Seen & Heard | Tavis Smiley

SEEN & HEARD

SEEN & HEARD: July 2012

August 1st, 2012, by Carla Amurao

The month of July showcased a cornucopia of emotions and experiences that sum up life as we know it. As usual, we were lucky to sit down with household names as well as some up-and-comers.

Talking about accomplishments and improvements were writer Joan Walsh and comedian-actor Cedric the Entertainer.

We all have our passions. And we all have different methods in which we strengthen our crafts. Actor Elijah Wood, singer Eddie Levert and architect Frank Gehry discuss how they work on their gifts.

In life, we learn lessons and we hope to share them with the world and leave our mark on history. Environmental activist Erin Brockovich discusses what her parents taught her as a child.

Journalist Rajiv Chandrasekaran shares his views on the war in Afghanistan. Chef Marcus Samuelsson discusses a tragic moment that ended in irony. In both cases, it’s proven that hindsight can indeed be 20/20. And singer Glenn Frey discusses the mark the Eagles left on history and in the memories of their fans.

Actor Dwight Henry talks about the New Orleans state of mind, which is a result of historical events and a newfound resilience against hardship.

Actress Niecy Nash talked about love, actor-comedian Jimmie Walker talked about fame and NCAA president Mark Emmert talked scandal.

Check out the gallery below to see notable quotes from some of July guests.

All images by Van Evers, Tavis Smiley Media, Inc.

: ‘It’s a tough country, but progressives don’t accomplish anything by biting their tongues and not pushing.’ – Salon.com columnist Joan Walsh, on how a president cannot be progressive without a progressive Congress

: ‘…we want to show that that’s what the Christian plight is really about, is changing, getting better. It take a little time, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Stop judging.’ – Comedian-actor Cedric the Entertainer, on how some show content can be deemed controversial in the Christian community

: ‘…you must treat the instrument like it’s a precious instrument that it is. You must get rest, and you must treat it like it is God’s gift to you, and you must cherish it and also try to nurse it and make it something that is very special.’ – O’Jays front man Eddie Levert on taking care of his vocal cords

: ‘I call it the moment of truth when the artist faces a white canvas…It’s intuitive and it’s – if I know what I’m going to do in advance, I would discard it. So if I’m consciously, I walk away from it.’ – Iconic architect Frank Gehry, on how his approach to his artistic design has to flow, rather than be calculated

: ‘My mom and my dad…taught me the greatest gifts we have are our family, our health and the right to clean water and good land. If you think about it, none of us can take it with us when we’re gone. It’s what we leave that’s gonna matter.’ – Environmental activist Erin Brockovich on the best lesson her parents taught her

: ‘…we did too much. We committed too many troops, we committed too much money, and we haven’t really achieved the sort of sustainable result, achieved the sort of peace that we’d like to see over there.’ - Washington Post associate editor Rajic Chandrasekaran, on the war in Afghanistan

: ‘So it’s funny in life, the worst thing that can ever possibly happen to you could also be helpful in a way. That was our ticket out, right?’ – Chef Marcus Samuelsson on how his mother’s death led to being adopted into a new life in Sweden

: ‘…somebody once said something really interesting to me. They said, ‘People didn’t just listen to the Eagles. They did things to the Eagles.’ They broke up with their girlfriend, they got in a car with a bunch of guys and drove from Chicago to California. They asked somebody out that they never had the nerve to. You know what I’m saying?’ – The Eagles founding member Glenn Frey, on why the band’s music stands still has fans whether or not they are on tour

: ‘The more things that we go through, the tougher we get. The more storms that we face, the tougher we get…people don’t understand sometimes when a hurricane come, we have a party. We was partying before you decided to come and interrupt our lives, and we’re going to continue on doing this.’ – Actor Dwight Henry on how he feels New Orleans residents have a different resiliency against tragedy

: ‘I am all things love right now. I’m a lover, not a fighter…I’m saying a lot of our kids are watching reality. That’s not love.’ – ‘The Soul Man’ actress Niecy Nash, on how she chose to be a part of a show that displays married love

: ‘So I think that, as my friend Steve Prince would say, when I die, the obituary will say ‘Today the dy-no-mite fizzled.’’ – Comedian and ‘Good Times’ actor Jimmie Walker, on how he will doubtfully be able to escape his famous catchphrase

: ‘So it’s deeply, deeply troubling. It’s just hard to stay unemotional about this case.’ –NCAA President Mark Emmert on his feelings after researching the Penn State case

: Cedric the Entertainer, Niecy Nash and Eddie Levert stop to pose for a quick shot in the Tavis Smiley green rooms.

