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Showbiz Tonight

Oscar Countdown Continues; Is Reality TV Too Degrading to Contestants?

Aired February 24, 2005 - 19:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


A.J. HAMMER, CO-HOST: Lindsay Lohan -- a shocking report about her father.
KARYN BRYANT, CO-HOST: And for the first time, Ashton gets very personal about Demi. I`m Karyn Bryant.

HAMMER: I`m A.J. Hammer. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

BRYANT: Oscar countdown continues. A big Hollywood arrival. We`re live. Plus, the stars reveal to us how their lucky charms...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CATE BLANCHETTE, "THE AVIATOR": I`m not generally too superstitious.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRYANT: ... could bring Oscar magic.

HAMMER: Oscar secrets. Mantlepieces? Nah! You won`t believe where the stars keep their Oscars.

BRYANT: Designing dreams, "Project Runway`s" winner...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You are the winner "Project Runway."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRYANT: ... live.

HAMMER: Plus tonight`s "SHOWBIZ Showdown": Is reality TV too degrading? Beauty, boardrooms...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, "THE APPRENTICE": You`re fired.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: And bugs. Yuck!

BRYANT: And Barry spins off a new show.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARRY MANILOW, SINGER/SONGWRITER: This is the biggest show I`ve ever done.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRYANT: And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is backstage with him.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MANILOW: Hey, I`m Barry Manilow. And if it happened today, it`s on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: Hi, there. I`m A.J. Hammer, and you are at the top of the show.

BRYANT: I`m Karyn Bryant. We`re live with you from Headline Prime studios in New York City for the next hour.

A big delivery today for our Oscar countdown tonight.

HAMMER: Just days away from Hollywood`s biggest night, and we`ve got the biggest stars telling SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, I`ve got to have me lucky charms.

BRYANT: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Sibila Vargas couldn`t wait for Sunday night. She just had to get to the red carpet today, and she is...

SIBILA VARGAS, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT: I had to.

BRYANT: ... live there in Hollywood right now. Sibila, how`s it feeling out there?

VARGAS: Oh, it feels great. I wish you guys were out here with me right now. I mean, this place is just -- the energy is palpable, and the stars aren`t even here yet. But construction has been under way. The red carpet has been rolled out. Now, it does have a little bit of plastic on it. That`s because the weather out here has been unpredictable. This is sunny California. I don`t know what`s happening. But hopefully, by the time that Sunday rolls around, it certainly will be a beautiful day, sort of like the way it is today.

But Hollywood and Highland have been closed to cars. Something that`s very interesting is pedestrians are make their way down, so they`re seeing this construction as it goes up, with Oscar paraphernalia all around me. And it`s a little bit of history being made, so it`s really kind of neat.

But speaking about history, some history will be made this Sunday, and SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has been on top of all the nominees. I`ve spoken to a few at the SAG Awards and Oscar luncheon, and I got to ask them, What kind of special little something-something will they be taking with them come Oscar night?

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice-over): A high-couture tux or gown, sparkling jewels, glamorous hair. Add the date to your arm. Now all you need`s a lucky charm.

CATE BLANCHETTE, "THE AVIATOR": Well, I`m not generally too superstitious, but Cynthia McFadden gave me some (UNINTELLIGIBLE) a pair of (UNINTELLIGIBLE) gloves that she had given to her on her wedding day. So I think I`ll have those with me. But I`m big into massage, so I think I`m going to check in and have some guy with really strong hands rub me for about six hours.

VARGAS: What about boxing gloves for Hilary? I asked her what she`s brings.

HILARY SWANK, "MILLION DOLLAR BABY": Actually, Dina, Clint`s wife, last night gave me some charms, and I have them in my purse tonight. So yes, you know, I thought that was so sweet of her to give them to me, these lucky charms, so I`m carrying them.

VARGAS: And Alan Alda told me it`s all about the green.

ALAN ALDA, "THE AVIATOR": Well, I`ll probably bring some $50 bills in case it`s not too right to bribe a few voters. I don`t know. You know, I play a sleazy guy in...

VARGAS (on camera): Exactly!

ALDA: ... in "The Aviator." I mean, I`m beginning to pick up how it works.

VARGAS (voice-over): And when I asked Annette Bening for her lucky charm, she had something else in mind.

ANNETTE BENING, "BEING JULIA": I`m not a kind of lucky charm-type person. I don`t have anything in mind that I`m going to have with me.

VARGAS (on camera): Maybe just Warren Beatty?

BENING: Yes. He`s my good luck charm, my husband.

VARGAS (voice-over): I asked the "Sideways"` nominees if they are bringing something special. It`s their first time.

VIRGINIA MADSEN, "SIDEWAYS": I always has this little Lego man from my son. I always bring some kind of Lego man warrior that he gives me for protection.

THOMAS HADEN CHURCH, "SIDEWAYS": I purchased a shrunken head in deepest Africa some years ago. I carry that little guy with me to help me win the big guy.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

VARGAS: You got to love those guys from "Sideways"! Anyway, we`ll see what charms end up paying off this Sunday, A.J.

HAMMER: All right, Sibila. Let`s hope the sun keeps on shining.

And you, too, can catch Oscar fever simply by logging onto your computer and heading over to cnn.com. If you click on "Inside the Envelope," you`ll have the opportunity to make your Oscar predictions and maybe win some cool stuff. The grand prize winner`s getting a 32-inch LCD HDTV and $1,000 in cash.

BRYANT: Tonight, startling new developments in the Lindsay Lohan and her dad soap opera. Michael Lohan allegedly threatened to kill his whole family, including Lindsay. Lohan`s still in jail tonight following his arrest for driving under the influence after he crashed his car on Long Island last weekend. But in divorce papers filed by Lohan`s wife, he allegedly said, quote, "O.J. Simpson has nothing on me. I know exactly how I`m going to kill them. I know when I`m going to do it. And I`m going to enjoy it."

In an interview airing tonight on ABC`s "Primetime Live," Lohan says he doesn`t think his continuing troubles are affecting Lindsay`s career.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL LOHAN, LINDSAY LOHAN`S FATHER: Good guy, bad boy. That`s the way (UNINTELLIGIBLE) in terms of the headlines. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Am I (UNINTELLIGIBLE) anybody? No. Am I taking a penny from my daughter? No. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Don`t they say any publicity is good publicity?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRYANT: Michael Lohan, who has been arrested twice before, also says that he would like to see his divorce and troubled life into a reality TV show.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LOHAN: Sort of -- it`s a Lohan version of "The Osbournes." It would follow us through the course of our divorce. Everything would be put on hold to begin with while we`re shooting this, in an effort to become a family, whether it`s (UNINTELLIGIBLE) a husband and wife.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRYANT: The interview with Lohan was done before his car crash last weekend. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT called Lohan`s attorney, Dominic Barbara, and he had no comment.

HAMMER: It is time now for "SHOWBIZ Shorts," a look at more stories making news tonight. The date is set. The judge in the Michael Jackson trial announced late this afternoon opening statements will begin Monday. A jury was chosen yesterday. Eight alternates were picked this afternoon.

Houston hospitalized. Whitney Houston was taken to an emergency room in Paris today with an apparent food poisoning. Her spokeswoman says Houston was on a plane to France when she started feeling sick.

More "SHOWBIZ Shorts" coming up throughout the show -- Karyn.

BRYANT: Reality -- thank you, A.J. Reality TV addicts certainly got their fix last night on "American Idol," the first round of semifinalist eliminations. Four contestants were handed their walking papers, and here`s a recap of who got the boot.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRYANT (voice-over): The first cut came last night on Fox`s "American Idol."

