The Way They Are
Barbra Streisand and Fiance James Brolin
Nov. 14, 1997
BARBARA WALTERS
It is always a great pleasure and a great challenge to talk with thewoman most people believe is the greatest female talent in the worldtoday. This is my third interview with Barbra Streisand in 20 years,and never has she seemed happier or beautiful to me.
No wonder. She has a new home, a brand - new album of songs aboutfaith and love called “Higher Ground” and a new romance. Tonight, you will meet Barbra and her fiance, actor James Brolin, in their first interview together. But right now, a never - before - seenperformance of Barbra Streisand in concert.
(VO) It was New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas, 1993, when Barbra Streisand -- the most famous female singer of our time -- was greeted with an eight - minute standing ovation for simply walking onto the stage.
It was quite amazing. I mean, still a bit frightening.(singing) I don't know why I'm
frightened. I know my way aroundhere.I felt so much love. I wanted to let the love in,
and I wanted togive it back.
BARBARA WALTERS(VO)
This was her first appearance before the general public in 27years. And her friend,
Virginia Clinton Kelly, President Clinton'smother, was in the audience,
lending moral support.
BARBRA STREISAND(singing)
Now I'm standing center stage. I've come home at last.
BARBARA WALTERS(VO)
What Streisand didn't know was that her friend was near death.
BARBRA STREISAND
Virginia Clinton Kelly was an incredible support system for me. I told her I was frightened
to sing. And I asked her which night she'dlike to come, Friday or Saturday, and she said,
"Well, I'll be there both nights." (singing) Good - bye. She spent the last weekend of
her life with me.
BARBARA WALTERS(VO)
Just two days after the Las Vegas concerts, the President's mother
passed away. That loss and a touching moment at the funeralinspired Streisand to record
her new collection of songs.
BARBRA STREISAND
When I went to her funeral, I was sitting in this room with hundredsof people paying tribute
to her. And all of a sudden, this girl started to sing a song called "On Holy Ground."
The music unified us. And I said, "I must sing this song."
(singing) Oh, we are -- we are standing in his presence on holy,holy ground.
And it's taken three years, you know, to gather the songs, or to get myself into
a studio and do this.
CELINE DION, RECORDING ARTIST
OK, so where do I go first? I do this line. OK.
BARBARA WALTERS(on camera)
You also have this wonderful duet with Celine Dion.
BARBRA STREISAND AND CELINE DION (singing)
Tell him, tell him that the sun and moon rise in his eyes.
Reach out to him and whisper, whisper words so soft and sweet.
BARBRA STREISAND(singing)
Hold him close to feel his heart beat.
CELINE DION(singing)
Love will be the gift you give yourself.
BARBARA WALTERS(VO)
This collaboration with Celine Dion must have come as a surprise to many in the media,
which had reported that the twosingers were feuding at last year's Academy Awards ceremony.
FANS
Barbra! Barbra!
BARBARA WALTERS(on camera)
You go to the Academy Awards. You go to the ladies'room ...
BARBRA STREISAND
Right, right, right.
BARBARA WALTERS
And Celine Dion, who you've just ...
BARBRA STREISAND
Right.
BARBARA WALTERS
... done, you know, part of your album with. "Oh, and she's mad at Celine Dion
because she was singing your song."
BARBRA STREISAND
No. They don't have it printed in the program when the songs are. And so I went
what I thought was during an intermission, come back,and the song's over.
Now, I was heartbroken. Because I knew thatthis would be a wonderful moment
on television. To have her singing, flash to me next to my love, Jim Brolin,
of a song that I wrote called "I Finally Found Someone." This is a wonderful moment
to capture on tape, right? Why would I miss it? Is the press this cynical? To make
up a story that I would have deliberately done this to her?
BARBARA WALTERS
Barbra, there are other creative people who don't get this kind of criticism.
BARBRA STREISAND
Mm - hmm. I probably threaten people. I mean, the only thing that bothers me about
these negative stories that are made up, fabricated,out of the blue is that I don't want
the people who like me, who like my work, my fans -- or anybody, actually -- I don't want
them to say,you know, "She sings good, but she's supposed to be this bad person," or
whatever. That -- that saddens me a lot.
BARBARA WALTERS
In this album, what is the message that you're trying to bring to people?
BARBRA STREISAND
What the world seems to want now, which is coming together. They want to unite.
They want to love one another.
BARBARA WALTERS
There are other songs as well. There is one that I found very touching, and it's
called "If I Could." And it's for your son, Jason.
BARBRA STREISAND(singing)
If I could, I would help you make it through the hungry years. But I know that
I can never cry your tears. But I would, if I could. How we wish we could take away
the pain of our children. It says, one of the lyrics does say that, "I can never
cry your tears."
BARBARA WALTERS
You're right. Every parent will relate to it. How is Jason? What'she doing?
BARBRA STREISAND
He directed a film that was accepted at Sundance. But more important than talent,
I think, is that he's a -- just a wonderful human being.