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Source: Houston Boozed In Final Days; Coroner Subpoenas Medical Records; Houston's Family Arrives At Church; Michigan Governor To Endorse Romney; Santorum Releases Tax Returns; Group: Syria Kills 10 Army Defectors; Powell Burial Plans Blocked; Last FEMA Trailer Leaves New Orleans; Iran Hails Nuclear Achievements; GM Posts Record Earnings; Arsenic Found In Baby Formula; U.N. To Vote On Syria Resolution; Lin's Legend Grows

Aired February 16, 2012 - 10:00   ET

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

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back, everyone. I'm Fredricka Whitfield in for Kyra Phillips. She's on assignment with Whitney Houston's funeral plan set for Saturday.

New details suggest troubling behavior in Houston's final days. Our Don lemon is joining us now from Los Angeles. So, Don, what more are you hearing?

DON LEMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It is troubling. I mean, it's troubling to hear about this sort of behavior, but also even more troubling, Fred, as I'm sure you know and our viewers know, prescription medication confirmed found in her hotel room.

If she was drinking, that was possibly a lethal combination. I want to read to you exactly what this very high-level source who was briefed on Whitney Houston's behavior and activity the days before her death says about how she was acting.

She was seen ordering and consuming considerable quantities of alcohol, Fred, before 10:00 a.m. in the morning on Wednesday and Thursday sometimes as early as 9:30 in the morning at the Beverly Hilton Hotel lobby bar and at the pool area.

The source says the guests overheard her both loudly complaining about her drinks, accusing bartenders of watering down or putting too much ice in them. The source also said other guests, Fred, became concerned, and there you are looking pictures of her at the pool during the final days of her life.

You see a drink there. We don't know exactly what's in the drink, but there you see it. That's courtesy of TMZ. Source says other guests expressed concern about her erratic behavior, that she was walking around a lot from the pool area to the bar area, that she was disheveled, her clothes were mismatched and she was loud.

They say her behavior to them indicated intoxication in their estimation and that she was jumping into the pool and doing somersaults. She was at some points alone and some points with her entourage and also with a male companion -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: OK, and Don, meantime, what's being said now about the investigation and which direction it's taking?

LEMON: All of this coming out on the same day. This is an official copy of her death certificate. It's not a photocopy. This is from the coroner's office. So this death certificate came out. The information about her behavior came out.

And then the information about a coroner's investigation. They have issued subpoenas to several doctors and several pharmacies here on the west coast and also on the east coast to try to figure out exactly what Whitney Houston was prescribed, who prescribed it, who filled it.

They want to know if she was taking the medication in her room accordingly and whether or not she was doctor or pharmacy shopping. Now the coroner told me it doesn't appear at this point that she was, but they are double checking everything. Every single person they reached out to the coroner says has been cooperative.

WHITFIELD: All right. Don lemon in Los Angeles. Thanks so much.

The funeral arrangements for Whitney Houston will be unfolding on Saturday at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark. Susan Candiotti is outside that church.

This is the church where people heard her sing when she was in the junior choir and this is the church where her loved ones will be saying goodbye. What more are you hearing about what's planned?

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (via telephone): Hi, Fred. At this hour, some members of the family are inside the church meeting with the funeral director as well as members of the Newark Police Department to try to further finalize plans about security and other funeral arrangements.

In fact, they've set up a few metal barricades outside of the church now because there's been more of a steady stream of Whitney Houston fans coming by to leave flowers and balloons and messages telling her how much they love her.

Leaving behind, for example, favorite pictures they have of her. All in advance for Saturday's funeral and of course, fans here are disappointed that they can't attend the funeral themselves.

But happy to hear at least that the family has agreed it to allow a camera inside the church where it will be streaming video from inside the service. Of course, we'll be broadcasting it live on CNN and cnn.com -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: OK, and then, what more do you know about the attendees?

CANDIOTTI: Well, they include some pretty big names. You can't get any bigger than the queen of soul, Aretha Franklin. She will be here as well as Valerie Simpson, artist that was team of Ashford-Simpson and wrote some song recorded by Whitney Houston including "I'm Every Woman." A ton of others, of course, too numerous to mention, but more and more people are telling us they'll be attending. WHITFIELD: All right, Susan Candiotti there in Newark, New Jersey. Thanks so much. You can see right there the makeshift memorials that have been set up outside the church. Fans have come by leaving flowers, balloons and their messages to Whitney Houston.

CNN has full coverage of the Whitney Houston funeral this Saturday beginning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Join Piers Morgan, Soledad O'Brien and Don Lemon as the music legend is remembered.

