Monday, February 28, 2011
Gadhafi, El Loco
.
Gadhafi, the Crazy
وكان القذافي جنون
Remember Baghdad Bob? Well, history is repeating itself at this very moment; just watch Gadhafi in the video below. I can't wait to see (hear) what Anderson says about this...
Gadhafi clings to power amid growing support for protests
Posted: February 28th, 2011 -- 06:00 PM ET
Add a comment [to AC360º blog]
Wolf Blitzer reports
In a joint interview with ABC News' Christiane Amanpour and the BBC, Gadhafi also denied using force against his people, Amanpour reported. Excerpts of the interview were posted on the networks' websites.
"No demonstration at all in the streets," he said, speaking at a restaurant in Tripoli.
Told by the BBC's Jeremy Bowen that he had seen demonstrators in the streets that morning, Gadhafi asked, "Are they supporting us?"
"They love me, all my people with me, they love me all. They will die to protect me, my people," he said.
Government forces have repeatedly clashed with demonstrators over the past two weeks in Libya, fired on crowds and at times shot indiscriminately at people in the streets, numerous witnesses have told CNN. The death toll has topped 1,000, according to an estimate from U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
Gadhafi's regime has lost control of parts of the country to rebel forces, and with each passing day more Libyan officials around the world have defected, joining calls for his ouster.
The use of the term "rebel" to describe the anti-government forces is apt, said Kurt Volker, former U.S. ambassador to NATO and now a senior fellow at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Forces.
"In Egypt, you didn't have a force that was developed; you had protesters who were demonstrating against the government and the government relented," he told CNN in a telephone interview. "Here, you actually have a government that retains force at its disposal and you have demonstrators joined by elements of the military that have forces at their disposal. So it really has become an armed rebellion."
Even as Gadhafi sought to project confidence Monday, reports came in that a military jet bombed a military base in an area controlled by rebel forces.
The base is near Ajdabiya, 90 miles south of Benghazi, a stronghold of government opponents. Some bases in the area have fallen into the hands of protesters as more members of the military have abandoned Gadhafi's regime and joined demonstrations.
Several soldiers told CNN they switched their allegiance after refusing to use weapons against peaceful demonstrators.
CNN saw the military jet fly overhead and heard the sounds of explosions. Witnesses reported a bombing at the base.
But Libyan state television later denied any such bombing had occurred. The Temporary General Committee for Defense said reports that the Libyan air force conducted strikes on the ammunition depots in the cities of Ajdabiya and Rajima were false, state TV reported.
While CNN has staff in some cities, the network can not independently confirm reports for many areas in Libya. CNN has gathered information through telephone interviews with witnesses.
Pro-Gadhafi forces tried to attack a radio station in Misrata, a city controlled by protesters, a witness said. A military chopper with soldiers on board has tried to land a couple of times over the past three days, but the opposition fired at the soldiers and kept them away, the witness said.
The international community, meanwhile, launched new efforts Monday to pressure Gadhafi to halt the violence.
"Colonel Gadhafi and those around him must be held accountable for these acts, which violate international legal obligations and common decency. Through their actions, they have lost the legitimacy to govern. And the people of Libya have made themselves clear: It is time for Gadhafi to go, now, without further violence or delay," U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said at a meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, of the U.N. Human Rights Council.
She said the United States is exploring "all possible options," and that "nothing is off the table so long as the Libyan government continues to threaten and kill Libyan citizens."
Asked at a news conference Monday whether the U.S. planned an imminent military response, Clinton said, "No."
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said Monday that "exile is certainly one option" for Gadhafi. Carney also said the U.S. government is considering the possibility of imposing a no-fly zone over Libya.
The Obama administration is "actively reaching out to those in Libya who are working to bring about a government" that respects the rights and reflects the aspirations of the Libyan people, Carney said. "Colonel Gadhafi needs to step aside."
Pentagon spokesman Col. David Lapan said the United States is "repositioning" naval and air forces in the region to be prepared for any option that it may need to exercise. He would not comment on whether any ground forces are being put on alert or having leaves cancelled because of Libya.
Also Monday, the United States became the latest country to announce it had frozen Gadhafi-related assets. The U.S. government froze at least $30 billion in Libyan government assets under U.S jurisdiction after enacting sanctions on Friday, a Treasury official said. It marked the largest amount ever blocked under a sanctions program, according to Acting Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David Cohen.
