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Stun Gun Safety; Gordon Wins Daytona 500
Aired February 21, 2005 - 14:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: An amber alert is now out in five states for a 7-year-old Fort Worth, Texas, boy, missing with his pregnant mother. Lisa Underwood's SUV turned up today north of Dallas, and police say Saturday they found blood in her home after she failed to show up for a baby shower.
Meanwhile, European leaders are pondering President Bush's call for a new era of transatlantic unity. Speaking in Brussels, Belgium, Mr. Bush urged Europe to put aside past rifts with him and focus on challenges it shares with the U.S.
A Georgia-based consumer data collection firm says it's mailing alerts to almost 145,000 people who may become victims of identity theft. ChoicePoint admits criminals may have information from its database on residents in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and three U.S. territories.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Stun guns coming under fire again. Human rights groups are raising new questions about their safety after a number of deaths linked to taser shots. Some say more research is needed to validate the safety of any device which jolts a person with 50,000 volts. Our Kelly Wallace has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was the death of Freddie Jerome Williams (ph) in a Georgia jail last year that got state representative Tyrone Brooks' attention.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He was tasered at home and tasered in the jail and he died. I said something needs to be done.
WALLACE: While the autopsy concluded there was no evidence the taser shocks caused or contributed to Williams' death, Brooks wasn't satisfied, so he introduced a bill calling for a statewide ban of these, 50,000-volt tasers, until there is more research surrounding their safety.
STATE REP. TYRONE BROOKS SR. (D), GEORGIA: I hope that we will have a product that won't kill people prior to them getting their day in court.
WALLACE: Since 2001, according to Amnesty International, 93 people have died in the United States and Canada ever being shocked by tasers. The latest case earlier this month in Chicago, a 54-year-old man died, and a 14-year-old boy went into cardiac arrest after being tasered by police officers. And just last week, Toledo Police suspended the use of tasers following the January death of a suspect who had been shocked nine times. All of this has human rights groups calling for a national moratorium on the use of tasers and a federal study about their impact on people of all ages.
WILLIAM SCHULZ, AMNESTY INTL. USA: We think it's terribly important that we all know the truth, that Taser International know the truth, that Amnesty International know the truth and that police departments know the truth, so that we can tell exactly to what extent these weapons ought to be restricted.
WALLACE: The manufacturer, Taser International, says although the devices are not risk free, there is no evidence to show that a taser device was the singular cause of any death, and credits the device with saving lives every day. The president of International Association of Chiefs of Police agrees based on what he's seen so far.
JOSEPH ESTEY, INTL. ASSN. OF CHIEFS OF POLICE: What I've been told by sheriffs and chiefs that approve of the device and the technology, it is a very effective way to basically reduce the threat and bring somebody under control very quickly.
WALLACE (on camera): This week, the police chief's association will issue guidelines for officers around the country on what to consider before buying or using tasers.
(voice-over): Back in Atlanta, Tyrone Brooks says he's thinking both about the officers and people like Freddie Jerome Williams.
BROOKS: I certainly don't want to take away options from law- enforcement agencies, but we also want to make sure whatever they're using is safe to be used on humans.
WALLACE: Kelly Wallace, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS: Taser International, the maker of stun guns, says they are one of the safest ways on the market to subdue a violent suspect. But even the head of the company admits tasers do come with certain risks. He spoke earlier today on CNN's AMERICAN MORNING.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RICK SMITH, CEO/CO-FOUNDER TASER INT'L: I think the way to think about tasers is like you would think about airbags in your car. They don't make a crash risk-free, neither does a taser make a confrontation with police risk-free. But they reduce the risk of injury and death dramatically.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: And we invite to stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security. BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: All right. Mixing with the masses. Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles may be forced to allow commoners like and you and me, Tony, to attend their wedding.
HARRIS: Hey, speak for yourself.
NGUYEN: Hey, hey, hey. We have the latest royal buzz. First, though, let's go to Hollywood.
SIBILA VARGAS, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: You guys are not commoners. Well, Paris Hilton is back in the news. Okay, well, she never left. And it's a great weekend for Will Smith. I'll have all the details when LIVE FROM continues.
HARRIS: And we'll read your e-mails about the new Bush tapes. We asked what is more upsetting, the fact that President Bush was secretly taped or what he said? Send us those e-mails at livefrom@cnn.com.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(WEATHER REPORT)
HARRIS: An all-star performance from A.I., Allen Iverson, led the Eastern Conference stars to a 10-point win over the West in last night's NBA All-Star Game. The 76ers' Iverson finished the game with 15 points, 9 assists and 5 steals and was named the game's MVP. It was Iverson's second all-star MVP and the first time that the East has beaten the West since 2001. Coincidence? Shaq plays in the East now. Shakizzle.