All right, politics now. Mitt Romney gets a boost next hour. Michigan Governor Rick Schneider plans to announce his endorsement of the candidate, and it comes in a state where Romney needs some help.

A new poll shows him trailing Rick Santorum by 6 percentage points. Our Joe Johns is in Farmington Hills, Michigan, where Schneider and Romney will be speaking. Joe, can the governor's endorsement give Romney that boost he needs?

JOE JOHNS, CNN SENIOR CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fred, quite frankly if Rick Schneider had not endorsed Romney, it would have been an embarrassment because Schneider, of course, is probably one of the leading establishment Republicans in the state.

He has a lot of heft, but just because he's endorsing Romney doesn't necessarily mean that Romney is out of the woods, as you said. He's showing second in the polls right now, though it's a very close race. It is within the margin of error.

Still, Rick Santorum, who is running very strong in this state, is really making a play for those manufacturing voters, those blue collar voters here in Michigan. So I would say that Romney still has a fight on his hands at this stage -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: OK, a lot was made of Romney's tax returns. Now Rick Santorum has released his. Any real comparisons of the reaction?

JOHNS: Yes. Well, back to the blue collar voter idea, you know, Santorum has been reaching out to those folks, the manufacturing voters really making that populist play here in the state of Michigan.

But when you look at his tax returns, $3.6 million over the last four years so he's made a lot of money, and that's not blue collar money, if you will.

Nonetheless, he can say that he paid at the highest something like 28 percent tax rate, which is a lot more than Mitt Romney. So there's something in there for everybody on Rick Santorum's tax returns -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right, Joe Johns. Thanks so much from Farmington Hills, Michigan.

Later today, the U.N. General Assembly could condemn Syrian President Assad's violent crackdown and the violence still hasn't let up. That is video of fighting near the Lebanese border. The Syrian army reportedly has taken control there. The human rights group says government forces have killed at least 10 army defectors and several civilians in the Hama province and arrested an activist in Damascus.

CNN's Ivan Watson is in Northern Syria and he said much of the region is in open revolt and government is losing control. CNN's Nick Paton Walsh is in Beirut. Nick, what are you hearing?

NICK PATON WALSH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I should bring you today obviously the first death toll we've heard, 40 so far today nationwide, but that includes 19 people killed near Ivan is in fact reporting, in the north Idlib where we apparently have heard of 19 people who have attempted to escape to Turkey having, in fact, been executed by Syrian security forces.

A deeply troubling development if that is true. I should point out that we heard reports today seeing this video I think from Zabadani near the border here east of Beirut, which shows a remarkable attack upon a tank.

In Zabadani, we understand there was a cease-fire negotiated between opposition fighters and the Syrian military. That then broke down it appears when the army went into the town and began arrests and attacking.

And now it seems that the opposition fighters are still up in the hills not far away from the town so a strong presence there. Perhaps the opposition there, but the army has the upper hand at this point.

WHITFIELD: So Nick, is there a feeling that a U.N. General Assembly vote to condemn this crackdown would make any kind of impact?

WALSH: Well, if this vote is passed at the general assembly it's not legally binding. It is effectively a vote democratically put forward piece of paper, which says people strongly condemn and disagree with what's happening inside Syria at the moment.

Most of the people voting for that have already publicly said they're strongly against what the regime of Bashar Al-Assad is doing. The veto recently used by Russia and China can't affect this particular resolution passing.

But that's the point at the end of the day because it doesn't have the Security Council behind it, so it can't be used to enforce things against the Syrian regime.

So while it might be a big expression of discontent, it isn't actually going to change anything necessarily on the ground, although some argue that kind of diplomatic statement might assist things moving forward.

WHITFIELD: All right, Nick Paton Walsh, thanks so much.

Coming up, we'll go deeper on Iran's defiant nuclear program and the growing crisis in Syria. Are we seeing a new cold war in the Middle East this time?

New Orleans says goodbye to an iconic image of Hurricane Katrina, the FEMA trailer. Details on that, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Checking stories cross country now. An anti-crime group in Washington State has blocked plans to have Josh Powell buried next to his two sons.

Powell killed the boys and himself by setting his house on fire earlier in the month. Crime stoppers and the local sheriff have reportedly bought plots on both sides of the boys' grave sites to keep Powell's family from burying him near the children.

In New Orleans, a milestone in the Hurricane Katrina recovery effort, the last FEMA trailer has left the city more than six years after the storm hit. Tens of thousands of trailers were sent to the city to provide temporary housing for displaced families.