In Tripoli, protesters stayed off the streets, telling CNN they feared violence. Government officials spread word that thousands of people could die if the popular uprising continues. On the 14th day of protests, there appeared to be a stalemate. Some in Tripoli told CNN they feared their protest movement was losing momentum.
But around the world, support for the protests was growing.
Yet another prominent Libyan official, the country's ambassador to South Africa, added his voice to the calls for Gadhafi to end his nearly 42-year grip on power. Gadhafi "should take the ultimate decision to step down in the interest of Libya," Abdullah Alzubedi told reporters in Pretoria.
The European Union's high representative for foreign affairs, Catherine Ashton, said the U.N. Human Rights Council "has a grave responsibility to ensure that our often-stated intentions are translated into real actions and real progress." Speaking at the meeting in Geneva, Ashton said, "What matters in the end is not the number of resolutions passed but results in the real world."
In an interview with CNN, Ashton said stopping the violence means trying "to persuade the people concerned that they will be held to account, that there will be the International Criminal Court, that we will stop their assets being moved, that we will hold them to account for their actions. That's what we do as an international community. That's what we have to make clear. And there's no doubt in my mind that actually they do listen to what's being said."
The U.N. Security Council over the weekend voted for tough restrictions and possible war crimes charges against the Libyan regime. The Security Council measures -- which include an arms embargo, an asset freeze and travel bans for Gadhafi and members of his family and associates -- also referred the situation unfolding in Libya to the International Criminal Court.
On Sunday, Gadhafi criticized the Security Council resolution, telling private Serbian station Pink TV by phone that council members "took a decision based on media reports that are based abroad." He added, "If the Security Council wants to know about something, they should have sent a fact-finding committee."
The protests, which began February 15, have been fueled largely by people demanding freedom and decrying high unemployment.
As the 68-year-old Gadhafi has appeared increasingly cornered, some Libyan officials have begun to discuss openly what a post-Gadhafi Libyan government would look like.
Over the weekend, Libya's deputy ambassador to the United Nations, Ibrahim Dabbashi, indicated he and fellow diplomats support "in principle" a caretaker administration under the direction of former Justice Minister Mustafa Abdul Jalil.
Jalil quit February 21 to protest the "bloody situation" and "use of excessive force" against unarmed protesters, according to Libyan newspaper Quryna.
About 100,000 people have fled Libya to Tunisia or Egypt in roughly the past week, the U.N. high commissioner for refugees said Sunday, citing reports from the Tunisian and Egyptian governments. The evacuees include Tunisians, Egyptians, Libyans and many from Asian countries.
Tunisia and Egypt are the two countries that have seen their leaders overthrown in the wave of protests that has swept through the Arab world over the past several weeks.
Tunisians on the border with Libya waved pre-Gadhafi-era Libyan flags in support of the opposition.
The Tunisian army, charities and ordinary Tunisians were trying to help Libyans on the border. Refugees said Tunisians were offering them food, water and the use of phones.
CNN's Ivan Watson, Nkepile Mabuse, Eve Bower, Ben Wedeman, Salma Abdelaziz, Talia Kayali, Richard Roth, Tom Watkins, Jack Maddox and Whitney Hurst contributed to this report.
وكان القذافي جنون
Remember Baghdad Bob? Well, history is repeating itself at this very moment; just watch Gadhafi in the video below. I can't wait to see (hear) what Anderson says about this...
 "There are no American infidels in Baghdad. Never!" "My feelings - as usual - we will slaughter them all" |  "All my people love me." "No demonstration at all in the streets." |
Gadhafi clings to power amid growing support for protests
Posted: February 28th, 2011 -- 06:00 PM ET
Add a comment [to AC360º blog]
Wolf Blitzer reports
In a joint interview with ABC News' Christiane Amanpour and the BBC, Gadhafi also denied using force against his people, Amanpour reported. Excerpts of the interview were posted on the networks' websites.
"No demonstration at all in the streets," he said, speaking at a restaurant in Tripoli.
Told by the BBC's Jeremy Bowen that he had seen demonstrators in the streets that morning, Gadhafi asked, "Are they supporting us?"
"They love me, all my people with me, they love me all. They will die to protect me, my people," he said.