NGUYEN: Shakizzle.
HARRIS: And the all-star game marked the implementation of the new NBA code of conduct rules for fans. Perhaps the most important change is that arenas will stop serving alcohol at the start of the fourth quarter and will now limit to two the number of alcoholic beverages served to each fan. Among other changes, the new rules stipulate players will respect and appreciate each and every fan. That needed to be stipulated? Fans, in turn, are expected not to fight, throw things or try to enter the court. That needed to be stipulated?
NGUYEN: It apparently did.
HARRIS: And obscene messages are not allowed on signs or clothing.
NGUYEN: Or clothing. You may need a few new shirts, Tony.
HARRIS: Needed to stipulate that?
NGUYEN: All right. Speaking of putting the pedal to the metal, you can add Jeff Gordon's name to the list of Daytona 500's three-time winners. His come from behind victory this weekend made for one of the most thrilling finishes in that race's history. You have to see this. CNN's Steve Overmyer, he was there.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
STEVE OVERMYER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Maybe they should have called this the Daytona 50. After 450 miles of drivers playing it cool, they managed to squeeze all the excitement in the final 20 laps.
JEFF GORDON, 3-TIME DAYTONA 500 CHAMPION: I can't even really relive all the moments that happened. I'm going to have to watch it on video because I don't really know how everything transpired there at the end. All I know is I saw the checkered flag waving, and I was excited.
DALE EARNHARDT JR., 3RD PLACE FINISH: If I had been up there, not had to drive back to get there, I'd been there working all day long, I might have had a little more help. But the guys were like surprised to me see there. I don't think they had much confidence in my car.
OVERMYER: This race was so spectacular, it he needed overtime. After 200 laps, we still didn't are have a winner. It took the first ever green/white checkered finish in Daytona 500 history to settle this mess.
JIMMIE JOHNSON, 5TH PLACE FINISH: That's really wild racing. Everybody's trying to do all that they can. And you try to help out, but you also have to defend your own territory and do the best you can for your racecar.
GORDON: We've been coming here for quite a while. We've won two of these things. It's been awesome. But I've got to say, this one was one of the most spectacular finishes, one of the greatest battles and one of the greatest team efforts that I've ever been a part of. So this is definitely the sweetest Daytona 500 I've ever had.
OVERMYER (on camera): This was an emotional victory for Jeff Gordon for more than one reason. He dedicated this race to those who lost their lives in the Hendrick Motorsports plane crash late last year.
Steve Overmyer, CNN, Daytona Beach, Florida.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS: Well, beefcake is boffo at the box office. I think I handled that OK. Was that all right? Yes, OK.
NGUYEN: OK.
HARRIS: And the star of "The Simple Life" learns nothing in life is simple in the age of computer hackers. Let's check in now with CNN entertainment correspondent Sibila Vargas in wet and soggy Los Angeles.
Hi, Sibila. VARGAS: It is soggy out here. But that was perfect, Tony.
HARRIS: Thank you.
VARGAS: Tony, do you know Paris Hilton personally?
HARRIS: I have never met her. I never have.
VARGAS: Well, good for you.
HARRIS: I've seen her work.
(LAUGHTER)
VARGAS: Good for you, though.
NGUYEN: Which one, Tony?
(LAUGHTER)
VARGAS: If you are a celebrity, guys, and you know her, don't be surprised if you get a call from a complete stranger. Turns out the hotel heiress' T-Mobile cell phone was hacked into and dozens of phone numbers of her famous friends were stolen. The sensitive material quickly made its way to the Web. And as you can imagine, some of the star's phones have been ringing off the hook. Officials are looking into it.
And it was a battle of the hunks at the box office this weekend as Will Smith and Keanu Reeves faced off. But in the end, moviegoers preferred "Big Willie Style."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "HITCH")
KEVIN JAMES, ACTOR: But if there are people there...
WILL SMITH, ACTOR: I'm sorry. I hate to be a stickler, but I need to be thorough. Show me what you mean by, "you're not worried about it."
Trust me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VARGAS: That's right. Will Smith's romantic comedy "Hitch" held its romantic spell at the box office for a second week in a row. It earned about $31.8 million. Reeves' supernatural thriller "Constantine" was not far behind at number two with $30.5 million.
