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Tar Balls Arrive at Panama Beach; Van Der Sloot's New Home; Manute Bol Dies

Aired June 19, 2010 - 22:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: Tonight, Joran Van Der Sloot, inside his new home. CNN has pictures and details from Peru you won't see anywhere else.

The Ray Charles you didn't know until now. The legend's son opens up to me about growing up in the shadow of an icon.

Plus the children who stole America's heart during the inauguration. They reach a milestone earning them a surprise visit from Oprah Winfrey.

We start on day 61 of the BP oil disaster with the head of the company back out on the water but nowhere near the Gulf of Mexico. Today, Tony Hayward hobnobbed with the super wealthy at the premier yachting event in England. It's hard to see, but there he is in the middle. His $250,000 yacht raised in an annual regatta around the Isle of Wight. People down south trapped by the oil and unable to work are furious. BP only offered a brief statement in Hayward's defense saying the company chief is spending time with his family this weekend off the Isle of Wight in England. Hayward attended a yachting event today.

Those words and the sight of Hayward out gallivanting didn't sit well with the White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel who on ABC's "This Week," immediately recalled another Hayward gaffe, wanting his life back.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RAHM EMANUEL, WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF: To quote Tony Hayward, he has got his life back, as he would say. I think we can all conclude that Tony Hayward is not going to have a second career in PR consulting. This has just been a pair of a long line of PR gaffes and mistakes. But beyond that photo, it is really substance here that matters. That's clearly a PR mistake, but he has made a number of those mistakes. What's important is, are we capping the well? Are we capturing the oil?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Chris Lawrence down in New Orleans.

Chris, Rahm Emanuel summing up how people down there in the Gulf feel? CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes and no. You know, I talked to some people who said he did what? They just literally couldn't believe it. You know, somebody else told me, you know, the boats down here are slopping up spilled oil while that 50-foot yacht is cruising around southern England. They just could not believe that. On the other hand, he was out yachting with his family but President Obama played golf today. And some people said, well, look, nobody can work 24 hours a day. Everybody does need time at home with their families at some point. So a little bit of a mixed reaction but it's more outrage than understanding.

LEMON: Yes. And in the meantime -- well, Chris, you know, even the reporters are down there working almost 24 hours a day. You are, Anderson is, not spending much time with their family. I haven't spent much time with my family and neither of us is responsible for what happened down in the gulf. So, you know, it's understandable that somebody wants to spend time with their family, but in a situation like this, it may not be the right thing to do.

But listen, let's go on and talk about what happened last night. Because Rahm Emanuel already said in that sound byte that cleaning it up and stopping the oil was really what people wanted there. It was halted for a time last night.

LAWRENCE: That's right, Don, ten hours, because of a piece of the containment vessel broke down so they had to stop completely. And that is a big problem. That's something they are trying to correct. That's something the government has told BP, you have got to put in some redundancy there, some back-up systems and those will be in place, but not for a few weeks. So that next time something breaks down, they have to switch out ships that you don't have to stop the operation entirely.

On the good news side, they are collecting now about a million gallons of oil a day, capturing it or burning it off. So there is some progress being made in getting the oil out.

LEMON: Yes, some progress being made but also the oil is showing up farther east, isn't it?

LAWRENCE: That's right. A tar ball for the first time now have started to show up on the shores on the beach in Panama City Beach, Florida. A big, big tourist area, Don. And this is the eastern side of the Florida Panhandle, which gives you an idea of just how far this oil slick is going.

Now it's not a ton of oil yet. The beaches are still open there. But that's one of the reasons BP agreed to give Florida $25 million just for tourism advertising to try to mitigate some of the damage that is being done to the tourism areas along the Gulf Coast.

LEMON: And, Chris, I know that you are working on something for tomorrow about people who are trying to collect money from BP. What is that?