Government forces have repeatedly clashed with demonstrators over the past two weeks in Libya, fired on crowds and at times shot indiscriminately at people in the streets, numerous witnesses have told CNN. The death toll has topped 1,000, according to an estimate from U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
Gadhafi's regime has lost control of parts of the country to rebel forces, and with each passing day more Libyan officials around the world have defected, joining calls for his ouster.
The use of the term "rebel" to describe the anti-government forces is apt, said Kurt Volker, former U.S. ambassador to NATO and now a senior fellow at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Forces.
"In Egypt, you didn't have a force that was developed; you had protesters who were demonstrating against the government and the government relented," he told CNN in a telephone interview. "Here, you actually have a government that retains force at its disposal and you have demonstrators joined by elements of the military that have forces at their disposal. So it really has become an armed rebellion."
Even as Gadhafi sought to project confidence Monday, reports came in that a military jet bombed a military base in an area controlled by rebel forces.
The base is near Ajdabiya, 90 miles south of Benghazi, a stronghold of government opponents. Some bases in the area have fallen into the hands of protesters as more members of the military have abandoned Gadhafi's regime and joined demonstrations.
Several soldiers told CNN they switched their allegiance after refusing to use weapons against peaceful demonstrators.
CNN saw the military jet fly overhead and heard the sounds of explosions. Witnesses reported a bombing at the base.
But Libyan state television later denied any such bombing had occurred. The Temporary General Committee for Defense said reports that the Libyan air force conducted strikes on the ammunition depots in the cities of Ajdabiya and Rajima were false, state TV reported.
While CNN has staff in some cities, the network can not independently confirm reports for many areas in Libya. CNN has gathered information through telephone interviews with witnesses.
Pro-Gadhafi forces tried to attack a radio station in Misrata, a city controlled by protesters, a witness said. A military chopper with soldiers on board has tried to land a couple of times over the past three days, but the opposition fired at the soldiers and kept them away, the witness said.
The international community, meanwhile, launched new efforts Monday to pressure Gadhafi to halt the violence.
"Colonel Gadhafi and those around him must be held accountable for these acts, which violate international legal obligations and common decency. Through their actions, they have lost the legitimacy to govern. And the people of Libya have made themselves clear: It is time for Gadhafi to go, now, without further violence or delay," U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said at a meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, of the U.N. Human Rights Council.
She said the United States is exploring "all possible options," and that "nothing is off the table so long as the Libyan government continues to threaten and kill Libyan citizens."
Asked at a news conference Monday whether the U.S. planned an imminent military response, Clinton said, "No."
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said Monday that "exile is certainly one option" for Gadhafi. Carney also said the U.S. government is considering the possibility of imposing a no-fly zone over Libya.
The Obama administration is "actively reaching out to those in Libya who are working to bring about a government" that respects the rights and reflects the aspirations of the Libyan people, Carney said. "Colonel Gadhafi needs to step aside."
Pentagon spokesman Col. David Lapan said the United States is "repositioning" naval and air forces in the region to be prepared for any option that it may need to exercise. He would not comment on whether any ground forces are being put on alert or having leaves cancelled because of Libya.
Also Monday, the United States became the latest country to announce it had frozen Gadhafi-related assets. The U.S. government froze at least $30 billion in Libyan government assets under U.S jurisdiction after enacting sanctions on Friday, a Treasury official said. It marked the largest amount ever blocked under a sanctions program, according to Acting Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David Cohen.
In Tripoli, protesters stayed off the streets, telling CNN they feared violence. Government officials spread word that thousands of people could die if the popular uprising continues. On the 14th day of protests, there appeared to be a stalemate. Some in Tripoli told CNN they feared their protest movement was losing momentum.
But around the world, support for the protests was growing.
Yet another prominent Libyan official, the country's ambassador to South Africa, added his voice to the calls for Gadhafi to end his nearly 42-year grip on power. Gadhafi "should take the ultimate decision to step down in the interest of Libya," Abdullah Alzubedi told reporters in Pretoria.
The European Union's high representative for foreign affairs, Catherine Ashton, said the U.N. Human Rights Council "has a grave responsibility to ensure that our often-stated intentions are translated into real actions and real progress." Speaking at the meeting in Geneva, Ashton said, "What matters in the end is not the number of resolutions passed but results in the real world."
In an interview with CNN, Ashton said stopping the violence means trying "to persuade the people concerned that they will be held to account, that there will be the International Criminal Court, that we will stop their assets being moved, that we will hold them to account for their actions. That's what we do as an international community. That's what we have to make clear. And there's no doubt in my mind that actually they do listen to what's being said."
