I was thrilled to interview Marisa Burke about her new book, “Just Checking the Scores”. Marisa was a main news anchor and lead producer for WNEP for over three decades. The residents of NEPA enjoyed watching her on the 6 PM news nightly. I attended Marisa’s book signing in late January and had the chance to catch up with her a few weeks later.
1. Marisa, tell us a little about your book and why you decided to write it?
My memoir, Just Checking Scores, is a story of survival, a story of how I, as a top-rated television news anchor and media personality in northeastern Pennsylvania, endured public humiliation when my husband’s secret sex life with underage boys was exposed, how my name was dragged into his scandal, how I had to anchor the very same newscasts where his charges were reported, and what I had to do to save my career and my personal life.
Why did I write the book? It certainly is not an act of revenge. Because it’s my story, not a story about my ex-husband. I look at the book at more of perhaps a reckoning and redemption for me. Coming to terms with how my life was upended, admit the mistakes I made, and then take the lessons I learned and move on with life. The trauma from the ordeal scarred my daughters and me so much that I thought why not channel all that suffering and despair into defiance and strength. With the hopes that I can somehow empower others and give them hope should they too find themselves the victim of someone else leading a double life.
I do not celebrate this book. It’s raw, it’s disturbing and totally unflattering. What I do celebrate is the courage I had to tell a story that needed to be told.
2. What was your family’s reaction and response to the book? Were they supportive?
I gave a copy of my book to all my family members for Christmas. Their reaction? First of all, the utmost support. Secondly, they were somewhat shocked and surprised to learn all that I went through during this whole ordeal. I was very open and revealed some very personal details in my memoir, many of which my family members were not totally aware of. My family has definitely accepted and embraced the telling of my story and I truly welcome their overwhelming support.
3. What about your circle of friends from your married life? Did you find them to be supportive.
When my ex-husband was first charged with a crime in 2008, my circle of friends grew much smaller. I was ostracized by people in the community and our neighborhood, and my family and I were treated almost like we had some kind of disease, and people avoided us. But my true friends stuck by me throughout my ordeal, and they have also been super supportive of me during the writing of the book, and since my memoir was released last December. I will be forever grateful for their past and their continuing support of me and my children.
4. Besides your two lovely daughters, who else provided strength during the time that Mark was in the public spotlight ?
Again, I had a small circle of very good friends who really stuck by me during the ordeal. First of all, I have to mention my good friend Jackie, who is like the sister I never had. Jackie was actually a student of Mark’s and that’s how I met her, but when I needed support, when I needed someone to talk to, when I needed someone just to “be there” Jackie was always there for me.
I’ve also had a few guardian angels who I mention in my book who helped me along the way, including my dear friend David, who stood by my girls and me when Mark was arrested and sent to prison after his arrest in 2012.
As I’ve said, there have been several very special people in my life who have been so helpful, and I really tried to acknowledge all of them in my book.
5. We all wish at times that we could change the past. Looking back, can you identify certain signs?
Yes, there were several warning signs that I now realized I may have missed along the way. I describe many of them in my memoir. I believe there were several reasons why I did not see those warning signs, perhaps I didn’t know about them because I did not want to know. I had the ideal life, the perfect home, the perfect family, the perfect job with a great salary, and I just didn’t want anything to change or challenge that, so I guess that’s how I chose not to recognize the warnings signs. Now with 20-20 hindsight, I wish I did see those signs and act on them.
6. Could you give us some advice to others who are facing situations that are similar to yours? Other parents who have partners who have deceived them or put them in a negative light in the public eye?
I sign my books with the words “courage always.” That’s my advice. Be strong, be aware and don’t ignore any warning signs. If something in your life seems off, or just doesn’t feel right, don’t ignore it, act on it. Don’t be afraid to rock the family boat. It’s better to rock the boat now, then to have your boat sink in the future.
Be brave, be strong, and above all don’t be fooled by someone you trust, like I was. And remember no matter what, life goes on, so live it to the fullest.
I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Marisa for sharing her story with our community. Marisa is working with Macaroni Kid Scranton to gove away an autographed copy of her book. Go here to enter daily from 2/12/22 to 2/19/22 and here to read the rules. This contest is not sponsored by Facebook or Instagram.
--