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: America, are you ready? Because it`s going to get very emotional.

BRYANT: Well, in the end, two guys and two girls got the boot. Melinda was the first.

MELINDA LIRA, "AMERICAN IDOL" CONTESTANT: I`m just shocked.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Jared, you are out.

Sarah, you are out.

Judd, you are out. Going home tonight.

BRYANT: The 10 remaining male finalists take the stage Monday. It`s the girls` turn on Tuesday.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

Time now to judge "American Idol," and who better to do that than a former contestant. Enter George Huff. How`re you doing, George?

GEORGE HUFF, FORMER CONTESTANT: Hey, how`re you doing?

BRYANT: How are you? I`m doing well, George. You may remember he had made it to the final stages in season three, and he joins us now live from New Orleans. And you know, George, welcome to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I want to know...

HUFF: Thank you so much.

BRYANT: You`re welcome. I want to know what you think of the season so far.

HUFF: So far, you know, it`s -- oh, boy, it`s going pretty good. I`m shocked, you know, already.

BRYANT: Shocked by what?

HUFF: At the choices last night that were voted off of the show, maybe two in particular. I absolutely loved Judd Harris. He was one of my favorite, from my home town. I think that he had everything that was necessary in order to move to the next round. Unfortunately, you know, the votes -- you know, I guess he didn`t have the votes. But I would have loved to see him move to the next round.

BRYANT: And what about Jared, as far as the other guy that got kicked off last night?

HUFF: And Jared -- you know, I don`t know. I guess, you know, somebody has to go, so...

BRYANT: OK. So you weren`t feeling him as much, is what I`m getting there. I want to move forward over to the women because I actually thought that Melinda had a very good voice. What about you?

HUFF: Melinda! Melinda, if you`re watching this, I absolutely loved you, too. She kind of reminds me of a mixture of Jasmine Trias and Camille Velasco.

BRYANT: Sure.

HUFF: You know, it`s kind of interesting, from last season. I really thought she was going to move through to the next round, but she didn`t.

BRYANT: She didn`t.

HUFF: And that was a big shocker for me. I don`t know what`s happening.

BRYANT: All right. Well George Huff, I`m getting the feeling you wanted Jared and Melinda to stay.

HUFF: Yes.

BRYANT: Sarah and Judd could have gone. We want to thank you for joining us to help us...

HUFF: Thank you so much!

BRYANT: ... judge "American Idol." Good luck to you in the rest of your career.

HUFF: Thank you.

BRYANT: Now, we want to know what you guys at home have to say about "American Idol" and the other reality shows. Is it brutal reality, is basically tonight`s "SHOWBIZ Showdown" question. Reality TV, is it too degrading? We`re kick off our debate at 15 past the hour. Now, you can take our poll at cnn.com/showbiztonight or e-mail us at showbiztonight@cnn.com.

HAMMER: Good to see that George Huff smile again.

Well, the guy who made trucker hats hip trucks into Chicago. Ashton Kutcher opens up to Oprah all about Demi, and we have the highlights coming up.

BRYANT: And then we are packing up our music and passion and heading to Vegas. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT gets a backstage pass, and we`re hanging with Barry Manilow.

HAMMER: Now it`s time for tonight`s "Entertainment Weekly" "Great American Oscar Quiz." Katharine Hepburn won an amazing four Oscars during her career, but how many years passed between her first and final awards -- A, 21, B, 33, C, 48, or D, 52? We`re coming right back with the answer.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BRYANT: Welcome back. So again, today`s "Entertainment Weekly" Oscar quiz. Katharine Hepburn won an amazing four Oscars. How many years passed between her first and final awards? Was it 21, 33, 48 or 52? The answer is, C, 48 years.

HAMMER: Are you ready? Well, tonight, we are looking at how "American Idol" and other reality shows can sometimes be a bit rough on their contestants. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP - "AMERICAN IDOL")

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Judd, you are out, going home tonight. The journey is over, bud. Thank you very much. Give it up for Judd.

(END VIDEO CLIP - "FEAR FACTOR")

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Here we go, 15,000 Madagascar hissing cockroaches, 90,000 disgusting roach legs.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They`re in my mouth.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK, don`t start yet.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, happens that. It happens. Relax.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP - "THE APPRENTICE")

TRUMP: ... control or help for your team. And you produced a bad product.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: But so did they. We all produced bad product.

TRUMP: I don`t like their product, either, but the team held together. You didn`t hold together.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: But Mr. Trump...

TRUMP: Kristin, you`re fired.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: And with us tonight in our "SHOWBIZ Showdown" is someone who has heard those words directly from the Donald himself. But first, here`s tonight`s question. Reality TV -- is it too degrading? Live now from Philadelphia, former "Apprentice" candidate Heidi Bressler, who says, No, reality TV is not too degrading. And joining us live from Los Angeles, Anthony Mora of Anthony Mora Communications, who says, Yes, reality TV is too degrading.

And Heidi, it`s finally your turn to fire away. Have at it.

HEIDI BRESSLER, FORMER "APPRENTICE" CONTESTANT: How are you? I`m so glad to be here today. You know, as I was saying, I think some shows are extremely degrading, but then others -- I think it`s what you put yourself into. I think you go into a situation, you know what the show is going to be about. And if you act like an idiot, well, then it`s belittling, but it`s not, especially in a show like "The Apprentice," it only makes it even better. I mean, it opened up so many doors for me, and if anything, it made me a better person than I was a year ago. So I don`t see how`s it degrading, especially a show like "The Apprentice." It`s the only show that`s really real, and it`s a business show. It`s not like the -- no offense -- the cheesy "Bachelorette." That`s degrading.

HAMMER: Well, let`s let Anthony get in here. Anthony, you`ve had enough of the bugs and humiliation, I understand.

ANTHONY MORA, ANTHONY MORA COMMUNICATIONS: Well, I think we`ve had kind of overkill on that. But for a little perspective, I mean, where did this come from? I think you go back to the O.J. trial, which became a mini-series, and people started watching that. And then you had Michael Jackson and you had celebrities being known for being notorious. And then suddenly, you have the Monica Lewinskys and the Heidi Fleisses who become known for being outrageous. So people suddenly saw, Hey, I can because a star for doing something completely outrageous. You had producers see, I can make a show for a lot less money than hiring the cast of "Friends." And you had people standing in line to do whatever it takes. And you have an audience that`s used to scandal.

BRESSLER: OK, but can I just...

HAMMER: Go ahead, Heidi.

BRESSLER: Let me just say something. I agree with you, 100 percent. However, look at -- now I`m going to say "The Apprentice" now, especially this season -- half them are wannabe actors and reporters. But when we went into it, we didn`t even know what show was about. I mean, we barely even -- we didn`t even know -- we went into this, especially myself -- I wanted to work for Donald Trump. I had no desire -- I always say if you want to be an actor or an actress, don`t go on a reality show because it`s not going to happen.

(CROSSTALK)

HAMMER: ... have a good point, Anthony, because you have to sign these massive releases, and you know what you`re getting yourself into. You`re going to be humiliated, is basically what they`re saying.

BRESSLER: Yes.

(CROSSTALK)

MORA: And you know that going in. And it`s basically the dumbing down of TV. But I mean, let`s face it, she`s right. I mean, I run a PR firm, and one of our clients was on "The Fear Factor," and we got mileage out of that. But is it making TV better? I mean, are we getting "Cheers"? Are we getting, you know, "LAPD Blue"? Are we -- you know, are we -- you know, are we getting those type of writing or that type of acting? No. I mean, I think that the quality...

BRESSLER: Yes, but a reality show`s...

MORA: ... has gone straight down.

