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American Morning

Tornadoes Ripped Through Indiana, Kentucky; '"90-Second Pop'

Aired May 31, 2004 - 07:30   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: Welcome back, everybody. It's 7:30 on this Monday morning, Memorial Day across the country. I hope you're sleeping in today.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Not really.

HEMMER: No, we weren't. They are. How was your weekend?

COLLINS: My weekend was good.

HEMMER: Yes.

COLLINS: Looking for a house, obviously.

HEMMER: OK. Well, good for you.

COLLINS: Yes, that takes a while.

HEMMER: I slept a lot, and it's not overrated, by the way.

COLLINS: Really?

HEMMER: Yes. This is Heidi Collins working for Soledad O'Brien, by the way. Soledad has got the day off today. Great to have you here.

COLLINS: You're feeling a little spunky today, aren't you?

HEMMER: Well, I'm rested. It's so nice.

In a moment here, U.S. troops observing Memorial Day in Iraq and Afghanistan today, where so many of their friends and comrades have already died. We'll look at the Memorial Day today here in the U.S. as well in a few moments. A lot to talk about regarding the veterans and those in active-duty today.

COLLINS: Yes, some incredible stories. Also, incredible damage over the weekend from tornadoes. Look at this video. They look like matchbox houses, don't they? More than 80 twisters spotted from Texas to the Great Lakes. Some of the worst damage in Indiana. We're going to hear from an official from the Indiana State Emergency Management Agency who tell us more about that.

HEMMER: They have a big job today, don't they?

COLLINS: Yes. HEMMER: Also, "90-Second Pop" today, the Memorial Day movie showdown pitting a big green monster against the next ice age. Who won? It was very close. Both films made a ton of loot over the weekend, too. We'll get to them in a moment -- Heidi.

COLLINS: At least seven states have been clobbered by severe weather, including tornadoes, which you just saw some video of. Some of the heaviest damage occurred in Indiana, where one person was killed, dozens of homes were destroyed.

Just a bit earlier, I spoke with Alden Taylor of the Indiana State Emergency Management Agency. I asked him to update us on the extent of the damage these tornadoes have caused across the state.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALDEN TAYLOR, INDIANA STATE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: We've had damage reports throughout the state. Most of them are scattered, a lot of trees down, power lines down.

The area in southern Indiana, Crawford County, Marengo, which is in the center part of the state just north of the Ohio River, was the hardest hit. There were probably 100 to 200 homes that were somehow affected.

Last night after securing the area and making sure that nobody was in need of help, the area was sealed off, and rescue workers were pulled out because it was too dangerous to be there after dark. They'll be out this morning to start counting and figuring out exactly what kind of damage there was.

COLLINS: Yes, I'm sure that's going to take some time. I do understand that one person was killed there as well.

TAYLOR: That's correct. One person was killed, and I believe a mobile home is the report. There were also four other injuries -- two of them are reported to have been heart attacks as a result of stress of the storm.

COLLINS: It's understandable, and unfortunate obviously.

Let's talk about Indianapolis now for just a moment. I know at least seven tornadoes touched down there alone. Tell us a little bit about what kind of destruction it left behind in that city.

TAYLOR: The south side of Indianapolis was hit by the storms. There was one nursing home that had part of its roof peeled back. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries. A lot of power outages. There were at one point there were about 13,000 people on the south side of Indianapolis without power. Indianapolis Power and Light has been working throughout the night to restore power. At this point, there are about 7,000 left without power.

COLLINS: Obviously, Mr. Taylor, you and the people of Indiana are no stranger to these types of storms. Tell us, though, a little bit about how you would compare this to other storms that you've seen. TAYLOR: Indiana gets about 19 tornadoes a year. We normally have some kind of an outbreak. Most of the time, they touch down in rural areas and farm fields without causing damage to homes. The last major outbreak was in September of 2002, where there was a path that was cut from the southeast part of the state to the northeast part. This is more of the usual type of tornado we get where you have isolated pockets of damage.

COLLINS: Are you ever really ready, though, for something like this?

TAYLOR: We work at it every year. Every spring there is a severe storms awareness week. When you live in Indiana, you get used to the fact that there will be tornadoes. And the fact that only one person was killed and with the amount of damage that was inflicted, especially in the Marengo area, shows people knew what to do and where to go when the storms hit.