LAWRENCE: That's right. We wanted to see what has changed. We have done these kinds of stories before, but now BP has set up this $20 billion fund, and President Obama has named someone to actually head up this money and try to get the process moving a lot faster. Some people aren't stuck out here waiting for their money. We talked to one local charter boat captain who is just beside himself wondering if he's going to get enough money to keep his business going.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STU SCHEER, CHARTER BOAT CAPTAIN: You wonder how a guy at my age, 260 pounds can be emotional. Sorry. But you know, like I told you, salt water runs through my veins. I mean, it's all I've done. It's all I ever wanted to do is fish.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LAWRENCE: Tomorrow we're going to really delve deep into this. Take you step-by-step on what he has done in terms of this process and to see if this claims process is really working right now. Don?

LEMON: Hey, Chris, we look forward to that tomorrow. Thank you very much. Chris Lawrence down in New Orleans.

And you know with so many people filing claims against BP, scam artists see a golden opportunity. I will speak with an expert tomorrow night at 6:00 p.m. Eastern right here on CNN on the latest scams you need to watch out for related to the BP oil disaster.

Many American workers are directly affected by the anger and the scrutiny now directed at BP. Calls to boycott the company may be understandable, but they could end up hurting hard working people, not BP.

Take a look as CNN photojournalist Doug Schantz accompanies a fuel truck driver who services a BP station in Washington.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KENNY PLUMBER, FUEL TRUCK DRIVER: Today, we're going to haul about 7,200 of regular unleaded and 1,200 gallons of high-class gas. My name is Kenny Plumber and I am a transport petroleum driver. I've been here 18 and a half years and every year it just keeps getting better. We are an independent distributor. We try to do our part being safe and clean about our way of doing things.

BEN PHELPS, CARROLL INDEPENDENT FUEL: We have been in the business for 105 years now. We carry for Citgo, Sunoco and BP as well as unbranded stations. I think a lot of people are misinformed. I think that they think they are hurting corporate BP by boycotting privately held businesses like this station here. It's simply not true. These guys live in your neighborhoods. They live in your communities. You go to church with them, you play golf with them.

JOE ANTONELLI, CAROL INDEPENDENT FUEL: We understand the frustration that the folks have when they drive by and they see the Helios. We understand that they have ill will towards it to some point. We want to make sure they realize that the local businessman is running that location.

PLUMBER: We are just hoping that people stand by us understanding we are an independent distributor. I have a mortgage and bills just like everybody else. It doesn't matter whether it's a gas station or if it's a construction company or heating oil for a hospital. We believe in giving good quality service to everyone. I'm proud to be a part of that.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LEMON: You have seen the devastation from the oil disaster. Now CNN is giving you a chance to help. Join us Monday night for an all- star relief effort to help rebuild the gulf coast. A special two-hour Larry King live event begins at 8:00 p.m. Eastern right here on CNN.

It is one of the most talked about stories this week. The arrest of Joran Van Der Sloot in Peru. He is accused of killing a 21-year- old woman there. Tonight we take you inside the prison where he is held. It's considered one of the worst of the worst.

And don't just sit there. Be a part of the conversation. Send me a message on Twitter and on Facebook. Check out my blog -- CNN.com/Don.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: On Monday, a Peruvian judge will begin questioning murder suspect Joran Van Der Sloot in private. Authorities said the Dutch citizen has already confessed to the murder of 21-year-old student Stephany Flores in Peru. If convicted of first degree murder, Van Der Sloot could serve between 15 and 35 years in prison.

A few people have come to Van Der Sloot's defense. An ex- girlfriend said he was romantic. She kept in touch with him even after he was linked to the disappearance of Alabama teen Natalee Holloway in 2005. His mother, Anita Van Der Sloot, also has stood out for him saying this.

"He is not the monster they like the world to see. He is traumatized, depressed and has an addiction. He is not a murderer. It stinks and feels like a big trap set up for him. Joran is sick in his head, but he didn't want help."

Well, for now Van Der Sloot's home is the Miguel Castro Castro prison just outside the capitol. His cell is small with the most primitive of bathrooms.

