Return to Transcripts main page

American Morning

Ivan's Devastation; 'The Future is Now'

Aired September 17, 2004 - 07:33   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, everyone. It's 7:30 back in New York. It is 6:30 local time here in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Again, we're getting a better indication now of what Ivan has left in its wake with the sun now breaking here on this Friday morning.
I'm Bill Hemmer. Welcome back to our live coverage here in Alabama. This is where Ivan started its deadly trek across the U.S. right about this time yesterday. There is a lot of damage here, even more question marks, though, as to how much devastation is in the area behind me. We'll talk about that in a moment.

But first, the Florida panhandle to the east also. What the wind did not knock over, the floors will soak to the core. That flooding is expected to reach in the many more states before this is all over. Ivan still a tropical depression moving through areas like Ohio and Pennsylvania and still a major rainmaker. If you look at places like Atlanta, Georgia, late yesterday with these giant trees in Atlanta literally splitting homes in half. It's become a regional story at this point, not just here in Alabama and also in Florida.

A couple question marks, Heidi, that we do not have answers for. What happened to the area known as Pleasure Island, the area behind me? No one has been allowed in yet. Perhaps later today we'll get a better indication. There is one man who wants to know. His name is Owen Gray. He owns a business over here. He owns a home back behind me. He's not allowed back in, but we'll talk to him in a moment based on what he is hearing here in the southern part of Alabama. We'll have that for you in a moment.

Heidi --back to you now and good morning again in New York.

HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Boy, that anxiety of just not knowing has got to be really tough.

HEMMER: Sure.

COLLINS: Bill, all right, thanks for that.

Also ahead, Senator Kerry is sharpening his attack on the president over the war in Iraq. We'll get a report on what he is saying and the president's response to it.

But first, we want to go ahead and check the stories now in the news this morning.

A claim of responsibility for the Russian school massacre. Samil Basayev says his group is behind that attack and several others in Russia. In a new Web site posting, Basayev also admits his group received some financial support from abroad, but none from Osama bin Laden. Russian officials say they don't believe that and are convinced Basayev is linked to international terror.

Only six weeks until the presidential election, and two national polls make widely different predictions. A new Gallop poll shows President Bush leading Senator John Kerry by 13 percentage points among likely voters. But a poll released by the Pew Research Center shows the candidates in a dead heat, tied at 46 percent among registered voters. The polls were taken a week after the Republican Convention.

A grand jury has decided authorities covered up. They knew one of the Columbine killers had previously made death threats. The jury says it is troubled by the action, but did not indict anyone. And this is the third case that has ended without blame for the deaths of 13 people killed by Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold at Columbine High School.

And maybe they needed a yield sign. Well, an American Airlines flight from Chicago to Philadelphia made an emergency landing yesterday after colliding with a flock of geese. Call it a bird strike. Airline officials say the pilots saw the geese shortly after takeoff but could not avoid them. Pilots think a goose hit the left engine, which burned out and forced pilots to shut it down. The plane landed safely at O'Hare airport. No passengers were hurt.

Do you believe that? That's one of the biggest things threatening airlines out there.

And, Bill, I want to give it back to you now in Gulf Shores.

HEMMER: All right, Heidi.

I mentioned a few moments ago, no one is allowed in. That is the case. However, you might have seen some SUVs go along this road behind me, Highway 59. That was the mayor and the police chief, the first people we've seen go across there.

By the way, yesterday at this time and late into the afternoon and the early evening hours, the water brought on by Ivan was literally where we are standing. It has since receded, now just a small river going across Highway 59 and still a nuisance for the people here, and for one person. That's Owen Gray, my guest here live in Gulf Shores.

You're a business owner over here. Your restaurant is called Big O's. You have a home property back here that you have not got to yet. First, your business, how did you fare?

OWEN GRAY, OWNER, BIG O'S SEAFOOD GRILL: I fared well. I was up on higher ground, so the water reached up to the corner of my property, but I just had minor damage. So, I'm able now to get back open and try to feed the power people and police rescue workers and everyone trying to get us back online.

HEMMER: So, as far as your business is concerned, you got lucky.

GRAY: Yes, sir. Very lucky.

HEMMER: What about your home? What have you heard? Anything?

GRAY: I've heard that water has got up 10 to 12 feet high. I'm on the lagoon side, which is across from the Gulf. And the two waters met. I heard about several businesses that totally got submerged under water across the street from the Gulf. Several houses got washed out to the Gulf. And I'm sure West Beach is a disaster area just like the rest of Orange Beach and the panhandle of Florida.

HEMMER: You have been waiting more than 24 hours to see what's left of your home. What has that experience for you been like?

GRAY: Well, we've tried to keep the emotions in check for my house when you compare my business and my home. When we left the island, we succumbed to the fact that the house may be gone, but I wanted to save my business. That's my livelihood. It's a very local community, you know, a close-knit community. And I figured if I get my business back online, I'd be able to help in the recovery.

So, the house is a different emotional time that I'll just have to deal with when I can get in. And it's been tough waiting, but I know everyone down here is working hard to get us back on there as soon as they can.

