Was she also in the "live from the telecenter" broadcast? I want to say she was but I don't have the DVD here.

Was she in the original longer version of the Escape From Alcatraz segment in 1988? They released the shorter version on DVD.

Was she in the original longer version of the Escape From Alcatraz segment in 1988? They released the shorter version on DVD.

Yeah, she was on the Alcatraz segment all right.

The original (NBC aired) segment was broadcast in a 90 minute timeslot. The episode was around 73 minutes without commercials. This version was actually repeated twice more on NBC after it's original debut in the spring of 1989. Both reruns were edited with a rather lengthy update about the capture of Jean-Marie Gagnon (sp?) being inserted in place of some other escaped con profiles.

When the segment made it to Lifetime, they cut it down to around 44 minutes to fit the hour long format. From what I recall, they removed the Jean-Marie Gagnon profile as well as some bits having to do with Alcatraz history/past escapes, and some of the "updates" where they checked on the progress of the rafters and the athlete attempting the dangerous swim.

I have not seen the First Look DVD so I'm not sure how that compares. I think Diana Nyad was featured in the Lifetime version, but some of her scenes were cut. I could have sworn she was in the "live from the telecenter" broadcast too, but I'm not sure.

Good segment the Alcatraz one, saw it for the first time today. The full one is one of the best UM eps I have ever seen.

Our buddy Diana Nyad, cohost of the UM Alcatraz special is in the news (http://news.yahoo.com/diana-nyad-61-attempts-record-cuba-florida-swim-060022906.html):

HAVANA (AP) — Endurance swimmer Diana Nyad stroked through the Florida Straits early Monday, trying to accomplish at 61 years old what she failed to do at 28: swim more than 100 miles from Havana to Key West.
If she makes it to the Florida Keys after an estimated 60-hour swim, Nyad would become the first person to traverse the strait without the aid of a shark cage, relying instead on technology and divers to fend off the finned predators.

GO DIANA!!!!

Thanks, I wondered why her name seemed so familiar.

Diana didn't make it. (http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/08/09/2352403/nyad-ends-2nd-attempted-swim-from.html) :( She had to stop after about 58 miles. That's way farther than I would have made it! Way to go, Diana!

Just after midnight Tuesday, she concluded she wouldn’t be able to make it. She stopped and was helped aboard the Belissimo, a 75-foot yacht that carried her crew, family and friends.
She was given intravenous fluids to combat nausea.
About 18 hours later, she looked totally refreshed and did not show any signs of her long ordeal.
But there likely will not be a third attempt.
“This was my fairytale year, when it all came together,” Nyad said. “I can’t swear, but I’m pretty sure I’m going to my grave without swimming from Cuba to Key West.
“And remind me that I said that.”


Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/08/09/2352403/nyad-ends-2nd-attempted-swim-from.html#ixzz1UakUXVR9

I know that Diane Diaz was in the Live from the Telecenter broadcast...I never could find any information about those ladies...

Nice try, Diana, and great inspiration for everyone, especially all us soon-to-be oldsters!

I read about it in the paper this morning. So disappointed that she didn't make it. :(

Hell of a thing to do though.

Diana Nyad is giving it another try, y'all! (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-cb-cuba-swimming-to-florida,0,6939265.story?page=1)