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CNN Live Event/Special
Trump Calls For Republicans To Scrap The Senate Filibuster And End The Shutdown; President Trump And The First Lady Greet White House Trick-Or-Treaters; King Charles Strips Brother Andrew Of Titles And His Mansion; Israel Confirms Identities Of Hostages' Bodies Returned By Hamas; Dana Bash Faces Quickfire Questions; Bermuda Braces for Powerful Storm; Colosseum Tunnel Used by Roman Emperors Opens to Public; Interview with Film Critic Grae Drake. Aired 1-2a ET
Aired October 31, 2025 - 01:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[01:00:00]
ELEX MICHAELSON, CNN ANCHOR: Souls and draw them back to earth. In Mexico, the Day of the Dead draws thousands of people to burial grounds and public plazas. People picnic at grave sites and decorate altars with pictures and offerings. Thanks so much for watching this hour of The Story Is.
The next hour of The Story Is starts right now.
The story is transparency or intimidation? The Trump DOJ is sending federal election monitors to blue states. Woman overseeing that program, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon joins us for an exclusive one-on-one.
The story is royal no more. Prince Andrew is now just Andrew over his involvement with Jeffrey Epstein.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RICHARD QUEST, CNN ANCHOR: But for goodness sake, just go.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAELSON: The story is debate debacle. CNN's Dana Bash takes us behind the scenes of the most consequential debate in American history. The story is inside the Coliseum. Italy opens a once secret passageway. And Ben Wedeman is our tour guide.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Designed to allow the emperor to reach his seat without mingling with the common folk.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Live from Los Angeles, The Story Is with Elex Michelson. MICHAELSON: Alex I'm Elex Michaelson and welcome to The Story Is. We
begin with breaking news. President Trump just calling on Republicans in the Senate to make an unprecedented move to end the weeks long government shutdown. President Trump wants them to eliminate the Senate filibuster as we look at a live picture in Washington right now where it's after one o' clock in the morning.
So the Filibuster is a 60-vote threshold needed for passing the major legislation. Most legislation in the Senate, not majority rule. It helps stop a lot of legislation and gives the minority party a lot of power.
Senate Republicans have avoided changing the rules, arguing that it would ultimately benefit Democrats the next time they take power. Remember, what goes around comes around. Now all this comes as millions of Americans are facing critical food assistance this weekend that they could lose. Funding for SNAP benefits, also known as food stamps, is set to run out on Saturday.
A federal judge is suggesting that she may interfere. She's questioning why the Trump administration is refusing to use billions of dollars in emergency funds to help cover those costs. That is the same question raised by a coalition of about two dozen Democratic run states in Washington, D.C. now suing the Trump administration over the planned lapse of SNAP funding.
Last hour I spoke with California's Attorney General, Rob Bonta. He told me why his state joined that lawsuit.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROB BONTA, CALIFORNIA ATTORNEY GENERAL: From my office, we're not attacking the Trump administration. We're attacking unlawfulness. We're attacking unconstitutional actions. And the payment of SNAP benefits of food stamps for the hungry has nothing to do with the government shutdown. Government doesn't have to be open.
In fact, the contingency fund at issue here is supposed to be used in exigent circumstances like this when there is a government shutdown.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAELSON: Meanwhile, President Trump's Justice Department is sending federal election monitors to parts of California and New Jersey. It says the move, which focuses on two Democratic led states, will, quote, ensure transparency, ballot security and compliance with federal law.
California's attorney general now says his state will send its own monitors to monitor the federal monitors and protect voter privacy.
Harmeet K. Dhillon is the assistant attorney general for civil rights at the U.S. Department of Justice. Harmeet joins us now from Washington. Welcome to The Story Is for the first time.
HARMEET K. DHILLON, ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR CIVIL RIGHTS, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE: Yes, thanks for having me.
MICHAELSON: So you are sort of overseeing this monitoring program. Why do you think that it's necessary?
DHILLON: Well, the Department of Justice has the duty to ensure free and fair elections. And this stems back from the 1950s and 60s when we had instances of voter suppression. And over the years, there have been numerous instances of the Department of Justice stepping in to enforce free and fair elections. Section 11B of the Voting Rights Act, for example, prohibits harassment of voters and intimidation of voters.
