Return to Transcripts main page

CNN NEWSROOM

Controversy over El Chapao Arrest and Interview with Sean Penn; Rand Paul Will Not Participate in GOP Undercard Debate; Remembering David Bowie; Playboy mansion on Sale. Aired 12-1a ET

Aired January 12, 2016 - 00:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


[00:00] JOHN VAUSE, CNN ANCHOR: This is "CNN NEWSROOM," live from Los Angeles; ahead this hour:

ISHA SESAY, CNN ANCHOR: Take down, the dramatic moment when Mexican marines made their move to capture the world's most wanted drug lord.

VAUSE: A natural born Canadian. The attacks grow on Ted Cruz about his place of birth and whether he's constitutionally eligible to be President of the United States.

SESAY: And, the "Playboy" Mansion up for sale, including one particular 89-year-old tenant in a bathrobe and silk pajamas.

VAUSE: Hello everybody, great to have you with us. We'd like to welcome our viewers in the United States and all around the world. I'm John Vause.

SESAY: And I'm Isha Sesay. NEWSROOM L.A. starts right now. (HEADLINES) We start with new video from Mexico showing the violent raid on drug cartel leader, Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman.

(VIDEOTAPE PLAYING)

VAUSE: This was the scene on Friday, the incredible point of view from military forces as they closed in on El Chapo. Five of his men were killed in the shootout. After the chase Guzman was captured alive.

SESAY: He's now back the same prison he escaped from this past July. Mexican authorities say an interview with Guzman, that he gave to actor Sean Penn, was essential in locating the cartel leader.

VAUSE: Guzman went to great lengths to avoid being captured. He dug a network of tunnels. His men, about a dozen of them, were with heavily armed. Marvin Savidge joins us from Almuliarta (ps), Juarez and, Marty, in the end all that preparation just wasn't enough for Mexican marines.

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It did turn out well. I mean, it was a very good operation. Clearly it appears the that those Mexican marines have learned from what is believed to have come from U.S. Special Forces. But they carried out that strike in a very effective manner and eventually got their guy. The video that has been released is quite startling. You are there.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SAVIDGE: Tonight, dramatic new video of the deadly raid that led to the capture of one of the world's most wanted fugitives. Five people killed in a shootout at the safe house of Joaquin Guzman, better known as "El Chapo."

This may have been the next stop in the incredible drama. Look down here. That appears to be some kind of storm drain, sewer, but as you can see, large enough for a person to get through. And, according to the authorities, El Chapo and an associate managed to escape from the home through a sewer, but they didn't get far and El Chapo was captured soon after. This as new details are emerging about a Rolling Stone interview published over the weekend, revealing the notorious Mexican drug lord met with a Hollywood A-lister, Sean Penn and Mexican actress Kate Del Castillo while still on the run.

The meeting, along with the short on camera interview, was conducted in the Mexican jungle back in October. In it, the drug kingpin talks candidly about his business.

JOAQUIN GUZMAN, DRUG KINGPIN, MEXICO, via translator: Well, it is a reality that drugs destroy. Unfortunately as I said, where I grew up, there is no other way, and there still isn't, a way to survive; no other way to work.

SAVIDGE: Penn's written article describes a seven hour face to face meeting with El Chapo, that began with a hug, and notes the drug lord is, "remarkably well groomed." As he sips tequila and bragged about his fleet of submarines, airplanes, trucks and boats. Penn says the interview was set up by Castillo. El Chapo wanted her help to create a biopic about his life.

The American actor was asked by the Associate Press about images published in the Mexican news media today, which appear to show officials watching he and Castillo before the meeting with El Chapo. Penn's response? "I've got nothing to hide." Authorities want to question Penn, but it's not clear if he broke any laws.

El Chap, meanwhile, is back in the same prison he escaped from. Officials have started the process of extraditing El Chapo to the U.S., where he faces several drug trafficking charges.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DENIS MCDONOUGH, CHIEF OF STAFF, WHITE HOUSE: This braggadocio action about how much heroin he sends around the world, including the united states is maddening. We see heroin epidemic, opioid addiction epidemic in the country. So, we're going to stay on top of this, with our Mexican counterparts.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[00:05:24] SAVIDGE: It will be interesting to hear what Mexican authorities want to talk to Sean Penn about. It's possible they may even want to thank him, if it's true, as they say, that that interview was very helpful in letting them find El Chapo. John?

