Summary

One in this series of talk shows hosted by Charlie Rose. In this program, Rose interviews singer/actress Bette Midler. Rose begins by showing a selection of numbers from Midler's music videos and stage shows, after which Midler talks about her early years entertaining at New York City bathhouses and her love of music and performing. Following a discussion of her interest in urban planning and involvement in the Adopt-A-Highway program, Midler mentions her plans for retirement, the difference between her public and private personas, and her belief that actors are primarily emotional people. She then explores her friendship with Johnny Carson and discusses her appearance as the final guest on the last night of his hosting "The Tonight Show." Rose then shows a clip of that program as well as comments about it from VH1's "Behind the Music," featuring musical director Marc Shaiman and writer Bruce Vilanch. Midler then reflects on the coarseness of contemporary humor, defines her own brand of humor, and contrasts her current stage performances with those earlier in her career. She also examines her best and worst performances and comments on her comeback in the film "Down and Out in Beverly Hills." After viewing a scene from the movie "Beaches," Midler compares the ways in which actors and the public see the same performances, reviews her reasons for switching recording studios after twenty years, and drops hints about her upcoming musical tour. Rose ends the program by showing a scene from Midler's recent Las Vegas show, as well as music videos in which the singer performs the songs "My One True Friend" and "Wind Beneath My Wings."

Cataloging of this program was made possible by Rosalind P. Walter, 1999.