And we've gotten requests in two states so far, New Jersey and California, from party officials or campaigns having concerns about voter intimidation, about improper handling of ballots, about persistent history of election irregularities in these jurisdictions. And so that's why we are being cautious in sending observers to hopefully give confidence to the public and help out if there are any issues that need to be addressed on site.
[01:05:08]
MICHAELSON: And just to be clear, observers have been sent by both parties over many years. The Biden administration sent observers themselves during the last election. In fact, more observers than this. Those were federal elections, not state elections. But what specific evidence have you seen that would maybe merit that, especially an election in California that's not a federal election?
DHILLON: Yes, well, it doesn't have to be a federal election. As I mentioned, you look back at the history of the Voting Rights Act, and it was actually mainly state officials and state elections where there was this kind of intimidation. And, you know, you have these Dixiecrats who are denying the right of African Americans to vote. You have other instances like this that are racially charged or politically charged.
And in this case, you know, there's very politically charged elections happening in both of these jurisdictions. It is actually usually Democrat attorneys general and Assistant attorney General, my position, who send election monitors. So I'm a little surprised and taken aback by the hysterical reaction of Governor Newsom.
And even today, we got a letter in the Department of Justice from Senators Schiff and Padilla clutching their pearls and demanding that the Attorney General not allow me to send these election monitors in. This is a commonplace thing that is done by, as you said, both parties. I don't need evidence of irregularities. I simply need a basis to believe that it would be helpful for the DOJ to be there. And that's it. That's all it is.
We are not there to interfere. We are there to observe. We are there to document. If there are irregularities and they're not resolved on site, then there may be legal action otherwise. And perhaps that's what California is concerned about. But I will say that New Jersey has been very cooperative. The New Jersey attorney general has, you know, not objected, not stood in our way.
Passaic County election officials, who are Democrats, are used to having the DOJ send election officials into New Jersey. And there's a history of issues in that state. And so they're like, sure, fine. Come on down. You know, let us know who's coming, give us their names, and we will help set you up. This is where you sit, and this is what you do.
It's actually running very smoothly with the election officials. It's simply the political leadership that is, you know, kind of getting very antsy and kind of ugly in their rhetoric about this.
MICHAELSON: Well, let's see some of that political leadership. Just the other day, we had Governor Newsom on our set for an exclusive interview. I know you saw this. Here's some of what he had to say about this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. GAVIN NEWSOM (D) CALIFORNIA: They're going to lose the midterm elections, but they want to set up the criterion conditions to go to federal court to not certify them by alleging something that doesn't exist. And that's exactly why the DOJ was sent in.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAELSON: So this was your response? Literally, just one word, Lame. Do you care to elaborate into what he's -- what he's suggesting there?
DHILLON: Well, yes, I've also, you know, had some other words to say about this, but look, he's not -- I'm sorry. You know, Gavin, you know, I've lived in Cal. I've lived in San Francisco under his leadership. I mean, this type of -- he doesn't have a crystal ball. He has no idea what he's talking about.
And I don't know why he's afraid of free and fair elections. I mean, who should be afraid of that? It's really quite silly. You know, he and himself has been extremely demagogic when it comes to this Prop 50 election that's on the ballot. And suddenly he's afraid that neutral election observers, trained DOJ officials, federal prosecutors, are going to take a couple of days off from their work and stand there and watch what's happening in some of the counties and mainly in Southern California. What's the problem, bro?
I mean, it's unnecessary rhetoric. We should all take the rhetoric down, try to be neutral. We should all be in favor of everybody feeling confident in the outcome of these elections, including both parties. And so that's the goal here. Everyone should feel confident, accept the outcome of the election. That's what I want. That's what every leader should want.
MICHAELSON: What do you make of the AG of California, Rob Bonta, now sending his own monitors to monitor your monitors?
DHILLON: Yes. Well, maybe I should send my monitors to monitor his monitors monitoring my monitors. MICHAELSON: Yes.
DHILLON: It's just a little silly. We are not going to be intimidated. And by the way, to be very clear, anybody, including a state official who attempts to interfere with a federal election official or law enforcement doing their jobs will face the consequences of that.
There is zero tolerance under Pam Bondi's DOJ for those types of shenanigans, whether they're in California, whether the name is Rob Bonta or whoever it is, silly. Let us all just calm down and have a good and fair election. That's all that the DOJ wants.