VAUSE: Well, Marty, the U.S., as you mentioned, wants Guzman to stand trial on American soil. So how long is that extradition expected to take; and, is it guaranteed that eventually Guzman will be seen in a U.S. court?

SAVIDGE: You know, that's a really good question. The extradition process, according to Mexican officials, and U.S. officials has begun, but it's going to be a long road. Some suggested it could be months. Others have even said up to a year. Then you have to remember that the attorneys for El Chapo are going to fight it every step of the way. It will be sort of blocked by fits and starts. Some say it could go for years. John?

VAUSE: And, Marty, Guzman back in that prison he escaped from last July. What are the chances he will break out again? What are they doing differently this time?

SAVIDGE: You know, it is quite remarkable. I think a lot of people were surprised, like oh, you are bringing him back here again, initially; but there has been changes to the security procedures according to officials here. They clearly won't go in to details as to what has been done. You see a lot of guards. You see military personnel, as well. It's probably what you don't see where the changes have occurred, John.

VAUSE: Okay, Marty, great to speak to you, as always. Thanks so much; appreciate it.

SESAY: We shall see what happens next, this one.

VAUSE: The story is not over, not by a long shot.

SESAY: Well apart from his El Chapo interview, Sean Penn is no stranger to controversial figures in Latin America. He met with Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez several times. When Mr. Chavez did in 2013, the actor said he had "lost a friend".

VAUSE: Pen has also met with Cuban Revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, and in 2008 he interviewed Fidel's brother and successor, Raul Castro. this is before the warming of relations between the U.S. and Cuba.

SESAY: Matthew Bellamy, Executive Editor of the "Hollywood Reporter" joins me now. Matt, good to have you with us. What's your take on the ethical issues raised by the Sean Penn/El Chapo interview?

MATTHEW BELLAMY, EXECUTIVE EDITOR, HOLLYWOOD REPORTER: I think this is a debate going on in newsrooms and coffee tables around the country. There's a balancing test. What are you willing to do, what are you willing to agree to, to get what, by all means is an extraordinary interview? So, are you willing to give up control over the publication of the piece? They gave the subject approval rights. If he had said I don't want this published, they wouldn't have published it. So the balancing test, I think, if I'm in those shoes, if I am in those shoes, it's an extraordinary get. I probably would have wanted to make a compromise of some sort. Say, you now what, maybe we'll run the quotes by you or we'll show you a section or something, but we're not going to show you the entire piece. It seems like that wasn't an option here. They decided to go for it and they made a big splash with it. So I completely understand why they did it.

SESAY: "Rolling Stone" in the spotlight, but also, obviously, Sean Penn who conducted the interview. For Sean Penn, I think a lot of people are shocked, outraged, in some cases. Marco Rubio called it disgusting, the fact that he sat down with El Chapo and got these comments; but I think it's only shocking if you see just as Sean Penn, the actor, but if you put it in the context of Sean Penn the activist and what he has done in the past it is clearer and less surprising.

BELLAMY: Yes, I mean, Sean Penn has considered himself an activist, an actor, a journalist, a kind of man of the world. He raises money for Haiti. He spends a lot of time there. He's written for a lot of different publications, including "Rolling Stone," previously. He's written for "Hollywood Reporter." He's done a lot of these things. He's just a curious, interested guy. So it didn't surprise me that he would want to do something like this, especially when there's a bit of adventure to it. I mean, he was in some very dangerous situations where he could have been killed. I think something about that risk appealed to him and "Rolling Stone" was happy to go along for the ride.

SESAY: How is all this playing in Hollywood, with the character, Sean Penn, being at the center of it?

BELLAMY: I think within Hollywood it is consistent with Sean Penn's image. He is known as a very head strong, very opinionated, very willing to put his money where his mouth is and to put his activism where his mouth is. People were not surprised that he did this. I think the fact he got so close to such a notorious figure, at a time when the entire world wanted to find him, I think that was a surprise to everybody, including people in Hollywood. But the fact that this is Sean Penn doing something somewhat out on a limb, not surprising.

SESAY: He's going to be dining out on this story for years.

[00:10:15] BELLAMY: I'm sure he has tales that he will tell for years.

SESAY: For years. Matthew Bellamy, we will leave it there; thank you.

BELLAMY: Thank you.

VAUSE: I like that music. It's election -

SESAY: It gets you all excited, doesn't it?

