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Arctic Blast Freezes Nearly Half of Nation; 300 People Skip Customs in JFK Security Mixup; New Year, New You?; Paul Walker's Death Ruled Accident By Coroner; A Look At The Downton Abbey Home; New York's Governor Set To Announce Executive Order Allowing Limited Medical Marijuana Usage

Aired January 04, 2014 - 19:00   ET

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

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: It is the top of the hour. You are in the CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Martin Savidge. It's great to be with you.

2014, not even four days old and already the new year means one major thing to millions of Americans, unbelievable cold, nor'easters and dangerous blizzards weather.

In Minnesota, the school buses will stay right where they are on Monday, all over the state. No school because it has been cancelled by the governor as being just too cold.

Philadelphia, single digit temperature and ice are on the way as the cold wave moves east from the Midwest. The nine inches of stone that found in the city yesterday, it throws solid overnight.

And we'll see what real football fans are made of tomorrow afternoon at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers will play San Francisco in that open air stadium where the forecast is calling for temperatures that will feel around 20 below zero. It could go down in the books as the coldest pro-football game ever played.

Our Margaret Conley is in Boston where the bottom is already starting to fall out of the temperatures this evening.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARGARET CONLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Right now, it's about 20 degrees warmer than it was this morning. It was two degrees and overnight, near record low temperatures.

You can see people are out now. We are standing in a church parking lot. There's a mass at 4:00. People are coming in and out.

But the biggest obstacle seems to be the snow. You can see the snow all plowed up and pushed aside. People have been trying to traipse through it throughout the day.

Statewide, over the last few days, 3,400 snowplows were sent out to deal with all the snow. Their capacity is 4,000. So, you know the state was putting everything out on the plows. But, Martin, the thing is, we've made it through the snow and we've made it through the wind. But up next is rain. They are expecting heavy rainfall tomorrow and into Monday. So, we are already getting warnings from emergency workers about rooftops. People are saying the snow is packed on rooftops. The heavy rain is going to come and clear off those rooftops for safety and for security of those buildings.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SAVIDGE: As Margaret just said, Boston, New York and the Eastern Seaboard are all about to get rain. Right after that, single digit temperatures.

Alexandra Steele has her eyes on the system's movement.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALEXANDRA STEELE, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Martin, this is not your average arctic outbreak. What we have is actually a piece of the polar vortex, which is the coldest air of the northern hemisphere. So, this is some rarefied air coming.

Take a look at these wind-chills. So, tomorrow afternoon, game time in Green Bay, 14 below is what it will feel like. Look at Duluth to Minneapolis, by Sunday night, 45 below. 40 below in Minneapolis to 55.

So, this is incredibly cold. The coldest crux of the air is Monday and Tuesday.

Give you a little perspective on Monday, one of the coldest days, Anchorage, Alaska, will be up 32. Watch happens to the Lower 48 -- International Falls, 15 below, colder than Anchorage. Chicago, air temperature 11 below. St. Louis will be two, 30 degrees colder than Anchorage. Atlanta, Georgia, will be 25, colder than Anchorage, Alaska.

So, the difference with this arctic break is heading into the southeast as well. Airport troubles will see at Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles on Sunday, as well as New York and Washington, and even Atlanta, because of some low clouds -- Martin.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SAVIDGE: Thanks, Alexandra.

Well, we're glad that some people are making the most of these snow, ice-covered days. We have been asking for your pictures, your videos and anything else that shows how you are dealing with the elements.

And for that, Jennifer Mayerle has been picking through them. And Jennifer actually has some good news coming from our iReporters.

JENNIFER MAYERLE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, Martin. You know, people love sharing their pictures and I really enjoy going through all of these iReports today. Our first one takes us to Fire Island, New York. I'm sorry to the selfies.

Take a look at that. I mean, that bench is just frozen over. You can see that some of that water is gushed up and just stayed on that bench. It -- lots of icicles on there today. Thanks to Tanya for sending that in that iReport.

Now, let's head out to Times Square in New York. That's where people were snapping selfies yesterday. Last night, as it has snow was coming down. You know, they were being respectful. Instead of asking people to take off their gloves and take a picture for them, they were having fun snapping photos themselves. So, lots of fun over there in Times Square.

And some of my favorite iReports have come from people taking videos and pictures of four-legged furry friends. They have been having a lot of fun out there in the snow.

Thanks to Barbara for sending this one. Their pups on the deck. They are having fun out there. They look very curious.

Just check that out. Just can't get enough of that snow out there.

And the last one comes from Salem, New Hampshire. That's where they had about eight to ten inches of snow and want to say thank you to Bailey. Check out this dog, Bailey.

Look at that. This is one of my favorite ones of the day. He's having so much fun with the snow blower. He can't get enough. Kind of like wondering where it's all coming from, having a lot of fun. We want to see your iReports. Send them to CNN.com/iReport. You may see them on the air -- Martin.