The U.N. Security Council over the weekend voted for tough restrictions and possible war crimes charges against the Libyan regime. The Security Council measures -- which include an arms embargo, an asset freeze and travel bans for Gadhafi and members of his family and associates -- also referred the situation unfolding in Libya to the International Criminal Court.
On Sunday, Gadhafi criticized the Security Council resolution, telling private Serbian station Pink TV by phone that council members "took a decision based on media reports that are based abroad." He added, "If the Security Council wants to know about something, they should have sent a fact-finding committee."
The protests, which began February 15, have been fueled largely by people demanding freedom and decrying high unemployment.
As the 68-year-old Gadhafi has appeared increasingly cornered, some Libyan officials have begun to discuss openly what a post-Gadhafi Libyan government would look like.
Over the weekend, Libya's deputy ambassador to the United Nations, Ibrahim Dabbashi, indicated he and fellow diplomats support "in principle" a caretaker administration under the direction of former Justice Minister Mustafa Abdul Jalil.
Jalil quit February 21 to protest the "bloody situation" and "use of excessive force" against unarmed protesters, according to Libyan newspaper Quryna.
About 100,000 people have fled Libya to Tunisia or Egypt in roughly the past week, the U.N. high commissioner for refugees said Sunday, citing reports from the Tunisian and Egyptian governments. The evacuees include Tunisians, Egyptians, Libyans and many from Asian countries.
Tunisia and Egypt are the two countries that have seen their leaders overthrown in the wave of protests that has swept through the Arab world over the past several weeks.
Tunisians on the border with Libya waved pre-Gadhafi-era Libyan flags in support of the opposition.
The Tunisian army, charities and ordinary Tunisians were trying to help Libyans on the border. Refugees said Tunisians were offering them food, water and the use of phones.
CNN's Ivan Watson, Nkepile Mabuse, Eve Bower, Ben Wedeman, Salma Abdelaziz, Talia Kayali, Richard Roth, Tom Watkins, Jack Maddox and Whitney Hurst contributed to this report.
A Dangerous Invitation To Relax
.
Letters to the President: #770 'And the Oscar goes to …'
Posted: February 28th, 2011 -- 03:50 PM ET
Add a comment [to AC360º blog]
Tom Foreman
AC360° Correspondent
Reporter's Note: President Obama and I have several things in common. We are about the same age. We both have two daughters. We both have to deal with these letters every day. And neither one of us has won an Academy Award.
Dear Mr. President,
The fact that I am writing to you today is evidence enough that once again I was passed over by Oscar. Trust me, if I ever score one of those shiny little gold guys for the mantle I won’t be showing up for work on Monday. Ha!
I watched a fair portion of the awards show. Some of it left me cold because I just don’t see as many films now as I once did. My wife and younger daughter were helpful, periodically telling me which nominees I should cheer on and which ones I should pan. Not that it mattered. I suppose if I were a voting member of the Academy…or a member at all…
Speaking of awards, I noticed that one of your potential Republican challengers bestowed one on you. Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour called you one of the best politicians of all time.
Now, for starters, considering the current mood of the nation, I’m not sure that is a compliment. But even if it is, being the old film critic that I am, let me offer you this bit of advice: Don’t believe it for a minute. If you have big dreams, big ambitions, and want to have a big impact on the world, there are few things as dangerous as a compliment. It is an invitation to relax, to let down your guard, and to set yourself up for defeat.
And I would bet my house that this is fundamentally the intent of any challenger to any throne when he starts lobbing such words around; he wants to lull the incumbent into a sense of false safety, and he wants to paint himself as the hopeless underdog. “Hey Hare, have you met Tortoise? He’s a big fan of yours.”
You are going to be hearing a lot more of this kind of talk in the coming months, especially as people start getting serious about the election next year. And you should probably do what I do when I go to a movie and people start talking - turn around quickly and say “Shhhh. I’m trying to watch the big picture!”
Rainy Monday here in D.C., but wasn’t that a nice weekend? I went on my 20-mile training run and, not bragging, but I can assure you that there is no way on God’s green Earth that you could have kept up. Ha! Give me a call if you want the details.