Comments

SEEN & HEARD

SEEN & HEARD: June 18 – 29, 2012

July 2nd, 2012, by Carla Amurao

We closed out the month of June with a lot of self-reflection and insight.

Economist Joseph Stiglitz, actor Jeff Daniels and law professor Peter Edelman each had their own opinions on the state of American politics and culture. While their opinions were quite candid, one could argue that they can spark some positive change. Filmmaker Jonathan Demme had his own input on American politics and culture; he shared with us who his heroes are.

Musicians, actors, songwriters: they’re a lot like us, except touched with fame and recognized talent. But they do a lot of self-reflection. Musician Glen Hansard, actors Morgan Freeman and Kristen Johnston and songwriters Alan and Marilyn Bergman gave us a little insight on how they hone their crafts.

And speaking of insight, filmmaker Peter Berg let us in on why he wanted to make a documentary about boxing trainer Freddie Roach. And Roach let us know just how he felt about that experience.

Farewell June, and hello July!

All images by Van Evers, Tavis Smiley Media, Inc.

‘One of the things that most Americans don’t realize has happened is that we are no longer the country with the most opportunity.’ – Economist Joseph Stiglitz on how America has the least equality of opportunity of any of the advanced industrial countries

‘…America has to pay attention. They have to wake up; they have to want more information. They have to get information. They have to become informed instead of sitting back on their couch, belching’ – Actor Jeff Daniels on the lack of interest in news in America

‘I think we have a politics right now that’s very ugly.’ – Law professor Peter Edelman on the impact of recession on current politics

‘These are the American heroes to me, you know, of the 21st century. They’re giant figures. They don’t think that way themselves, but they dared to fight for their city like that and to endure living in FEMA trailers.’ – Filmmaker Jonathan Demme on the waves of young American volunteers and students

‘Our imagination just needs space. It’s all it needs, that moment where you just sort of stare into the distance where your brain gets to sort of somehow rise up…I sort of worry about the modern imagination. I hope that the world of the eye doesn’t sort of crush our own musings.’ – Singer-songwriter Glen Hansard on the creativity and imagination, and balancing work and play

‘I’m not professionally Black…Somebody once said to me… ‘What is it like to play a Black president,’ and I said, ‘I didn’t play a Black president. I played a president. I just happened to be Black. There’s a difference.’ – Award-winning actor Morgan Freeman on his role in ‘Deep Impact’

‘I just enjoy it. I like people again, probably for the first time in many years. I love people, I love just – I just love it now.’ – Actress Kristen Johnston on her newfound appreciate for fame

‘Over the years, people have asked [us] ‘How do you do it? You spend all of your time together. You write together, you live together, you love together 24 hours a day. What’s the secret?’ I said, ‘Four words… One washes, one dries…It’s not very romantic, but it’s true. So after a while, saying that a few years, we looked at each other and said, ‘We have to write a love song, one washes, one dries, and we’ve just finished it.’ - Songwriters Alan and Marilyn Bergman on finding new ways to define love

‘I’ve enjoyed so much having women say, ‘I don’t really care about boxing, it’s a sport I don’t understand, but there’s something about the soul of this guy that is quite unique’, and that’s what we’ve chosen to focus on.’ – Emmy-nominated director Peter Berg on giving a raw look into Freddie Roach’s life

‘That’s the best part about the show, is I was never asked to do anything…I actually miss that crew a little bit, though, because when I had a trivia question, I usually just asked the air and got an answer.’ – Boxing trainer Freddie Roach, on being followed by cameras

Comments

SEEN & HEARD

SEEN & HEARD: June 4 – June 15, 2012

June 18th, 2012, by Carla Amurao

In this round of guest quotables, a bold line between the realms of imagination and reality was drawn. On team “imagination/daydream,” we had actors Christina Ricci and John Slattery. On team “reality,” we had writer Buzz Bissinger, singer-songwriter Shawn Colvin and “Miracle on the Hudson” pilot Capt. Chesley Sullenberger.

Love is a frequent topic of discussion, and this week was no exception, thanks to blues musician Buddy Guy, sportswriter Frank Deford and former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Check out the gallery for some extra photos and notable quotes from the last two weeks of interviews and share your thoughts.

