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Showbiz Tonight
Countdown to Heroes, an All-Star Tribute
Aired December 06, 2007 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
A.J. HAMMER, CO-HOST: Tonight a special live edition of TV`s most provocative news show. I`m A.J. Hammer.
BROOKE ANDERSON, CO-HOST: I`m Brooke Anderson. And we`re live at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
HAMMER: Now, on a special live edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, the countdown to "CNN HEROES".
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAJOR SCOTT SOUTHWORTH, MEMBER, WISCONSIN ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: No soldier goes to war with the expectation of coming home and adopting an orphan from the war zone.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight an extraordinary event, a star-studded tribute saluting ordinary people who are doing extraordinary things.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SOMALY MAM, RESCUING VICTIMS OUT OF THE BROTHEL: I just want to give them love, for real. That`s what I needed.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Hollywood`s biggest stars sharing the amazing stories of their heroes.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JULIANNE MOORE, ACTRESS: I think people hear about these diseases and they think, "Forget it. It is incurable." Well, I don`t think so. I really don`t.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, the inspiring stories of people who do so much to help others, the everyday heroes who will inspire and amaze you. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s countdown to "CNN HEROES" begins right now.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Hello, I`m A.J. Hammer at American Museum of Natural History in New York City. And welcome to a very special live edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
ANDERSON: Hi there, everyone. I`m Brooke Anderson, outside on the red carpet. And we are counting down to an extraordinary event at the top of the hour, "CNN HEROES - AN ALL-STAR TRIBUTE." Just one hour from now, we will want you to switch from HEADLINE NEWS to CNN as some of the biggest stars in the world help us honor some of the real heroes in the world - ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
HAMMER: Brooke, I`m inside the museum right now where stars and the heroes are gathering. And on CNN, at the top of the hour, CNN`s Anderson Cooper and Christiane Amanpour will be hosting the show. It is going to include what I know will be amazing performances from Mary J. Blige, Sheryl Crow, and a great duet by Norah Jones and Wyclef Jean.
ANDERSON: And during this hour, A.J., we will be bringing you the amazing stories of so many of these heroes who will be honored for championing children, helping young people, community crusaders, people coming up with creative solutions to local problems, defending the planet, those protecting the environment, fighting for justice, heroes advancing civil rights. Medical marvels, improving human health and young wonders, those under 18 years old making a big difference.
HAMMER: Now, over the past year, CNN has been bringing you the stories of these heroes, people that you, the viewers, let us know about. Eighteen finalists have been chosen for ultimate honors tonight after a year in which CNN got more than - listen to this - 7,000 nominations in 93 countries. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you, so many of these heroes` stories are truly remarkable.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice over) They are among us. They are men, women, children, in our neighborhoods, in our country, around the world. People from all walks of life who have one thing that unites them, they inspire. They are heroes.
Tonight, in an extraordinary event like no other, we celebrate these people around the world who are dedicating their lives to improving the lives of others. Those who spend their lives championing children.
SOUTHWORTH: My name is Major Scott Harold Southworth. I am a member of the Wisconsin Army National Guard and the proud farther of an Iraqi orphan by the name of Ala`a Idn(ph).
HAMMER: Others who perform the extraordinary with medical marvels.
TREY WILSON, PROVIDES FREE DENTAL CARE AND DENTAL EDUCATION TO KENYANS: I`m Trey Wilson. I live in New York City. And I provide free dental care and dental education to Kenyans.
HAMMER: Those who take the lead as community crusaders.
MATIN MAULAWIZADA, COMMUNITY CRUSADER: Afghanistan offered me a lot, and I wanted to bring a little something back.
HAMMER: Others still who are fighting for justice in places where being brave is deadly.
MAM: My name is Somaly Mam. And my mission is to help the victims, to take them out from the brothel.
HAMMER: Those defending the planet, doing their best to protect the environment.
LARRY GIBSON, ENVIRONMENTALIST: My name is Larry Gibson. I am the keeper of the mountain.
HAMMER: And the young wonders, children not old enough to even vote, changing the lives of thousands for the better.
RYAN HRELJAC, FOUNDER, RYAN`S WELL: Everyday, 6,000 children die because they don`t have access to clean water. I feel that we shouldn`t live in a world like that.
HAMMER: Tonight, you will hear so many of their stories as CNN pays tribute to our world`s heroes. Like this Wisconsin national guardsman who saved the life of a disabled Iraqi orphan.
SOUTHWORTH: No soldier goes to war with the expectation of coming home and adopting an orphan from the war zone.
HAMMER: It was a split second decision that changed his life.
SOUTHWORTH: I could not, as a Christian man, walk away from that little boy.
HAMMER: And so he became the orphan`s father.
