MORNING PREP - MORNING PREP - MORNING PREP - MORNING PREP
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! URBAN !
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THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG — A DISNEY PRINCESS BREAKS THE COLOR BARRIER
LOS ANGELES (AP) — It isn't often that you can go to a movie — and see history made. But that's just what will happen this weekend for those who see the first black princess in a Disney animated movie. "The Princess and the Frog" breaks a major color barrier for Disney, whose first cartoon princess was named Snow White. And while over the years the names changed, the description remained pretty much the same. This is the first time a princess has had a black face. While some may point to the rise of Barack Obama to power as the nation's first black president, that wasn't the inspiration for this film; it was in the works well before last year's historic election. Anika Noni (an-NEE'-kuh NOH'-nee) Rose does the voice of the princess, Tiana (tee-AH'-nuh). You'll remember her from her work in the movie "Dreamgirls" alongside Jennifer Hudson and Beyonce.
"The Princess and the Frog" opens nationally today.
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<<CUT …001 (12/11/09)>> 00:32 "''
Michael Weinfeld
Anika Noni Rose is about to make animated history. AP Entertainment Editor Michael Weinfeld has the story.
ANIKA NONI ROSE: A VOICE FOR A PRINCESS — AND 3 GENERATIONS
BURBANK, Calif. (AP) — Anika Noni (an-NEE'-kuh NOH'-nee) Rose says she always wanted to be in a Disney animated film — but she didn't necessarily have in mind being the studio's first black princess. She says she would have been happy playing anything, even a dandelion. But now that she has the history-making role as Tiana (tee-AH'-nuh) in The Princess and the Frog, she recognizes how the film will be seen by African-American women. She says doing the part puts her in a place "where dreams take off." She notes that for younger blacks it may not mean as much, since they're used to more diversity in the movies. But Rose says her mother has long looked forward to this taking place — while her grandmother thought she'd never live to see it happen.
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<<CUT …002 (12/11/09)>> 00:07 "such a wuss"
Anika Noni (ah-NEE'-kuh NOH'-nee) Rose
Anika Noni Rose says she was overwhelmed when she first saw herself as Princess Tiana.
<<CUT …003 (12/11/09)>> 00:10 "you had imagined"
Anika Noni (ah-NEE'-kuh NOH'-nee) Rose
Anika Noni Rose says when she dreamed of being in a Disney animated feature, she didn't dream of being a princess. ((longer version of cut in wrap))
<<CUT …004 (12/11/09)>> 00:12 "would have happened"
Anika Noni (ah-NEE'-kuh NOH'-nee) Rose
Anika Noni Rose says Disney's first black animated princess will mean something different to each generation. ((longer version of cut in wrap))
<<CUT …005 (12/11/09)>> 00:11 "in your world"
Anika Noni (ah-NEE'-kuh NOH'-nee) Rose
Anika Noni Rose says she wondered if Disney would ever have a black princess.
JENIFER LEWIS: NOT LOOKING A DAY OVER 199
GLENDALE, Calif. (AP) — You can tell Jenifer Lewis she looks a lot younger than the role she plays in the Disney animated film, "The Princess and the Frog." But don't expect her to take that as a compliment. She plays Mama Odie in the film — and Odie is a 200-year-old voodoo queen. That wasn't the role she was looking for when she auditioned. She says she originally went to read to be the princess' mother — a gig that ended up going to Oprah Winfrey. As for the historic significance of the film, which features Disney's first black princess, Lewis says she was never one to "see color" in movies. But she says she is definitely excited that the lead role in "The Princess and the Frog" is a black woman.
JENIFER LEWIS: GETS CLOSE TO OBAMA ON INAUGURATION
GLENDALE, Calif. (AP) — Jenifer Lewis was among those who got to see the inauguration of President Barack Obama up close and personal. But she didn't sit in front of a TV set to do it. It seems she pulled off the kind of gate-crashing that became famous when a certain Virginia couple talked their way into Obama's first state dinner. Lewis says she had a ticket to the inauguration ceremony — but was upset because it didn't give the kind of view she wanted. So she approached a Marine and — as she put it — "told a fib," saying she left her credentials on the plane. Fortunately for her, the Marine was a fan of "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" and recognized her as Aunt Helen. Because of that. she got escorted to within 30 feet of the podium where the swearing-in took place.
