Dateline’s Josh Mankiewicz throws shade at rival true crime program 20/20 as he insists ‘we’re better than they are’

JOSH Mankiewicz has thrown some serious shade at Dateline’s rival program 20/20.

Both true crime shows dive deep into investigative journalism and tell stories of people throughout the United States.

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In an interview shared on Thursday, Dateline correspondents Josh, 68, Keith Morrison , 77, and Andrea Canning, 52, dish on their show and podcast with The Hollywood Reporter .

The three hosts discuss their favorite Dateline episodes, professional disagreements, Bill Hader ‘s impression of Josh, and their rival TV shows 20/20 and 48 Hours .

The interviewer asked Josh, Keith, and Andrea about what they thought of the competition.

“I don’t like to watch them because they do their thing. We do ours. You don’t want to be influenced,” Keith revealed.

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Andrea added, “I can say I like the way we tell our stories.”

Meanwhile, Josh didn’t hold back.

He said, “I don’t generally watch the competition. But when I do, I see them do things that we wouldn’t do — things that skirt ethical boundaries that we would be more careful about.

“I think the reason we’re the number one true crime program is because we’re better at it than they are.”

He described what he meant by “ethical boundaries.”

“People who have been brought in to supply soundbites, or people who are identified as reporters, but who did not actually cover the story. We don’t do that.

“We don’t have prosecutors brought in because they’re great interviews. We interview the prosecutor who actually tried the case.

“We don’t build sets. We don’t hire actors. Our competitors do some of those things.”

MORE ABOUT DATELINE

Dateline began on NBC in the early 90s and has seen many anchors and correspondents since the start.

The show started in 1992 and has over 30 seasons so far with Lester Holt as the current anchor.

I think the reason we’re the number one true crime program is because we’re better at it than they are.

Josh Mankiewicz The Hollywood Reporter

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Current correspondents include Andrea, Josh, Keith, Hoda Kotb , Blayne Alexander, and Dennis Murphy.

In the past, viewers have seen Willie Geist, Meredith Vieira, Craig Melvin , Katie Couric, Megyn Kelly , and Natalie Morales on the show.

Season 33 is set to premiere on September 27.

MORE ABOUT 20/20

20/20 has lured viewers in with their true crime series since June 6, 1978, and has over 45 seasons.

David Muir and Deborah Roberts are the current correspondents on the investigative show.

Past anchors and correspondents include Barbara Walters , Diane Sawyer , Chris Wallace , and Amy Robach .

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