SAVIDGE: Jennifer ,wonderful stuff. Thank you very much. Keep it coming.

In New York City, people are lucky to be alive after they made an emergency landing today on the New York freeway. Authority said that the plane had engine trouble when it was forced to set down on the busy highway in the Bronx. You can hear the urgency in the pilot's voice as he radio the travel for instructions.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

PILOT: Mayday, mayday. Zero-nine Juliet, we are losing engines. Tower, tower, zero-nine Juliet, we are losing engine power.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

SAVIDGE: No ground vehicles were hit. Fire officials say one person was on the plane and was treated for a minor head injury.

The past few days of heavy snowfall shut down airports in Chicago, New York, Boston, and several other places for several hours. Whenever that happens, chaos tends to come.

More than 3,000 flights were canceled yesterday. And that means a backlog, long lines and frustrated passengers who are essentially going nowhere. The latest information we have from a flight tracking service, more than 1,100 commercial airline flights were canceled today. That's domestic and international flights.

How about this? A security snafu had JFK Airport allowed hundreds of international passengers to skip U.S. Customs as they entered the country. When airport officials realized what happened, that set off a mad scramble to round everyone up. But some passengers had already left.

Benj Pasek took this video of the confusion. He joins me on the phone.

And, Benj, thanks very much, by the way.

BENJ PASEK, PASSENGER (via telephone): Yes.

SAVIDGE: This was an international flight from Madrid to New York. How did all the passengers avoid going through customs?

PASEK: You know, we landed and I think they rerouted our plane in a domestic terminal. So, when we got off the plane, we were walking past like Buffalo Wild Wings and all these places and I just went to go get my bag, and I realized I never gone through Customs. And then I went to ask how to get my bag and I realized that I had cleared Customs without ever going through it.

So, anybody who didn't a bag to go get had already, I guess, gone through. So, I went back and they insisted that they tried to round everybody up who had already gone through. And I guess, if you didn't have a bag, already you cleared the airport. They tried to find everybody who didn't go through the Customs security initially.

SAVIDGE: Well, for an international passenger, I mean, that's a dream come true. As you point out for TSA and security officials, it's a nightmare. Do you think they were able to get everybody or how did that really go?

PASEK: You know, I have no idea. I know that I definitely I love Delta. I fly them really often. They are a great airline, for me. But what happened was I had already actually gone through and just realized I wasn't going to be able to get my bag.

So, anybody who didn't check a bag, I'm sure they went out on the street, caught a cab and went into Manhattan. But anybody that needed a bag, they had to go back and figure it out. So, I had to go back and they kept us in a room for a little bit, then tried to shuttle us all through the regular Customs.

But, yes, I don't know how it happened. It was sort of a crazy day. We were all sort of comparing the crazy stories that happened to each of us.

SAVIDGE: Well, it happens. But, of course, no one wants it to especially on the security side.

Benj, thanks for joining us and for capturing that moment with the video as well.

PASEK: Absolutely. Thanks for having me.

SAVIDGE: CNN has, by the way, reached out to Delta for comment. We'll bring you that as soon as the airline responds.

Coming up, a TV host breaks down in tears while apologizing to Mitt Romney and his family.

That's next. Plus, we are just four days into January. If the past holds true, many people have given up their New Year's resolutions, unless it might have been shuffling snow.

Just ahead, some simple tips to give you a better shot at success.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SAVIDGE: MSNBC host Melissa Harris-Perry teared up on national television today. It happened during an apology to Mitt Romney's family, for controversial comment's about Romney's recently adopted African-American grandson. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MELISSA HARRIS-PERRY, MSNBC HOST: My intention was not malicious, but I broke the ground rule that families are off limits. For that, I am sorry.

Also, allow me to apologize to other families who are formed through transracial adoption, because I am deeply sorry that we suggested that interracial families are in any way funny or deserving of ridicule.

On this program, we are dedicated to advocating for a wide diversity of families, it is one of our core principles. And I am reminded that when we are doing so, it must always be with the utmost respect.

Generally appreciative of everyone who offered serious criticism of last Sunday's program. And I am reminded that our fiercest critics can sometimes be our best teachers.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAVIDGE: Outrage erupted, you'll remember, earlier this week, after Harris-Perry and a panel joked about this photo featuring the former GOP presidential candidate, holding his grandson, Kieran. No word from the Romneys who are on a family vacation.

The controversy is triggering strong emotions and opinions on what is appropriate and what is not to say in the public arena.

Earlier, I talked with CNN political commentators Ben Ferguson and Marc Lamont Hill.

Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) MARC LAMONT HILL, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Earlier in the week people blasted her for not offering a public apology on television. They said she only did it through twitter. It had to be reminded it was a weekend show and we needed to give her until Saturday to do so.