Jean Casarez ventured out to the prison and went behind the barbed wires for this report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEAN CASAREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We were given exclusive access to Peru's Castro Castro Prison on the outskirts here in Lima. When we first entered, we were in general population. And we could talk to or interview anyone we wanted to. We wanted to go to up to the upper cell block areas because that is where five to six inmates are housed per cell. They told us, no, they said, it was because of security concerns. But we were allowed to go where Joran Van Der Sloot was. We saw him come from his cell area to a nearby office building. And that's when they took us into the cell of Joran Van Der Sloot.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CASAREZ: This is the cell of Joran Van Der Sloot. They just took him out so we could come in here. This is where he lives day in and day out at Castro Castro. This is his clothes. Remember you saw him on television in these clothes? He still have them here. Here are his pants. And over here, here is his bed. It's a mattress. Here are all of his personal belongings. You can see a lot of books. I see religious books. I see toothpaste. I see the bible right there. I see books that are written in Dutch. And then over here he has his own bathroom. As we've heard it is a hole in the ground.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CASAREZ: Joran Van Der Sloot had two visitors right before we got to the prison. There was a Dutch minister that had flown in from the Netherlands to see him. He said, he was also here for other Dutch inmates in Peru. Also his attorney, Maximo Altez. Next on tap for Joran Van Der Sloot, on Monday, he'll be face to face with a judge right here in Lima. The judge will be asking for a formal statement.

In Lima, I'm Jean Casarez for "In Session" on true TV reporting for CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LEMON: Windows blown out, trees knocked down and thousands without power. Heavy rain and high winds are to blame. We will tell you where they hit.

And his height made him a sensation when he joined the NBA and later became a humanitarian. Now one of the league's tallest players and the one with the biggest heart has died.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Time now to check your top stories. The upper Midwest is cleaning up after strong storms blasted through the region overnight, knocking down trees, downing power lines and killing at least one person near Detroit. The severe weather also hits Chicago hard. A line of strong storms knocked out power to more than 400,000 people and blew out windows in the city's Willis tower, formerly the Sears Tower.

A former pro-basketball star Manute Bol died today in a Virginia hospital where he was being treated for kidney trouble and a rare skin disease. Bol who was 47 years old was drafted by the Washington Bullets in 1985 and played for three other teams. At 7'7", he was one of the tallest players ever in the NBA. After his basketball career, he devoted his time to helping the people in his native Sudan and reportedly contracted the skin disease from a medication he received in Africa. His former team mate Charles Barkley will join in just a few minutes to share his memories of his friend.

The drug known as the female Viagra has failed to clear an FDA committee. Flibanserin is touted as the pill to boost sexual desire in women, but an advisory committee says, the evidence is lacking and the maker needs to go back to the drawing board to collect better data. This is not the final say, but the FDA usually goes with what its panel recommends.

The heiress to the Swedish thrown has married her former personal trainer at a lavish wedding ceremony in Stockholm. Crowned Princess Victoria married Daniel Westling today in a wedding estimated to cost around $2.5 million. The price tag has stoked outrage in Sweden among taxpayers. Stockholm tried to capitalize on the wedding by proclaiming itself, quote, "The city of love."

Ray Charles made his mark with his soulful sound and remarkable life. His death was a tremendous blow to his son.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RAY CHARLES JUNIOR, RAY CHARLES' SON: I was in despair after my father passed away and just simply out of control.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: In a new book, Ray Charles, Jr. talks about his own struggles and his relationship with his famous father.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: It is a weekend for honoring fathers, but when you're the name sake of a famous person, it can be a tremendous burden. There are many examples of those who have experienced real problems trying to follow in the footsteps of famous dads. Ray Charles Robinson, Jr. had his own struggles which he has chronicled in his new book, it's called "You Don't Know Me: Reflections of my Father, Ray Charles." I got a chance to talk to him about his relationship with his famous dad.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(MUSIC PLAYING)

LEMON: People are going to say, well, I have seen the movie. Like why do I need to read the book? What's the book going to tell me? I have already seen it.

CHARLES: It's everything that you didn't see in "Ray." Simply, I mean, you have his childhood, you have an illustration of the relationship that was not basically explained between my father and mother. How they met, how he pursued her, what they went through to build that relationship on a sound foundation. For him to go from being just Ray Charles Robinson to being Ray Charles, and that was a distinct moment. And I see his whole career change by that.

LEMON: Is it still hard? I mean, do you find yourself at moments going like overwhelmed by your father's -- by the story, by his death?

