20/20 - The After Show : "Sisters Loved and Treasured”

Episode Date: December 1, 2025

In honor of Deborah Roberts’ new book, our host and her sisters dish on what it was like growing up together. Deborah answers burning questions about life, lessons, and her illustrious career.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hi there, everybody, and welcome to 2020 The After Show. I'm Deborah Roberts, and typically I am talking about 2020 and true crime in our latest episode, but some of you may know that I have written a new book that has just come out called Sisters Loved and Treasured Stories of Unbreakable Bonds. And the book was sort of based on my own experience with sisters. I grew up in a house full of sisters, six sisters. We have lost two of them over the years, but I have four sisters who are still very a part of my life. So I thought it might be fun to turn the tables, and they are here with me in New York today.

So I want to introduce you to my sisters, Janet, Benita, Tina, and Belinda. And they have been hanging out with me this week. So we thought maybe since I'm always asking the questions, we might turn the tables and let you all ask the questions. I don't know if I'm ready for this. We like it. Yeah, yeah. But one of the beautiful things in doing this book was that we actually did put a lot of things on the table and just talked about our lives and growing up and our perceptions of each other and what we felt as children and what we feel as adults. And it was really just a lot of fun, I think, in connecting us together. And one of the things that makes me so proud is not only do I have my sisters, but I've got a couple of warriors in the bunch. Janet, who is a breast cancer survivor and thriver. Tina, who's dealing with her own battle at the moment, but surviving. thriving at this moment. So I got a couple warriors in the pack and then two other like loyal, dedicated fierce sisters. So Janet, take it away. Yeah, well, one thing that I wanted to

ask you is, have you always wanted to be in the media, the news area? And when did you know that that was what you wanted to do? Did you ever feel like you wanted to do something else other than a correspondent. You know, it's interesting because people ask me that, and I think it's always what I wanted to do. One of our cousins, DeBara, said she remembered me always watching the evening news with Walter Kronkite. Everybody else was running around, doing things, getting into whatever. And at the end of the day, I was watching the evening news. And I remember being sort of mesmerized by the reporters, seeing the changing face of news and, you know, black reporters,

female reporters, Connie Chung, Lim Tucker. And I just thought it was so interesting. And when I was in high school, I was very interested in sort of performance, like television, being in front of camera. And so I thought maybe it was acting, but then I went off to

college. And when I really got a chance to be introduced to journalism, I thought that's what I want, TV journalism. So you, Janet, watched 2020 all the time. Yeah, I was always an avid 2020 watcher. Yeah. And I, I, um, it was interesting because um you were always that kind of person that would ask people questions and

i said i could i can just see you sitting there with the cards on your lap yeah yeah yeah interviewing somebody it is weird because people would come to the house and i would ask all kinds of questions wouldn't i you would and can i say also that i remember you used to be in the mirror i don't you remember no yes you'd be doing your own report in the mirror in the bathroom This is Debra Roberts, yeah, yeah, whatever. With my brush or whatever? Yeah, with your brush. And Jr., our brother, he used to just, he used to rag you about it all the time.

Oh, funny. Oh, Dad, what are you doing again? You're doing your show again? But yes. Oh, my gosh. Do you remember that? She used to be in the mirror. I don't remember that.

I did my show in front of the mirror. Yes, you did. You were always doing your own show. That's, so I guess I was destined. I guess it was destined. So I didn't have any other particular talents. You all sing. I don't sing.

And mom used to say, well, you know, you speak very well. so it's okay exactly my talents were elsewhere exactly my talents were elsewhere awesome who's next can you talk about one time when you were very nervous before one of your interviews

oh my gosh I'm nervous all the time I'm nervous right now I would say people think that we are so comfortable doing what we do and for the most part I am comfortable because I've learned to do it but I still get very nervous especially if it's an important interview.

I mean, I've had an opportunity to interview Michelle Obama over the years. I interviewed Jill Biden before they left the White House. I was really nervous about making sure I asked the questions just right. Or celebrities, you know, if I've interviewed, you know, actors and actresses. I get nervous because I want to make sure I come across well. I ask good questions. But even just day-to-day, particularly if there's a timeline, When I go into prisons because true crime for 2020, I go to interview people and that's serious business because you are behind bars.

Oftentimes they will talk about the SWAT team that they have set aside just in case something happens. So I'm nervous about that and just wanting to make sure. I mean, in New Jersey I had to go do an interview once and I really was very nervous because we were going in this one area, this sort of not holding area, but it was a contained area where all the inmates were housed and they could see us. And they said, don't worry, we've got a SWAT team, you know, ready. But you surrender your phone and your ID and all of that when you come into the prison. And you know in the back of your mind, and I do as a journalist, something could happen. And so I get a little nervous and I'm happy when it's over and we did it and there's a good job done and so forth. So I get nervous a lot, but I think it brings me good energy.

