Christie Brinkley Tries to Keep Kids from 20/20 Interview

• Oct 10, 2008 03:06 AM ET
• by Tim Molloy

Christie Brinkley

Christie Brinkley would probably prefer that no one watch the 20/20 interview in which her ex-husband talks about his affair with a teenager and Internet porn viewing.

But she's taking legal action to make sure at least two people don't watch: their kids.

Brinkley lawyer Robert Stephan Cohen said Thursday that her ex, Peter Cook, must keep the children from seeing the Barbara Walters interview scheduled to air this weekend, when he has custody of them. Cohen also filed papers in Suffolk County seeking a temporary restraining order, The Associated Press reported.

The pair's divorce became official Sept. 29.

Cook's attorney, Norman Sheresky, did not immediately return a call from the AP for comment.

Cook, an East Hampton architect, settled the divorce last summer after a weeklong trial that featured testimony about his affair and appreciation of Internet porn.

"I was seeking a connection I could not find in my own marriage," he said in the Walters interview. "I think the emotional aspect of our lives had changed. I think we were both feeling more like we were living with a brother and sister than a life partner."

Cook said he hoped that, as a result of the interview, "the world will see that I'm not the scumbag pervert that I've been painted to be."

The settlement gave Brinkley custody of the couple's 10-year-old daughter, Sailor, and 13-year-old son, Jack, whom Cook adopted. Jack's biological father was Brinkley's third husband. Cook received $2.1 million and visitation rights.

The marriage was the fourth for Brinkley and the first for Cook.

What do you think? Should Cook be barred from letting his kids see the interview?