BRESSLER: But a reality show`s not about acting. It`s about being yourself. There are some...

MORA: No, exactly. Exactly. But I think that it`s basically -- it`s more about being humiliated than being yourself. It`s more like the world wrestling of -- you know, of America. People don`t watch wrestling to see great -- you know, great...

BRESSLER: Yes, it`s good TV.

MORA: ... athletic skills. They see them to see them get knocked over the head. And that`s what people are watching. They`re watching for the "You`re fired." They`re watching for the "You`re out." They`re watching for the...

BRESSLER: Then how about the...

MORA: ... bugs poured over them.

BRESSLER: But I don`t see -- especially -- and I`m not just saying because Mark Burnett, but I don`t see how "Survivor" or "The Apprentice" are humiliating. Like, I don`t think getting "You`re fired" -- I wasn`t humiliated. And Donald Trump never yelled at me once in the boardroom.

(CROSSTALK)

MORA: I think that there`s some shows that are more humiliating than others, but I mean...

BRESSLER: Exactly.

MORA: ... to be fired on TV or to be, you know, be on "American Idol" and to be told, you know, that you`re, you know, an overweight Jessica Simpson or whatever -- I mean, that`s -- you know, that`s humiliation, but that`s what a lot of people like to watch. And you know, I mean, obviously, it`s -- you know, that`s what people like to watch. And people will stand in line to do just about anything they can to get their not 15 minutes but 15 seconds of fame.

HAMMER: Now, Heidi, of course, you were right there. You were in the thick of it. Did you at any time during the filming of your season of "The Apprentice" feel humiliated or degraded?

BRESSLER: Me? Absolutely not. I was myself from day one. And you know what? It`s also how you act.

HAMMER: OK.

BRESSLER: And I think that -- look, the producers and the editors, not saying that it means anything, but if you`re nice to them and you treat people with respect, they`re not -- they never edited me in a harsh light. You know what? They constantly showed me smoking, which I don`t (UNINTELLIGIBLE) other women on the show...

HAMMER: OK. So they definitely go for the shots that are going to get, you know, a little more of a buzz from people.

BRESSLER: Yes.

HAMMER: I got to jump in here, guys. Thank you very much for your insight. Heidi Bressler, of course, an "Apprentice" contestant, and we have Anthony Mora from Anthony Mora Communications. I appreciate...

MORA: Thank you so much.

HAMMER: Appreciate you both...

BRESSLER: Thank you so much.

HAMMER: ... chiming in tonight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

MORA: Thank you.

HAMMER: And of course, now we need to know what you have to say. Reality TV, is it too degrading? Go to the Web to vote at cnn.com/showbiztonight, or if you want to tell us a little more, got some more thoughts on the subject, the e-mail address is showbiztonight@cnn.com. We will share some of what you had to say a bit later in the show.

BRYANT: After the Oscar goes to the winner, it goes home. And coming up, we`ll show you where the stars store their Oscars. And it`s probably not your first guess.

HAMMER: Plus, it was a fabric finish. Heidi Klum crowns the winner of "Project Runway," and we`ve got them here live.

It is time to take tonight`s "In Style" "Oscar Fashion Challenge." This is where we test your Oscar known-how and your fashion sense. Tonight`s question -- well, this is the back of which former Oscar-winning actress? Is it Renee Zellweger, Charlize Theron or Julia Roberts? We`ll have the answer coming up later in the show.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BRYANT: Well, when the awards are over and the red carpet is rolled up, the winners are left with one more big decision: where to put the Oscar. "In Style" magazine reveals where Oscar lives at home.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice-over): He won an Oscar for his 1987 performance in "The Untouchables," and he keeps that Oscar with his unmentionables. Sean Connery showcases his Oscar in the bathroom of his son`s New York apartment. He says he was shocked he even won.

MARISA FOX, "IN STYLE" MAGAZINE: He felt that the Academy was sort a closed clique and you kind of had to be an insider to win an Oscar, but winning restored his faith in the whole Oscar process.

BRYANT: Connery isn`t the only one who keeps his Oscar in the bathroom. Surprisingly, Lionel Richie does, too. He won for his hit song "Say You, Say Me" from the 1985 movie "White Nights."

FOX: He keeps his in the bathroom, so that when he starts his days off, he sees that Oscar and he says, OK, you can do it. You can do it.

BRYANT: Juliet Binoche also used the award to keep the life in perspective. She won for her 1996 performance in "The English Patient." She keeps the award in the study, but it almost didn`t make it there.

FOX: When she first brought her Oscar home, her son, who was very little at the time, was fascinated by the statue. And he started to sort of to peel away at it, and before she knew it, he had stripped it bare of its golden veneer. And she said the story sort of reminded her about how winning an award is great, but really, the greatest reward is what you keep inside.

BRYANT: That perspective didn`t come as easily for Dustin Hoffman. He won two Oscars for his performance in "Kramer versus Kramer" and in "Rain Man."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP - "RAIN MAN")

DUSTIN HOFFMAN: Tuesday, we got pancakes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Pancakes.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRYANT: He told "In Style" magazine it took him years of therapy before he could finally display them.

FOX: Now he displays them on a mantle above his fireplace. He views his Oscars as not only a reminder of how wonderful it is for other people to enjoy his work, but also to be proud of his own work. It`s OK to acknowledge your own successes, too.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRYANT: Liza Minnelli won an Oscar in 1972 for her performance in "Cabaret." She keeps her Oscar in her New York apartment, right next to her father`s Oscar. Vincent Minnelli won for directing the 1958 movie "Gigi."

Now, if you want to read more on Oscars at home, pick up a copy of March`s "In Style" magazine, which hits newsstands tomorrow.

HAMMER: Where would you keep your Oscar?

BRYANT: Where would I? I would just probably keep it with me at all times.

(LAUGHTER)

HAMMER: I don`t get the bathroom thing. A little unsanitary.

We have more Oscar news now, as we bring you another "SHOWBIZ Short." The "P" is for presenter. The Academy announced today that P. Diddy has been added to the list of Sunday`s Oscar presenters.

Ashton Kutcher knows a thing or two about the `70s. You know he spent the last seven years on "That `70s Show," and he`s also spent a lot of time with Demi Moore. And today he told Oprah all about it. It`s coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

HAMMER: Plus, pre-Oscar pampering. We`ll show you how Oscar membership has its privileges.

Now tonight`s "Birthday Shoutout." Edward James Olmos is turning 58 years old today. The Shoutout from Nia Vardalos.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NIA VARDALOS, "MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING": Mr. Olmos, I would just like to say that you inspire people like me to try and do the best work possible. You`ve been good in everything. We`re waiting for you to trip and fall, but we know you won`t. Happy birthday.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(NEWS BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRYANT (voice-over): Designing man. Reality`s latest winner live and in fashion.

HAMMER (voice-over): And music and passion. Barry`s big night, and we`ve got your only backstage look.

NICK LACHEY, SINGER: Hey, what`s up? I`m Nick Lachey.

JESSICA SIMPSON, SINGER: And I`m Jessica Simpson.

LACHEY: And if it happened today, it`s on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

SIMPSON: What he said.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRYANT: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It is 30 minutes past the hour. I`m Karyn Bryant.

HAMMER: And I`m A.J. Hammer. Here are tonight`s "Hot Headlines."

BRYANT: Tonight, the Oscar countdown continues. Earlier, we showed you how just this afternoon, the red carpet was rolled out at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood. That, of course, is where the awards will be given out this Sunday.

HAMMER: Lindsay Lohan reportedly threatened in divorce papers. Lindsay`s mom alleges that her estranged husband and Lindsay`s dad threatened to kill her, Lindsay and his other children.

