Nonsmoking Obama is ‘scared of my wife’
President Barack Obama says he hasn’t had a smoke in years – thanks in no small part to first lady Michelle Obama.
Obama was chatting privately with a U.N. official Monday and said he hoped the official had quit smoking. The exchange was caught on camera and aired on CNN.
After the official appeared to ask Obama about his own cigarette use, Obama said he hadn’t had a cigarette in probably six years.
He added, with a broad grin, “That’s because I’m scared of my wife.”
Obama has acknowledged over the years struggling with tobacco use. Michelle Obama said in 2011 that her husband had finally kicked the habit.
Monday’s exchange came on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York.
Ryan book set for next summer
Rep. Paul Ryan, the GOP’s vice presidential candidate in 2012 and a rumored presidential contender for 2016, has a book deal.
The Wisconsin Republican has an agreement with Twelve for a book about the state of conservatism. Twelve, an imprint of Grand Central Publishing, told the Associated Press on Sunday that the book is called “Where Do We Go From Here?” and is scheduled for August 2014.
Lack of Emmy diversity sours Pompeo
Ellen Pompeo wasn’t a fan of this year’s Emmy Awards show.
The 43-year-old actress said she “was really disappointed” by Sunday’s telecast.
“I didn’t see any diversity in the Emmys at all. The Emmys felt so dated to me,” she said Monday. “That dance number was embarrassing. Did you see one person of color in that dance number?”
A few others criticized the Emmys on the same point, though there were minorities represented, including Diahann Carroll, the first black person ever nominated for an Emmy; she paid tribute to “Scandal’s” Kerry Washington, who was by her side. Washington was nominated for best actress in a drama, and had she won, she would have been the first African-American to win the trophy; instead, it went to Claire Danes, star of “Homeland.”
“Grey’s Anatomy” is one of the more diverse shows on television, which Pompeo said is one of her favorite things about the series, which debuts its 10th season on ABC on Thursday.
“I’m extremely proud of our very, very diverse cast which represents the world that I walk around in every day,” she said.
The birthday bunch
Actor-singer Herb Jeffries is 102. Actress Sheila MacRae is 92. Singer Sonny Turner (The Platters) is 74. News anchor Lou Dobbs is 68. Actor Kevin Sorbo is 55. Actress-writer Nia Vardalos is 51. Actor Kyle Sullivan (“Malcolm in the Middle”) is 25.