BackStory and a Bonus

A few weeks ago, I wrote about a new CNN International series called BackStory, hosted by Michael Holmes. Several of their behind-the-scenes pieces have been posted on CNN.com, and I thought I'd share a few today.

In this clip, Rome Bureau Chief Alessio Vinci tries to put together a report about the Italian Army being called in to battle the Mafia in a small town. The locals don't want to talk, the Army wants to sing, and one mafioso's lavish villa -- complete with quick-escape route -- is now police headquarters:

Arwa Damon goes out to film some stand-ups, and while she can now take off her flak vest while she films, she can't safely linger in any one place for long:

Miles O'Brien and Ali Velshi discuss those loaded words used to describe the stock market's behavior. The dead cats are bouncing:

Phil Black attempts to film a report about a Baghdad pet shop that has some rather unusual stock. But getting there really is half the battle. And the photo that Phil and one of his crew pose for in the Green Zone? Everyone who visits does that, apparently...:

Michael Holmes does a "Greatest Hits" piece. (The only duplication is a bit of Alessio's report.) This one is worth it just to hear about Ali Velshi's "onesie":

I really wish we could get this series on Domestic... It's a fascinating look at how the reporters, producers, and cameramen spend their time and the obstacles they have to hurdle to get what they need.

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And now, the bonus: Michael Ware's report for the "Back from the Battle" special airing tonight and tomorrow, a follow-up with SS David Bellavia, who was featured in an incredible cover story Michael wrote for Time Magazine about the second battle for Fallujah. The video footage of the battle was filmed by Michael:

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Where in the World...?

SATURDAY: Ed Henry was in Woodbridge, Virginia with the McCain campaign; Suzanne Malveaux was in St. Louis, Missiouri with the Obama campaign.

SUNDAY: Dana Bash was in Toledo, Ohio with McCain.

MONDAY: Suzanne was in Tampa, Florida with Obama; Candy Crowley was in Orlando, Florida at a rally with both Hillary Clinton and Obama; Dana was in Belton, Missiouri with McCain; Ed was in Grand Junction, Colorado with Palin; John King was in Charlotte, North Carolina for his series on battleground states; Sanjay Gupta was in Los Angeles all week.

TUESDAY: Suzanne was in Palm Beach and Lake Worth, Florida with Obama; Dana was in Harrisburg and Bensalem, Pennsylvania with McCain.

WEDNESDAY: Ed was in Manchester, New Hampshire with McCain; Dana was in Cincinnati with McCain; Jessica Yellin was in Richmond, Virginia with Obama; Candy Crowley was in Leesburg, Virginia with Obama; Campbell Brown was in Los Angeles to interview Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

THURSDAY: Ed was in Ormond Beach and New Smyrna Beach, Florida with McCain; Dana was in Sarasota, Florida with McCain; Jessica was in Indianapolis with Obama; Gary Tuchman was in Raleigh, North Carolina with the Biden campaign; Candy was in Washington; Lisa Sylvester hosted Lou Dobbs Tonight as she also would tomorrow; Anderson Cooper (above) co-hosted a special MTV concert for veterans.

FRIDAY: Suzanne was in Honolulu with Obama; Dana was in Denver with McCain; Richard Quest was in Atlanta.

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