In Birmingham, Alabama, a car careens out of control and crashes into a gas station as you see right there. Surveillance camera up captured the accident. The driver was hospitalized. No one fortunately was hurt.

All right, Iran calls it a huge achievement in its nuclear program. It made a big show of scientists loading homemade nuclear fuel rods into a reactor. Iran says it has developed advanced centrifuges and will start yellow cake production.

The U.S. State Department says Iran is basically just showing off, and now law enforcement officials are concerned about attacks on Jewish targets because of Iran tensions.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano says there is no specific threat, but it bears watching. Let's bring in author and Middle East expert, Fawad Gerges. He's joining us now from London.

Good to see you. So you talk of a new cold war possibly brewing in the Middle East. What do you mean by that?

FAWAD GERGES, AUTHOR, "THE RISE AND FALL OF AL QAEDA": Well, what I mean, on the one hand, you have the Iranian-led coalition. You have Iran and Syria and Hezbollah on the one hand.

On the other hand, you have Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states supported by the United States. This particular new cold war, Fredricka, has been going on for several years and has intensified and escalated.

Unfortunately for the Syrian opposition, the Syrian crisis now has been caught, embroiled in this particular cold war. The Tehran- Baghdad-Damascus road has become the lifeline of the Assad regime.

The Iranian regime fully supports President Assad of Syria because it views what is happening in Syria as part of an attempt to clip the wings of Iran in the region. That's why the situation is very complex and very dangerous there.

WHITFIELD: Now how concerned are you about Iran's nuclear capabilities? Because President Ahmadinejad is known to try to bluff or at least appear as though there's much more than there is.

GERGES: Fredricka, two points for your audience, American audience. The first point is that the Defense Department, the U.S. Defense Department has made it very clear that Iran has a long way to go. We're not talking about months. We're talking about a few years.

The second point, again, the U.S. government believes that the Iranian leadership has not made a strategic decision to build a nuclear bomb. It's one thing to build a nuclear program. It's another thing to build a nuclear bomb.

As you said in the introduction, you said it's a show. The reality is the assertions by the Iranian president serve two causes. The first one is basically as you might say deterrent, what the Iranian leadership is saying for the United States and Israel, if you attack it, it's over.

We have the capability. We have the bomb. We can make a bomb as quickly as a few weeks or a few months from now. Secondly, the Iranian leadership is trying to tell its own people, look, we have made progress.

The reason why the sanctions are basically imposed on Iran is because we're now a nuclear design power. At the end of the day, Iran has a long way to go, even though you're absolutely correct. The drums of war basically are becoming louder and basically very threatening.

And that's why the Obama administration has been trying to lower the tempo of escalation and has been trying to convince Israel not to attack Iran because there are many concerns within the Obama administration that Israel might pre-empt Iran and attack Iran in the next three months.

WHITFIELD: All right, Professor Fawad Gerges. Thanks so much for joining us from London.

GERGES: My pleasure.

WHITFIELD: A new study has some pretty troubling news for new parents. Researchers find arsenic in infant formula and other foods. CNN's senior medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen joins us with a closer look.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. It's official. GM, Ford and Chrysler are all making money. Something we haven't seen in seven years. Alison Kosik is at the New York Stock Exchange.

So, Alison, just a few years ago the headline for GM and Chrysler was bankruptcy. Quite a turn-around. ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Exactly, quite a turn around. It took two years for them to actually turn around, and not just their profits, the big three are also hiring.

Now, Ford, Chrysler, they both reported earnings a few weeks ago. Today, we heard from GM reporting almost $8 billion in profit for 2011. It's a record high and wasn't easy for GM. It really slashed and burned in bankruptcy setting itself up to make money ultimately.

So here's how it did that. It closed plants and sold brands, and it's changed its labor contract. So now GM is a leaner machine to benefit even more from the recovering economy, especially with more people buying more cars.

WHITFIELD: All right, and you mentioned hiring. However, GM isn't done cutting costs. It apparently is changing its pension plan. Why is that necessary?

KOSIK: That's happening because GM's pension plan is simply running out of money. It's moving everybody salaried into 401(k) plans. GM is going to continue making contributions, but 401(k)s are cheaper than traditional pension plans.

So what they're doing is they're shifting some of the cost to workers. You know, they really have to do this because GM has to keep a lid on their expenses. They're dealing with a slowdown in European sales.