COLLINS: Tell us quickly what that is. What should people do when they hear these warnings signs and sirens going off? What is the first thing they should be doing?

TAYLOR: The first thing is go to a basement and find a sturdy table. If you don't have a basement, an interior room like an interior bathroom is the place to go. I know my family was in there several times last night as a result of the storms.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: We'll have another live report from Indiana just ahead with the latest on cleanup efforts in the town of Marengo.

HEMMER: Heidi, it's about 25 minutes now before the hour.

On this Memorial Day, no doubt that it will be one of raw emotions for those families struggling with the recent loss of loved ones who died in fighting in Iraq.

This morning, Tom Foreman has the story of two of those families.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Just off the sunny streets of Bay Shore, New York, where Jake Fletcher dreamed of a soldier's life, his mother packs boxes every day.

DOREEN KENNEY, SON DIED IN IRAQ: We send them toiletries.

FOREMAN: Care packages she sends to troops in Iraq, where Jake died six months ago.

KENNEY: I'll never forget that moment in my life. My life changed in that instant. My heart changed in that instant. Everything changed.

FOREMAN: More than 800 American families in towns all over have lost someone in the war. In Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, it was Sherwood Baker, just last month. His son, J.D., still doesn't understand why dad is not coming back. His wife, Debbie, still wonders why he went.

DEBBIE BAKER, HUSBAND KILLED IN IRAQ: How am I going to tell him why dad went, you know, what he was doing there. I'm afraid I'm not going to have the truthful answers for him.

FOREMAN (on camera): You don't know yourself.

BAKER: No. Give me at least a reason why we're there.

FOREMAN (voice over): The mounting deaths have brought such questions to many families.

KENNEY: We're not supposed to bury our children.

FOREMAN: Doreen Kenney is finding peace through the packages she sends and the grateful letters in return.

KENNEY: "At least because of you, I feel I'm not forgotten."

FOREMAN: For Debbie Baker, however, the loss is too new.

BAKER: I still carry the phone to bed with me. Check my e- mails. I just keep thinking he's in a bunker somewhere and just hiding.

FOREMAN (on camera): For a great many Americans for a good many years, Memorial Day has been primarily about lives lost a long time ago.

(voice over): But now, behind the World War I memorial at J.D. Baker's school, his classmates have hung a paper chain with a link for every soldier killed in Iraq. And Debbie Baker knows, this holiday she faces another long, sleepless night of questions and memories.

Tom Foreman, CNN, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HEMMER: Also last evening, the national Memorial Day concert on the grounds at the Capitol Building in Washington, a tribute to those who gave their lives and service to the United States.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Memorial Day is time off for most, but our pop culture gurus are up and at them this morning for yet another episode of the critically-acclaimed "90-Second Pop." And here they are, ladies and gentlemen.

Toure, contributing editor for "Rolling Stone."

Toure, thanks for getting up.

Jessica Shaw with "Entertainment Weekly."

Same to you, Jessica.

JESSICA SHAW, "ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY": Same to you.

COLLINS: And B.J. Sigesmund, staff editor for "US Weekly."

We are so glad you guys are here.

SHAW: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) this morning.

COLLINS: Yes, that's right, on call 24/7, right?

Hey, Toure, let's talk about Kobe Bryant a little bit.

TOURE, "ROLLING STONE": Yes.

COLLINS: A lot of people, I think, are talking about this now with the way that the Lakers are playing.

TOURE: Yes.

COLLINS: You know, do you think that some of this star power or heroism has worn off a little bit? I mean, he's been going to and from Eagle, Colorado...

TOURE: Yes.

COLLINS: ... during these games. And some people may be wondering about that? Or are they just going with the flow?

TOURE: Well, I mean, from the beginning of the season I said there is no way he'll be able to deal with the real pressure of being on the court when he's got very real pressure off the court to deal with. And he's played extraordinary despite extraordinary personal circumstances. But I don't see...

SHAW: Doesn't he play better?

TOURE: Well, he seems to play better after he goes...

SHAW: He's scoring more points after he spends the day in Colorado.

TOURE: Yes. But I can't see him as a heroic figure yet. I mean, he seems more of a tragic figure stuck in his own web that he's created.