As soon as the show opened, she gave a contrite apology. It was elegant. It was dignified. It was principled. It was uncompromising, and it was unqualified.

I think she did all she could to honor the Romney family, to speak the way she feels she went wrong and to move forward.

SAVIDGE: Ben?

BEN FERGUSON, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: I think she certainly knew her job was probably on the line and that's probably the reason you saw a lot of this desperation compared to last week.

But last week, this was a pre-planned in the teleprompter, picture was, you know, produced on screen live. This is something that was well thought out for a year end show that was supposed to be funny and there's nothing funny about a stereotype that somehow people only of one race can adopt a child of one race and puts a stigma out there that was laughed, it was mocked about, there are millions of kids around the world that need to be adopted. There are hundreds of thousands in the U.S. And the last thing we need is a stereotype that only the race of a child is what can adopt that child.

And so, for me, I'm not sure this wasn't about her saving her job as it was about her saying she's sorry for what she did because last week, she loved it, laughed at it and produced it. That's a problem.

HILL: That's a bit unfair, Ben. First of all, in the teleprompter last week, there wasn't racist or racial humor. What she asked was, can someone caption the picture? Again, we are beginning from the premise today that this was a segment that shouldn't have happened. It was a bad idea and she's apologized for it.

So, it's not about defending what she did. But let's not say she went into the segment with the mindset of mocking a child or saying anything offensive.

SAVIDGE: Let me just interrupt, because we have covered this a lot. So, let's push the conversation forward and include "Duck Dynasty." Let's include this conversation we are talking about now. It seems a lot of it is based upon what is now appropriate or not appropriate to say in public, in the public arena.

I'm wondering, do you think any of this politically is correct sentiment? You know, the old PC thing. Are we suddenly saying it's very difficult to talk about anything controversial?

And, go ahead, Ben. You can start it off.

FERGUSON: There's a difference between being, you know, blunt about your moral beliefs, as Phil Robertson was in his article. He was not eloquent in the way he said it. He does believe in the bible. He does believe that there are many sins. He listed 12 of those to "G.Q." magazine and he was standing up for what he believes.

There's a difference between that and taking a family picture and mocking that picture based on the fact that there's an African- American child with a bunch of white people. Those are two totally different sets of circumstances.

And one is not funny. The other one, honestly, is not funny. They are both serious. If you want race relations to get better, don't mock or tell a white family that they can't adopt someone that's African-American or vice versa.

SAVIDGE: Well, as we go through --

(CROSSTALK)

HILL: No one said that. Just to be clear no one -- yes, and she never said that white people couldn't adopt. I mean, that's again, a falsehood that's being promoted here by Ben.

FERGUSON: It's not a false when the picture dealt with that. I mean, let's -- if we are going to -- let's not PC it.

(CROSSTALK)

HILL: Ben, if you are saying there's an implicit argument about adoption being made, fine. But let's not pretend on national television that she said black people shouldn't be adopted by white people. She simply didn't say that. She said plenty of stuff worth apologizing for, she's apologized for it. I want to move beyond to the question that was just asked.

But let's not put falsehood out there. But to the question I was asked about PC, I think sometimes the term PC is invoked as a way for people to be protected from saying things that are offensive. You know, some people say, oh, political correctness stops me from being racist. Political correctness stops me from being homophobic.

I think people need to be challenged for what they say. Melissa was just challenged for what she said. Phil Robertson was challenged for what they said. I think everybody has right to free speech and everyone has an obligation to challenge people on what they say and there have to be consequences to free speech, whether you're a Democrat, whether you're a Republican, whether I agree with you, or whether I don't.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SAVIDGE: As we said, a heated debate.

Moving on to other news, the founder of Amazon.com evacuated off of a cruise ship after developing a health condition while on vacation. We'll have the details in a moment.

But if you never keep your new year's resolutions, cheer up. You are not alone. Only 8 percent of us do. My next guest explains how some simple tweaks could make big changes in 2014.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SAVIDGE: The founder and CEO of Amazon.com has an abrupt and scary end to his vacation cruise in South America. A New Year's Eve or, I'm sorry, New Year's Day, a navy helicopter from Ecuador flew Jeff Bezos off an island in the Galapagos so he could get an emergency surgery in the U.S. Bezos, according to the Ecuadorian navy, developed a renal colic, a sickness linked to kidney stones.

Bezos who is 49 is, if you didn't know this, one of the wealthiest men in the world.

OK, New Year, new you or so the saying goes. But mathematically speaking, the odds aren't necessarily in our favor. Only 8 percent of people who make New Year's resolutions actually keep them.

So, chances are, you won't change much between now and December. That's the bad news.

But not this year, because we actually have some good news with a guest who is joining me now.

Vani Hari is the creator of foodbabe.com.

Vani, welcome.

Many of our resolutions deal with health. What are we doing wrong? And tell me how I can change.