VAUSE: It always does. It's time for an election. U.S. Presidential Candidate Rand Paul says he will not take part in the next Republican Debate on Thursday in South Carolina. Senator Paul, along with Carly Fiorina, Rick Santorum and Mike Huckabee were invited to the undercard debate. The seven other candidates will be featured on the main stage.

SESAY: Meanwhile, frontrunners Donald Trump and Ted Cruz are battling for the lead in Iowa where the states caucuses are just three weeks away. CNN's Dana Bash reports.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DANA BASH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Who does Donald Trump see as his stiffest competition? Here's a hint?

DONALD TRUMP, R-NY, REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Ted Cruz has a problem. I mean, he's got a problem.

BASH: Trump used this New Hampshire rally to once again hammer at questions about Ted Cruz's eligibility to be president since he was born in Canada.

TRUMP: You can't have a nominee who is going to be subject to being thrown out as a nominee. You just can't do it.

BASH: Today there is fresh evidence that Trump is right to hone in on Cruz.

SEN. TED CRUZ, R-TX, REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: God bless the great state of Iowa.

BASH: In Iowa, several polls show the two men neck and neck. One shows Cruz with a four point lead, another gives Trump a two point advantage, both are within the margin of error. Though Trump is ahead, here in New Hampshire, with 32% in a new Monmouth University poll Cruz is climbing, tied for second with John Kasich.

CRUZ: I'm not going to be taking legal advice any time soon from Donald Trump.

BASH: Despite the drubbing, Cruz, a Harvard educated lawyer and former Supreme Court clerk, insists he is eligible since his mother was born in America.

CRUZ: The Constitution and laws of the United States are straightforward. The first Congress defined the child of a U.S. Citizen born abroad as a "natural born citizen."

BASH: Now another influential republican is sowing doubts about that, popular Iowa GOP Governor, Terry Branstat.

GOV. TERRY BRANSTAT, R-IA: When you run for the president of the United States any question is fair game. So let the people decide.

BASH: Branstat hasn't endorsed, but his son runs an Iowa group slamming Cruz for opposing ethanol subsidies, critical to many Iowa farmers' livelihoods. Although Trump has a lead here in the Granite State, there was one warning sign: more than 40% say they're not entirely sold on their candidate of choice, which means things could change dramatically in the month until the New Hampshire primary.

Dana Bash, CNN, Windham, New Hampshire.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VAUSE: And one of those polls comes Dana mentioned comes from Quinnipiac University. It has Donald Trump at 31%, Ted Cruz at 29. A slim lead within the margin of error, but only the third poll out of the past eleven where Trump has been in front in Iowa. So does this mean that Trump's strategy is working? Is he gaining ground by attacking Cruz on his place of birth and questioning his eligibility for the presidency? For more CNN Presidential Historian Douglas Brinkley joins us now from New York. Sir, -- Douglas, can we expect to hear a lot more from Trump about Ted Cruz being born in Canada?

DOUGLAS BRINKLEY, CNN PRESIDENTIAL HISTORIAN: I think so. I mean, this poll in Iowa has to be encouraging to Donald Trump. Seems to be a cause and effect going on here. So he'll keep kind of hammering away on the Canadian bit, making jokes about it when he can. He got a very polished routine about how to go after Cruz on this particular issue. I think at least for another week or so he's trying to raise doubt. That's what you always want to do as a politician, raise some doubts about your closest competition. Thus far he's been successful with this.

VAUSE: Does this now become one of those big issue for the next GOP debate? Will we finally see Ted Cruz maybe going after Donald Trump in a substantial way?

BRINKLEY: Well there's the good question, and the big question. We'll have to wait and see, but yes, it's setting. It is teed up. I think the media would like to see Trump and Cruz go at it. A cage match. So far Ted Cruz just keeps tries to do tweets, make jokes about "Happy Days" and play a song melody and the like. I don't know if he can afford to keep doing that when Trump seems to be denting his armor quite a bit on this birther issue.

VAUSE: Donald trump has been driving the narrative, if you like, on the Clintons, bringing up Bill Clinton's infidelity, trying to implicate Hillary Clinton along the way. Now we have this editorial from the "New York Times". It came in a couple of days ago, but it read, in part, "for decades Mrs. Clinton has helped to protect her husband's political career, and hers, from the taint of his sexual misbehavior as evidenced on the team's attacks on the character of women linked to Mr. Clinton. After Monica Lewinsky's affair emerged, some White House aides [00:15:44] attempted to portray Ms. Lewinsky as the seducer." Does that now indicate these attacks by Trump are getting some traction here, sort of made the jump, if you like, into the mainstream media?

