Grad Appears on 'Montel'

If you've ever met Monica S. Lewinsky, Montel Williams may be looking for you.

Winthrop House graduate Carlton F. Larson '97 found this out, as he became the latest commentator in the frenzy surrounding President Bill Clinton's alleged affair with the White House intern.

Larson, who served as an intern with Lewinsky for two months in 1995, appeared on the Montel Williams show yesterday.

He is scheduled to appear on Dateline at 8 p.m. on channel 7 tonight.

On the Montel Williams show, Larson remembered Lewinsky as "a bubbly girl, who seemed real interested in what she was doing."

Larson said he never saw Lewinsky behave improperly or differently than any other White House intern.

John D. Couriel '00, who worked with Larson on the Harvard Political Review, said he has seen Larson on several news programs recently, including shows on CNN and MSNBC.

Couriel said he thinks Larson's comments are important to the current debate.

"I'm willing to hear anything that will get us closer to the truth," Couriel said. "Why not listen to someone as smart as Carlton?"

Other students who have worked in the White House said they would avoid the publicity Larson has invited.

Eli A. Poliakoff '00, who worked in the Office of Legislative Affairs for two months last summer, said he would not go to the national news media.

"The story is getting enough attention. I wouldn't honor the story," he said.

Poliakoff questioned Larson's decision to appear on the Montel Williams Show.

"It seems like he's enjoying the publicity," he said.

However, Couriel said that Larson is not the type of person to crave media attention.

"He was never an in-your-face kind of guy. When he opened his mouth, he was going to say something important," Couriel said. "If he's talking, he has something important to say."

Larson was unavailable for comment.