VANI HARI, CREATOR, FOODBABE.COM: Yes, definitely. Thank you so much for having me, Martin.

A lot of resolutions are really broad and they are something that we can't sustain. So, let's just get right into them.

The first one here is, you know, carbs. A lot of people try to give up carbs in the New Year. It's not sustainable. I can't imagine my whole life without a piece of cake.

And so, what I like to tell people is, change out your carbs. Make the unhealthy carbs, healthy carbs. Like, for example, choose a super food, quinoa, instead of white rice, that has all the protein and amino acids that you need.

Instead of choosing processed cereal like Cheerios, go steel cut oats. Or what about, you know, bleached, refined white flour? How about sprouted wheat flour bread to make your sandwich every day?

SAVIDGE: And, you know, we talk about these kinds of resolutions. Some people give a specific thing they want, like, say, lose 10 pounds. Is that good to set that harsh a goal?

HARI: Well, it's a really harsh goal, because it's really not realistic. And someone like me, I hate weighing myself and I hate, you know, abiding by the pounds on the scale. And what I like to focus on is making our lives healthier instead of losing weight. So, for example, if you have been eating things that are linked to obesity, like for example, artificial sweeteners or soda, switch them those out for healthier things. Choose good foods over bad foods.

For example, instead of your Coca-Cola, go for a cambocha (ph), which is a fermented drink that's naturally fizzy, or sparkling water that's sweetened with some natural fruit juice. Or switching out your Equal or your Sweet and Low for coconut palm sugar with all the nutrients intact.

You'll be healthier and you start to feel great too, and you will eliminate the triggers linked to weight gain.

SAVIDGE: And here is the subject that's near and dear to me, going vegetarian or vegan. Now, I have not gone all the way, but I'm trying to be more vegetarian, if that's the way. Is that a good idea?

HARI: Well, it's a great idea and it's very noble. But, unfortunately, a lot of people can't go cold turkey. So, what I like to tell people is when you do eat meat, make sure that it's sustainably sourced, that it's not from a factory, that is not produces with growth hormone linked to cancer, the animals aren't fed genetically engineered ingredients, that they are fed grass, and things that they naturally are supposed to be eating, because when animals are healthier, you're going to be also healthier. And when those type of meats aren't available at the grocery store, at a restaurant, eat vegetarian, go plant based because those vegetables are going to create a really long, healthy life and a lean body.

SAVIDGE: And last but not least, I know this is every January in the gym when I say, wow, where did all these people come from? Exercise more.

HARI: Yes, definitely. You know, I tried to sign up for a class this morning that I normally take and it was full. It made me so mad.

But, you know, I wish more people would be like that all year round. Instead of saying exercising more in one month or two months, pick a time every single day that you devote to yourself and make that a habit. Every single day, at a certain time, you are going to do something that is active.

And if you schedule that in and make that a habit, whether it be a walk, taking a yoga class, or, you know, joining a friend at the gym, that time period will be part of your routine. Your body will get used to it. It will become easier, doing it as part of your entire life forever.

SAVIDGE: Yes, very nice advice. Vani Hari, the creator of foodbabe.com, thanks very much and happy New Year to you.

HARI: Happy New Year to you, too. Thank you so much.

SAVIDGE: The death of "Fast and Furious" actor, Paul Walker, was gruesome, but at least it was swift -- that according to the coroner's final autopsy report that was just released. Our Alan Duke has been reading through it and he'll have the details right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SAVIDGE: Sad news from the music world. Phil Everly of the legendary Everly brothers has died at a California hospital.

(MUSIC)

SAVIDGE: Phil on the left is with his brother Don recorded more than 35 hits during their career, including that one, "Wake Up Little Suzy", "Bye Bye Love," "Cathy's Clown", and "All I Have to Do is Dream". The brothers quit performing together in the 1980s, but later reunited. Phil Everly was 74 years of age.

High speeds played a huge role in Paul Walker's films. And now, an autopsy of the "Fast and Furious" star confirms it. Triple digit speeds played a part in his death. The autopsy also revealed the final moments of Walker and his friend, Roger Rodas. Rodas drove the car they both died in on November 30th.

I'm going to turn now to CNN's Alan Duke.

Alan, just how fast was the Porsche going when it crashed?

ALAN DUKE, CNN DIGITAL REPORTER: It was going above 100 miles per hour. How far above? They're not saying, just 100 plus. This was on an office park boulevard on a Saturday afternoon at 3:00. The conditions were dry.

There was no other traffic around. And apparently, they decided to see what that 2005 Porsche Carrera GT could do. It was really a racing car that was designed to also be driven on the street.

For some reason, now the autopsy report doesn't say, but for some unknown reason, the driver lost control and it spun out of control, hitting a light post and a couple of trees before bursting into flames. So, it was going in excess of the 45-mile-per-hour speed limit.