BRINKLEY: I think that might be true also. I mean, Donald Trump is running a scorched earth policy now on the media, following him. He gets big rallies. He's mastered the art of tweets. He seems to be able to say things that nobody would have dreamed a politician would get away with four years ago. He's simply lambasted everyone out there. He basically says if you back me at least you know you'll get a fight out of me. I'm never going softly in to the night. I'm not a McCain or I'm not a Romney. I'm going to go all the way - I'll either destroy myself but I'm not going to be weak at any moment in time. That punch-counterpunch

routine he's done, he's stayed with it from the beginning and it's never seemed to hurt him when he does these sort of lashes out at people.

VAUSE: Also over the weekend Donald Trump was asked about his own marital problems, his first very messy divorce. Very quickly, this was his response. Let's listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: You know what, I wasn't the President of the United States and I wasn't dealing in the Oval Office, all right? A big difference. I wasn't the President. And my first wife thinks I'm great. My second wife -- and I have a great marriage. I mean I have a great marriage. So - I mean, it is fine.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VAUSE: That's not a bad argument, is it, because presidents are held to a higher standard?

BRINKLEY: Well that's the right argument for him to take if you are in trump's position, but, you know, look, the media has just begun on looking into Donald Trump's past. So I'm sure some of these personal embarrassments or business deals that went sour are all being covered, if he becomes the republican nomination. The Democrats Opposition Research people haven't gone after trump. For a while they were hoping he would be the nominee. Hillary Clinton would love to run against Donald Trump. I don't know; I would have to say, if I were Hillary Clinton, I'd rather run against Ted Cruz than a Donald Trump, that seems to be gaining this kind of momentum all the time.

VAUSE: Douglas, good to speak with you; thanks for being with us.

BRINKLEY: Thank you.

SESAY: Well, U.S. President, Barack Obama said he's determined not to be a lame duck in his last term in office. He'll lay out his priorities during his final State Of The Union address Tuesday evening. CNN will have live coverage for you, of the address, beginning 9:00 p.m. in Washington; 6:00 p.m. here on the West Coast; that's 10:00 a.m. if you are in Hong Kong.

VAUSE: A short break now; when we come back, Florence, Italy, known for history of art and culture. But now its the scene of a murder investigation with some familiar undertones. Those details ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(HEADLINES)

VAUSE: Well, the murder of an American artist in Florence, Italy is making headlines around the world.

SESAY: Yes, Ashley Olsen's boyfriend discovered her body on Saturday, and, as Randi Kaye reports, the case as similarities to another murder in Italy involving an American.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RANDI KAYE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: A gruesome discovery. Saturday afternoon in Florence, Italy. This American-born artist found dead in her apartment. Italian news agency "ANSA" says 35-year-old Ashley Olsen was naked with bruising and scratches around her neck. It says she was strangled, but investigators won't say for sure until the autopsy is complete.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE, via translator: This is a very quiet neighborhood, by the way, almost spotless I would say and now there's a stain of blood on it and I don't like it.

KAYE: Olson lived alone in an apartment she rented. So far, police don't believe she was sexually assaulted, but there's no sign of forced entry, and no suspects. Still, the city's chief prosecutor telling CNN they have yet to exclude anyone, including

Olsen's Italian boyfriend, even though he has an alibi in line with testimony from other witnesses.

He told authorities they had argued and when he was unable to reach her, he called Olsen's landlord who unlocked her apartment. That's when her body was discovered. Her loyal companion, a beagle named scout, was reportedly at her side.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE, via translator: She was often here taking her dog out. Always cheerful. Always smiling.

KAYE: The Florida native had moved to Florence a few years ago to be closer to her father, an architect working with for an Italian art school. Olsen was with last seen late Thursday night and Friday morning, at a Florence nightclub. The activity on her home computer stopped around noon Friday afternoon. So by the time her body was discovered on Saturday she may have been dead for some time.

Olsen's Instagram account may offer clues. the account includes bizarre postings like this one. She writes, I have a stalker with the #stalker alert and #creeper in the back. In this photo with her boyfriend, she used the hashtag, #creepers. Months ago she posted this: "Ashley, please baby. I'm F---ing so sorry. I can't cry anymore. Please come back to me. I love you." with the hashtags #forme and #youshouldn'thave. And this was her last post -- kiss me hard before you go.