And Britain's number one celebrity couple are celebrating the birth of their third child. Former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham and her sexy soccer star husband David Beckham gave birth to a 7-pound baby boy over the weekend. Doctors say momma and the little guy are in perfect health. Baby Cruz (ph), that's his name, is going to be very busy. He's got two older brothers, Brooklyn and Romeo. Like those names. Well, it rained all weekend here in Tinseltown, but it still was sunshine and wine at one major awards show. "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" and "Sideways" were the big winners at the 57th Annual Writers Guild Awards. "Sunshine" by Charlie Kaufman is based on a story by Kaufman, Michel Gondry and Pierre Bismuth. It won for original screenplay. And the wine country gem "Sideways" by Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor took home the award for adapted screenplay.
Now "Sideways" is also up for an Oscar for best adapted screenplay while "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" is up for an Academy Award for best original screenplay. Got to see both, liked them.
What about you guys? Tony, did you get to see any either one of them?
HARRIS: I haven't. But you know, when are the awards? Is it this weekend?
NGUYEN: This weekend.
VARGAS: This weekend. And I'm going to be there. I'm going to bring it to you live.
NGUYEN: Looking forward to that.
(CROSSTALK)
NGUYEN: Hey, I have seen "Sideways," and I'm still traumatized by that one scene. We won't reveal it here, but that one scene, no.
VARGAS: That was very revealing, yes. It involves nudity.
NGUYEN: Oh, don't tell them, don't tell them.
VARGAS: It's very shocking. OK. I won't.
NGUYEN: You'll be traumatized, too, Tony. Don't you worry.
HARRIS: All right, Sibila. Thank you. Good to see you.
NGUYEN: All right. In other entertainment news, what do movie stars and Volkswagens have in common? Stumped, Tony? I'm stumped. Well, the makers of the cars and the products have cast their goods in supporting roles in feature films, and they're hoping some of that silver-screen glam will mean bigger profits.
Here's our Chris Burns.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHRIS BURNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): What better way to try to put glamour in a car? Sponsoring the Berlin Film Festival, Volkswagen limousines whisked screen idols to the red carpet. Like so many products hitching rides in James Bond films, VW has also signed with NBC Universal for that not so subliminal kind of advertising, product placement.
DIRK GROSSE-LEEGE, VOLKSWAGEN: It's the way of communication of the future, the way I see it.
BURNS: Dirk Grosse-Leege is a spokesman for VW.
GROSSE-LEEGE: You need to emotionalize your products more and more to differentiate between different brands. And there's no better media where you can emotionalize your product than putting it in popular movies.
BURNS: Like Nokia phones in "The Matrix," Apple computers in "You've Got Mail," Apples, Bang Olufsens, and Audis in "About a Boy." The list is endless, and the price tag, an industrial secret. But analysts and product-placement agents say it's major bucks.
(on camera): VW's latest product placement deal is the tip of a multibillion-dollar iceberg companies spend every year to hock their wares on the silver screen. But just how effective is this kind of advertising? Is it really worth the money?
(voice-over): Federal Express won't talk revenue, but says company recognition rose as much as 10 percent worldwide after Tom Hanks played the stranded FedEx guy in "Castaway." Like many companies, its payment to the film was in kind, as logistical help.
(on camera): But it doesn't always work, does it?
SCOTT ROXBOROUGH, HOLLYWOOD REPORTER: No. In fact, I would suggest it probably rarely works. There are examples where it has worked very well, "The Italian Job" where you had a Mini placed very carefully into the movie.
BURNS: But critics and viewers say though load a film with too many products, as in Steven Spielberg's "Terminal," and it could be terminal.
HANS HITZEROTH, SINGER: If I get a better movie for that, it's OK for me, but I'm not sure if it makes the movies better.
BURNS: Watch for even more product placements. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission just refused to regulate it on TV. But vendors beware the moviegoer. He or she may be wiser than you think.
Chris Burns, CNN, Berlin.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: It's one big commercial these days.
HARRIS: It is, it is. You get the commercials before the movie starts and the trailers now...
NGUYEN: In the movie.
HARRIS: Still to come on LIVE FROM, sounds like the U.S. won't be the only country focusing on those pain relievers called cox-2 inhibitors. Details next.
NGUYEN: And getting used to life in the U.S. again after serving in Iraq. It's not as easy as you may think.
HARRIS: And we'll read your e-mails about the new Bush tapes. Write us at livefrom@cnn.com.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Now the stories making news around the world today. Germany is preparing to significantly restrict the use of cox-2 inhibitors to ease pain. Germany's drug regulator says guidelines will come out in the next few days. They'll instruct anyone at high risk for heart attack and stroke to stop using the medication. Cox-2 drugs include Celebrex, Vioxx and Bextra.
