Why Fareed Zakaria is the Smartest TV Host

When you manage a huge "get" the smartest thing you can do is mine it for every possible gem.  Fareed Zakaria was among a handful of TV hosts lucky enough to get an interview with Dame Helen Mirren while she was performing in The Audience on Broadway and had Woman in Gold opening.  She did not do many appearances.  Unlike the other royally privileged hosts, Fareed did something very clever.  Two things, really.  He broke his audience into two sittings and used one of them to ask a question no one else has asked her.

Helen Mirren, Douglas Brinkley, Jorge Ramos: Sunday guests

By Hal Boedeker Staff writer

Dame Helen Mirren discusses how she would play Hillary Clinton on "Fareed Zakaria GPS" at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on CNN.this subject.

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To quote her co-star, Sir Anthony Hopkins,  at the end of RED 2, "I didn't see that coming!"  But how fascinating!

I know.  I know.  There is a huge contingent out there who would want to see Meryl in that part. But the woman who brought sympathy to the woman who,  for a week or so in the wake of the death of Diana,  was perhaps the most reviled in the world would be a tantalizing choice to play Hillary.  She could bring out the vulnerability that we all know is there ("Well, that hurts my feelings....").  Mirren always manages to find the soft spots.  I can't wait to see what she has to say on this subject.

What a brilliant coup for Fareed!  No one else thought to ask her that question.

Fareed Zakaria, GPS | Source: CNN

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Added on 9:01 PM ET, Fri August 28, 2015

Dame Helen Mirren has played queens and secret agents. But how would she approach the challenge of playing Hillary Clinton?

Helen Mirren: Hillary Clinton a lioness

By Hal Boedeker Staff writer

Hillary Clinton may be getting a lot of criticism lately, but Dame Helen Mirren says she might like to play the presidential candidate. Mirren says the role would very different from Queen Elizabeth II, the actress' most famous part.
"The Queen, Elizabeth Windsor, I call her ... hers is a just, pop my head down, I just do what I'm supposed to do, I do it as well as I can, and I don't argue and I don't complain, and I just do it," Mirren tells Fareed Zakaria on his CNN show Sunday. "Hillary is much fiercer than that. You know, she is a lioness -- and Elizabeth Windsor is not -- I don't know what animal she is. I have to think about that one."
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"She would be a wonderful person to play somewhere down the line," Mirren tells Zakaria. "Someone will do a story, because she has had what an extraordinary trajectory and brilliance, brilliance at handling her world, and what unbelievable challenges she has had over the years."
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... I'm just saying in terms of roles for women in drama, I'm being very self-interested at this point, it would be good -- to have Hillary as a president, I think."
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Back in July, before she closed on Broadway, Helen professed her love for Vin Diesel and said she wanted to be in a Fast & Furious movie.  Within two weeks a script was in the works with a part for her.  So, just saying, Peter Morgan, are you listening?  I think you already are!