Russert Loves "Cool Hand Luke," Springsteen

But if you really want to get an impression of the 57-year-old Russert, understand his affection for “Cool Hand Luke,” the classic Paul Newman film from 1967. “It’s my favorite movie,” a grinning Russert told me. “I’ve seen it 50 times.”

He explained: “It tells the story of the consummate outsider who had an instinct for people and followed his own compass.”

And his “dream get” for “Meet”?

It’s rock and roll star Bruce Springsteen. “I’m very intrigued by him,” Russert said.