ALA`A, ADOPTIVE SON OF SCOTT SOUTHWORTH: I love you, Papa.
SOUTHWORTH: I love you too, my buddy.
HAMMER: But for some heroes, it takes more than love to help those in need.
WILSON: My life would have been Monday through Friday, Madison Avenue dentist, getting in my car and driving to the country, and gardening all weekend.
HAMMER: Instead, dentist Trey Wilson from New York City decided to go where he was most needed, halfway around the world to remote Kenya, where there is one dentist for every 60,000 people.
WILSON: Routinely I saw in my clinic, 4-year-olds with 20 teeth that needed to be extracted.
HAMMER: He treats as many as 1,200 people with each visit, completely free of charge.
WILSON: Every single one of us has the capacity to be of service to others. And I just did something about it.
HAMMER: Sometimes for these heroes, doing something about it means risking their lives in the name of something much higher than themselves. Larry Gibson is a West Virginia man who refuses to sell his land to the coal mining companies.
GIBSON: One vice president of (UNINTELLIGIBLE) productions told me my 50 acres are worth $1 million an acre. I said, "You can have my right arm, but you`ll never get my mountain."
HAMMER: He won`t give them his mountain because he knows they`ll blow it up to get the coal. Cheap for the coal companies, disastrous for the ecosystem, ruining the land leaving the mountain marred and depleted. But Larry will not give up.
GIBSON: I am here. My feet are planted. I`m not giving up nothing. I can`t imagine not fighting.
HAMMER: Human beings who risk their lives in the name of the environment and other heroes who risk it instead for justice.
MAM: My work is so dangerous. You face the police who are corrupted. You go in the courts, sometimes they are so corrupted.
HAMMER: Somaly Mam has devoted her life to the dangerous job of rescuing young girls who have been sold to brothels in Cambodia. There are over 20,000 prostitutes in the capital alone. A quarter of them are children.
MAM: I have a lot of people trying to destroy me everywhere. They are trying - trying, but I just want to say to them, no way.
HAMMER: Somaly puts her life at risk every day, running an organization that has rescued more than 3,000 sex slaves from brothels.
MAM: I just want to give them love, for real. It`s what I needed.
HAMMER: Somaly is one of many heroes fighting for justice. And for others they become heroes simply by helping a community thrive.
MAULAZIWADA: Afghan women have survived years of war, years of suppression.
HAMMER: In Kabul, Afghanistan, there are an astonishing 50,000 women widowed from the war, destitute, uneducated living hand-to-mouth. But one man is changing that.
MAULAZIWADA: My entire point was to make sure that widows and women will be able to proudly work, and be proud of their work, and work outside their house.
HAMMER: A Hollywood makeup artist, Matin Maulawizada, left the bright lights and stardom to return home to Kabul to help the women start their own business.
MAULAWIZADA: It is just amazing it sells itself. Really.
HAMMER: He is selling their hand made scarves at an online project called, "Afghan Hands."
MAULAWIZADA: My whole dream is for them to basically have the confidence to see beautiful objects that they`re making.
HAMMER: Matin is just one of many nominated in the category of community crusaders. But we must not forget that heroes come in many shapes and sizes, even pint size.
HRELJAC: My teacher said there are people who have to walk 10 kilometers to get to a dirty mud hole. I decided to do something about it.
HAMMER: What Ryan Hreljac decided to do is astounding. He saved up his money and bought a well for a small impoverished village in Uganda.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The well which Ryan built was the first clean water they ever had.
(SINGING)
HAMMER: Ryan, now 16 years old, has built 266 wells in 12 developing countries.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He is a hero. He is a warrior who made it happen.
HAMMER: They are out there. The warriors. The heroes. Leading the charge they selflessly, and with little fanfare, are driven to remarkable acts in the name of helping their fellow man.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Wow, if that doesn`t inspire you I don`t know what will. And what I think is truly amazing, Brooke, as I pointed out earlier, these nominations came from 93 countries around the world.
It is certainly a global event, A.J. And you know, through this event tonight, fortunately, these worthy individuals will be receiving even more international attention. But you know what I love about this? These are people who rarely, if ever, receive the attention that they deserve, the recognition that they deserve. But that is changing tonight. So it truly is a very special event.
HAMMER: Very much.
ANDERSON: And you know some of the biggest Hollywood stars will be here tonight to honor the work of CNN`s heroes. Tonight`s amazing tribute will include star-studded performances by Sheryl Crow and queen of R & B, Mary J. Blige. I spoke with Mary on the red carpet about how these heroes set an example for all of us.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARY J. BLIGE, SINGER: Their stories can inspire the world to do something. I mean, make people want to, you know help out and not just stay quiet when something is going on. But reach out and touch, and help someone else. I mean this is bigger than just a celebrity.
