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Retailers Plan Year-Ahead for Black Friday; BradsDeals.com Lists Black Friday Deals; Mother Advises College Men to Get Sex Partners to Text Consent; Tornado Survivors Thankful for Their Lives; Pizza Hut Manager Offered His Job Back; L.A. Celebrities Work Homeless Shelter; Anderson Cooper Hosts CNN Heroes
Aired November 28, 2013 - 15:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
STEVE BRATSPIES, WALMART EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT: We've bought over 65 percent more TVs this year, five times as many sheet sets, two times as many tablets.
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN BUSINESS ANCHOR: And customers won't need to wait for the deals. Thanksgiving Thursday is the new Black Friday -- Kmart, Best Buy, Target and Walmart all opening earlier this year. Walmart's Black Friday deals start at 6:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving. Walmart says its customers bought nearly 5,000 items a second during its four hours of Thanksgiving Day sales last year.
BRATSPIES: We did over 10 million transactions. That was about 1.3 million TVs, 1.8 million towels, 1.3 million toys.
ROMANS: Keeping the product flowing will take all 600 of this store's employees.
BRATSPIES: So it's a simple seamless move from off the truck to the back room. Every store is mapped out for an exact location of where all the products are going to be.
ROMANS: And when it's all over, it starts again.
BRATSPIES: Black Friday is actually a 52-week planning process for us. We literally start the day after Black Friday one year and start planning for the next year.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROMANS: So Brooke, retailers have been planning out all these sales all year. This is incredibly choreographed. It's all a sales strategy. There are six fewer shopping days this year between Thanksgiving and Christmas, so retailers are pulling out all the stops to make up for those lost days of revenue.
Brooke?
BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: Christine Romans, thank you.
While we're on it, let's talk shopping. It's time to get you ready for Black Friday. We're about to clue you in on some of the very best deals out there. We'll find out what you should wait to buy if you want the best price.
This is Brad Wilson. It is his job to know how to get a bargain. Brad is founder and editor-in-chief of BradsDeals.com. Brad Wilson, welcome.
You're everyone's best friend today as we want to save our pennies, nickels, and dimes here. Before we get into the nitty-gritty, tell me, are there many bargains to be had this year?
BRAD WILSON, FOUNDER AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, BRADSDEALS.COM: This is one of the strongest Black Fridays I have seen, so absolutely.
BALDWIN: That's good news. Let's talk about the deals. Let's talk about some of the most popular items listed on your Web site, BradsDeals.com.
For example, the KitchenAid mixers are a hot item this year. Who has the deals?
WILSON: The best deal at Kohl's. They have put their Black Friday deals online in advance. You get a five-quart mixer for $143 online.
BALDWIN: That's awesome. The next item I kind of want for the airplane. This is the Beats by Dre headphones.
WILSON: $115 at Target. Fantastic deal.
BALDWIN: Black & Decker appliances, $2?
WILSON: This is another early deal from Kohl's, a coupon and a rebate and a couple layers involved.
We have the details at BradsDeals, hard to beat. These are small kitchen appliances, blenders, waffle makers.
BALDWIN: That's the key with the rebates there. A couple quick ones. I was schooled today on what a Furby is. For the Furby boom, and for the ladies, this is my favorite thing, these cashmere sweaters.
As we know, that can be expensive. How much? Where do you go?
WILSON: $39.99 at Macy's. Hard to pass up. Another example of, you know, these are the lowest prices we're going to see on these items during the holiday season by far.
BALDWIN: And the Furbies.
WILSON: The Furbies, they're $29 at Sears.com right now. Anything under $30 is great, and they're going to go quickly.
BALDWIN: These are for Black Friday, but I know some items you should wait to buy, yes? Some items, there's better deals if you wait a while?
WILSON: Certainly, video game consoles is a big one. The PlayStation 4 and Xbox One are new. You're not going to get a good deal on those. You'd be lucky getting one and not paying sales tax. You're going to have to wait weeks on those.
Beyond that, Black Friday is a broad-based sale and the closest thing to shooting fish in a barrel that we see as far as getting a deal goes.
BALDWIN: What's on the top of your list, Brad Wilson?
WILSON: I'm looking for a flat-screen TV. And I'm pretty sure I'm going to find it over the next four or five days.
BALDWIN: OK, Brad Wilson, BradsDeals.com, thank you so much. Best of luck to all of you shoppers.
Up next, a segment you will be talking about tonight. A mother tells her college-aged son, 'Son, get those ladies to text before you have sex.' You heard me right. She says she wants these ladies to give her son proof that she is in fact willing to do the deed. She explains to me, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BALDWIN: One mother is taking college prep to a whole new level, and it will blow your mind. Former ESPN executive Roxanne Jones just wrote this piece, an opinion piece, on CNN.com. In it, she advises her son and other college men to get women they're about to have sex with to text consent beforehand.
