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American Morning
90-Second Pop, Culture Watch
Aired December 16, 2003 - 07:43 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.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: It's time once again for "90-Second Pop," which, of course, is our lightning-fast look at the look at the world of pop culture. Playing the role of pop stars this morning, a drum roll, please, humorist Andy Borowitz. Also joining us this morning, "New York Times" reporter, Lola Ogunnaike. And B.J. Sigesmund is a staff editor for "US Weekly."
Good morning to all of you. Nice to see you. Happy holidays.
ANDY BOROWITZ, HUMORIST: Good morning.
O'BRIEN: Like the way we've done this setup?
BOROWITZ: Oh, it's (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
(CROSSTALK)
LOLA OGUNNAIKE, "NEW YORK TIMES" REPORTER: Yes, it's gorgeous.
O'BRIEN: Everything apparently is glue-gunned down, so don't try to walk away with any of our stuff.
Let's get right to it this morning. Lola, we're going to start with you. "Lord of the Rings: Return of the King," fantastic, amazing, unbelievable reviews, to the point where some people are saying this could be Oscar worthy. Would you agree?
OGUNNAIKE: I agree definitely. It's visually breathtaking. The battle scenes are amazing, and everyone really puts in a stellar performance. There are no weak links.
O'BRIEN: When they talk about Oscar, who are they talking about?
B.J. SIGESMUND, "US WEEKLY": Well, it's actually hard to think of a movie in film history that has had the best picture Oscar written all over it from the start. This movie hasn't even been shown to the public yet, and people already assume that it's going to win the best picture Oscar.
O'BRIEN: You think that one.
SIGESMUND: Absolutely.
O'BRIEN: How about for any performances though, like (UNINTELLIGIBLE), the man I love?
SIGESMUND: That's the... O'BRIEN: In addition to my husband.
SIGESMUND: That's the one thing. I mean, Sean Astin is probably -- he may be the one to get an Oscar nomination. This isn't a big Oscar performance movie, though. It's much more about the technical categories, the scenery, the art production, of course.
OGUNNAIKE: Absolutely. Best cinematographer.
SIGESMUND: Best picture, best director.
OGUNNAIKE: Director.
SIGESMUND: Yes, this is it.
O'BRIEN: How much money do you think it's going to make?
SIGESMUND: Over $400 million for sure.
BOROWITZ: Wow!
SIGESMUND: And it's going to win the best Oscar.
O'BRIEN: Wow!
SIGESMUND: I have to tell you, Soledad, I took a few friends to see the screening with me, and during an emotional moment...
O'BRIEN: You got your friends into the screening, OK, thanks.
SIGESMUND: Yes, exactly. During one emotional moment I looked over at my friend, Tim, a grown man weeping.
O'BRIEN: Sobbing like...
(CROSSTALK)
SIGESMUND: Yes.
OGUNNAIKE: That was the one thing that I had a problem with. It did get a little too emotional at some points.
O'BRIEN: Really?
OGUNNAIKE: It was a little too, like...
(CROSSTALK)
BOROWITZ: It's funny, because it was also...
OGUNNAIKE: My (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
BOROWITZ: This is the last one in the series, too, which is kind of sad, because that means there is going to be massive unemployment among hammy (ph) British actors. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Ian McCallen (ph), he uses the scenery as a teething ring. O'BRIEN: Something else that will make many people cry, Ashton Kutcher is giving up punked. Shocking!
SIGESMUND: Yes, I know it's shocking.
O'BRIEN: Right. What's the inside scoop, B.J.?
SIGESMUND: Well, like many people, I thought that maybe America was being punked. I was kind of hoping we were being punked, because this is the worst decision. You know, it seems like maybe he wants to devote himself to movies full time, but this guy has...
O'BRIEN: Has he been in a good movie lately?
SIGESMUND: No, he hasn't.
BOROWITZ: No.
OGUNNAIKE: No.
SIGESMUND: In fact, his last...
OGUNNAIKE: The Brittney Murphy (ph) movie bombed.
SIGESMUND: Yes, "Just Married" bombed. "My Boss's Daughter," which came out at the height of his infamy dating Demi Moore, made a total of $10 million.
O'BRIEN: He wants to focus on the work, he says.
SIGESMUND: Yes.
O'BRIEN: Hello?
SIGESMUND: And he's been on "That '70s" show and on "Punked," and that's it.
BOROWITZ: I actually have sort of theorized that the movies he's made, as well as his relationship with Demi, might have been pranks for the show. We ought to keep our eye on both of those things.
O'BRIEN: And one of the things...
OGUNNAIKE: But do you think...
O'BRIEN: He did say he wanted to leave on top. And I have to imagine that as it got more popular...
OGUNNAIKE: Yes.
O'BRIEN: ... the "Punked" the premises that he's pulling tricks on his celebrity friends. So, now anytime of them they see Ashton Kutcher coming, they run.
BOROWITZ: Which I would do.
OGUNNAIKE: And it's hard to punk people now, I would imagine.
O'BRIEN: Right.
OGUNNAIKE: Everyone knows.