And three times, three wins. In early numbers out today, last night`s "American Idol" pushes Fox to another ratings victory. And "American Idol" is just one of the reality shows that we`re talking about tonight.

We`ve been asking you to vote on tonight`s "Showbiz Showdown Question of the Day." Reality TV, is it too degrading? A lot of votes coming in on this, lots of opinions.

Eighty-four percent of you say, yes, it is too degrading. Sixteen percent of you say no. We`d like you to keep voting at cnn.com/showbiztonight, and send your e-mail us to us at ShowbizTonight@cnn.com. Of if you just want to write and tell us how special Karyn`s hair looks tonight, we`re going to share some of what you had to say at 55 past the hour.

BRYANT: Well, thanks for that, A.J.

Well, there was a special reality moment on today`s "Oprah Winfrey Show" as Ashton Kutcher opened up like never before about the love of his life, Demi Moore. Ashton goes public, and SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s David Haffenreffer has all of details.

DAVID HAFFENREFFER, CNN HEADLINES NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Karyn, it was Kutcher without the kitsch on the "Oprah Winfrey Show." Today, the 27- year-old star of "That 70s Show" and the celebrity pranks series "Punk`d" really opened up about his relationship with his well known and slightly older girlfriend.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ASHTON KUTCHER, ACTOR: She`s the most giving, caring, just perfect person.

HAFFENREFFER (voice-over): The prankster from "Punk`d" showed his soft and tender side doing something he rarely does, talk at length about his relationship with Demi Moore.

KUTCHER: I love being with her. I mean, she makes me a better person.

HAFFENREFFER: So how did Hollywood`s most talked about May-December romance begin? Ashton spilled the beans. He and Demi, who is 16 years older, first locked eyes at a New York hotel before heading out with a group of mutual friends.

KUTCHER: So I heard her outside of the door saying goodnight to her girls. And I thought it was the most beautiful thing that I`d ever heard. And I told her that.

And then we went to dinner and sat there and talked and looked up, and everybody had disappeared from the table. And it was just us talking. And there were like -- 13 people were all gone. And since then we`ve been together.

HAFFENREFFER: So what about the ex, Bruce Willis?

OPRAH WINFREY, TALK SHOW HOST: Were you the least bit anxious, intimidated, whatever, to meet Bruce for the first time?

KUTCHER: Yes.

WINFREY: Were you?

HAFFENREFFER: Ashton told the audience about their first meeting, when Ashton took Bruce and Demi`s private plane back to L.A. after visiting her in Idaho.

KUTCHER: So I`m on the plane and Demi calls me on the plane and she`s like, "Listen, Bruce is going to be there when you land. So, you know, I just want you to know that." And I`m like, "Thank you." Like -- it`s like, the one way -- welcome to ex-husbandville. Here we go!

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HAFFENREFFER: Hey, don`t worry. There was no violence when the plane finally landed. In fact, Kutcher told us -- or rather told Oprah today that things are pretty good between he, Bruce, and Demi. In fact, especially whether it comes to the three Willis` daughters, who affectionately call him, we understand, MOD, my other dad.

BRYANT: Oh.

HAFFENREFFER: Isn`t that sweet?

BRYANT: He seems like a good guy. Thanks a lot, David.

HAMMER: Well, tonight is the big night for Barry Manilow. His act opens in Vegas, and Barry invited SHOWBIZ TONIGHT for a behind-the-scenes look. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Brooke Anderson is live in Hollywood right now with the best of Barry.

Brooke, I hate to say this, but I have to, looks like he made it!

BROOKE ANDERSON, CNN HEADLINE NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, thank you, A.J. We are here on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where Barry has his very own star. And you`re right, it is a very big night for him tonight in Las Vegas. He officially kicks off his brand new show.

Now, this morning, on "Good Morning America," Diane Sawyer and Robin Roberts went out to Vegas to see Barry. They called it a surprise, and what a surprise he gave back to them. A special performance.

Here he is performing "It`s a Miracle."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON (voice-over): Vegas meets Manilow...

BARRY MANILOW, SINGER, (SINGING): Well, you came and you gave without taking...

ANDERSON: ... for the very first time. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has the exclusive. We were the first to go behind the scenes into his specially designed Vegas dressing room.

MANILOW: I`m fabulous!

ANDERSON: After more than 50 albums and three decades of performing, Manilow is ready to settle down Sin City style and talk about sin.

MANILOW: I have more towels from all of the hotels that I have stolen. I have more little bars of soap than you will ever need in your life. I am done with this touring thing. The reason that this is much better is I get to stay in one place.

ANDERSON: He`s headlining the Hilton`s famous 1,700-seat showroom where the king himself, Elvis Presley, once played.

MANILOW: I`m always surprised to find myself that there is an audience out there that is interested in still hearing and seeing what I do.

(SINGING): Everybody`s going to be dancing, dancing, dancing in the street.

ANDERSON: Barry tells us it`s a mix of old and new like nothing he has ever done before.

MANILOW: It`s bigger than I thought. More expensive than I thought.

(SINGING): Dancing in the street.

MANILOW: There are things that are much more extravagant than I have ever had. I mean, you know, things coming down from the ceiling, lights, films.

I still have my hair. And I still don`t -- you know, I still -- you know, I`m like 95 years old and I don`t look too bad. I`m not out of breath on the stage. And, you know, so I`ve got nothing to complain about. I`m a very happy guy.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: A.J., Manilow will present more than 100 performances during this Vegas gig. They`ll run into 2006. So all of the fanilows, the Manilowees, the Copacafanas out there, they can go to manilow.com for information on tickets.

HAMMER: All right. Thanks so much, Brooke. I guess all of that time in Vegas doesn`t leave much time for a "Weekend in New England."

(LAUGHTER)

HAMMER: Sorry.

BRYANT: OK.

HAMMER: Moving on.

BRYANT: Nice.

Everyone usually asks what the ladies are wearing to the Oscars, but we`re going to even the score. Designer John Varvatos with his picks for the gentleman, that`s coming up.

HAMMER: Plus, pre-Oscar primping. An inside look at what the stars get for being stars.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BRYANT: You are looking at a live shot of the Kodak Theater in Hollywood. Right here in the Headline Prime studios, once again, we are bringing you an insider`s look at "PEOPLE" "Hollywood Daily." Now, you can still cannot get the set (ph) at your local newsstand. It is only for Hollywood`s movers and shakers, but we`ve got you covered.

Joining us live is "PEOPLE" Magazine`s beauty editor, Eleni Gage.

Eleni, I want to get right into it. What can the ladies and gentlemen get from Frederic Fekkai?

ELENI GAGE, "PEOPLE": They can get manicures, pedicures, facials, and if they are brave or a little bit wrinkled, botox.

BRYANT: OK. Now, Frederic Fekkai, though, a very well-known hairdresser, primarily, right? But he figured he`d sort of branch out?

GAGE: He has a salon, and, you know, people say it`s an honor just to be nominated, but you also get tons of free stuff and free services.

BRYANT: But why would you want botox before you win your award? I am so happy.

GAGE: Well, you might want it in your armpits so you don`t sweat.

BRYANT: OK. OK. Well, there you go. That`s a good idea. I never thought of that.

GAGE: It happens. It happens.

BRYANT: I want to talk about this place called The Silver Spoon. Now, where is this even happening? It`s kind of a secret, hidden...

GAGE: It`s a secret, but I will tell you.

BRYANT: OK.

GAGE: It`s at the Hollywood Athletic Club. And it`s just for the guys. Because a lot of the suites, like I said, have manicures or pedicures, or are giving out jewelry. But here the guys can go and test- drive porches or play virtual golf or gamble.