The Vatican says Pope John Paul II will not preside at his weekly public audience on Wednesday. He'll greet and bless the crowds from his apartment window overlooking St. Peter's Square instead. The frail 84-year-old pontiff is recovering from a respiratory ailment.
And the upcoming British royal wedding may have to be open to the public, including people wishing to object to it. British newspapers are reporting that the country's 1994 marriage act will apply to the April 8th nuptials of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles.
HARRIS: All right, now let's get your take on those newly released audiotapes of George W. Bush when he was governor of Texas.
NGUYEN: The future president didn't know family friend Doug Wead was recording him when, among other things, he appeared to admit past use of illegal drugs.
HARRIS: So we invited you to e-mail us and tell us, really, what upsets you more -- the fact that the president was secretly taped or what he said?
NGUYEN: We got lots of good e-mails today.
Julie in Austin, Texas, writes: "I didn't vote for George Bush and I disagree with him on just about everything. But I think the youthful indiscretions of public figures should be off-limits. As for the taping, it was unethical, but anyone running for president should know that everything they say is potential public foddder."
HARRIS: There's something to that.
This from Joel: "I believe that President Bush should be ashamed. President Clinton openly admitted he tried marijuana, while not admitting to inhaling. At least he publicly said what he did was wrong. President Bush tries to conceal every little thing from his past. He would make more of an impact if he just admitted he did that and that he was young and wrong."
NGUYEN; Well, instead of being ashamed, Robbie says: "True character is what you do when nobody is watching. He had no idea he was being taped and still held his high values. The fact that he is truly the same behind-the-scene as he is in front of the camera makes me like him more."
HARRIS: We got time for a couple more? OK, this from -- was that from Robbie?
NGUYEN: That was from Robbie, yes.
HARRIS: OK, this is from Joanne: "I think Mr. Wead should be ashamed. His comment was it's not about money. Duh. It's going to help him sell his book. Then it is about money. Sorry, I just don't think a true friend would do this. I'm reminded of another 'friend' of Monica who taped conversations. It is despicable."
NGUYEN: And our last one today is from Ed in New Jersey. He says: "President Clinton admitted to marijuana use as a young man and the relgious right shredded him for eight years. President Bush now adds cocaine and marijuana use to his previous DUI conviction and alcoholism. On these issues, the right is silent. The hypocrisy is beyond measure."
HARRIS: For emails, every one of them, thank you.
NGUYEN: Yes, want to thank you for getting those in.
Well, Gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson -- he has died. We'll look back at the life and works of the unusual writer in our next hour of LIVE FROM.
HARRIS: And we're live from Southern California, where rain is a four-letter word today for some nervous homeowners.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: "Now in the News." Breaking bread and mending fences. President Bush and Jacques Chirac are dining together in Brussels this hour. The French president was a leading European opponent of the war in Iraq. Mr. Bush is trying to bridge that divide. We'll have highlights of his day in Brussels -- that's coming up this half hour.
Back home now. The White House calls them casual conversations with somebody the president, quote, considered a friend. That friend, author Doug Wead, has released audiotapes of conversations he says he had with the then-Governor Bush in the late 1990s. In them, Mr. Bush appears to admit that he smoked marijuana in the past. Now, CNN did not independently confirm the authenticity of those tapes.
Police in Texas, they are trying to find a pregnant woman and her 7-year-old son, who have been missing since Saturday. A pool of blood was found in their Fort Worth home. Now there's word the woman's SUV has been found outside Dallas. We'll have more on this story straight ahead.
HARRIS: Well, the rain keeps coming, the mud keeps sliding, or threatening to in Southern California. Three people are known dead. In the latest big storm, three more had a close call when a wall of mud overran their condo complex. East of Los Angeles, we've got the latest from CNN's Miguel Marquez in the L.A. suburb of Glendale. Hello, Miguel.
MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: How are you there, Tony? It's a lot of mud, it's a lot of water out here. I want to give you an idea of sort of what the typical situation out there. This is in Glendale, a little suburb here up in the hills. This mud has been coming down all night.