Regards,
Tom
Letters to the President: #770 'And the Oscar goes to …'
Posted: February 28th, 2011 -- 03:50 PM ET
Add a comment [to AC360º blog]
Tom Foreman
AC360° Correspondent
Reporter's Note: President Obama and I have several things in common. We are about the same age. We both have two daughters. We both have to deal with these letters every day. And neither one of us has won an Academy Award.
Dear Mr. President,
The fact that I am writing to you today is evidence enough that once again I was passed over by Oscar. Trust me, if I ever score one of those shiny little gold guys for the mantle I won’t be showing up for work on Monday. Ha!
I watched a fair portion of the awards show. Some of it left me cold because I just don’t see as many films now as I once did. My wife and younger daughter were helpful, periodically telling me which nominees I should cheer on and which ones I should pan. Not that it mattered. I suppose if I were a voting member of the Academy…or a member at all…
Speaking of awards, I noticed that one of your potential Republican challengers bestowed one on you. Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour called you one of the best politicians of all time.
Now, for starters, considering the current mood of the nation, I’m not sure that is a compliment. But even if it is, being the old film critic that I am, let me offer you this bit of advice: Don’t believe it for a minute. If you have big dreams, big ambitions, and want to have a big impact on the world, there are few things as dangerous as a compliment. It is an invitation to relax, to let down your guard, and to set yourself up for defeat.
And I would bet my house that this is fundamentally the intent of any challenger to any throne when he starts lobbing such words around; he wants to lull the incumbent into a sense of false safety, and he wants to paint himself as the hopeless underdog. “Hey Hare, have you met Tortoise? He’s a big fan of yours.”
You are going to be hearing a lot more of this kind of talk in the coming months, especially as people start getting serious about the election next year. And you should probably do what I do when I go to a movie and people start talking - turn around quickly and say “Shhhh. I’m trying to watch the big picture!”
Rainy Monday here in D.C., but wasn’t that a nice weekend? I went on my 20-mile training run and, not bragging, but I can assure you that there is no way on God’s green Earth that you could have kept up. Ha! Give me a call if you want the details.
Regards,
Tom
 |  |
Ask And You Shall Receive...
.
Thanks to my prompt and wonderful YouTube buddy Cwm368 who sent me the link to these great pictures of Anderson & Benjamin taken LAST NIGHT! at the Vanity Fair after Oscar party.
I am so happy to see them together. I remember last year there was only ONE picture of the two of them at the same party and it was showing their backs only. What a relieve to see them both not afraid to be seen together. Who knows, maybe next year they will be holding hands!!! I certainly hope so.
Thanks again to Cwm368. Enjoy his gift!
Anderson looks so happy and proud in this picture above.
I am really happy for him, for them both.
Thanks to my prompt and wonderful YouTube buddy Cwm368 who sent me the link to these great pictures of Anderson & Benjamin taken LAST NIGHT! at the Vanity Fair after Oscar party.
I am so happy to see them together. I remember last year there was only ONE picture of the two of them at the same party and it was showing their backs only. What a relieve to see them both not afraid to be seen together. Who knows, maybe next year they will be holding hands!!! I certainly hope so.
Thanks again to Cwm368. Enjoy his gift!
Anderson looks so happy and proud in this picture above.
I am really happy for him, for them both.
What Ever Happened To...?
.
Benjamin
Is Anderson not a couple with Benjamin anymore?
Have they separated?
I haven't seen any more pictures of the two of them together riding their bikes or at the gym or in their Fire Red Firehouse. What happened? Where is Benjamin? I really miss seeing the two of them together. I hope they are still together but the press is not paying much attention any more...
Also...
Whatever happened to his hair?!
I guess it ran its regular course and turned totally silver.
I hope it didn't turn silver because he was worried, or depressed,
or stressed over a break up.
He looks as Handsome as EVER! Or more!!
Have they separated?
I haven't seen any more pictures of the two of them together riding their bikes or at the gym or in their Fire Red Firehouse. What happened? Where is Benjamin? I really miss seeing the two of them together. I hope they are still together but the press is not paying much attention any more...
Whatever happened to his hair?!
I guess it ran its regular course and turned totally silver.
I hope it didn't turn silver because he was worried, or depressed,
or stressed over a break up.
 |  |  |
Cooper, The Convertible
.
ABC, CBS, CNN
What Anderson will look like: ‘We’ll use all the tricks of the trade. We’ll shoot stuff. We’ll go places.’