MICHAELSON: Meanwhile, we want to end with something a little bit fun here. We know that you love to knit.
[01:10:00]
So we've seen, we've got some video of some of your knitting. If you follow you on social media, you get a lot of conservative thought and a lot of knitting. So here is some of the work that you've done. And I understand as well that the sweater that you're wearing tonight is a Harmeet K. Dillon original.
DHILLON: Yes, it is. I knit it last fall and it is making its television debut tonight. And so, you know, when I was In California for 25 years, I was on television a lot and I used to wear my own knitwear. And since this is late at night, I'm not wearing my court outfit today, I thought it would be appropriate since you're in California to hearken back to those days.
MICHAELSON: The true story is exclusive is your knitting. I'm glad we got that there. And we end with some rapid fire questions to get to know you a little bit better. This is first thing that comes to mind. And since we are in Halloween week, what is your favorite Halloween candy?
DHILLON: I think Reese's peanut butter cups are definitely high on that list.
MICHAELSON: That is the best one. Favorite Halloween costume you've ever worn?
DHILLON: Oh, well, I think I was a witch and I only did it when I was very young. I didn't really do trick or treating. My family wasn't a big fan of it, so we didn't really do a lot once I got older.
MICHAELSON: What is your favorite quote or motto?
DHILLON: Right now I have to abbreviate it by saying F-A-F-O. That's on mugs that I've given out throughout my office and I'll leave it at that.
MICHAELSON: So that's blank around and find out.
DHILLON: That is correct. That is our favorite phrase in the civil rights division. MICHAELSON: OK, that feels very Trumpy. Thank you very much. Harmeet
K. Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General with a rare appearance on CNN. We appreciate you joining with us as we launch this brand new show.
DHILLON: We're open to everyone in our American Department of Justice. So thanks for having me.
MICHAELSON: Thank you. Great to have you. Keeping up with the Halloween theme, the party kicked off a bit early at the White House. President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump handing out candy to kids on Thursday. Look at that kid. The first lady's office says the children were members of the military and law enforcement as well as kids of administrative staff.
One child did, of course, show up dressed as the president. The festivities come just a day after Mr. Trump's tour of Asia that included meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea. This was our breaking news last night.
President Trump chose not to stay for more of that Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea. But Chinese President Xi, he's still there, along with heads of states and senior officials from 21 APEC member nations.
Xi expecting to meet with Japan's new prime minister and Canada's prime minister in the coming hours. CNN's Mike Valerio is in Beijing. Mike, welcome to The Story Is for the first time.
MIKE VALERIO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Elex, hey, thanks buddy, so much and half on behalf of the Beijing bureau, we wanted to say longtime listener, first time caller, so good to have you with friends.
So you know, when we're talking about what is happening on this side of the world, it's just over lunchtime here in Beijing. We're looking at this APEC meeting and it's really about how these leaders are trying to stabilize the boat. How are they going to stop the boat from rocking when we're talking about global trade.
Xi Jinping, to your point, is trying to position himself as the most stable leader to try to right the ship in this tumultuous time. So we have a quote from him when he just addressed the assembly a short time ago, him saying in part to help try to drive home that point.
Quote, the world is undergoing rapid changes unseen in a century, and the international landscape is marked by both changes in turbulence with rising instability and uncertainty affecting development in the Asia Pacific. The more turbulent the times are, the more we must stand together in solidarity.
So, certainly the message that he is trying to drive home is that the United States is the source of the turbulence and he is trying to stand in as a vanguard for free trade. We should note myriad allies of the United States. Certainly the United States would disagree with that characterization, saying that foreign firms here in China face stiff competition, often circumstances where firms that are trying to compete here in China have a tough time doing so because of subsidies that the Chinese government gives its domestic firms.
And they would also say, again stressing from their point of view that the rule of law may not be as transparent, again, from their point of view when they're trying to operate here in this country. But again, Trump is gone from the meeting.
[01:15:00]
Scott Bessent, the Treasury Secretary, is there trying to represent the discussions. So again, the limelight shifts away from the United States to China trying to shape the conversation, Elex.
MICHAELSON: I mean, essentially Xi Jinping gets to be big man on campus with Trump out of the building, right?
