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Diana Nyad on Simone Biles Withdrawal; Kate Flannery is Interviewed about "The Office"; Misty Copeland is Interviewed about Prince. Aired 8:30-9a ET

Aired July 30, 2021 - 08:30   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:33:56]

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN ANCHOR: Big, new revelations overnight from Simone Biles. The superstar Olympian posted and then deleted a series of videos. This is one of them. It shows her struggling on rather simple moves for her with what gymnasts call the twisties. She says, quote, literally cannot tell up from down. It's the craziest feeling ever not having an inch of control over your body. What's even scarier, since I have no idea where I am in the air, I also have no idea how I'm going to land or what I'm going to land on.

Joining us now is legendary swimmer Diana Nyad, who, of course, was the first person to swim from Cuba to the U.S. without a shark cage. She knows a thing or two about bravery and athletic prowess.

I know, you know, this is what we want to talk to you about. You were initially critical of Biles pulling out of Olympic events, but then you changed your mind. You wrote for "The Washington Post," I judged Simone Biles harshly. Here's why I was wrong.

Diana, great to have you on.

Can you just walk us through your initial thinking, and then how you did change your mind?

[08:35:01]

DIANA NYAD, WORLD CHAMPION SWIMMER: Hi, Brianna.

Yes, you know, at first blush, and I'm going to, you know, retract it all now, honestly. I'm going to go even farther back than where I first started. You know, you could say that, you know, many Olympians -- look at Novak Djokovic, just hours ago, was not himself. He's a, you know, arguably the best tennis player who's ever stepped onto a tennis court, but he couldn't get his best together at the Olympic games that mean so much to him. He was in tears. And Zverev beat him fair and square. He rose to the occasion.

And I just -- when I first heard Biles say, I'm just -- I'm just not myself. I'm unsure of myself. This isn't the real me. I'm going to drop out. I'm going to let another teammate step up for me in the team competition. And this word "team," you know, sort of -- sort of hit me, like, isn't this the time -- because Biles at that time hadn't focused so much on fear of what might happen to her, you know, if she -- if she lost her special (ph), you know, recognition in the air and landed, you know, dangerously and poorly. She had focused on the pressure.

She has been the protagonist of these Olympic games. She's the face -- she -- as much as Katie Ledecky and Djokovic and others are stars, super stars. Biles has been the star of these games. And how can we say what pressure that brings?

And I was feeling like way too tough on her, unreasonably tough, saying, well, isn't this the time? As Billie Jean King says, pressure is a privilege. Isn't this the time to figure it out? Go out there at midnight and do that vault with your coaches and with your teammates and get your spacial recognition, you know, in order so that you can compete for the team, for your country.

But I was remiss in not focusing in my mind on what a dangerous sport this is. There's no other sport, Brianna, you can take tennis, swimming, let's name it, all the other sports. You know, what happens if you're not your best? You know, you're disappointed. I bet you Katie Ledecky, as great as she is, the medals she's winning, is somewhat disappointed in the games as they're unfolding for her. But she -- is she going to be hurt in the pool in not winning? No.

And there are only -- it's the only sport I can think of where the disparity between the very top of the gymnast and the next level, the 10th down, you can take the 500th tennis player in the world, he or she looks pretty darn good.

KEILAR: Yes.

NYAD: That doesn't look bad (INAUDIBLE) from the best, but not in gymnastics. When you go down below the 10th, they can't do these moves. So if Simone Biles says that she's lost her place in space, she doesn't -- she doesn't know where the -- where the ceiling is and where the floor is, what in the world could happen to her if she -- if she lands wrong. And people say, oh, she could be paralyzed. That is not hyperbole. She could be paralyzed.

KEILAR: That's right. And, Diana --

NYAD: If she's not (INAUDIBLE). It's up to her.

KEILAR: Diana, I think the paralysis point you make is excellent. And I also think you make another point that a lot of people were thinking when they were initially or maybe still critical of her, the assumption that she was taking her ability to perform well away from her team.