All images by Van Evers, Tavis Smiley Media, Inc.

‘Everything, I think, about acting is based on imagination.’ – Emmy-winning actress Christina Ricci on the broad spectrum of roles in her opus

‘The more challenging, the more dramatic, the better the story. So it may not be easy…you’ve got to stand there naked, you’ve got to cry, you have to do all kinds of things that you wouldn’t do…you have to conjure up a way to be convincing…That’s what you want as an actor. That’s why we all got into it in the first place.’ – Actor John Slattery on the wonders of acting

‘I feel if you’re going to write – if you want to call it a memoir, that’s fine; it’s a personal story – you have to be honest. Honesty, I guess, is brutal. Otherwise, what’s the point?’ – Writer Buzz Bissinger on revealing poignant details about his son

‘I’ve never shied away from being open about my feelings. I really value honesty and openness. It sounds rather trite when I say it, but it’s just always – I don’t like phoniness, I don’t like artifice, I don’t like posing and pretense. So I endeavor to be as real as I know how to be.’ – Singer-songwriter Shawn Colvin on how her courage to share her experience can lead to catharsis

‘Ultimately, we can survive. Ultimately, we will all do what we need to do while, at the same time, holding onto a very different idea and being able to acknowledge an immediate and very difficult reality.’ – Airline pilot Capt. Chesley Sullenberger on how his 42-year career was judged on his performance during three and a half minutes

Captain Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger and songstress Shawn Colvin exchange a few words in the green rooms.

‘…I just kept my mouth shut and eyes open and ears open too. That’s my education. I learn everything I play by listening to somebody else, and like I say, I was looking for that dime but I found a quarter.’ – Blues guitarist Buddy Guy on expanding his musical skill set

‘The joy sometimes is in the simple beauty…There was eight seconds of Carl Lewis running a relay, which to me is as beautiful as looking at the most gorgeous woman in the world combing her hair…To see that kind of beauty, to see the glory in sport, where somebody comes from behind and does something, sinks a shot in the last second or throws a touchdown pass or hits a home run, there is a beauty in that, and at the end of the day, that’s why we love sports more than anything else.’ – Sports writer Frank Deford on what brings him joy in writing about sports

‘I say start in the home. That isn’t throwing money, that’s throwing love. Throw love at a child. Tell a child that you love and you’re going to take care of them.’ – Retired four-star Army general Colin Powell on education and the success of children in America

Comments

SEEN & HEARD

SEEN & HEARD: May 14 – 25, 2012

May 26th, 2012, by Carla Amurao

Another star-studded week of lively discussion and insightful comments goes in the books.

There’s a direct relationship between being star-struck and being humbled–actor Dev Patel of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel fame shared a little bit about that. Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Gregg Allman also shared how receiving that honor changed his life. Singer-songwriter Carole King was asked to briefly put her modesty aside to reflect on her successes at an early age.

Then there was a theme of healing, as first introduced by urban farmer Will Allen. Person of Interest actor Michael Emerson shed light on “Doctor Theater” and iconic producer Garry Marshall shared his philosophy on healing and overcoming disease in a no-guts-no-glory fashion.

Power. Who has it and what it has become changes like the wind. Let Paralympic medalist-turned-author Bonnie St. John tell you about that. Actor-turned-writer Billy Bob Thornton also had a comment about power, but not in a way that you’d think. Actor-filmmaker Kevin Costner ended the week with a two-part conversation, where he talked about empowering career highlights and pitfalls, upcoming projects and the late Whitney Houston.

Check out the gallery (for a couple of behind-the-scenes shots!) and some notable quotables and share your thoughts.

All images by Van Evers, Tavis Smiley Media, Inc.

: ‘…I remember just doing [my scene] and looking around and just absolutely just terrified. You know, ‘cause everyone [was] staring and intently listening. And I just feel like they’ve got x-ray vision…and they can see right through me. But it was so much fun.’ – Actor Dev Patel on performing with an A-list cast

: ‘[It was] like going to see the grand wizard of Oz and him knighting you or something. In my world, Hall of Fame, I mean, God, and we got in it so early, seemingly.’ – Musician Gregg Allman on how being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was the driving force of becoming clean and sober

: ‘I’ve had a remarkable life. I seem to be in such good places at the right time, and if you were to ask me to sum my life up in one word – gratitude.’ – Singer-songwriter Carole King on her life and career

: Carole King and Garry Marshall share an embrace behind the scenes.

