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The Story Is with Elex Michaelson
U.S. Strikes Another Boat In The Eastern Pacific, Killing Four; U.S. Supreme Court Will Allow Texas To Use Redrawn Voting Maps; The Field Is Wide Open In The California Governor Race; Russia's Putin To Hold Summit Talks With India's Modi In Delhi; Grammy-Winning Composer Shares Healing Power Of Music; Lebron James Ends His NBA Record Scoring Streak; L.A. Clippers Part Ways with Veteran Guard Chris Paul; What to Watch: Best of the Big Screen. Aired 1-2a ET
Aired December 05, 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: All right. One of the most striking venues is a 50 foot revolving library and reading room that serves as a shared space for reflection during Miami Art Week. It includes 2,500 books. How about that?
That's it for this hour. We got lots of news happening in our next hour, including some breaking news that's about to happen in the California governor's race.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The admiral confirmed that there had not been a kill them all order.
(END VIDE CLIP)
MICHAELSON: The story is boat strike. New video showing another strike as the Pentagon faces questions from Congress.
The story is happening now. Russia's President Vladimir Putin, India's Prime Minister Modi are meeting. CNN's Will Ripley is there live.
The story is NBA turmoil, future hall of famer Chris Paul sent home from the Clippers. Former MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo possibly being traded by the Bucks. And LeBron James record ends.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LEBRON JAMES, NBA PLAYER: Win, lose a draw. You make the right play of the game, guys. Always, always giving back to me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAELSON: With us, sportscaster Rachel Nichols, former NBA great Matt Barnes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Live from Los Angeles. The Story Is with Elex Michelson.
MICHAELSON: And welcome to The Story Is. I'm Elex Michelson. The top story is in Washington where The Pentagon and U.S. defense secretary are embroiled in controversies from immigration deployments to leaked chats on the Signal appeal.
Now, the military says it has carried out yet another deadly attack on a suspected drug boat, this time in the eastern Pacific, killing four people on board. U.S. Southern Command says the strike happened international waters. It says the boat was carrying illicit narcotics and was operated by a designated terrorist organization.
At least 87 people have now been killed in U.S. strikes on suspected drug boats as part of the Trump administration's efforts to fight drug trafficking. That strike came as Pentagon officials briefed U.S. lawmakers about a different strike, a deadly double tack attack in September on an alleged drug boat.
The U,S, Navy admiral who oversaw that operation says two men who initially survived that strike did not appear to have a radio or call for backup as they clung to the floating remnants of the ship. That is contrary to previous statements from officials who argued the survivors were legitimate targets because they appeared to be radioing for backup.
Top House and Senate lawmakers came out of that class closed door briefing divided along party lines.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. TOM COTTON (R-AR): The first strike, the second strike, and the third and the fourth strike on September 2nd were entirely lawful and needful, and they were exactly what we'd expect our military commanders to do.
SEN. CHRIS COONS (D-DE): I think it'd be hard to watch these series of videos and not be troubled by it. I have more policy questions than ever.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAELSON: Meanwhile, a Pentagon watchdog says Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth risked compromising sensitive military information that could have endangered U.S. troops when he used the Signal app on his personal cell phone to discuss attack plans in March.
The unclassified report released on Thursday also details how Hegseth declined to fully cooperate with that investigation.
Joining us now to talk about all that is CNN military analyst and retired U.S. air Force Colonel Cedric Leighton. Thanks for staying up late with us. We appreciate it. After this extra boat strike today, what do we know? What are you hearing about it?
COL. CEDRIC LEIGHTON (RET.), CNN MILITARY ANALYST: Yes, this boat strike, Elex, is one that has happened, as you mentioned, in the Eastern Pacific. So this is one of several where they're basically trying to move theater of operations not just off the -- from just off the Venezuelan coast to the Pacific area. So the Pacific area makes a bit more sense for some of the drugs that are transiting that area. There more traffic from a narco trafficking standpoint in that area than you find off of the Venezuelan coast, especially traffic that's destined for the U.S. eventually.
But in this particular case, you have another boat that was blown up with four people killed. And in this situation, we still don't have all the details. You know, what group do these guys belong to? It can't be Tren De Aragua, which is the Venezuelan group. It can't be one of the other groups from that country.