CHARLES: I miss him a lot. There was a lot that you feel. I just feel that our time was too short here. And not being around him when he was dying, yes. I'm still overwhelmed. But there's healing in this book.

LEMON: It can be tough this time of year.

CHARLES: I was lost after he died. When I got the first call, I was in Russia and I was making a film. And I was in St. Petersburg and he called. You know I found out he had an accident and he may have to have hip surgery. And his first words out of his mouth, I said, who is this. He said, it's your father and it's just nice to hear your voice, son. And at that point I said, he's dying.

LEMON: So, at that moment it was like, oh my God, he's actually dying.

CHARLES: It's panic, anxiety. OK, he's not going to be here. And he always used to -- always would come and tell me, son, I just want you to be able to do things on your own. You're talented. I need you to focus on what you really want to do. And you can do it. He said, but what are you going to do when I'm not here? You're not going to have me to come to. And that's what it means not to have a father on this Father's day. Because good, bad or indifferent or whatever your differences are, you still have your father to go to and say, I love you, and choose to take the high road. It's good to touch him and kiss him. And that's the person that birthed you, so he gave you the right to walk this earth. I think that's something.

LEMON: He would touch you?

CHARLES: He would touch me and he would come to us in the front and feel our shoulders, and feel my wrist and my hand and my face. That was his way of saying. And he said, I just want to see you, son. That's a beautiful thing, you know? That's something that no one knows about and those are our moments and that's where I go.

LEMON: So, you didn't think you'd be able to write this book?

CHARLES: No. Nor did my family. My family did not think I was going to make it. I have to tell you I was in deep despair. I was in deep despair after my father passed away. Just simple out of control. And not just out of control, sinking deeper and deeper and deeper into depression and cocaine or something like that. It just enhances everything that you do.

Did I know better? Every day. Did I know that maybe the next time it could be my life? Yes. One day I looked in the mirror and I said, that's it. What are you doing? What? What are you doing? You got to move on.

LEMON: And that was it?

CHARLES: That's four years ago.

LEMON: Did you get to say everything you wanted to him?

CHARLES: To my father?

LEMON: Mm-hmm.

CHARLES: Yes.

LEMON: You want to share it?

CHARLES: I -- you know, we were sitting in his office and I said, dad, you know, I love you. Your life is special. And he told me, son, you're special. And he says, you don't have to do anything but be my son. That's enough. I'm proud of you and I'm proud of what you have done.

LEMON: You said he did the head thing. What did he say to you? You can do it. If Jamie Foxx can do it, you can do it.

CHARLES: You ask him something personal. Dad, all I know how to do is play the piano and sing songs.

(LAUGHTER)

So that was his answer for answering personal questions about girls or life. Something too complicated, that was his answer. I just know how to play the piano and sing songs.

(SINGING)

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LEMON: In other news tonight here on CNN, police in Lexington, Kentucky are apologizing for a serious mistake. Officers thought a woman was dead after they found her beaten body. It turns out they were wrong.

Plus much more on the death of former NBA star Manute Bol. Charles Barkley will join me in just a little bit to talk about Bol's life and his legacy.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Welcome back, everyone.

We told you earlier tonight about the death of Manute Bol at the age of 47. He was a truly unforgettable person. Seven feet, seven inches tall, he was living in rural Sudan when he was discovered by an American basketball coach. Coach he had never played the game, he didn't speak English but he had tended cattle and once killed a lion with a spear. He then went on to become a shot blocking sensation. Known as much for his generous spirit as his basketball skills.

One of his early teammates was Charles Barkley, an NBA star and future Hall of Famer.

Charles Barkley joins me now on the phone. Charles, thanks for joining us.

What do you remember most about your friend Manute Bol?

CHARLES BARKLEY, MANUTE BOL'S FRIEND (via telephone): One of the funniest people that I ever met in my life. You know, he was just a wonderful person. You know, he would always talk about the civil war that was going on in Sudan. That he was sending all his money back to Sudan. And I can honestly say I never played with a better person.

LEMON: What did you think the first time you laid eyes on him?