You know, even though the sales here in the U.S. are doing pretty well, it's that slowdown in Europe that can really hurt the company -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right, meantime, Alison, I hear it was a rough day because you had quite of four-legged visitor.

KOSIK: Yes, yes. The top dog of the Westminster dog show, he rang the opening bell. I think it's a he. I'm sorry if it's a she, but I think it's a he. Malachi, a Pekinese, this 11-pound furball rang the opening bell.

We'll see the picture of it. You know, what's funny is it barely moved sitting on the side there. I've seen people tweet what it looks like. It's like a toupee with a face, isn't it? It's so ugly it's cute.

WHITFIELD: It's so cute.

KOSIK: Look at it. Where's the face?

WHITFIELD: It's in there. Just a lot of hair.

KOSIK: It is? There is a lot of hair.

WHITFIELD: Yes. All right, thanks so much, Alison. All right, now we want to take a closer look at a very troubling discovery. Arsenic found in some foods including baby formula.

Our senior medical correspondent, Elizabeth Cohen is here with details on this. Nobody likes to hear that arsenic, not even a trace, is in your food. It's fairly common?

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, let's talk about this a little bit, because this has been going on for awhile, but this is a new report from Consumer Reports. They looked at foods like this that I have in front of me.

These are cereal bars. These are called shot blocks that endurance athletes use and sometimes when they don't want to use high fructose corn syrup because that's not such a bad rap. They use brown rice sugar.

And what Consumer Reports is saying is that brown rice sugar syrup can have arsenic in it and the kind of arsenic that can harm humans. For example, in water, you're only allowed to have 10 parts per billion of this type of arsenic.

And according to the Consumer Reports some of these products had up to 128 parts per billion. Now, as far as infant formula goes, it's not in most infant formulas. It's in the organic ones. We went to the store and couldn't even find it. So I think perhaps more of the --

WHITFIELD: Couldn't find the organic formulas?

COHEN: Yes, we couldn't find formulas with brown rice sugar syrup in it. I'm not sure how common that it is. But it is commonly in these types of products.

WHITFIELD: So was it an issue of a complaint and that's why Dartmouth decided to this study to even, you know, find out or try to discover whether there was arsenic or trace of it in baby formula?

COHEN: I think there's always been concern about arsenic in rice, because rice rather is often grown in fields that has arsenic in it. Now the rice industry says there's nothing to worry about, and that there's no link between rice and any kind of human health problems.

They point out in Asian countries, you know, they way more rice than we do and they don't have higher cancer rates than we do. So the rice industry says there's nothing to it.

WHITFIELD: Do we stay away from things and read the ingredients that may have brown rice syrup in it?

COHEN: You know, this is really tough and I think it's tough to make decisions about what to do base on this information. Consumer Reports seems quite upset about this, and they say people should think twice before eating these kinds of products. But then what's your alternative? You have high fructose corn syrup. Other people don't like that for other reasons. It's very, very hard to know what to do.

You know, I think that the only thing I can think of is that you can eat natural products, not necessarily cereal bars, but you know, maybe give your kid a banana or an apple if you're scared of all these things.

But there is no definitive evidence saying these are the problem. This is sort of a suggestion of a problem.

WHITFIELD: All right, sounds good. Elizabeth Cohen, thank so much.

President Obama seems to being enjoying a nice bump in his approval rating. We'll tell you where he is and ask a political panel what's behind that surge, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: A look at the up top stories now. The U.N. General Assembly is set to vote on a non-binding resolution today condemning Syria's deadly crackdown on anti-government protesters.

And on Capitol Hill, a bipartisan deal extending the payroll tax cut and unemployment benefit is expected to be finalized today. A vote on the measure could up happen this week.

And a source tells CNN Whitney Houston was seen drinking a considerable amount of alcohol two mornings last week. Subpoenas have been issued for the singer's health records and prescriptions, but an assistant chief coroner says it does not appear Houston was doctor shopping.

All right, "Political Buzz" is your rapid fire look at the best political topics of the day. Three questions, 30 seconds on the clock. Playing today, CNN contributor, Robert Zimmerman, Patricia Murphy is the editor of Citizen Jane Politics and a contributor to "The Daily Beast"; and Will Cain is a CNN contributor.

All right, good to see all of you again. All right, first question a new CNN poll putting President Barack Obama's approval rating back up at 50 percent. Why the bump, Robert?

ROBERT ZIMMERMAN, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Well, the short answer is that as you hear from many pundits is that the Republicans are beating each other up. That doesn't explain why the country is right -- why the right track/wrong track numbers are doing better, why people are feeling better about the economy and better about direction of the country.