It may be a Colombian group. It may be another group from Ecuador. So there are several groups that are possible purveyors of this stuff that transit through the Pacific. But there are no details coming from the Pentagon at the moment that will give us a better sense of exactly who these people are and where these drugs were going and even what kind of drugs we're talking about. And finally, if there even were drugs on that boat.
MICHAELSON: So we've seen the video of this latest incident.
[01:05:03]
What we haven't seen is the video from September 2nd of the 2nd tap, the double tap, when the guys were apparently clinging for life and then the second bomb drops on them.
The lawmakers though, did get to see part of that video today. Admiral Bradley testified on that. What's potentially the consequences here? And even if this is deemed a war crime, who even prosecutes that? You know what are the consequences?
LEIGHTON: Yes, it would be unlikely that a war crime would be prosecuted of this type would be prosecuted under the Trump administration. It could be something that would wait for a subsequent administration, theoretically. But what's more likely is that you're going to deal with something more symbolic, such as the International Court of Justice in The Hague or something entity like being called in. And they wouldn't be able to arrest anybody here in the United States because we don't follow the dictates of that court, especially for military members.
But it could limit, you know, certain people's if they're found guilty, it could limit their freedom of movement overseas, basically be similar to what happens to Russians, for example, who are given sanctions under the International Criminal Court, including President Putin, who's now, as you mentioned, India.
MICHAELSON: Yes, it's really interesting to follow all of these. Colonel, thank you so much. Really appreciate your perspective.
LEIGHTON: You bet, Elex.
MICHAELSON: Other news we are following this hour divided Supreme Court has cleared the way for Texas to use newly drawn congressional maps that heavily favor Republicans in the upcoming midterm elections. Under the new maps, Texas Republicans could gain as many as five congressional seats, boosting their chances of holding on to their razor thin majority in the House of Representatives.
A CDC advisory committee is set to reconvene in the coming hours for a crucial vote on the Hepatitis B vaccination schedule. That vaccine is normally given to newborns and infants, but the committee could change that.
During Thursday's meeting, advisers delayed the vote after a lack of clarity about what they were actually voting on.
The central and northeastern U.S. are bracing for record breaking cold Friday morning. Chicago could drop below its daily low temperature record of 4 degrees. Several cities in Pennsylvania could see new lows in the teens. Friday is also forecast to be the coldest day in New York since March. And in Washington, D.C. area could see its first snowfall of the season.
Pretty nice weather forecast for California though. A new poll shows the race for California governor, by the way, is wide open. A survey from Emerson College shows the Republican Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, Democratic Congressmember Eric Swalwell, Republican media personality Steve Hilton and Former Democratic Congressmember Katie Porter. All within two points of each other, which is within the polls margin of error. That's basically a statistical tie.
Joining us now is Republican businessman Jon Slavet, the father of five who co-founded Guru.com, groups Western region and was CEO of Central. John is here. Welcome to The Story Is. Great to see you.
JOHN SLAVET, BUSINESSMAN AND ENTREPRENEUR: Great to see you.
MICHAELSON: So you are here to make some news.
SLAVET: I am.
MICHAELSON: What's your news?
SLAVET: I wouldn't do it anywhere else. I'm running for governor of California.
MICHAELSON: Why?
SLAVET: Why? Well, there are a bunch of reasons. You know, I've been watching California decline and we're in a deep ditch. You know that I've been traveling the state for my podcast called State of Gold, traveling the state up and down for the last year, talking to Democrats, Republicans, independents, professors, activists. I had you on my podcast.
The biggest theme that I've identified is that our problems are government made in California. They're man made. I come from a private sector background. I'm an executive CEO, entrepreneur. I've spent my time building companies. First one from my apartment, guru.com that helped create the gig economy all the way through to Central which is a very innovative housing, flexible housing company operating in 20 markets across the country. And I come from a background of solving problems and doing great things for customers.
When I look at California state government, I see a bloated, dysfunctional organization that's not delivering for the customer, the citizen of California. We're getting ripped off. So that's extremely motivating to me. I'm also raising five kids in the state. My littlest is 11 months old and I've got a 20-year-old is my oldest. I've got five kids growing up in California and I want them to have a beautiful vision and future and realize their California dream. So I've decided to get in because I think my background is uniquely well suited to turning California around.
MICHAELSON: Yes. And we're looking at some images of your family right now. So --
SLAVET: Hi mom. By the way, my 87-year-old mom is watching. So hi mom.
[01:10:02]
MICHAELSON: So you know in order to do all that, you got to win.