BARKLEY: Well, he is a physical freak. He's 7'7". So any time you see somebody 7'7", it gets your attention. And then you wonder, can this guy play? But I got to say he is one of those guys. Any time you are going for the basket, you are looking for him. A bunch of guys say they are shot blockers who are not shot blockers. But any time you went to the basket you were looking for Manute. I mean, he tried to block every shot. It didn't matter if you were physical, it didn't matter if you dunked on him. Nothing faced him. He wanted to keep just trying to block shots.

LEMON: Yes. And it was amazing. You know, reading up on him, on average, he never averaged really more than four points a game but he could touch the rim without even jumping. Just standing there.

BARKLEY: You know, he did that all the time. But I just got to say you never met a more funny guy. I got to say you never met a better person. He would always talked to us about every time he got paid he was going to send his money back to Sudan. You know, living here in the United States, we don't have concept of what a civil war is. But the world is not a better place to be if it weren't because we don't have Manute Bol.

LEMON: Hey, had you spoken to him recently because he had been sick recently. And some people knew about it. Some people didn't. Had you had a chance to talk to him?

BARKLEY: We had not talked but we found out when he got sick probably about two weeks ago, he had an emergency with his kidneys during the NBA playoffs so I had not talked to him personally. When I got the phone call earlier today, it ruined my whole day. It just sucked to be honest with you.

LEMON: Listen. I know you guys were buddies. And I had -- I remember when you both played for the 76ers and you like to play practical jokes on each other. And I know you are a trash talker but he could hold his on against you, right?

BARKLEY: You know, there has never been a guy who played more practical jokes, who made people laugh more than Manute Bol. You know, people said, this guy was one of the funniest people that I ever played with.

LEMON: Apparently we lost connection there.

BARKLEY: Did you lose me?

LEMON: Oh, yes -- there you go, Charles.

BARKLEY: I mean, this guy was just one of the funniest people. You know, everybody is going to talk about the basketball, everybody was going to talk about the humanitarian stuff, but this guy was hilarious.

LEMON: And, you know, you talked about his heart. When you look at him, and you see a big guy there. And again, his heart was just as big as he is because, you know, you see it all the time, Charles. People who get rich, especially athletes, and you know, they take all their money and throw it away. But he was doing something with his money because he felt a calling. And his heart, even though he played here in the United States, it was always back home.

BARKLEY: Well, he never forgot about the Sudan. And like I said, even when I was playing with him, I am from Alabama, I don't understand anything about civil war, and he would talk to us all the time about it. We donated a little bit of money, not a lot like he did. But he would talk to us about the civil war that was going on in Sudan, and we never really, really -- I mean, you can't explain that to somebody. We don't understand civil war in the United States, but I will always be honored and please that I got to play with Manute.

LEMON: 47, Charles, can you believe it?

BARKLEY: No, I cannot. Because you know what, it just sucks, because he's such a wonderful person. I wish he had a long life, because he's such a great person.

LEMON: Yes. And our hearts go out to his family, and I am sure you will second that.

Hey, Charles, thank you for joining us here on a Saturday night, all right?

BARKLEY: Thank you all for paying tribute to Manute. He deserved it.

LEMON: All right. Have a good one.

BARKLEY: Thank you.

LEMON: And a special thank you to TNT analyst, again, Charles Barkley. You never know how far, what's going happen and what's going to happen in life.

We're going to have a story that's coming up in just a little bit here about our hero of the week. Our hero of the week. Helping to transform an entire country. You will meet her when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Check your top stories right now. Police in Lexington, Kentucky, have apologized for assuming a woman at a crime scene was dead only to learn she was alive three hours later when the coroner arrived. The woman died in the hospital the next day. The city's police chief admits, quote, "mistakes were made." No arrests had been made in the homicide investigation.

An adult grizzly bear believed to have mauled a man to death in north-western Wyoming was shot and killed. Game wardens and federal agents tracked the bear by its radio collar in Shoshone National Park. The victim, 70-year-old Erwin Frank Everett was part of a team that have captured and tagged the bear with the collar before returning him to the wild.

