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CNN Larry King Weekend

Interview with Liza Minnelli

Aired May 04, 2002 - 21:00   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.
LARRY KING, HOST: Tonight, here comes the bride. In her first interview since the wedding that knocked New York's socks off. The sensational Liza Minnelli, Judy Garland's daughter, the new Mrs. David Gest. She is next from London and her honeymoon. Everybody's talking about her, she's talking to us on LARRY KING WEEKEND.

There are weddings, and then there are weddings. And when Liza Minnelli traded "I do"s with producer David Gest on March 16 in New York -- let's just say it was an incredible show.

A couple of days after the big event, in the middle of her honeymoon, no less, Liza talked with us from London. Before the interview got started we took a look at the hoopla preceding the marriage ceremony. Star studded? Watch.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, it's the biggest wedding that I think has ever happened in New York.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (singing): There's no people like show people.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I just know Judy's around here someplace, happy for Liza.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it's great day for her. We all need a second chance.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, I'm thrilled for them. I'm really happy. I love Liza.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: Joining us from London, where she begins her honeymoon, the wonderful Liza Minnelli, a friend of many, many years. Why have you decided to come on tonight, on your honeymoon?

LIZA MINNELLI, JUST MARRIED: Because you asked me, Larry, and I'm thrilled.

KING: You just got to London today? MINNELLI: Yes, we just arrived. We only arrived about two hours ago. And we came straight here.

KING: How, Liza, did this thing get so big? What happened? How did this take off?

MINNELLI: You know, Larry, I don't know. I think maybe New York needed something to be hopeful about and maybe that's what it was. But whatever it was, I'm so grateful to all of my friends and to you and the wonderful party that you gave us in L.A.

KING: There we see you. Were you surprised at how this all happened? Were you surprised yourself?

MINNELLI: Oh, completely astonished. And you can imagine how David felt. But I was astonished and I was happy and I was grateful. And it just -- the people gave me something that I find invaluable, which is hope and love and joy.

KING: Why that church, the marble collegiate church in that part of New York?

MINNELLI: Well, it's the oldest church in New York. And, as you know, the party that David gave after the wedding, the reception, he gave right next door to Wall Street, which is where, you know, September 11 occurred. And I think it brought some life back down there. I think that's what he intended. He's a very bright man.

KING: Yes, that was the hotel closest to the World Trade Center, right?

MINNELLI: Yes. Absolutely.

KING: By the way, just as an aside, where were you on 9/11?

MINNELLI: I was at home. I was in New York.

KING: Do you remember how you heard of it, what you first saw?

MINNELLI: Yes. I watched it on television like most people in America. We couldn't believe it. Horrifying. Horrifying. And I know I'm in England now, I'm sure you told everybody. I know that they've gone through so much here. And so has the rest of Europe and most of the world. And it's a first for America and it was absolutely frightening. But we got through it.

KING: Let's run down it because everybody wants to know these things. The dress, the three-quarter length gown by Bob Mackie. How did that come about?

MINNELLI: Well, you know, you put it in an expert's hands and if they really know what they're doing, things turn out beautifully.

KING: He has outfitted you before?

MINNELLI: I was thrilled with it. Oh yes, he did all of my clothes for "Minnelli on Minnelli," which I enjoyed doing so much.

KING: Did he do "Cabaret" too?

MINNELLI: No. But you know what he did do? he was working with Ray Agion (ph) . He was doing -- Ray was designing the clothes for my mom's show from California. And one of the first appearances I ever made on television was on my mother's show and Ray and Bob did the clothes for that. It has been a long time.

KING: You were on TV as a child, right?

MINNELLI: Yes, I was. Sure.

KING: All right. Michael Jackson and his brother Tito were among the groomsmen. How were all these -- give me the selection process. How one got to be in the party.

MINNELLI: Oh, you know something? I'm going to leave that to David because he really -- Michael and Tito and all of the Jacksons are his dear, dear friends. And it's interesting.

KING: On the male side of the ledger, David will tell us when he appears later in the program. But on the female side, the bridesmaids. Elizabeth Taylor, how did that come about?

MINNELLI: Yes. Well, I've known Elizabeth almost all of her life and almost all of my life. And I love her with all of my heart and she's always been there for me. She's a wonderful, wonderful dame. She's a great lady.