: ‘Our food is supposed to be like good medicine to heal us.’ – Growing Power, Inc. CEO and urban farmer, Will Allen

: ‘[It’s] the thing that allows you to finish a performance even if you just broke your arm. Or in spite of, or in the face of everything that was distracting you before the curtain went up – problems at home, bad tax report, all of those things you leave behind you when the moment starts.’ - Actor Michael Emerson on Doctor Theater

: ‘So how do great women lead? In many ways, in creative ways, in ways that nobody’s thought of yet. We’re innovative.’ – Paralympic medalist-author Bonnie St. John

: ‘So basically there are no stars anymore. The audience is the star.’ – Actor-turned-writer Billy Bob Thornton on how social media fuels self-importance

: ‘I don't always go to the end game. I know when I'm picking up momentum. I just know it. I just know when I'm around the right people, that things are going to start to work for me.’ – Actor Kevin Costner on the evolution of his career

: Photographer Van Evers snagged a shot of Billy Bob Thornton and blues singer and guitarist Buddy Guy in the green rooms.

Comments

SEEN & HEARD

SEEN & HEARD: April 30 – May 11, 2012

May 12th, 2012, by Carla Amurao

The last two weeks’ conversations highlighted themes of education, life experiences and love.

Bill Bennett, former education secretary, radio show host and author opened up the floor for the conversation on the impact of education in our country. Microsoft’s vice president of Worldwide Public Sector Education, Anthony Salcito, shared how technology affected his education and how he plans to pay it forward to today’s youth. Sheryl WuDunn, one of Newsweek’s 150 Women Who Shake the World, also touched upon how the need for education is a global issue. And actor Ed Helms of The Office fame joked about some news outlets that educate our TV-watching youth.

To hear columnist-author Anna Quindlen speak on life experiences and learning is no surprise, since her memoir, Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake, celebrates life and aging gracefully. Television network heavyweight Warren Littlefield also paid a visit and reflected on what he’s learned from his experience in the entertainment business. It’s true what they say: hindsight is 20/20.

Of course, the show wouldn’t be the same without a little humor. In this case, actor Damian Lewis pokes fun at President Obama.

And finally, shedding a little light on love was singer-songwriter Jason Mraz. Love Story star Ryan O’Neal closed out the week and sat down with us to detail his memoir about his relationship with his soul mate, the late actress Farrah Fawcett.

All images by Van Evers, Tavis Smiley Media, Inc.

: ‘The single most important person in the child’s life educationally is his parents.’ – Former education secretary Bill Bennett

: ‘I’m a kid from the streets of the Bronx. Technology saved me. While my friends were joining gangs and doing drugs and shooting each other, I was using my computer to learn about different things around the world.’ – Microsoft VP Anthony Salcito on how technology kept him out of trouble as a youth

: ‘…education is the key. It is the most important ladder out of poverty. It is not the only condition, because you do need to have jobs created, but it is critical. Without education, you can’t function.’ – Pulitzer Prize-winning author Sheryl WuDunn

: ‘That would be as healthy as doing your grocery shopping at a candy store.’ – Actor Ed Helms, on the possibility that young people may only get their news from Jon Stewart

: ‘…courage is the thing that you need more than any other thing. It’s fear that cripples us. It’s fear that accounts for racism, it’s fear that accounts for sexism, for xenophobia.’ – Columnist-author Anna Quindlen, on the best thing she learned from Barnard College

: ‘There’s no reason that there has to be a fringe network that illuminates an urban or a multiethnic experience…I think television history illuminates for us that there are universal experiences, and there’s no reason why there can’t be a lot more diverse comedy on network television that is something for all audiences.’ – Former NBC executive Warren Littlefield on the lack of diversity on television

: ‘I asked him about it…because I extraordinarily was sitting at the same table as him at this White House dinner…I said, ‘When do you guys get time to watch TV? You’re supposed to be running the free world.’’ – Actor Damian Lewis on asking President Obama about how ‘Homeland’ came to be one of his favorite shows

: ‘…[the] guitar is the perfect companion to the human voice. You rest it against your gut, against your heart, and when you strum it the vibrations go outwards for all to hear, but the vibration also hits you on your body…The guitar is a great companion.’ – Singer-songwriter Jason Mraz on how the acoustic guitar is the most suitable instrument for songs about love

: ‘The interesting thing for me was that…that I got closer to her because…her poise was so, it was magnificent. Because it was killing her, it was eating away, it was terribly painful and yet she was cavalier…She never wanted to see us down so she tried to pretend [that] everything would be okay. And I looked at this and I just thought, ‘She’s a hero in my eyes’.’ – Actor Ryan O’Neal on the final days of Farrah Fawcett

Comments

SEEN & HEARD

SEEN AND HEARD: April 16 – April 27, 2012

April 28th, 2012, by Carla Amurao

Every now and then, the tables are turned and it’s Tavis sitting on the hot seat. Interviewed by the dean of the talk show genre, Phil Donahue, Tavis and Dr. Cornel West discussed their new text, among other social issues.