BRYANT: Hello.

GAGE: Anything a Hollywood man wants to do.

BRYANT: See, but I golf and I know my...

GAGE: That`s what I say.

BRYANT: ... A.J. has a car, a nice car.

GAGE: What if we show up? But, no, men only.

BRYANT: All right. Men only. Well, they have to have something.

Now, I want to move on. There is one more thing. There`s kind of this luxury lounge. And this is sort of the ultra swank?

GAGE: It`s at the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Hotel, yes, and you can get basically whatever luxury item you want, Cosabella lingerie, Nokia phones. You name it, it`s there. Mark Jacobs` bags.

BRYANT: Oh, nice.

GAGE: You just go and pick it up, if you`re a nominee.

BRYANT: And it just -- it`s just crazy it me. All the people who can get the free stuff can buy it themselves, but...

GAGE: Everybody loves a winner, yes. What can you do?

BRYANT: Absolutely. All right. Well, Eleni Gage, you are the beauty editor of "PEOPLE" Magazine, and I thank you for joining us.

And we are going to be bringing you more from "PEOPLE" Hollywood`s Insider. But can stay with us on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT for more of that tomorrow.

Plus, also, don`t miss my pre-Oscar special. It`s called "Hollywood`s Gold Rush." I`ll be hosting it on Sunday on CNN with Sibila Vargas.

HAMMER: Well, it is time once again for the "InStyle" Oscar fashion challenge, where we test both your Oscar and your fashion knowledge. Tonight`s "InStyle" question: This is the former -- this is the back of which former Oscar-winning actress, Renee Zellweger, Charlize Theron, or Julia Roberts?

The answer is Charlize Theron -- or Theron. It`s pronounced different ways to different people. She won an Oscar back in 2003 for her performance in "Monster."

Now, when we talk about Oscar fashion, a lot of times it is focused on actresses. But, you know, the guys got to look good too. And fashion designer John Varvatos has plenty of ideas.

I had the chance to meet up with him at his New York City showroom for his take on what the five leading men of the Oscars should wear on Sunday.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HAMMER: What are some of the trends in menswear you think we`ll be seeing on the red carpet this year?

JOHN VARVATOS, DESIGNER: I think it`s really hearkening back to old Hollywood, to elegance.

FRANK SINATRA, (SINGING): Hey there, mister, build a fence around your sister. It`s the -- the boys night out

VARVATOS: I couldn`t say it any simpler. I just definitely think it`s getting away from a little bit of the costumey type of outfits that were of the past to the chicness. Everything good in a way kind of comes around again. And even though it`s not exactly the same as it was in the past, hopefully it`s better than it was in the past.

HAMMER: All eyes will be on Jamie Foxx this year. What would you dress him in?

VARVATOS: I think this look is perfect for Jamie Foxx. I think it`s unique, but still very sophisticated.

It`s got a little bit more power to it. I think he can pull it off. He`s got a little stronger persona on his own. You know, it`s got a great detail with all the satin binding all around the lapels and little satin detail at the shoulder.

HAMMER: Clint Eastwood representing old Hollywood at the Oscars this weekend. What would you dress him in?

VARVATOS: Old Hollywood would be so unbelievably cool. So I think you want him to look cool, but you want him to look like the king. And I think, you know, when you take a beautiful shawl collar like this with a bow tie, and the pleated front shirt, couldn`t get anymore more Hollywood.

HAMMER: So is this your Leo look, would you say?

VARVATOS: Part of Leo is like taking the baton for old Hollywood and kind of running with it. Because guys have been on like black shirts and just straight ties, but there is pretty chic about seeing a bow tie on a young guy again.

You know, I think this look also would be great for Don Cheadle. Sometimes when you put something that`s a little bit more classic on an edgy guy, it really kind of takes it to another level.

HAMMER: If you asked Johnny Depp, he`d prefer not to show up to the Oscars at all, but as long as he does he needs to look good. So what would you have in mind for him?

VARVATOS: We`d want to find something that he`s comfortable in and feels like his own skin. So we did this great new little triple needle stitch on the lapels, which is kind of a very artisan touch, which I think Johnny Depp would relate to.

It`s like the new tuxedo. And I think Johnny Depp is always looking to push the edge a little bit.

SINATRA (SINGING): But the boys are out after...

VARVATOS: There is nothing like a great looking guy in a great, beautifully tailored tuxedo and formal shirt and tie.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HAMMER: Now, Varvatos told me the biggest factor he keeps in mind when he`s dressing the stars is comfort. And that`s not only, you know, the fit of the clothes, but also the style. It`s got to vibe with the personality of whoever he is dressing.

BRYANT: Very nice. Nicely done, A.J.

HAMMER: Thanks.

BRYANT: Well, they say opposites attract. Jay Leno says that is definitely not the case for Prince Charles and Camilla. That`s coming up in our "Laughter Dark" segment.

HAMMER: And this Jay went all the way last night. And now he`s got his very own fashion line. The winner of "Project Runway" live next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HAMMER: They call it the Prada of reality TV. I`m talking about Bravo`s "Project Runway," which had its season finale last night.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is the search for the next big fashion designer.

HAMMER (voice-over): Over the last 10 weeks, 12 budding designers have duked it out with competing designs. All in hopes of taking home the grand prize: a year`s contract with the Designer`s Management Agency, a full spread in "Elle" magazine, and $100,000 to start their own label.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Your challenge is to redesign the postal service uniform.

HAMMER: The designers have been put up to all kinds of challenges, from putting together a design made from 50 bucks worth of groceries, to strutting their stuff on the cat walk during New York`s fashion week.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: For god sakes, what is this?

HAMMER: Fashion is a high-drama industry. And this season of "Project Runway" should sure didn`t lack for bickering and back-stabbing.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Don`t talk to me.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, I will talk to you. Because I`m going to tell you that...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Wendy (ph), I`m getting ready for a show. I don`t care what you have to say.

HAMMER: Over the course of the season a designer was eliminated every episode until only three remained. And in last night`s season finale, one lucky designer was chosen.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Jay, congratulations. You are the winner of "Project Runway."

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That`s nutty.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HAMMER: And here he is joining us on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Jay McCarroll, winner of "Project Runway."

Jay, you`ve got to tell me about this grocery outfit. You had 50 bucks to spend on groceries. What did you make?

JAY MCCARROLL, "PROJECT RUNWAY" WINNER: Oh, I made like a tinfoil cocktail dress, which is kind of, I guess, passe at this point. They say never use tinfoil for these kind of things. But I made a shrug out of a shower curtain and balloons.

HAMMER: So there was no fruit or vegetables involved.

MCCARROLL: No, not on mine. Although, looking back to see Austin winning the corn house (ph) dress, I should have made something out of eggs or pineapples or something like that.

HAMMER: Sometimes you`ve got to go for the produce section.

MCCARROLL: Yes, that`s true.

HAMMER: So congratulations. Now, other than all of the trappings of winning the prize, the $100,000, how has your life changed through this whole experience?

MCCARROLL: Well, just -- I mean, it just happened last night. So I don`t know. Other than the women stopping me on the street and wanting to like have children with me all the time.

HAMMER: And that`s been going on pretty much since the show`s been on the air?

MCCARROLL: Yes. I`m inundated with these middle American women. They all want a piece of Jay.

HAMMER: Now, in that little piece we played right before we brought you on, the contestant, Wendy, who is a self-proclaimed back-stabber, you guys had a little thing. Because there was the contest of do a Grammy dress. She won it, and they said your dress wasn`t right, it was too glam, to Oscar-like.