KING: She's a great dame.

MINNELLI: She sure is.

KING: Marisa Berenson was the maid of honor as well. She worked with you, right?

MINNELLI: Yes, we first met when we did "Cabaret" together. And she was so wonderful in that and we had so much fun when making the film. We stayed close since that time, really, close. She's one of my dearest friends I've ever had in my life. She was there for me.

KING: And why, just a few others, Gina Lowell, Bridget (UNINTELLIGIBLE) , Esther Williams, Petula Clark and Mia Farrow?

MINNELLI: I've known all of those women my whole life. I know that sounds like movie star. But I come from Hollywood. That's what I know, and my father adored all of those women, especially Gina. He was crazy about Gina and he loved Mia. Mia and I were schoolmates.

KING: Sometimes people in the public limelight after a few marriages go off and get married. Why did you decide big?

MINNELLI: Well, it started by just inviting some friends. And then whatever it turned into was the most wonderful experience I've ever had. KING: I have known you a long time. I've never seen you happier. In fact, you're almost slap happy, Liza, like you're really having a good time.

MINNELLI: I know that. I'm having a ball. I'm not slap happy. I'm just filled up with joy and with peace and with all kinds of things that have eluded me for quite a few years. And they're back and they're thriving.

KING: Mickey Rooney, Diana Ross, Rosie O'Donnell, Kirk Douglas, Donald Trump, Martha Stewart, Phyllis Diller, Carol Channing, Janet Leigh, Andy Williams, Robert Goulet, Liz Smith called it the kissiest wedding she'd ever been to. Robert Goulet said they were kissing so much the minister had to say, I'm not through yet. Explain this, this attraction that you have and later David will be on, but explain this attraction that you have for this man we're all getting to know.

MINNELLI: Well, he's just -- he's great you know. He's a brilliant, brilliant producer and he just won a wonderful award which I will let him tell you about and he is up for another very important award for his Michael Jackson special. It has the highest rated audience in television history and he is just great, you know?

And as far as all of those marvelous people who you were talking about, they were the neighbors.

KING: Yeah, we keep forgetting that you knew a few people on the way up.

MINNELLI: Uh-huh.

KING: We'll take a break and be right back with more of Liza Minnelli on her honeymoon in London. Her husband will join us later. You are watching LARRY KING LIVE. Don't go away.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She looked beautiful. She was delicate, she was charming, she was sensitive, she was in love. Best show in town.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It was more like a play, almost, than a, what do you call it, a church ceremony, you know.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Gorgeous. Like she was lit up. It was wonderful.

QUESTION: Was it everything you imagined?

MINNELLI: And more -- and more.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

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KING: Undeniably one of the great entertainers, the incredible Liza Minnelli on her honeymoon in London. We'll be meeting the groom in a little while.

Were you hurt that your sister and brother, Lorna and Joey, didn't attend?

MINNELLI: Oh, no, that's not quite true. Lorna was working, so she couldn't attend, you know. The show must go on. But my brother Joey was there, and my sister Tina Nina Minnelli was there.

KING: Oh, good. And your stepfather Sedlif (ph) was also there, right?

MINNELLI: Yes, he was.

KING: I guess the saddest thing for you was that Whitney Houston canceled. What was your reaction to that, and then Natalie Cole replacing her?

MINNELLI: Well, you know, it's hard. She really had something else she had to do. And I understand that. I'm in the same business that she's in. And I was just so thrilled that Natalie was there, because she's one of my heroes.

KING: So no hard feelings? Because there were stories in some papers that Whitney didn't come because she thought it was too much publicity?

MINNELLI: No. Whitney's a good friend.

KING: OK. I'm glad to hear that. Sixty-piece orchestra, 54 entertainment acts, a nine-tiered cake, with real and candy roses.

MINNELLI: I know.

KING: What time did this end?

MINNELLI: Let's see. I think about quarter to 2:00 is when we left. And everybody else stayed until then, too.

KING: How do you react...

MINNELLI: It was thrilling, Larry.

KING: I know. I wish I were there. How do you react to those who say that it was overhyped? The photo rights were sold for millions of dollars to a magazine, rights to the pictures, et cetera -- that this was too hyped? What's your response? MINNELLI: Too hyped for who?