VALERIO: Yes.
MICHAELSON: Yes.
VALERIO: Right, right, exactly. So we're going to be trying to see what, if anything is accomplished from this meeting and if there's going to be any agreement on AI with these --
MICHAELSON: Right.
VALERIO: -- countries trying to work together. But when you have this meeting that's supposed to be about cooperation, competition really has taken on the main theme this time. Elex.
MICHAELSON: Mike Valerio, a great reporter and apparently a great talk radio guest as well. Thank you so much for joining us here on The Story Is.
MICHAELSON: Thanks, friend. See you later.
MICHAELSON: Now to an extraordinary move in the U.K., King Charles stripping his own brother Andrew of his royal titles and evicting him from the Windsor Royal Estate, throwing him out. The move comes as Buckingham Palace attempts to distance itself from the ongoing scandal over Andrew's ties to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
And a recently published allegations from a memoir of one of Epstein's victims. In that book, that victim accuses Andrew of sexually assaulting her as a teenager. A king's brother has repeatedly denied these accusations. CNN's Richard Quest with us now from London with more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
QUEST: Elex, if you really want to get to the heart of it, you've got to look at the statement and by that it's the reference within it where it says his Majesty has initiated a formal process to remove the titles. That formal process is what makes this different.
In the past, the Queen just stripped away the title patronages and the military and then Andrew voluntarily gave up titles. But now the king has actually moved. He's going to take legal action and also legal action to kick him out of the house that he has a cast iron lease. They've served notice.
And the reason, I think is because they're seriously worried about the stench of survivability about the whole thing. This is having seriously damaging effects on the House of Windsor. And when it comes to that level, then the royals will act.
And I think also you have this statement. The Majesties wish to make it clear their thoughts and utmost sympathies remain with the victims of the abuse. They've said things like this before, but they've never been seen to be so forthright. And it's basically saying to Andrew, go. Go into exile. Go and live in your new house on the Sandringham Estate where you can have privacy and no prying eyes. But for goodness sake, just go.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MICHAELSON: Richard Quest. Nobody like him. From one CNN legend to another. Up next, Dana Bash is here on our set talking about the roller coaster 2024 presidential election where she had the front row seat and a whole lot more. You learn things about Dana you never learned before. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[01:22:33]
MICHAELSON: Israel has identified the remains of two hostages from Gaza that Hamas returned on Thursday. They include 84 year old Amiram Cooper and, who was reportedly killed in captivity last year. The other is 25-year-old Sahar Baruch, who lost two family members in the October 7 attacks and who was later killed during a failed rescue attempt in Gaza.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DANA BASH, CNN Chief Political Correspondent: Hate once limited to extremists fanatics.
CROWD: Jews will not replace us.
BASH: Now mainstream.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is a plague.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's no question that antisemitism is being normalized.
BASH: On city streets, online.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We've seen people livestream their actual attacks.
BASH: This is disgusting.
(END VIDEO CLIP) MICHAELSON: That is a clip from the CNN Special Report, "Rising Hate: Antisemitism in America," hosted by Dana Bash. Dana being honored this week with the Jewish Heritage Award by the Simon Wiesenthal Center for that work. She has been such an incredible ally when it comes to the issue of fighting antisemitism. Dana Bash with us here on The Story Is for the first time, Dana, thanks for being here.
BASH: It's such an honor to be here. Congratulations.
MICHAELSON: Thank you very much. So the reason you're here in California is for this honor. What's that mean to you?
BASH: I mean, so much. It really does. My grandparents are they weren't in concentration camps, but they are survivors of the Nazi regime. They escaped barely in October of 1941 is when they got out just before Pearl Harbor. And they were the lucky ones. My great, great grandparents were murdered at Auschwitz and my great aunt as well.
And it's just been there are some families who talk about it and some families and you probably know a lot of people who are children, grandchildren, great grandchildren or survivors who never heard anything about it. Mine talked about it a lot. My grandfather talked about it a lot, wrote his autobiography.
So it's a big part of who I am, understanding that history so that when we start to see things rhyming in the current state of the world.
MICHAELSON: History doesn't repeat itself, but sometimes it rhymes.
BASH: We need to know. Exactly.