This is like, OK, you have regular everyday people that, that have 9:00 to 5:00s, saving lives and doing things that are great and yet being honored and for their work. So it makes someone else sitting at home say you know what I am going to get out and help my next door neighbor with the problem she is having. It`s a beautiful - it`s a really - it`s a blessing actually.
ANDERSON: It certainly is. How does comparing - how does performing, at an event like this, compare to performing at other events that you do?
BLIGE: Well this for me is all I really do. Like what - the reason why I do my music is for the regular, everyday person. So it means a lot to me to be able to sing to all of those being honored tonight that are regular - just, this is what I do. All my fans are everyday regular people that love what I do because I love them. And I show them in my music that I do.
ANDERSON: You know when you think about an event like this and you think about your high profile status, do you feel an obligation as a celebrity to encourage others to get involved?
BLIGE: I feel an obligation to encourage them, but the only way I can encourage them is being an example. People really don`t want to hear what you have to say. They want to see what you are really doing. It is all about action.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: I can`t wait. Just a short time from now, over on CNN, Mary J. Blige will be performing "Come to Me" live for the very first time. And A.J., some other performers include Norah Jones and also Wyclef Jean. So, a lot of high profile people here to support these regular heroes. But each of these celebrities will tell you, it`s not about them. It is about these ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
HAMMER: Yes. And it`s about time. And Brooke, it is truly amazing what went into putting this whole night together. And coming up, the co-host of this all-star heroes tribute, CNN`s own Anderson Cooper right here giving us a fascinating look behind the scenes. We will also have this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOORE: I think people hear about these diseases and they think, "Forget it. It is incurable." Well, I don`t think so. I really don`t.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: That`s one of my favorite actresses, Julianne Moore. She`s also a mother of two, and I bet that played a big role in her making an amazing choice to fight against a little-known, but devastating disease. We will bring you the story of how a totally random run in on the street led her to find her heroes.
HAMMER: Are you ready? Because I have been waiting all night to say this. Coming up, a guy who plays hero on NBC`s "Heroes" right here at "CNN HEROES," Masi Oka. That was as much fun as I hoped it would be. Tonight, Masi is going to be standing right here with me to talk about his amazing charity, how he is a real life hero to some very needy kids. That is all coming up on the special live edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, "Countdown to CNN HEROES".
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to this special live edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, "Countdown to CNN HEROES". I`m A.J. Hammer inside the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
ANDERSON: A.J. I`m out here on the red carpet. And tonight, we`re counting down to the top of the hour for the absolutely awesome event, "CNN HEROES, AN ALL STAR TRIBUTE." Tonight, CNN is honoring ordinary people for doing extraordinary things.
And also, some of the biggest Hollywood stars will be here tonight to honor the heroes including Glenn Close, Harry Connick Jr., Rosario Dawson, Kyra Sedgwick and talk show host Tyra Banks. I spoke with Tyra on the red carpet when she arrived tonight, and she opened up to me about why this night is like no other.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TYRA BANKS, TV TALK SHOW HOST: What I love about this event is that it is honoring not famous people, but real people that don`t have to do what they do but they saw something, saw something was wrong. They got out of their comfort zone and made change. And I think it is important to show the younger generation, especially because I think they feel like "Oh, somebody else will do it or it will get done. I don`t matter." And goes to show that one person can make such a difference.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Tyra Banks will be presenting the award in the championing children category, honoring everyday people who demonstrated extraordinary commitment to the welfare of children.
HAMMER: Julianne Moore is a mother of two and absolutely one of my favorite award winning actresses. Well, tonight, I have to tell you there was no acting when she made the emotional choice to help fight a little known, but debilitating disease, one that affects a million people worldwide. And the story behind her getting behind this battle is truly amazing. A totally random meeting on the street inspired Julianne to help her medical marvel heroes.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOORE: I think people hear about these diseases and they think, "Forget it. It is incurable." Well, I don`t think so. I really don`t. My name is Julianne Moore and my heroes, Todd and Peg Lindsey who are working very, very hard to bring awareness and find a cure for tuberous sclerosis. Tuberous sclerosis causes benign tumors to grow in major organs.
PEG LINDSEY: Tommy was born and at five weeks I started to see his shoulder twitch a little bit. They gave him CAT scans. And, you know, it was terrible.
TOM LINDSEY: Finally, after an MRI, they realized they were looking at tumors in front of his brain.
P. LINDSEY: First, the neurologist came in and he said, "Your son has tuberous sclerosis. He`ll never walk. He`ll never talk. You should consider an institution. But in talking to other people, it wasn`t that bad. It is not a death sentence. He does have a chance.