SAVIDGE: Yes, very powerful automobile. Tell us about how Paul Walker and Roger Rodas died.

DUKE: The autopsy says their bodies were found in this car, the remnants of the car, in a pugilistic stance, which suggests a defensive stance. In fact, Walker's wrist and arm were fractured, suggesting perhaps he was bracing himself. That each have very severe trauma from the crash itself.

The autopsy report is very gruesome in describing this. They did not die from the flames exclusively. Apparently, they could have been dead well before the flames really engulfed the car. The reason we know this is because only scant traces of soot were found in their trachea, in their throat, meaning they didn't breathe very long once the flames started. So, that could be some comfort to fans and family because they were dead before the real horror started in the car.

SAVIDGE: And Alan, does this report pretty much close the whole investigation? Is it done now?

DUKE: Yes, it was ruled an accident. But I will say one law enforcement officer pointed out to me when he heard they ruled it an accident, said you know, if Rodas, the driver had survived, he could have been charged with manslaughter because he was driving over 100 miles an hour. But of course, he's not around to charge with that. So, the coroner called it an accident.

SAVIDGE: And what about the last "Fast and Furious" film Paul Walker was shooting when he died? Some of it being shot right here in Atlanta. Is it going to be released? What will they do?

DUKE: Yes. With scenes that Walker shot while he was in Atlanta, in fact. It won't be released this summer as planned. Instead, it will be April of next year, 2015 when it's released, because they have to do some rewriting, some reshooting, some reconfiguring of the script. But it is coming out. "Fast and Furious 7," the very successful franchise will continue beyond Walker's death.

SAVIDGE: Alan Duke. All right, very tough. Thank you very much for filling us in tonight.

The Crowleys, the Granthams, and everyone's favorite feisty countess. They're coming back to TV. Yes, I'm talking about season four of Downton Abbey. Coming up, we'll take you on a tour of the set and tell you what may be in store for the upcoming season.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SAVIDGE: A lot of us are on edge because we are one day away from the return of the the Granthams, the Crowleys, and all the characters who live both upstairs and downstairs at Downton Abbey. After the shocking ending to the third season of the PBS period drama, there's been a lot of waiting and speculation about what is in store for season four. And in just a minute, we are going speculate about too about that. But first, here is Max Foster with a look at the set and the real home featured in Downton Abbey.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Good morning, mama. This is very early for you to be up and about.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: War makes early risers of us all.

MAX FOSTER, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Downton Abbey oozes class. And crucially it's about class. The series follows the trials and tribulations of the aristocratic Crawley family at the outbreak of World War I.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Ethel, I have a message for you from the ladyship. FOSTER: But it also tracks the parallel lives of servants living downstairs. It's a costume drama, but without an ending, airing in more than 100 countries.

What's the reality behind the story line? I went to meet Lady Carnarvon who owns the real-life Downton Abbey, Highclere Castle in southern England.

Lady Carnarvon, thank you very much for having us.

LADY CARNARVON, OWNER, HIGHCLERE CASTLE: How do you do? Welcome to Highclere.

FOSTER: Lady Carnarvon, a room many people recognize, fans of the show. I'm wondering how realistic this show is. Were the Carnarvons at the time have the same sort of life as the Crawleys?

CARNARVON: They would have had a lot more staff living here. Julian Fellows has contracted in sort of 18 major characters, I think it was to follow. And here I think there possibly would have been like 60 living within the house.

FOSTER: Even more staff.

CARNARVON: A lot more staff.

FOSTER: You're very patient with us. You obviously got used to film crews.

CARNARVON: You're a lot smaller than them.

FOSTER: There's got to be some horror stories. What's it like having all these film crews in the house all the time?

CARNARVON: It's just the sheer number of people. And then there is so much kept inside these trolley dolly things and video (inaudible) and then there's the camera, the light, and the balloon. This isn't a film set, it's our home. It's being used for a set for a wonderful TV series. So there is a funny balance.

And I remember after it had gone through the first deficit (ph) in the first series wondering if anyone would like it. Now it's amazing that it has a very steady audience here. America seem to have fallen in love with the series and the house and the characters. It's a complete phenomenon.

FOSTER: The big star in America, in terms of the show, has been Maggie Smith. The sofa where we often see her sitting. She's made your sofa very famous.

CARNARVON: She has.

This is where Maggie Smith sits. This is the very room she's in. Though she has, she's amazing. And we all watch out for the lines that she delivers so brilliantly. But then Julie writes the lines for her... UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You don't mind my drinking over the flowers do you?

Chorus flowers (ph) always (inaudible) first communion in southern Italy.

FOSTER: Max Foster, Highclere Castle, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SAVIDGE: Oh, let's bring in Samantha Schacher. She is a pop culture expert and host of Pop Trigger on the Young Turks Network. You can also catch her on "Dr. Drew On Call" on HLN. So, Samantha, it's been nearly a year since the shocking season three finale and Matthew's crash. Have you - I'm not sure I have -- gone through all seven stages of grief just yet?