Let me quote part of her piece here. "Crazy, I know, but I have been encouraging my son and his friends to use sexting -- minus the lewd photos -- to protect themselves from being wrongly accused of rape. Because just as damning text messages and Facebook posts helped convict the high-schoolers in Steubenville of rape, technology can also be used to prove innocence."
Earlier this week, I talked to Roxanne about how she approached this subject with her son.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROSANNE JONES, FOUNDING EDITOR, ESPN THE MAGAZINE: So I suggested, you know, maybe you should get a text message when you're about to have sex. I know it sounds crazy, but I talk to my son as a real man, a responsible young man.
The text can say anything. Let's hook up. I can't give him the words. Bring your condoms. I don't care what it says. But he needs to have frank conversation about consensual sex if that's what he's doing.
And I also suggested he send a text after. I don't care if it sounds crazy. My job as a mother is to advise him in the best way possible and to protect him. And I think that's the job of every parent.
BALDWIN: Just so I'm clear, I would love to be on the inside of this conversation with your son, hear how he's responding to it. But what exactly do you tell him before they are, I don't know, about to do it? You say, son, have the woman -- let's go there. JONES: Send your a text. Let's go there, because I have been in the courtroom covering rape trials. I don't care how you say it, but what I say is, look, send a text message. If you can't do it before, do something after.
BALDWIN: When it comes to your son, what has he said to you? How does he respond?
JONES: He's mortified.
BALDWIN: Here you are on national television.
JONES: Right, right. You know, he says, yes, mom. I mean, he's thinking -- many young men, not just my son, many young people, women as well, are thinking about this very seriously.
BALDWIN: Women, as well.
JONES: Yes, women as well are thinking about this very seriously. How they are communicating. And to be clear, my column was written in cases of extreme intoxication.
I'm not talking to people who are going on a date, who are dating people, because we all know rape can happen in those situations, too, but I'm talking about when heavy alcohol use is involved for both the young men and the young women.
And when it comes down to it, nobody is in the room with them, or as in Steubenville, many people, there was evidence. I'm happy there was evidence there, but we're not in the room.
We're not wherever the sex happens, and it's left up to us to guess, to be horrified, to fill in the blanks. The women can't remember because they're drunk out of their minds, and they can't remember. And they can't say no. So that's my whole point. If you are so intoxicated you can't grant or deny consent, you're intoxicated to that level. The boy is intoxicated, as well.
It's still a crime, and we need to have some facts around what has actually happened. I think it's a very serious conversation.
BALDWIN: Just so I'm clear, 10 seconds, your son has said, Yes, mom, I will do this?
JONES: He has said, yes, mom, I'll consider it. I don't really want to talk about it with you. We know things are going on, we have seen the stories, and I'm mortified and don't use my name.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: So that was Roxanne Jones, talking to me earlier this week. You can read her entire piece, judge for yourself, CNN.com/opinion.
Families all across the country, they are gathering to give thanks today, but it's a tough Thanksgiving for those in the Midwest. This is a live picture. That's the devastation left behind by the tornado that ripped through Washington, Illinois, just about ten days ago now.
We will tell you all about this special gathering aimed at helping that community celebrate this holiday.
And a live look at Los Angeles, and a lot of food, this is where some Hollywood celebrities are volunteering on this Thanksgiving to help serve meals to those in need. We will check in with crews in both those parts of the country here on this Thanksgiving Day. Stay with me.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BALDWIN: On this Thanksgiving, we have new video just to show the power of those deadly tornadoes that ripped across the Midwest just a couple weeks ago, not even, about 10 days ago.
This is security footage inside a school as the EF-4 tornado hits and the school is gone. These motion-activated cameras were triggered just as the storm took out this gym. Washington, Illinois, suffered really the brunt of the storm. Wow. Look at this picture. More than 500 homes gone.
Some families are still sifting through the debris, but today, survivors of the storm are joining together to give thanks for what they do have, their lives.
CNN's Ted Rowlands is there for us in Washington. I tell you, just talking to the people there in Washington, it really puts in perspective what the rest of us are thankful for, huh?
TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, Brooke. And boy, you know, we just came from an event at a local church here. They're so positive, even though this is what they're dealing with.
You know, over the years in this neighborhood, there were Thanksgivings being hosted, families getting together in their homes, and Thanksgiving is such a holiday that revolves around a home, whether it's yours or your grandmother's.
And for these folks, they don't have a home. We just came from one of several gatherings happening today, and there was one yesterday in Washington.