KING: Well, I guess, you know, I guess the press that didn't like it thought it was too hyped, that maybe -- did you overdo it? I mean, a wedding is a cherished thing.

MINNELLI: Well, I'll tell you something, this wedding is something that I will always, always cherish. It was a show of love and support and kindness like I'd never seen from the people, and that's who I entertain. I entertain the people.

KING: So in other words, being in show business all your life, the more attention, the more glitz, the more better, that's Liza, right?

MINNELLI: No. I don't think it's that, Larry. I mean, some people might think that, but it's really not that. It's being in show business all my life and coming from the family, the marvelous family that I come from, I sort of got used to it early on, and the fact that people still care and find that I'm something to talk about I find thrilling. Is that wrong, you think? I don't know.

KING: No, because for a long time, Liza, things were pretty rough. You were out of the limelight for some time.

MINNELLI: Yes, they were.

KING: Must be quite a kick to be back.

MINNELLI: Well, it's wonderful. And to be so healthy and so -- and like I said before, happy. I hope it doesn't sound corny, but I am.

KING: What turned it around for you? I mean, it's no secret, you had battles with drug and alcohol. There were reports sometimes that you were nearby biting the bullet.

MINNELLI: Yes.

KING: What turned it around? You can elaborate. Tell us what happened.

MINNELLI: Well, it's chemical dependency. Alcoholism, if you look it up in the AMA, is a disease, which nobody really knew about until recently. So I, like many people, didn't really know it was a disease, but I found out. I fought for my life, I fought for David. I fought to live. I wanted to live. You know. And how did that happen? Well, you know...

KING: How did you get better? How bad was it?

MINNELLI: Well, it was bad only because -- and again, I'm not making excuses, but circumstances may sound familiar to somebody out there. I had enormous physical problems, you know. My hips gave out, I had to have a knee replacement, two hip replacements, operations on my feet. It was a painful process and debilitating, especially for a dancer. And you know, I'm a dancer first. So to find that you can't move anymore because the pain is so unbearable is startling, to say the least.

KING: You had many illnesses, right?

MINNELLI: But more than that. More than that. More than that, Larry. More than the other illnesses, I had the disease of alcoholism, which is a -- you know -- it's interesting. Anybody out there who doesn't quite know what I'm talking about, I urge you to look it up, because I think you'll be very surprised.

KING: Betty Ford was with us last week, we've done many discussions on it. An alcoholic is always an alcoholic. It's day-to- day. But how were you able to go sober?

MINNELLI: Well, it's the way things happen. You know how things fall into place, and -- let me see if I can explain. I wasn't aware how deadly this disease is. I was not aware that it was a disease. I thought I was just a rotten person, you know. But then...

KING: But how did you -- did you go to AA? Did you get some help?

MINNELLI: Yes. My mom had this disease, and a lot of people in my family on both sides, and they weren't rotten people. So it made me think. So what I did was I asked David for help. I said, I've got to get some help. I'm in trouble. I have a -- I don't know what's wrong with me. I don't know what's wrong with me. And David said, we'll get some help. And he took me to the Karen Foundation, which is in Pennsylvania. And he drove me up there, and he made me laugh, and he gave me hope, and he supported me, and I suddenly wasn't all by myself anymore, which is one of the symptoms of alcoholism is that all of us feel like we're by ourselves, you know.

KING: That's great.

MINNELLI: He stayed with me. He stayed with me all the time. Not, of course, in treatment itself, but he came to visit me, you know, on a daily basis. And that was extraordinary.

KING: Let me get a break and come back with more with Liza Minnelli. As we go to break, a tune you may have heard of.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, MUSIC)

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KING: One of show business's enthralling moments, Liza Minnelli with her late mother, Judy Garland. Do you accept the fact that there are a lot of parallels between you and your mother in life, ups and downs, marrying men who are very strongly involved in their careers, even rumors that you marry gay men. Does that, by the way, bother you?

MINNELLI: Well, I mean, I've heard so many different rumors about myself that very little like that bothers me anymore. I mean, I've heard that I'm getting drunk in a casino in Las Vegas when I'm sitting in Switzerland skiing, you know?