SAMANTHA SCHACHER, HOST, POP TRIGGER: I'm still in denial. Like you said, it's been almost a year. So, what does that say about my bereaving process, Martin?

SAVIDGE: The season four, thankfully, picks up six months after Matthew's accident. I say thankfully. Mourning on television is never enjoyable.

SCHACHER: Never enjoyable.

SAVIDGE: So what do we know about the upcoming season?

SCHACHER: We are going to see a lot of changes obviously with Lady Mary's character considering what happened at the end of season three. But generally speaking, we are going to see in season four, we're going to see wedlock. We are going to see rape. We're going to see the series' first interracial romance. So finally, there's going to be a black character amongst the cast, played by Gary Car, who is going to be a jazz musician.

And I'm just really excited for the return of Academy Award-winning actress Shirley McClain. She will be coming back in season four. We saw her a little bit of her in the beginning of season three. She'll be joined by her son, played by Paul Giamatti. And he's going to be a real playboy in season four.

SAVIDGE: Oh, dear. I cannot wait. And it all begins tomorrow evening. Downton is definitely going to be a show to watch in 2014. Stick around because Samantha has a lot more to put on your radar for the new year. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SAVIDGE: With her bold fashion choices, outrageous performances, and X-rated music videos, singer/actress Miley Cyrus seemed to come out of nowhere and take 2013 by storm. By the end of the year, she successfully had shed her Disney image to become one of the biggest artists of the year. Samantha Schacher is back. She's a pop culture expert and host of Pop Trigger on Young Turks Network. And Samantha, you know, if she was Miley Cyrus, the breakout artist say, of 2013, who do you think is going to have that title this year?

SCHACHER: Well, I would have to give it to Lorde. She's the 17-year- old new Zealand singer/song writer. And even though she had an incredible end of 2013, nominated for four Grammys, she broke records, I think she's going to be launched into superstardom. This year, she has a North American tour, and she really is the antithesis to pop culture, which is pretty interesting.

But also another breakout star, she's an actress that I want everybody to keep their eyes and ears open to, is Margot Robbie. That's the blond bombshell that everybody's been talking about from the Scorsese's "The Wolf of Wall Street." She played Leonardo DiCaprio's second wife. And not only can you not take your eyes off her, but she is incredibly talented, Martin.

SAVIDGE: Ok, well let's talk about movies now, sort of move on from music to that genre. Which ones, which movies should we keep an eye out for?

SCHACHER: Well, I was so lucky to be invited to an advanced screening of Jason Mamoa's (ph) directorial debut. A lot of people know Jason from "Games of Thrones." He played Call Drogo. And oh, my gosh, this is definitely one of the better movies I have seen in a long time. It's an independent, gritty, cool movie, but it definitely also exposes some social injustices that occur on Indian reservations today. And the cinematography by Brian Andrew Mendoza is breathtaking.

But also a lot of people are excited about George Clooney's project. And I want to say project because not only did he write the screenplay to "The Monuments Man," but he also starring in it, directing in it, producing in it alongside actors like Bill Murray and Matt Damon and John Goodman. And it's a true story that took place in World War II, the special unit set out specifically to recover stolen art from the Nazis. That premieres February 7th.

SAVIDGE: Wow, that does have an incredible cast. All right, well, we just spoke about Downton Abbey coming back to television. What other TV shows should we be looking for?

SCHACHER: As far as returning series, I cannot wait for February 9. That is going to be the premiere of the second half of season four of Walking Dead on AMC. And oh my gosh, unfortunately, the rumor is that yet another beloved character is going to get the axe. And I'm so hoping it's not Darrel -

SAVIDGE: Oh, we all are! Who wants Darrel - no!

SCHACHER: I love Darrel. I would rather be Carl than Darrel. Just saying. And I know Carl is a kid, so what can I say?

And then also, as far as really highly anticipated new series, HBO has a new series called True Detective. It stars - get this -- Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, two incredible movie stars. They are going to be two detectives from the Deep South trying to solve a crime. But the interesting part about this series is that every season will be a brand-new cast because the case that they are investigating spans 17 years. So each season will have a new time frame, a new cast.

And then also, a lot of people are buzzing about on ABC, Killer Women. And Killer Women stars Patricia Helper, you guys remember her from Battlestar Galactica. And that's supposed to be a great series because it's a female who kicks butt. She's a Texas ranger, and that premiers this Tuesday on ABC.

SAVIDGE: Before we let you go, just give us one bold Pop prediction for 2014. Music, TV, film, what do you see as really standing out?