HEMMER: Thank you. And good luck to you.

GRAY: Thanks.

HEMMER: Owen Gray, a resident from Gulf Shores, Alabama.

All total right now, we're trying to get a better idea about the damage estimates. Some are conservative and say 2 billion. Others say up to $10 billion in damage. Whatever the final figure can be, though, if you look at insured losses from the last three storms now, Ivan and Frances and Charley, in this area alone you're looking at $25 billion over the past month or six weeks' time. And that has just left a lot of people quite weary here in the southeastern part of the U.S.

Back with more in Gulf Shores in a moment. Here is Heidi again now in New York.

COLLINS: Yes, just a whopping figure there. All right, Bill, thanks a lot.

(WEATHER BREAK)

COLLINS: And still to come on AMERICAN MORNING now, the kitchen is at the heart of the American home. And Andy Serwer shows us why technology is making the refrigerator the nerve center. I like the sound of that.

And, what will Eminem be wearing in his next video? Apparently not much. "90-Second Pop" has the scoop ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Andy Serwer is here now with today's report in his week-long series, "The Future is Now." And this time it's about the cutting-edge technologies that could soon be a common part of our everyday lives. This morning: smart refrigerate.

It kind of makes me think of the Jetsons. You know, they had all of the robots in the kitchen.

ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: I love that. Yes, I love that. And, you know, where have we been without these? This refrigerator can't shine your shoes or wash your car or vacuum your rug, but it can pretty much do everything else.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SERWER (voice over): That was then; this is now and then some.

(on camera): Hey, kids. Dad's really hungry tonight, OK? And I'm not coming home until later. I want you to take the chicken out of the refrigerator, then stick it in the oven at 350 for about an hour.

(voice over): If the kitchen is the heart of the home, the refrigerator might just become the brains.

VIK MURTY, SAMSUNG: You can get your e-mail here.

SERWER (on camera): Right.

MURTY: You can shop online right here. You can do anything you would normally do with a PC and the World Wide Web.

SERWER (voice over): Vik Murty works for Samsung, and its new refrigerator is part ice box, part TV and part PC. The home pad controls everything from temperature and the type of ice you want to an internal timer. The Wi-Fi panel also pops out so you can watch TV or surf the Web anywhere around the house.

MURTY: You can actually write on it like you would a PDA. It actually has a little keyboard that pops up.

SERWER: But all of these bells and whistles carry a hefty price tag: $5,000 in select markets. A similar fridge from LG goes for about $8,000, but you will save on one thing: no need for refrigerator magnets.

(on camera): Look at that. You even got the crew.

(voice over): You can take digital pictures, keep a schedule or leave very important messages.

(on camera): Hey, Hemmer, we're out of Mountain Dew. Pick up a couple six-packs. (END VIDEOTAPE)

SERWER: The next step and even smarter fridge, some models in Korea can already identify what items you have in the fridge, tell you what recipes they'll fit, and they'll even contact the supermarket when you're running low and set up delivery.

COLLINS: So meanwhile, you can just lay on the couch and eat your bonbons, right?

SERWER: Yes, I mean, I'm not sure that the world is quite ready for this.

COLLINS: Yes.

SERWER: But it's having a lot of fun.

JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Yes.

COLLINS: I like it.

SERWER: Right?

COLLINS: All right, so you could also probably sit around and just watch football a lot, as a matter of fact.

SERWER: Yes, you could watch football on your refrigerator. You could do that.

COLLINS: Yes, this is true. So, want about your picks? Let's talk about it.

SERWER: Do you want to talk about some picks?

COLLINS: Yes.

SERWER: OK. We're getting ready for week two in the NFL. And here are my picks. They're here somewhere. OK. First off, Redskins versus Giants. Well, this is easy. Redskins are No. 1, as I say every year, all year, Joe Gibbs and Clinton Portis, too much for Coach Coughlin and company. Maybe the coach will fine them if they lose. He's good at fining people.

How about the Colts and Titans? What about that game? I'm picking the Colts. Payton and Edger (ph), and they're looking for a win this week. And they beat Tennessee both times last year or two times last year. I think they're going to win.

And then, Heidi, I'm sorry to say I'm going to do the Monday night game, the Vikings versus the Eagles.

COLLINS: Yes, this is so wrong.

SERWER: You know what? Terrell Owens and Rush Limbaugh's favorite quarterback, Donovan McNabb, too much for the Vikings, just too much, and I'm sorry about that. COLLINS: You know, I remember when I did my picks last week being able to explain why I chose.

SERWER: Well, you can explain.

COLLINS: No, that's all right.

SERWER: You like the Vikings because you're from there.

COLLINS: Yes, that's right.

SERWER: That's why, OK.

COLLINS: That's all we need.

SERWER: That's why I like Redskins, because I'm from there.

COLLINS: All right, very good. We'll see what happens.

CAFFERTY: Are you betting money on these, or are you just...

SERWER: We might.

CAFFERTY: Yes?

SERWER: Are you in contact with the IRS?

CAFFERTY: No, no.

COLLINS: I'll not be betting.

CAFFERTY: They've been in contact with me a time or two. I try never to call them.