Speaking of social issues, actress and Southern belle Annie Potts stopped by to discuss her thoughts on conservatives who critiqued her show, GCB, and how her upbringing influenced her to accept her role in the show. Children’s author Judy Blume also paid us a visit and gave her two cents on censorship in the Internet age.

As summer quickly approaches, the influx of Hollywood blockbusters begins to create a buzz–just ask actor Clark Gregg. Summer is also the time for hitting the beach and relaxation, which means posting up with an interesting read or some soothing tunes. Between author Ayad Akhtar, actor-turned-author Frank Langella and crooner Steve Tyrell, you’ve got a head start on picking out some summer material.

Check out images of and quotes from the last two weeks and share your thoughts.

Phil Donahue image courtesy of Earl Gibson III. All on-set images by Van Evers, Tavis Smiley Media, Inc.

: ‘But I was a slow learner, and it took me a long time, really, to appreciate the nature of racism, where it comes from, and I began to think about all these white – and I began to realize that racism was a lot like cancer. You don’t always know you have it.’ – TV talk show legend Phil Donahue, on growing up and learning about racism

: ‘I do, and I don’t have to have a Southern accent, but when I am employed to use it, it is like sinking into my bedroom slippers. It’s like, ‘Oh yeah, that’s better.’’ - Emmy nominated actress Annie Potts, on performing with her accent

: ‘…Censors…don’t come after books until they know that kids really like them, and once kids like a book, it’s like, ‘There must be something wrong with this book, because why do the kids like it?’’ – Author Judy Blume on censorship

: ‘But I still thought when the [The Avengers] script came in, I’m a character actor. I’m not a movie star like the giant movie stars and brilliant actors who are in this. I’m going to walk through and I’m going to give the Hulk a Jamba Juice and then it’s going to be over.’ – Actor-writer-director Clark Gregg on his initial reaction to being told he would be part of the film

: ‘I think it’s important to strip away the ideas sometimes and to give people a felt human experience, an emotional experience of the issues at play, because people are living and dying not just for ideas, but for the way that they experience and live the meaning of those ideas.’ – Author Ayad Akhtar on the theme of faith in his first novel

: It’s a myth, in my opinion, that the more damaged you are, the more gifted you are, or the more gifted you are, the more you need to be damaged. You need to be healthy. You need to be strong, healthy, sensible. You need to act in spite of your neurosis, not because of your neurosis.’ – Oscar nominee, Tony winner-turned-author, Frank Langella on Hollywood myths about success

: ‘I told him, I said ‘You know that song’s taken me to more weddings that you can ever imagine’. Then he said something like, ‘You should make an album of wedding songs’. And I said, ‘That’s why you were our President.’ – Singer Steve Tyrell on a conversation with former president Bill Clinton on his rendition of ‘The Way You Look Tonight’

Comments

SEEN & HEARD

SEEN AND HEARD: April 2 – April 13, 2012

April 17th, 2012, by Carla Amurao

The last two weeks’ guests have a variety of backgrounds. From the arts and motion pictures to politics and sports, recent guests, who were born in places as far away as Latvia or as close as Sacramento, CA, had the studio (as always) buzzing with thought-provoking and lively discussion on sports, business, politics, scandal, arts and entertainment.

Check out images of and quotes from entrepreneur and NBA legend Magic Johnson, former lobbyist Jack Abramoff, Iraq War veteran-turned-peace advocate Paul K. Chappell, filmmaker Lawrence Kasdan, Olympic gold medalist Janet Evans, dancer-actor Mikhail Baryshnikov, California Congressman Xavier Becerra and Emmy-winning actor Guy Pearce.

All images by Van Evers, Tavis Smiley Media, Inc.