MICHAELSON: And that's a moment. We've seen this increase in antisemitism --
BASH: Yes.
MICHAELSON: -- around the world that you've reported on so well and obviously you report on politics so well.
[01:25:03]
You've been here for a while now here at CNN.
BASH: 32 years.
MICHAELSON: That's insane to think about that.
BASH: I agree. I concur.
MICHAELSON: And you have seen so much history. And recently we've kind of been reliving 2024 with all the books that have come out, including Kamala Harris book. And we're reminded of the most consequential debate in the history of presidential politics. And you're right there in the middle of it. Donald Trump, Joe Biden, you, Jake Tapper.
BASH: That's right.
MICHAELSON: What was that experience like when Joe Biden walks out? What's going through your mind?
BASH: You know, I've thought about this, as you can imagine, so much because at the moment you're so in it, you're so focused, you're so -- you're kind of in an out of body existential situation. But when he walked out, you know, he had a little bit of a shuffle, more so than we had seen in the past. So there was a little bit of a hint, huh?
But then, of course, when he gave that first full answer to Jake's question and the answer ended with something along the lines of I killed Medicare, we knew that it was bad, that it was really bad for him. And it wasn't even clear that he knew how bad it was as the evening wore on. But you have to remember because there was no audience. It was just really the four of us in the room.
It was Donald Trump, Joe Biden, and then Jake and I were in a very dark studio in Atlanta. And so it was -- the air was very heavy. I'll just leave it there. The air was very heavy. One of the things that I do think, as I've thought a lot about it, is that you at home, the viewer at home probably had an enhanced experience of the performance that Joe Biden was giving because you saw them in the two boxes next to each other.
And we had the full view of the stage. I mean, it wasn't a big one, but we had the full view of the stage. So I don't think it was as intense for us as it was for the viewers, but --
MICHAELSON: Viewers right up there.
BASH: Right up there.
MICHAELSON: And I've moderated debates before --
BASH: Yes, you know.
MICHAELSON: -- and when you watch it back, it is sometimes a very different experience.
BASH: Absolutely.
MICHAELSON: So what that camera shot is so important. And then Kamala Harris has written about you in her book and you. She didn't do any interviews when she became the nominee after that debate for weeks. She picks her first interview is going to be with you and Tim Walz. And she kind of complains about it in her book a little bit. What do you make of that and what's your memories of that?
BASH: Well, first of all, I don't take it personally. Like, you know, I'm a big girl and I get it. And a lot of what she --
MICHAELSON: Complained about like the lighting said in there.
BASH: Right. And what she said in there is, is not wrong. The setting was picked by her team. We did not. I mean, you're new here at CNN, but I think you're already know. I mean, look at your beautiful new set. Like, we know what we're doing. OK. And our colleagues know what they're doing and we definitely know how to do a big field interview.
And that was not the location or the set and the setup that we would have chosen. It was chosen by her campaign after a lot of negotiation, as every news organization does with principals and with candidates. And I don't think she admits in the book that it wasn't necessarily us, it was her campaign. And we also didn't say can we please do an interview with you and your vice president or running mate.
That was the campaign that came to us and did that. And she realizes now or probably realized we now know right afterwards or maybe during the interview that maybe that was a mistake because most of my questions were for her.
MICHAELSON: Right.
BASH: Understandably so. She was the one running for president.
MICHAELSON: And she admits in the book that it made it look like she needed sort of a security blanket of Tim Walz who actually wasn't that much of a security blanket in reality as well. So who knows what's going to happen next, but you're going to be right in the middle of it.
BASH: As are you.
MICHAELSON: Politics and of course on the Sunday show State of Union. So on this show we like to do some rapid fire questions to get to know our guests.
BASH: Oh by. OK, here we go.
MICHAELSON: This is Dana Bash, you don't see on Inside Politics.
BASH: OK.
MICHAELSON: Besides Inside Politics, what's your favorite TV show?
BASH: Like right now or in the history of the world?
MICHAELSON: Well, let's do right now.
BASH: OK. Right now I am watching, nobody wants this. I just finished this season of "The Diplomat" What? Did you watch it yet?
MICHAELSON: Yes.
BASH: The whole thing. Oh my gosh.
MICHAELSON: It's really good.
BASH: So good.
MICHAELSON: I love Bradley Woodford and Allison Jenning back together.