B.J. SIGESMUND, "US WEEKLY": But he's not tragic. I mean, his focus is undeniable.

TOURE: Right.

SIGESMUND: You know, both of these things, you know, he's possibly going to go to prison for years so he's fighting for that during the day. And then he flies by private jet to L.A. and scores 30 or 40 points game, I mean, on a national stage. It's not like he's performing really well at home and no one is watching, shooting hoops or something.

SHAW: I don't think people care. I don't think the fans care. I think as long as he plays the game, they're like, fine, go ahead, score your points.

TOURE: I mean, I don't understand why there are so many parents, though, who just let their kids wear No. 8 jerseys, because I see a lot of them.

COLLINS: Yes, I read that in the same article you did, I think.

TOURE: That's weird.

COLLINS: But you know what? The mother's explanation for that -- we're talking about putting on one of, you know, Kobe's jerseys to watch the game...

TOURE: Yes.

COLLINS: ... was that the child didn't understand. The child didn't know what was going on in court obviously.

TOURE: Yes, but 15 year-olds.

COLLINS: Innocent until proven guilty.

TOURE: I see teenagers, they know. They probably know, you know, every in and out of it.

COLLINS: Yes.

SHAW: Yes, but this is (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Jason Kidd. He admitted to domestic violence.

TOURE: That's a lot different, though.

COLLINS: Yes. All right, let's move on, guys. Obviously a lot more to talk about there as these games continue for sure.

Jessica, we have some issues possibly with dear "Harry Potter." What are we going to do?

SHAW: I know!

COLLINS: Daniel Radcliffe kind of hinting that maybe in the sixth book, movie, however that comes out first...

SHAW: Yes, Harry is out of there.

COLLINS: ... he might not be with us any longer.

SHAW: He might not. But you know what? I don't think we can take it that seriously, because this is a young actor talking. The book hasn't been written. It's not like J.K. Rowling was, like, hmm, what should I do with Harry at the end? Let me call the little actor. Hey, Daniel, what do you want to do with your character?

SIGESMUND: With all due respect to Daniel Radcliffe, why are we listening to this kid?

SHAW: Right.

SIGESMUND: He is 14 years old. He doesn't have J.K. Rowling here.

SHAW: He thought he was signed on for the fifth movie.

SIGESMUND: Right.

SHAW: Like, I think this might be a contract negotiation.

COLLINS: It could be.

TOURE: J.K. Rowling has all of the scripts written out, all...

SHAW: She's not sharing it with him.

TOURE: No, but they probably know what's going on. And she typically challenges her young readers quite a bit. And this would be a challenge.

COLLINS: Yes.

TOURE: But it's not unusual in kid-lit for somebody to die like that (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

SIGESMUND: No, there is no way that you would kill Harry Potter off at the very end of the series.

SHAW: Oh, I don't -- she might. I think...

(CROSSTALK)

SIGESMUND: No way would parents read to their kid all these books if Harry Potter is going to die at the end. That would be a huge mistake.

TOURE: What about "Bambi?"

SHAW: Yes, but what about...

COLLINS: I just want to know, what on earth would we do if Harry was gone? What would we do? What would we talk about?

SHAW: Kobe Bryant.

COLLINS: Yes, I guess. All right, B.J., let's talk a little bit about this killer movie, "Shrek 2," which I saw with a 3-year-old who is afraid of the dark in these movies. But that's another story. This, like, clobbered "The Day After Tomorrow."

SIGESMUND: It's a monster. COLLINS: Yes.

SIGESMUND: Yes, I mean, it has reached $200 million faster than any movie since "Spider-Man." It even beat "The Day After Tomorrow" with all that hype. It still was No. 1 just by a few million dollars, but the No. 1 movie. You know, it looks like it's the biggest movie of the summer and possibly the biggest movie of the year.

COLLINS: You know, one thing I noticed...

SHAW: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) badly, though.

COLLINS: Yes.

SHAW: I mean, it did make $70 million, which is still huge.

COLLINS: Right. That's quite a lot of money. One thing I noticed with this movie, though, is probably some people are wondering if you can still see "Shrek 2" if you haven't seen "Shrek 1."

SIGESMUND: Absolutely.

COLLINS: Yes, definitely.

TOURE: You won't be confused.

COLLINS: But there are a lot of references in there that certainly, you know, my little boy didn't get but still laughed at. It's really...