KING: But does it bother you...

MINNELLI: I've learned not to pay attention.

KING: It doesn't bother you anymore when you -- you don't pay attention?

MINNELLI: Well, I think you do a little bit. And you keep thinking, now, why would they say that? But, in a funny way, it's none of my business. My business is to entertain people. And my business is to be as happy as I can be. That's my business.

KING: You're not kidding. And it is none of the public -- although the public is a good performance, but you do agree that when you become a major public figure, it goes with the territory?

MINNELLI: Oh, of course. I've watched it with all my friends and people I grew up with and my parents and -- yes. But it's the people that I count on. It's -- the press, you know, and whatever's fashionable is sort of where they put you or whatever, how many papers they want to sell. And I've always been very grateful that I sell papers. I mean, some of the reasons weren't so terrific.

KING: Yeah, you do. Do you think there are times, though, you parallel your mother's life? Do you ever feel that way, gee, I'm living a life like my mother did?

MINNELLI: Almost, but not really. They didn't know about compulsive/obsessive disease when my mom was alive. There was no help. There wasn't Betty Ford, like you were saying. There wasn't the Karen (ph) Foundation. There were none of the people who really understand what this is. You know, so there was no help for her.

I mean, I think that certain people like to think you're predictable. And when you have this disease, we're all the same. You ask anybody who you know and I know you know quite a few people who have this disease.

KING: I do.

MINNELLI: The symptoms are quite similar: isolation, loneliness, thinking you're not good enough. That's why it's so wonderful that I met somebody who thinks that I am good enough and I've been allowed to see what people feel. And I'm so grateful. I'm just thrilled.

KING: I'll ask it when he's on with you, but what was it about him that made him, to you -- I'll ask him the same question about you -- so different? What was it? MINNELLI: Well, it was the fact that he is the most wonderful producer I've ever seen, at first. And then it was the fact that he was so funny, really funny and supportive and dear and sweet and everybody, you know, he has so many friends. You know, he's very special. He's a very caring person, and he is wickedly funny.

KING: Was there a moment you knew you were in love?

MINNELLI: Yes, there was. He called me up to do the Michael Jackson show which is what he's won all these awards for. And he was really sweet on the phone. He was so enthusiastic and everything. And I thought, oh, well, maybe this is just another producer talking.

And then the minute he came over and we took a look at each other, we knew that we had the same sense of humor. I could tell how much he cared about Michael and -- because I care about Michael so much. That was so supportive. You know, I don't know. How do you explain when you fall in love with somebody?

KING: Were you having strong feelings on your first date?

MINNELLI: Yes, we were. We knew we really liked each other. And, I guess, the way a musician would say it is we dug each other.

KING: Did that surprise you?

MINNELLI: I didn't know that he dug me. I mean, I knew I dug him and that didn't surprise me at all. Everybody digs David.

KING: Has this happened before in your life this quickly, Liza?

MINNELLI: No, Larry. No. Never.

KING: By the way, do you feel as good as you look?

MINNELLI: Oh, Larry, what a wonderful thing to say. Thank you so much. And the answer is yes.

KING: Because I've known you a long time, and I don't think I've ever seen you looking better.

MINNELLI: Wow...

KING: I wish Frank and Sammy were here.

MINNELLI: Support and love. Oh, so do I. They knew David. David knew them. He didn't a lot of shows with Frank. And, in fact, the very first time I met David, he produced a show that Frank and Sammy and I did together. And that's when I first met him.

KING: Television or the tour?

MINNELLI: It was a big benefit that he did that was wonderful, wonderful cause. He'll tell you more about it. And I remember what a nice man he was, but it wasn't the right time. You know, timing is everything. KING: Is everything. We'll be right back with more of Liza Minnelli. As we go to break, more of two pretty talented people. Watch.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (singing): Wait till the warm-ups under way. You ain't seen nothing yet. Wait till you see that sunshine day.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (singing): How sunny could it get?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Pretty sunny. The best is yet to come and I want to be fine...

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MINNELLI (singing): It's Liza with a z not Lisa with an s. Cuz Lisa with an s goes sss not zzz. It's simple as can be, Liza if you double up the n, that's not new...