THE LITTLE PRINCESS: VOICE OF YOUNG TIANA GETTING ATTENTION, TOO
MADISON, Tenn. (AP) — You probably know by now that Anika Noni Rose plays the title role in "The Frog and the Princess." But chances are unless you hang around to watch the credits, you may not know the name of the young girl who does the voice of the young version of the princess. Her name is Elizabeth Dampier and she's a native of Mississippi. She's 10 and while she likes the idea of being a princess, she doesn't go for what she calls all that "kissy and mooshy-gooshy stuff." Despite her age, she has definitely put her own touch on the film. For example, the way the princess says the word "frog." Director John Musker says Elizabeth stretches the word for the amphibian to sound like "fruh-AUG'''— and they decided to go with that in the movie. Musker calls that part of the "natural cuteness and warmth" Elizabeth brought to the part.
MORGAN FREEMAN: FILLING THE ROLE AND FULFILLING PROPHECY
LOS ANGELES (AP) — No matter what former South African president Nelson Mandela thinks about the movie "Invictus," he shouldn't have a beef about the actor playing him. That's because he himself said a long time ago that if there was a movie made about his life, he'd want Morgan Freeman to play him. And Clint Eastwood, the director, went along with Mandela's wishes by putting Freeman in the role. Freeman and Mandela spent a lot of time together as the actor worked on the part. And Freeman seems happy with the way things turned out. He says the film will help people to see what makes Mandela tick. The movie opens today nationally.
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<<CUT …006 (12/11/09)>> 00:30 "''
Michael Weinfeld
Morgan Freeman prepared to play Nelson Mandela in "Invictus" by holding his hand. AP Entertainment Editor Michael Weinfeld explains why.
<<CUT …007 (12/11/09)>> 00:11 "said Morgan Freeman"
Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman says he has known he was going to play Nelson Mandela ever since Mandela himself suggested the idea when he was promoting his autobiography in the 90s.
<<CUT …008 (12/11/09)>> 00:09 "is foreign language"
Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman says he may be starring in a movie about rugby, but that doesn't mean he knows anything about it.
<<CUT …009 (12/11/09)>> 00:10 "hold your hand"
Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman told Nelson Mandela he needed total access to him in order to prepare to play him. ((cut used in wrap))
<<CUT …010 (12/11/09)>> 00:09 "how you feel"
Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman says it was important for him to hold Nelson Mandela's hand as much as possible when he was with him. ((cut used in wrap))
<<CUT …011 (12/11/09)>> 00:38 "more of myself"
Morgan Freeman
This is Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela in a scene from "Invictus."
KANYE WEST/TAYLOR SWIFT: TOGETHER AGAIN
NEW YORK (AP) — The last time we heard the names Kanye West and Taylor Swift together, there were some other names being used too — most of them names used to describe Kanye after he snatched the mic from Swift after she won at the VMAs. This time, they're back in the news — because they are the top artists of the year, according to the people who keep track of the charts year round. Overall though, Swift gets the last laugh over Kanye. The teen country star beat out Beyonce and Lady Gaga for top artist of the year.
NICK CANNON: HE GIVES A TWEET — AND THEN SOME
NEW YORK (AP) — If you follow Nick Cannon on Twitter, you know there's a lot to follow. It seems he's always on — and always has something to say. Sometimes too much, as even he 'fesses. He says he "always" goes too far when it comes to the microblogging site. He feels Twitter was "kind of built for me." He says he has so many different sides, it gives him a chance to share whatever happens to pop into his head at any given time — whether it's a Bible quote one minute or a quote from some racy movie the next. He says being on Twitter gives people the chance to see the real him.