T. LINDSEY: We made a pact that we weren`t going to allow this to happen to any one else. If there was anything we can do about it, we decided we wanted to make the tuberous sclerosis a household name.
It is just as common as cystic fibrosis, yet no one in the medical community is very familiar with it.
We were sending out all of these letters, and trying to get some kind of recognition, without an answer back from any one until the day I ran into Julianne Moore.
MOORE: I was walking down the street, and I hear, "Julianne Moore! My name is Tommy, and this is son Tommy. He`s got tuberous sclerosis, and we just had brain surgery."
T. LINDSEY: And I tried to get the last 3 1/2 years of his life out in 20 seconds. I said , "You know, I am just one father. My wife is one mother. We need somebody to help us out."
MOORE: Since then I kind of have been involved as their spokesperson.
T. LINDSEY: She went and testified before congress with me. She comes to every fundraiser. Remarkable woman. Remarkable, remarkable woman.
It seems to me now that my life was almost mapped out. It was supposed to happen. Tommy was given to me for a reason. We were supposed to find a cure.
P. LINDSEY: I feel like we might not be helping Tommy, but we`re helping the next kid.
MOORE: When you deal with something that is this extraordinary, you are saying I`m going to educate other people in the world about this. I am going to make this part of the kind of the kind of fabric of our lives. And that`s what they have done.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: See, good deeds can even start with a conversation on the street. You can check out CNN.com/heroes to see just how far Julianne Moore and the Lindseys have gone to fight tuberous sclerosis together. Well, another big star, Harry Connick Jr. He`s getting behind this great "HEROES" event tonight. He`ll be performing on stage. I`ve got to tell you, here`s a guy who spends a lot of his own time on charity work. He has done so much to help rebuild his hometown of New Orleans. Well, Harry is going to be right here with me, coming up live. Also this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SOUTHWORTH: No soldier goes to war with the expectation of coming home and adopting an orphan from the war zone.
HAMMER: I think this story is absolutely unbelievable. An American soldier, a hero fighting in Iraq, risking his life, saves another - disabled Iraqi orphan. "HEADLINE NEWS MORNING EXPRESS" anchor Robin Meade joins me for this incredible story.
ANDERSON: And A.J., I think this guy is a hero among heroes. Wesley Autrey(ph) threw himself in front of a subway train here in New York City to save a stranger`s life. That`s next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to this special live edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, "Countdown to CNN HEROES, AN ALL STAR TRIBUTE." I`m A.J. Hammer, live inside the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson outside on the red carpet where the stars have been arriving all night. You know, this amazing star-studded event has been months in the making. You just have to see how it came together piece by piece.
CNN`s Anderson Cooper and Christiane Amanpour are co-hosting the show. And Anderson told me this is definitely one that you don`t want to miss.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(on camera): What should we expect for this awards show? I don`t think you and Christiane will open with a song and dance number. It`s not a typical awards show.
ANDERSON COOPER, HOST OF "HEROES, AN ALL STAR TRIBUTE": There is going to be a big Debbie Allen dance number that Christiane and I are working on. I`m a little bit concerned about it. No, thankfully we will be doing none of that. We do have some great performers. But tonight is really about these remarkable people and bringing them out on stage and letting the world and see and hear about the remarkable things they have done.
ANDERSON: Why do you think it is so important to shine the light on these worthy individuals? Because they don`t always receive the attention they deserve.
COOPER: Yes, I mean these are people toiling in obscurity around the world in their communities. And I think it`s important to give them a global stage. And it`s not just about giving them a pat on the back, but it`s about giving them recognition that will, you know, bring more support to their organization. And also hopefully encourage other people out there to see what is possible, and to see it is possible for one person to make a big difference.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: And remember, we want you to change the channel - no, no, no not right now - but at the top of the hour. Tune in to CNN for this amazing all-star tribute. And A.J., I think this guy is a hero among heroes. Wesley Autrey threw himself in front of a subway train here in New York City to save a stranger`s life. Tonight, I`ve got a very special surprise for this subway hero.
Coming up, right here live with me at "CNN HEROES", a guy who plays hero on NBC`s "Heroes," Masi Oka. Did you get that? Well, tonight, Masi is a real life hero himself, helping needy kids with a wonderful charity. You are watching a special live edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, "Countdown to CNN HEROES".
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: You`re looking at a live picture from the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. We are just 30 minutes from right now an extraordinary star-studded event gets under way. You are watching a special live edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, "Countdown to CNN HEROES."
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Welcome back to this special live edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, "Countdown to CNN HEROES". I`m A.J. Hammer, live at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson, live on the red carpet outside the museum. And the excitement is building because in just a half-hour from now on CNN, Anderson Cooper and Christiane Amanpour will be kicking off "CNN HEROES, AN ALL STAR TRIBUTE."
