimed -- despite the incessant media frenzy over the Reverend's televised sermon: 'god damn america'. I would have liked to see a longer profile of the man, with more sources and independent perspectives.

This story puts Wright in context, and totally changes the impression I have of him from what was bouncing around in those highly edited out of context video clips. It makes it obvious how twisted our political process and press coverage has become when good men can be vilified by taking comments out of context to hurt a candidate by association.

This is instructive. This NT review was originally linked to a You Tube video snippet from the Moyers' interview with Wright. I rated the post 3 stars [see original review comments below]. After receiving an email message that the link was changed to include the entire interview, I revisited the story and discovered excellent journalism, providing all of the context and information I had found lacking in the You Tube version. The value of the piece was completely changed by whoever did the editing for You Tube! Perhaps this is a limitation we need to bear in mind as we review You Tube videos in the future. Is the You Tube version the entire story, or has it been edited down without disclosure? [Wright is offered a chance to ... More »

This was a friendly interview -- more of an opportunity to hear Rev. Wright's controversial sermons in context and for Rev. Wright to explain his views on theology, society, culture and how they need to intertwine. The interview was a refreshing change from the attack approach which has become so common. Yet it had its limitations -- it was only useful if one wanted to understand rather than merely praise or condemn.

The full sensitive expansive interview counters the demonization of this man by big corporate media and the white superpatriot vendors of hate. I am thoroughly secular, but having heard this interview for an hour, I love this man. He has read the unexpunged history of America and spent his life trying to write a better next chapter. Wow!

I received an email from someone who had viewed the entire program and though the You Tube video originally posted here lacked depth. As a result I've linked instead to the PBS page which includes the entire video, a transcript and background information. If all you want is the clip at You Tube, or you'd like to see both, go here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ytn2p8FHos0 I'll be back to review this later, so please don't rate this as my review.

This opinion piece has little value. No tough questions are asked by the host, who is best known for his major role in the dirtiest Presidential ad campaign in the last century, that run by LBJ against Goldwater in 1964, for which he has never apologized. The ads featuring Wright are tame in comparison with the ones Moyers helped get on the air. One can understand why Obama's handlers selected a far left commentator like Moyers for the interview but that does not make it journalism.