SIGESMUND: But, you know, he has a movie coming out in January called "The Butterfly Effect," where he's the lead for the first time. This is a psychological thriller. If that movie does really well, that's when he should leave and launch a movie career. This is way too early.
O'BRIEN: And he needs to call you if he wants to talk for more advice about his career.
OGUNNAIKE: Right, his agent.
(CROSSTALK)
O'BRIEN: Let's talk about Oprah and David Letterman. Who knew they had this big feud? But she had said that she felt very uncomfortable the two times she was on his show. Now, it looks like there are some fences being mended here.
BOROWITZ: Well, it is one of these cases of who knows? It's an enormous story, and it's been completely overshadowed by this whole Saddam Hussein thing. I mean, the media really dropped the ball on this.
OGUNNAIKE: Right.
BOROWITZ: Well, apparently, I guess he's been, you know -- she's been just this walking punch line for him for years, and she refused to be on his show. And now...
O'BRIEN: She's, like, I'm a billionaire. I don't need to be your punch line.
BOROWITZ: Exactly. And then, I guess, has also sort of refused to be on her show. She's invited him, and there has been this big rift. I think they should just focus on the things they have in common. They both have spent enormous amounts of time with Madonna, for example. And I think they should use those things to kind of bring themselves together.
O'BRIEN: And they say Dr. Phil might bring it all, and the little hand holding.
BOROWITZ: Well, Letterman has this hilarious gag about creating the super bowl of love, as he calls it, where he's going to have Dr. Phil and Oprah and there's going to be a lot of crying.
OGUNNAIKE: I think he has a crush on her. He has a crush on her.
O'BRIEN: He does get seem to get a little testy when he likes somebody. I would agree with that. It's back to the whole... OGUNNAIKE: It's just his way to get her attention.
O'BRIEN: ... the whole 6-year-old boy.
OGUNNAIKE: Yes, pulling her hair, throwing rocks at her.
BOROWITZ: That chemistry.
SIGESMUND: It just seems like a huge PR stunt to me. Like, is it a feud or is it not a feud?
O'BRIEN: You are so cynical.
SIGESMUND: You know, if you have issues -- I'm not that cynical, but if you have issues, like, go to lunch or something. Take a meeting.
(CROSSTALK)
BOROWITZ: Or go on Jerry Springer, a neutral talk show.
O'BRIEN: Work it out. And, you guys, we're out of time. As always, thank you. You are playing the role of cynic today, B.J.
SIGESMUND: Toure is not here.
O'BRIEN: Usually that's Lola's role.
OGUNNAIKE: That's my role.
O'BRIEN: Not today. Andy and Lola and B.J., as always, thanks so much, you guys.
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 December 16, 2003 - 07:43 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: It's time once again for "90-Second Pop," which, of course, is our lightning-fast look at the look at the world of pop culture. Playing the role of pop stars this morning, a drum roll, please, humorist Andy Borowitz. Also joining us this morning, "New York Times" reporter, Lola Ogunnaike. And B.J. Sigesmund is a staff editor for "US Weekly."
Good morning to all of you. Nice to see you. Happy holidays.
ANDY BOROWITZ, HUMORIST: Good morning.
O'BRIEN: Like the way we've done this setup?
BOROWITZ: Oh, it's (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
(CROSSTALK)
LOLA OGUNNAIKE, "NEW YORK TIMES" REPORTER: Yes, it's gorgeous.
O'BRIEN: Everything apparently is glue-gunned down, so don't try to walk away with any of our stuff.
Let's get right to it this morning. Lola, we're going to start with you. "Lord of the Rings: Return of the King," fantastic, amazing, unbelievable reviews, to the point where some people are saying this could be Oscar worthy. Would you agree?
OGUNNAIKE: I agree definitely. It's visually breathtaking. The battle scenes are amazing, and everyone really puts in a stellar performance. There are no weak links.
O'BRIEN: When they talk about Oscar, who are they talking about?
B.J. SIGESMUND, "US WEEKLY": Well, it's actually hard to think of a movie in film history that has had the best picture Oscar written all over it from the start. This movie hasn't even been shown to the public yet, and people already assume that it's going to win the best picture Oscar.
O'BRIEN: You think that one.
SIGESMUND: Absolutely.
O'BRIEN: How about for any performances though, like (UNINTELLIGIBLE), the man I love?
SIGESMUND: That's the... O'BRIEN: In addition to my husband.
SIGESMUND: That's the one thing. I mean, Sean Astin is probably -- he may be the one to get an Oscar nomination. This isn't a big Oscar performance movie, though. It's much more about the technical categories, the scenery, the art production, of course.
OGUNNAIKE: Absolutely. Best cinematographer.
SIGESMUND: Best picture, best director.
OGUNNAIKE: Director.
SIGESMUND: Yes, this is it.
O'BRIEN: How much money do you think it's going to make?
SIGESMUND: Over $400 million for sure.
BOROWITZ: Wow!
SIGESMUND: And it's going to win the best Oscar.
O'BRIEN: Wow!
SIGESMUND: I have to tell you, Soledad, I took a few friends to see the screening with me, and during an emotional moment...
O'BRIEN: You got your friends into the screening, OK, thanks.