Olsen's friend of more than a decade, back in Florida, can hardly believe she's gone.

STACI KELLY, FRIEND, ASHLEY OLSEN: I've never met anyone quite like Ashley. she had her special spark. anyone that met her loved her. she never met anyone who didn't like her.

KAYE: This case sounds all too familiar to that of another [00:25:42] American woman at the center of another high-profile murder case in Italy. Amanda Knox, along with her boyfriend, was tried and convicted twice for the 2007 murder of her British roommate Meredith Kercher. Italy's supreme court definitively exonerated her last year. After a botched investigation in the Knox case, this time around Italian authorities are vowing maximum attention will be paid in the Olsen case.

Randi Kaye, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SESAY: A story we will follow closely for you.

Turning now to the Middle East and Defense officials say U.S. warplanes bombed a building in Mosul, Iraq where ISIS was keeping millions of dollars in cash to pay its fighters and finance operations.

VAUSE: The strike came at dawn Sunday when the least number of civilians would be in the area. Still the U.S. says it believes five to seven people were killed. the U.S. has been expanding the list of ISIS targets. Warplanes started bombing the terror group's oil trucks several weeks ago.

SESAY: Well, later today on "Amanpour", a special look at the some of the innocent pawns in ISIS war. They are young and vulnerable and perfect targets for ISIS recruiters, told they are god's chosen ones. Instead of playgrounds these children see battle fields.

Nima Elbagir sits down with former child soldiers who were lucky enough to escape and tell their harrowing stories of life under ISIS. That's the "Child Soldiers Of ISIS" on "Amanpour", today, 7:00 p.m. in London; 8:00 p.m. in Central Europe.

VAUSE: Another break here. When we come back, fans around the world are commemorating the extraordinary career of David Bowie. One of Bowie's former producers will join us here in Los Angeles to tell us what we have lost.

[00:30:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

VAUSE: Welcome back everybody; it's just about 9:30 on a Monday night. You are watching "CNN NEWSROOM," Live from Los Angeles; I'm John Vause.

SESAY: And I'm Isha Sesay; the headlines this hour: (HEADLINES)

VAUSE: Well, tributes to and remembrances of musical icon David Bowie continue to post following news of his death at age 69, from cancer, which happened on Sunday. Bowie inspired generations of artists, in a career spanning more than five decades.

SESAY: One of Bowie's hallmarks was his passion for almost constant reinvention. Jake Tapper looks back at the many faces of a legend.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVID BOWIE, SINGER: The one thing I really wanted to do was to affect the medium; you know, that was, like, very important to me. JAKE TAPPER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: He was called the "Chameleon of Rock

and Roll" but he rightly laughed at that idea.

BOWIE: The chameleon would change the color of his skin to fit into his environment. I think I've done quite the reverse.

TAPPER: David Bowie's technicolor transformations and constant pushing of boundaries inspired generations of misfits and music lovers to not just face but embrace the strange.

Today the world grieves for a cast of characters that changed our views on sound, fashion, sexuality and theatrics.

BOWIE: I've always just seemed to collect personalities.

TAPPER: We say good-bye to "Ziggy Stardust." That's the androgynous alter ego that took a generation grounded in the turmoil of the '70s and launched it into another worldly space odyssey above the status quo.

BOWIE: I'm stepping through the dark.

TAPPER: "Rolling Stone" Magazine credits him with making rock 'n' roll safe for glitter gods, the kind sprinkled under the titles Lady Gaga, Boy George, Marilyn Manson and countless others.

TONY VISCONTI, MUSIC PRODUCER: He was the ideas guy. He dreamt all that up. He dreamt up a persona; that was never done before.

TAPPER: Today we say farewell to the "Thin White Duke" who's decidedly less flamboyant "Fame" introduced Bowie to mainstream America in 1975. Three decades later Bowie had sold 150 million albums.

BOWIE: This is ground control to Major Tom.

TAPPER: Today we bid adieu to the man who provided an anthem to astronauts. The stars do not get much brighter. We say good-bye today to the labyrinth's goblin king, who showed how to break through music and film, tallying more than 450 soundtrack contributions and nearly 40 acting credits, including a comedic twist on HBO's "Extras."

(DAVID BOWIE SINGING & PLAYING THE PIANO)

BOWIE: I think we're all fairly tolerant.