We met a woman who lost everything, and she said normally, yes, she would be cooking the turkey, but she has nothing. She doesn't have a kitchen.
We also talked to the pastor. They both talked to us about the spirit of Thanksgiving.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PASTOR JOHN BATES, ST. MARK'S LUTHERAN CHURCH: When you see it on TV, it's one thing. But when you're out there and working, it's almost overwhelming. It's surreal. But the support of the community working together and everyone lending a hand is really heartwarming. BERNIECE VAUGHN, LOST HOME IN TORNADO: I don't have a kitchen to prepare a meal today. And it has been just wonderful.
Everybody is just so kind, so supportive, and of course, my friends -- I have seen my friends here. It's just been so nice to come in and really, it's a festival day.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROWLANDS: What a day for these folks, Brooke, because it really is a stark reminder of their new reality. They don't have a home. They don't have a place to host Thanksgiving.
You were out here, and you met a lot of these people. Their spirit is really amazing. They've got a long road ahead of them, months, even years, before they figure out the situation. But they're thankful today. One person died. You look at this. It still amazes me when I look at the rubble and think just only one person perished.
BALDWIN: It's incredible. They all were sort of saying to me, you know, many of them were in church when it hit on that Sunday morning. And it could have been so much worse had it happened in the middle of the week. Just awful.
Ted Rowlands, thank you. We're thinking of all of them in the Midwest, Ted for us in Washington, Illinois.
In other news, a Pizza Hut manager says he was fired for refusing to open today. And now he's being offered his job back.
Tony Rohr has worked at his store in Indiana for a decade, and he says the store asked him to sign a resignation letter.
But instead, he wrote a letter saying he wouldn't quit, telling his bosses it is the people at the bottom of the totem pole that, quote, "make your life possible."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TONY ROHR, FORMER PIZZA HUT MANAGER: Why can't we be the company that stands up and says, we care about the employees and you can have the holiday off.
Thanksgiving and Christmas are the only two days that they're closed in the whole year. And there are only two days that those people are guaranteed to have off to spend with their families.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I was a little shocked. I kind thought something would happen, but I wasn't sure. But I'm proud that he did stand up for what he believed in.
ROHR: They're still going to be open, I'm sure, and they're still going to sell pizza, but I just didn't think it was right.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: The guy's bosses insist he wasn't fired, that he quit, and in a statement to CNN, let me read this for you. This is from Pizza Hut.
Quote, "We fully respect an employee's right to not work on a holiday, which is why the vast majority of Pizza Huts in America are closed on Thanksgiving.
"We strongly recommended that the local franchisee reinstate the store manager and they have agreed."
No word on whether the manager will take his job back.
Hollywood celebrities are cooking and serving food today for the homeless on skid row and volunteer slots filled up months and months ago for this long-standing Los Angeles tradition.
You have these three shelters in downtown L.A. They actually stagger these different meal times just so people can eat for free, multiple times during this holiday week. Here's Neil Patrick Harris. He is working food prep today.
About 4,000 meals will be served, we're told. So let's go straight to Stephanie Elam who is outside. This is the Midnight Mission in downtown L.A.
And, Stephanie, we understand plenty of famous faces are expected. Who else is on hand?
STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. A lot of celebrities came out to lend a hand. We saw Dick Van Dyke. Lou Gossett, Jr., Ed Begley, Jr., also the former mayor of Los Angeles also on hand today, handing out food, and they have been doing it pretty much throughout the morning.
If you take a look, they are still putting out trays of food. Every turkey was cooked on hand at the Midnight Mission, and they have got donations of pies and everyone getting a full-on traditional Thanksgiving meal.
You got the cranberry, the yams, the carrots, the stuffing, the turkey. There is even ham here, feeding a lot of people who could use a good home-cooked meal and enjoy a slice of American culture here with some warm food, something to help them feel a little better during a day that, you know, they may be feeling a little bit of the pinch, little less fortunate, but at least they know they can come out here and get a good meal.
You've got all these volunteers who have been signing up to be out here to hand out this food, help get people to tables and help get them set up. Everything they just would need to make sure they can enjoy this meal. I have to say, it's also a very beautiful day here in Los Angeles. It's also adding to the spirit of good tidings on this Thanksgiving.
BALDWIN: So many people are freezing today so enjoy that sunshine, Stephanie Elam in Los Angeles. Thank you very much.
On Thanksgiving, a lot of you and your families have traditions, but we here at CNN have a tradition. This is a tradition we are so proud of, honoring everyday Americans who are making a huge difference across the globe.
We call them CNN Heroes. Next, a preview of our Heroes celebration.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SERGEANT FIRST CLASS JAMES GRAVES (PH), U.S. ARMY: This is Sergeant First Class James Graves (ph) stationed at Camp As Saliyah in Doha, Qatar.