SERWER: Last week, by the way, Bill Hemmer 6 and 9, Heidi Collins and Andy Serwer, 9 and 6.

CAFFERTY: Are we going to...

COLLINS: Oh, yes!

SERWER: The guy in the "New York Post," the handicapper, by the way, 4 and 11, Heidi. So, we're much better.

CAFFERTY: Are we doing this for the whole season?

SERWER: And another thing -- sorry. Go ahead, Jack.

CAFFERTY: Oh, man!

COLLINS: It's your turn.

CAFFERTY: Maybe you could do all of the baseball games next spring, 163 of them or something, huh?

SERWER: What I did... CAFFERTY: First, the Miller Brewing Company announced -- I'm just kidding, I love Andy and his football picks -- announced a series of beer cans commemorating the 50th anniversary of rock 'n' roll that included no black artists. They eventually admitted they screwed up.

Now, "Rolling Stone" magazine, who ought to know better, in this week's issue, says rock 'n' roll started with Elvis Presley's earliest recordings. And there are some black artists who say, huh-uh, ain't so.

The question is: Who ought to get credit for the birth of rock 'n' roll?

Judy in Jewett, Illinois writes: "I could write volumes about the big bopper, Jerry Lee Lewis and Buddy Holly. The truth is it only takes one word: Elvis."

Mel in Cornwall-on-the-Hudson: "It was Allan Freed (ph), a Cleveland disc jockey in 1951," especially when introducing Trixie Smith's (ph) "My Baby Rocks Me With a Steady Roll," which was, in fact, one of the very early rock records.

James in Claremont, Illinois: "Rock 'n' roll music came from black music in the South and was picked up by white groups like Bill Haley and the Comets and others."

Patrick in San Antonio: "This is the worst 'Question of the Day' I have ever seen."

And Dave in Japan: "Oprah Winfrey should get the credit. I know it doesn't make any sense, but if she sees this, maybe she'll give me a car."

SERWER: Yes, very good.

COLLINS: Oh, yes, very good point.

SERWER: Her and Trixie Smith (ph), huh?

CAFFERTY: Yes.

SERWER: How is Trixie (ph) doing?

CAFFERTY: "My Baby Rocks Me With a Steady Roll."

COLLINS: You've got to...

CAFFERTY: That's before your time, Andy.

SERWER: Thank you.

CAFFERTY: I remember that, but that was before your time.

SERWER: I'll take that.

CAFFERTY: Yes. COLLINS: All right, we are going to move on now. We've got coming up here in a little while the Emmy gold. Who is going to take it this weekend? Our "90-Second Pop" panel dukes it out coming up in just a minute on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: So, why can't we play music like that every morning, huh? All right, "90-Second Pop" for a Friday now with three members of the U.S. women's pop team. Sarah Bernard, contributing editor for "New York" magazine. Crystal McCrary Anthony, author of "Gotham Diaries." And Jessica Shaw from "Entertainment Weekly."

Good morning, ladies. Thanks for being here.

SARAH BERNARD, "NEW YORK" MAGAZINE: I think you should call us the pop angels.

COLLINS: Oh, I like it. And then we could make a movie about you, too.

BERNARD: Yes!

COLLINS: OK, let's talk about the primetime Emmy awards. Now, this will be the 56th annual, right?

BERNARD: Right.

COLLINS: But how predictable is this thing? In fact, let's take a look, if we could, quickly, the big categories: best comedy and best drama. For comedy, here we have "Arrested Development," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," my favorite, "Everybody Loves Raymond", "Sex and the City," and "Will & Grace."

Then the nominees for best drama, "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," "Joan of Arcadia," "The Sopranos," "24," and "The West Wing."

CRYSTAL MCCRARY ANTHONY, AUTHOR, "GOTHAM DIARIES": Boy, we've seen these before.

BERNARD: That's right.

COLLINS: So who is going to win?

BERNARD: Well, I think for comedy, obviously all of the TV writers and TV critics would want "Arrested Development." But obviously that's not going to happen. I think it's actually going to go to "Sex and the City." It's going to be one of those things where it's the last season.

COLLINS: Right.

BERNARD: They actually did win...

COLLINS: That's not really fair, is it? BERNARD: Well, that's what happens with these award shows. You know, you've got the sentimental vote. And I think -- they did win an Emmy in 2001. And when they did, that was actually the first time that a series on HBO was the best in any category. So, since then it's happened with "The Sopranos" and the other shows many times.

ANTHONY: But they'll look really good.

JESSICA SHAW, "ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY": I think they're going to -- they're wearing really good dresses.

BERNARD: Right. And they know that everyone is going to look nice.

SHAW: They always like getting up on the podium and looking great.

COLLINS: Yes, that's very important.

BERNARD: Now, for best drama, I think, again, it's going to go to "The Sopranos."

COLLINS: Of course.

BERNARD: I mean, this year's plot line with Steve Buscemi, with Drea de Matteo -- I mean, the season was on fire. And I think it's really going to get the nod for that. There will probably be one more year, but I think they'll have a lock on it until the show ends.