SCHACHER: Believe it or not, ok, going back to TV, Sundance has a new TV series coming out called Red Road. I saw a premiere of it. And believe it or not, it's Jason Mamoa, who I just spoke about in Road to Paloma. And wow, I think Sundance is going to be like the new AMC with really cool, gritty, compelling new TV series, like in the line of Breaking Bad and The Wire.

SAVIDGE: All right. Samantha Schacher, thanks very much. I'll still try to --

SCHACHER: Thanks for having me!

SAVIDGE: Oh, you're most welcome! How I have this love for Downton Abbey and The Walking Dead I think only Freud could explain. Thanks very much.

SCHACHER: Me too!

SAVIDGE: All right, we'll talk later.

Those of you east of the Mississippi this evening, today is not cold, but it's coming. The real cold is on its way. Nor'easters and blizzards, they have all passed. But now you are going to be talking about the deep, deep freeze. And it's about to settle on half of the nation. The big weather map and everything with it, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SAVIDGE: "The New York Times" is reporting New York governor Andrew Cuomo is set to announce an executive order this week allowing limited use of marijuana for those with serious illnesses. Governor Cuomo recently changed his position on the legalization of medical marijuana. This comes just days after recreational use of the drug became legal in Colorado. That sent thousand of people, you may remember, there flocking to buy the drug.

I spoke with Suzanne Craig, "The New York Times" reporter who broke that story.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) SUZANNE CRAIG, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" (on the phone): He's not going to the legislature in New York, which has looked at this several times. But he's found a provision in New York law that will allow him to do it on a limited level and see how it goes. So it's very interesting, and it's going to be up and running I would say sometime kind of late next year, early into the next year. There's a lot of things they have to iron out, but it's on its way.

SAVIDGE: This seems to be quite an about face here. What's behind the decision, do you think?

CRAIG: Well, I think he's had a progression of his views on this. He's been against it, and it's interesting why he's come out now. And I think his concerns before were rooted in the legal aspects. He's a former attorney general, has been worried about how the police it, how to control it. I think over time, there's been a lot of lobbying going on of groups that want this, and I think he's seen over time there can be benefits if it's done at a very limited way. And to be sure on this it's going to be done in a limited way. Only 20 hospitals in the state will be chosen to distribute it. And the diseases that can be, it can be used for, that the patients can use it for are going to be very limited. It's going to be cancer, glaucoma, anything past that has to be approved by department of health.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAVIDGE: All right. This next story is a lit on the lighter side. Pope Francis, who'd he's been known to cold call the faithful. And it happened again, this time in Spain. But when Francis called five nuns on New Year's Eve, the sisters weren't home. So he left this voice mail.

(AUDIO CLIP)

SAVIDGE: Experts say that is indeed the pope's voice. He said jokingly, "What are the nuns doing that they can't answer?". And he continued, "I am Pope Francis, I wish to greet you this end of the year. I will see if I can call you later. May God bless you."

The nuns decided they would just wait for the pope to call back, and sure enough, he was good for his word. A few hours later, they say that he did, and I imagine they had some explaining to do.

While we are just 34 days away from the start of the Winter Olympics in Russia. And excitement has been building for this, but all that changed following two deadly terror attacks 400 miles from the host city. Diana Magnay takes a look at the security for the Games.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DIANA MAGNAY, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Russian authorities have discovered a link between the two deadly suicide bombings in Volgograd. Monday morning's attack on a crowded trolley killed 16 and on Sunday, a massive explosion rocked the city's railway station. This chilling surveillance video captures the horrific incident at the security checkpoint where a suicide bomber detonated 22 pounds of TNT, killing 18.

Authorities now say both bombs contained similar shrapnel, a sign they originated from the same region. The attacks highlight the terrorist threat that Russia faces as it hosts the Winter Olympic Games next month in Sochi, just 400 miles south of the devastation.

WILLIAM RATHBURN, 1996 ATLANTA OLYMPICS SECURITY DIRECTOR: All of the Olympic sites will have physical security, electronic security. Everybody will be screened. So, I think it will be difficult for a terrorist to set off a bomb inside a village or venue.

MAGNAY: Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, is personally involved in security plans and promising maximum security in Sochi. But Russian authorities say they will not change security measures they already have in place, confident they're well-prepared.

U.S. authorities have offered full support to the Russian government in ramping up security measures. In a statement, the United States Olympic Committee says in part, "We're always concerned with the safety of our delegation and the Sochi games are no different in that regard," an effort by the committee to avoid a repeat occurrence of the bombing that killed two at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

RATHBURN: What concerns me is when you harden targets, you often force the terrorists to select softer targets. So that makes everything else in Sochi and the surrounding area vulnerable.

MAGNAY: Targets like transportation hubs, where tourists and athletes will travel to and from the Games.

President Putin's claim that he can protect the Olympics also rests in part on whether he can control the situation in the north caucuses. And he claims that he can. But it would seem as though terrorists are intent on proving that he cannot.