And that's primarily because President Obama seized control of the agenda through the American Jobs Act. I was very critical of the administration last year for not focusing on jobs and start getting caught up in the debt ceiling debate and the government shutdown debate. They changed course with an important piece of legislation and he's gone to the American people to rally them.

WHITFIELD: And Will.

WILL CAIN, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: It's because of the economy. It's because there is a sense out there right or wrong that the economy is doing better. You set aside issues like what dictates why the economy is doing better, it's the unemployment rate, it's the GDP growth, it's the total level of debt in an economy.

Set aside all that. What matters is there's a sense for now in this temporary period that the economy is doing better. And so President Obama will benefit from that. If that same sentiment exists in November by the way, that will also be a win for President Obama at that time.

WHITFIELD: And Patricia.

PATRICIA MURPHY, EDITOR, CITIZEN JANE POLITICS: Yes, I agree with the boys on this one. I think it is the economy. Americans wake up today and they're just a little bit less worried about how things are going to go than they were two years ago and when the economy is going poorly, Republicans beat up on the President and blamed him. They're going to have to give him some credit for the economy turning around.

I do also think, though, that President Obama compared to the Republicans running against each other, slinging mud against each other, basically just a war of attrition, these guys are killing each other. It just makes him look better in comparison. So I think there are a couple of factors going very well for him. He's only one point above 50 percent, so I don't think he should get too comfortable.

WHITFIELD: All right, all right the deal on --

ZIMMERMAN: He'll take it.

MURPHY: He'll take it.

WHITFIELD: He'll take it. The deal on payroll tax cuts is done. Did the Democrats win this fight, Will?

CAIN: Yes, they did. And here's why. Because regardless of whether or not the payroll tax cut was going to be described as and have a serious debate about it being a temporary stimulus when it may not have been that big and not that effective, it was going to be boiled down to Republicans are opposing a tax cut for the middle class.

Therefore, it was going to be a political loser and they had to lay down that argument. The Democrats win. As long as we're talking about political suicide, I want to say this. That was always a bad fight to have. It was too small. The big one to have, the big political suicide fight to have is over Medicare and this morning Senators Tom Coburn and Richard Burr began to have that fight. Let's talk about reforming Medicare even though it's political suicide.

WHITFIELD: All right, Robert?

ZIMMERMAN: Well clearly, the Democrats won the payroll tax cut debate. Obviously Republicans make -- can make the case. They took a controversial issue off the political table, of the elect -- out of the election discourse. But the reality is the narrative that's been building over the payroll tax cut, over protecting student loans for middle income kids, over a whole range of programs for job retraining, a focus on the Democratic position being one standing up for the middle class and one of fairness.

However, unless my party and the Republican Party get serious about dealing with the deficit, dealing with the deficit they'll be no real winner in the economy.

WHITFIELD: And Patricia?

MURPHY: I want to strike a cautionary note here. This has not passed Congress yet. And this is the Congress that loves to revolt and rebel so -- but I think today with the news that there is an agreement it's a huge win for President Obama.

He told Congress to act. He told Congress to extend this tax cut, and they did it. It just looks good for him. When you get into the details, there's a lot of spending in here that Republicans don't like. There's also a lot of pay-fors in here that Democrats are very uncomfortable with a lot of grumbling on the Hill and very short tempers. People are not happy with the details of this bill. We want to see if it gets passed, but I think it is a big one for the President so far.

WHITFIELD: All right, you "Buzzer Beater" 20 seconds each. President Obama visits a lock factory and reminisces about his high school days. Just listen to what he said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It is wonderful to be at Master Lock. I have to say, though, it brought back some memories. And I was thinking about my gym locker in high school. And you know, if you go into the boys' locker room in high school, sometimes it's a little powerful, the odor in there.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Kind word, "powerful." Ok so Robert what are your guesses? What was in that locker?

ZIMMERMAN: I've got to guess knowing his -- his love of history, there are a number of history books in there and certainly there has to be some basketball -- there have to be some basketball equipment. I would -- I would venture a guess there maybe a few smokes in the locker. And -- and maybe -- and maybe a picture of himself. I'm just glad -- I'm just glad you didn't ask me about my high school locker. That's all.

WHITFIELD: All right. Will? CAIN: I think Robert took all my lines. Right, I mean, geez, he's -- he's running the right-wing message out, is he not, Robert?

WHITFIELD: I know.