TAPPER: To the shy young Brit, Davy Jones, who appeared on the BBC to defend his long hair, more than 50 years ago -

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You have got really rather long hair, haven't you?

DAVY JONES: We have, yes. Yes, it's not too bad really.

TAPPER: We say, regretfully, rest in peace; your legendary renovations have left your mark on millions of us.

DAVID CAMERON, PRIME MINISTER, BRITAIN: David Bowie was a genius. For someone my age he provided a lot of the sound track of our lives.

TAPPER: David Bowie, you've really made the grade.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[00:35:50] SESAY: Truly, truly one of a kind. For more on his legacy, let's turn to Gary Miller, music producer and founder of Rock Against Trafficking. Miller worked with Bowie on the 2002 track "Everyone Says Hi." It is so good to have you with us.

GARY MILLER, FOUNDER, ROCK AGAINST TRAFFICKING: Thank you very much.

SESAY: Our hearts go out to you and all who knew Bowie. You worked with him on that track, as we just said.

MILLER: Yes, that's right.

SESAY: What are your memories of working with him?

MILLER: Well it was - well, for me I have been in the music business for years and to be able to work with him was a fantastic opportunity for me.

SESAY: What was he like in the studio?

MILLER: A lot of the time he wasn't there when I was doing the record. We did the vocals in New York and then I finished the track off in London.

VAUSE: Now you've worked with, you know, Rod Stewart, Tina Turner, --

SESAY: Lionel Richie.

VAUSE: -- Elton John -- a lot of big names, just a few names. Why was David Bowie different? In what way?

MILLER: Well I think with David there was nobody like him and there never, ever will be again I don't think. He was so creative. He never worried about changing. You know, like in pop music, people tend to stick to the same thing and then they last for a few years.

VAUSE: I'm sorry, I went back and looked, did a little bit of reading and he only had two number one hits, and one was "Let's Dance."

MILLER: Yes.

VAUSE: And you say he - it was his least favorite.

MILLER: Yes.

VAUSE: Why was that?

MILLER: Well, yes, I think, um, because it was very poppy, you see.

SESAY: Yes.

MILLER: The album, and I love the album, the "Let's Dance" album, but he always wanted to be left of center all the time. so -

SESAY: Yes, and, what, for you, as someone who worked with him, and I'm sure you know a lot of people that did, too, what were his sources of inspiration, as we talk about this constant need to change?

MILLER: I think maybe -- I think maybe when - when something had run its course and he felt he had enough of doing that, the same with Ziggy Stardust. You know, he just -- when he announced he wasn't doing it anymore. He just announced it and that was it, you know, the --

SESAY: So he had a great sense of intuition, that kind of -

MILLER: Yes, it was -

SESAY: -- which a lot of stars don't have. They will keep riding a dead horse and keep going down a particular lane.

MILLER: Well with music nowadays people keep doing that and then all the fans die off, but he didn't give them a chance for that. He kept going in different things.

VAUSE: The thing I find interesting these days is that someone has a song which picks up on a beat and it is successful, rhythm or whatever and then everybody is doing it.

SESAY: Yes.

VAUSE: There's not a lot of originality at the moment, I feel anyway.

MILLER: Well there isn't. That's what happens with - when I was in London with the big production company and the production company I worked with did the Cher record, "Believe." Now, for about four years after that, we were just trying to -- everybody wanted that record. So that's what happened with pop music, they don't want to change.

SESAY: Well, you know one thing I have been struck by, I have paid attention to the outpouring of grief and sympathy, so many stars point to Bowie as being an inspiration, but across all genres. I mean, who would have thought you would hear Kanye West and Pharrell talking about Bowie and his impact on them.

MILLER: Well I think you would be surprised to know how many looked to Bowie's stuff and were really influenced by him. I was told -- I've not met her, but I was told that Pink was very influenced by him. But I mean, he changes -- he changed all the time and everything that he did, you know?

VAUSE: Gary, thank you for coming in and sharing your experiences because obviously not a lot of people got to know him or work with him over the years but you were lucky enough to have that experience; so, thank you for sharing that.

SESAY: Yes, thank you.

MILLER: I'm very proud to have worked with him. SESAY: Thank you. All right, shifting gears, (HEADLINES)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[00:42:47] VAUSE: (HEADLINES) Well, reports say the Delhi high court is rejecting a legal challenge to driving restrictions in the Indian capital. The policy to ban most private cars from the roads on alternate days is aimed at reducing pollution in the city.