But what we learned later was that she felt like she was going to sink them. I mean, to be clear, that stumble on vault put them into silver zone, right? So she had actually hurt them at that point. And you say the same decision that on Tuesday seemed to some of us unsportsmanlike now on Wednesday seems a historic sacrifice. NYAD: Yes, when she then dropped out of, you know, the women's all-

round, which is the first, you know, individual event. So, you know, it's not like, oh, I can't do it for the team. Who am I to say that Simone Biles, champion, wouldn't show up for her team?

But there was -- there was a little -- there was a little something inside me, and I think a number of people felt the same way, like, well, you get it together for your team. It's just like a pitcher who's in a slump. You go out there and you figure it out. You work for hours and you say, why isn't that curve ball working? You figure it out.

But, in this case, you know, some people said, why doesn't she just do an easier routine, drop out of some of those really difficult twists and acrobatics? Well, you don't just do that overnight. They work for months on those routines. She can't just, you know, go in the night before the competition and say, oh, I'm going to do a completely different routine that won't upset my, you know, my equilibrium so much as these dazzling acrobatics that I'm doing now. You can't just do that overnight.

So, as I said, I've stepped back, Brianna, I've stepped back a bit to say, this is the greatest in the world. And as Sally Jenkins, you know, perhaps the top sports reporter of our time, wrote in "The Washington Post" just a few hours ago, it would be a perilous endeavor for any of us to put ourselves in Simone Biles' shoes and feel what she's feeling.

[08:40:07]

If she's not 100 percent, in this particular sport, she has every right to root for her team and believe they're better without her.

We believe that no matter how poorly she performed, they'd be better with her. She's that good. But it's not true in this case, and she knows it's not true.

KEILAR: Yes, she --

NYAD: So she's done the right thing and she has the right to do the right thing.

KEILAR: Yes, she, clearly, I think, listening to her has made the right decision.

And, Diana, we thank you so much for discussing your evolution on this topic.

Diana Nyad, great to have you here this morning.

NYAD: As always, Brianna.

KEILAR: So what is this alarming CDC discovery that we've been talking about this morning mean for the entertainment industry, for concerts, for events? One legendary entertainer will join us live. BERMAN: Plus, as CNN gets ready to air another original series sitcom episode, we have a mystery guest standing by from one of Brianna's favorite shows.

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[06:45:18]

BERMAN: CNN has been celebrating the "History of the Sitcom" with an all-new original series, and we have another special mystery guest this morning from one of Brianna's favorite shows. She has no idea, so she has to guess who the person is. And I want you to know, Brianna, I am here for you this morning.

KEILAR: Do I get a lifeline?

BERMAN: So, here we go, all right.

KEILAR: OK.

BERMAN: We'll get you to the general area.

Cubicles. OK. Paper.

KEILAR: "The Office."

BERMAN: Getting warmer.

KEILAR: OK.

BERMAN: You are headed in the right direction.

KEILAR: All right. All right.

BERMAN: Outback Steakhouse.

KEILAR: Delicious? No, I don't -- OK. No.

BERMAN: Shaved head.

KEILAR: Is it Meredith?

BERMAN: It is Meredith.

KEILAR: Oh, my God, that's awesome.

BERMAN: More specifically, it is Kate Flannery, who played Meredith Palmer on "The Office."

Kate, thank you so much for being with us.

Let me introduce you to one of your biggest fans, Brianna Keilar. And I'm just going to step back.

KEILAR: Hi, Kate, how are you?

KATE FLANNERY, PORTRAYED "MEREDITH PALMER" ON "THE OFFICE": Fine. I'm not hung over, but I'm good. How are you?

KEILAR: Well, if you were in character, that would not be the case.

Oh, my goodness, like where do I start?

OK, I'm going to start with I think just the general arc of your character, which is -- there's no way you could do any of this stuff that your character did in real life at a job and not get fired after like one thing.

What was that like being that kind of character?

FLANNERY: (INAUDIBLE). So some people do know how to fly under the radar. And maybe John's better at it than you are. I'm just saying, some people can cut it. You know, I think Meredith is --

BERMAN: Yes, I've tried. Lord knows I've tried.