I want to wish my wife, (inaudible) Graves, and family back in Fayetteville, North Carolina, a very happy Thanksgiving. I wish I could be there with you, but unfortunately, I'm not. I want to wish you a very happy Thanksgiving, say I love you and at the same time, I wish you a very happy anniversary, baby. I love you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CAPTAIN ESTELLA MORRIS (PH): This is Captain Estella Morris (ph) stationed with the Task Force Life Liner in Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. I would like to wish my mom, my grandmother and all my family and friends a happy Thanksgiving. I love you and I miss you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: As we were talking here on this holiday, if you're wondering what the first family gets to feast on today, how about this for pies? Nine flavors of pie at the White House, the Obamas' Thanksgiving menu, nine pies for dessert.
I guess everyone gets a piece of their favorite. They include -- I'll run down this menu for you. This includes chocolate cream, pumpkin, banana cream pie. I'd be kind of interested in that huckleberry pie, myself. That sounds delish.
For the main course, they will dine on a traditional Thanksgiving meal featuring turkey, ham, oyster stuffing, cornbread stuffing, green bean casserole.
Am I making you hungry yet? I'm four minutes away from heading home to my turkey, among other dishes there at the White House.
And Thanksgiving isn't just for eating. There are a couple movies coming out, aimed at taking advantage of this long weekend.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Talk about a problem. I sell ice for a living.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's a rough business to be in right now. That is really -- that's unfortunate. (END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: This is Disney's new musical. It's called "Frozen," about a young woman searching for her long-lost sister with a couple sidekicks.
And if action is your thing, Spike Lee has a new joint. It's called "Oldboy," stars Josh Brolin who is trying to figure out why he was kidnapped and kept in solitary confinement for 20 years.
And, in a limited release, the movie based on the autobiography of Nelson Mandela takes a look at every chapter of his life, goes all the way from childhood to his rise as the global icon.
Speaking of those traditions, CNN is honoring everyday people who are changing the world. And on this Thanksgiving day, let's just give a special tip of the hat to our CNN Heroes. You can watch and we want you to, Anderson Cooper's all-star Heroes tribute. It is this Sunday at 8:00 p.m. Eastern.
Our entertainment correspondent Nischelle Turner was there. She has a preview.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NISCHELLE TURNER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's that time of year again when giving back to others is in the air.
Hosted by CNN's Anderson Cooper, this year's annual heroes event is packed with emotion --
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you so much.
TURNER: -- and unforgettable moments --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE).
TURNER: -- a night when Hollywood's brightest stars come together --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It shines a lot on people that don't do it for the light.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is the people to get excited about. It kind of makes your jaw drop.
TURNER: -- to shine the spotlight on 10 remarkable people who are changing the world --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is like the Academy Awards for good people.
TURNER: -- like a great-grandmother who used her life savings to turn a bus into a classroom --
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Get on the bus, everybody, CNN Hero Estella Pyfrom.
TURNER: -- and the woman who started a drill team to keep kids off the streets --
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (Inaudible) and the pride of Camden, New Jersey.
TURNER: -- turning the tables on a traditional awards show.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm not the only hero in this room, and none of us as heroes stand alone.
TURNER: CNN Heroes puts these everyday people center stage.
SARA BAREILLES, SINGER: I want to see you be brave --
TURNER: It's a star-studded event with a few surprises. And a heroic ending that you don't want to miss.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN HOST, "AC360": The 2013 CNN Hero of the year --
TURNER: A night to gather together to celebrate the human spirit.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: So after you watch that Sunday night at 8:00, I want to invite you to start watching me Monday night. You can catch me at 11:30 p.m. Eastern. That's 8:30 for all of you West Coasters.
It's a new show we're calling "In Case You Missed It." So we'll be taking a look at the day's best moments, on and off your TV screen. So watch me here from 2:00 to 4:00 Eastern, and then in prime time.
So for now, thanks for being with me. Happy Thanksgiving.
Jim Sciutto takes it from here.
JIM SCIUTTO, CNN ANCHOR: Thank you, Brooke, and a very happy Thanksgiving here in the NEWSROOM.
And what better way to show your loved ones you're thankful on this holiday than abandoning them to go elbow a stranger over a Blu-ray player or a Big Hugs Elmo or a PlayStation 4? Stores are open as Black Friday madness spills over into the holiday.
Plus, for so many families in the Midwest, they are spending this Thanksgiving with no place at all to call home. How they're finding something to be thankful for after tornadoes took everything.
And how would the Native Americans who were at the first Thanksgiving feel about the name of Washington's professional football team? Today's NFL games are becoming a battleground for those who want it gone.