SIGESMUND: Yes, it's a little bit adult than the first one.

COLLINS: Yes.

SIGESMUND: I actually went with a couple of kids, one of whom was almost 4, and he said that he was scared by the Jennifer Saunders (ph) godmother character, the fairy godmother.

TOURE: Wow!

SIGESMUND: So, it is a little bit more...

SHAW: How did you do? Were you OK?

SIGESMUND: I did OK, though.

SHAW: OK, good.

SIGESMUND: Yes, it's a little bit grown-up, much like the coming "Harry Potter" movie this Friday is more grown up.

COLLINS: Right.

SHAW: Shrek dies in the third one. Don't tell anyone.

COLLINS: Oh, my goodness! We got that straight from "Shrek 2." All right, you guys, thanks so much for coming in today. We do appreciate your time, B.J., Jessica and Toure, thanks, guys -- Bill.

HEMMER: Heidi, thanks for that. It's 14 minutes now before the hour. In a moment, back to Saudi Arabia and the story over the weekend. Who is responsible for the attacks there? A look at the hunt for the killers. That hunt continues. We will, too, in a moment after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Forty-nine minutes past the hour now. Here is what's happening in other news today.

A car bombing in Baghdad leaves at least two people dead, at least 17 others injured in the explosion. Coalition officials say the blast took place along a road frequently used by coalition forces and Iraqi Governing Council members.

Meanwhile, two American soldiers killed south of Kufa. That's where coalition troops are fighting insurgents loyal to radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. A military commander said some 45 insurgents were killed in the firefight.

A powerful band of storms leaving scattered damage across the nation's mid-section this weekend. In Indiana, storms peeled back roofs and cut down trees. One person was killed in Marengo in the southern part of the state.

In Kentucky, officials reported downed trees and power lines, but no injuries. There were reports of more than 80 tornado sightings this weekend.

Saudi Arabia says its security forces are searching for suspects after a series of weekend attacks in the city of Khobar. The Saudi government says 22 people were killed, including one American. A group believed linked to al Qaeda has taken responsibility for those attacks. The Saudi ministry says the leader of the operation is now in custody.

President Bush heads to Arlington National Cemetery this Memorial Day. The president and Mrs. Bush will participate in the traditional wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns. The president is expected to speak at the ceremony just before 11:00 Eastern. CNN, of course, will have coverage of that for you live.

And to sports now, the NBA playoffs. The Detroit Pistons capturing game five in the Eastern Conference finals. And the Pistons now lead the Indiana Pacers 3 games to 2, just one win shy from making the championship round. Richard Hamilton scored a career playoff high, 33 points. The final score there, 83 for Pistons, Pacers 65.

HEMMER: Lakers and T-wolves later tonight, right, Heidi?

COLLINS: We're going to howl away for that one.

HEMMER: 3-2 Lakers, right, Heidi?

COLLINS: That's correct.

HEMMER: And counting.

It was wet and it was rainy over the weekend. Eventually, there still was a winner at the Indy 500 in Indianapolis. The team's owner now, a top-10 list of reasons to be happy about it. Back in a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: Mother Nature's antics shortened this year's Indy 500. Rain soaked the speedway on a number of occasions yesterday. It cut the race short by a number of laps, but 28-year-old Buddy Rice came out the winner. He took home his first career victory. Co-owner of the winning car, talk show host David Letterman, a Hoosier himself, proudly congratulating his driver yesterday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVID LETTERMAN, TALK SHOW HOST: I don't think the rain made any difference. We could have gone the full 200 laps. Was there a stronger driver in this field today? Or was there a stronger car in this field today? It didn't look that way to me. And, my god, what a job Buddy did just coming after it and coming after it and coming after it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HEMMER: Yes, Rice is the first U.S.-born winner of the race since 1998. The Indianapolis 500 is North America Motor Racing's biggest prize. And David Letterman now has a share of it, huh? That's kind after nice subplot, is it not?

COLLINS: Yes. He had some problems in the pit stop, but not David Letterman obviously but the driver. But, yes, he just really kind of came out firing away and won the whole deal.

(WEATHER BREAK)

COLLINS: Still to come this morning, honoring on important group of veterans on this Memorial Day -- the African-Americans who served in America's ranks. Stay with us right here on AMERICAN MORNING.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.