FLANNERY: She's a shameless, loud and proud individual. Many women have come up to me and said, I'm the Meredith of my office, and I completely believe them, right, because --

KEILAR: So one of the best scenes -- yes. One of the best scenes is, you know, those casual Friday, which is kind of more like scantily clad Friday for Meredith. And, you know, that kind of goes to the lessons of things maybe not to do at work. But also, you know, I -- you know, I just wonder for you, when you look back on your role and having so many seasons, I think nine seasons, was it nine seasons, ten seasons?

FLANNERY: Right.

KEILAR: Nine seasons.

FLANNERY: Nine seasons.

KEILAR: You know, what do you -- what do you think looking back on that?

FLANNERY: It was the greatest nine years of my life. I mean it was actually a desk job. I got to sit at a desk all day. it was the most comfortable acting job I'll ever have in my life. My clothes were comfortable. My computer worked. I'd browse -- and I -- and then I -- if I had to dump out, I dumped out to solitaire. I mean it was a dream gig, right, I'm playing solitaire and getting paid for it.

KEILAR: Like --

BERMAN: Can I ask -- I do the same thing.

There's so many funny people, right? I mean the entire cast, hilarious. And then just the writing staff, you know, a legendary --

FLANNERY: That's right (ph).

BERMAN: A -- what's it like to be -- and you're one of them -- to be just around so many funny people all the time?

FLANNERY: Well, talk about the most elevated experience ever. I mean, I don't -- I don't think I'll ever have as great a job as that with that literally lightning in a bottle. And being around Steve Carell, who's just the nicest guy, but also just the most insanely intelligent, funny, creative, you never quite knew what he was going to do each take. He's a genius.

KEILAR: Yes, there was so much improvisation, which I think is one of the best things when you're watching that show.

Just, final question, before we let you go, Kate, did Steve Carell really hit you with a car?

FLANNERY: It's all smoke and mirrors. I did my own stunt. I started on top of the car, hit the grass and then rolled off onto a giant pad below. Just all --

KEILAR: You did a fantastic, very convincing job.

BERMAN: I loved --

FLANNERY: Thank you. I did a bunch -- it was so fun. But, you know, I just want to say, thank you so much. I will drink to you, Brianna. You are awesome.

BERMAN: I was going to say, like -- like you're not hung over, but let's -- let's -- let's -- next time let's try.

KEILAR: Right.

BERMAN: Let's -- let's lean into that.

KEILAR: It's the end of our show. And it's our Friday, Kate. So, really, you know, anything goes for us.

FLANNERY: It's Friday (ph) (INAUDIBLE). Absolutely, Brianna. I'm going to send you this hat.

KEILAR: Oh, my God.

FLANNERY: You're the best. Thank you so much.

KEILAR: Kate, thank you so much.

FLANNERY: (INAUDIBLE).

FLANNERY: You're the best. Seriously, thank you. And, yes, don't drink on the job.

KEILAR: Yes.

FLANNERY: Just don't do it.

KEILAR: Good lesson for everyone. Kate Flannery, a huge thank you to you. You are the best. Thanks for

joining us today as we're trying to talk about this great new episode of the "History of the Sitcom." That will be Sunday night at 9:00 Eastern only on CNN.

BERMAN: Talk about somebody who came to play this morning.

KEILAR: That -- that was fun. That was really fun.

BERMAN: Yes.

KEILAR: So, up next, just released music from the vault of the one and only Prince.

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[08:54:24]

KEILAR: Two CNN heroes are going the extra mile to make sure the people that they serve don't miss out on lifesaving COVID shots.

CNN's Anderson Cooper has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR (voice over): In Pittsburgh, Dr. Jim Withers (ph) brings medical care and now vaccines to those experiencing homelessness.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can I take a listen?

You really have to go to where someone is and cut down those barriers.

If I had a lollipop, I'd give it to you.

We provide something that can save a life and the lives of people that they come in contact with. It's a really unique and powerful feeling.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Anthony, I just wanted to say hi.

[08:55:02]

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hi.

