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American Morning
"American Pie 2" Opening Breaks Openings
Aired August 13, 2001 - 11:46 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.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Time to check "Showbiz News" this morning.
DARYN KAGAN: Laurin Sydney telling us what one of the biggest stars in Hollywood was up to. He turned up someplace I think a lot of people didn't expect him to show up.
LAURIN SYDNEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely. The star in question is Ben Affleck and, Leon and Daryn, the reason why he was there at the Teen Choice Awards was because the facility that he is in actually allows people to go out, as long as it is related to work, into the real world. And of course he was accompanied by somebody and we'll get to that.
Apparently, recovering from an alcohol problem does not keep one from accepting an award, especially from teenagers. Actor Ben Affleck, currently in treatment at the Promises Rehab Center for Alcohol Abuse, showed up at the Teen Choice Awards last night in Hollywood. He won two awards, including favorite actor. He told the kids why he interrupted his program to come to the event.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BEN AFFLECK, ACTOR: Thank you very much. I guess I'll have to learn to surf. I wasn't going to be here, but I felt like it was important, and so I came. Because this actually means a lot to me, because it was voted on by you guys, and it's really, actually very, very good to be here.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SYDNEY: Comedian Drew Carey is expected back at work at his sitcom the week following heart surgery. Carey was released from a Los Angeles-based hospital on Saturday after undergoing angioplasty to unblock a coronary artery. He complained about chest pains last week and was taken to the hospital, where it was determined to proceed with the angioplasty.
OK, despite it's R rating, "American Pie 2" had moviegoers begging for seconds this weekend. Hollywood reporter box-office analyst Mr. Marty Grove joins us from Hollywood.
And, Marty, another record set this weekend -- who knew? MARTY GROVE, HOLLYWOOD REPORTER: Laurin, let me tell you, they broke so many records this weekend with "American Pie 2, they are still cleaning up. Well, first to update the numbers, 45.4 million is Universal's estimate this morning. Yesterday they thought a great 45.1, so it had an even stronger Sunday.
Now, some of those records -- it's the biggest R-rated comedy opening ever. It's the second-highest opening ever for an R-rated film of any kind. It's the third biggest comedy ever to open -- not only with just an R rating, but with any rating. Let me keep going. It's Universal's fourth No. 1 opening this year. But that's not the big news.
The big story is, Laurin, it is Universal's fourth opening in a row with over $40 million per opening, so they are as hot as any studio can be. And in Paris, where Vivendi, which owns Universal, must be watching us right now, I'm sure they are opening the champagne.
SYDNEY: I think they're eating the croissants.
(LAUGHTER)
SYDNEY: Now, Marty, moviegoers are still rushing to see "Rush Hour 2." Are you surprised about that one?
GROVE: No, you know something? It fell 53 percent. That's the story of this summer -- huge openings and big second-week plunges. But nonetheless, it is an enormous hit. In the case of "Rush Hour 2," Laurin, this picture is probably going to go on to do 175 to 200 million. It's already done close to 132 million, so New Line has to be very, very happy, and Brett Ratner, who directed it, told me he wants to do all the future sequels himself. He says Steven Spielberg directed all of his "Indiana Jones" films, Richard Donner does all the "Lethal Weapons." Well, Brett Ratner will be very happy to do the next couple of "Rush Hours."
SYDNEY: Who could blame him if he has a piece of the action? It's a good thing.
GROVE: Indeed, he does.
SYDNEY: I'd like to direct it as well. Kids are still peeking into "The Princess Diaries".
GROVE: Royal business continues for Garry Marshall's film, once again showing that if you are unique in the marketplace there's business to be had. This weekend, just over $14 million, a drop of only 38 percent. That's a fabulous hold in this summer, where everything has dropped 50 and 60 percent. The film has already done about $52 million. I would say it's on its way to over 85, possibly even get to 100.
SYDNEY: OK, Marty. And we are out of time, so you go and study those numbers and we're going to see you next Monday.
GROVE: Yes. SYDNEY: And when we return, mix African rhythms with Irish music and what do you get? Something like this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PETER GABRIEL, MUSICIAN: Now become something else. It's got it's very own strong identity. It's very energetic, very soulful. I think you've to hear those beautiful voices on top of it and it's quite unique.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SYDNEY: Rocker Peter Gabriel has always been a proponent of world music. His patronage of the WOMAD festival has helped bring bands from around the world to the attention of the music world.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GABRIEL: It's quite unique.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SYDNEY: His latest project is with a group called Afro Celtic. It's an amazing combination of musical sensibilities from two completely divergent cultures. Gabriel talks about this groundbreaking band in our 2:00 p.m. "Showbiz Today Report."
And later today, a look at whether an R rating helps or hurts a film at the box office. Until a little bit later, I'm Laurin Sydney. and now back to Daryn and Leon.
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