Aired May 31, 2004 - 07:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back, everybody. It's 7:30 on this Monday morning, Memorial Day across the country. I hope you're sleeping in today.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Not really.

HEMMER: No, we weren't. They are. How was your weekend?

COLLINS: My weekend was good.

HEMMER: Yes.

COLLINS: Looking for a house, obviously.

HEMMER: OK. Well, good for you.

COLLINS: Yes, that takes a while.

HEMMER: I slept a lot, and it's not overrated, by the way.

COLLINS: Really?

HEMMER: Yes. This is Heidi Collins working for Soledad O'Brien, by the way. Soledad has got the day off today. Great to have you here.

COLLINS: You're feeling a little spunky today, aren't you?

HEMMER: Well, I'm rested. It's so nice.

In a moment here, U.S. troops observing Memorial Day in Iraq and Afghanistan today, where so many of their friends and comrades have already died. We'll look at the Memorial Day today here in the U.S. as well in a few moments. A lot to talk about regarding the veterans and those in active-duty today.

COLLINS: Yes, some incredible stories. Also, incredible damage over the weekend from tornadoes. Look at this video. They look like matchbox houses, don't they? More than 80 twisters spotted from Texas to the Great Lakes. Some of the worst damage in Indiana. We're going to hear from an official from the Indiana State Emergency Management Agency who tell us more about that.

HEMMER: They have a big job today, don't they?

COLLINS: Yes. HEMMER: Also, "90-Second Pop" today, the Memorial Day movie showdown pitting a big green monster against the next ice age. Who won? It was very close. Both films made a ton of loot over the weekend, too. We'll get to them in a moment -- Heidi.

COLLINS: At least seven states have been clobbered by severe weather, including tornadoes, which you just saw some video of. Some of the heaviest damage occurred in Indiana, where one person was killed, dozens of homes were destroyed.

Just a bit earlier, I spoke with Alden Taylor of the Indiana State Emergency Management Agency. I asked him to update us on the extent of the damage these tornadoes have caused across the state.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALDEN TAYLOR, INDIANA STATE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: We've had damage reports throughout the state. Most of them are scattered, a lot of trees down, power lines down.

The area in southern Indiana, Crawford County, Marengo, which is in the center part of the state just north of the Ohio River, was the hardest hit. There were probably 100 to 200 homes that were somehow affected.

Last night after securing the area and making sure that nobody was in need of help, the area was sealed off, and rescue workers were pulled out because it was too dangerous to be there after dark. They'll be out this morning to start counting and figuring out exactly what kind of damage there was.

COLLINS: Yes, I'm sure that's going to take some time. I do understand that one person was killed there as well.

TAYLOR: That's correct. One person was killed, and I believe a mobile home is the report. There were also four other injuries -- two of them are reported to have been heart attacks as a result of stress of the storm.

COLLINS: It's understandable, and unfortunate obviously.

Let's talk about Indianapolis now for just a moment. I know at least seven tornadoes touched down there alone. Tell us a little bit about what kind of destruction it left behind in that city.

TAYLOR: The south side of Indianapolis was hit by the storms. There was one nursing home that had part of its roof peeled back. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries. A lot of power outages. There were at one point there were about 13,000 people on the south side of Indianapolis without power. Indianapolis Power and Light has been working throughout the night to restore power. At this point, there are about 7,000 left without power.

COLLINS: Obviously, Mr. Taylor, you and the people of Indiana are no stranger to these types of storms. Tell us, though, a little bit about how you would compare this to other storms that you've seen. TAYLOR: Indiana gets about 19 tornadoes a year. We normally have some kind of an outbreak. Most of the time, they touch down in rural areas and farm fields without causing damage to homes. The last major outbreak was in September of 2002, where there was a path that was cut from the southeast part of the state to the northeast part. This is more of the usual type of tornado we get where you have isolated pockets of damage.

COLLINS: Are you ever really ready, though, for something like this?

TAYLOR: We work at it every year. Every spring there is a severe storms awareness week. When you live in Indiana, you get used to the fact that there will be tornadoes. And the fact that only one person was killed and with the amount of damage that was inflicted, especially in the Marengo area, shows people knew what to do and where to go when the storms hit.