BASH: Oh my gosh. I know.
MICHAELSON: Favorite actor or actress.
BASH: Oh, I mean, I have to say Spencer Garrett. Not because I have to, honey, because I want to.
MICHAELSON: Yes, that was a setup. OK. Favorite book?
[01:29:44]
BASH: Favorite book? Oh my gosh, favorite book. I love a memoir. And my favorite memoir that I have -- I didn't read it. I've listened to it because it was so much better -- was the Barbra Streisand memoir. It was 48 hours long. And I loved every minute of every one of those.
MICHAELSON: And she read it?
BASH: Of course.
MICHAELSON: Of course, yes. She's not letting anybody else do that for her.
What's your favorite quote or motto?
BASH: Wait, I can't remember. It's like midnight, so I can curse, right?
MICHAELSON: Yes.
BASH: Don't be an (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
MICHAELSON: Oh, that's your cursing?
BASH: Don't be an (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
MICHAELSON: I thought we were going to get more than that.
BASH: That's also like my number one parenting motto. My son knows that. That's like, if you if -- you can follow that in your life, it will help you in every aspect of your life.
MICHAELSON: Even in politics.
BASH: Especially in politics.
MICHAELSON: Yes. Who is -- lastly, who is your role model?
BASH: My parents.
MICHAELSON: Why is that?
BASH: Because they're just really good people. In some ways, it kind of screwed me up because I didn't realize that not everybody was like them. They're just like nice, normal, good, ethical people.
And then when I got into the world, I was like, oh, wait, not everybody's like that. But it helped me and I just, I feel very lucky because I know not everybody can say that, but they're my role models.
MICHAELSON: That's awesome. And I can say that about my parents as well.
BASH: That's great.
MICHAELSON: And you're one of my professional role models, and it's so great to have you here on the show. Congratulations on the award. Well-deserved.
BASH: Thank you. Congratulations to you. Very excited to have you with us.
MICHAELSON: Thank you very much.
And, of course, you can check out Dana every day on "INSIDE POLITICS" right here on CNN.
We'll be back with more of THE STORY IS right after this.
[01:31:35]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MICHAELSON: Hurricane Melissa is now heading for Bermuda. It is expected to hit as a Category 2 storm as it continues to barrel north. Melissa left a path of destruction through the Caribbean, Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic all suffering from damage and flooding. But it is Jamaica that was hardest hit by the storm.
Journalist Jonathan Petramala shows us the scene there.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JONATHAN PETRAMALA, CNN JOURNALIST: I'm in New Hope, Jamaica. This is where Hurricane Melissa made landfall as one of the strongest hurricanes on record, 185 mile an hour winds as it was making landfall.
And this is one of the youngest survivors of Hurricane Melissa. And this is where his home was.
You can see it collapsed completely.
Yes. He's got some juice, which is great.
The roof flew off, the walls collapsed, and his mom grabbed him in her arms and ran next door to a neighbor's house to safety.
Around six to eight neighbors here in the area had to do the same thing because their roofs flew off as well in these terrifyingly strong winds.
Roof was gone.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Everything gone. Everything. That's my baby. I have to run out with my baby. Nothing.
PETRAMALA: You carried him.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: In my hand. Run over there.
PETRAMALA: How did you survive.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Didn't survive. Right now I need a lot of help. I need a mattress. I need a mattress. I need bed for us. You know, I need some stuff right now.
PETRAMALA: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I need supply (ph) to get this room back up. I need supply to get this structure back up for I can leave out the rest of children.
PETRAMALA: Yes. Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I have nothing.
PETRAMALA: At this point, it's been two days since Hurricane Melissa made landfall. There's very little food, very little water that's still available that has been left behind from the winds and the destruction of Hurricane Melissa.
People here need help. The government has not been able to make it in here with any sort of meaningful aid to give to these folks. And just the basic necessities, a roof over their head would go a long way.
In New Hope, Jamaica, for CNN, I'm Jonathan Petramala.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MICHAELSON: Thank you, Jonathan, for your tireless work out there. Such an important story to get out there.
Clearly those folks need help, and if you want to help, you can go to CNN.com/impact.
Well, think of this as a bit of a VIP access for Roman emperors. A tunnel that goes underneath Rome's Colosseum was kept secret from the masses during the Roman Empire. But almost 2,000 years later, it's finally open to the public.