HAMMER: It`s such an amazing night, Brooke. And it`s the culmination of a whole year honoring ordinary people who are doing extraordinary things. And the all-star tribute to them tonight is going to include what I am certain will be amazing performances from Mary J. Blige, Sheryl Crow, Wyclef Jean and Norah Jones. And the presenters include a whole slew of big-name stars like Glenn Close, Kyra Sedgwick, and Harry Connick Jr.
But of course, the real stars tonight, the heroes themselves. Over the past year, you the viewers, nominated more than 7,000 heroes in 93 countries. The judges had the unenviable task of picking 18 finalists in these categories: championing children, community crusader, defending the planet, fighting for justice, medical marvel, and young wonder.
ANDERSON: Throughout the year, A.J., we have met so many everyday heroes with stories that just blew us away. One of them, Wesley Autrey, became known as the subway superman. The subway savior and the hero of Harlem. Autrey made national news after he jumped on to the subway track and into the path of an on coming train to save the life of a student who suffered a seizure.
We`re going to be talking to Autrey, live, right here, in just a moment. But first, CNN`s Randi Kaye reminds us why Wesley Autrey is one of CNN`s every day super heroes.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RANDI KAYE, CNN REPORTER: What were you thinking when you jumped on those tracks?
WESLEY AUTREY, JUMPED ON THE TRAIN TRACKS TO SAVE A STRANGER: Saving this guy. What a better way to start up the new year than to save a life?
I had to make a split second decision. I hopped down here. One foot there. One foot there. I look. I see an oncoming train. I`m trying to get him up. But he done fell in. Both his hands are wet, and I`m like trying to get him. Slipping. He`s at my (UNINTELLIGIBLE), train getting closer. Train getting closer.
Train was about right there. And I`m like you can`t get him up. Go for the gutter. So I just grabbed him, fell on top of him, helped him down. I leaned in the gutter, right in the nasty water.
It happened just like that. I had something like, seven to ten seconds. I see the driver of the train. He was putting on the brake. I hear the train, squeaking. People are screaming.
The thing just grazed my hat. I`m underneath with the guy on top of him. I`m like, excuse me. Everybody be quiet. Everybody got real quiet. I`m like, there is two little girls up there I`m their father let them know their daddy is OK. I am not hurt. And let everybody else know that the man is OK.
LARRY HOLLOPETER, FATHER OF THE BOY THAT WESLEY AUTREY SAVED: Mr. Autrey`s instinctive and unselfish act saved our son`s life.
AUTREY: I don`t think of myself as a hero. I just went to someone`s aid, some one who`s in need of help.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: And joining me here now is the subway hero himself, Wesley Autrey. Wesley, it`s great to see you.
AUTREY: Likewise, likewise. How you been?
ANDERSON: I am doing well. Thank you. And now, you really garnered international attention after you did this back in January. You saved this student`s life. What has the experience been like for you since then?
AUTREY: Wow. Well, I have been traveling all over. I just came back from Munich. I did a TV show over there. I re-enacted the subway hero thing live me and the host. And that`s the first time I ever had the opportunity to do something like that. And it was fun. The show was a blast.
But I`m back here in America now. I`m very glad to be home. I was invited back, I think in June or July to Berlin, which is the capital. And they have a bridge there that they want to inscribe my name, just like the Hollywood walk of fame here.
ANDERSON: All over the world, you are known. Congratulations. And it`s well deserved. You risked your life to save the life of this person. And what`s it like being here at this event tonight with all of these other everyday heroes?
AUTREY: Well, you know what? I look, you know - it`s like each one teach one. We all got something that we can give to somebody else. And whether it is the smallest or biggest thing that you can do - I mean, giving a quarter, buying some one coffee, or giving a person $2 if they ask for it. Hey it doesn`t help. It doesn`t hurt. It helps a whole lot.
ANDERSON: And before I let you go, we want to give you this special treat. It is from New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter. It`s a signed jersey.
AUTREY: Wow.
ANDERSON: A fellow New Yorker and he`s very proud of what you did. You are a true hero. Wesley Autrey, thank you so much.
AUTREY: Well, thank you. Well, Derek, I`ve got a message for you. The fellows in the hood want to know when you and I will take a stroll. They have been asking me that. And this came in right on time.
ANDERSON: Right on time. Enjoy. Have fun tonight. Thank you, Wesley.
AUTREY: Thank you.