COLLINS: Tell us quickly what that is. What should people do when they hear these warnings signs and sirens going off? What is the first thing they should be doing?

TAYLOR: The first thing is go to a basement and find a sturdy table. If you don't have a basement, an interior room like an interior bathroom is the place to go. I know my family was in there several times last night as a result of the storms.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: We'll have another live report from Indiana just ahead with the latest on cleanup efforts in the town of Marengo.

HEMMER: Heidi, it's about 25 minutes now before the hour.

On this Memorial Day, no doubt that it will be one of raw emotions for those families struggling with the recent loss of loved ones who died in fighting in Iraq.

This morning, Tom Foreman has the story of two of those families.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Just off the sunny streets of Bay Shore, New York, where Jake Fletcher dreamed of a soldier's life, his mother packs boxes every day.

DOREEN KENNEY, SON DIED IN IRAQ: We send them toiletries.

FOREMAN: Care packages she sends to troops in Iraq, where Jake died six months ago.

KENNEY: I'll never forget that moment in my life. My life changed in that instant. My heart changed in that instant. Everything changed.

FOREMAN: More than 800 American families in towns all over have lost someone in the war. In Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, it was Sherwood Baker, just last month. His son, J.D., still doesn't understand why dad is not coming back. His wife, Debbie, still wonders why he went.

DEBBIE BAKER, HUSBAND KILLED IN IRAQ: How am I going to tell him why dad went, you know, what he was doing there. I'm afraid I'm not going to have the truthful answers for him.

FOREMAN (on camera): You don't know yourself.

BAKER: No. Give me at least a reason why we're there.

FOREMAN (voice over): The mounting deaths have brought such questions to many families.

KENNEY: We're not supposed to bury our children.

FOREMAN: Doreen Kenney is finding peace through the packages she sends and the grateful letters in return.

KENNEY: "At least because of you, I feel I'm not forgotten."

FOREMAN: For Debbie Baker, however, the loss is too new.

BAKER: I still carry the phone to bed with me. Check my e- mails. I just keep thinking he's in a bunker somewhere and just hiding.

FOREMAN (on camera): For a great many Americans for a good many years, Memorial Day has been primarily about lives lost a long time ago.

(voice over): But now, behind the World War I memorial at J.D. Baker's school, his classmates have hung a paper chain with a link for every soldier killed in Iraq. And Debbie Baker knows, this holiday she faces another long, sleepless night of questions and memories.

Tom Foreman, CNN, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HEMMER: Also last evening, the national Memorial Day concert on the grounds at the Capitol Building in Washington, a tribute to those who gave their lives and service to the United States.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Memorial Day is time off for most, but our pop culture gurus are up and at them this morning for yet another episode of the critically-acclaimed "90-Second Pop." And here they are, ladies and gentlemen.

Toure, contributing editor for "Rolling Stone."

Toure, thanks for getting up.

Jessica Shaw with "Entertainment Weekly."

Same to you, Jessica.

JESSICA SHAW, "ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY": Same to you.

COLLINS: And B.J. Sigesmund, staff editor for "US Weekly."

We are so glad you guys are here.

SHAW: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) this morning.

COLLINS: Yes, that's right, on call 24/7, right?

Hey, Toure, let's talk about Kobe Bryant a little bit.

TOURE, "ROLLING STONE": Yes.

COLLINS: A lot of people, I think, are talking about this now with the way that the Lakers are playing.

TOURE: Yes.

COLLINS: You know, do you think that some of this star power or heroism has worn off a little bit? I mean, he's been going to and from Eagle, Colorado...

TOURE: Yes.

COLLINS: ... during these games. And some people may be wondering about that? Or are they just going with the flow?

TOURE: Well, I mean, from the beginning of the season I said there is no way he'll be able to deal with the real pressure of being on the court when he's got very real pressure off the court to deal with. And he's played extraordinary despite extraordinary personal circumstances. But I don't see...

SHAW: Doesn't he play better?

TOURE: Well, he seems to play better after he goes...

SHAW: He's scoring more points after he spends the day in Colorado.

TOURE: Yes. But I can't see him as a heroic figure yet. I mean, he seems more of a tragic figure stuck in his own web that he's created.

B.J. SIGESMUND, "US WEEKLY": But he's not tragic. I mean, his focus is undeniable.

