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Geoffrey Mark is Interviewed about Rob Reiner; Seahawks Mount Comeback; Harry Enten and John Miller go Window Shopping in NYC. Aired 9:30-10a ET

Aired December 19, 2025 - 09:30   ET

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

[09:30:00]

MEG TIRRELL, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: After the president essentially put out a memo after that big CDC vaccine meeting two weeks ago saying that we should compare the U.S. vaccine schedule with other peer economic nations, calling the U.S. an outlier because we vaccinate against more diseases than they do, and instructing the Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the CDC director to compare the schedules and make a recommendation.

So now we're two weeks later. They're already, according to sourcing, particularly driven by our Washington colleague, Adam Cancryn, planning on putting that proposal out there.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: So, why Denmark, and what is the Denmark vaccine schedule?

TIRRELL: Yes. This administration seems very interested in what Denmark does health wise. We heard a lot about this at the CDC vaccine meeting two weeks ago, when they pared back the recommendation for the hepatitis b vaccine birth dose. One of the FDA people who's come in under the Trump administration has spent time living in Denmark. And she did a comparison of the health care systems.

But if their recommendations were made to make the U.S. system more like Denmark's, we recommend vaccinations for kids against 18 different diseases, whereas in Denmark it's 11. So, if we took their vaccination schedule, the recommendations would change to not routinely recommended childhood vaccines for things like RSV, which is the leading cause of infant hospitalizations in the United States. Things like rotavirus, flu, other diseases. And experts point out, we don't vaccinate like Denmark because we're not Denmark. They have free universal health care, a population of six million people. That's fewer than live in the state of Missouri. And so there's a lot of concerns that we would adopt something that isn't right for our population.

BERMAN: It's a beautiful place. I was just there. But kind of small.

TIRRELL: Yes.

BERMAN: Compared to the United States, I would say. TIRRELL: Yes, a few differences.

BERMAN: Not quite as many people.

Meg Tirrell, great to see you. We're going to follow this very closely.

So, a woman on the run for 40 years, accused of kidnaping her daughter. How it all finally just came to an end.

And music star Jelly Roll gets a pardon. What he says he will do with his record wiped clean.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:36:20]

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: Nearly one week ago Hollywood legend Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were found dead in their Los Angeles home. And now their son, Nick Reiner, is in jail, charged with murdering his own parents. According to his attorney, Nick will face arraignment at the beginning of the year now.

But all of this week we have seen Hollywood and far beyond trying to come to terms with the shocking tragedy. Hearing so many heartfelt tributes to the couple. Memories from their friends remembering their remarkable lives. One longtime friend of the family saying this, "if I had to sum up Rob in one word, it would be humanity."

And joining us right now is that longtime family friend, comedian, singer and writer Geoffrey Mark.

Thank you so much for joining us this morning. How are you doing?

GEOFFREY MARK, LONG-TIME FRIEND OF ROB REINER: Well, good. Well, you know, sad. I'm happy to be with you, but I'm tragically sorry for the reason.

BERMAN: We, obviously, have had connections as fans and viewers with Rob Reiner. You know, some of us who were alive in the '70s remember him in "All In the Family." But then as a director and as a public figure. How did the person that we saw differ from the man that you've known for some 30 years?

MARK: I'm not sure that it did. Rob was Rob. Rob -- the humanity thing applies to him. He brought the humanity to his work, and he brought the humanity to his friendships. Perhaps he used a naughty word privately more than he might in public, but he was this very thoughtful, very caring. I've met very few people who cared so much about our country, our world, people. And that comes into almost every conversation you had with him.

BOLDUAN: What are -- what are the experiences, the stories, the moments, the memories that, if there's one that really sticks out for you from your time with Rob and Michele, that kind of -- that you can share with us, and you think that kind of embodies what you're talking about here?

MARK: Well, you know, one of the hallmarks of Rob's career is that he is the son of somebody tremendously famous. There was a dinner at the director's guild for a man named John Rich, who was the primary director of the "Dick Van Dyke Show," which Rob's father created and often wrote and directed. And Carl was ill. And Rob was there to speak on Carl's behalf. And he gets up and he says, I'm here to substitute for my father. And that will be another ten years of therapy. Thank you so much.

He admired his father greatly, but there was this thing of being the kid of someone famous. And very few people plow through that and make a show business career of their own. The only other person who comes to mind is my friend Lucie Arnaz. Rob was his own man. Everything he did was based on his own talent and his own ambition. And it showed.

BERMAN: How do you think that that informed how he raised his own children? Like, knowing how difficult it is to be the child of a famous person,, how do you think that impacted how he approached his kids?

