CNN at Essence in NOLA this Weekend

Photo Credit: David Holloway/CNN


At the 2011 Essence Music Festival, CNN's Suzanne Malveaux moderated the panel discussions for CNN's "What Matters in our Community: A Conversation with Political Officials. Participating in the discussion was Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to President Obama, Mitchell Landrieu, Mayor of the city of New Orleans, Kasim Reed, Mayor of the city of Atlanta, Russlynn Ali, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Michael Blake, Director of Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, Dr. Garth Graham, Director, U.S. Office of Minority Health and Marie Johns, Dpeuty Administrator, Small Business Administration.


HLN's A.J. Hammer moderated the panel "Reel Talk: Breaking Down Images of Reality Television. Cynthia Bailey and NeNe Leakes of the Housewives of Atlanta, Shunie O'Neal, Evenlyn Lozada and Tami Roman of Basketball Wives. Hammer talks to the Reality Stars about the criticism logged at them and their respective shows.

Also at the event was CNN's Soledad O'Brien.

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CNN and the Oscars

CNN Worldwide today announced its sweeping coverage of the Academy Awards, featuring live specials on CNN and HLN, and special coverage on CNN.com including live blogging from behind the scenes.

Leading up to the Oscars telecast on Sunday, February 22, CNN will air “Hollywood’s Gold Rush” from 7-8p.m. (ET) live with HLN Showbiz Tonight’s A.J. Hammer and Brooke Anderson. This one-hour special will feature red-carpet interviews with the arriving nominees and presenters, a preview of what to expect during the Oscars telecast, and iReports from fans onsite at the Oscars. Kareen Wynter will report on Oscar fashions from the CNN studio in Los Angeles with guest analyst Kate Betts (Editor, TIME Style & Design), and will feature viewers’ comments about red-carpet arrivals. In addition, Slumdog Millionaire actor Anil Kapoor will present Oscar trivia questions throughout the special.

A special edition of HLN’s Showbiz Tonight (live at 11 pm ET on HLN) will be the only entertainment news show reporting live from the Oscars. Hosted by Hammer and Anderson, the program will feature all the breaking Oscar updates, the most provocative surprises and controversies of the evening, red carpet one-on-ones with the biggest stars in attendance, and the best and worst of celeb fashions.

Online at www.CNN.com/Oscars, users will find a special section – which includes photo galleries, Oscar trivia and other interactive features – dedicated entirely to this year’s Academy Awards. The Marquee Blog will showcase live blogging through the evening, providing users exclusive access to the red carpet and the backstage press room. Users can also visit the site on Oscar night to stay on top of the winners. Immediately following the Awards, CNN.com will feature InStyle.com’s special coverage of the most stylish stars of the evening.

CNN Radio correspondent Jim Roope will provide live coverage from the Oscars for CNN Radio and its affiliates nationwide.

CNN en Español will also offer special Oscar coverage with a Pre-Oscar special of “Ojo Crítico,” airing Friday, February 20 at 7:30 p.m. (ET), and on Sunday will be live from the red carpet along with sister network TNT in an event co-hosted by anchor Ana Maria Montero starting at 7:30 pm (ET).

Keeping with the Oscar theme, Oscar nominee Dolly Parton will be a guest on Larry King Live on Friday February 20th as well as Tyler Perry.

That is it for me this week I will see you all again next Thursday ~ Sapphire

All content, unless otherwise cited, is © All Things CNN and may not be used without consent of the blog administrator.

CNN Heroes

Over the last few weeks we have talked a lot about the global broadcast of CNN Heroes. After a year in the making, over 7000 nominee's from 93 countries and over 250,000 votes casted for viewer's choice, CNN All Star Tribute finally aired. Tonight I am going to let the pictures do the talking since pictures are worth a thousand words.

Headline News entertainment show, Showbiz tonight had a countdown to the Heroes broadcast. Anchors A.J. Hammer and Brooke Anderson shared some stories the were not able to make the actual broadcast. A.J and Brooke also spoke with some of the celebrities attending the event as well as some of the evening's honorees. There was also a quick behind the scenes with host Anderson Cooper.

Congratulations to all the nominees, honorees and everyone at CNN who brought us this uplifting night of television. We are so looking forward to next's years Heroes!!!!