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New Day
Michael Bouchard is Interviewed about Oxford Threats; Bob Ryan is Interviewed about His Comment about Steph Curry; Andy Duran Inspires Skaters. Aired 8:30-9a ET
Aired December 16, 2021 - 08:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[08:30:00]
JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Right?
DON LEMON, CNN HOST, "DON LEMON TONIGHT": Yes. Yes.
BERMAN: And then also on New Year's Eve, I'm told.
LEMON: You can, in New Orleans. In New Orleans.
BERMAN: With?
LEMON: With --
BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN ANCHOR: What could possibly happen?
BERMAN: Yes.
LEMON: With -- with -- with Dulce Sloan (ph) from "The Daily Show" and our very own AC, the other AC.
BERMAN: You're in trouble.
LEMON: AC2, Alisyn Camerota.
BERMAN: You're in for it.
LEMON: I am in for it.
Hey, can I just tell everybody, be safe out there. I have started 24 hour -- 24/7 I'm starting to wear the mask again. I mean omicron, it is going strong. The cases are, you know, milder cases we are seeing, but it is really -- I think the numbers are going to start really ticking up.
BERMAN: Be careful. We can all be careful, that's for sure.
LEMON: Be extremely careful. We want to see our families for the holidays, so let's make sure we do that.
BERMAN: Great thought.
Nice to see you.
LEMON: Good see you as well.
Bye, BK.
KEILAR: Bye, Don.
LEMON: Bye.
BERMAN: So, a string of violent threats forcing the entire school district in Oxford, Michigan, to remain closed weeks after the deadly shooting there. The county sheriff joins us ahead.
KEILAR: And Ringo Starr, Weird Al, Fred Armisen, among dozens of celebrities getting together for a music video. Hear why.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[08:35:18]
KEILAR: Weeks after the deadly shooting at the high school in Oxford, Michigan, the buildings have been cleared as safe for reopening, but a string of violent threats forced the entire school district to remain closed for the rest of the week.
Joining us now to talk about these security struggles, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard.
Sheriff, thanks for being with us.
Can you just tell us about what the district is dealing with right now?
SHERIFF MICHAEL BOUCHARD, OAKLAND COUNTY, MICHIGAN, SHERIFF'S OFFICE: Well, unfortunately, it's not just this district, it's districts all across the state and probably across the country. We've had over 135 threats against different school districts across our area. And Oxford happens to be, obviously, one that's especially numb and especially raw from it. So, I think they made the decision to close school until after the holiday break to give people a chance to calm their nerves and to make sure that people have a chance to process this unthinkable tragedy.
You know, we've checked out every one of these potential threats and deemed none of them to be imminent or credible. And we have arrested a lot of young people for making these threats. But that still doesn't calm a lot of the emotions, obviously, for understandable reasons.
KEILAR: So it's -- you're saying it's mostly young people making the threats. Can you tell us more about that?
BOUCHARD: Yes, ma'am. I know that already 17 have been criminally charged in Oakland County. We have more investigations underway. And, you know, the process is pretty clear. Someone makes a threat, we investigate 100 percent of the threats that come to us, determine first if it's credible, and then we intervene if it is. If it's not credible, we still continue the investigation and seek criminal prosecution because the mere threat is a crime. It's up to a 20-year crime in our state. And so that's what we have been doing with these people that are making these threats. They're not a joke. They're terrorizing people. And we're going to hold you accountable.
KEILAR: You know, I mean, eventually, kids have to go back to school, right? Understandably they feel unsafe, especially when we're talking about Oxford, the high school in Oxford.
So, what do you tell them? How do you make this assessment that things are safe and tell them this is safe and -- and provide them the resources they need?
BOUCHARD: Right. So, what we tell them is if they actually see a threat or hear anything, they've got to share it and then we have to do our job and check it out. And we check it out thoroughly.
So, you know, prior to the decision that Oxford made to close their schools, we actually had 24 canines sweeping every school building in the district to give them that assurance that the buildings had been thoroughly checked. And then we were going to have a substantial presence in and around the building so that they felt that presence and felt safe.