VAUSE: Not working so well by the looks of these pictures. The temporary restrictions end on Friday. Critics argue the ban was effective and public transportation wasn't adequate.

SESAY: Our own Alexandra Field joins us now from New Delhi with more on the pollution control efforts. Alexandra, you've got to wonder what the government's going to do now because, let's face it, this attempt they made with the cars didn't do much.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ALEXANDRA FIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Look, they have the backing they need from the government in order to keep this ban in place, even if it is inconveniencing a lot of drivers, but the task from here will be to convince people that it was somehow effective and that's a tough job because, frankly, you can't always tell what the air is like just from looking at it. It looks like a beautiful day in Deli, but when you look at the air quality rating, when you measure the pollutants in the air, what we are finding out right now, in real time, is that the air quality is more than 20 times worse than what the World Health Organization currently says is safe for humans.

This is worse than bad; not the traffic, actually less of that than normal. It's the air. To help to clear it, Delhi's Government says these steps are necessary; a temporary ban keeping odd

numbered cars off the road on even days and even numbered cars off the road on odd days, an attempt to target a toxic problem, pollution.

When you walk through the streets of Delhi you can't help but see it, of course, and smell it but the most disturbing part is you can actually taste it in your mouth. If you're not used to being ere you can feel it burning in your throat. In fact, the city's highest court recently said that living in Delhi is like in a gas chamber. So those are the conditions that some 20 million people face every single day. There are 9 million registered cars on the streets of Delhi, 1400 more cars come on the roads each day. So while cars are only part of the problem, every driver is being asked to be a part of the solution. There are even people who are out here to remind you.

[00:45:37] Following the rules, Leboni Metra (ps) takes a walk, followed by a ride on a rickshaw, and then there's a 30 minute train ride, followed by a rush through throngs of commuters and another rickshaw ride; all of that to get to work.

LEBONI METRA, COMMUTER: That's like one hour and 15 minutes to reach the office.

FIELD: So, is this working?

SUNITA NARAIN, DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENT: Without taking emergency action pollution levels would have been much higher. What this scheme has done is to play a role to moderate the high pollution levels.

FIELD: Clearly cars are part of the city's pollution problem because of their numbers, because of congestion, because of toxic emissions, but the odd/even rule doesn't cut Delhi's pollution problem in half. There are a lot of exceptions, public vehicles, high-ranking officials, motorcycles and women traveling alone. It's just a temporary measure, just one of a number of attempts to fight pollution, including a ban on large diesel SUV's and higher taxes on commercial trucks coming in to the city.

when it comes to a long term solution, odd/even exchange wouldn't be enough to move the needle?

NARAIN: No, absolutely not.

FIELD: There's a consensus that too many other factors contribute to the city's pollution; and the more practical matter on everyone's mind, Delhi's Public Transit System couldn't handle it.

NARAIN: So, for the first time I think people in Delhi are talking about public transport and I think that's the pressure that needs to be put on government for the systemic change.

FIELD: That would be the giant leap. Activists hope it starts with these smaller steps.

Well, Isha, this emergency ban just went into effect a week ago because the weather conditions right now are really ripe for that heavy, heavy smog that's so dangerous to so many people. So the analysts will take a look at the numbers, they'll do some evaluation when this experiment wraps up on Friday, but they're well aware that they might not be able to move that pollution has actually improved, that the air quality has improved. Instead, what they will seek to do, in order to show it was effective is to prove to people that pollution would have been worse in the city at this time had the measure not been in place. Isha?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SESAY: Interesting course of action; we shall see what happens. Alexandra Field joining us there from New Delhi; appreciate it. Thank you.

VAUSE: (HEADLINES)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WORLD SPORT HEADLINES) [00:52:20] SESAY: Hello, everyone. For $200 million the "Playboy" mansion could be yours, but there's a catch. You'd have to live with Hugh Hefner. The mansion where Hefner has lived and worked for 40 years is up for sale but the deal states that Hef still gets to live there until he dies. John?

VAUSE: Which is creepy beyond belief, that this 89-year-old guy will be shuffling around your house, in his bathrobe and slippers until he's dead.

The mansion is only 20,000 square feet, located on five acres of land, right here in Los Angeles. There's 29 rooms, a large swimming pool, of course there's the cave-like grotto, a tennis court, gym, wine cellar, home theatre, and, of course, there is a license for a zoo because -

SESAY: Everyone needs a zoo.