SLAVET: Yes.
MICHAELSON: Right. And no Republican has won statewide since 2006. There are two high profile Republicans that are running right now. You interviewed both of them --
SLAVET: I do.
MICHAELSON: -- on your podcast State of Gold. We're talking about Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton. How do you do this? How do you box both of them out and end up in the top two? What's your strategy?
SLAVET: Yes, well, you know what? I'm not boxing anyone out. I'm putting myself forward. I'm putting my record, my views, my policies, my energy. Emerson Poll, 44 percent undecided last time, 31 percent this time. You just talked about it. Californians are undecided and open to the next leader of California.
You know, I think the most important thing to look at is who can actually win a Republican in November.
MICHAELSON: Yes.
SLAVET: The Republican who can win is someone who can attract Republican votes, but also a significant chunk of independents and Democrats. And I believe that I can because you know we're all in this together. And I believe that I've got the right experience, perspective, and can really be a unifier in that way.
MICHAELSON: Do you support Donald Trump?
SLAVET: I think Donald Trump is brilliant, brash. I think that he's shaking up America in a way that needs to be done because our government's very calcified and I'd welcome his endorsement. When it comes to California, though, we have to run California our own way. And that's what I would do as governor.
MICHAELSON: How would you run it? What would be the number one policy change you would make as California?
SLAVET: I think there are a few. I think that California has fallen into a scarcity policy and scarcity mentality. We need to turn that around and expand opportunity, abundance. So for instance, our costs are so high. Electricity. One in five Californians cannot pay their electricity bill because per kilowatt hour, we're double the national average. It's because we've had a constraint energy policy. We need to open up all sources of energy, not just renewable, but also baseload types of energy.
When we expand energy and also oil production, we will dramatically reduce costs and we can also protect the environment. They're not mutually exclusive. When it comes to housing, I spent the last decade in real estate, both commercial and multifamily. We've been choking off housing supply regulations, lawsuits, but also because Newsom has been mandating cities and towns to build housing.
But that's not the way it works. The private sector does it and we can unleash that. The final thing I'll tell you is I will take a very different approach to leadership and transparency. When I'm governor, I will negotiate with third parties, whether they're unions or members of the legislature, presumably Democratic leadership with lights on and cameras rolling. Let's bring the negotiations into view. I'll put my priorities forward.
MICHAELSON: Yes.
SLAVET: They can put their priorities forward and let the people of California decide.
MICHAELSON: So you just heard it here first, Jon Slavet, the newest candidate for governor of California. Breaking that news here on The Story Is. Congratulations.
SLAVET: Thank you very much.
MICHAELSON: Best of luck out on the campaign.
SLAVET: I appreciate it.
MICHAELSON: Thanks for coming here to make the news. We appreciate it as well.
On to some other news now. A high stakes summit with the leaders of Russia and India is underway. We will get a live report from New Delhi right after this.
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[01:17:39] MICHAELSON: Happening right now. Russian President Vladimir Putin is sitting down with Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, for talks in New Delhi. You saw this live in our last hour. This just happened as the Indian Prime Minister literally rolling out a red carpet for a formal welcome ceremony. This visit comes as Modi tries to balance his trade relationship with the U.S. and his ties with Russia. CNN's Will Ripley breaks down what's happening here.
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WILL RIPLEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Like two old friends, Russian strongman Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sitting and chatting in an armored SUV india, just like they did a few months ago in China in Putin's armored limousine for nearly an hour.
Modi was on the tarmac welcoming Putin to India. Before he even landed here in New Delhi, Putin's close relationship with Modi was already on display for the world to see. Their intended audience, above all, perhaps President Donald Trump, who's watching both men closely as he plots his next moves.
The last time the two leaders met in China, Putin and Modi walked hand in hand, smiling, laughing, a display of personal warmth rarely seen between world leaders. We also saw them greeting China's President Xi Jinping together, joking, clasping hands, moving in sync like old buddies.
Putin's visit to India comes at a critical time. The U.S. and Russia are talking through a possible peace plan. U.S.-India relations at a low point. One major issue, India's reliance on Russian oil.
VLADIMIR PUTIN, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): You know, neither me nor Prime Minister Modi, despite certain external pressure we face, have ever, and I want to emphasize this, I want you to hear it, approached our collaboration to work against someone.