ANTHONY: And Edie Falco leaving Tony Soprano. I mean, my goodness, should she get a vote for that? Wow! I mean, did she rock that role or what?

COLLINS: Yes.

BERNARD: I think one of the other controversial categories is the women in a comedy. Who is going to win for best actress in a comedy? Because actually, it's probably going to be Sara Jessica Parker again, I think. But...

SHAW: Really? I think Jennifer Aniston.

BERNARD: You do?

SHAW: I do. I think it will go to her.

BERNARD: All right, well, we'll see what happens.

(CROSSTALK)

COLLINS: Both shows that exist now...

BERNARD: And I wouldn't consider that, because Sara Jessica Parker has actually never won an Emmy. She's won Golden Globes. She's won some SAG awards. But everyone sort of thinks she has one.

COLLINS: Right.

BERNARD: And this is, I think, going to make up for it.

COLLINS: All right. Well, let's talk movies now. Jessica, this one is for you. Gwyneth Paltrow...

SHAW: Yes.

COLLINS: ... Jude Law, Angelina Jolie, "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow."

SHAW: Yes.

COLLINS: It sounds like a great title. But what do you think?

SHAW: Well, there is a lot of criticism already. I saw this movie. I have to say I loved it.

COLLINS: Really?

SHAW: I think it's so visually beautiful. I mean, everyone would have to agree with that. The director -- it took the director 10 years to work at this look, which is this kind of '30s film noir/comic book look.

COLLINS: Out of focus.

SHAW: And out of focus, which took, you know, most of the 10 years.

BERNARD: It makes the actors look better when everything looks like that.

COLLINS: Go ahead.

SHAW: All right. They have great chemistry, Jude and Gwyneth. And it's just really fun.

ANTHONY: And Angelina Jolie, I mean, as an all-woman's, you know flight wear. How awesome is that?

SHAW: Right, with an eye patch. It's totally hot.

ANTHONY: Yes.

COLLINS: And tough.

BERNARD: I think it's really the technology is amazing. And as you alluded to, they actually filmed the entire thing against a blue screen. So, it was just the actors with absolutely nothing.

(CROSSTALK)

BERNARD: You know, they would sit on a blue box and be, like, this is the airplane and this is the car.

COLLINS: Yes, it's not easy to act around.

BERNARD: It's kind of a new way of movie making that costs a lot less. It's going to put all sorts of set designers and everybody out of work.

COLLINS: OK. Now on the flip side, the romantic comedy, "Wimbledon."

BERNARD: Yes.

COLLINS: Kirsten Dunst and Paul Bettany...

SHAW: Yea, romantic comedy!

COLLINS: OK.

ANTHONY: Is it a date movie?

COLLINS: Yes, I was going to say, or a chick flick?

SHAW: Well, you know, this movie actually initially was supposed to star Hugh Grant and Cameron Diaz. So, I am very happy with this cast. I think it's a far better choice.

COLLINS: This is sort of like back in that bring it on or cheerleading role or whatever.

BERNARD: Yes.

SHAW: No, her agent doesn't want you to say that!

COLLINS: Sorry.

SHAW: No, she's a grown-up love interest. You know, it's romantic comedy. You know exactly how this is going to end. You know, the coaches and her father, they don't want them to be together, and yet they find each other and they find love. And I'm going to predict that there is a big win somewhere at the end!

COLLINS: Like maybe she wins Wimbledon.

SHAW: Right. I mean, if you like romantic comedies, you're going to like it.

COLLINS: OK. Crystal, this one is for you now. Eminem, he's doing this new video, not wearing any clothes. Wait. There are socks and there are shoes, right?

ANTHONY: Well, he's got socks on.

COLLINS: This is not it.

BERNARD: He has a lot of clothes on in that.

ANTHONY: We don't know if this will make the cut without his clothes on in that shoot. COLLINS: Yes.

ANTHONY: I mean, but, listen, you know, he's a Detroit guy, like myself. I'm a Detroiter. You know...

SHAW: A Detroit guy?

ANTHONY: A Detroit guy, yes. I'm a Detroit gal, he's a Detroit guy. Eminem lives to push boundaries. I mean, what's his message here? What's he trying to do? I mean, is it political?

COLLINS: I don't think he has one, I'm guessing.

ANTHONY: I don't know. It's not political, but perhaps it's satirical. He likes to be funny.

COLLINS: Oh, OK.

BERNARD: I think he is just doing a throwback to the Red Hot Chili Peppers' album. Remember that?

(CROSSTALK)

SHAW: Yes.

BERNARD: Yes.

COLLINS: Yes. OK, well...

(CROSSTALK)

SHAW: Maybe he'll perform at the Emmys next year.

BERNARD: Yes.

COLLINS: Oh, good.

ANTHONY: It wouldn't be predictable then, would it?

COLLINS: OK, maybe not. Thanks, you guys, so very much. Sarah, Crystal and Jessica this morning, appreciate it.

We want to give it back now to Bill in Gulf Shores, Alabama -- Bill.