MARK: I don't think Rob ever lost who he was. He did not get lost in celebrity. Rob was -- most of his childhood in New Rochelle, New York. His father was famous, but they lived away from the city.

[09:40:02]

And his mother and father gave him what would be called an upper middle class childhood. And I think Rob remembered that and remembered that the home had to be real. The home wasn't where Rob was a star. The home was where Rob was a dad. And he brought that to all of his children.

You know, Nick, the disease of addiction is awful. I have dealt with it. I'm 36 years clean and sober. And that disease has nothing to do with who your parents are. It's about the person inside. I think Rob and Michele were excellent parents who did what they could and what they knew how to do. The rest is up to the person. So, I don't think celebrity is the cause of whatever Nick's problems might be.

BOLDUAN: How do -- and as part of this horrible tragedy and now the criminal case that will be going forward, it puts a spotlight on addiction and mental health and this -- and the battle of addiction that Nick has dealt with and so many families do. And you're talking -- you're talking about it here and your experience with it is so important for so many. How do you add it all up and wrap your mind around what has happened in the last five days?

MARK: If Nick is guilty, and we don't know that he is, if he's guilty, this is a mentally ill person who's never been able to get past the addiction for whatever reasons. Drug addicts, alcoholics, there has to be a moment of clarity where you go, ooh, I'm in deep trouble here. If I don't change, awful things are going to happen. I guess Nick has never had that moment of clarity, because that's the springboard from which one gets better. I hope Nick has it. And I hope Nick gets all the help that he needs.

But how does any human being wrap their minds around, oh, my dear friend got stabbed to death. How do you -- I don't know that it's possible to logically accept that. You deal with it. You try not to think about it because it's horrific. It's not human. And I wish Nick every possible piece of help and health and blaming -- blaming Rob and Michele, blaming Nick, blame isn't going to help anybody here. It's not going to help us to understand why it happened. And it's not going to make Nick better. So, I just wish the best for everybody involved.

BOLDUAN: Geoffrey, thanks -- your eloquence is so appreciated on such a hard thing.

BERMAN: Yes.

BOLDUAN: Thank you so much. It's wonderful to meet you. Thank you.

MARK: My pleasure. I hope you have me back sometime.

BOLDUAN: Thank you so much.

A programing note for all of you. Sunday, a night of back-to-back specials on CNN at eight on "THE WHOLE STORY WITH ANDERSON COOPER, " the latest on Rob Reiner. It's being called "Rob Reiner: His Life and Legacy." Then at nine, from the CNN archives, an encore presentation of "LARRY KING LIVE," featuring a wide-ranging interview with Rob Reiner and, well, with the legendary broadcaster.

Coming up for us --

BERMAN: Coming up for us, this was an incredible game. Just an incredible game. I have to say, with some incredible, like, mistakes, because the Rams should have run away with it. But we'll tell you what happened in the end by the very, very, very end.

And I just think you all need to see this. And apparently I do too. Because Harry Enten went shopping, and we had cameras there.

BOLDUAN: What?

BERMAN: Yes.

BOLDUAN: What?

BERMAN: It's true. It's true.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HARRY ENTEN, CNN CHIEF DATA ANALYST: I am of the belief that there's a special thing that's going to come out of this window.

It's a menorah. Yes.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) [09:48:44]

BERMAN: So, was it a thriller, a choke, or all of the above? As Kate well knows, I'm talking about the high drama between the Seahawks and the Rams last night.

With us now is CNN's Andy Scholes.

And, Andy, I was up way later than I should have been for a ton of reasons last night.

BOLDUAN: I mean you also watched sports after --

BERMAN: It is -- there was a lot going on last night.

BOLDUAN: Oh my gosh. (INAUDIBLE).

BERMAN: But, Andy, the Rams had this. I mean the Rams -- the Rams had this.

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: This was -- this was -- they certainly did. And, you know, John, the Rams are the first team in history to lose with 500 yards of offense, no turnovers, while forcing three turnovers. First team ever to do that. So, you know head coach Sean McVay was just scratching his head after this one.

The Seahawks on the other hand, they were zero and 155 in their history. Went down 16 in the fourth quarter. That was the case last night. But Rashid Shaheed here providing a spark. Takes this punt back 58 yards for the touchdown after a two-point conversion. It was an eight-point game. Rams went three and out. Seahawks quickly score again.

Then we had the wildest two-point conversion ever. Sam Darnold's pass here, it's batted down and incomplete. And Zach Charbonnet just kind of casually picks it up in the end zone.

Upon further review, it was a backwards pass. So, it's a fumble, recovered in the end zone. So, it's a successful two-point conversion to tie the game at 30.

We'd end up going to overtime. And Matthew Stafford, who threw for 457 yards in this game, hits Puka Nacua here for a 41-yard touchdown.