By Gail Shister on February 28, 2011 -- 6:00 AM
If Anderson Cooper were a car, he’d be a classic American convertible.
“Maybe it’s the silver hair. Maybe it’s the kind of work he does. I don’t think he’d be a Porsche,” says Jim Murphy, executive producer of Cooper’s upcoming daytime show. “He’s going to cover a lot of space and be very open to people watching.”
Murphy knows about covering space. Prior to joining ABC in 2006 as senior executive producer of ABC’s ‘Good Morning America,’ he did two e.p. stints at CBS, with ‘Evening News’ under Dan Rather, then Bob Schieffer; and ‘CBS This Morning.’
Murphy jumps to the syndicated ‘Anderson’ in mid-March. The talk show launches Sept. 12, replacing Oprah Winfrey in some markets. (No pressure.)
Though Murphy and Cooper barely know each other, in Murphy’s words, they have several mutual friends. “The funny thing is, they’ve said to both of us over the years that we’d make a really good team,” Murphy says. “I’ve admired the guy for a hell of a long time.”
As it turns out, the timing was perfect. Murphy, who turned 50 last year, was burning out and needed a change. He went to new ABC News president Ben Sherwood, who had been Murphy’s predecessor on ‘GMA.’
“I was honest with him and he was honest with me,” Murphy says. “Morning TV is very hard, very competitive, very high pressure. You can only do this job for a certain amount of time – it’s definitely like dog years.
“This [‘Anderson’] was out there. Nothing else at ABC was as interesting or challenging. We agreed to part amicably.” Murphy was released from the remainder of his contract.
Given that Cooper will continue his nightly show at CNN as well as his occasional pieces for CBS’s ’60 Minutes,’ the big question is this: What happens to ‘Anderson’ when Cooper is called away for big breaking news anywhere on the planet?
“When there’s a huge breaking story, I’m sure there will be priorities,” says Murphy, adding that he’d only had the job for 48 hours. “We’ll take care of it.”
While Cooper’s reputation is in prime time, he’s perfect for daytime, too, according to Murphy, who shares the e.p. title with the star. “He has a sensibility where he brings information, storytelling, and empathy to topics he’s really interested in. It’s incredibly appealing to… the audience that watches daytime TV.”
At this point, Murphy has few details on format, though he acknowledges (obliquely) that the show may be positioned as an Oprah replacement. Winfrey “has been the gold standard in American talk TV for the last 30 years. I’d like to do something that she would like.
“It won’t be straight talk. We’ll use all the tricks of the trade. We’ll shoot stuff. We’ll go places. We’ll show the audience that Anderson is a great person to hang out with for an hour a day.” Will it be live? “We’re still discussing that,” Murphy says.
It’s risky to leave an established show on a network for a new program in syndication, but Murphy has never been afraid to roll the dice.
“I wouldn’t take the risk without believing in the project,” he says. “The second I heard that Anderson was going to do this show, I thought it was a gig I would really enjoy. There’s no guarantee it will work; that the economic model won’t change again.
“I’m not afraid of taking chances. When you look at my career, it’s usually worked out pretty well. When I joined ‘Siskel/Ebert’ as director [in 1988], I had never worked as a director in my life.”
Five years later, when he left to become a segment producer with CBS’s morning show, “I had no idea where it would lead,” he says. “I could have stayed in Chicago and had a nice, comfortable life for a long time. I went back to news because I was missing a lot of things I cared about. I was depressed when I didn’t go to Berlin for the fall of the wall.”
And, of course, there’s no guarantee he won’t hear the same siren song.
“I may go back to news somewhere down the road,” Murphy says. “I might miss it again.”
ABC, CBS, CNN
What Anderson will look like: ‘We’ll use all the tricks of the trade. We’ll shoot stuff. We’ll go places.’
By Gail Shister on February 28, 2011 -- 6:00 AM
If Anderson Cooper were a car, he’d be a classic American convertible.“Maybe it’s the silver hair. Maybe it’s the kind of work he does. I don’t think he’d be a Porsche,” says Jim Murphy, executive producer of Cooper’s upcoming daytime show. “He’s going to cover a lot of space and be very open to people watching.”
Murphy knows about covering space. Prior to joining ABC in 2006 as senior executive producer of ABC’s ‘Good Morning America,’ he did two e.p. stints at CBS, with ‘Evening News’ under Dan Rather, then Bob Schieffer; and ‘CBS This Morning.’
