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CNN Live Today
Academy Awards Makes History
Aired March 25, 2002 - 14:11 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: A night of Oscar history at the Kodak Theater. For the first time in the ceremony's 74 years, two African- American performers took home the awards for best actor and best actress. Back to Leon Harris, in Hollywood last night, joining us once again today -- Leon.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Hi, Bill. Well, you know, we've been talking with -- before and afterwards with handicappers, the people who had been watching the industry and listening and keeping their ears to the ground on hearing what the way the voting was going to go on this matter. And to a person that we've talked to so far, there was some surprise, but everyone felt that the right thing was done last night in Hollywood.
As you said, Halle Berry and Denzel Washington made history. Halle Berry becoming the first African-American woman to win an Oscar as a lead character. And Denzel Washington coming through with his first as a lead. He also had won one 10 years ago as a supporting actor in the movie "Glory".
And I tell you something, it was an incredible moment watching it happen. And we also got to spend time with a couple of these -- the big names from last night. Halle Berry, to be specific, was showing off her dress. She went through so much to get into it. She decided that after she had won, she said she was going to hit every single party she could until noon today if she had to. And guess whose party she stopped by last night?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: Well, congratulations. How do you feel?
HALLE BERRY, ACADEMY AWARD WINNER, BEST ACTRESS: I feel...
HARRIS: Did she scream or what?
BERRY: I'm in shock.
HARRIS: Can I touch it?
BERRY: Yes, you can touch it.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Have you had any champagne?
BERRY: No, I haven't.
KAGAN: We have champagne. Should we open some champagne?
BERRY: No. I going to wait until I'm seated. I have a lot of walking to do.
HARRIS: Daryn is working. I'm not. I'm off duty. I am so proud of you, home girl. Way to go.
BERRY: Thank you.
HARRIS: I'm so happy for you.
BERRY: Thank you.
(CROSSTALK)
BERRY: Go, everybody!
HARRIS: We couldn't ask for a better ending. I'm telling you.
KAGAN: Mom.
BERRY: Could you believe, Denzel, too? I mean...
KAGAN: And Sydney Poitier.
(CROSSTALK)
HARRIS: And it all happened the same night.
BERRY: The same night.
HARRIS: The same night.
BERRY: It's unbelievable.
HARRIS: Is that cool or what? You didn't imagine that, did you?
BERRY: Never. Oh, God. No. I figured Denzel would. I thought Denzel and Sydney would have a great night tonight.
HARRIS: I've got to tell you something, and I'm sorry, I want to jump in this because I know you're working, I was out there all day with the crowd. OK. First time I had been out with the crowd since 5:00. What did I tell you this morning when I talked to you about that? Every person...
KAGAN: You did your own personal poll.
HARRIS: And every person we talked to out there said what?
KAGAN: Halle.
HARRIS: These are white folks that drove from Miami.
(LAUGHTER)
Am I right? White folks who drove from Miami said...
KAGAN: It had to be so.
HARRIS: Only reason they came here was to see you get this and what you were going to do. I couldn't -- am I lying?
KAGAN: No.
We have it on tape. As a matter of fact, we used it as a live shot today.
BERRY: Really? Oh, my god.
HARRIS: It's amazing.
(CROSSTALK)
I mean, that's a heck of a lot of karma.
BERRY: I felt the love. When I got out there on the red carpet, I felt the love and the support and that may me feel like no matter what happened, I felt supported.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: And I must admit, they didn't tell me that they were rolling tape at the time when they shot that, Bill. So therefore, you can see my own surprise on that one.
HEMMER: Did you get an autograph there? What did you get out of that, Leon.
HARRIS: No, I didn't want to get an autograph. Didn't want to be unprofessional, at least, not as -- not too unprofessional.
HEMMER: We got the picture and the videotape, which is even more incriminating.
HARRIS: Yes, exactly. I've got to tell you something, after seeing that dress though, I told Daryn in my next life I want to come back as a leaf. I decided that.
HEMMER: That you do.
HARRIS: But, listen, you know, one of the other things that came last night was -- we were talking there about how Halle didn't have to wait nearly as long as Denzel did to get her leading actor/actress Oscar last night. Denzel was asked about that quite a bit last night, about how he -- what it was like for him to have to wait that long. And here's what he had to say last night backstage.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DENZEL WASHINGTON, ACADEMY AWARD WINNER, BEST ACTOR: I've been to the dance a few times and I knew it was out of my hands. And, you know, I've done what I could do as an actor. And I just appreciate the fact that the Academy recognized me this time.
People use the word movie star, and I like to say I'm hopefully an actor who is becoming more and more popular. You know, as a craft, I respect the craft. I try to do my best work. And I'm really pleased and relieved to see that the Academy has recognized people for the work, not just for the amount of money that's spent on a campaign. I think that's a good thing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: You know, in addition to that, the comments that he made last night, he talked a bit about Sydney Poitier, who also last night received an honorary Oscar to -- honoring him for his body of work. And Denzel and his comments last night, which I thought was the light of the night, said that I've been chasing Sydney for 40 years. Well, looks like the chase is over. Denzel and Halle last night making history and making a lot of people really happy to see it happen for them. Bill, back to you.
HEMMER: All right, Leon. Good deal. And I wish you the best of luck at becoming a leaf some day.
(LAUGHTER)
HARRIS: I will keep you posted.
HEMMER: Thank you, pal. Leon Harris live in L.A.
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