You can see it sort of sponge-like, you can see how that just sort of oozes down that mountain once it gets too heavy. This is where all this mud -- this is a cul-de-sac or what was a cul-de-sac, and this is where it's all coming from, off this hillside. There's sort of two areas that are sliding into this cul-de-sac here. We talked to one homeowner who had to evacuate last night.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired February 21, 2005 - 14:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: An amber alert is now out in five states for a 7-year-old Fort Worth, Texas, boy, missing with his pregnant mother. Lisa Underwood's SUV turned up today north of Dallas, and police say Saturday they found blood in her home after she failed to show up for a baby shower.
Meanwhile, European leaders are pondering President Bush's call for a new era of transatlantic unity. Speaking in Brussels, Belgium, Mr. Bush urged Europe to put aside past rifts with him and focus on challenges it shares with the U.S.
A Georgia-based consumer data collection firm says it's mailing alerts to almost 145,000 people who may become victims of identity theft. ChoicePoint admits criminals may have information from its database on residents in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and three U.S. territories.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Stun guns coming under fire again. Human rights groups are raising new questions about their safety after a number of deaths linked to taser shots. Some say more research is needed to validate the safety of any device which jolts a person with 50,000 volts. Our Kelly Wallace has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was the death of Freddie Jerome Williams (ph) in a Georgia jail last year that got state representative Tyrone Brooks' attention.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He was tasered at home and tasered in the jail and he died. I said something needs to be done.
WALLACE: While the autopsy concluded there was no evidence the taser shocks caused or contributed to Williams' death, Brooks wasn't satisfied, so he introduced a bill calling for a statewide ban of these, 50,000-volt tasers, until there is more research surrounding their safety.
STATE REP. TYRONE BROOKS SR. (D), GEORGIA: I hope that we will have a product that won't kill people prior to them getting their day in court.
WALLACE: Since 2001, according to Amnesty International, 93 people have died in the United States and Canada ever being shocked by tasers. The latest case earlier this month in Chicago, a 54-year-old man died, and a 14-year-old boy went into cardiac arrest after being tasered by police officers. And just last week, Toledo Police suspended the use of tasers following the January death of a suspect who had been shocked nine times. All of this has human rights groups calling for a national moratorium on the use of tasers and a federal study about their impact on people of all ages.
WILLIAM SCHULZ, AMNESTY INTL. USA: We think it's terribly important that we all know the truth, that Taser International know the truth, that Amnesty International know the truth and that police departments know the truth, so that we can tell exactly to what extent these weapons ought to be restricted.
WALLACE: The manufacturer, Taser International, says although the devices are not risk free, there is no evidence to show that a taser device was the singular cause of any death, and credits the device with saving lives every day. The president of International Association of Chiefs of Police agrees based on what he's seen so far.
JOSEPH ESTEY, INTL. ASSN. OF CHIEFS OF POLICE: What I've been told by sheriffs and chiefs that approve of the device and the technology, it is a very effective way to basically reduce the threat and bring somebody under control very quickly.
WALLACE (on camera): This week, the police chief's association will issue guidelines for officers around the country on what to consider before buying or using tasers.
(voice-over): Back in Atlanta, Tyrone Brooks says he's thinking both about the officers and people like Freddie Jerome Williams.
BROOKS: I certainly don't want to take away options from law- enforcement agencies, but we also want to make sure whatever they're using is safe to be used on humans.
WALLACE: Kelly Wallace, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS: Taser International, the maker of stun guns, says they are one of the safest ways on the market to subdue a violent suspect. But even the head of the company admits tasers do come with certain risks. He spoke earlier today on CNN's AMERICAN MORNING.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RICK SMITH, CEO/CO-FOUNDER TASER INT'L: I think the way to think about tasers is like you would think about airbags in your car. They don't make a crash risk-free, neither does a taser make a confrontation with police risk-free. But they reduce the risk of injury and death dramatically.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: And we invite to stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security. BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: All right. Mixing with the masses. Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles may be forced to allow commoners like and you and me, Tony, to attend their wedding.
HARRIS: Hey, speak for yourself.
NGUYEN: Hey, hey, hey. We have the latest royal buzz. First, though, let's go to Hollywood.
SIBILA VARGAS, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: You guys are not commoners. Well, Paris Hilton is back in the news. Okay, well, she never left. And it's a great weekend for Will Smith. I'll have all the details when LIVE FROM continues.
HARRIS: And we'll read your e-mails about the new Bush tapes. We asked what is more upsetting, the fact that President Bush was secretly taped or what he said? Send us those e-mails at livefrom@cnn.com.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(WEATHER REPORT)
HARRIS: An all-star performance from A.I., Allen Iverson, led the Eastern Conference stars to a 10-point win over the West in last night's NBA All-Star Game. The 76ers' Iverson finished the game with 15 points, 9 assists and 5 steals and was named the game's MVP. It was Iverson's second all-star MVP and the first time that the East has beaten the West since 2001. Coincidence? Shaq plays in the East now. Shakizzle.