FRANK SINATRA, SINGER: What the hell is she talking about?

MINNELLI: That's how we say Minnelli.

SINATRA: It's Minnelli?

MINNELLI: It's easy.

SINATRA: No, it's sleazy.

MINNELLI: No, it's easy.

SINATRA: It's sleazy.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: On stage with Sammy and Frank. Three great performers for the price of one. Liza Minnelli on her honeymoon in London. We'll meet David in a couple of minutes. Let's take a call for Liza. New Orleans, hello.

CALLER: Hello. Liza, I'd like to know the other night I heard you on an interview and you talked about how the doctors said you wouldn't be able to speak or dance -- I mean or walk again. What motivated you to speak and walk again?

MINNELLI: I don't know. I just knew that I had to. And I guess -- you know, it's frightening to be told that. I know how many people have been told things like that. But encephalitis of the brain is quite a thing to go through. I just always believed that I'd be all right. Maybe I'm a cock-eyed optimist. But I somehow believed that something good would happen.

KING: Were you also told that you may not dance again?

MINNELLI: Oh, Larry, I was told that I wouldn't walk again, let alone dance.

KING: But after that, there were predictions that maybe you'd be able to walk but not dance. And you can dance.

MINNELLI: Yes. Oh, I'm dancing now. I'm dancing real hard.

KING: Conyers, Georgia.

CALLER: Liza, I had heard that you would be touring in Europe. And I was wondering if maybe you'd be touring in the United States again.

MINNELLI: Well, we're going to have to ask David that. I know that I'm going to be playing New York for sure. And I'd love to get out near you. I mean, I love Georgia.

KING: You know, Liza, with all this attention and everything, wouldn't it kind of be smart to put together a concert tour, Liza's back? I mean, just logically.

MINNELLI: Well, that's what David's done. Well, but that's actually what David is calling this concert, "Liza's Back." And in fact, we open in London on the 2nd of April, the 2nd, 3rd, 4th. I'm off the 5th. And I play the 6th and 7th.

KING: Then you'll be in New York. Do you plan any tour tour, like Chicago, Atlanta, San Francisco?

MINNELLI: Well, I'd love to do that, but I love being married. That's my first priority. You never know. You can't predict what's going to happen in your career. I adore making films and I love singing for people live, but I really love my husband.

KING: Did I read somewhere that you'd like to adopt children?

MINNELLI: Yes. I think that -- it's very personal, but when one's been through a lot and learned something along the way, hopefully, the least you can do is pass it on to an innocent child who may need parents because they've lost theirs.

KING: So can we say you're going to look into that? Because adopting is a wonderful thing, you know.

MINNELLI: I know. We are looking into it right now.

KING: Any reason that London was picked for the honeymoon?

MINNELLI: Well, I think that we both love it so much. And we have so many friends here. And I grew up a great part of my life in London proper. So to be back here is just great. And David lived here for quite a few years.

KING: You know, you made some terrific movies. I don't think anybody ever forget "Arthur." Would you like to do...

MINNELLI: Thank you.

KING: ... film again?

MINNELLI: Yes, I'd like to very much. And I'm planning to. So that's exciting for me.

KING: Now, is David the one totally involved in your life now? By that I mean, is your husband/producer, is life David?

MINNELLI: Well, I know one thing, he does a lot of other shows besides me. He's always involved. He's very protective. And I think a woman needs that. I have to say I do. I can only speak for myself. I don't mean to sound pompous.

KING: No, some women don't like -- husbands or fathers who can be overly protective.

MINNELLI: Well, I guess nobody does. But supportive is a whole different thing, you know.

KING: You know, I can't get over how good you look. I just seems so -- because I've seen you down. What was it like to sing at Shea Stadium when the Met's came back to play after 9/11?

MINNELLI: It was amazing. I was so honored that Cantor and Ebb (ph) had written that song for me and it suddenly became a very important statement that should be heard in New York.

KING: And only two hits of it. Liza Minnelli and Frank Sinatra. How appropriate. And Cantor and Ebb did write it for her.

As we go to break and before we meet the husband, David Gest, here's Liza in "Victor/Victoria." Watch.

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(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "CABARET")

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KING: By the way, the scenes we've shown with Judy Garland from the "Judy Garland Television Show," all that is available on DVD.