President Trump has his own agenda, his own goals, whereas we focus on ours, not against anyone, but rather aimed at safeguarding our respective interests, India's and Russia's interests. In our dealings, we cause no harm to others, and I believe that leaders from other countries should appreciate this.
RIPLEY (voice-over): Trump's criticism set the stage for a huge tariff hike, arguing India was leaning too heavily on Moscow.
[01:20:04]
India now buys about 35 percent of its oil from Russia, up from just 2.5 percent before the Ukraine invasion, a major factor for an economy serving more than 1.4 billion people. Washington has pushed Delhi to scale that back.
But Modi's warm, very public gestures toward Putin show this relationship is about more than oil. It's about trust, comfort, and decades of political chemistry. RIPLEY: What happens here in New Delhi could shift the balance of
power from Ukraine to Asia and potentially chip away an American European leverage on Russia.
RIPLEY (voice-over): Because when India's prime minister is seen walking hand in hand with Putin, the optics are strategic. Defense ties run deep. And India is now signaling interest in more Russian fighter jets.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: SU57s, best plane in the world.
RIPLEY (voice-over): Russian jets anchor India's air force. Delhi wants upgrades, and it is resisting U.S. Pressure to cut military links with Moscow. India is the world's largest democracy, and Russia wants to pull it further from Washington. And these images of warmth, the hand holding, the laughter, send the clearest signal of all. India is keeping its options open no matter what happens with the US.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MICHAELSON: And CNN's Will Ripley joins me live right now from New Delhi. And it is something, as we've watched these live pictures together, to see that real embrace in the literal red carpet.
RIPLEY: Yes. And also there's a bit of irony in some of these images we're seeing. I don't know if we have the piece of tape, but just moments ago, we saw Putin lay a wreath at the memorial for Mahatma Gandhi, who of course, is synonymous with nonviolence. And yet we know what's been happening in Ukraine. Putin has been waging a war that has killed scores, perhaps hundreds of thousands of people.
And yet he's being given a hero's welcome here by a country, India, that claims to be strategically neutral and yet is buying huge amounts of oil that critics would say is funding Putin's war machine. And yet that's not really being discussed here, at least not publicly. They're talking about signing new deals on energy, on the exchange of military technology. The pomp, the ceremony, the friendship, the partnership.
And yet the war is still happening, and the United States is trying to bring about an end to it. They're also trying to bring about a trade deal. And next week you have the deputy trade representative coming here. I wonder if they'll be talking at all about this Putin visit with their American counterparts. I'm sure the Americans, and President Trump in particular, might have something to say about it, Elex.
MICHAELSON: I'm sure they're watching this closely as well right now. Will Ripley, thank you for your reporting. We now move on to the story is Music.
Grammy Award winning composer and artist Carla Patullo is nominated for a second Grammy. This time it is for "Nomadica," her most personal work yet. This album deals with a range of emotions, starting with grief and fear, but ultimately finding peace. Here's a bit of the title track, "Nomadica."
What a beautiful song. Here is the album right here in vinyl. Carla Patullo joins us now here on The Story IUs. Welcome.
CARLA PATULLO, GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING COMPSER: Thank you. It's so lovely to be here.
MICHAELSON: You know today, this day is an emotional day for you.
PATULLO: Yes.
MICHAELSON: Why is that?
PATULLO: Well, I lost my mom years ago in a car accident on December 4th. And flash years later, I also was diagnosed with breast cancer on the same day. So it's -- I feel like there's this weird thing about this day. I have the grief with me from my mom and then also just that scary time of going through cancer. And, yes.
So it all kind of comes through on this one day. And then here I am today with you to celebrate my mom and this album.
MICHAELSON: Yes. And this album really is a way to celebrate your mom and a way to process your grief. How does music help you heal?
PATULLO: You know, I really figured this out when I was going through cancer because I turned to music as a way to just get through the day. I felt like, oh, this is why I did music to begin with. It's the space for me to just let these raw emotions out that I'm feeling. And it's also a way for me to connect, you know, and that's what's so beautiful.
[01:25:05]
You know, having musicians that I can work with who lost their mom, who went through cancer, and we come together and we make something. And it can take a very isolated, lonely time that you're going through, time period. And really make it beautiful. Yes.
MICHAELSON: And what sort of would be your advice for other people going through grief?
PATULLO: You know, I think it's a journey. It's a very long journey. And I think, you know, going through it's so hard because there's so much you have to accept. And I think sometimes you -- you need to just let yourself take that, give yourself the grace of -- of doing that and going through that whole process.