HEMMER: All right, Heidi. The president will be here this weekend not only in Alabama but also east of here in Florida. In a moment here, much more on what's happening in the aftermath of Ivan on this 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 September 17, 2004 - 07:33   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, everyone. It's 7:30 back in New York. It is 6:30 local time here in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Again, we're getting a better indication now of what Ivan has left in its wake with the sun now breaking here on this Friday morning.
I'm Bill Hemmer. Welcome back to our live coverage here in Alabama. This is where Ivan started its deadly trek across the U.S. right about this time yesterday. There is a lot of damage here, even more question marks, though, as to how much devastation is in the area behind me. We'll talk about that in a moment.

But first, the Florida panhandle to the east also. What the wind did not knock over, the floors will soak to the core. That flooding is expected to reach in the many more states before this is all over. Ivan still a tropical depression moving through areas like Ohio and Pennsylvania and still a major rainmaker. If you look at places like Atlanta, Georgia, late yesterday with these giant trees in Atlanta literally splitting homes in half. It's become a regional story at this point, not just here in Alabama and also in Florida.

A couple question marks, Heidi, that we do not have answers for. What happened to the area known as Pleasure Island, the area behind me? No one has been allowed in yet. Perhaps later today we'll get a better indication. There is one man who wants to know. His name is Owen Gray. He owns a business over here. He owns a home back behind me. He's not allowed back in, but we'll talk to him in a moment based on what he is hearing here in the southern part of Alabama. We'll have that for you in a moment.

Heidi --back to you now and good morning again in New York.

HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Boy, that anxiety of just not knowing has got to be really tough.

HEMMER: Sure.

COLLINS: Bill, all right, thanks for that.

Also ahead, Senator Kerry is sharpening his attack on the president over the war in Iraq. We'll get a report on what he is saying and the president's response to it.

But first, we want to go ahead and check the stories now in the news this morning.

A claim of responsibility for the Russian school massacre. Samil Basayev says his group is behind that attack and several others in Russia. In a new Web site posting, Basayev also admits his group received some financial support from abroad, but none from Osama bin Laden. Russian officials say they don't believe that and are convinced Basayev is linked to international terror.

Only six weeks until the presidential election, and two national polls make widely different predictions. A new Gallop poll shows President Bush leading Senator John Kerry by 13 percentage points among likely voters. But a poll released by the Pew Research Center shows the candidates in a dead heat, tied at 46 percent among registered voters. The polls were taken a week after the Republican Convention.

A grand jury has decided authorities covered up. They knew one of the Columbine killers had previously made death threats. The jury says it is troubled by the action, but did not indict anyone. And this is the third case that has ended without blame for the deaths of 13 people killed by Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold at Columbine High School.

And maybe they needed a yield sign. Well, an American Airlines flight from Chicago to Philadelphia made an emergency landing yesterday after colliding with a flock of geese. Call it a bird strike. Airline officials say the pilots saw the geese shortly after takeoff but could not avoid them. Pilots think a goose hit the left engine, which burned out and forced pilots to shut it down. The plane landed safely at O'Hare airport. No passengers were hurt.

Do you believe that? That's one of the biggest things threatening airlines out there.

And, Bill, I want to give it back to you now in Gulf Shores.

HEMMER: All right, Heidi.

I mentioned a few moments ago, no one is allowed in. That is the case. However, you might have seen some SUVs go along this road behind me, Highway 59. That was the mayor and the police chief, the first people we've seen go across there.

By the way, yesterday at this time and late into the afternoon and the early evening hours, the water brought on by Ivan was literally where we are standing. It has since receded, now just a small river going across Highway 59 and still a nuisance for the people here, and for one person. That's Owen Gray, my guest here live in Gulf Shores.

You're a business owner over here. Your restaurant is called Big O's. You have a home property back here that you have not got to yet. First, your business, how did you fare?

OWEN GRAY, OWNER, BIG O'S SEAFOOD GRILL: I fared well. I was up on higher ground, so the water reached up to the corner of my property, but I just had minor damage. So, I'm able now to get back open and try to feed the power people and police rescue workers and everyone trying to get us back online.

HEMMER: So, as far as your business is concerned, you got lucky.

GRAY: Yes, sir. Very lucky.

HEMMER: What about your home? What have you heard? Anything?

GRAY: I've heard that water has got up 10 to 12 feet high. I'm on the lagoon side, which is across from the Gulf. And the two waters met. I heard about several businesses that totally got submerged under water across the street from the Gulf. Several houses got washed out to the Gulf. And I'm sure West Beach is a disaster area just like the rest of Orange Beach and the panhandle of Florida.

HEMMER: You have been waiting more than 24 hours to see what's left of your home. What has that experience for you been like?

GRAY: Well, we've tried to keep the emotions in check for my house when you compare my business and my home. When we left the island, we succumbed to the fact that the house may be gone, but I wanted to save my business. That's my livelihood. It's a very local community, you know, a close-knit community. And I figured if I get my business back online, I'd be able to help in the recovery.

So, the house is a different emotional time that I'll just have to deal with when I can get in. And it's been tough waiting, but I know everyone down here is working hard to get us back on there as soon as they can.

HEMMER: Thank you. And good luck to you.

GRAY: Thanks.