CAIN: I mean, I don't -- I don't know. You left out communist manifesto. That was sitting in there as well, right? I'm kidding. You guys know I'm kidding, right? I'm kidding. I said that to just to tweet. You know what was in there, Fredricka? A bright future, nothing more than a bright future.

WHITFIELD: Oh, ok Patricia?

MURPHY: I'm going definitely a lighter. We know he was smoking in the boys' room and totally an 8-track tape of Al Green because he learned how to sing somewhere.

WHITFIELD: That's it.

MURPHY: He can carry a tune.

WHITFIELD: Ok.

ZIMMERMAN: Absolutely.

WHITFIELD: All right. Very good, all right Patricia, Will, Robert, good to see you all.

MURPHY: Thanks.

WHITFIELD: Thanks so much.

ZIMMERMAN: It's good to be with you.

WHITFIELD: All right, Oprah Winfrey well she may be returning to the silver screen for the first time in nearly 15 years. We'll tell you why next in "Showbiz."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Actor Charlie Sheen is sounding off again about his old show "Two and a Half Men." "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" host, A.J. Hammer is live in New York. A.J. what's going on now?

A.J. HAMMER, HLN HOST, "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT": You know, we thought that chapter of Charlie's life had closed, Fred. But Warner Brothers sent Charlie Sheen a cease and desist letter after they say he used some promotional material that were shot for his old show "Two and a Half Men" to promote his new show "Anger Management."

You're not supposed to do that. Well, Charlie Sheen is quoted by TMZ as saying he's actually thrilled they sent the letter and he hopes that it means he's not going to have to see himself anymore in the idiotic bowling shirt as he put it that he wore as a character on "Two and a Half Men," of course. He being sarcastic there. He also rather crudely advised Warner Brothers to worry more about their show and not about his new project.

And when "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" got in touch with his spokesperson, for the official word from them on this Fred we received a simple "no comment". Charlie Sheen can't just say "no comment". He's got you know get all sarcastic. But his people are just saying that we've got nothing to say.

WHITFIELD: Ok all right, let's talk Oprah maybe returning to acting?

HAMMER: Yes, she may be. And apparently she's being lured in by her friend, the director Lee Daniels who directed, of course, the film "Precious," which Oprah executive produced. And she's also very intrigued by this story it's about a black man who was a butler in the White House from 1952 to 1986.

Now Oprah hasn't appeared in any live action films since "Beloved" back in 1988. But a Hollywood reporter says she is thinking about signing onto this project. The film is being called, "The Butler" at the moment and it will be based on a post -- a "Washington Post" article that profiled Eugene Allen.

Eugene worked in the White House. He worked as staff in the White House for eight presidents. And according to the report, Winfrey would play Allen's wife. The article also says the film has already signed on Mila Kunis to play Jackie Kennedy and John Cusack would play Richard Nixon in the film. But if you have Lee Daniels directing, you know it will be outstanding.

W: Of course it will. All right. A.J., thanks so much for keeping us posted on that.

Want information on everything breaking in the entertainment world? A.J.'s got it this evening on "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" at 11:00 p.m. on HLN.

And this just in. Reports now that Comedy Central has suspended production of the "Colbert Show" for the week. No reason yet of why. The website media light first reported it saying ticketholders to the show were told that due to unforeseen circumstances the show would be off the air for the week. When we get more information on that, we'll try bring it to you.

Also coming up, a story for everyone who has been told "you can't".

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He was 5'3 and 120 pounds. So the question right from the start was, is he going to get big enough and strong enough to play at the high school level?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: And that was only the beginning of Jeremy Lin rising to a challenge. The story of the NBA sensation coming up. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. The NBA's newest star Jeremy Lin made a big splash with big-scoring numbers in the first six games, but last night the rookie sensation showed off another part of his game. CNN's Joe Carter is in New York with more on this. Lin was in the mood of giving, was he not?

JOE CARTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Great way to put that Fredricka. We saw a new dimension of Jeremy Lin last night. He's becoming more of a complete player because last night he didn't score a lot of points. He actually had a career night in assists which basically means he got the ball to the open guys so they could make the basket.

And that's what a good point guard is supposed to do. Jeremy Lin, the Knicks win number seven in a row. They cruised past the Sacramento Kings easily. It was 100-85. The game was well in hand, halfway through. Watching him last night and feeling the electricity inside Madison Square Garden and giving the sense that really Jeremy Lin is responsible for bringing basketball back to New York City.

I mean so many people say that (INAUDIBLE). Talking to folks yesterday, they said is a basketball town. They've long hungered for a good Knicks team, and they're finally playing good basketball. This guy comes from an underdog story that people attach to at this point. They're saying this could be the best sports story.