I remember people telling me, hey, it's not your fault. You know, like, you know, or -- there's a lot of things with my mom's accident. She had a car accident --
MICHAELSON: A car crash -- it was like this.
PATULLO: Yes.
MICHAELSON: Not expecting it --
PATULLO: Yes. MICHAELSON: -- all of a sudden, gone.
PATULLO: Yes. And there was a lot with that, you know, I really -- she was visiting me the night that it happened, so there was a lot of that I kind of carried on my shoulders through the years and, you know, really just trying to forgive myself, but then also realizing that, you know, I shouldn't have been carrying all that with me to begin with.
MICHAELSON: And this album, you're like creating conversations with her and that's some of the lyrics, right?
PATULLO: Yes, it very much felt like a co-write.
MICHAELSON: Wow.
PATULLO: Yes. You know, I didn't get to say goodbye to her. Right. And -- so through this album, it really felt like were navigating these conversations, you know, years, so many years later. Yes.
MICHAELSON: So you've won a Grammy before.
PATULLO: Yes.
MICHAELSON: That was for "Sochi House."
PATULLO: Yes.
MICHAELSON: And now you're nominated again.
PATULLO: Yes.
MICHAELSON: What would it mean to you to win for this?
PATULLO: I mean, I think there's -- this is so much about my mom, but it's also about everyone who's lost someone. So I think it would just be like a way to honor her and all the musicians involved who they've lost along the way. I think this is our space to really honor them.
MICHAELSON: Well, again, it is called "Nomadica," which you can pick up in vinyl or you can stream it wherever you get your music. Congratulations. Good luck at the Grammys. I'll be rooting for you.
PATULLO: Thank you. Thank you so much.
MICHAELSON: Carla Patullo. Thank you so much.
Still ahead, one of LeBron James many NBA records comes to an end tonight, and he made the call himself. We'll discuss that and more with our sports panel. Rachel Nichols and Matt Barnes stay with us. They join us live.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[01:32:52]
ELEX MICHAELSON, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back to THE STORY IS. I'm Elex Michaelson.
Here are today's top stories.
The U.S. military has carried out another deadly strike on an alleged drug boat, killing four people on board. The U.S. Southern Command says the boat was operated by a designated terrorist organization. At least 87 people have now been killed in strikes on suspected drug boats as part of the Trump administration's efforts to fight trafficking.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is vowing to take Ukraine's Donbas region by military or other means. He's in India for talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which are happening right now as we speak. His comments came as Ukrainian officials are heading to the U.S. for a new round of talks aimed at ending the nearly 4-year-old war.
And a federal grand jury has decided to not to indict New York Attorney General Letitia James for mortgage fraud. A judge threw out the initial case against her, ruling the prosecutor was unfairly appointed. James has been a frequent target of President Trump, who called for her arrest in social media posts before her initial indictment.
Now let's talk sports.
Since 2007, Lebron James has scored ten points or more in every game he's played in. That streak ended tonight on the final play of the game with the game on the line. Instead of trying to take the shot, he dishes it off to Rui Hachimura, who sinks the three-pointer for his first ever game ending win.
And now James record run of 1297 consecutive regular season games with double digit points has come to an end after more than 18 years.
Joining me here to talk about a wild week in the NBA in our studio is Fox Sports analyst, Rachel Nichols. And joining us live from Dubai, NBA champ Matt Barnes, host of "All the Smoke with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson" podcast.
Welcome to you both.
Rachel, start with you. The significance of what's happening here with Lebron.
[01:34:50]
RACHEL NICHOLS, FOX SPORTS ANALYST: Well, look, Lebron said after the game, this is the way I've always played. I've always done the right basketball play, which is in some cases making the pass instead of taking the shot yourself.
And he's absolutely correct. That is the way he's always played. And he got a lot of criticism for that early in his career.
There was this sort of machismo attitude of, you know, if you were a real star, like Kobe Bryant, for example, you'd go take that shot yourself. And he sort of had to learn how to balance a little bit of that instinct, a little bit of the voices in his head of other people's criticism and himself.
But he stayed true to himself. And as he pointed out tonight, he's won at every level, he's made teams better, and he's just going to keep playing his way.
I do think that while this will be seen rightly as a sacrifice on his part because he absolutely had a lane to the basket there, he also had a 4 for 17 shooting night. He was zero for five from the floor.