VAUSE: No, because there are so many bunnies on the property you need a zoo license.

SESAY: All right, let's move on. Joining us now is luxury real estate agent, Josh Altman. He appears on Bravo's reality TV show "Million Dollar Listing." Josh, it is so good to have you with us, especially given that you have visited the mansion, I believe.

VAUSE: The Grotto, I hear.

JOSH ALTMAN, REAL ESTATE AGENT, LOS ANGELES, CA: I have; first of all, let's take a step back. We are talking about one of the most famous houses in the entire world, okay? And the chance to --

SESAY: Who would want to buy it?

ALTMAN: Anyone who could actually afford this house might think about buying it just to say I own the "Playboy" mansion.

VAUSE: You know who wants to buy it?

ALTMAN: Who?

VAUSE: Anyone who has a 16-year-old boy. If you have ever been a 16- year-old boy, and grew up in the '80s, or around that time, you want to buy the mansion.

SESAY: But you get Hugh Hefner with it. I mean, seriously, is that going to be, is that clause --

VAUSE: That's a weird clause.

ALTMAN: Actually, I've done about a dozen deals before where people have not passed yet and we have actually done the deal and you have to wait until they pass.

[CROSS TALK]

VAUSE: What do you do, like they are dead now so you're responsible --

ALTMAN: Every year Hugh Hefner gets a little younger. I've seen him at a lot of clubs and restaurants that I go to. So it could be quite a while before you get to move in and he kind of moves to his next step.

SESAY: $200 million though, that price tag, that's all about him, right? I mean, what is the property worth? You've been there? Seriously.

ALTMAN: Okay, look, I'm an expert in the area. You have to look at the acreage. We're talking somewhere between five and six acres. About 12 to $13 million each acre for the dirt and then you've got to add another $20 million because it is the "Playboy" mansion. I call it $100 million. That's what it sells for.

VAUSE: That's a 100% mark up because it's -- it is a fixer-upper though; it's not the best condition. In fact, one of Hef's ex- girlfriend's wrote in her book "Bunny Tales," and I quote --

SESAY: That you read.

VAUSE: Cover to cover. "All though we did our best to decorate our rooms and make them homey, our mattresses on our beds were disgusting -- old, worn and stained. The sheets were past their best too."

ALTMAN: Well I'll tell you this -

VAUSE: So there are a few issues with this --

ALTMAN: I don't know if you can legally; could knock it down but you're going to spend at least $20 million in that house and then it would be worth $200 million. But I will tell you, the layout, where it is on the land, the whole - just the whole enchilada is really done well, and you've just got to add some of today's standards.

[00:55:43] SESAY: $200 million; is the market strong enough to take this kind of price?

ALTMAN: Well someone who is going to win the Powerball next week will have enough money. I'm going to reach out to the 2800 billionaires around town and I'm going to tell them, you want to be the most popular in L.A., go buy the "Playboy" mansion.

VAUSE: Clear this up for us, this is the most expensive listing ever, in L.A. history?

ALTMAN: No -

VAUSE: No?

ALTMAN: -- it is not; there's been more, but when I sell it will be my most expensive.

SESAY: Very, very good.

VAUSE: Excellent; very quickly, a lot of interest but not a lot of buyers who could potentially pay for that, right?

ALTMAN: I'll tell you what, to even get in the door, you have to be prequalified a couple of different ways. This is not for anyone who wants to come in to town and see the inside of the "Playboy" mansion.

SESAY: And, very quickly, if you were selling this, how would you market it, because, you know, I watch you on the show?

ALTMAN: Well, this is global. In my opinion, it's going to be an overseas buyer, who wants to make a giant footstep in the L.A. real estate market and really make their mark. Look, when you deal with that type of money, a lot of ego comes in to play. Maybe there will be a bidding war, who knows; this could be exciting.

SESAY: You'd love that, wouldn't you.

VAUSE: Josh, thanks for coming in.

SESAY: Wonderful to talk to you; thank you. All right, well, you better win.

VAUSE: Yes, right; no chance. Okay.

SESAY: Thank you for watching CNN NEWSROOM Live from Los Angeles; I'm Isha Sesay.

VAUSE: I'm John Vause; well be back with another hour of news after a short break.

SESAY: You're watching CNN.