MCCARROLL: No, that was actually Austin. They said his was too Grammy-like. Mine, they thought the top was matronly or dowdy or -- no, that`s a Wendy word. But they loved the skirt, so -- and at end of the day, who cares? Because I won.

HAMMER: Because you won.

MCCARROLL: Really.

HAMMER: I`ll make a note about my research here.

MCCARROLL: That`s it.

HAMMER: So you get $100,000 to start your very own label. What are the plans for it? What`s the name going to be?

MCCARROLL: Oh, it`ll just be my name, Jay McCarroll. And to tell you the truth, I haven`t really thought about it yet. So I`m going to meet with some people in the next few weeks and get it all sorted out.

HAMMER: What is your basic sensibility? What designers do you really admire and hope to...

MCCARROLL: Probably no one that you`ve ever heard of.

HAMMER: Lay it on me.

MCCARROLL: I love June Takahashi from the label Undercover out of Paris. And I love Walter Van Buren Donk (ph) out of Antwerp.

HAMMER: But it was a good experience all around?

MCCARROLL: Oh, it was fantastic experience.

HAMMER: Excellent.

MCCARROLL: Tank you, "Project Runway."

HAMMER: All right. Congratulations.

MCCARROLL: Yes, thank you.

HAMMER: Jay McCarroll, the winner of "Project Runway."

Karyn, over to you.

BRYANT: Well, Hollywood`s only Grammy-nominated canine is barking again on "Late Night with Conan." That`s up next on "Laughter Dark."

HAMMER: And there is still time for you to sound off in tonight`s "Showbiz Showdown Question of the day," which is, reality TV, is it too degrading? You can vote by going to CNN.com/showbiztonight, or you can email us what`s on your mind. ShowbizTonight@CNN.com is our address, and we`ll read some of your thoughts live coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HAMMER: The sun has come out there in Hollywood. And now it`s time to get your laugh on in "Laugher Dark." As we do every night, we bring you the late-night laughs you might have missed.

Now, first, we have the Grammy-nominated Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, who was back on "Late Night with Conan O`Brien" last night, doing what he does best, insulting celebrities.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRIUMPH, INSULT COMIC DOG: This is Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20. Of course the final score, Matchbox 20, talent zero.

(LAUGHTER)

TRIUMPH: For Metallica, one of the hardest rocking bands in show business, your fan club has a cute nickname, too. Yes, New Jersey.

Green Day, you know, real punkers, yes. Punker, punker, who? Green Day, you know, hooray for us. We`re like a less queer Blink-182.

(LAUGHTER)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: No treats for that dog tonight. And Jay Leno points out on "The Tonight Show" that Prince Charles and Camilla actually have a lot in common. Take a look at this.

BRYANT: OK.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAY LENO, TALK SHOW HOST: And, you know, we do a lot of jokes, but Charles and Camilla really aren`t a very attractive couple. Show their picture.

All right. Now, you see, look at the two of them. You know, you could switch their faces and it wouldn`t make any differences.

Switch their faces. You see what I`m saying?

(LAUGHTER)

LENO: See what I mean? It doesn`t make...

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: Some people say that about you and I. Can we put up the before picture please? That`s what we look like on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Can we switch the faces, just switch the faces?

(LAUGHTER)

HAMMER: Yes, you see, really no difference at all.

BRYANT: But see now you look like you could be in Metallica or something, or I look like I could be in Metallica.

HAMMER: Those heels hurt, too.

BRYANT: Very nice.

Well, throughout this show we`ve been asking you to vote online on our "Showbiz Showdown Question of the Day." Reality TV, is it too degrading? Let`s take a look at how the voting is going so far.

Eighty-four percent of you said, yes, reality TV is too humiliating and degrading. Sixteen percent of you said, no, it is not. And you`ve been sending us e-mails on this question, we`re going to read some right now.

Travis from Boulder, Colorado, writes us. He says, "Life can often be degrading. Reality TV exposes such injustices to the sheltered masses. Learn from it."

Nicely done, Travis.

Well, Matthew from Ohio says, "Reality TV? You`re kidding, right? The genre isn`t what degrades. The people simply do it to themselves."

Now, remember, you can continue to vote and sound of at cnn.com/showbiztonight. You can send us your thoughts to showbiztonight@cnn.com.

HAMMER: It is time to find out what is playing on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT tomorrow.

BRYANT: Let`s take a look at the SHOWBIZ marquee.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANNOUNCER: In a world of pre-Oscar shows came one show that had the Oscars covered like no other, with plenty of hoorays for Hollywood, starring live, Oscar show producer Gil Cates. Plus, the stylist to the stars Phillip Bloch, on how to, oh, behave on the red carpet.

And how suite it is. The goodies they`re getting in the Oscar suites for free.

Plus, rides, games. Bring the family, bring the kids. Everyone`s welcome tomorrow to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

This SHOWBIZ TONIGHT marquee is rated PG.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HAMMER: That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. We`ll see you tomorrow on the red carpet, I hope.

BRYANT: Yes! Weather permitting, I`m going to make my flight in the morning, and I will make it to Hollywood. So I`m excited.

Well, stay with us here because "Headline Prime" continues next with Nancy Grace.

HAMMER: As we leave you with a live shot, or did leave you with a live shot, live from Hollywood and where the Oscars are taking place.

SOPHIA CHOI, CNN HEADLINES NEWS ANCHOR: Hello. I`m Sophia Choi with your Headline Prime Newsbreak.

An Italian official says Pope John Paul II was conscious and recovering following an emergency tracheotomy to ease his breathing. Doctors called the 30-minute operation a success. The pontiff will stay in a Rome hospital overnight.

Congress is promising more protection against identity theft. Lawmakers plan to introduce legislation to limit the activities of data profilers, like ChoicePoint, which sell Social Security numbers and other consumer information to businesses. The move comes after criminals gained access to the company`s database.

Congress may also act on the steroid allegations in Jose Canseco`s new book. At least one congressman says Canseco, Mark McGwire and other players accused of taking steroids should be brought to Capitol Hill for testimony.

And get out the salt. That`s the message from a consumer health group suing the FDA. It claims the agency isn`t properly regulating salt content in processed foods.

Those are the headlines. I`m Sophia Choi. Nancy Grace starts right now.

END


Aired February 24, 2005 - 19:00:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
A.J. HAMMER, CO-HOST: Lindsay Lohan -- a shocking report about her father.
KARYN BRYANT, CO-HOST: And for the first time, Ashton gets very personal about Demi. I`m Karyn Bryant.

HAMMER: I`m A.J. Hammer. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

BRYANT: Oscar countdown continues. A big Hollywood arrival. We`re live. Plus, the stars reveal to us how their lucky charms...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CATE BLANCHETTE, "THE AVIATOR": I`m not generally too superstitious.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRYANT: ... could bring Oscar magic.

HAMMER: Oscar secrets. Mantlepieces? Nah! You won`t believe where the stars keep their Oscars.

BRYANT: Designing dreams, "Project Runway`s" winner...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You are the winner "Project Runway."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRYANT: ... live.

HAMMER: Plus tonight`s "SHOWBIZ Showdown": Is reality TV too degrading? Beauty, boardrooms...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, "THE APPRENTICE": You`re fired.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: And bugs. Yuck!

BRYANT: And Barry spins off a new show.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARRY MANILOW, SINGER/SONGWRITER: This is the biggest show I`ve ever done.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRYANT: And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is backstage with him.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MANILOW: Hey, I`m Barry Manilow. And if it happened today, it`s on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: Hi, there. I`m A.J. Hammer, and you are at the top of the show.

BRYANT: I`m Karyn Bryant. We`re live with you from Headline Prime studios in New York City for the next hour.