Diana Magnay, CNN, Moscow.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SAVIDGE: Back in this country, this is going to be a winter to remember for millions of people around the country, including New York's new mayor. Here's our Alexandra Field.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALEXANDRA FIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The massive storm that pummeled New York is followed now by a massive response. But plummeting temperatures have officials warning that some of the most dangerous conditions are still ahead of us.

MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO, NEW YORK CITY: The best option today is stay close to home. The best option is not be outside too long. FIELD: New York City's mayor Bill de Blasio shoveled his own driveway despite the bitter wind chill that prompted city leaders to keep schools closed Friday.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's nasty out here, very nasty. I could have stayed home, I would have stayed home. Stay home. If you don't have to come out, stay home. That's it.

FIELD: New York City saw almost eight inches of snow. A foot of snow fell on Long Island. During the worst of the storm Thursday night into Friday morning, a driving band kept cars off of some of New York's busiest interstates. The Long Island Expressway shut down for eight hours because of blizzard conditions. Holiday travelers were stopped in their tracks. Passengers were grounded in New York City's airports.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When I talked to them, they said it would be a couple of days before the next flight to Toronto. So I just booked myself a bus ticket.

FIELD: That might be one option for people fighting to get out. But what to do if you're stuck at home waiting for that snow to clear?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My plan is to wake up early tomorrow, look out the window, see what it looks like, get the snow-blower out and try to get to work.

FIELD: If that's the case, Connecticut's governor has some advice for you, too.

MALLOY: If you want some tips on how to deal with the cold, first of all, I'll give you mine. Don't put your tongue on a flagpole.

FIELD: Alexandra Field, CNN, Long Island.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SAVIDGE: I think I saw that somewhere. That winter nor'easter, by the way, that dumped serious snow on millions two days ago, that was just the beginning. A real winter hammer is about to fall. Alexandra Steele is here now from the CNN Severe Weather Center. Let's talk about just how cold it will get.

ALEXANDRA STEELE, AMS METEOROLOGIST: That was nothing. We thought that was cold then. What we've got is that incredibly cold Arctic air, rarefied air, Martin. Let me show you. What we have is a piece of the polar puzzle, really of the polar vortex coming down. It's the coldest air in the Northern Hemisphere. So look at some of these wind chills on Monday morning. Duluth, 50 below is what it will feel like. Tomorrow if you're going to the game, we're going to see temperatures feel like about 20 below. So incredibly cold air stays there, stays, but we're going to watch it drop south and drop east.

And Martin, look at this. We've got actually, it could have been a snowstorm for New York. Another one Sunday and Monday. But look at the temperatures, they're going to rebound into the 40s, almost 50 on Monday, then that Artic air comes and look at that drop. From almost 50 to 14. It goes farther south too than we've seen with this last cold. We're going to see 50 degrees in Nashville to rain, and then drop to seven degrees on Monday. So, 30-, 40-degree temperature drops. But also, there's a snowstorm coming, but the snow in that Arctic air for Chicago which has gone seasons and seasons with paltry amounts of snow, hot on the heels of this last storm -- 8 to 12 for Detroit and Cleveland and Erie and Chicago.

But look what happens. That cold air is in place when the moisture gets there. So the Eastern Seaboard, it's going to be rain there because the cold air comes after the moisture, so the timing's about 12 hours off. So, it's going to be rain Monday in New York City, but could have been a snowstorm.

SAVIDGE: Well, at least we get beyond the seriousness of that. You've got some nice collection of photos here.

STEELE: Yes, let's show you kind of a potpourri of what's happening, right? See some pictures, too, in the next couple of days of what it's like out there. All right, temperatures of course plummeting and everyone doing whatever they can. Of course we saw thousands in Atlanta, Georgia, Albany, New York, thousands of airport delays.

SAVIDGE: And we've also -- beyond the sadness of this, we've got some nice pictures. These are dogs streaking out in the snow. It's a snow blower in Salem, New Hampshire. This is actually pretty funny to me. This dog is probably going I've never seen it snow so much in one place. Look at this.

STEELE: That's a three-inch-per-hour deal there. Four inches.

SAVIDGE: And then take a look at the snow plows on the sloppy highways in Evansville, Indiana. It's a very serious and actually difficult job to be out there, but they're the ones that clear the roads and make it so that we can go.

And then we've got this in New Jersey. A rather peaceful scene. A lone person skiing on the beach. How often do you get to do that? But it's one way -- look at that. A beautiful image there, too, to sort of capitalize what the weather will look like.

We love these pictures. Keep sending them. We love to hear from you and know what's going on in your backyard.

I'm Martin Savidge. The next thing to come is three young men who were convicted of terrible murders more than two decades ago. But now, they are no longer young men. And also, we're learning they may not be guilty, either.

CNN presents PRESUMED GUILTY: MURDER IN WEST MEMPHIS now.