NGUYEN: Shakizzle.
HARRIS: And the all-star game marked the implementation of the new NBA code of conduct rules for fans. Perhaps the most important change is that arenas will stop serving alcohol at the start of the fourth quarter and will now limit to two the number of alcoholic beverages served to each fan. Among other changes, the new rules stipulate players will respect and appreciate each and every fan. That needed to be stipulated? Fans, in turn, are expected not to fight, throw things or try to enter the court. That needed to be stipulated?
NGUYEN: It apparently did.
HARRIS: And obscene messages are not allowed on signs or clothing.
NGUYEN: Or clothing. You may need a few new shirts, Tony.
HARRIS: Needed to stipulate that?
NGUYEN: All right. Speaking of putting the pedal to the metal, you can add Jeff Gordon's name to the list of Daytona 500's three-time winners. His come from behind victory this weekend made for one of the most thrilling finishes in that race's history. You have to see this. CNN's Steve Overmyer, he was there.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
STEVE OVERMYER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Maybe they should have called this the Daytona 50. After 450 miles of drivers playing it cool, they managed to squeeze all the excitement in the final 20 laps.
JEFF GORDON, 3-TIME DAYTONA 500 CHAMPION: I can't even really relive all the moments that happened. I'm going to have to watch it on video because I don't really know how everything transpired there at the end. All I know is I saw the checkered flag waving, and I was excited.
DALE EARNHARDT JR., 3RD PLACE FINISH: If I had been up there, not had to drive back to get there, I'd been there working all day long, I might have had a little more help. But the guys were like surprised to me see there. I don't think they had much confidence in my car.
OVERMYER: This race was so spectacular, it he needed overtime. After 200 laps, we still didn't are have a winner. It took the first ever green/white checkered finish in Daytona 500 history to settle this mess.
JIMMIE JOHNSON, 5TH PLACE FINISH: That's really wild racing. Everybody's trying to do all that they can. And you try to help out, but you also have to defend your own territory and do the best you can for your racecar.
GORDON: We've been coming here for quite a while. We've won two of these things. It's been awesome. But I've got to say, this one was one of the most spectacular finishes, one of the greatest battles and one of the greatest team efforts that I've ever been a part of. So this is definitely the sweetest Daytona 500 I've ever had.
OVERMYER (on camera): This was an emotional victory for Jeff Gordon for more than one reason. He dedicated this race to those who lost their lives in the Hendrick Motorsports plane crash late last year.
Steve Overmyer, CNN, Daytona Beach, Florida.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS: Well, beefcake is boffo at the box office. I think I handled that OK. Was that all right? Yes, OK.
NGUYEN: OK.
HARRIS: And the star of "The Simple Life" learns nothing in life is simple in the age of computer hackers. Let's check in now with CNN entertainment correspondent Sibila Vargas in wet and soggy Los Angeles.
Hi, Sibila. VARGAS: It is soggy out here. But that was perfect, Tony.
HARRIS: Thank you.
VARGAS: Tony, do you know Paris Hilton personally?
HARRIS: I have never met her. I never have.
VARGAS: Well, good for you.
HARRIS: I've seen her work.
(LAUGHTER)
VARGAS: Good for you, though.
NGUYEN: Which one, Tony?
(LAUGHTER)
VARGAS: If you are a celebrity, guys, and you know her, don't be surprised if you get a call from a complete stranger. Turns out the hotel heiress' T-Mobile cell phone was hacked into and dozens of phone numbers of her famous friends were stolen. The sensitive material quickly made its way to the Web. And as you can imagine, some of the star's phones have been ringing off the hook. Officials are looking into it.
And it was a battle of the hunks at the box office this weekend as Will Smith and Keanu Reeves faced off. But in the end, moviegoers preferred "Big Willie Style."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "HITCH")
KEVIN JAMES, ACTOR: But if there are people there...
WILL SMITH, ACTOR: I'm sorry. I hate to be a stickler, but I need to be thorough. Show me what you mean by, "you're not worried about it."
Trust me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VARGAS: That's right. Will Smith's romantic comedy "Hitch" held its romantic spell at the box office for a second week in a row. It earned about $31.8 million. Reeves' supernatural thriller "Constantine" was not far behind at number two with $30.5 million.
