There may never have been a time in history when the American people have less trust in the media. This didn’t happen overnight. For decades, the media balanced troubling events with entertainment, helping us escape from soul-crushing realities. We enjoyed celebrity gossip and movie premieres where the fantasy of another person’s life was mandatory water cooler chatter. The subconscious need to immerse ourselves in reality television or a scripted drama was all part of the broad spectrum of our American culture. Then a major shift occurred and hit us without warning.
Over forty years ago, I started in the entertainment industry, starting on Broadway in Annie at the age of ten. It was the beginning of a lifelong career in television and film. I took great care to ensure that every role I played and every interview I conducted was tailored to the audience. My opinions on matters outside of my work were my own. Then the world changed and demanded you take a side, and your identity became encompassed by your decision. Nuanced thought was unacceptable, and opinions were weaponized. No one was exempt, including myself.
I went from an entertainer with decades of work under my belt to having to navigate the world of politics and the media through a completely different lens. It was like jumping into a murky moat filled with piranha because faceless strangers burned down the drawbridge from your castle to safe ground. I jumped all in.
Byrne Unscripted is my next chapter – bringing truth to the people.
My life lessons as a parent, wife, person of faith and navigating the mine field of the political landscape is what Byrne Unscripted is all about. My unfiltered lived experiences backed with first hand accounts. Opinions are just that, opinions, unless they come with indisputable knowledge. Byrne Unscripted will be a place you can trust my word. I have no incentive or interest in parroting a talking point. I respect the valuable time of the listener and a story unshared feels incomplete. My journey started under the lights of Broadway and led all the way up to the White House. How did that happen? I invite you to tune in and join me. I will share all I have learned in return.