A big delivery today for our Oscar countdown tonight.

HAMMER: Just days away from Hollywood`s biggest night, and we`ve got the biggest stars telling SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, I`ve got to have me lucky charms.

BRYANT: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Sibila Vargas couldn`t wait for Sunday night. She just had to get to the red carpet today, and she is...

SIBILA VARGAS, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT: I had to.

BRYANT: ... live there in Hollywood right now. Sibila, how`s it feeling out there?

VARGAS: Oh, it feels great. I wish you guys were out here with me right now. I mean, this place is just -- the energy is palpable, and the stars aren`t even here yet. But construction has been under way. The red carpet has been rolled out. Now, it does have a little bit of plastic on it. That`s because the weather out here has been unpredictable. This is sunny California. I don`t know what`s happening. But hopefully, by the time that Sunday rolls around, it certainly will be a beautiful day, sort of like the way it is today.

But Hollywood and Highland have been closed to cars. Something that`s very interesting is pedestrians are make their way down, so they`re seeing this construction as it goes up, with Oscar paraphernalia all around me. And it`s a little bit of history being made, so it`s really kind of neat.

But speaking about history, some history will be made this Sunday, and SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has been on top of all the nominees. I`ve spoken to a few at the SAG Awards and Oscar luncheon, and I got to ask them, What kind of special little something-something will they be taking with them come Oscar night?

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice-over): A high-couture tux or gown, sparkling jewels, glamorous hair. Add the date to your arm. Now all you need`s a lucky charm.

CATE BLANCHETTE, "THE AVIATOR": Well, I`m not generally too superstitious, but Cynthia McFadden gave me some (UNINTELLIGIBLE) a pair of (UNINTELLIGIBLE) gloves that she had given to her on her wedding day. So I think I`ll have those with me. But I`m big into massage, so I think I`m going to check in and have some guy with really strong hands rub me for about six hours.

VARGAS: What about boxing gloves for Hilary? I asked her what she`s brings.

HILARY SWANK, "MILLION DOLLAR BABY": Actually, Dina, Clint`s wife, last night gave me some charms, and I have them in my purse tonight. So yes, you know, I thought that was so sweet of her to give them to me, these lucky charms, so I`m carrying them.

VARGAS: And Alan Alda told me it`s all about the green.

ALAN ALDA, "THE AVIATOR": Well, I`ll probably bring some $50 bills in case it`s not too right to bribe a few voters. I don`t know. You know, I play a sleazy guy in...

VARGAS (on camera): Exactly!

ALDA: ... in "The Aviator." I mean, I`m beginning to pick up how it works.

VARGAS (voice-over): And when I asked Annette Bening for her lucky charm, she had something else in mind.

ANNETTE BENING, "BEING JULIA": I`m not a kind of lucky charm-type person. I don`t have anything in mind that I`m going to have with me.

VARGAS (on camera): Maybe just Warren Beatty?

BENING: Yes. He`s my good luck charm, my husband.

VARGAS (voice-over): I asked the "Sideways"` nominees if they are bringing something special. It`s their first time.

VIRGINIA MADSEN, "SIDEWAYS": I always has this little Lego man from my son. I always bring some kind of Lego man warrior that he gives me for protection.

THOMAS HADEN CHURCH, "SIDEWAYS": I purchased a shrunken head in deepest Africa some years ago. I carry that little guy with me to help me win the big guy.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

VARGAS: You got to love those guys from "Sideways"! Anyway, we`ll see what charms end up paying off this Sunday, A.J.

HAMMER: All right, Sibila. Let`s hope the sun keeps on shining.

And you, too, can catch Oscar fever simply by logging onto your computer and heading over to cnn.com. If you click on "Inside the Envelope," you`ll have the opportunity to make your Oscar predictions and maybe win some cool stuff. The grand prize winner`s getting a 32-inch LCD HDTV and $1,000 in cash.

BRYANT: Tonight, startling new developments in the Lindsay Lohan and her dad soap opera. Michael Lohan allegedly threatened to kill his whole family, including Lindsay. Lohan`s still in jail tonight following his arrest for driving under the influence after he crashed his car on Long Island last weekend. But in divorce papers filed by Lohan`s wife, he allegedly said, quote, "O.J. Simpson has nothing on me. I know exactly how I`m going to kill them. I know when I`m going to do it. And I`m going to enjoy it."

In an interview airing tonight on ABC`s "Primetime Live," Lohan says he doesn`t think his continuing troubles are affecting Lindsay`s career.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL LOHAN, LINDSAY LOHAN`S FATHER: Good guy, bad boy. That`s the way (UNINTELLIGIBLE) in terms of the headlines. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Am I (UNINTELLIGIBLE) anybody? No. Am I taking a penny from my daughter? No. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Don`t they say any publicity is good publicity?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRYANT: Michael Lohan, who has been arrested twice before, also says that he would like to see his divorce and troubled life into a reality TV show.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LOHAN: Sort of -- it`s a Lohan version of "The Osbournes." It would follow us through the course of our divorce. Everything would be put on hold to begin with while we`re shooting this, in an effort to become a family, whether it`s (UNINTELLIGIBLE) a husband and wife.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRYANT: The interview with Lohan was done before his car crash last weekend. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT called Lohan`s attorney, Dominic Barbara, and he had no comment.

HAMMER: It is time now for "SHOWBIZ Shorts," a look at more stories making news tonight. The date is set. The judge in the Michael Jackson trial announced late this afternoon opening statements will begin Monday. A jury was chosen yesterday. Eight alternates were picked this afternoon.

Houston hospitalized. Whitney Houston was taken to an emergency room in Paris today with an apparent food poisoning. Her spokeswoman says Houston was on a plane to France when she started feeling sick.

More "SHOWBIZ Shorts" coming up throughout the show -- Karyn.

BRYANT: Reality -- thank you, A.J. Reality TV addicts certainly got their fix last night on "American Idol," the first round of semifinalist eliminations. Four contestants were handed their walking papers, and here`s a recap of who got the boot.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRYANT (voice-over): The first cut came last night on Fox`s "American Idol."

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: America, are you ready? Because it`s going to get very emotional.

BRYANT: Well, in the end, two guys and two girls got the boot. Melinda was the first.

MELINDA LIRA, "AMERICAN IDOL" CONTESTANT: I`m just shocked.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Jared, you are out.

Sarah, you are out.

Judd, you are out. Going home tonight.

BRYANT: The 10 remaining male finalists take the stage Monday. It`s the girls` turn on Tuesday.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

Time now to judge "American Idol," and who better to do that than a former contestant. Enter George Huff. How`re you doing, George?

GEORGE HUFF, FORMER CONTESTANT: Hey, how`re you doing?

BRYANT: How are you? I`m doing well, George. You may remember he had made it to the final stages in season three, and he joins us now live from New Orleans. And you know, George, welcome to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I want to know...

HUFF: Thank you so much.

BRYANT: You`re welcome. I want to know what you think of the season so far.

HUFF: So far, you know, it`s -- oh, boy, it`s going pretty good. I`m shocked, you know, already.

BRYANT: Shocked by what?

HUFF: At the choices last night that were voted off of the show, maybe two in particular. I absolutely loved Judd Harris. He was one of my favorite, from my home town. I think that he had everything that was necessary in order to move to the next round. Unfortunately, you know, the votes -- you know, I guess he didn`t have the votes. But I would have loved to see him move to the next round.

BRYANT: And what about Jared, as far as the other guy that got kicked off last night?

HUFF: And Jared -- you know, I don`t know. I guess, you know, somebody has to go, so...

BRYANT: OK. So you weren`t feeling him as much, is what I`m getting there. I want to move forward over to the women because I actually thought that Melinda had a very good voice. What about you?