On this night before Father's Day, police in San Bernardino, California are trying to figure out why a man opened fire on his stepdaughter's family inside a Del Taco restaurant. A 6-year-old boy is dead as well as a 33-year-old man. The stepdaughter who is 29 and another child, a 5-year-old boy are both in critical condition. Police say the killer arrived on the bike, had words with the woman and then began shooting. He then took his own life.

This week's CNN hero is a tour guide in Cambodia, who started using her tip money to transform the lives of rural children. A survivor of the Khmer Rouge regime, she has made it her mission to educate Cambodia's poor by giving them what they need to go to school.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PONHEARY LY, CNN HERO: In the countryside in Cambodia, some children, they come to school, but not very regular because the family needs to have them in the farm.

The school is free, but they don't have any money. How can they have the money for uniform and supplies? My name is Ponheary Ly. I help the children go to school.

The education is important for me because my father was a teacher. During the Khmer Rouge time, my father was killed. If we tried to study, we could be killed.

My soul always go to school.

In the beginning, I got only one girl. After that, 40 children, and now 2,000. And after several years, I see the change, because they know how to read and write and they borrow the books from our library to read for their parents.

I need them to have a good education to build their own family as well as to build their own country. My father, he has to be proud here in heaven and in my heart.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LEMON: To nominate someone you think is changing the world, go to CNNHeroes.com. Students at an Atlanta middle school just graduated in a star- studded ceremony. Tonight meet three of these new graduates and their principal Ron Clark. Plus, hear why Oprah Winfrey says she envies them.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: In "What Matters," when kids at the Ron Clark Academy go to a Broadway show, they learn the songs, read the story and find out how the theater was built. That's what makes learning at this Georgia school exceptional. This week the academy in Atlanta celebrated its first graduation and the exceptional experiences kept coming as a super star offered her congratulations. Oprah Winfrey surprised the students, praising them before the eight graders head off to high school.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OPRAH WINFREY, TALK SHOW HOST: I envy these kids. These kids have been all over the world. To be in the 8th grade and to have been to six continents, to have been everywhere other than Antarctica in the world. If they could have find a way, I'm sure they would have gone there, too. I think they represent the best of what education can be in this country. I think they are a model for the whole country. So that's why I would do whatever was possible to be here to support them.

LEMON: It's amazing at the inauguration. He said you don't have to call me sir. And then he goes, sir. It's amazing.

WINFREY: The level of respect. I was over at my school in South Africa, and they came to visit my school this summer, or last winter or whenever it was. They were there. And on their way to Australia. I go, I had never seen kids who are so articulate, poised, gracious, kind, loving, giving, intelligent and going to shake up the world.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Ron Clark credits Oprah's support for helping him fund his academy. And tonight some of those who benefited from Ron's work joins us now.

Congratulations to you all. We should say Ron is here as well. Willie Thornton.

Willie, you had braids back when I first met you. I saw you the other night. I didn't even recognize you without the braids. So Willie Thornton is here, Chi Chi Ugwuh is here and also Osei Avril is here, and Ron Clark here.

Thanks for being here.

We know you just got off a plane. You are in Puerto Rico speaking about -- are you carrying this to other places?

RON CLARK, FOUNDER, RON CLARK ACADEMY: During the summer I go out and I talk to teachers all over the country and around the world, and encourage them to come here to Atlanta to visit our school and to see what methods we use so that they can check our methods back around the world.

LEMON: OK. So you guys were at graduation. You are the first graduating class of the Ron Clark Academy, and then you see Oprah walk in. You guys scream.

What did you think?

WILLIE THORNTON, RON CLARK ACADEMY GRADUATE: Well, the first thing I thought was, wow. I mean seeing this woman with so much power in the world right now walking before us at our graduation is something that I will always remember. I mean, it shows a level of love and respect that she has for education nowadays.

LEMON: So Chi Chi, you guys said -- most of the kids said, I don't want to leave. You guys were crying because you don't want to leave the academy. Why?

CHI CHI UGWUH, RON CLARK ACADEMY GRADUATE: Well, we just had so many wonderful experiences here, and we are all so close and such a family. It's going to be hard to let that go. So we are really reluctant to move on but we know we have to and we are ready for it.