HEMMER: Owen Gray, a resident from Gulf Shores, Alabama.

All total right now, we're trying to get a better idea about the damage estimates. Some are conservative and say 2 billion. Others say up to $10 billion in damage. Whatever the final figure can be, though, if you look at insured losses from the last three storms now, Ivan and Frances and Charley, in this area alone you're looking at $25 billion over the past month or six weeks' time. And that has just left a lot of people quite weary here in the southeastern part of the U.S.

Back with more in Gulf Shores in a moment. Here is Heidi again now in New York.

COLLINS: Yes, just a whopping figure there. All right, Bill, thanks a lot.

(WEATHER BREAK)

COLLINS: And still to come on AMERICAN MORNING now, the kitchen is at the heart of the American home. And Andy Serwer shows us why technology is making the refrigerator the nerve center. I like the sound of that.

And, what will Eminem be wearing in his next video? Apparently not much. "90-Second Pop" has the scoop ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Andy Serwer is here now with today's report in his week-long series, "The Future is Now." And this time it's about the cutting-edge technologies that could soon be a common part of our everyday lives. This morning: smart refrigerate.

It kind of makes me think of the Jetsons. You know, they had all of the robots in the kitchen.

ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: I love that. Yes, I love that. And, you know, where have we been without these? This refrigerator can't shine your shoes or wash your car or vacuum your rug, but it can pretty much do everything else.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SERWER (voice over): That was then; this is now and then some.

(on camera): Hey, kids. Dad's really hungry tonight, OK? And I'm not coming home until later. I want you to take the chicken out of the refrigerator, then stick it in the oven at 350 for about an hour.

(voice over): If the kitchen is the heart of the home, the refrigerator might just become the brains.

VIK MURTY, SAMSUNG: You can get your e-mail here.

SERWER (on camera): Right.

MURTY: You can shop online right here. You can do anything you would normally do with a PC and the World Wide Web.

SERWER (voice over): Vik Murty works for Samsung, and its new refrigerator is part ice box, part TV and part PC. The home pad controls everything from temperature and the type of ice you want to an internal timer. The Wi-Fi panel also pops out so you can watch TV or surf the Web anywhere around the house.

MURTY: You can actually write on it like you would a PDA. It actually has a little keyboard that pops up.

SERWER: But all of these bells and whistles carry a hefty price tag: $5,000 in select markets. A similar fridge from LG goes for about $8,000, but you will save on one thing: no need for refrigerator magnets.

(on camera): Look at that. You even got the crew.

(voice over): You can take digital pictures, keep a schedule or leave very important messages.

(on camera): Hey, Hemmer, we're out of Mountain Dew. Pick up a couple six-packs. (END VIDEOTAPE)

SERWER: The next step and even smarter fridge, some models in Korea can already identify what items you have in the fridge, tell you what recipes they'll fit, and they'll even contact the supermarket when you're running low and set up delivery.

COLLINS: So meanwhile, you can just lay on the couch and eat your bonbons, right?

SERWER: Yes, I mean, I'm not sure that the world is quite ready for this.

COLLINS: Yes.

SERWER: But it's having a lot of fun.

JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Yes.

COLLINS: I like it.

SERWER: Right?

COLLINS: All right, so you could also probably sit around and just watch football a lot, as a matter of fact.

SERWER: Yes, you could watch football on your refrigerator. You could do that.

COLLINS: Yes, this is true. So, want about your picks? Let's talk about it.

SERWER: Do you want to talk about some picks?

COLLINS: Yes.

SERWER: OK. We're getting ready for week two in the NFL. And here are my picks. They're here somewhere. OK. First off, Redskins versus Giants. Well, this is easy. Redskins are No. 1, as I say every year, all year, Joe Gibbs and Clinton Portis, too much for Coach Coughlin and company. Maybe the coach will fine them if they lose. He's good at fining people.

How about the Colts and Titans? What about that game? I'm picking the Colts. Payton and Edger (ph), and they're looking for a win this week. And they beat Tennessee both times last year or two times last year. I think they're going to win.

And then, Heidi, I'm sorry to say I'm going to do the Monday night game, the Vikings versus the Eagles.

COLLINS: Yes, this is so wrong.

SERWER: You know what? Terrell Owens and Rush Limbaugh's favorite quarterback, Donovan McNabb, too much for the Vikings, just too much, and I'm sorry about that. COLLINS: You know, I remember when I did my picks last week being able to explain why I chose.

SERWER: Well, you can explain.

COLLINS: No, that's all right.

SERWER: You like the Vikings because you're from there.

COLLINS: Yes, that's right.

SERWER: That's why, OK.

COLLINS: That's all we need.

SERWER: That's why I like Redskins, because I'm from there.

COLLINS: All right, very good. We'll see what happens.

CAFFERTY: Are you betting money on these, or are you just...

SERWER: We might.

CAFFERTY: Yes?

SERWER: Are you in contact with the IRS?

CAFFERTY: No, no.

COLLINS: I'll not be betting.

CAFFERTY: They've been in contact with me a time or two. I try never to call them.