ANDERSON: All right, Wesley Autrey. And as we mentioned, one of the many performers tonight will be the amazing Sheryl Crow. We actually got to see and hear her dress rehearsal. And I can tell you, you will be absolutely blown away by her performance tonight. She`s singing a new song tonight, "Shining over Babylon." Just a short time ago, I got to speak with Sheryl, and she told me about the song`s very powerful message.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHERYL CROW, SINGER: The song is actually - I`m hoping that people will find hope in it though it sound sort of like a - an apocalyptic diatribe. It sort of goes through a litany of things that are going on around us right now. But the chorus, hopefully, will be inspirational and will incite a feeling that we all have some power in this.
ANDERSON: You have been very outspoken and public about the need for people to come together to combat global warming and a lot of celebrities have joined in the fight. Do you think the message resonates enough with the American public to get involved as much as everyone needs to?
CROW: I think over the course of the last six to eight months, we`re all being forced to face up to the fact that the science is there. There is no more debate and we are looking at even more dire predictions than what was originally predicted by the IPCC.
And I think people are starting to feel the necessity when they`re hearing a third of species will be gone in a certain amount of years and are watching the polar caps melt. So it`s - I think, you know six months ago, people would be debating it and also clinging to the hope that this is cyclical. But now, we know, we don`t have time.
ANDERSON: You have been to countless award shows. Why is this show different and special?
CROW: I think this is the most amazing idea. Every single day, I go online or I read newspapers and turn on CNN. And it just seems like it is constant inundation of bad news. And this is so great that we are celebrating people who are out there on a day-to-day basis, without the big glory of the awards and all. We`re honoring them here.
Just the small amounts of ingenuity that have taken off and have really effected change in people`s lives by these people just caring. It is a wonderful acknowledgment and I hope it continues.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: And Sheryl Crow isn`t the only one performing live tonight. There will be blockbuster performances by R & B Star Mary J. Blige and a duet by Norah Jones and Wyclef Jean.
HAMMER: Can`t wait to hear that. Now, to the man, however, who plays hero on NBC`s "Heroes" right here at "CNN HEROES". But he is a different kind of hero tonight. Masi Oka is also the global ambassador for One Laptop per Child. This is a nonprofit group that`s looking to outfit nearly 2 billion children in underdeveloped countries with laptop computers.
He`s also a presenter tonight. Masi Oka, always great to see you. Global ambassador for One Laptop per Child. Such an ambitious project. How is it actually going to get the computers into the hands of the kids?
MASI OKA, "HEROES" STAR: Well, right now, we`re going through a campaign called a "Give One, Get One" program, where people in America can purchase - give a laptop, one of these XL laptops to a child in a need in developing nation, and get one for the child in their life. So that`s kind of the program we are continuing until December 31st. So by that way, you kind of set up a virtual pen pal system, connecting kids all over the world.
HAMMER: We`re talking about underdeveloped countries here. But understand these computers have hand power, hand cranks, easy ways to make them operate in places there is not electricity.
OKA: Absolutely. The whole idea of the XL laptop is it`s supposed to be at very low cost. But, you know, it has all these amazing high tech designs to be durable in these remote locations where there isn`t power or where it is not, you don`t have easy access to the electric or whatever, resources we would have for a normal laptop.
So it has great design for like the display. You know, based on lighting and stuff. So it is all these amazing technological features that has gone into it. Careful in the design so it can survive in these locations.
HAMMER: That`s amazing that you guys are doing this. Because obviously, information is power. We are in the information age. How is the program going? I have been wondering if you guys are actually able to get these laptops out there?
OKA: It is going fantastically. They can go to www.laptop.org to get more information. And you can constantly see what is going on with the project and how we are constantly advancing.
What is the greatest thing is to see the smile on the kids. Because, fundamentally even though we are giving laptops, what we are doing is giving education. At its core, this is an education project. It`s about giving education to kids all over the world.
HAMMER: Well, congratulations for all the good work you are doing with that program. And thank you for being part of "CNN HEROES". We really appreciate it.
Masi Oka from NBC`s "Heroes," among the many big stars who are arriving here tonight for the "CNN HEROES" tribute. In just a few minutes, we`re going to take you right inside the theater because we want to give you your very first look at the big show that is coming up. We will also have this -
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SOUTHWORTH: No soldier goes to war with the expectation of coming home and adopting an orphan from the war zone.
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HAMMER: On a night filled with so much inspiration, another absolutely amazing story. A soldier, a hero fighting for his country, risking his life, saves another - a disabled Iraqi orphan. Robin Meade, the anchor for "MORNING EXPRESS" on CNN HEADLINE NEWS brings us this incredible story, and that is coming up.
And Harry Connick Jr. is also presenting an award tonight. He, of course, a hometown hero for New Orleans in his own right. We`re going to be speaking with him as the special live edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, "COUNTDOWN TO CNN HEROES" continues. Don`t go anywhere. We are coming right back.