LEMON: Do you remember coming to the inauguration?

OSEI AVRIL, RON CLARK ACADEMY GRADUATE: Yes, sir.

LEMON: OK. So the inauguration, you perform for the First Lady. You went to Oprah's school in Africa. You went to six continents, right?

AVRIL: Yes, sir.

LEMON: What has the last two or three years of your life? What's that been like for you?

AVRIL: The last two or three years of my life have been extraordinary. I have gained memories in these last years that will stay with me for the rest of my life. And I will look back and tell little children about experiences that molded me into the person that I am and that really made me a better person in life. And I know I will never forget my experience here.

LEMON: Yes. Do you wish that this would -- because you know, you realize you are fortunate. I was talking to you the other night. You realize that going to the Ron Clark Academy has done for you, having fans like Oprah has done for you. But a lot of kids around the country don't have a school like Ron Clark Academy.

What do you say to them?

AVRIL: I say though you are at whatever school you are at, it's not about what you have, but it's about what's inside of you. And I think that anyone can be whatever they want to be as long as they try their best and they put forward nothing less than their best. And it's all about you as a person and what you have in your heart.

LEMON: You know it's funny because Ron and I talked after -- as I said, after the graduation and saw Oprah, you were so excited. That was a surprise. Ron said, you may want to come to the graduation tonight, Don. And I said, why? She said I can't tell you, I can't tell you, but it may be worth your while so thank you for inviting me there. We got that little exclusive.

But, you know, Ron, we were talking, you were afraid that you may not make it back in time. And I said, well, you think the kids will be OK. And he said, they got it. It's on lock down.

Did he teach you that? Are you comfortable -- are you different people because of the experience that you had in his school and more confident now?

THORNTON: Yes, sir. I feel that I have changed a lot. I am able to get in front of crowds and speak on my mind and speak how I feel. And I'm not going to be afraid because our number one motto at this school is there is no room for fear. You always have to give it your best and no matter what you always have to go for it.

LEMON: Yes. It's funny, because as he is talking, Ron, is kind of looking at you, kind of parenting you. I mean, do you feel like these kids are your kids?

CLARK: Yes, we love them so much. We think when you are a teacher, when you have a school, it's a family. So we've grown to love these kids. We support them to lift them up. So, yes, I am very connected to them and I am proud of the individuals they have become.

LEMON: Best of luck to them. And I'm sure you're wondering. Parents pay tuition on a sliding scale of the academy based on what a family can afford. Parents are also required to donate 40 volunteer hours a year to the academy. Again, best of luck to them.

The CEO of BP literally turned red under intense questioning by members of Congress at a very long hearing this week. Adding to many lawmakers' frustrations, Tony Hayward wasn't doing a good job answering their question.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Well, there he is right there. BP CEO Tony Hayward out on the water today aboard his yacht for a race around Britain's Isle of Wight. In a series of PR missteps, experts are saying this one takes a cake. Hayward is no doubt glad to be out of Washington where U.S. lawmakers finally got to unleash their anger over the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. Hayward sat there for hours, while congressman after congressman gave him an ear full.

Here is CNN's Jeanne Moos.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The CEO of BP was pinned down like a lab specimen. His every gesture under the microscope while he was being dissected.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How would you do that?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're copping out.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're really insulting our intelligence.

MOOS: No wonder Tony Hayward was checking his watch less than an hour into the hearing.

HAYWARD: With respect, sir, we drill hundreds of wells a year all around the word.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. I know. That's what scares me right now.

HAYWARD: One of the reasons that I'm so distraught --

REP. HENRY WAXMAN (D), CALIFORNIA: Could you answer yes or no?

HAYWARD: Is that --

WAXMAN: I don't want to know whether you're distraught.

MOOS: Within seconds of when he began reading his prepared testimony --

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Tony Hayward, look at my hand --

MOOS: A protester popped out.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You need to be charged with a crime. You need to go to jail.

MOOS: She ended up being arrested, describing herself as a fisher woman from the Gulf Coast.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Do you think your voice was heard today?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I hope to God it was.