SERWER: Last week, by the way, Bill Hemmer 6 and 9, Heidi Collins and Andy Serwer, 9 and 6.

CAFFERTY: Are we going to...

COLLINS: Oh, yes!

SERWER: The guy in the "New York Post," the handicapper, by the way, 4 and 11, Heidi. So, we're much better.

CAFFERTY: Are we doing this for the whole season?

SERWER: And another thing -- sorry. Go ahead, Jack.

CAFFERTY: Oh, man!

COLLINS: It's your turn.

CAFFERTY: Maybe you could do all of the baseball games next spring, 163 of them or something, huh?

SERWER: What I did... CAFFERTY: First, the Miller Brewing Company announced -- I'm just kidding, I love Andy and his football picks -- announced a series of beer cans commemorating the 50th anniversary of rock 'n' roll that included no black artists. They eventually admitted they screwed up.

Now, "Rolling Stone" magazine, who ought to know better, in this week's issue, says rock 'n' roll started with Elvis Presley's earliest recordings. And there are some black artists who say, huh-uh, ain't so.

The question is: Who ought to get credit for the birth of rock 'n' roll?

Judy in Jewett, Illinois writes: "I could write volumes about the big bopper, Jerry Lee Lewis and Buddy Holly. The truth is it only takes one word: Elvis."

Mel in Cornwall-on-the-Hudson: "It was Allan Freed (ph), a Cleveland disc jockey in 1951," especially when introducing Trixie Smith's (ph) "My Baby Rocks Me With a Steady Roll," which was, in fact, one of the very early rock records.

James in Claremont, Illinois: "Rock 'n' roll music came from black music in the South and was picked up by white groups like Bill Haley and the Comets and others."

Patrick in San Antonio: "This is the worst 'Question of the Day' I have ever seen."

And Dave in Japan: "Oprah Winfrey should get the credit. I know it doesn't make any sense, but if she sees this, maybe she'll give me a car."

SERWER: Yes, very good.

COLLINS: Oh, yes, very good point.

SERWER: Her and Trixie Smith (ph), huh?

CAFFERTY: Yes.

SERWER: How is Trixie (ph) doing?

CAFFERTY: "My Baby Rocks Me With a Steady Roll."

COLLINS: You've got to...

CAFFERTY: That's before your time, Andy.

SERWER: Thank you.

CAFFERTY: I remember that, but that was before your time.

SERWER: I'll take that.

CAFFERTY: Yes. COLLINS: All right, we are going to move on now. We've got coming up here in a little while the Emmy gold. Who is going to take it this weekend? Our "90-Second Pop" panel dukes it out coming up in just a minute on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: So, why can't we play music like that every morning, huh? All right, "90-Second Pop" for a Friday now with three members of the U.S. women's pop team. Sarah Bernard, contributing editor for "New York" magazine. Crystal McCrary Anthony, author of "Gotham Diaries." And Jessica Shaw from "Entertainment Weekly."

Good morning, ladies. Thanks for being here.

SARAH BERNARD, "NEW YORK" MAGAZINE: I think you should call us the pop angels.

COLLINS: Oh, I like it. And then we could make a movie about you, too.

BERNARD: Yes!

COLLINS: OK, let's talk about the primetime Emmy awards. Now, this will be the 56th annual, right?

BERNARD: Right.

COLLINS: But how predictable is this thing? In fact, let's take a look, if we could, quickly, the big categories: best comedy and best drama. For comedy, here we have "Arrested Development," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," my favorite, "Everybody Loves Raymond", "Sex and the City," and "Will & Grace."

Then the nominees for best drama, "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," "Joan of Arcadia," "The Sopranos," "24," and "The West Wing."

CRYSTAL MCCRARY ANTHONY, AUTHOR, "GOTHAM DIARIES": Boy, we've seen these before.

BERNARD: That's right.

COLLINS: So who is going to win?

BERNARD: Well, I think for comedy, obviously all of the TV writers and TV critics would want "Arrested Development." But obviously that's not going to happen. I think it's actually going to go to "Sex and the City." It's going to be one of those things where it's the last season.

COLLINS: Right.

BERNARD: They actually did win...

COLLINS: That's not really fair, is it? BERNARD: Well, that's what happens with these award shows. You know, you've got the sentimental vote. And I think -- they did win an Emmy in 2001. And when they did, that was actually the first time that a series on HBO was the best in any category. So, since then it's happened with "The Sopranos" and the other shows many times.

ANTHONY: But they'll look really good.

JESSICA SHAW, "ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY": I think they're going to -- they're wearing really good dresses.

BERNARD: Right. And they know that everyone is going to look nice.

SHAW: They always like getting up on the podium and looking great.

COLLINS: Yes, that's very important.

BERNARD: Now, for best drama, I think, again, it's going to go to "The Sopranos."

COLLINS: Of course.

BERNARD: I mean, this year's plot line with Steve Buscemi, with Drea de Matteo -- I mean, the season was on fire. And I think it's really going to get the nod for that. There will probably be one more year, but I think they'll have a lock on it until the show ends.

ANTHONY: And Edie Falco leaving Tony Soprano. I mean, my goodness, should she get a vote for that? Wow! I mean, did she rock that role or what?