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(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SOUTHWORTH: No soldier goes to war with the expectation of coming home and adopting an orphan from the war zone.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That was Major Scott Harold Southworth who has been nominated as a CNN hero for his work championing children. His amazing story is coming up. And I`d like to welcome you back to this special live edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, "COUNTDOWN TO CNN HEROES". I`m A.J. Hammer in New York at the American Museum of Natural History for a special event tonight.
Hollywood`s biggest stars are out here in full force to honor everyday people doing extraordinary things. Now, the nominees for "CNN HEROES" are truly inspirational people. Singer Harry Connick Jr. has certainly inspired many people through his own music and his own charitable efforts. And tonight he is going to be presenting the Young Wonder Award, honoring the outstanding achievement by a person under 18. Harry Connick Jr. joining me now. It`s always a pleasure to see you, Harry.
HARRY CONNICK, JR., SINGER AND ACTOR: Thanks, A.J. It`s good to be with you.
HAMMER: So you got to hear the stories of these amazing children. How unbelievably inspiring were the stories?
CONNICK: Oh, it`s incredible, man. I mean these young people really make you wonder if you have accomplished anything. You know, I mean they have these ingenious ideas and this great initiative. And it just makes you comfortable knowing that these are the young folks that are going to be great leaders in our communities. So it`s - it`s a great honor to present to them.
HAMMER: And everybody is excited about the basic theme of tonight`s event. We are honoring ordinary people doing extraordinary things. We are not honoring the stars tonight. But you certainly are among celebrities who really have done their part. You really have pitched in. When you are out there doing whatever volunteer work you maybe involved with, or whatever projects you are involved with, are you seeing more and more young people getting involved?
CONNICK: Oh, it`s fantastic, A.J. I started a - well, it`s not really a program. It`s sort of a project called the Musicians Village in New Orleans with Branford Marsalis. And we have so many young people coming. We`ve had over 50,000 volunteers and many of them are high school students and college students. And they come from all over the world.
And, you know, it`s just great to know, I think that the genuine spirit of the American people and people all over the world is a kind one. People want to give and want to help. And I think it is wonderful that people are being honored tonight for those types of achievements. But I think people, just in general, have a really good quality about them and human nature is a good thing. You know.
HAMMER: Well, you and I have certainly talked a lot about the work you have done to help rebuild your hometown of New Orleans after the devastation of Katrina. Well, can you tell us about what you are seeing from your perspective when you go down there now.
CONNICK: Well, I`ll tell you what. I`m seeing a lot by Brad Pitt. I`ve got to give it up, man. He really is doing an amazing job. I mean, he put his money where his mouth is. He has some great ideas.
In fact I wrote him a note today to thank him. I don`t know him. I maybe met him one time. But it is people like that. If we had 20, 30 more people like that around, New Orleans wouldn`t have any problem at all. I see things like that which are great demonstrations of leadership, passion, integrity and that makes me, me very happy.
New Orleans has a long, long way to go. I think people who go down there and see the, the touristy areas may think really it`s coming back. But you go to some of the residential areas like the ninth ward, it looks like the hurricane happened a couple weeks ago. So it`s thanks to people like Brad and other people who are really contributing, Jim Peyton works with our Musician`s Village that are kind of bringing the city back.
HAMMER: Well, thanks for all the work you do, Harry Connick Jr. I look forward to you presenting tonight on "CNN HEROES".
And now, as our special coverage of the countdown to "CNN HEROES" continues, we bring you a remarkable story of a soldier who defines the term "above and beyond the call of duty." For his story, we go to Robin Meade, the anchor of "MORNING EXPRESS" on HEADLINE NEWS. Robin joins us from inside Atlanta`s Fox Theater. Robin?
ROBIN MEADE, ANCHOR, "MORNING EXPRESS": A.J., our next CNN hero went to war in Iraq, and came home with a son. If you ever watched our show, you know that we salute the troops every day just to give them some recognition.
Well, something tells me that our next hero from Wisconsin probably doesn`t want the recognition. But he says if one child with special needs gets adopted because of the story you are about to see, it is all worth telling it. Meet CNN hero Scott Southworth.
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SOUTHWORTH: No soldier goes to war with the expectation of coming home and adopting an orphan from the war zone.
My name is Major Scott Harold Southworth. I`m a member of the Wisconsin Army National Guard and a proud father of an Iraqi orphan by the name of Ala`a Idn(ph).
SOUTHWORTH: Come on, Ala`a.
My soldiers and I volunteered at the Mother Teresa Orphanage in Baghdad, Iraq. I did not choose Ala`a. Ala`a chose me.
