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CNN Live Today
Mary Lou Retton Taking on New Challenge
Aired August 22, 2002 - 10:45 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Mary Lou Retton catapulted to international fame some 18 years ago, when she became the first American woman to win in the Olympic all-around women's gymnastics competition. She won more medals than any other athlete in the '84 games. Now, the gymnastics sensation is taking on a new challenge. She is now host and co-executive producer of "Mary Lou's Flip Flop Shop."
Check this out.
(SINGING)
HARRIS: Daryn, it may hard for you to imagine, but this show is aimed at teaching children things.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: I'm learning while I'm watching.
HARRIS: Life lessons as taught by Mary Lou Retton, through this show here, and Mary Lou Retton is joining us now to talk about her show. She's in New York.
KAGAN: Perfect name.
HARRIS: Yes, perfect name for the show Mary Lou.
MARY LOU RETTON, CHILDREN'S SHOW HOST: Thank you.
HARRIS: Who came up with the name?
RETTON: My husband actually and I did.
HARRIS: Your husband -- both of you did?
RETTON: We did, yes.
HARRIS: How does that work out? I mean, I know you get a lot of ideas pitched to you, I'm sure, but let me guess, you have four kids.
RETTON: Yes, I do.
HARRIS: You have plenty of business interest going on as well. But you still need enough time -- you have so much more time you want to go ahead and produce a TV show?
RETTON: Leon, this has been a dream of mine literally going on eight years, nine years now to get "Flip Flop Shop" up and running. I could have hosted a children's show many years ago, but I said I never wanted to walk into work Monday morning, have someone hand me a script, saying this is what you will say, this is what you're going to do today. I wanted to be involved in it. That is what "Mary Lou's Flip Flop Shop" is. It's an entertaining and educational children's program that's on PBS -- and that's exactly where I wanted to be -- that teaches life's lesson, but also helps kids to lead them active healthy lifestyles, and to give them healthy choices and decisions, help them make those decisions, physically and emotionally.
HARRIS: That part doesn't surprise me, considering your background; I imagine you had good healthy dose of good health advice and exercise and all that in there as well?
RETTON: Absolutely, and how we do this at the "Flip Flop Shop" is I use my own form or my own brand of creative movement, encouraging the kids to get up and participate about me. I don't want the kids to be spectators. A top priority at the "Flip Flop Shop" is to get up and participate with me, and something else that's very important about the show is that most of the children's programming we are seeing out there is animation now. Finally, we have a real life role model that these kids can relate to, or look up to, or in my case look down to. I am only 4'9".
KAGAN: Look at.
HARRIS: I couldn't help but noticing some of the kids are about the same size as the host of the show.
RETTON: That's right
(LAUGHTER)
RETTON: But you know what, I think that's kind of what happens. There is a magical things that happens with me and the kids, is because maybe I am because of my size, only 4'9". They're not intimidated by me. I'm very approachable to them. And I just -- I want the parents to know that it is a quality show that they can trust. They can feel safe when they put their child in front of the television set with me. That's huge. I am a parent myself. That's a concern.
HARRIS: I was about to bring that fact up myself. You are a parent four times over, last I've heard, and there we've got the family photo.
RETTON: Look at that.
HARRIS: Give us the names?
RETTON: Shayla, McKenna (ph), Skyla and brand new baby Emma.
HARRIS: How old is Emma?
RETTON: She is only eight weeks old.
HARRIS: She is a cutie.
RETTON: Thank you.
HARRIS: That's a great-looking family.
RETTON: Thank you.
HARRIS: I'm going to guess that you are taking some examples from the things you dealt with, in your kids and teaching them lessons like this, and use them for the show?
RETTON: Absolutely. And that's you know, part of my role as co- executive producer, is I wanted to do things and face issues and challenges that we're going through in our family, self confidence, forgiveness, being selfish, learning to share, acceptance of others, all of these issues that most of us as young parents are dealing with our children.
HARRIS: So you are going to try to make your kids choose between your and you Barney?
(LAUGHER)
RETTON: Barney is on PBS, too, so he's my partner. But you know, the "Flip Flop Shop" is from 4:00-7:00. It's a great show, quality show, parents, you can trust.
HARRIS: We will definitely take your word for it.
KAGAN: Mary Lou, Daryn Kagan here. I just have to ask you kind of a girlfriend question here, because we women were thinking, how do you do it all, and looking at the picture of the four beautiful girls, and your husband, and a show, how do you make it through the day? What is the trick?
RETTON: You know what, it's hard, and I would not be telling the truth if I did not say that a lot of times I get overwhelmed. I am tired. I've got a newborn at home, so I am up every two to three hours feeding it. It's tough. But I have a great husband who helps me. I have wonderful help. I am not afraid to help.
But also being organized. I have been on a schedule my entire life since the age of seven, show up to work out, do this and this. And being scheduled and being organized really helps me get through the day.
HARRIS: You're doing a great job doing it. In fact, I'm going to step out on a limb here and say that Mary Lou Retton is the original American Idol.
RETTON: Thank you.
HARRIS: I'm glad to have you with us, and good luck with the show. We'll keep an eye on it.
KAGAN: And the new baby.
RETTON: Thank you. KAGAN: Stop by anytime. Thanks, Mary Lou.
HARRIS: And after you win that Emmy for the show, make sure you come back and our guests with us again, OK.
KAGAN: Don't forget your original friends.
RETTON: All right I promise.
HARRIS: All the best to you.
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