SIGESMUND: Yes, exactly. During one emotional moment I looked over at my friend, Tim, a grown man weeping.
O'BRIEN: Sobbing like...
(CROSSTALK)
SIGESMUND: Yes.
OGUNNAIKE: That was the one thing that I had a problem with. It did get a little too emotional at some points.
O'BRIEN: Really?
OGUNNAIKE: It was a little too, like...
(CROSSTALK)
BOROWITZ: It's funny, because it was also...
OGUNNAIKE: My (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
BOROWITZ: This is the last one in the series, too, which is kind of sad, because that means there is going to be massive unemployment among hammy (ph) British actors. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Ian McCallen (ph), he uses the scenery as a teething ring. O'BRIEN: Something else that will make many people cry, Ashton Kutcher is giving up punked. Shocking!
SIGESMUND: Yes, I know it's shocking.
O'BRIEN: Right. What's the inside scoop, B.J.?
SIGESMUND: Well, like many people, I thought that maybe America was being punked. I was kind of hoping we were being punked, because this is the worst decision. You know, it seems like maybe he wants to devote himself to movies full time, but this guy has...
O'BRIEN: Has he been in a good movie lately?
SIGESMUND: No, he hasn't.
BOROWITZ: No.
OGUNNAIKE: No.
SIGESMUND: In fact, his last...
OGUNNAIKE: The Brittney Murphy (ph) movie bombed.
SIGESMUND: Yes, "Just Married" bombed. "My Boss's Daughter," which came out at the height of his infamy dating Demi Moore, made a total of $10 million.
O'BRIEN: He wants to focus on the work, he says.
SIGESMUND: Yes.
O'BRIEN: Hello?
SIGESMUND: And he's been on "That '70s" show and on "Punked," and that's it.
BOROWITZ: I actually have sort of theorized that the movies he's made, as well as his relationship with Demi, might have been pranks for the show. We ought to keep our eye on both of those things.
O'BRIEN: And one of the things...
OGUNNAIKE: But do you think...
O'BRIEN: He did say he wanted to leave on top. And I have to imagine that as it got more popular...
OGUNNAIKE: Yes.
O'BRIEN: ... the "Punked" the premises that he's pulling tricks on his celebrity friends. So, now anytime of them they see Ashton Kutcher coming, they run.
BOROWITZ: Which I would do.
OGUNNAIKE: And it's hard to punk people now, I would imagine.
O'BRIEN: Right.
OGUNNAIKE: Everyone knows.
SIGESMUND: But, you know, he has a movie coming out in January called "The Butterfly Effect," where he's the lead for the first time. This is a psychological thriller. If that movie does really well, that's when he should leave and launch a movie career. This is way too early.
O'BRIEN: And he needs to call you if he wants to talk for more advice about his career.
OGUNNAIKE: Right, his agent.
(CROSSTALK)
O'BRIEN: Let's talk about Oprah and David Letterman. Who knew they had this big feud? But she had said that she felt very uncomfortable the two times she was on his show. Now, it looks like there are some fences being mended here.
BOROWITZ: Well, it is one of these cases of who knows? It's an enormous story, and it's been completely overshadowed by this whole Saddam Hussein thing. I mean, the media really dropped the ball on this.
OGUNNAIKE: Right.
BOROWITZ: Well, apparently, I guess he's been, you know -- she's been just this walking punch line for him for years, and she refused to be on his show. And now...
O'BRIEN: She's, like, I'm a billionaire. I don't need to be your punch line.
BOROWITZ: Exactly. And then, I guess, has also sort of refused to be on her show. She's invited him, and there has been this big rift. I think they should just focus on the things they have in common. They both have spent enormous amounts of time with Madonna, for example. And I think they should use those things to kind of bring themselves together.
O'BRIEN: And they say Dr. Phil might bring it all, and the little hand holding.
BOROWITZ: Well, Letterman has this hilarious gag about creating the super bowl of love, as he calls it, where he's going to have Dr. Phil and Oprah and there's going to be a lot of crying.
OGUNNAIKE: I think he has a crush on her. He has a crush on her.
O'BRIEN: He does get seem to get a little testy when he likes somebody. I would agree with that. It's back to the whole... OGUNNAIKE: It's just his way to get her attention.
O'BRIEN: ... the whole 6-year-old boy.
OGUNNAIKE: Yes, pulling her hair, throwing rocks at her.
BOROWITZ: That chemistry.
SIGESMUND: It just seems like a huge PR stunt to me. Like, is it a feud or is it not a feud?
O'BRIEN: You are so cynical.
SIGESMUND: You know, if you have issues -- I'm not that cynical, but if you have issues, like, go to lunch or something. Take a meeting.
(CROSSTALK)
BOROWITZ: Or go on Jerry Springer, a neutral talk show.
O'BRIEN: Work it out. And, you guys, we're out of time. As always, thank you. You are playing the role of cynic today, B.J.
SIGESMUND: Toure is not here.
O'BRIEN: Usually that's Lola's role.
OGUNNAIKE: That's my role.
O'BRIEN: Not today. Andy and Lola and B.J., as always, thanks so much, you guys.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