MOOS: When Hayward resumed his prepared testimony it sounded familiar like BP's commercial, the "Huffington Post" pointed out.

HAYWARD: The Gulf spill is a tragedy -- a tragedy -- that never should have happened. And I'm deeply sorry that it did. I'm deeply sorry.

MOOS: He had plenty of regrets.

HAYWARD: I regret. BP regrets.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can't you just say, I'm sorry?

HAYWARD: I am very, very sorry.

MOOS: On TV, CEO Hayward had a gushing co-star. Sometimes got bigger billing.

WAXMAN: It said BP used a more dangerous well design to save $7 million. What do you think about that?

MOOS: But Hayward wasn't exactly spilling his guts.

HAYWARD: I can't answer that question because I wasn't there. I was not part of that decision-making process. I was not involved in any of the decision-making --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, I don't want to hear that.

MOOS: Hayward danced around the committee's questions like that Brazilian baby who's become a hit viral video. But Hayward was phasing the music.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're stalling.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: But I want you to keep this in your mind as well.

MOOS: As the hearing went on Hayward's face grew redder. Possibly stress-induced rosacea, suggested one dermatologist. As he evaded questions, we learned what Hayward isn't.

HAYWARD: I'm not a cement engineer. I'm not an oceanographic scientist. I'm not a drilling engineer.

MOOS: Everyone kept asking if he'd stay a CEO.

REP. BART STUPAK (D), MICHIGAN: Do you expect to be CEO of BP much longer?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Is it time for that CEO to resign?

HAYWARD: I'm focused on the response, sir.

MOOS: When you're having a day this bad, it's best not to look back.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You need to be charged with a crime.

MOOS: Jeanne Moss, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LEMON: Well, one more jive at Tony Hayward's expense. IReporter David Gosse sends us this photo of the new Tony Hayward drink. It's at the Rip Tide's bar in St. Petersburg Beach Florida. A shot of blueberry vodka representing the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and a dash of dark liqueur on top representing oil. The drink cost $5, $2 goes to a nearby bird sanctuary.

Well, politicians need to be careful when cameras are rolling. Take a look at this confrontation with Democratic Congressman Bob Etheridge of North Carolina. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you fully support the Obama agenda?

REP. BOB ETHERIDGE (D), NORTH CAROLINA: Who are you? Who are you?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: We will tell you what Etheridge is saying about that situation now.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: On Saturday, we always want to try to catch you up on some of the news you missed throughout the week. You know, sometimes it is risky to stick a camera in a politicians face.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hi congressman. How are you? Do you fully support the Obama agenda?

ETHERIDGE: Who are you? Who are you? Who are you?

Tell me who you are.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are just here for a project, sir.

ETHERIDGE: Tell me who you are.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are just here for a project.

ETHERIDGE: (INAUDIBLE), tell me who you are.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm just a student, sir.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're just students. That's all we are.

ETHERIDGE: I have the right to know who you are.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All we are are students.

ETHERIDGE: Who are you? Who are you?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Please let go of my arm, sir.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sir, sir, sir, please.

ETHERIDGE: Who are you?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK.

ETHERIDGE: Who are you?

(END VIDEO CLIP) LEMON: Clearly Democratic Congressman Bob Etheridge of North Carolina did not appreciate having a camera shoved in his face by two strangers and you can see they never identified theirselves. So Etheridge was compelled to say he was sorry.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ETHERIDGE: I came here today to do one thing, and that was to apologize for my actions. Because as I said, no matter how intrusive or partisan our politics have become it's no excuse. I know better.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: The video of Etheridge lashing out was posted unanimously on the Web.

You know, what is the one thing you remember about the Obama's first state dinner at the White House?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. and Mrs. Salahi.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Well, if you thought Tareq and Michaele Salahi's 15 minutes were up, you are wrong. Bravo announced this week the party crashing couple will star in the network's "Real Housewives" reality series this fall. The setting, where else, Washington, D.C.

A spokesperson for the couple admits they had been auditioning for the series during that infamous state dinner fiasco. No word from the White House tonight nor the formal social secretary who resigned over that incident.

I'm Don Lemon in Atlanta. See you back here tomorrow.