COLLINS: Yes.

BERNARD: I think one of the other controversial categories is the women in a comedy. Who is going to win for best actress in a comedy? Because actually, it's probably going to be Sara Jessica Parker again, I think. But...

SHAW: Really? I think Jennifer Aniston.

BERNARD: You do?

SHAW: I do. I think it will go to her.

BERNARD: All right, well, we'll see what happens.

(CROSSTALK)

COLLINS: Both shows that exist now...

BERNARD: And I wouldn't consider that, because Sara Jessica Parker has actually never won an Emmy. She's won Golden Globes. She's won some SAG awards. But everyone sort of thinks she has one.

COLLINS: Right.

BERNARD: And this is, I think, going to make up for it.

COLLINS: All right. Well, let's talk movies now. Jessica, this one is for you. Gwyneth Paltrow...

SHAW: Yes.

COLLINS: ... Jude Law, Angelina Jolie, "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow."

SHAW: Yes.

COLLINS: It sounds like a great title. But what do you think?

SHAW: Well, there is a lot of criticism already. I saw this movie. I have to say I loved it.

COLLINS: Really?

SHAW: I think it's so visually beautiful. I mean, everyone would have to agree with that. The director -- it took the director 10 years to work at this look, which is this kind of '30s film noir/comic book look.

COLLINS: Out of focus.

SHAW: And out of focus, which took, you know, most of the 10 years.

BERNARD: It makes the actors look better when everything looks like that.

COLLINS: Go ahead.

SHAW: All right. They have great chemistry, Jude and Gwyneth. And it's just really fun.

ANTHONY: And Angelina Jolie, I mean, as an all-woman's, you know flight wear. How awesome is that?

SHAW: Right, with an eye patch. It's totally hot.

ANTHONY: Yes.

COLLINS: And tough.

BERNARD: I think it's really the technology is amazing. And as you alluded to, they actually filmed the entire thing against a blue screen. So, it was just the actors with absolutely nothing.

(CROSSTALK)

BERNARD: You know, they would sit on a blue box and be, like, this is the airplane and this is the car.

COLLINS: Yes, it's not easy to act around.

BERNARD: It's kind of a new way of movie making that costs a lot less. It's going to put all sorts of set designers and everybody out of work.

COLLINS: OK. Now on the flip side, the romantic comedy, "Wimbledon."

BERNARD: Yes.

COLLINS: Kirsten Dunst and Paul Bettany...

SHAW: Yea, romantic comedy!

COLLINS: OK.

ANTHONY: Is it a date movie?

COLLINS: Yes, I was going to say, or a chick flick?

SHAW: Well, you know, this movie actually initially was supposed to star Hugh Grant and Cameron Diaz. So, I am very happy with this cast. I think it's a far better choice.

COLLINS: This is sort of like back in that bring it on or cheerleading role or whatever.

BERNARD: Yes.

SHAW: No, her agent doesn't want you to say that!

COLLINS: Sorry.

SHAW: No, she's a grown-up love interest. You know, it's romantic comedy. You know exactly how this is going to end. You know, the coaches and her father, they don't want them to be together, and yet they find each other and they find love. And I'm going to predict that there is a big win somewhere at the end!

COLLINS: Like maybe she wins Wimbledon.

SHAW: Right. I mean, if you like romantic comedies, you're going to like it.

COLLINS: OK. Crystal, this one is for you now. Eminem, he's doing this new video, not wearing any clothes. Wait. There are socks and there are shoes, right?

ANTHONY: Well, he's got socks on.

COLLINS: This is not it.

BERNARD: He has a lot of clothes on in that.

ANTHONY: We don't know if this will make the cut without his clothes on in that shoot. COLLINS: Yes.

ANTHONY: I mean, but, listen, you know, he's a Detroit guy, like myself. I'm a Detroiter. You know...

SHAW: A Detroit guy?

ANTHONY: A Detroit guy, yes. I'm a Detroit gal, he's a Detroit guy. Eminem lives to push boundaries. I mean, what's his message here? What's he trying to do? I mean, is it political?

COLLINS: I don't think he has one, I'm guessing.

ANTHONY: I don't know. It's not political, but perhaps it's satirical. He likes to be funny.

COLLINS: Oh, OK.

BERNARD: I think he is just doing a throwback to the Red Hot Chili Peppers' album. Remember that?

(CROSSTALK)

SHAW: Yes.

BERNARD: Yes.

COLLINS: Yes. OK, well...

(CROSSTALK)

SHAW: Maybe he'll perform at the Emmys next year.

BERNARD: Yes.

COLLINS: Oh, good.

ANTHONY: It wouldn't be predictable then, would it?

COLLINS: OK, maybe not. Thanks, you guys, so very much. Sarah, Crystal and Jessica this morning, appreciate it.

We want to give it back now to Bill in Gulf Shores, Alabama -- Bill.

HEMMER: All right, Heidi. The president will be here this weekend not only in Alabama but also east of here in Florida. In a moment here, much more on what's happening in the aftermath of Ivan on this 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.