But, again, having said that, obviously given what they have been recently through, they made a decision just to take this pause and let parents and students and teachers have an opportunity to process and have an opportunity to have the emotion and the fear come down, go through the holidays and then have a fresh start after the first of the year.
KEILAR: All right. Well, look, we're keeping our eye on your community. We know you're going through a lot. And we thank you for being with us, Sheriff.
BOUCHARD: Thank you, ma'am.
KEILAR: Former First Lady Melania Trump getting into crypto. What she just announced as her next endeavor.
BERMAN: And my guest says that Golden State Warrior star and new three-point record holder Steph Curry has ruined basketball. You heard that right. What's wrong with him?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[08:42:52]
BERMAN: Golden State Warrior's superstar Steph Curry made history this week by breaking the record for three-pointers. But our next guest is not really a fan, writing that Curry is, quote, a scourge, he's a menace, he should be placed under house arrest, that Curry's sort of play represents the single worst thing to happen to basketball, he says, in his lifetime.
Joining me now is legendary sports columnist for "The Boston Globe," Bob Ryan. Bob, I have to tell you, of all the words I've read about basketball
in my entire life, you have written the vast majority. So I say this with the utmost respect, what's wrong with you?
BOB RYAN, SPORTS COLUMNIST, "THE BOSTON GLOBE": Well, what's wrong with me is that I have an unorthodox view of the way the game should be played and I find that I have become a hero in the Social Security set with this column. I've got tremendous response and I'm sure the average age of the respondents was 65, maybe even 70.
Here's the issue. The three-point shot, people don't understand, was the gimmick of a promoter. That was Abe Saperstein, (INAUDIBLE) of the Harlem Globetrotters where in 1961 started a league called the American Basketball League, which he hoped would be competitive with the NBA, and he brought in a three-point shot as a gimmick to stimulate interest among, you know, casual fans and to differentiate it from the NBA. And it then made its gradual progression after that league folded in a year and a half from the Eastern League to the NBA in -- the ABA in 1966, the NBA in 1979, and colleges in 1986.
So that if you are 50 years old, you don't know anything else. That's the game of basketball that you have been acquainted with. But those of us who remember it before the three-point infested the game, destroyed the rhythm of the game, eliminated the low post play, eliminated a lot of the good passing sequences, we'd like to see the three-point shot abolished.
BERMAN: I will tell you, I've seen the Warriors in person. I got to go to one of the finals games that they played. This is a few years ago, so it's not the current version. But -- but I've never seen passing like they had around the court, around the key. And I'm watching -- I'm thinking, would you rather have, you know, Bill Laimbeer, you know, or would you rather have Steph Curry?
[08:45:06]
RYAN: The Warriors do it right. Nobody else does. They -- that -- those teams that won were a beautiful basketball teams that were on a par in terms of their concept of how to play with the vintage Celtics and Lakers of the '80s that were two tremendous passing teams. Nobody else can do it that way. Nobody -- here's the -- let's get to the issue with Curry, OK? The issue is this, he is extraordinarily influential. He's one of the most influential people in the history of the game and affecting the way the game is played. Young people are -- adore him. And this is -- they're not ever going to be a Steph Curry, you know? And too many people are trying to imitate him, but will never be him and has -- has distorted the game at every level.
The problem is, he's so likable. There's everything to like about him. He's a wonderful person. I admire him. I do root for him in the abstract. But I like the way he goes to the basket, as well as I like the way he shoots the threes. But he's so influential.
And, by the way, just this very morning, John, I got an email from a local youth coach saying he's reading part of my column to his kids because all they see is -- these kids, these eight, nine, 10-year- olds, cranking up threes. And that's not the way to play basketball.
BERMAN: Bob Ryan, you finished your column by saying, get off my lawn also. I appreciate it very much.
Chris Ford, Boston Celtics' first NBA three-pointer of all time, that's why I like it so much. But, thank you.
RYAN: I was there. I was there.
BERMAN: I'm sure I read your story. Thanks so much for being with us, Bob.