And joining Liza Minnelli in London on their honeymoon is her producer, promoter, husband, David Gest. Thanks for joining us, David. Did you expect this thing to get as big as it got?

DAVID GEST, LIZA MINNELLI'S HUSBAND: Never. Absolutely never. I'm as shocked as everybody else is.

KING: What do you think did it? Why this furor?

GEST: It's hard to say, because it's not like we're Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston. And you know, it's two middle-aged people who fell in love, and I think my love for Liza, seeing Liza change, lose around 100 pounds, she's back better than ever, her voice is now hitting the three-octave range. She's dancing with, you know, 18- year-old dancers in her show. I think that the public loves a Cinderella story. Maybe that's what this became. I don't know if the press loved it, but the public loved it.

KING: Obviously. When did you fall in love with her?

GEST: I think the moment I went over to her house. Michael Jackson wanted her on the Michael Jackson's 30th anniversary celebration. And I wasn't so sure she would be right for it. She had done "Minnelli on Minnelli." And I had not seen it, but her voice was not up to par then. She didn't really look as well as she had in years back. And I said to Michael, to put her in competition with Luther Vandross, Usher, on a stage, I don't want her to feel inferior.

And what happened was I actually sent my conductor Joey Melotti (ph) over to her house to hear her. And he said, David, she's hitting the three-octave range note. She can sing. You've got to come over here. So I ran over the next day, and she hit notes that I never thought I'd hear from Liza Minnelli again. And I said, you've got it. And that day, I think I asked her out. I said, "why don't we go to dinner?" And that was it. We knew right then.

KING: We asked Liza this. David, do you resent the stories like in "Vanity Fair" and the like that the talk about your sexuality and the like? Does it bother you, is it irrelevant to you? How do you react to it? Liza laughs. How do you react? But Liza laughs at everything.

GEST: It's -- I guess it sells papers. I mean, I know who I am. That's the most important thing. She knows who she is. And we're so in love, we've got our own world. If people want to write about us, they're going to write about us probably for a long time. But I think we're going to beat the odds that everybody will bet on that, you know, we'll die in each other's arms. I can promise you that.

KING: Now, Liza said there's the possibility about adopting children. How do you feel about that? GEST: I'm for it. I've always wanted to have children. And I think she'll be a great mother. And we're moving to France in September. We have a home there that we're right now pretty much in escrow on. And we'll settle down there half the year and live half the year in New York.

KING: Oh, I didn't know that. I thought you were going to live full time in New York. Why France, Liza?

MINNELLI: I think because I've always loved it. My father taught me to love it very early on. And you know, he was given the Legion of Honor for his work on "Gigi," directing "Gigi" and "An American in Paris." So I learned about it early, and the painters, and just -- there's something magical about France to me. And I found out that the same applies to David. He feels the same way.

KING: Now, David, in addition to producing Liza, are you going to continue to produce other events? You did the Jackson show, you do tours, you do charity benefits, you know, Sinatra and Sammy Davis and all, you go back that far. Are you going to continue as a producer?

GEST: Oh, yeah. I mean, I'm producing "The Miracle on 34th Street" in December at Madison Square Garden for the third year. Liza's going to have her own television special, it's an hour special. She's got some great special guests, Usher, Luther Vandross, we're hoping he'll be on it. A lot of her friends are getting together with her, Mary J. Blige, to show the new Liza. We've got a great show.

KING: That's great. We'll be back with more of the Gests, Liza Minnelli and David Gest on their honeymoon in London. Back with more moments after this.

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(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KING: As we come back in our remaining moments, more pictures of the happy couple at the wedding nuptials. Let's take another call. Ellijay, Georgia for David Gest and Liza Minnelli. Hello.

CALLER: Hello.

KING:

CALLER: You can hear me now.

KING: Yes, go ahead.

CALLER: Yes, I would just like to ask Liza with all that she's been through, what is her secret on looking so fantastic?

KING: She's going to say David.

GEST: You're right. You're right. MINNELLI: I think it -- I think it's my faith. My faith in...

KING: Your what?

MINNELLI: My faith.

KING: Really?