And Britain's number one celebrity couple are celebrating the birth of their third child. Former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham and her sexy soccer star husband David Beckham gave birth to a 7-pound baby boy over the weekend. Doctors say momma and the little guy are in perfect health. Baby Cruz (ph), that's his name, is going to be very busy. He's got two older brothers, Brooklyn and Romeo. Like those names. Well, it rained all weekend here in Tinseltown, but it still was sunshine and wine at one major awards show. "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" and "Sideways" were the big winners at the 57th Annual Writers Guild Awards. "Sunshine" by Charlie Kaufman is based on a story by Kaufman, Michel Gondry and Pierre Bismuth. It won for original screenplay. And the wine country gem "Sideways" by Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor took home the award for adapted screenplay.
Now "Sideways" is also up for an Oscar for best adapted screenplay while "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" is up for an Academy Award for best original screenplay. Got to see both, liked them.
What about you guys? Tony, did you get to see any either one of them?
HARRIS: I haven't. But you know, when are the awards? Is it this weekend?
NGUYEN: This weekend.
VARGAS: This weekend. And I'm going to be there. I'm going to bring it to you live.
NGUYEN: Looking forward to that.
(CROSSTALK)
NGUYEN: Hey, I have seen "Sideways," and I'm still traumatized by that one scene. We won't reveal it here, but that one scene, no.
VARGAS: That was very revealing, yes. It involves nudity.
NGUYEN: Oh, don't tell them, don't tell them.
VARGAS: It's very shocking. OK. I won't.
NGUYEN: You'll be traumatized, too, Tony. Don't you worry.
HARRIS: All right, Sibila. Thank you. Good to see you.
NGUYEN: All right. In other entertainment news, what do movie stars and Volkswagens have in common? Stumped, Tony? I'm stumped. Well, the makers of the cars and the products have cast their goods in supporting roles in feature films, and they're hoping some of that silver-screen glam will mean bigger profits.
Here's our Chris Burns.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHRIS BURNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): What better way to try to put glamour in a car? Sponsoring the Berlin Film Festival, Volkswagen limousines whisked screen idols to the red carpet. Like so many products hitching rides in James Bond films, VW has also signed with NBC Universal for that not so subliminal kind of advertising, product placement.
DIRK GROSSE-LEEGE, VOLKSWAGEN: It's the way of communication of the future, the way I see it.
BURNS: Dirk Grosse-Leege is a spokesman for VW.
GROSSE-LEEGE: You need to emotionalize your products more and more to differentiate between different brands. And there's no better media where you can emotionalize your product than putting it in popular movies.
BURNS: Like Nokia phones in "The Matrix," Apple computers in "You've Got Mail," Apples, Bang Olufsens, and Audis in "About a Boy." The list is endless, and the price tag, an industrial secret. But analysts and product-placement agents say it's major bucks.
(on camera): VW's latest product placement deal is the tip of a multibillion-dollar iceberg companies spend every year to hock their wares on the silver screen. But just how effective is this kind of advertising? Is it really worth the money?
(voice-over): Federal Express won't talk revenue, but says company recognition rose as much as 10 percent worldwide after Tom Hanks played the stranded FedEx guy in "Castaway." Like many companies, its payment to the film was in kind, as logistical help.
(on camera): But it doesn't always work, does it?
SCOTT ROXBOROUGH, HOLLYWOOD REPORTER: No. In fact, I would suggest it probably rarely works. There are examples where it has worked very well, "The Italian Job" where you had a Mini placed very carefully into the movie.
BURNS: But critics and viewers say though load a film with too many products, as in Steven Spielberg's "Terminal," and it could be terminal.
HANS HITZEROTH, SINGER: If I get a better movie for that, it's OK for me, but I'm not sure if it makes the movies better.
BURNS: Watch for even more product placements. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission just refused to regulate it on TV. But vendors beware the moviegoer. He or she may be wiser than you think.
Chris Burns, CNN, Berlin.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: It's one big commercial these days.
HARRIS: It is, it is. You get the commercials before the movie starts and the trailers now...
NGUYEN: In the movie.
HARRIS: Still to come on LIVE FROM, sounds like the U.S. won't be the only country focusing on those pain relievers called cox-2 inhibitors. Details next.
NGUYEN: And getting used to life in the U.S. again after serving in Iraq. It's not as easy as you may think.
HARRIS: And we'll read your e-mails about the new Bush tapes. Write us at livefrom@cnn.com.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Now the stories making news around the world today. Germany is preparing to significantly restrict the use of cox-2 inhibitors to ease pain. Germany's drug regulator says guidelines will come out in the next few days. They'll instruct anyone at high risk for heart attack and stroke to stop using the medication. Cox-2 drugs include Celebrex, Vioxx and Bextra.