: 'That's not who I am…I'm a guy who loves life, I'm a guy who is a guy who lives every single day on an emotional high...so if I would have ran and hid, then I probably would have died.' – Magic Johnson, on why he didn't hibernate after announcing his diagnosis with the HIV virus

: 'I was a very political animal, and I didn't want to run for office. Ironically, I didn't want to run for office because I didn't want my private life spilled all over the press. So I guess that strategy didn't work.' – Jack Abramoff, on why he became a lobbyist

: 'I grew up believing that war makes us safe. If you watch television, if you read comic books, Spiderman, Superman, Batman, they all make the world safer by beating people up…I had this realization that there's actually a more effective way to make the world safe, which is through waging peace.' - Iraq War veteran Paul K. Chappell on how he changed his views on war

: 'I don't think I've ever had the blueprint for box office success.' – Oscar-nominated writer-director Lawrence Kasdan

: 'I would give up every gold medal to live it again. Every world record, every gold medal.' – Four-time Olympic gold medalist Janet Evans, on passing the Olympic torch to Muhammad Ali in the 1996 Olympic Games

: 'I was a happy kid because I fell in love with the theater.' – Oscar-nominated dancer-actor Mikhail Baryshnikov on his childhood

: 'I think you always vote for the person who will be the leader, not for the person who may have to come in to be the leader if the top guy is gone.' – California Congressman Xavier Becerra on the 2012 presidential race

: 'It's a glorified and expensive hobby…probably when I'm 80 I'll release about a thousand songs.' – Actor Guy Pearce on being a musician as a side hobby

Comments

SEEN & HEARD

SEEN AND HEARD: February and March 2012

April 2nd, 2012, by Carla Amurao

Here’s a look back at some guests in February and March 2012.

Check out images of and quotes from journalist Thomas B. Edsall, R&B artist Anthony Hamilton, filmmaker Lucy Walker, former advertising executive Charlotte Beers, actor Don Cheadle, actor-musician Steve Martin, King of Otuam Peggielene Bartels, singer-songwriter Sinead O’Connor, equal payadvocate Lilly Ledbetter, former U.S. Army Ranger Sean Parnell, physician-author Mark Hyman and singer-songwriter Macy Gray.

For additional images and quotes from the “Made Visible” discussion, visit our slide show on the feature page.

All images by Van Evers, Tavis Smiley Media, Inc.

: ‘America has tolerated inequality because people think they can get ahead. If you have immobility on top of inequality, then people are not going to be happy campers.’ - Journalist Thomas B. Edsall.

: ‘I had to get over the groupieism. I had to simmer that down, but other than that I learned a lot.’ - Anthony Hamilton, on working with Babyface

: 'The cherry blossom image, as well I knew cherry blossom, is kind of a symbol of fleeting, fragile life. It’s very beautiful, but it blooms and dies all within a week. The Japanese really celebrate that…I wondered, my goodness, what’s it going to be like there this year? Reflecting on precious life this year is going to be very raw and very tragic.’ - Filmmaker Lucy Walker

: ‘I think what I’m trying to do is get women past this threshold that we’ve now established that keeps them from moving more and more in groups and circles of influence, and that drove me crazy.’ - Charlotte Beers, former advertising executive

: '‘We all have families, we all have relationships, we all have work situations that we have to try to navigate, and that’s no different. Let the actor be a part of the process and let them bring in their own stuff to it.’ - Actor Don Cheadle

: ‘I’m still refining that ability to be funny.’ - Comedian Steve Martin

: 'This is what God has for me. That’s why I wasn’t able to have a child. I know God wants me to have it, but for some reason it didn’t happen. But now I have 7,000 people that I’m really taking care of.’ - King Peggy

: ‘When I see Bob Dylan or Bob Marley or see Curtis Mayfield, I know there’s a God. It doesn’t matter what they’re saying actually. It’s the sound of their voice, the conviction of their soul, the fact that they’re just standing there, you know there’s a God.’ - Sinead O'Connor, on her musical heroes and beliefs

: Sinead O'Connor & Steve Martin share a moment in the green room, with Martin's banjo the center of attention.

: ‘I believed that…if you do right and you persevere and your ethics is where they should be and you treat your fellow person, worker, and your workers with you right, it will work out,’ - Equal pay advocate Lilly Ledbetter.

: ‘Just part of trying to survive in combat is asking yourself, ‘Can Sean the human coexist with Sean the combat leader or warrior?’ I’m still trying to reconcile that to this day.’ - Former U.S. Army Ranger-author Sean Parnell.

