"Regis & Kelly" Preview
Just got back from the taping of "Live With Regis & Kelly" with Madge.
The segment will now air Friday so as not to conflict with NBC's promotion plans Wednesday and Thursday.
Luckily, the studio audience - filled equally with housewives and avid Madonna fans - did not have to sit through an entire episode to wait for the Madonna interview. After the usual waiting and crowd warm-up, courtesy the executive producer, we were introduced to Regis and Kelly and then almost immediately started filming Madonna's introduction. The piece will be sown into Friday's presumably live episode.
Madonna came out with a big wave to the giddy audience, who of course instantly rose to its feet. With Liz Rosenberg, Angela Becker, and Guy Oseary watching from the sidelines, She took Her seat next to the co-hosts. She was wearing a black top and prim skirt, with white trim along Her collar and hair that echoed that of the Oprah sitdown last week.
The interview touched upon the new Ritchie household, and Madonna said Lourdes has really taken to baby David. Rocco, we learn, is into the martial arts, like his dad. The adoption scandal got glazed over in favor of what a seamless transition into the family it has been, complete with references to how similar the boy looks to Rocco. ("Maybe that's why I was drawn to him," Madonna said.) Madonna described Malawi as being a far-flung place that She hopes to do a lot more work for.
A great moment came when Regis held up a picture of he and Madonna taken from the Four Seasons veranda during the Truth or Dare promotion. Madonna pretended like She didn't recognize the young woman in the picture.
Briefly, Madonna spoke about English Roses 2 - which the audience half-expected to receive, to no avail (boo!) - and the genesis of the original book (i.e., Lourdes' interaction with her classmates at the French school she attends.)
The biggest round of applause came when Madonna said She considers New York Her home and that She misses the City... even if She feels claustrophobic in Her apartment without a giant spanse of yard to play around in. I don't buy for a minute, however, that She went running in Central Park yesterday like She claimed. Bring me those paparazzi photos!
What's up next for Her? After a quick plug for Her upcoming concert special, which a typically gushing Kelly reminded us is "must see, must see!", Madonna said She is going to direct a film. If Guy can do it ...
With a final wave and parting glance to the studio audience, She and her entourage disappeared behind the stage.