Murphy jumps to the syndicated ‘Anderson’ in mid-March. The talk show launches Sept. 12, replacing Oprah Winfrey in some markets. (No pressure.)
Though Murphy and Cooper barely know each other, in Murphy’s words, they have several mutual friends. “The funny thing is, they’ve said to both of us over the years that we’d make a really good team,” Murphy says. “I’ve admired the guy for a hell of a long time.”
As it turns out, the timing was perfect. Murphy, who turned 50 last year, was burning out and needed a change. He went to new ABC News president Ben Sherwood, who had been Murphy’s predecessor on ‘GMA.’
“I was honest with him and he was honest with me,” Murphy says. “Morning TV is very hard, very competitive, very high pressure. You can only do this job for a certain amount of time – it’s definitely like dog years.
“This [‘Anderson’] was out there. Nothing else at ABC was as interesting or challenging. We agreed to part amicably.” Murphy was released from the remainder of his contract.
Given that Cooper will continue his nightly show at CNN as well as his occasional pieces for CBS’s ’60 Minutes,’ the big question is this: What happens to ‘Anderson’ when Cooper is called away for big breaking news anywhere on the planet?
“When there’s a huge breaking story, I’m sure there will be priorities,” says Murphy, adding that he’d only had the job for 48 hours. “We’ll take care of it.”
While Cooper’s reputation is in prime time, he’s perfect for daytime, too, according to Murphy, who shares the e.p. title with the star. “He has a sensibility where he brings information, storytelling, and empathy to topics he’s really interested in. It’s incredibly appealing to… the audience that watches daytime TV.”
At this point, Murphy has few details on format, though he acknowledges (obliquely) that the show may be positioned as an Oprah replacement. Winfrey “has been the gold standard in American talk TV for the last 30 years. I’d like to do something that she would like.
“It won’t be straight talk. We’ll use all the tricks of the trade. We’ll shoot stuff. We’ll go places. We’ll show the audience that Anderson is a great person to hang out with for an hour a day.” Will it be live? “We’re still discussing that,” Murphy says.
It’s risky to leave an established show on a network for a new program in syndication, but Murphy has never been afraid to roll the dice.
“I wouldn’t take the risk without believing in the project,” he says. “The second I heard that Anderson was going to do this show, I thought it was a gig I would really enjoy. There’s no guarantee it will work; that the economic model won’t change again.
“I’m not afraid of taking chances. When you look at my career, it’s usually worked out pretty well. When I joined ‘Siskel/Ebert’ as director [in 1988], I had never worked as a director in my life.”
Five years later, when he left to become a segment producer with CBS’s morning show, “I had no idea where it would lead,” he says. “I could have stayed in Chicago and had a nice, comfortable life for a long time. I went back to news because I was missing a lot of things I cared about. I was depressed when I didn’t go to Berlin for the fall of the wall.”
And, of course, there’s no guarantee he won’t hear the same siren song.
“I may go back to news somewhere down the road,” Murphy says. “I might miss it again.”
Twitting Anderson Cooper
.
Côte d’Ivoire: Twitter Campaign for Anderson Cooper’s Attention
Translation posted 27 February 2011 · View original post [fr]
Anderson is probably here already... Or not!
We'll find out tonite.
Either way, as he twitted last week, he will be talking about this issue tonite.
Translation posted 27 February 2011 · View original post [fr]
We'll find out tonite.
Either way, as he twitted last week, he will be talking about this issue tonite.
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Sunday, February 27, 2011
Live Chat: Oscar With Jack
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Join our Academy Awards Live Blog with Jack Gray
Posted: February 27th, 2011 -- 06:00 PM ET
Add a comment [to AC360º blog]
Jack Gray
@JackGrayCNN
AC360° Producer/Writer
Starting tonight at 8 p.m. ET join us here for the AC360° Academy Awards Live Blog. The winners, the losers, good swan, bad swan…we’ve got your running commentary on it all. And, sure, considering all that’s going on in the world, the Oscars aren’t hugely important. But if you’re looking for a few hours of fun, then this blog is the place for you.
We should also point out that we’re not encouraging you to change the channel from CNN, but if you’re going to watch the Oscars anyway, you might as well watch them with us.
If you would like to participate in our Live Blog (and we hope you do) please follow our rules.