So he could have kept that streak going in other ways. But when that last moment came, he made, as he said, the right basketball play.
MICHAELSON: Matt, can you talk about, from a players perspective, just how extraordinary that streak actually is?
MATT BARNES, HOST, "ALL THE SMOKE": It's unbelievable. I mean, what did you say, 18 years of just greatness. And I hope as a culture, as a country, as a world, we just appreciate his greatness because, you know, obviously its coming to an end. And I think, you know, to Rachel's point, he's taken a lot of hits and criticisms.
But Lebron is the most complete player I think this game has ever seen. And he trusts his teammates as much as you possibly can. he's done it his whole entire career.
And again tonight he made the right pass and his team made a game winning shot. But you know, people are going to find ways to try and criticize him. But you know luckily he's him. And he's always been him.
MICHAELSON: You know, Father Time has never really caught up with him. And every year we thought maybe it will. Last year it really didn't. Does it feel like this year maybe it's starting to?
BARNES: I think it's just a little slower start than we're accustomed to seeing. Obviously he missed a handful of games to start, but also too, I think this is what Lebron's been looking for, for a long time. Guys he can hand the keys to and really kind of play literally the passenger, almost the backseat now, because I think Austin Reaves is in the passenger seat now.
So I think you know if this is his last year or very close to his last year, he has these two young guys I feel like that are going to do a majority of the heavy lifting. And at this age, I think that's what he's looking for.
So, you know, I was talking in a group chat early this morning here, obviously later in the evening there. And you know, this is -- this is something it's going to be interesting. I think he still has greatness in him. Obviously. I think his age is catching up to him.
But we want to have as much energy in those legs and in mind and body as possible come playoff time. And I think they have a roster that can help him do that now. MICHAELSON: And Austin Reaves with 44 points in that game, which is
pretty extraordinary what he's doing right now.
All right. Rachel, let's talk about Chris Paul who, you know, was one of the all-time great point guards.
NICHOLS: Wanted to come back to the Clippers to have one last celebratory season, similar in age to Lebron James.
NICHOLS: Yes.
MICHAELSON: And this did not end well.
NICHOLS: No.
MICHAELSON: In the middle of the night, a post on Instagram saying, "I've been sent home." You're so well connected. You've been talking, I'm sure --
NICHOLS: Yes.
MICHAELSON: -- to so many people about this. What's really going on here?
NICHOLS: Well, look, Chris Paul has always been a leader who nitpicks and makes suggestions and tells you what he thinks. And Matt, I'm sure, is going to be able to speak much better than me because he has been CP's teammate.
But his leadership style is all out. It's very particular. And frankly, players who have played with him, some of them say it's really annoying and many of them say it's also been really successful.
I mean, he has made teams better over and over and over again. But it's one thing to hear it from the starting point guard, sort of the quarterback of your team versus a guy who's now more toward the end of a bench player, who other things are going wrong.
And when you're criticizing guys who are playing ahead of you, starting lineup, you're criticizing the coach. It goes differently.
The thing to me, that was so striking, I'm not shocked that Chris Paul's marriage to the Clippers didn't quite work out this time around. I am shocked that a, they've decided he shouldn't be with the team anymore because frankly, a lot of people come to arenas right now, the Clippers don't have a lot to draw people with tickets. They want to come see Chris Paul and his final season.
So I'm surprised even just on that score.
MICHAELSON: Yes.
NICHOLS: And frankly, if you know Chris Paul, you know that he is very good at determining a narrative. He talks to a lot of media. He's always been very savvy. So the fact that he said at 3:00 a.m., oh, my God, I just got sent home, which made everybody shocked. And the first sort of reporting that got done on this was at ESPN,
when the story that came out was that he was, quote, "holding people accountable".
MICHAELSON: Right.
NICHOLS: How does that sound to fans?
MICHAELSON: And then he posts a picture of himself doing a facetime with Blake Griffin and Deandre Jordan, the Lob City guys, and reminding people of the best era.
(CROSSTALKING)
NICHOLS: All of these guys --
MICHAELSON: -- and sort of this history who all have had bad times.
NICHOLS: -- had these with the franchise.
[01:39:49]
MICHAELSON: Matt, you've played with Chris Paul. What's he like to play with and what's your reaction to what's going on with him right now?
BARNES: First of all, I just think the situation was handled very poorly to begin with. You know, he made an announcement this is his last year. I think, you know, he deserves to be able to go out on his own terms.