Yes, I know, Tim Tebow but this summer they're saying. was not long ago. This could be the best story of the year. I saw Lin's jerseys last night. Lin's faces everywhere. So many puns have been attached to the story which makes it fun for everybody. There were celebs in the crowd from spike lee to Mike Tyson, Whoopi Goldberg and Al Gore (ph) I mean the electricity was there, Fredricka.

And to think it was a Wednesday night. Against the terrible Sacramento Kings and it's a sell out crowd. It felt like a play-off atmosphere. So you can tell, basketball is certainly back in New York city, and if -- if that spells good for the Knicks, it's goods for the NBA. And to think just a couple of months ago we had the threat of possibly not having an NBA season, which really meant we wouldn't have this great story of Jeremy Lin and all the insanity that comes with it.

The stars were definite out. I love that sign, that lineal in your face. That's so New York. Perfect. Joe carter, thanks so much.

So Lin is the difference between why and why not? All his life people kept telling him he's not big enough to play basketball. He didn't listen. Now he's proving the doubters wrong and inspiring a whole new generation of kids.

Here's Sandra Endo.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) SANDRA ENDO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Pushing the ball down the court wearing Number 4. Even in high school Jeremy Lin shows he could rise to the occasion. In his high school play off game in 2006 his senior year, young Jeremy scored 36 points to lead Palo Alto high to a comeback victory. He went on to win the state title. Lin had to overcome a lot to get to that pinnacle.

PETER DIEPENBROCK, JEREMY LYN'S HIGH SCHOOL COACH: He was 5'3, 120 pounds. So the question right from the start was, is he going to get big enough and strong enough to play at the high school level?

ENDO: But Lin grew 10 inches by the time he graduated. Still, he didn't get scholarship offers from division I college teams in California, so he went to Harvard without a scholarship. After college Lin got passed over in the NBA draft and even after getting signed as one of the league's first Asian-American players, he was unable on to break into the starting line up until a few short weeks ago.

DIEPENBROCK: There were maybe some stereotypes and prejudices that we're working them. Maybe in the recruiting and why he working get against him in the recruiting and why he didn't get maybe some offers that maybe he would have if he was a different race.

ENDO: did you ever in your wildest dreams think that he would get to level in the NBSA and be a star.

DIEPENBROCK: No, no. This is beyond anything I could have ever.

ENDO: While his coach: Faces Lin's broadcasting and wearing and clearly this position you think that he would get to this level in the NBA and be a star?

DIEPENBROCK: No. No. This is beyond anything I could have ever imagined.

ENDO: while his coach praises Lin's work ethic and fearless disposition, Lin attributes his success to his faith in God.

JEREMY LIN, NEW YORK KNICKS: I think it's a miracle of from God. That's the way I would describe it.

LIN: He realizes it's all a gift, and that's wonderful. That keeps him grounded.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Lin for the win. Got it.

ENDO: But his explosion in the NBA and his pioneering role as an Asian-American star is giving hope to younger generations.

NOLAN NEPOMUCENO, YOUTH BASKETBALL PLAYER: It's fun to actually see him play.

ENDO: Does it mean a lot to you that he's Asian-American?

ERIC SONOBE, YOUTH BASKETBALL PLAYER: Yes, because it shows that any Asian person can make it to the NBA.

ENDO: Tens of thousands of kids play in Asian-American leagues like this one across the country, and it's not just for boys. I actually grew up playing on a team in California, and now with Jeremy Lin it could be a game-changer for these kids.

We work hard, and you'll get there. That's what Jeremy Lin taught me.

ENDO: One of many lessons to be taken from Lin's story, there's no fast break to the top.

Sandra Endo, CNN, Palo Alto, California.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Details coming up in the political Ticker.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Ok. So you know you're really famous when one name says it all -- Oprah, Madonna, the Donald. It's the same way with fashion modeling. Here now is Alina Cho.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: One look at her, and it's clear Joan Smalls is not just a supermodel, she's a star.

JOAN SMALLS, SUPERMODEL: It's kind of like a go-getter heart. Like I'm coming. I'm coming to get it. I'm coming to be great.

CHO: On the catwalk at Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Gucci, the it girl chameleon designers must have like Derrick Lamb.

DERRICK LAMB, DESIGNER: She's like a seasoned actress.

CHO: Jason Wu.

JASON WU, DESIGNEER: What's not to love? You know, I just believed in her.

