Obama, McCain Discuss TV, Movie Picks

Presidential Candidate Talk About Their Pop Culture Favorites In Magazine Interviews

(AP)  John McCain's favorite television commander in chief plays the first black U.S. president.

Just the role Democrat Barack Obama is looking to fill.

"You know, I hope that I and all Americans can be colorblind about any president," the Republican contender said when asked about the similarities between Obama and President Palmer of Fox's "24."

The Arizona senator said he likes Palmer because he "makes tough decisions, he takes charge, he's ready to sacrifice his interest on behalf of the interest of the country."

In separate interviews with Entertainment Weekly, McCain, 71, and Obama, 47, discussed their pop culture picks, films that choked them up as kids and who handles the remote control at their homes. The interviews appear in the issue that hits newsstands Friday.

Obama says he has "some clout" with the remote when he's at home with his wife, Michelle, and their two young daughters.

"I'm not home a lot, so Michelle is usually willing to give it up," the Democratic senator from Illinois said. "The only time I grab for the remote is when a game is on."

He said his television is usually tuned to HGTV, the home and garden cable network, "and I suffer that silently."

McCain said he and his wife, Cindy, compete for command of the tube.

"Sometimes I win the arm wrestling contest, but foolishly she continues to try to assert her control over the remote," McCain said. "This is a battle that will continue for a long time."

They do agree on some shows, McCain said. Their favorites include "Seinfeld" reruns, "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "The Wire."

Obama said he grew up watching "MASH," while his daughters are fans of the "Hannah Montana" series. "But they can still hang with SpongeBob SquarePants. And I have to say, SpongeBob is pretty funny."

Both candidates' spouses watch "American Idol."

When it comes to the first movies they watched as kids, both candidates got verklempt by the story lines. McCain said Disney's "Bambi" brought him to tears, while the wildlife film "Born Free" caused Obama to choke up.

Obama said he thought the last movie he saw was "Shrek the Third," which came out in May 2007. "Not as good as the original," he said.

McCain said he recently saw the summer blockbuster "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull."

"I enjoyed that so much," he said. "The old guy wins."

[cbsfan73]

Does anyone know if McCain is chewing tobacco?

[bigwhtpony]

SPEAKER OF THE FLOP: PELOSI SELLS 2,737 COPIES OF BOOK
Thu Aug 07 2008 08:11:48 ET

The most powerful woman in the history of American politics is suffering a humiliating defeat at the nation''s bookstores, sales figures show.

Why is this not ALL OVER CBS'' website? Cause she''s a democrat. If it were Ann Coulter or Condi Rice, you KNOW it would be!

These are the opening notes of the deemise of democrats in November. The more people know them, the less they like them.

[alphonsoc]

It''s tough to beat this but you have to bop and try!

http://www.bop-o-rama.com

"Bop early and bop often." -Alphonso Carponzo

Your Bops really count!!!!!!!!!!

[erasmus81]

Oh my God. What next?

[sharncedar]

OMG, Obumma can''t even have an opinion about frickin'' MOVIES and TV. What a frickin'' useless weanie. "My wife watches HGTV duh" He was asked what TV shows he likes - he DIDN''T ANSWER. Too much risk for 90-year-old moron Obumma, can''t answer a SIMPLE QUESTION. The guy is pathetic. Uhh uhh uhhh Shrek III? Is that a safe answer? I wouldn''t want to say my real opinion, I''m 90 years old, I''m Obummer the meaningless, drifitng one.

He probably HAS NO OPINION. He is literally an empty shell, like a zombie. uhh uhh uhh

[walt1944-2009]

It has been learned that "Bagdad John McBush (SURRRRRGE, DRRRRILLLL)" McCain has taped Paris Hilton''s video and plays it constantly as he believes the "HOT" blonde bimbo is actually SUPPORTING HIM!!!!

How he could arrive at such a conclusion when she calls him a "wrinkly, white-haired old man" in the video is a "puzzlement", but it is thought that Hilton reminds McCain of his own current wife who was a "small time" version of Hilton when she was younger, before she became the rich, snotty, ambitious Mata Hari she is today!

As it is, "SURRRRRRGE" McCain is eagerly waiting for a video from Brittany Spears responding to his ad, while the Obama camp is considering the possibility of running an ad comparing "DRRRRILLLL" McCain to Lindsey Lohan as someone who continually ends up in rehab addicted to booze, while McCain would be downing a pint of Geritol daily and should be in a home!!!!

SIG HEIL, BUSH!!!!!!
sig heil, "THE GERITOL KID" McCain!!!!!

[junkie919]

buttonjockey... and the MANY who complain about CBS coverage of entertainment stories and human interest stories:

i also believe that all of the networks spend too mch time on fluff pieces and hollywood drivel, instead of paying attention to the REAL news going on around the world. No US broadcast news agency is not guilty of this. Its a shame that i cant get BBC or CNN international in my area... they seem to be the only ones who on''t waste time with paris hilton stories or 7 mins on air about a dog who has gone missing in VA. So, i agree with you. BUT....

how hypocritical are you to say something like "Slow news day, right CBS?" in such a sarcastic and condescending tone?
You not only clicked on this story (which is exactly what they want), but you also spent the time to register to comment.. and took the time to type in your sarcastic remark! Seriously, do you really believe that CBS is going to stop covering stupid little stories like this when they ellicit a response from you?
OR did you just want to be a clever guy and type in a bitter witty remark?

Congrats. You have given them the hits they needed to assure them that this type of human interest bull is exactly what you would like to read more of.

Interest served!

[buttonjockey]

Slow news day, right CBS?

[hhroams]

I assumed that Big John and Cindy watched Paris Hilton a lot since he apparently admires her and Cindy was a minor league version of her.