RYAN: All right, John.
KEILAR: All right, this just in, former First Lady Melania Trump says that she is launching an NFT titled Melania's Vision. This is Mrs. Trump's first public venture since leaving office. And her office says the NFT is a water color that will cost $150 and include an audio recording of her. Mrs. Trump says it embodies her passion for the arts and will support her ongoing commitment to children through her Be Best initiative.
And here's what else to watch today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ON SCREEN TEXT: 1:30 p.m. ET, Medal of Honor ceremony.
3:00 p.m. ET, White House Covid meeting.
3:15 p.m. ET, White House briefing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KEILAR: Coming up, Broadway, it truly is simply the best. Why some shows are now closing, though, their doors once again.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[08:52:03]
KEILAR: Time now for "The Good Stuff."
For 14-year-old Almay Bilton (ph), getting off the bus after school was a miserable part of the day until a complete stranger who walked by and saw the struggle decided to knock on her family's door and offer to build her a ramp.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOE HILL, BUILT RAMP TO HELP TEEN GET OFF SCHOOL BUS: And I just saw a need, and I knew I could take care of it and went from there.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know, and by him doing that, that shows you right there, there are people in the world that do have hearts, that do care about other people. (END VIDEO CLIP)
KEILAR: And when Almay was surprised with the ramp, as you can see, she -- her father said she was smiling from ear to ear.
BERMAN: I love that, doing something because you see a need.
KEILAR: It's beautiful.
BERMAN: All right, beloved poet, author, feminist and professor Bell Hooks has died, known for her writing on race, gender and sexuality. Hooks published more than 30 books over the course of her lifetime. She was 69 years old.
On Broadway --
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE, (singing): Simply the best. Better than all the rest.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BERMAN: There have been breakthrough coronavirus infections. So Broadway has been seeing more cancellations than ever before, including "Tina" and "Hamilton." They each canceled performances.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I really want to see you. Really want to be with you. Really want to see you Lord, but it takes so long, my Lord.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KEILAR: Got to love that. George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord" getting a brand-new star-studded music video to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his album "All Things Must Pass."
And I'm sure you noticed all of those famous faces, including Ringo Starr.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, MUSICIAN (singing): Born in the USA. I was born in the USA.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BERMAN: So, there is a reasonable and legitimate open debate about whether the music itself might be a bit overrated. But not the price tag. No.
KEILAR: You're the worst about this.
BERMAN: No. Bruce Springsteen is reportedly selling his entire music catalog to Sony Music in what could be the biggest single artist music catalog deal to date. The specific terms are unknown, but the value might exceed $500 million.
KEILAR: Tell us in two words how you feel about Bruce Springsteen, Berman.
BERMAN: He seems like a very nice man. A very nice man. I mean -- you know, which maybe it matters more than the quality of his music. Congratulations to Bruce. I'm glad he's finally getting the recognition he deserves.
Back in a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[08:58:47]
KEILAR: A skater in Oakland, California, is looking to inspire everyone to get rolling in today's "The Human Factor."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDY DURAN, FOUNDER, CHUB ROLLZ: I love skating. I just feel very free to be in my body and to be myself on a skateboard.
When I was skating before, it was in the late '90s and early 2000s.
I was a fat kid growing up. During the pandemic, I really wanted to get back into skating. There was not really any information online for fat skateboarders. Not only could I not find pads and gears in my size, but I also had difficulty with just seeing any other folks like me, which felt alienating.
We start putting our own videos up and then we're immediately hit with fat phobia, comments about our body size. I wanted to create a space where we could all come together and not be judged.
The Chub Rollz started as a space for fat, plus sized, chubby skaters to have a safe place to learn together and skate together.
We have our monthly physical event. I help to kind of show people how to stand on a skateboard, how to gain their balance, how to ride and what kind of information they may need for getting the right gear.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Being around a bunch of people who look similar to me really makes it feel more comfortable to learn.
[09:00:03]
DURAN: A lot of times when there's plus sized groups, they tend to be focused on weight loss, and