TOURE: Right.

SIGESMUND: You know, both of these things, you know, he's possibly going to go to prison for years so he's fighting for that during the day. And then he flies by private jet to L.A. and scores 30 or 40 points game, I mean, on a national stage. It's not like he's performing really well at home and no one is watching, shooting hoops or something.

SHAW: I don't think people care. I don't think the fans care. I think as long as he plays the game, they're like, fine, go ahead, score your points.

TOURE: I mean, I don't understand why there are so many parents, though, who just let their kids wear No. 8 jerseys, because I see a lot of them.

COLLINS: Yes, I read that in the same article you did, I think.

TOURE: That's weird.

COLLINS: But you know what? The mother's explanation for that -- we're talking about putting on one of, you know, Kobe's jerseys to watch the game...

TOURE: Yes.

COLLINS: ... was that the child didn't understand. The child didn't know what was going on in court obviously.

TOURE: Yes, but 15 year-olds.

COLLINS: Innocent until proven guilty.

TOURE: I see teenagers, they know. They probably know, you know, every in and out of it.

COLLINS: Yes.

SHAW: Yes, but this is (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Jason Kidd. He admitted to domestic violence.

TOURE: That's a lot different, though.

COLLINS: Yes. All right, let's move on, guys. Obviously a lot more to talk about there as these games continue for sure.

Jessica, we have some issues possibly with dear "Harry Potter." What are we going to do?

SHAW: I know!

COLLINS: Daniel Radcliffe kind of hinting that maybe in the sixth book, movie, however that comes out first...

SHAW: Yes, Harry is out of there.

COLLINS: ... he might not be with us any longer.

SHAW: He might not. But you know what? I don't think we can take it that seriously, because this is a young actor talking. The book hasn't been written. It's not like J.K. Rowling was, like, hmm, what should I do with Harry at the end? Let me call the little actor. Hey, Daniel, what do you want to do with your character?

SIGESMUND: With all due respect to Daniel Radcliffe, why are we listening to this kid?

SHAW: Right.

SIGESMUND: He is 14 years old. He doesn't have J.K. Rowling here.

SHAW: He thought he was signed on for the fifth movie.

SIGESMUND: Right.

SHAW: Like, I think this might be a contract negotiation.

COLLINS: It could be.

TOURE: J.K. Rowling has all of the scripts written out, all...

SHAW: She's not sharing it with him.

TOURE: No, but they probably know what's going on. And she typically challenges her young readers quite a bit. And this would be a challenge.

COLLINS: Yes.

TOURE: But it's not unusual in kid-lit for somebody to die like that (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

SIGESMUND: No, there is no way that you would kill Harry Potter off at the very end of the series.

SHAW: Oh, I don't -- she might. I think...

(CROSSTALK)

SIGESMUND: No way would parents read to their kid all these books if Harry Potter is going to die at the end. That would be a huge mistake.

TOURE: What about "Bambi?"

SHAW: Yes, but what about...

COLLINS: I just want to know, what on earth would we do if Harry was gone? What would we do? What would we talk about?

SHAW: Kobe Bryant.

COLLINS: Yes, I guess. All right, B.J., let's talk a little bit about this killer movie, "Shrek 2," which I saw with a 3-year-old who is afraid of the dark in these movies. But that's another story. This, like, clobbered "The Day After Tomorrow."

SIGESMUND: It's a monster. COLLINS: Yes.

SIGESMUND: Yes, I mean, it has reached $200 million faster than any movie since "Spider-Man." It even beat "The Day After Tomorrow" with all that hype. It still was No. 1 just by a few million dollars, but the No. 1 movie. You know, it looks like it's the biggest movie of the summer and possibly the biggest movie of the year.

COLLINS: You know, one thing I noticed...

SHAW: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) badly, though.

COLLINS: Yes.

SHAW: I mean, it did make $70 million, which is still huge.

COLLINS: Right. That's quite a lot of money. One thing I noticed with this movie, though, is probably some people are wondering if you can still see "Shrek 2" if you haven't seen "Shrek 1."

SIGESMUND: Absolutely.

COLLINS: Yes, definitely.

TOURE: You won't be confused.

COLLINS: But there are a lot of references in there that certainly, you know, my little boy didn't get but still laughed at. It's really...