CNN's Ben Wedeman is our tour guide.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOAQUIN PHOENIX, ACTOR: Slave. You will remove your helmet and tell me your name.
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: He was the arch villain in Ridley Scott's epic drama "Gladiator", the Emperor Commodus, played by Joaquin Phoenix, squaring off against Russell Crowe. RUSSELL CROWE, ACTOR: My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius.
WEDEMAN: This week, visitors to the Colosseum will, for the first time, have the chance to enter a long, closed-off passage named after Commodus.
This corridor was constructed after the completion of the Colosseum in 80 AD.
[01:39:45]
WEDEMAN: It was designed to allow the Emperor to reach his seat without mingling with the common folk, many of the emperors weren't very popular.
Commodus, who fancied himself Hercules reincarnated, was more into bread and circuses than managing the complex affairs of a vast empire.
His 15-year reign marked the beginning of Rome's decline. It may have been in this 180-foot-long subterranean corridor that, according to one Roman historian, someone tried but failed to assassinate the erratic Commodus.
The Colosseum's chief architect, Barbara Nazzaro, believes this was indeed the place.
BARBARA NAZZARO, CHIEF ARCHITECT, COLOSSEUM PARK: It's the only corridor that comes underneath. So, it's the only corridor that could be. So, if it happened, it happened here.
WEDEMAN: The Colosseum sits on watery ground. The only way to properly renovate the passage of Commodus was to use ancient Roman methods, says restorer Angelica Pujia.
ANGELICA PUJIA, CHIEF RESTORER, COMMODUS PASSAGEWAY, COLOSSEUM: So, we restored the gallery using exactly the same materials that Romans used back then. Natural putty lime, pozzolana sand -- so, materials that Romans found around here, but create it in a modern way.
WEDEMAN: Last year, more than 14 million people visited the Colosseum, but only 24 people per day will be allowed into the passage of Commodus. Better book now.
Ben Wedeman, CNN -- Rome.
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MICHAELSON: It's so fun to go there.
You are watching THE STORY IS with Elex Michaelson.
For our international viewers, "WORLDSPORT" is next. But for our viewers in North America, we'll talk about what movies and shows to watch or to skip this weekend with film critic Grae Drake, that's next.
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YORGOS LANTHIMOS, FILMMAKER: It also sounded like a planet, in a way.
Like "Bugonia" is like something unknown, at least, like an unknown kind of world.
So yes, that's the reason we chose the title.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAELSON: That is filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos speaking to CBR.com film critic Grae Drake about the sci-fi film "Bugonia". It's an absurdist dark comedy, and Grae is here to talk to us about that and more.
Grae Drake, one of my favorite people and my go-to film critic. And I'm so excited to have you on this show. Welcome.
GRAE DRAKE, CBR.COM FILM CRITIC: Oh my God, my face hurts from smiling so much. This is fantastic.
MICHAELSON: And I love that you did your hair in the color just for our set.
DRAKE: That's right, the story of my hair is --
MICHAELSON: You look great. You break down all these movies and shows and so we're excited to do that in this space.
And let's start with "Bugonia". What is it?
DRAKE: Ok, so Yorgos Lanthimos, who I was talking to just a second ago, he's my favorite filmmaking weirdo, right.
MICHAELSON: Ok.
DRAKE: Now, Emma Stone in this movie is an alien. Or is she?
Jesse Plemons from "Breaking Bad" seems to think so, and he kidnaps her from her high-powered CEO position. He shaves off all her hair. He slathers her in antihistamine cream and throws her in his basement.
And this whole movie is just them arguing back and forth. Is she or isn't she an alien trying to destroy the planet?
MICHAELSON: Ok.
DRAKE: That's the whole dang movie. Yorgos Lanthimos makes that interesting.
MICHAELSON: So you -- so this is a "see it", not "skip it".
DRAKE: Very much a "see it".
MICHAELSON: Ok. We also are looking at "It: Welcome to Derry". This is part of the Pennywise collection.
DRAKE: Oh my goodness, yes.
Ok. So it is not just a scary clown show, ok.
MICHAELSON: All right.
