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American Morning

Showbiz Today Reports: Julia Roberts Discusses New Film

Aired July 19, 2001 - 11:40   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.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Let's check in with Laurin Sydney, handling showbiz news for us.

LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: All right; good morning Laurin.

LAURIN SYDNEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, everybody. Legendary screen actress Katharine Hepburn is in a Hartford hospital. The 94-year-old actress is listed in stable condition. Hepburn was admitted for tests on Wednesday, and is expected to be released in a few days. A hospital spokesman told CNN there is no cause for alarm. The four-time Academy Award winner is best known for her roles opposite Spencer Tracy, with whom she shared an on and off-screen romance.

Another screen legend and one of America's sweethearts, Julia Roberts is gracing the silver screen in the new movie "America's Sweethearts." The film takes a look at the Hollywood publicity machine, something that the Oscar-winning actress is definitely familiar with.

Our Bill Tush sat down with Roberts for a heartfelt talk.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "AMERICA'S SWEETHEARTS")

JULIA ROBERTS, ACTRESS: I'm sleeping. And because I just -- I just feel funny getting in the middle of the things with the two of you. It's just -- can't you just handle this yourself?

CATHERINE ZETA-JONES, ACTRESS: What are you talking about? I don't handle anything myself.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BILL TUSH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I was told by Joe Roth that, because you did "Notting Hill," where you played a movie star, you didn't want to do the Catherine role -- or the Gwen role.

ROBERTS: Well, you know the truth is, it was about two weeks ago that I was talking to this lovely guy from "TIME" magazine who brought up the comparison of the two parts, movies, whatever. That was the first time it ever occurred to me. I just, quite simply, read the script and thought, oh, Kiki's the better part for me. You know, just more fun for me; more interesting things to do for me. And it never had anything to do with comparing to "Notting Hill." It never occurred to me -- oh, two actors -- it didn't cross my mind.

TUSH: I was going to walk in here and do one of these questions, kind of a twist with the movie and say, here I am, I've got my five minutes to talk to you and make the world think you and I are old buddies.

ROBERTS: Well, we kind of are.

TUSH: You blew it for me.

ROBERTS: I'm sorry.

TUSH: Can I beat that? I can't beat that. OK.

ROBERTS: But you are just like the center of entertainment universe to me.

TUSH: Well, thank you.

Do you ever fear -- do you ever think in your mind that one day the public will just say, you know, I really don't care that Julia Roberts is dating Benjamin Bratt...

ROBERTS: I live for that day.

TUSH: Really?

ROBERTS: Sure, I would throw a hell of a party -- parade, even; ticker tape and all.

TUSH: But it would be nice to remain an actor, but not have all the -- all of this stuff.

ROBERTS: I look at this -- this stuff -- because I participate in this stuff. Let's not kid ourselves -- like I'm some kind of stoic person above gossip and fodder and all those things. But I -- I look at it for myself; I can't speak for the mass. But, you know, I find that on the days that I really participate in that kind of water- cooler conversation is, if I were to be honest with myself, a day that I am just really looking to not look at myself.

TUSH: Yes?

ROBERTS: Yes.

TUSH: You're still a hometown girl.

ROBERTS: Hi, hi. Hi, my family.

TUSH: I got the hurry-up sign.

ROBERTS: Will you put it on, though? Will you put it on?

I love you, I miss you mommy and Nancy.

Will you put that on?

TUSH: I promise you.

ROBERTS: Will you really?

TUSH: I swear to you.

ROBERTS: Really?

TUSH: I would never lie to you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SYDNEY: OK, it's good to know that Julia and Bill have such an honest relationship. On the other hand, someone may have lied to newlyweds Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt. We will have that story right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SYDNEY: OK, gold rings may have gotten one of Hollywood's golden couples steaming mad. Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt are suing Italian designer Silvia Damiani and Damiani International for $50 million. The newlyweds claim the jeweler broke an agreement never to reproduce their wedding bands. The suit states that their rings were not only replicated, but offered for sale on the Internet and at jewelry stores. Made of white gold and diamonds, the rings cost about $1,000 apiece. Pitt and Aniston are seeking an injunction that would stop sales.

And that is about it for now. We now go back to Leon in Atlanta -- Leon.

HARRIS: Ann right, thank you; we'll see you later on.

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