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Featured This Week:

Director's favorite Warwick moments.

Ring in the New Year with Anderson Cooper.

Special thanks from the Keep Watching Team.

GALLERY: Dionne Warwick's career in photos

Exclusive Q&A: Dave Wooley shares his experience as a first-time director of CNN's new Dionne Warwick film

Dionne Warwick is known to many as the dynamic vocalist behind hits like "Alfie," "Do You Know the Way to San Jose?" and "Walk On By," but in her new CNN Film, Dionne Warwick: Don't Make Me Over, the vocalist sheds her layers and gives us an inside look at her legendary life and transformational career in music and global activism. 

The film premieres on CNN this Sunday, New Year’s Day, at 9 p.m. ET/PT. 

We talked with the songstress' long-time collaborator and film director Dave Wooley about his experience working with the beloved music legend and his experience as a first-time director on the film.

Here's what he had to say: 

Many of us know Dionne Warwick as the smooth, velvety-voiced songstress who brought us hits like “I Say A Little Prayer” and “Walk On By.” In the 20+ years you’ve known her, what do you want the world to know about Dionne Warwick?

I wanted to make a film that was genuinely symbolic of Dionne’s (60+ years) stellar career. However, people also needed to know that she was more than a hitmaker. She’s a transformational leader. A real leader does not create followers; a real leader creates other real leaders. The people featured in this film, from former president Bill Clinton to Snoop Dogg, all say how Dionne made them better individuals. 

In many interviews, you’ve described the making of this film as a “dream come true.” What about Ms. Warwick’s story was so captivating to you?

From her perspective, Dionne’s career has never been about “Dionne Warwick.” It’s always been about helping and empowering others. She feels that we all have been put on this earth to be of service to one another. Dionne’s humility is second to none. She is the most humble person I know. 

What was it like directing a film for the first time? Were there any challenges that came along with being a first-time director?  

As co-author of Dionne’s autobiography, My Life, As I See It, I had a clear vision of what this film could be. I wanted to make a cinematic documentary that people could feel. Moreover, I was very fortunate to have had an extraordinary team of over 100 talented people who worked on this film, including my co-director David Heilbroner. It was also extremely rewarding working with my two daughters, Veda and Davina Wooley, associate producers of the documentary.

However, one of the most challenging aspects of this fantastic five-year journey was convincing others that this was a worthy cause. A documentary film about an iconic, global African American woman who is still with us could work, and there was a market for Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over. I didn’t take no for an answer. When someone tells me the word “no,” I hear opportunities. I felt that if we made it – they would watch it. With prayer, being relentless eventually paid off. 

What were some of your favorite moments while filming the documentary?  

One of my favorite moments was filming at the World Famous Apollo Theater in my hometown of Harlem, New York. Both Dionne’s career and my own started at the Apollo. Going back to the Apollo to film was like one of my favorite Dionne songs, “Deju Vu.”

It was also wonderful to film at the Dionne Warwick Institute School in New Jersey. The positive energy and excitement from the grade school students was magical.

Another favorite moment was interviewing all the icons featured in the documentary. It was like filming a galaxy of stars – Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, Quincy Jones, Gladys Knight, Gloria Estefan, Carlos Santana, Smokey Robinson, etc. Once again, I was fortunate because everyone I reached out to and asked to be in this project said "yes." The experience of filming these stars is an experience I will treasure for the rest of my life. 

If you could relive one of your most cherished memories with Ms. Warwick, what would it be?

One of my most cherished memories was screening the film for the first time with Dionne. My hands were sweating, and I was extremely nervous because, as far as I was concerned, I had an audience of one to please. Because we had known each other for a long time, I knew she would not hold back telling me the truth, especially if she didn’t like the film. But while she was watching the movie, I saw her smile, laugh, and I even saw her get emotional. At that point, I began to relax. When the movie ended, Dionne looked me in the eye and said, “Dave, you put your foot in that film!” I felt that was the ultimate compliment.

Anderson and Andy host CNN's New Year's Eve special

Starting tomorrow at 8 p.m. ET, Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen are back to co-host CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live from New York City's Times Square. 

The show will include many special guests, including performances from eight-time Grammy Award-winning artist Usher and new music from the legendary Patti LaBelle. There will also be special appearances from Kevin Hart, Ellie Goulding, REO Speedwagon, Nick Cannon, Jenifer Lewis, John Stamos, Tenacious D’s Jack Black, Kyle Gass, and many more.

Actress Jean Smart and comedienne Cheri Oteri will be in-person with Anderson and Andy, and global popstar Ava Max will perform live in Times Square.

At 12:30 a.m. ET, the duo will hand over to CNN’s Don Lemon, who will be live in New Orleans as the Central Time Zone rings in the New Year.

The on-air special will stream live for pay TV subscribers via CNN.com and CNNgo where available. The special will also be available On Demand the day after the broadcast premiere.

A special thank you from the Keep Watching team

Thank you for being a part of our Keep Watching community and watching along with us this year. In 2022, we premiered five CNN Films and ten Original Series.

We traveled across Italy with Stanley Tucci, visited Central Appalachia with W. Kamau Bell, and explored South Korea with Carlton McCoy.

We reflected on the legacy of Marilyn Monroe, Anthony Bourdain and former president Lyndon B. Johnson. We also retold the story of Watergate for the 50th anniversary of the historic break-in. 

CNN Films took us inside Alexey Navalny's investigation of the assassination attempt on his life. Plus, CNN Original series pulled back the curtain and gave us a thrilling look at the Murdoch family and their media empire. 

What a year! We hope you have the happiest new year. We look forward to welcoming you back in 2023 with a new slate of CNN Original Series and Films. 

This edition was written and edited by Alexis Garfield and Janelle Davis.