[09:50:01]

Puka had 225 yards receiving. So, the Rams go up seven in overtime. The Seahawks have one last chance. They drive down the field. Darnold to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, touchdown. And instead of settling for a potential tie, they go for two again. And they convert it to win the game. Seattle just an incredible performance. Incredible comeback. Final score 38-37. They now take over first place in the NFC.

All right, college football playoffs start tonight with Oklahoma hosting Alabama. Now, this is a rematch from a game last month that the Sooners won 23-21. But listen to this stat. Alabama has not lost to the same opponent twice in a season since 1893. Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer is looking forward to the rematch.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KALEN DEBOER, ALABAMA HEAD COACH: We're in the playoffs. It's win or go home. And we need to be given everything we have, we can, to being our best and the work that is ahead.

BRENT VENABLES, OKLAHOMA HEAD COACH: They're a great program with great players, great coaches. That's the way they've been for 100 plus years. And so the enormity of the challenge is real.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCHOLES: Yes, it should be a great game. Really looking forward to that one.

Finally, we have an extra special report from one of our correspondents in the field. And, John, I think you're really going to enjoy this one.

BOLDUAN: Because you love surprises.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: John Berman, be jealous.

TOM BRADY: What's up, John. I'm with your girl. We miss you. Thanks for all your support. Appreciate it.

SIDNER: You're welcome. You owe me life.

Thank you so much.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: And joining us now.

BERMAN: Oh, wow.

SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: Hi. How about that?

BOLDUAN: Where you been? Where have you been?

BERMAN: That is something.

SIDNER: Uh-huh.

BERMAN: That was something.

SIDNER: I have had to hold that video for one week. And it is literally eating me up inside. I think he's a fan, John.

BERMAN: Is he as handsome in person?

SIDNER: Oh my God.

BERMAN: Yes.

SIDNER: Oh my God.

BOLDUAN: Is this like, he's not as tall as in person?

SIDNER: No, he's --

BOLDUAN: No, he -- I mean in person, yes.

SIDNER: Six, five and looks like a dream. But also, when he did this --

BOLDUAN: It's not that it's about that. It's --

SIDNER: It's not about that. But he was so kind. He -- I saw him with kids. I mean he was not faking it. He was so kind. And my husband was standing down there. And we have to thank Artis (ph) from the Rams because Artis made this happen. He's like, do you want to talk to this guy, Tom Brady? And I said, no, but my -- because I'm on the other team. Like, I'm -- no, no, no, I'm a Rams fan. Like, no, no, no, I don't need to be around him. I mean we're fighting right now.

BERMAN: He beat the Rams twice this season.

SIDNER: I know. And so I said, OK, but just let me -- let me -- let me talk to him for John. Like if he's available. And he came over. And my husband, when I came back, he said, did he have his hand on your back? And I said, no. He goes, I have proof. And he had taken a picture. And I was like, he was just being kind. He was ushering. And he was being kind. He was being kind.

BOLDUAN: And we can -- oh, and the war has started.

BERMAN: All right.

BOLDUAN: So what -- so, one, Sara's amazing. Two, something America you might not know is John literally hates surprises. And this makes me so happy right now.

BERMAN: I love it. When it's a Tom Brady surprise, there's an exception for a Tom Brady surprise.

BOLDUAN: Oh, there is a Tom Brady exception?

BERMAN: There's a -- any time Tom Brady wants to surprise me it's OK.

BOLDUAN: He takes off on his birthday because he doesn't want anyone to give him anything.

BERMAN: It's OK.

BOLDUAN: No, I mean, like, it's a thing.

SIDNER: I said, I think the fandom goes two ways. It's Boston, the Boston that you guys --

BERMAN: I think it's good to know that he's a viewer. He's a -- but it's really you guys I'm sure he's fans.

SIDNER: Yes. He likes himself some John Berman it turns out.

BOLDUAN: Yes. Yes.

BERMAN: That's very sweet. I'm glad you met him.

SIDNER: Happy holidays.

BOLDUAN: He's like, oh, John Berman senior, I got this wrong. It was a different John Berman.

I'm just kidding.

BERMAN: But we miss you.

BOLDUAN: Nicely done, Sara.

BERMAN: We miss you all week.

SIDNER: I'm like, I know.

BOLDUAN: I know.

BERMAN: All the -- do we still have this other thing or not? I'm (INAUDIBLE).

BOLDUAN: I have no idea what we're doing.

SIDNER: What -- what --

BOLDUAN: We're going to do this now.

BERMAN: All right.

SIDNER: Andy -- Andy. Scholes, I thought you guys were talking crap about the Rams when -- a I, yes, that game was absolutely unacceptable.