TIGER WOODS: THE ONLINE TIGER CHARGE
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Used to be when Tiger Woods led a charge, it was to storm back to capture the lead late in a golf tournament. Now with his recent family scandals, the charge he has been leading — is getting people to the Internet to get the latest news about him. Several online sites report a large surge in traffic in the week or so since Woods crashed his car into a hydrant and tree — setting off a chain reaction of news that led to an admission of "personal failings." With the number of alleged mistresses rising like his name on the leaderboard at a tournament, people continue to flock to sites. One of the most heavily visited sites has been Woods' own — where he has made his only public statements about what's been going on. Nielsen reports the site got 488,000 unique visits the week of his crash, up from fewer than 11,000 the week before.
BARACK OBAMA: UPSET NORWEGIAN HOSTS BY LEAVING EARLY
OSLO (AP) — Ever throw a party for someone only to have that person show up, stay for a little while, then roll out? Now you know how Norway feels. People are feeling anything from bewildered to upset at President Barack Obama for his decision not to hang around after accepting his Nobel Peace Prize. He formally received the prize yesterday, delivered the traditional speech and visited with the King and Queen of Norway. But he skipped lunch with the King, passed on a news conference — and headed home before today's traditional day-after music concert. Obama said he was on a tight schedule, so he had to return to Washington right away. But part of that has been a reluctance by his administration to exult in an award that many complained he hadn't done enough to earn — and especially since he got it just days after announcing he was sending more troops off to war.
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<<CUT …201 (12/10/09)>> 00:32 "''
This is the sound of cheering as President and Mrs. Obama wave from a balcony to a crowd participating in the traditional "torch parade"
This is the sound of cheering as President and Mrs. Obama wave from a balcony to a candle-carrying crowd participating in a "torch parade" in his honor.
<<CUT …202 (12/10/09)>> 00:43 "''
This is the sound of chanting and drumming by various activists participating in the traditional Nobel Peace Prize "torch parade"
This is the sound of chanting and drumming by various activists outside the Grand Hotel, where the Obamas waved to participants in a "torch parade" in his honor.
<<CUT …203 (12/10/09)>> 00:31 "''
Mark Smith
President Barack Obama has been celebrating his Nobel Peace Prize. AP White House correspondent Mark Smith reports.
See also 4:32 aes news feed
MICHELLE OBAMA: FOOD AND THE TUBE
WASHINGTON (AP) — A lot of people feel close to first lady Michelle Obama because she seems so much like them. And if you're someone whose guilty pleasures include watching food shows and "really bad TV," you probably feel closer to her than before. Mrs. Obama says watching TV and with the family dog are the things she does to steal a few moments of peace amid her busy schedule. Her comments are in an interview the first lady gave Barbara Walters to mark her selection as the most fascinating person of the year.
SAM COOKE: LOOKING BACK
UNDATED (AP) — On this date in 1964, singer Sam Cooke was shot to death. It happened at a Los Angeles motel.
JAMES BROWN: LOOKING BACK
UNDATED (AP) — On this date in 1972, there was trouble for James Brown. Police in Knoxville, Tennessee arrested the soul singer for disorderly conduct. The charge was dropped after Brown threatened to sue the city.
JERMAINE JACKSON: BIRTHDAY
UNDATED (AP) — A birthday today for Jermaine Jackson. The singer and older brother of Michael Jackson turns 55 today. It was Jermaine who stood before reporters on June 25 to announce to the world that his brother had passed away. And at his public memorial at the Staples Center in July, Jermaine he performed the song "Smile," which he said was his brother's favorite.
MO'NIQUE: BIRTHDAY
UNDATED (AP) — A birthday for actress, comedian, author -- and now, radio show host -- Mo'Nique. She turns 42 today. She has won critical acclaim for her role as the mother of the lead character in "Precious" — a movie that has generated lots of Oscar buzz so far.
MOS DEF: BIRTHDAY
UNDATED (AP) — A birthday today for Rapper-actor Mos Def. He turns 36.
by Oscar Wells Gabriel II
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