you know, today and today. yesterday i did some things i m accountable for. reporter: when that testimony is spoofed on saturday night live. i am looking into knowing when i first knew about it, but i won t know the results of that knowing until i know for sure. reporter: it s a bona fide brand crisis. general motors barely shaking off its bailout baby government motors image, thrust into a product safety crisis of its own making. the pattern of incompetence and neglect. reporter: those words attract plaintiffs lawyers like bears to honey. gm now finds itself among the greatest hits of deadly corporate mistakes that resulted in massive settlements. toyota dolled out $1.1 billion for its runaway accelerator problem. merck paid $4.85 billion for its deadly drug vioxx. the dangerous diet pill phen/fen costs 3ds.75 billion. bp paid $7.8 billion for