By Noel Sheppard | September 23, 2011 | 1:23 PM EDT

Morgan Freeman, in an interview to be aired on CNN Friday evening, says that President Obama has made racism worse in America.

Chatting with Piers Morgan, the Oscar-winning actor also blames the Tea Party saying they're "going to do whatever [they] can to get this black man outta here” (video follows with transcript and commentary):

By Matt Hadro | August 24, 2011 | 12:25 PM EDT

Costello related how Freeman "ran into him [Obama] on the golf course and he said, he said he wanted to tell the President to quote, 'Get pissed off, get fighting mad.'" After reporting that New York Times columnist Charles Blow has written about how Obama needs to be tougher, she asked Blow what he thought about Freeman's comment.

Then Costello followed that up with another gem, as she clumsily described the vicious words of Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) toward the Tea Party as straight talk about a political enemy. "Somebody who is trying to give it to people straight, perhaps, is Congresswoman Maxine Waters," reported Costello.

By Noel Sheppard | December 8, 2008 | 4:34 PM EST

Some legendary entertainers were honored at the White House and the Kennedy Center this weekend setting up an uncomfortable encounter -- and an awkward kiss! -- between President George W. Bush and one of his staunchest Hollywood critics, Barbra Streisand.

Also recognized for their work were (from left to right) Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend of the Who, dancer and choreographer Twyla Tharp, actor Morgan Freeman (talking to Streisand), and country musician George Jones (photo courtesy LA Times).

Video of "The Kiss" below the fold: