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New York -- Meredith Vieira knows a good story when she sees one. Since graduating from Tufts in 1975, Vieira has racked up 5 Emmys and 12 nominations for everything from her investigative reporting for 60 Minutes to her interviews for West 57th to her performance as host of The View. Reflecting on her 15-year career spanning the far corners of journalism, Vieira simply says: "I love it." Vieira has covered a tremendous amount of territory since graduating from Tufts. She built an impressive - and often acclaimed - career in investigative journalism. As a correspondent for 60 Minutes, ABC's Turning Point and West 57th, Vieira has reported on everything from heroin addiction to the Oklahoma City bombings. Several of her stories earned the praise of the New York Times and Washington Post. Five landed her Emmys. In 1996, the Washington Post took notice of Vieira's work on a story about elephant poachers in Africa. "Its an unusual tale, exceptionally well told and expertly reported by Meredith Vieira. She's a terrific interviewer, able to ask intimate questions without seeming a nosy gossip," the Post reported. It was exactly that talent that has propelled Vieira to the top of daytime TV. In 1997, Barbara Walters tapped Vieira as host for her new show - The View. While she had years of hard journalism under her belt, Vieira says it took her awhile to feel comfortable on The View. "As a journalist, I learned to keep my opinions to myself," Vieira told the Toronto Star. "Now I'm told to say what I feel and it's a tough stretch. I've discovered I'm basically a shy person." But that hasn't prevented Vieira from making a big impact on daytime talk. The View is posting some of the best numbers among daytime programs, prompting many critics and industry leaders to refer to the show as a "hot property." Of course, 12 Emmy nominations in 2000 alone helps too. Vieira doesn't appear to be slowing down. Since 1999, she has hosted the Miss America pageant, Lifetime's Intimate Portrait series and their primetime special I Am Beautiful, as well as the 2000 Academy Awards preshow. Advertisers paid between $375,000 and $425,000 for 30-second time blocks during the broadcast, proving that Vieira's stock continues to rise within the television industry. The television veteran takes it all in stride… and fun. "You know, journalists are always pushing the envelope," Vieira told Larry King. "We're always doing that sort of thing. [The View] is just another way to do it. And its fun."
Read the Tufts On TV Special Report >> Meredith Viera's image and The View logo courtesy of ABC Television.
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Tufts'
Vieira Is At Top Of Talk 