So they have taken Pennywise to TV. This is on HBO Max. And it is -- it takes place in 1962 just before the popular movies take place.
And it's basically showing you what is going on in Derry and how Pennywise is always part of the rottenness of this place. It's super scary. It's unsettling.
But the fact that it's not just a scary clown show, like really like a Stephen King novel always is, it's telling you that sometimes the scariest thing is how we treat each other.
And so they're trying to do something really interesting with these eight episodes. Don't go expecting a thrill ride of clowns everywhere. It is not that show, but there's a lot of Easter eggs for Stephen King fans.
It is really, really solid.
MICHAELSON: So you like it? "See it"?
DRAKE: I did like this one too.
MICHAELSON: And by the way, were not just saying that because HBO Max and CNN share the same parent company, Warner Brothers Discovery.
Ok, this sounds really interesting to me. This is on Apple TV+. Ben Stiller, sort of ode to his parents, "Stiller and Meara: Nothing is Lost".
DRAKE: Yes. Now that title is both literal, but also spiritual because these two comedians saved everything. They have letters, gifts, audio recordings.
And when Ben Stiller and his sister Amy have to sell their parents apartment, they're going through it all and sort of re-meeting their parents. But they're also grieving.
And it is absolutely fascinating because the most important part of the documentary is that it's really honest. It's very raw. It doesn't make them look really perfect. It makes them look real.
And it's hard to be a showbiz family. Everything that you get, you have to reconcile with what you've given up. And there's really like a bittersweet quality to the movie that is so relatable even though most of us are not famous comedians or filmmakers. It's really exceptional.
MICHAELSON: Isn't it amazing what Ben Stiller is doing behind the scenes?
DRAKE: I know.
MICHAELSON: You think about "Severance", one of the best shows on TV, that he's driving? And now this very personal, very different project?
DRAKE: Yes. It's like save some talent for the rest of us, Ben. Like he's constantly fantastic.
It's a shockingly good week. So I'm excited that I'm here this week.
[01:49:49]
MICHAELSON: Yes. Yes. It's all positive this week. And so what's the shirt?
DRAKE: Oh, we got a little David Bowie and a little Debbie Harry. You know, because why not? Personal heroes. They were in some great movies.
MICHAELSON: Yes.
Happy Halloween.
DRAKE: Yes.
MICHAELSON: Great to see you, Grae.
(CROSSTALKING)
DRAKE: Oh, you're spooky as always.
MICHAELSON: Thank you for Doing this. Welcome -- welcome to THE STORY IS.
DRAKE: Yay.
MICHAELSON: We'll be right back.
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MICHAELSON: Thursday night football. In the NFL Lamar Jackson is back. He led the Baltimore Ravens to victory on Thursday. Jackson throwing four touchdowns and a 28 to 6 win over the Miami Dolphins. Very good if you have him on your fantasy team.
[01:54:45]
MICHAELSON: It was his first start after suffering an injury against the Kansas City Chiefs in week four. Jackson threw for 204 yards, completed 18 of 23 passes.
The Ravens climbed to three and five while the Dolphins sink to two and seven.
Well, it is already Friday in Toronto, where it's a bit rainy right now, and later today the city could be celebrating its first World Series championship in 32 years.
Remember, they play in a dome, so it doesn't really matter if it's raining.
The Blue Jays have a 3 to 2 lead in the fall Classic against the reigning world champion Los Angeles Dodgers. The Jays stunning the Dodgers in two straight games with strong pitchers, powerful hitting in L.A., led by Vlad Guerrero Jr.
The Jays have two games at home on Friday and Saturday. They just got to win one of them to close it out.
Dodgers have to win both, but of course, the Dodgers are the reigning champs for a reason. Shohei Ohtani has already hit eight home runs in the postseason, and their pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, has been lights out during the Dodgers run for the World Series. The best pitcher in all of baseball during the post run.
So Yoshi is on the mound for the big game tomorrow night -- tonight, however, wherever you are in the world, Friday evening there. And we'll see if he's able to get them to game 7. The two best words in all of sports, game 7. Wouldn't that be something for the World Series?
Thank you so much for joining us. We'll have more on that tomorrow here on THE STORY IS. L.A. Mayor Karen Bass will be in studio with us.
Plus, we've got Roy Wood Jr. and Matt Friend. See you then.
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