The World Exclusive Howard K. Stern Interview

posted by on Feb 12, 2007 | permalink | e-mail

The next time I was supposed to see HOWARD K. STERN was at his wedding to ANNA NICOLE SMITH in two weeks -- a celebration. Instead, I find myself with him sharing one of the darkest moments of his life. On our flight from Florida -- where Anna still lies in a cold medical examiner's office -- to the Bahamas, our thoughts are on Anna and little baby DANNIELYNN, who we are rushing to see for the first time since her mother's sudden and shocking death on Thursday.

Photo: Canaan Rubin Mark looks on as Howard embraces little Dannielynn.

Howard, in tears, at times unable to speak, shares with me that Dannielynn is the light helping him go on. As the plane lifts above the clouds, Howard thinks of those his precious Anna Nicole left behind. In a voice barely heard above the din of the jet engines he tells me, "I want her friends to pray that Anna Nicole is safe, happy and with Daniel."

It was hard to leave Anna's body behind, but he had to get back to that baby girl. Others are already traveling to the Bahamas with an eye on Dannielynn. One of them is VIRGIE ARTHUR, Anna's biological mother, who she detested. Anna told me in October, "She's not my mother, she's my birth mother."

She is not a welcome guest. Howard begins to bristle at the mention of her name. He says, "As long as I have a breath in my body, that woman will not see Dannielynn."

I ask about Virgie's quest to assume custody of the five-month-old baby, who takes Howard's last name on her birth certificate. He answers, not as an attorney, but as someone who cares deeply for Dannielynn. "She has no right. She can't take Anna's baby."

After the plane touches down in the Bahamas, watching Howard hold Dannielynn for the first time since her mother's death is heart-wrenching. With tears rolling down his face he reveals the depth of his pain: "I wouldn't be here now, but I had to get back to Dannielynn. I held her in my arms and couldn't believe her mom is gone. I know Anna loved her more than anything in the world."

Photo: Canaan Rubin On the scene in the Bahamas.

Driving with Howard through the gates of the home he shared with Anna Nicole, we shield the windows of the van from the world media who gathered for this story, and I realize that ET is telling this story from the inside out -- Howard trusts us to share his world with you.

In the days ahead on Entertainment Tonight, you will see our conversation and journey unfold. This is a complicated man and an even more complicated story. From our flight, to the reunion with Dannielynn in the safe house -- that only five people, including me, have seen -- we'll take you inside Howard K. Stern's life right now without Anna Nicole Smith -- who continues to capture, even in death, the attention of the world.

The Howard K. Stern exclusive begins airing Monday on Entertainment Tonight.

Kevin Frazier at Sundance!

posted by on Feb 09, 2007 | permalink | e-mail

Kevin recaps his snowy Sundance film fest experience with stars like Tara Reid, Teri Hatcher, Justin Timberlake and more!

Jann's Blog: Wedding Bells Ring in Italy

posted by on Nov 20, 2006 | permalink | e-mail

Well, it's official! TOM and KATIE have said "I do" in perfect, fairytale fashion, and I was there on Saturday as the wedding of the year took place in the tiny medieval town of Bracciano.

My day started at 8 a.m. as I sat in the lobby of the Hotel Hassler -- having some breakfast and watching Tom and Katie's famous friends hit the streets for a few last items before the main event. BROOKE SHIELDS went shopping for baby clothes at Baby DIOR and took us along.

Photo: Entertainment Tonight Jann Carl: On location in Rome for the Tom Cruise wedding!

At about 4:30, the stars began leaving the hotel. WILL and JADA told me that they had no idea what to expect from a castle wedding but were very excited. They planned on leaving immediately after because, as Jada told me, "Will's gotta get back to work." Brooke Shields, looking ravishing in cranberry OSCAR DE LA RENTA, said it was the first time she and husband CHRIS had been away from the kids, but they were so honored to receive the invitation that they wanted to be here. She also told us she got Tom and Katie a blender as a wedding gift!!

It was limo-lock from the hotel to Bracciano at about 4:30, as all the celebrity guests left for the wedding. In the town square, it was madness as thousands of fans gathered to take pictures and scream their well wishes to the couple throughout the afternoon. Media crews from around the world crammed into the square hoping for a shot of Tom and Katie, and one picture was finally taken of Katie leaning out a castle window holding baby SURI.

Photo: Robert Evans The happy couple as man and wife!

Just before 6 p.m., the castle bells rang out for about two minutes, signifying the couple had finally said "I do." Later on, all of us outside of the castle walls were treated to a serenade by ANDREA BOCELLI -- speakers were placed outside of the castle so that everyone could hear the music... it was quite magical. Hours later, as a thick, thick fog rolled in, fireworks went off celebrating the official union of Tom and Katie -- now Mr. and Mrs. Cruise.

It has been a remarkable week for myself and the entire Entertainment Tonight crew. My deepest thanks to the greatest producer I have ever known, ET Executive Producer LINDA BELL BLUE -- without her we would not have been able to bring you all of this exclusive coverage.

So -- it's back to Hollywood for me! See you on the air from Los Angeles!

Jann