After fretting that numerous government scandals were becoming a "big problem" for President Obama [1] at the top of Friday's NBC Today, in the 7:30 a.m. ET half hour, correspondent Andrea Mitchell eagerly engaged in reporting that was more enjoyable, the promotion of a new Hollywood biopic of Hillary Clinton ahead of the former Secretary of State's potential 2016 presidential run.
Mitchell began the puff peice by proclaiming: "Hillary Clinton has been America's First Lady a Senator from New York, and most recently, Secretary of State. But a new film called Rodham will focus on Hillary Rodham's days fresh out of law school." Mitchell's supposed news story devolved into entertainment gossip: "So who will play a young Hillary? Reports have linked some of Hollywood's hottest stars to the film, including Scarlet Johansson and Reese Witherspoon. A source close to the film wouldn't confirm that, but did tell NBC News Kerry Mulligan is being strongly considered for the role. The British actress most recently appeared in The Great Gatsby."
Describing the upcoming production as "A high-profile film for a
high-profile figure," Mitchell declared: "While [Clinton] may be keeping
quiet about her plans for the future, filmmakers can count one thing, Americans will always be curious about Hillary Rodman Clinton." A fawning sound bite followed of Politico's
Lois Romano: "So she's been liked, she's been disliked, she's been
liked again, she's been admired. I think there's just this great
fascination with this arc she's had in her life and her career."
Mitchell happily concluded: "Of course Hillary Clinton has absolutely nothing to do with all of this, with the film, but
having a biopic made about you starring a glamorous Hollywood
actress isn't too shabby if you're thinking about running forpresident."
Co-host Savannah Guthrie chimed in: "Well, we know the Clintons have some friends in Hollywood, so maybe they're doing her a favor."
Clinton obviously has some friends at NBC News doing her a favor as well.
Here is a full transcript of the June 7 segment:
7:31AM ET
SAVANNAH GUTHRIE: We begin this half hour with another big talker in Hollywood this morning tied to a sometimes polarizing political figure. Who should play Hillary Clinton in a new movie? With the story, here's NBC's Andrea Mitchell.
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Hillary Goes Hollywood; Who Will Play Young Clinton in New Biopic?]
ANDREA MITCHELL: Hillary Clinton has been America's first lady...
HILLARY CLINTON: It's time we match our words with our actions.
MITCHELL: ...a senator from New York, and most recently, secretary of state. But a new film called Rodham will focus on Hillary Rodham's days fresh out of law school. The year is 1974, when the then 26-year-old worked on the House inquiry to impeach President Nixon. The movie will cover the politics, including her role in the Watergate investigation, and the personal, detailing her deepening romance with fellow Yale Law School graduate Bill Clinton.
MATTHEW BELLONI [EXECUTIVE EDITOR, THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER]: A lot of the movie is going to delve into their personal relationship, the courtship, the back and forth, the debates that went on in her head over whether she should even be with Bill Clinton.
MITCHELL: So who will play a young Hillary? Reports have linked some of Hollywood's hottest stars to the film, including Scarlet Johansson and Reese Witherspoon. A source close to the film wouldn't confirm that, but did tell NBC News Kerry Mulligan is being strongly considered for the role. The British actress most recently appeared in The Great Gatsby.
BELLONI: Kerry Mulligan is meeting with the director to figure out whether she's the right person to play this. If you look at the resemblance, it's pretty uncanny.
MITCHELL: A high-profile film for a high-profile figure. Despite leaving the State Department earlier this year, Clinton still keeps a busy public schedule. This week alone, presenting a lifetime achievement award to close friend Oscar de la Renta, as well as speaking at the funeral for Senator Frank Lautenberg. And while she may be keeping quiet about her plans for the future, filmmakers can count one thing, Americans will always be curious about Hillary Rodman Clinton.
LOIS ROMANO [POLITICO]: So she's been liked, she's been disliked, she's been liked again, she's been admired. I think there's just this great fascination with this arc she's had in her life and her career.
MITCHELL: Of course Hillary Clinton has absolutely nothing to do with all of this, with the film, but having a biopic made about you starring a glamorous Hollywood actress isn't too shabby if you're thinking about running for president. Savannah and Matt.
GUTHRIE: Well, we know the Clintons have some friends in Hollywood, so maybe they're doing her a favor. We'll see. Andrea, thanks so much.