Here are some of them:
1) Please keep your comments short
2) Don’t write in ALL CAPS (we don’t like screaming)
3) No links
4) Use your real name
Please note that due to volume we may not be able to post all comments.
Join our Academy Awards Live Blog with Jack Gray
Posted: February 27th, 2011 -- 06:00 PM ET
Add a comment [to AC360º blog]
Jack Gray@JackGrayCNN
AC360° Producer/Writer
Starting tonight at 8 p.m. ET join us here for the AC360° Academy Awards Live Blog. The winners, the losers, good swan, bad swan…we’ve got your running commentary on it all. And, sure, considering all that’s going on in the world, the Oscars aren’t hugely important. But if you’re looking for a few hours of fun, then this blog is the place for you.
We should also point out that we’re not encouraging you to change the channel from CNN, but if you’re going to watch the Oscars anyway, you might as well watch them with us.
If you would like to participate in our Live Blog (and we hope you do) please follow our rules.
Here are some of them:
1) Please keep your comments short
2) Don’t write in ALL CAPS (we don’t like screaming)
3) No links
4) Use your real name
Please note that due to volume we may not be able to post all comments.
Almost At The Oscars!
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The Beckhams, Anderson Cooper & Ellen DeGeneres Are Pre-Oscar Partiers [PHOTOS]
By Miu von Furstenberg / February 27, 2011 -- 12:00 pm
Celebrities and their children took to Cold Water Canyon Park yesterday (February 26) in Beverly Hills for a little pre-Oscar party.
The event brought out the likes of David and Victoria Beckham and their boys, along with Anderson Cooper, Ellen DeGeneres, Portia de Rossi, the pregnant Rachel Zoe and the expecting Jessica Alba who brought her family, plus a slew of other stars.
Ellen DeGeneres and Anderson Cooper attending a Pre-Oscar party at a private residence on Coldwater Canyon Drive in Beverly Hills, CA. February 26, 2011.
David Beckham attending a Pre-Oscar party at a private residence on Coldwater Canyon Drive in Beverly Hills, CA. February 26, 2011.
TONITE
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Red Carpet at 7:00 PM ET to 8:30 PM ET
Oscars 8:30 PM ET to 11:30 PM ET (or, probably, later... much later)
The Beckhams, Anderson Cooper & Ellen DeGeneres Are Pre-Oscar Partiers [PHOTOS]
By Miu von Furstenberg / February 27, 2011 -- 12:00 pm
Celebrities and their children took to Cold Water Canyon Park yesterday (February 26) in Beverly Hills for a little pre-Oscar party.
The event brought out the likes of David and Victoria Beckham and their boys, along with Anderson Cooper, Ellen DeGeneres, Portia de Rossi, the pregnant Rachel Zoe and the expecting Jessica Alba who brought her family, plus a slew of other stars.
Ellen DeGeneres and Anderson Cooper attending a Pre-Oscar party at a private residence on Coldwater Canyon Drive in Beverly Hills, CA. February 26, 2011.
David Beckham attending a Pre-Oscar party at a private residence on Coldwater Canyon Drive in Beverly Hills, CA. February 26, 2011.
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Sunday, February 27, 2011
Red Carpet at 7:00 PM ET to 8:30 PM ET
Oscars 8:30 PM ET to 11:30 PM ET (or, probably, later... much later)
If You Want To Start A Revolution
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198 Methods of Nonviolent Action
Dr. Gene Sharp
Don't forget Mr. Sharp's free booklet “From Dictatorship to Democracy,” a 93-page guide to toppling autocrats without using violence, available for free downloading in 24 languages at
The Albert Einstein Institution.
If you don't do it for yourself, do it for this kitty...
The Albert Einstein Institution.
AC meet AC
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This photo was taken on February 25, 2011
The resemblance is incredible, almost queer...
Thanks to Puck90 for sharing these pictures with us.
This photo was taken on February 25, 2011
Podcast -- 02-25-11
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Added On February 26, 2011
Anderson Cooper 360 Daily features highlights from CNN's premiere nightly news program.
Added On February 26, 2011
Anderson Cooper 360 Daily features highlights from CNN's premiere nightly news program.
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 "Is not just the father spreading lies and threats, it's the son as well today, his name is Saif." |  "...with a smile and a wink." |
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 "Interviwe with CNN Turk..." |  |
 "We have plan A, plan B, plan C..." |  "A, B, C. To live and die in Libya." |
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