SCHOLES: Big (INAUDIBLE).

SIDNER: But I am -- I am glad that we at least have Artis, who made this all happen for one John Berman. Happy holidays.

BERMAN: It was lovely. It was lovely. Thank you.

BOLDUAN: For one moment.

BERMAN: Thank you. Merry Christmas, Tom Brady.

Let's talk about New York now, which can be beautiful during the holidays. It can also be jammed with tourists. And, unfortunately, New Yorkers.

We sent two of our favorite New Yorkers, Harry Enten and John Miller, to go out shopping. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HARRY ENTEN, CNN CHIEF DATA ANALYST: This is one of my favorite times of the year. And perhaps there's nothing more magical in New York City this time of year than going window shopping and enjoying all the great windows and all the great stores that there are.

JOHN MILLER, CNN CHIEF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND INTELLIGENCE ANALYST: I love window shopping. Maybe we can buy a nice window.

ENTEN: Maybe you can buy me a nice one.

All right, you ready?

MILLER: I'm ready.

ENTEN: Let's go shopping.

MILLER: All right.

ENTEN: So, here we are at Tiffany's, John. Is this jewelry impressive or should we find someplace else to shop for the loved ones in our lives besides ourselves?

MILLER: I think we need to go a little bit down in price range.

ENTEN: All right, now we've made our way to Bergdorf Goodmans, which I'm told is a personal favorite of yours.

MILLER: Yes. Yes. Very much.

ENTEN: And is that because your middle name is actually Bergdorf?

MILLER: If it comes with a discount, I'll take it.

ENTEN: There you go.

MILLER: I think the thing about Bergdorf's is the window display is never about the products.

[09:55:00]

ENTEN: OK.

MILLER: It's very impressionistic. Like this one is all about time.

ENTEN: Ah.

MILLER: Which, when you do all your Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve is an important lesson.

ENTEN: Very -- it's lacking on the time.

What is this dress?

MILLER: Well, first of all, I think it's a little bit about sequins, but I think it's more about white hair.

ENTEN: Yes, it seem -- and you, as an expert, I, of course, not really much of one when it comes to white hair, except for when --

MILLER: Give it time.

ENTEN: Give it time.

All right, we've made our way down to Saks Fifth Avenue. And it feels like every store, or at least every other store here, pays homage to, of course, the icon of New York City, the pigeon. That's a pigeon, I think, in a cage.

MILLER: Yes.

ENTEN: It's the first time ever that someone has tried to domesticate a pigeon here in New York, instead of just trying to shoo it away.

What type of window display is this?

MILLER: So, this is -- Saks always goes -- this is like an advent calendar.

ENTEN: I am of the belief that there's a special thing that's going to come out of this window.

It's a menorah. Yes. You did it.

MILLER: So, this --

ENTEN: This is it.

MILLER: The famous Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.

ENTEN: Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.

It makes me want to convert a little bit.

All right, John, we've made our way downtown to perhaps the most iconic store associated with the Christmas season here in New York. And that, of course, is Macy's.

MILLER: So, their Christmas windows usually tell a story about a character. But this year they're telling the story of the Macy's Christmas windows in the Macy's Christmas windows.

ENTEN: Now, what was that called?

MILLER: It's a life imitating art imitating life imitating art.

ENTEN: Do we want "Jingle Bells," "Deck The Halls" or "We Wish You A Merry Christmas"?

MILLER: Go with "Jingle Bells." We can't screw it up.

ENTEN: I beg to differ. ENTEN AND MILLER (singing): Jingle bells, jingle bells. Jingle all the

way. Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh.

ENTEN: Merry Christmas. Happy Hanukkah. Seasons greetings. Happy holidays to all of you.

Bye, John.

MILLER: Bye, Harry.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BERMAN: John Miller's going, like, what did I get myself into?

(CROSS TALK)

BOLDUAN: John Miller is literally like, what just happened?

BERMAN: What -- yes, I have no idea what I agreed to do or why I agreed to do it.

SIDNER: He was dazed and confused about the whole thing. And I --

BERMAN: But on key. Very much on key.

SIDNER: Yes, that's --

BERMAN: It's like the boy band we didn't know we needed.

BOLDUAN: I smell field trip.

SIDNER: Yes.

BOLDUAN: Yes.

BERMAN: Let's send them out other places. America is demanding it.

Thank you all for being with us. It's not yet the holidays. There's a whole week to go.

BOLDUAN: Oh, we know. We'll be here.

BERMAN: We'll be here.

BOLDUAN: We'll see you.

BERMAN: We'll talk to our vacation planners here. This has been CNN NEWS CENTRAL. "SITUATION ROOM" is up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)