He's going back to a franchise that he literally put on the map. You know, let's make no mistake, Chris Paul is the most talented player, the best player this franchise has ever had.
And you look a few years back when, you know, when Blake signed the big five-year deal, thinking he was going to retire a Clipper, and then they end up trading him.
So I just think those are two really poorly-handled situations. Obviously we don't know what goes on in the locker room.
Rachel, what you've heard is partly true. But, you know, I went to war with Chris for three years, and he's someone I'd always want in my corner.
He's an old school guy. He's a -- he's an 80s type of point guard that's going to, you know, tell it to you how it is, not how you want to hear it. But 95 percent of the time, maybe more, he's right.
So I feel like but also understanding he has to understand his age and his voice. And that's a veteran team.
You know, Chris has been very successful. Obviously, you know, people sung his praise in San Antonio the way he was able to mentor some of those younger players. But when you have a veteran team that's not playing very well, that
has guys that have been through the battles and been through the wars, he could possibly, you know, wearying (ph) you at a time. But I know it comes from a great place.
But I just think the way they handled it, allowing him to go on a road trip. Lawrence Frank flying out there and seeing him home in the middle of a road trip.
I just think that's a terrible look in someone of his caliber, a hall of famer, the best player in that franchise's history deserves better.
MICHAELSON: Yes, he does.
Matt Barnes, Rachel Nichols -- thank you both.
All right. Folks -- international viewers, "WORLDSPORT" is next. To our viewers in North America, I'll be back with Grae Drake. Stay with us.
[01:41:31]
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I've never seen so many famous people.
CROWD: What? Who? Where? Oh.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAELSON: The year is almost over and so THE STORY IS award-worthy movies hitting theaters, including "Merrily We Roll Along", a Broadway musical shot for the big screen that stars Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff and Lindsay Mendez.
Joining me here to talk about that and more is Grae Drake, film critic at cbr.com. Grae, welcome back to THE STORY IS.
GRAE DRAKE, FILM CRITIC, CBR.COM: Oh my gosh, that just puts such a big smile on my face. Sondheim.
MICHAELSON: You are a jazz hands kind of person.
DRAKE: I am.
MICHAELSON: Are you? So is this movie made for you?
DRAKE: It was. And even though Sondheim is a little iffy for me sometimes, like "Into the Woods" or "Company", not necessarily my cup of tea, but Sondheim is emotional.
And this is a story about two guys that create musicals together. They've had great success, but their partnership is breaking apart. And the show goes backwards in time. So you get to see exactly what went wrong and how they used to be
these young, creative, amazing friends. And you're like, oh, my God, I'm thinking of every life choice I've made that has led to this exact moment.
And this is shot so cinematically. It blew my mind. It's beautiful to look at. You can't even tell you're watching a stage show.
MICHAELSON: Yes. And I would imagine it's better to watch something like this on a big screen than it would be watching it at home.
DRAKE: Very much so. And you get to hear them singing on those great speakers.
MICHAELSON: Right.
DRAKE: So this is worth a trip to the theater.
MICHAELSON: What's "Merrily We Roll Along"?
DRAKE: Well, so that was "Merrily We Roll Along".
MICHAELSON: I'm sorry. "Secret Agent".
DRAKE: And "Secret Agent" is a movie about the dictatorship in Brazil. Ok, so movies are being made about this topic, this horrible time in their history.
And Wagner Moura has gotten a lot of attention for his amazing performance. He is like a tech expert. He has every reason to hide from the government, but he wants to keep his son safe. So he sort of has to expose himself in certain ways that are very dangerous to him.
But the significant thing about this movie is that it's not a James Bond thing. It's a real, everyday person thing. And all of the other characters in this movie are exactly the kind of people that keep the government in line, that they right the wrongs of these people who are in power and they're everyday people.
MICHAELSON: We need more of that.
DRAKE: Exactly.
MICHAELSON: Yes.
DRAKE: It's really inspiring. It's beautifully done. I see why it's getting so much attention.
MICHAELSON: "The Chronology of Water".
DRAKE: Kristen Stewart, the actress, directed this. This is her debut and it's based on an autobiography of Lydia who was going to be a competitive swimmer. Life didn't go that way for her, and she suffered years of abuse.
So this is a very heavy film. MICHAELSON: Yes. I was going to say. Yes.