When the sisters informed me they were going to have to move him to the government orphanage, I instantly told them I would adopt him. There were a number of obstacles to bring him to the United States, not having enough money, not having a stable enough career, not having a wife. But I could not as a Christian man walk away from that little boy. It really was a step of faith for me to just put that in action.
SOUTHWORTH: Who is my little boy?
ALA`A: I am.
SOUTHWORTH: I know you are. OK.
It`s been about 2 1/2 years since I picked Ala`a up in Baghdad. He is learning how to walk. He is doing addition and subtraction. He`s learning to read the English language. He`s just a brilliant little boy.
Come on. Kick those legs hard. Work those legs.
He is limited by - some of the things he can`t do physically. But I never treat Ala`a as though he is disabled.
ALA`A: I love you, Papa.
SOUTHWORTH: I love you too, my buddy.
Ala`a is so much more a blessing to me than I am to him.
SOUTHWORTH: It is the famous tickle.
ALA`A: Ha-ha.
SOUTHWORTH: I felt a ton of sympathy for Ala`a when I was in Iraq. But Ala`a didn`t need my sympathy. What he needed was some action.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MEADE: You know, my favorite part of the story is where he says "I didn`t choose Ala`a. Ala`a chose me." Now, Scott says that Ala`a is doing really well. He`s learning to read. In fact, he`s memorized the spelling of about 30 words. What a difference the two of them must be making in each other`s lives, and for that matter, ours as well. A.J., back to you.
HAMMER: Thanks a lot, Robin. And you can catch robin every week day morning on "MORNING EXPRESS" here on HEADLINE NEWS from 6:00 to 10:00 a.m. We`re getting really close to the top of the hour when everything gets under way. "CNN HEROES, AN ALL STAR TRIBUTE" is going to fire up at exactly nine minutes and 33 seconds. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT special live edition coming right back.
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HAMMER: Welcome back to the special live edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT "COUNTDOWN TO CNN HEROES". I`m A.J. Hammer live at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson inside the museum, inside the theater where just moments from now, "CNN HEROES, AN ALL STAR TRIBUTE" will begin. People are making their way to their seats right now. This is an incredibly special event, because CNN is honoring ordinary people who are doing extraordinary things. These are regular people who have made a tremendous impact on others.
Now, 18 finalists were chosen from more than 7,000 online nominations that CNN received this year, those nominees from 93 countries. And these 18 finalists will amaze and inspire you with their humanitarian efforts.
Now, a winner will be chosen in six categories tonight. Those categories are championing children, community crusaders, defending the planet, fighting for justice, medical marvels and young wonders. Now, that last category, Young Wonders - that is for young people under age of 18 who have been making a big difference in other people`s lives.
It will be a star-studded event tonight. Mary J. Blige, Wyclef Jean, Norah Jones and Sheryl Crow are set to perform. Also, some big celebrity presenters on hand as well, including Kyra Sedgwick, Harry Connick Jr., and Glenn Close, and also Tyra Banks. I spoke with Tyra Banks on the red carpet as she was arriving earlier. And she talked to me about how challenging it is to motivate young people to get involved. Listen to this.
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BANKS I think we live in a society right now especially with youth that are obsessed with fame. So, if you can see that if you help people, you know you can get highlight. You don`t have to like be some starlet in a movie. Actually, giving can give you some accolades too. I think it is a good message. I don`t think that`s what the message is for you guys, but I`m just thinking about young people in their heads. And I can see them being encouraged tonight because of that.
ANDERSON: And how they would think about it in order to inspire themselves to get motivated. And who is your hero?
BANKS: I have to say my mother is my hero. Without that woman - I mean, she gave up so much of her life to support me when I was a model in the crazy fashion world. And she`s kept me sane, and a pretty decent person. So she definitely is my hero. She is.
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ANDERSON: Very nice. Her mother is her hero. I bet a lot of people could say that as well. And, A.J., you know, unlike a typical awards ceremony, this show honors people who rarely if ever receive the recognition that they deserve. But that is going to change tonight. They will be honored. It will be a night of entertainment, a night of emotion, and a night inspiration.
Yes, always celebrating the celebrated, whether the actors and actresses or the music stars who already get so much acknowledgment for everything they do. So it really is terrific to see that happening for the ordinary people tonight.
Brooke, obviously, very exciting night. about to get underway here at American Museum of Natural History in New York City. I`d like to thank you for spending the past hour with us. This night is just beginning as CNN pays tribute to all the ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
That`s right you have been watching a special live edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on CNN HEADLINE NEWS. Right now, flip it on to CNN where Anderson Cooper and Christiane Amanpour will get ready to kick off "CNN HEROES, AN ALL-STAR TRIBUTE."
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