MINNELLI: My faith in God and in God through people and I believe that mother Mary watches over me as well as my own mom.

KING: Norfolk, Nebraska, hello.

CALLER: Hi, Liza. Congratulations and much happiness to you and David.

MINNELLI: Hi.

CALLER: You look so incredible.

MINNELLI: Oh, thank you.

CALLER: As good as when I saw you perform the summer of 1975. I've been a fan for a long time. I would always love to see you in more movies. And I'm just wondering is there any movie role that you turned down that I you now wish you had done?

KING: Good question.

MINNELLI: Oh, gosh, I'm sure there's a lot. But I can't think of any right now. But I'm going to be doing some new ones, so you'll be able to see me. Thank you for...

KING: David, we asked it earlier, is there the possibility of an American concert tour for Liza?

GEST: Oh, yes, definitely. She wants to go back to Nashville, to Georgia, Chicago, tour the states. It has been a while. And we've got a great show that opens in London on April 2. And we're going to take it to New York and then probably tour the U.S. definitely.

KING: You're a veteran producer. You produced lots of shows. Is it different when you are emotionally involved with the person you are producing?

GEST: Not really. I mean, because she can say yes, I don't like that idea and I'll go I don't like that idea. And then we'll go, OK, what idea do you like? And we pretty much compromise. I think, you know, we've been together now for -- living together for about 4 1/2 months. And maybe we spend five hours when she's dancing each day, three hours dancing, two hours with a vocal coach, away from each other. Otherwise, we're never away from each other. We hate to be away from each other. And it's such a wonderful, wonderful romance. I love her nose. I think she's got the cutest nose in the world.

MINNELLI: David. GEST: It's a very special relationship because we're totally in love. And I think people that know us and were at the wedding really, really saw what we have between us. We're very much alike. Our personalities are alike. We have fun, we laugh, we enjoy each other.

KING: Liza, is it different for you having a husband as a producer?

MINNELLI: Yes, absolutely. But David's so wonderful, I mean, you know, this new show that he's producing, "Liza's Back", is marvelous. Some wonderful numbers by Cantor and Ebb and new material and things that I have always loved singing.

KING: Looking forward to see it.

MINNELLI: It's quite an (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

KING: We've got less than a minute left. Can we see your ring?

MINNELLI: Oh, Larry.

GEST: Oh, go ahead.

MINNELLI: Oh, I hate...

KING: Go ahead, Liza. Just hold it up and the camera will dolly in and we'll close on it.

Hold it still. Beautiful. Much happiness to both of you.

MINNELLI: Thank you, Larry.

GEST: Thank you, Larry.

KING: Thank you.

MINNELLI: Larry, thanks again for that party in L.A. It was wonderful.

GEST: Yes, we loved it.

KING: We co-hosted an engagement party here in Los Angeles for this couple. And on they went to New York...

MINNELLI: Oh, you were amazing.

KING: ... and the rest is history. Yes, you weren't bad yourself.

Liza Minnelli and David Gest on their honeymoon in London. Something tell me we're going to be hearing lots from both of them in the years ahead.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KING: A quick update: Liza had a small brush with trouble during her London honeymoon. Thieves reached into the open window of her limousine and tried to snatch a diamond necklace off her. Luckily her driver got the window up and sped away. Good thing they didn't grab for that gorgeous ring she showed us.

On a much happier note, Liza's show at Royal Albert Hall was a smashing success: standing ovations, screaming fans, the whole nine yards. Yes, Liza's back, and then some.

Hope you enjoyed this encore edition of our exclusive interview, and thanks for joining us. Good night.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, )

KING: Is it still a kick when the man says, "And now, ladies and gentlemen" -- they don't even say it, I guess, anymore, you just walk out right?

SINATRA: No, they make an announcement.

KING: "Ladies and gentlemen..."

F. SINATRA: It's a kick.

KING: "... Frank Sinatra." So it's still a kick?

F. SINATRA: Absolutely. And the first -- I swear on my mother's soul -- the first 40 -- the first four or five seconds, I tremble every time I walk -- take the step and I walk out of the wing onto the stage, because you -- I keep thinking to myself, "I wonder if it'll be there. When I go for the first sounds that I have to make, will it be there?"

(END VIDEO CLIP)

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