The nerves sort of propel me to think on my feet and to turn. But I was about to say you don't show it. No, you have no idea how much. many times. I'm churning inside. Yeah, you come across naturally. Yeah, I think that's the trick, trying to mask that so people don't know. When I'm doing live television, you know, occasionally I fill in on Good Morning America. And I'm like totally nervous before you don't want to say the wrong thing. You don't want to, you know, blow it and so forth. So I'm nervous on a regular basis, but I think I've learned how to deal with that and to use it sometimes to help me do a better job,

maybe. Good, good, right. Who's next? When we were children, this was always the case. Benita was always like, ah, is it my turn? What I love is that our roles remain the same. I mean, you know, we still make jokes and laugh about little things, little quirks that we have, same roles. Okay, so I want to know if you have a particular story that you've worked on, you know, over the years.

I know there have been many, but that you were particularly proud of. Oh, wow. Well, I have a lot. And I think it changes all the time because I continue to do stories that now and again touch me. But I still think about the story that I did. I was on maternity leave and I got a call from one of the senior producers and said, there is a story about this African woman who lives in America, Ethiopian American woman, but she wants to go back to Africa to find her roots. She was given up as a child because she was injured and her parents couldn't care for her. And she was raised elsewhere. And made her way to the United States, but she wants to go back and it's this journey. But the thing of it is, she's leaving like in three days. Could you possibly do the story? And I was, I was like, I'm a maternity leave. And Al, my husband said, you know, you should do this. You should do this. What a great way to get back into it. So I, you know, had to stop breastfeeding and had to get all my shots and so forth. And I thought, okay. And this was a story that we were just sort of going out on a lark. We didn't know if she would find her mom. And we didn't know.

where the story would take us. So it was just such an amazing story of by the seat of your pants. You don't really know what's going to happen. And then she did eventually. The mom was told in this village and they walked and they made their way and she was reunited with her mom. And that remains one of my most memorable stories because, you know, as a black woman, connecting with Ethiopia and all the people who were there, that was really meaningful. But also just this beautiful story of discovery. And then we won an Emmy Award. So I was just, that's a story. That's a story. that I still remember to this day. Obviously, there are plenty of other stories that we've done that are memorable,

just a recent true crime story I did with 2020 about a young mom who was abducted and killed and the 911 system failed her. And that was a story that was really touching because she was so young and there was so many opportunities to save her and they didn't. So there are many stories that we do now that still stick with me, but that one was just memorable for a lot of reasons. Up next, the lessons we share with the next, next generation, our nieces and nephews, dreaming big despite any circumstance. Stay with us.

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Movies don't get any bigger than this. The Bay is calm. Avatar, Fire and Dash. Rated PG-13, maybe inappropriate for children under 13. Get tickets now. We are back with a special edition of 2020 The After Show. Typically, I bring in a 2020 producer or correspondent, but today I have my sisters with me. What would you like for your legacy to be in our family?

And what would you say to all of the young people in our family and elsewhere, friends, what would you say to them about following your dreams? Because they certainly look to you, you know, and look. up to you for following your dream. That's very sweet. Well, for those who don't know, we are from a large family, nine children growing up together, and I have a lot of nieces and nephews, like, twenty, five, I think. I don't even know. And, you know, we joke Janet all the time about how they seem to, your kids seem to get very nervous about what I think and, you know, I weigh in on, I didn't quite realize that. But I think more than anything else, and I know I can be

a little pushy and I can be a little judgmental. Me? No. Me? No. Me? Never. But only in the good way. On a good way. I think because I was so demanding and ambitious myself growing up, you talk about

I had these dreams. I just, I want my nieces and nephews to have dreams and I want them to think beyond. I mean, we grew up in small town, Perry, Georgia, like 10,000 people post-segregation. And we really experienced life in a very small way. But I had dreams beyond the small town and I wanted to do something bigger and I just imagined that I could do it.

And I think more than anything I want to convey to all of my nieces and nephews to imagine to think bigger. Don't just think about this particular career that would be nice and lovely, maybe take it a step above. But I'm always that type of person and I do it to my own kids. What about the next thing? So I just, I like to encourage, and I do this when I go to colleges or high schools to dream and don't deny. yourself the opportunity to imagine that you could do more because of your circumstances and your surroundings but to think that maybe I can make my mark in a bigger way so I don't know I mean I guess I sometimes people see that as being a little I guess pushy but well you know I can say to

add to that I remember so you know growing up as you said in a southern town small town you know we spoke country and you you encouraged me and you influenced me to you know stop splitting verbs. And so now, you know, I've become this grammar fanatic. Yes, you are. And with reading, you also encourage me to buy me books or, you know, tell me to read and whatnot. I used to hate it when I was growing up. Oh, stop it. Stop saying things about how I speak. But then I grew to love it. Yeah. And you've had such an impact on your kids, too, in the way you think. But remember what I used to, I would come home with all these ideas of things that were just exciting. And I trapped you in Benita and said, let's do yoga. Yes. I made.