: 'We ate ourselves into this problem. We’ve got to eat ourselves out…If we put in the right food, we can turn on genes that create health.’ - Physician-author Mark Hyman on 'diabesity'

: ‘When you hear a song and you never forget it. You hear it the first time and it makes you stop, or it always has, like, something original, like something different to say.’ - Singer-songwriter Macy Gray, on what makes a great song for her

Comments

SEEN & HEARD

SEEN AND HEARD: Connie Rice, Michel Hazanavicius, Wael Ghonim, Viola Davis & Octavia Spencer and Suze Orman

February 10th, 2012, by Staff

Check out images of and quotes from Connie Rice, Michel Hazanavicius, Wael Ghonim, Viola Davis & Octavia Spencer and Suze Orman.

Click on an image below to open the gallery.

All images by Van Evers, Tavis Smiley Media, Inc.

: "I want democracy to work for those with the least." -Veteran civil rights attorney Connie Rice

: "It's a movie without cynicism and without sarcasm." -Writer and director Michel Hazanavicius on new film THE ARTIST

: "I hope that in the next few years we establish a more solid relationship based on interests and values and not just interests." -Internet activist Wael Ghonim on U.S.-Egyptian relations

: "The Black artist cannot live in a revisionist place. The Black artist can only tell the truth about humanity. And humanity is messy. People are messy." -Viola Davis (pictured left) on new film THE HELP. The actress was joined by co-star Octavia Spencer.

: "The credit scoring system was created 50 years ago...It has now become exclusive rather than inclusive." -Personal finance expert Suze Orman

2 Comments

SEEN & HEARD

SEEN AND HEARD: Sean Penn, Etta James, Terrence Howard, Kathleen Turner and Seal

January 27th, 2012, by Staff

Each week, we will bring you sights and sounds from our studio as guests sit in the chair to have a conversation with Tavis.

Our inaugural “Seen and Heard” is a special one, as it includes an image and quote from Tavis’ 2007 conversation with soul singer Etta James, who recently passed away in Los Angeles.

Check out images of and quotes from Sean Penn, Etta James, Terrence Howard, Kathleen Turner and Seal.

All images by Van Evers, Tavis Smiley Media, Inc.

: "Haiti would have been better off today had there never been a single NGO there in these last 30 years...It has been primarily a destructive force." -Actor/activist Sean Penn on Haiti

: "I’ve got nothing but cowboy boots...I think I’m real bad. When I got them on I turn into the boss." -The late soul singer Etta James, in her 2007 conversation with Tavis

: "These men were not only fighting for the freedom of the world back then, they were also fighting for the recognition of being able to contribute something to their country." -RED TAILS star Terrence Howard on the Tuskegee Airmen

: "Molly was incredibly well informed and politically savvy." -RED HOT PATRIOT star Kathleen Turner on the late Molly Ivins

: "What surprised me was how good he sounded...Truth be told, I just didn’t realize his voice was that great." -Singer/songwriter Seal on President Obama's vocal talent

1 comment

OUR BLOGS

MOST RECENT POSTS

A LOOK BACK: Gore Vidal
Posted by Carla Amurao, August 1st, 2012
SEEN & HEARD: July 2012
Posted by Carla Amurao, August 1st, 2012
Ed Helms’ Bluegrass “Situation”
Posted by Jeremy Freed, July 31st, 2012
The Gourmand
Posted by Jeremy Freed, July 30th, 2012
Ryan Lochte: The Olympics’ King of Swag
Posted by Jeremy Freed, July 29th, 2012

TELL TAVIS

YOUR VOICE

It was a far more interesting interview than I was prepared for.

Robert comments on Tavis' conversation with comedian-actor Jimmie Walker

This was an excellent interview, both parts. Great questions, very thoughtful. Nice to hear stories of the Eagles, from an Eagle, rather than a writer of a tell-all book. Great show, Tavis!

Cindy comments on Tavis’ conversation with musician Glenn Frey – Part 1

I thoroughly enjoyed the interview and have much respect for the down to earth musician.

Danielle comments on Tavis' conversation with singer-songwriter Eddie Levert

Once again, you and your producers find us the most relevant and interesting guests around. Thank You. (TY to both the work Erin Brockovich does, and to Tavis for his daily TV show on PBS).

Seattle Viewer comments on Tavis' conversation with environmental activist Erin Brockovich