CBS News correspondent Erin Moriarty‘s halfway through a long day. Up early for an appearance on CBS’ Early Show, she may not wrap her day until well after tonight’s 48 Hours Mystery, which airs at 10 p.m. ET. Sure, the show’s on tape, but Moriarty isn’t, and she’ll be watching–and chatting–right along with viewers. “48 Hours is pretty idea for social networking,” Moriarty told Mediaite. “I like the connection with viewers.” And tonight, via Facebook, she’ll lead a live discussion of the show along with family members of victims of the Long Island serial killer who’s the subject of tonight’s report. The goal is two-fold: not only to create a deeper connection between the show and its viewers, but also, perhaps, to harness the audience in the hopes of finding a clue that will lead to the killer who investigators fear will strike again. “A serial killer, by nature, they continue killing. And that’s the concern. That’s why there’s pressure on the police department to solve this case,” said Suffolk County (New York) Police commissioner Richard Dormer.

Up until this mess broke wide open, Joe Halderman was known as an Emmy-winning producer for CBS’ 48 Hours. Millions of people may have seen the work of Halder, 51, but they didn’t know who he was. Now, his name is on the way to infamy — as the guy who tried to blackmail David Letterman.