DRAKE: It's so heavy. She's dealing with trauma. You feel traumatized watching what this character went through, knowing that it's a real person as well.
MICHAELSON: Yes.
DRAKE: Kristen Stewart handles this beautifully, like to the point where I cannot wait to see the next thing she directs.
Now it's a thinker. It's not for everybody. It's very artistically done. Not a beginning, middle, end kind of movie.
MICHAELSON: Ok.
DRAKE: But boy, is it interesting. And it really just pulls you in emotionally.
MICHAELSON: It doesn't sound like any of the three you're talking about are going to be big box office hits.
DRAKE: I don't think so.
MICHAELSON: Yes.
One that is a big box office hit is "K-Pop Demon Hunters".
DRAKE: Yes.
MICHAELSON: We just had the director on last hour, for people that are watching. The biggest movie in the history of Netflix.
She was here really campaigning for the Oscars.
DRAKE: Yes.
MICHAELSON: Is she going to be the winner, you think?
DRAKE: It's going to work? Yes. She's going to win. They're going to win.
MICHAELSON: She's going to win the Oscars.
DRAKE: Yes. And I think they're going to win song too, because "Golden" is incredible. This movie, like if -- you haven't -- you haven't seen it yet, right?
MICHAELSON: I saw it.
DRAKE: Ok. Good. Everybody who hasn't needs to check it out, like you're only hurting yourself. It's so fun.
MICHAELSON: Well, it's been seen 400 million times.
DRAKE: I know. MICHAELSON: That's not even an exaggeration.
DRAKE: Who hasn't seen it?
MICHAELSON: 400 million times.
DRAKE: That's a scream.
MICHAELSON: I watched it yesterday.
DRAKE: See? And that's the thing, it's like, even if you're slightly late to the party, the party still exists, and it will keep on going and through March. So just join us and fall in love with these amazing -- the voices, the talent, the animation, the story, the culture. I could go on and on.
MICHAELSON: And Netflix was late in promoting it and monetizing it and having the merch ready. That will not happen the next time --
DRAKE: I don't think --
MICHAELSON: -- for that sequel, because there's going to be a lot of money.
[01:49:47]
DRAKE: I don't think they knew what they had, and it's one of the rare missteps that they've made that they're trying desperately to fix.
MICHAELSON: Yes. And it seems to be working.
DRAKE: Yes. Enjoy the hardware, Netflix.
MICHAELSON: Yes.
DRAKE: Like it's going to be great.
MICHAELSON: Grae Drake, always fun to see you. Thank you so much.
We are about to take a rare look at a prehistoric freeway. If you think traffic is bad where you are, imagine what it must have been like for three-toed dinosaurs. That stunning discovery, next.
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MICHAELSON: It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas, a whole record-breaking lot. A German couple has set a new mark for Christmas tree displays. They broke their own record by displaying 621 trees in their house.
[01:54:46]
MICHAELSON: Suzanne and Thomas Jerome (ph) go all out every year with their Christmas decor, starting the process in June. They say it's a lot of work, a lot of fun, and it's wonderful to see smiles on the faces of visitors. What does the house look like the rest of the year? Here's a rare glimpse into the lives of dinosaurs in what is now
Bolivia. Paleontologists documented a dinosaur freeway of more than 16,000 footprints of theropods.
The three-toed meat eaters left tracks in deep mud that solidified. They believed to be between 100 million and 66 million years old.
The prints revealed how the animals moved from leisurely strolls to sprints and swimming. They provide clues about the great beasts that fossil skeletons cannot.
How wild is that?
And now to a bit of peace and quiet. Think calming influences and feelings of serenity. That's how Pantone is being described. It's the new color of the year, "Cloud Dancer".
The institute has described it as a very precise shade of white, with an equal balance of cool and warm undertones.
To many of us, the color might look like just any other plain shade of white, Pantone officials say it represents new beginnings and fresh starts.
Not a bad color scheme for the start of the New Year.
Thanks so much for joining us here on THE STORY IS.
Tomorrow, we'll be joined by Chris Matthews of "Hardball" fame and Phil Rosenthal of "Somebody Feed Phil" fame. Plus, our sports panel, including Arash Markazi.
All that tomorrow here on THE STORY IS.
Thanks for watching this jam-packed edition. I can't believe how many different kind of people we talked to.
We'll see you tomorrow for more of THE STORY IS.
[01:56:28]
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