The Vatican says Pope John Paul II will not preside at his weekly public audience on Wednesday. He'll greet and bless the crowds from his apartment window overlooking St. Peter's Square instead. The frail 84-year-old pontiff is recovering from a respiratory ailment.
And the upcoming British royal wedding may have to be open to the public, including people wishing to object to it. British newspapers are reporting that the country's 1994 marriage act will apply to the April 8th nuptials of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles.
HARRIS: All right, now let's get your take on those newly released audiotapes of George W. Bush when he was governor of Texas.
NGUYEN: The future president didn't know family friend Doug Wead was recording him when, among other things, he appeared to admit past use of illegal drugs.
HARRIS: So we invited you to e-mail us and tell us, really, what upsets you more -- the fact that the president was secretly taped or what he said?
NGUYEN: We got lots of good e-mails today.
Julie in Austin, Texas, writes: "I didn't vote for George Bush and I disagree with him on just about everything. But I think the youthful indiscretions of public figures should be off-limits. As for the taping, it was unethical, but anyone running for president should know that everything they say is potential public foddder."
HARRIS: There's something to that.
This from Joel: "I believe that President Bush should be ashamed. President Clinton openly admitted he tried marijuana, while not admitting to inhaling. At least he publicly said what he did was wrong. President Bush tries to conceal every little thing from his past. He would make more of an impact if he just admitted he did that and that he was young and wrong."
NGUYEN; Well, instead of being ashamed, Robbie says: "True character is what you do when nobody is watching. He had no idea he was being taped and still held his high values. The fact that he is truly the same behind-the-scene as he is in front of the camera makes me like him more."
HARRIS: We got time for a couple more? OK, this from -- was that from Robbie?
NGUYEN: That was from Robbie, yes.
HARRIS: OK, this is from Joanne: "I think Mr. Wead should be ashamed. His comment was it's not about money. Duh. It's going to help him sell his book. Then it is about money. Sorry, I just don't think a true friend would do this. I'm reminded of another 'friend' of Monica who taped conversations. It is despicable."
NGUYEN: And our last one today is from Ed in New Jersey. He says: "President Clinton admitted to marijuana use as a young man and the relgious right shredded him for eight years. President Bush now adds cocaine and marijuana use to his previous DUI conviction and alcoholism. On these issues, the right is silent. The hypocrisy is beyond measure."
HARRIS: For emails, every one of them, thank you.
NGUYEN: Yes, want to thank you for getting those in.
Well, Gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson -- he has died. We'll look back at the life and works of the unusual writer in our next hour of LIVE FROM.
HARRIS: And we're live from Southern California, where rain is a four-letter word today for some nervous homeowners.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: "Now in the News." Breaking bread and mending fences. President Bush and Jacques Chirac are dining together in Brussels this hour. The French president was a leading European opponent of the war in Iraq. Mr. Bush is trying to bridge that divide. We'll have highlights of his day in Brussels -- that's coming up this half hour.
Back home now. The White House calls them casual conversations with somebody the president, quote, considered a friend. That friend, author Doug Wead, has released audiotapes of conversations he says he had with the then-Governor Bush in the late 1990s. In them, Mr. Bush appears to admit that he smoked marijuana in the past. Now, CNN did not independently confirm the authenticity of those tapes.
Police in Texas, they are trying to find a pregnant woman and her 7-year-old son, who have been missing since Saturday. A pool of blood was found in their Fort Worth home. Now there's word the woman's SUV has been found outside Dallas. We'll have more on this story straight ahead.
HARRIS: Well, the rain keeps coming, the mud keeps sliding, or threatening to in Southern California. Three people are known dead. In the latest big storm, three more had a close call when a wall of mud overran their condo complex. East of Los Angeles, we've got the latest from CNN's Miguel Marquez in the L.A. suburb of Glendale. Hello, Miguel.
MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: How are you there, Tony? It's a lot of mud, it's a lot of water out here. I want to give you an idea of sort of what the typical situation out there. This is in Glendale, a little suburb here up in the hills. This mud has been coming down all night.
You can see it sort of sponge-like, you can see how that just sort of oozes down that mountain once it gets too heavy. This is where all this mud -- this is a cul-de-sac or what was a cul-de-sac, and this is where it's all coming from, off this hillside. There's sort of two areas that are sliding into this cul-de-sac here. We talked to one homeowner who had to evacuate last night.
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