Mary (Hearts) Obama
January 25, 2009 8:20 PM
The depth and amount of media coverage of the new First Couple is typically reserved for Hollywood families like the Cruises or the Pitts. The faces of Barack and Michelle Obama have graced hundreds of magazine covers over the past two years, and the pair was even covered showbiz-style by the entertainment newsmagazines.
“There’s a lot of star power to both of them,” says “Entertainment Tonight” host Mary Hart, who sat down with the Obamas and Joe and Jill Biden in October. To Ms. Hart—who has interviewed White House residents in the past, talking with President George H.W. Bush (“41”) and taking a White House tour with former First Lady Laura Bush—the most striking thing about President Obama is how comfortable he is in his own skin. “There’s an ease under all of the pressure that he has been under,” she said. “You still see a man that is completely at ease with himself and completely relaxed. I don’t know how he manages to do that.” During the campaign, Ms. Hart also was able to talk with both Republican nominees, Sen. John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin. “ET’s” coverage of the presidential race bridged entertainment and politics, something Ms. Hart said she hopes will continue in the future. “I loved doing [the political interviews],” she said. “It was a great change of pace, and it was a great look for our show.”
—Andrew Krukowski
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