COOPER: In Philadelphia, Dr. Wendy Ross' (ph) low stress, sensory (ph) friendly vaccination clinic for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, like autism, is a game changer.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There's less waiting on line and we provide tools like fidgets. All of our vaccinators are educated to be sensitive and have strategies for vaccinating this population.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: All done. All done. Good job!

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Good job!

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: High five!

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Awesome. Awesome.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Getting the vaccine to this population absolutely is saving lives. I just feel that everyone matters and has value, and that everyone should be included.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KEILAR: And to learn more about the work that doctors -- Dr. Withers and Ross are doing, just go to cnnheroes.com.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Welcome to (INAUDIBLE).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Welcome. Hope and change.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Everything takes forever.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: Oh, that voice. Out today, the much anticipated album from Prince, "Welcome to America," unearthed from his legendary vault after his death in 2016. Shortly after recording it 11 years ago, Prince went on tour and invited world-renounced ballerina Misty Copeland to perform with him. And she maintained a close friendship with Prince until his passing.

And, guess what, jackpot, Misty Copeland joins me now, the first African-American female principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre.

Such an honor to have you here.

MISTY COPELAND, TOURED WITH PRINCE AS A DANCER AND PRINCIPLE DANCER, AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE: Oh, thank you.

BERMAN: That was the first I heard from the album. And you just hear his voice come through.

COPELAND: Yes.

BERMAN: What was it like for you to hear it?

COPELAND: For me -- and I, you know, people that were a part of his -- his purple family, as we call it, you know, it's not surprising to hear this music from him. He was always ahead of his time. He's a teacher and a leader and a preacher in the best way, in the most positive way. And so it's so timely, the music that he's made, even though he didn't make it today.

And, you know, we all feel that his spirit is alive through his music. And it's something that is timeless. And it's amazing that the world gets to hear these things from the vault that I know he held onto so tightly. BERMAN: Right. You say that it's timely, even today. Even though he

recorded it in 2010. And it really is. I mean some of the music deals with issues of social and racial justice.

COPELAND: Yes. Yes.

BERMAN: I think one of the questions that people had, you know, Prince, from Minneapolis.

COPELAND: Yes.

BERMAN: So much of what we've seen the last year with George Floyd and whatnot, people wonder, you know, what would Prince have done? How would he have reacted to this with his art?

COPELAND: He definitely would have brought people together through his music. I'm sure that he would have had people at Paisley Park. He would have been playing outside. Like, these are all things that I've thought about, you know, as soon as -- as, you know, as the death of George Floyd happened, I immediately thought of Prince. And, you know, I'm happy that he didn't experience this in his lifetime because, you know, I think it would have been heartbreaking, especially coming from a place that meant so much to him, Minneapolis.

But I think that he is bringing people together through his music and he still is teaching. And, again, you know, speaking so much about race and about education and about the youth, that was so much a part of him. And that's how he impacted me, you know, through his words and his music and his advice as a mentor.

BERMAN: When I would see a video of him playing or watching him perform, I always had the feeling that -- you know, he wasn't a big guy, right?

COPELAND: No.

BERMAN: It was as if his physical being couldn't contain all the talent, not enough to contain all the talent and the genius there. And you've got something of the same issue. I mean what's it like to have so much talent and performative genius in one place?

COPELAND: Well, I mean, speaking -- for myself, I feel like that's the only way that I can really get out everything that's inside of me. From the time I was 13 years old and discovered ballet on a basketball court at my Boys and Girls Club, it was the one way that I could channel everything I wanted to express and say, and everything that I was feeling was through my movement and through dance.

And the very first time that I worked with Prince, and I had never seen him perform live. The first time that we worked together, which was in a music video, "Crimson and Clover," and then I got on stage with him for the first time in France. And it was just like, I understand now. Like, the energy and the genius that comes out of this small body, and it's not about the body that he's in, it's about the messages that he's sending to the world and beyond and, again, all of the people that he's influencing and will continue to influence. BERMAN: Look, you know, we're lucky you discovered that desire to

dance on the basketball court.

[09:00:00]

It's been a gift to all of us. And we thank you so much for being with us today, talking about Prince.