SIGESMUND: Yes, it's a little bit adult than the first one.

COLLINS: Yes.

SIGESMUND: I actually went with a couple of kids, one of whom was almost 4, and he said that he was scared by the Jennifer Saunders (ph) godmother character, the fairy godmother.

TOURE: Wow!

SIGESMUND: So, it is a little bit more...

SHAW: How did you do? Were you OK?

SIGESMUND: I did OK, though.

SHAW: OK, good.

SIGESMUND: Yes, it's a little bit grown-up, much like the coming "Harry Potter" movie this Friday is more grown up.

COLLINS: Right.

SHAW: Shrek dies in the third one. Don't tell anyone.

COLLINS: Oh, my goodness! We got that straight from "Shrek 2." All right, you guys, thanks so much for coming in today. We do appreciate your time, B.J., Jessica and Toure, thanks, guys -- Bill.

HEMMER: Heidi, thanks for that. It's 14 minutes now before the hour. In a moment, back to Saudi Arabia and the story over the weekend. Who is responsible for the attacks there? A look at the hunt for the killers. That hunt continues. We will, too, in a moment after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Forty-nine minutes past the hour now. Here is what's happening in other news today.

A car bombing in Baghdad leaves at least two people dead, at least 17 others injured in the explosion. Coalition officials say the blast took place along a road frequently used by coalition forces and Iraqi Governing Council members.

Meanwhile, two American soldiers killed south of Kufa. That's where coalition troops are fighting insurgents loyal to radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. A military commander said some 45 insurgents were killed in the firefight.

A powerful band of storms leaving scattered damage across the nation's mid-section this weekend. In Indiana, storms peeled back roofs and cut down trees. One person was killed in Marengo in the southern part of the state.

In Kentucky, officials reported downed trees and power lines, but no injuries. There were reports of more than 80 tornado sightings this weekend.

Saudi Arabia says its security forces are searching for suspects after a series of weekend attacks in the city of Khobar. The Saudi government says 22 people were killed, including one American. A group believed linked to al Qaeda has taken responsibility for those attacks. The Saudi ministry says the leader of the operation is now in custody.

President Bush heads to Arlington National Cemetery this Memorial Day. The president and Mrs. Bush will participate in the traditional wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns. The president is expected to speak at the ceremony just before 11:00 Eastern. CNN, of course, will have coverage of that for you live.

And to sports now, the NBA playoffs. The Detroit Pistons capturing game five in the Eastern Conference finals. And the Pistons now lead the Indiana Pacers 3 games to 2, just one win shy from making the championship round. Richard Hamilton scored a career playoff high, 33 points. The final score there, 83 for Pistons, Pacers 65.

HEMMER: Lakers and T-wolves later tonight, right, Heidi?

COLLINS: We're going to howl away for that one.

HEMMER: 3-2 Lakers, right, Heidi?

COLLINS: That's correct.

HEMMER: And counting.

It was wet and it was rainy over the weekend. Eventually, there still was a winner at the Indy 500 in Indianapolis. The team's owner now, a top-10 list of reasons to be happy about it. Back in a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: Mother Nature's antics shortened this year's Indy 500. Rain soaked the speedway on a number of occasions yesterday. It cut the race short by a number of laps, but 28-year-old Buddy Rice came out the winner. He took home his first career victory. Co-owner of the winning car, talk show host David Letterman, a Hoosier himself, proudly congratulating his driver yesterday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVID LETTERMAN, TALK SHOW HOST: I don't think the rain made any difference. We could have gone the full 200 laps. Was there a stronger driver in this field today? Or was there a stronger car in this field today? It didn't look that way to me. And, my god, what a job Buddy did just coming after it and coming after it and coming after it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HEMMER: Yes, Rice is the first U.S.-born winner of the race since 1998. The Indianapolis 500 is North America Motor Racing's biggest prize. And David Letterman now has a share of it, huh? That's kind after nice subplot, is it not?

COLLINS: Yes. He had some problems in the pit stop, but not David Letterman obviously but the driver. But, yes, he just really kind of came out firing away and won the whole deal.

(WEATHER BREAK)

COLLINS: Still to come this morning, honoring on important group of veterans on this Memorial Day -- the African-Americans who served in America's ranks. Stay with us right here on AMERICAN MORNING.

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