And you kept giggling and grinning. I was so upset. I was like, you're not taking this seriously. We're doing downward dog. What is wrong with you too? And you were like, yoga? Who cares? Who even knows what yoga is?

And I always came up with these ideas. And now I hope you don't think I was completely crazy. We would appreciate it. Yes. She would correct you on the spot. So if you split that verb or whatever it was and she would say no, it's, oh, my gosh. And make you say it.

That is so funny. Coming up, we're hosting our own after show, Murder Mystery Dinner Party. Who plays the best detective or the best prosecutor? More laughs ahead. Get no frills delivered. Shop the same in-store prices online and enjoy unlimited delivery with PC Express Pass. Get your first year for $2.50 a month. Learn more at p.c.express.ca.

Welcome back to 2020 the after show. This has been so fun. It's been so great having you guys here and getting a chance to share my world and television because you all know it. You've been here various times. You've seen little things, but to be able to see behind the scenes and to join this podcast, it means so much. Okay, so since we are a true crime show at 2020, and Janet, you have always been a true crime fanatic, I think. I know you've always liked the show, but even when we started doing crime, let's talk about who. might be a sleuth because when we do a lot of stories at 2020 there are a lot of citizen sleuths out there who follow true crime and will offer their thoughts to police so who in the group would be the true crime sleuth do you think of I think it might be me yeah I know I Kristen and I and you know she's a yeah she's a police officer now but I remember we sit and watch the the true crime shows and look at the you know as the story would unfold we say they might want to talk to that guy. Because he's probably going to end up being the one. And true enough, the guy

would be the one that would go back to the guy and we're like, yeah. The one who was in the background. The white and in the background. He was actually being interviewed by the who at the news person or whoever and talking about the person. It's like, he looks a little suspicious. I think they're going to need to kind of circle back and go to him. And sure enough, they went back and circled back to him. And he was actually the one that committed the crime. So we find that interesting. Yeah, we try. We try and figure out who, as there's start unraveling what happened. It's like, oh, I think maybe that person might have done it.

And it's interesting, you know, sometimes where you feel like you went wrong and why you felt that way. But yeah, I like trying to unravel the crime. You think so? Everybody think, Janet? Yeah. If we were to have a scripted true crime murder mystery show, who would most likely be like the lead detective amongst us?

You would be. Why so? Well, I'm just always into the details. you've said since I we've been here you don't miss the thing you know but my children Asia particularly and Ben because they were probably the most challenging but you know they always said mom you should have been a detective you're always looking for stuff you can find stuff so you do notice I noticed that you do notice a lot of details what about medical examiner who would have the stomach for that

ooh not me not me Anita I'm right yeah you think you might like you know always oh really like a body and being able to sort of Take a look at gory, gory things? Yeah, in my career, I mean, I have to hear about a lot of boring things and even see pictures. Yeah, you do hear a lot. Of things. I forgot about that.

Yeah. I kind of get used to it. So you've become a little bit more accustomed to hearing the gruesome, heinous kinds of stories. Okay. Prosecutor, who's going to be the one to nail the suspected bad person in trial? I say me. Yeah, I think you too. I think you too.

You'd make your case. I'm not sure why you say that, but anyway, you'd make your case. I'm not sure why you say that. But anyway, yeah, I'll take it. No, because you have an analytical mind, I think, but you also get an idea about people. I've noticed that you seem to sum people up pretty quickly, and you have an idea like, is she really?

Or did you think? So I could see that. And what about DNA analyzer, the whole forensics and getting deep into that kind of thing? I don't know. That's kind of, it seemed, well, I don't want to say tedious, but you have to have the patience to. That's true.

Because when we're watching something, it gets wound up in an hour. Yeah. But you know that it took them way longer to analyze everything. And I don't know if I know. I say Benito. You would have the patients probably. Yeah. Yeah.

That's another thing. In my job, there are a lot of tedious things. And attention to detail is very important in some things that they're not necessarily hard. But, you know, you just have to have the patience and the attention to detail to do them. So I could see. You could probably do that. Wow, we've got everything covered here. Wow.

Well, ladies, this was fun. Yes, it has been. What do you think? Not bad, right? So much fun, yeah. Nope, not bad at all. Well, we'll have to bring you back to town sometime soon. Well, as I said, my new book is called Sisters Loved and Treasure,

stories of Unbreakable Bonds, and these ladies helped spark the idea because what better thing to have in your life than a sister. and there's actually research that says sisters are good for your mental well-being. And I think we have had a mental health boost this last week. So thank you all for doing this. It was great. It was a different kind of a podcast. It's kind of nice to take a little detour from the true, true crime for a change.

Thank you all for joining us. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Jackson, getting in trouble is like breathing for me. The hit series returns to Disney Plus and Hulu. The danger the camp is under is greater than you can possibly imagine. For the key to our survival, three of you must quest to the sea of monsters.

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