CHO: And Prabal Gurung.

PRABAL GURUNG, DESIGNER: She represents that girl I feel I design for. The girl who never gives up.

CHO: So what does it take to be Joan Smalls?

How did it happen?

SMALLS: Well, it happened with a leap of faith.

CHO: Born in Puerto Rico, in the early days Joan was a catalogue model. Three years ago she wanted more. She switched managers, who directed her to change her approach. For instance, at casting calls and dress the part.

High heels.

KYLE HAGLER, SENIOR MANAGER, IMG MODELS: Show off those legs. Show off that great body of yours.

CHO: Joan started booking jobs. Her biggest break through, an exclusive contract with Givenchy in January of 2010 during high fashion's most coveted runway couture.

SMALLS: My agency called me and said Joan, don't go anywhere else. You got the exclusive. I got goose bumps all over my body and smiled so hard.

CHO: Did you realize that would be a break-through moment for you?

SMALLS: Yes. I think you kind of feel it that when you want something so bad and when something great happens, I think it's instinct that you say, this is going to be the moment that's going to change everything.

CHO: It did.

HAGLER: Her second job was Italian Vogue, with (INAUDIBLE) and shortly thereafter was American Vogue and shortly thereafter she was signed to represent Estee Lauder.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Introducing a major innovation from Estee Lauder research. The cosmetic giants' first Latina global face. A multi-year contract at a rate of more than $1 million a year. Have you seen what it has done to models' careers?

AERIN LAUDER, STYLE AND IMAGE DIRECTOR, ESTEE LAUDER: Yes, it definitely makes them a household name immediately.

CHO: Fitted by Vera Wang, in the ads of Roberto Cavalli, Stella McCartney and most recently Chanel.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I always wanted greater and bigger. Like I came here with a purpose and you know, to finally achieve it and to also be an inspiration to others.

CHO: Supermodel - Joan Smalls.

Alina Cho CNN New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: For more of Alina's inside look at the Fashion industry, you can watch Fashion backstage pass airing next Saturday, February 26, 2:30p.m. Eastern Time.

WHITFIELD: All right. Right now Mitt Romney is the only Republican presidential candidate receiving Secret Service protection, but that could soon change. Our political editor Paul Steinhauser joins us now. The Santorum campaign talking with the Secret Service. Why?

PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN POLITICAL EDITOR: Here's what's going on with this, Fred. It's interesting. And as you mentioned getting it a few weeks ago and reminder Cain, briefly had Secret Service Protection before he dropped out of the race late last year.

But for Santorum, this is interesting. A source close to the senator's campaign told our Chris Wells that, in fact, a lawyer for the campaign had reached out to the Secret Service to begin the conversation. Santorum was asked about it by Piers Morgan last night. At the time, he wasn't even aware because that lawyer hadn't told Santorum.

Why are they asking.

STEINHAUSER: They say because of some things that have happened -- some events that happened on the campaign trail. We're not exactly sure if it's violence we saw a couple nights ago by the occupy protesters out of Santorum rally in Tacoma. But we will follow up on this story. Of course, the Secret Service as you know, Fred, they comment on this kind of stuff.

WHITFIELD: Ok. Meantime we know president Obama is a big basketball fan. Has he been commenting on the linsanity.

STEINHAUSER: Isn't this story amazing. And I'm a Knicks fan, too, you know. This is a great story. And we all know the President, as you said, a big basketball player.

Well, you know Jay Carney was asked about it, the White House press secretary yesterday as the president was making his way out west for some fund-raisers and Carney said, yes, the president is an avid sports fan and particularly avid basketball fan. He said he and the president were talking about Lin and what's going on there.

It's an incredible story. The president is very busy but keeping an eye on this for us.

WHITFIELD: Right. Even if you're not a basketball fan. Maybe you are now.

STEINHAUSER: Oh, yes.

WHITFIELD: Oh right. Paul Steinhauser, thanks so much. Appreciate that. We'll have your next political update in about one hour from now.

And a reminder for all the latest political news you know exactly where to go -- our Web site, CNN politics.com.

Suzanne Malveaux is up next. Now, last time we tried to talk Super Bowl. We've realized we can't have that conversation. How about with the NBA.

(CROSSTALK)

SUZANNE MALVEAUX: Awesome.

WHITFIELD: Ok. This is a cute story.

MALVEAUX: And I'm not really this short next to you. Although you are very tall.

WHITFIELD: This time I'm standing.

Anyway you have a great day.

MALVEAUX: Great to see you, Fred.