Love in the News

Allison Starling and Peter Alexander

Today, Allison Starling, the co-anchor of ABC 7's local DC news show, and NBC White House correspondent Peter Alexander made their second joint appearance at the Newseum when they participated in an Inside Media program about how busy reporters balance professional and personal lives. The pair were perfect for this assignment since at their last Newseum appearance, Starling in a gown, and Alexander in a tux, got married.

Obviously a first question for the couple was why did they choose the national museum of news on Pennsylvania Avenue for their wedding?  Starling explained that the location, combined with the fact that the museum heralded their profession, was a big factor in the decision. "We wanted something that was very Washington and we loved the view (of the Capitol, which is clearly visible from the upper floors)," she said. "It was just a perfect spot."

As background, the 2 rising media stars explained how they came together. They both met as reporters in 2001 in Seattle. "Then she blew me off for about 8 years," Alexander said with a laugh. Starling remembers it somewhat differently. She says that they remained friends for all that time. "I tried to set him up with a lot of my friends because I realized what a great catch he was," Starling said with a laugh of her own.

When they both found themselves involved in DC news, Starling heading up the 5 and 11 p.m. news reports,  and Alexander covering Mitt Romney's campaign for the White House, Starling decided to keep the great catch for herself.

Alexander maintained it was his long-distance wooing as an international correspondent that helped him finally capture the woman of his dreams. "When you call from Baghdad and say I was thinking about you but I have to get off the phone and go to the bomb shelter now, but I'll call you right back, it's worth a lot of points," he contended

But could the fact that the two work for competing news networks jeopardize their union? "Does it get a little tense during (rating) sweeps time?" host John Maynard asked.

"Well, I'm his biggest fan and I like to think that he's my biggest fan," Starling replied, refusing to take the in-jest bait.

Alexander said that the fact that they both intimately know the demands of journalism could actually strengthen their relationship. "I think that when I get a phone call in the middle of the night that sends me racing out of town, Allison will understand," Alexander said.

Do they critique each other's work? "I think she's perfect just the way she is," Alexander quickly responded.

"Laying on a little thick, today aren't you," Starling retorted.

"We're trying to figure out who buys dinner," Alexander told the crowd, who joined in the laughter.

In keeping with the lightness of the topic, Starling and Alexander were asked if their kids would work at ABC or NBC. "We are in negotiations with CBS," Alexander joked. However, the question did lead to a serious news flash. "Actually, we may have to consider that question," Starling said, announcing that the couple was expecting their 1st child in July.

Tales, Tidbits, and Tips
As the host does every session, Maynard warmed up the crowd before the program began. He asked who came from the most distance. One woman said Anchorage, Alaska. It appeared she would be the winner until a young man, who turned out to be a visiting journalist, answered Russia. "Hey, you can see Russia from your house, right?" Maynard then asked the woman.