HUFF: Melinda! Melinda, if you`re watching this, I absolutely loved you, too. She kind of reminds me of a mixture of Jasmine Trias and Camille Velasco.

BRYANT: Sure.

HUFF: You know, it`s kind of interesting, from last season. I really thought she was going to move through to the next round, but she didn`t.

BRYANT: She didn`t.

HUFF: And that was a big shocker for me. I don`t know what`s happening.

BRYANT: All right. Well George Huff, I`m getting the feeling you wanted Jared and Melinda to stay.

HUFF: Yes.

BRYANT: Sarah and Judd could have gone. We want to thank you for joining us to help us...

HUFF: Thank you so much!

BRYANT: ... judge "American Idol." Good luck to you in the rest of your career.

HUFF: Thank you.

BRYANT: Now, we want to know what you guys at home have to say about "American Idol" and the other reality shows. Is it brutal reality, is basically tonight`s "SHOWBIZ Showdown" question. Reality TV, is it too degrading? We`re kick off our debate at 15 past the hour. Now, you can take our poll at cnn.com/showbiztonight or e-mail us at showbiztonight@cnn.com.

HAMMER: Good to see that George Huff smile again.

Well, the guy who made trucker hats hip trucks into Chicago. Ashton Kutcher opens up to Oprah all about Demi, and we have the highlights coming up.

BRYANT: And then we are packing up our music and passion and heading to Vegas. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT gets a backstage pass, and we`re hanging with Barry Manilow.

HAMMER: Now it`s time for tonight`s "Entertainment Weekly" "Great American Oscar Quiz." Katharine Hepburn won an amazing four Oscars during her career, but how many years passed between her first and final awards -- A, 21, B, 33, C, 48, or D, 52? We`re coming right back with the answer.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BRYANT: Welcome back. So again, today`s "Entertainment Weekly" Oscar quiz. Katharine Hepburn won an amazing four Oscars. How many years passed between her first and final awards? Was it 21, 33, 48 or 52? The answer is, C, 48 years.

HAMMER: Are you ready? Well, tonight, we are looking at how "American Idol" and other reality shows can sometimes be a bit rough on their contestants. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP - "AMERICAN IDOL")

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Judd, you are out, going home tonight. The journey is over, bud. Thank you very much. Give it up for Judd.

(END VIDEO CLIP - "FEAR FACTOR")

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Here we go, 15,000 Madagascar hissing cockroaches, 90,000 disgusting roach legs.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They`re in my mouth.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK, don`t start yet.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, happens that. It happens. Relax.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP - "THE APPRENTICE")

TRUMP: ... control or help for your team. And you produced a bad product.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: But so did they. We all produced bad product.

TRUMP: I don`t like their product, either, but the team held together. You didn`t hold together.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: But Mr. Trump...

TRUMP: Kristin, you`re fired.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: And with us tonight in our "SHOWBIZ Showdown" is someone who has heard those words directly from the Donald himself. But first, here`s tonight`s question. Reality TV -- is it too degrading? Live now from Philadelphia, former "Apprentice" candidate Heidi Bressler, who says, No, reality TV is not too degrading. And joining us live from Los Angeles, Anthony Mora of Anthony Mora Communications, who says, Yes, reality TV is too degrading.

And Heidi, it`s finally your turn to fire away. Have at it.

HEIDI BRESSLER, FORMER "APPRENTICE" CONTESTANT: How are you? I`m so glad to be here today. You know, as I was saying, I think some shows are extremely degrading, but then others -- I think it`s what you put yourself into. I think you go into a situation, you know what the show is going to be about. And if you act like an idiot, well, then it`s belittling, but it`s not, especially in a show like "The Apprentice," it only makes it even better. I mean, it opened up so many doors for me, and if anything, it made me a better person than I was a year ago. So I don`t see how`s it degrading, especially a show like "The Apprentice." It`s the only show that`s really real, and it`s a business show. It`s not like the -- no offense -- the cheesy "Bachelorette." That`s degrading.

HAMMER: Well, let`s let Anthony get in here. Anthony, you`ve had enough of the bugs and humiliation, I understand.

ANTHONY MORA, ANTHONY MORA COMMUNICATIONS: Well, I think we`ve had kind of overkill on that. But for a little perspective, I mean, where did this come from? I think you go back to the O.J. trial, which became a mini-series, and people started watching that. And then you had Michael Jackson and you had celebrities being known for being notorious. And then suddenly, you have the Monica Lewinskys and the Heidi Fleisses who become known for being outrageous. So people suddenly saw, Hey, I can because a star for doing something completely outrageous. You had producers see, I can make a show for a lot less money than hiring the cast of "Friends." And you had people standing in line to do whatever it takes. And you have an audience that`s used to scandal.

BRESSLER: OK, but can I just...

HAMMER: Go ahead, Heidi.

BRESSLER: Let me just say something. I agree with you, 100 percent. However, look at -- now I`m going to say "The Apprentice" now, especially this season -- half them are wannabe actors and reporters. But when we went into it, we didn`t even know what show was about. I mean, we barely even -- we didn`t even know -- we went into this, especially myself -- I wanted to work for Donald Trump. I had no desire -- I always say if you want to be an actor or an actress, don`t go on a reality show because it`s not going to happen.

(CROSSTALK)

HAMMER: ... have a good point, Anthony, because you have to sign these massive releases, and you know what you`re getting yourself into. You`re going to be humiliated, is basically what they`re saying.

BRESSLER: Yes.

(CROSSTALK)

MORA: And you know that going in. And it`s basically the dumbing down of TV. But I mean, let`s face it, she`s right. I mean, I run a PR firm, and one of our clients was on "The Fear Factor," and we got mileage out of that. But is it making TV better? I mean, are we getting "Cheers"? Are we getting, you know, "LAPD Blue"? Are we -- you know, are we -- you know, are we getting those type of writing or that type of acting? No. I mean, I think that the quality...

BRESSLER: Yes, but a reality show`s...

MORA: ... has gone straight down.

BRESSLER: But a reality show`s not about acting. It`s about being yourself. There are some...

MORA: No, exactly. Exactly. But I think that it`s basically -- it`s more about being humiliated than being yourself. It`s more like the world wrestling of -- you know, of America. People don`t watch wrestling to see great -- you know, great...

BRESSLER: Yes, it`s good TV.

MORA: ... athletic skills. They see them to see them get knocked over the head. And that`s what people are watching. They`re watching for the "You`re fired." They`re watching for the "You`re out." They`re watching for the...

BRESSLER: Then how about the...

MORA: ... bugs poured over them.

BRESSLER: But I don`t see -- especially -- and I`m not just saying because Mark Burnett, but I don`t see how "Survivor" or "The Apprentice" are humiliating. Like, I don`t think getting "You`re fired" -- I wasn`t humiliated. And Donald Trump never yelled at me once in the boardroom.

(CROSSTALK)

MORA: I think that there`s some shows that are more humiliating than others, but I mean...

BRESSLER: Exactly.

MORA: ... to be fired on TV or to be, you know, be on "American Idol" and to be told, you know, that you`re, you know, an overweight Jessica Simpson or whatever -- I mean, that`s -- you know, that`s humiliation, but that`s what a lot of people like to watch. And you know, I mean, obviously, it`s -- you know, that`s what people like to watch. And people will stand in line to do just about anything they can to get their not 15 minutes but 15 seconds of fame.

HAMMER: Now, Heidi, of course, you were right there. You were in the thick of it. Did you at any time during the filming of your season of "The Apprentice" feel humiliated or degraded?

BRESSLER: Me? Absolutely not. I was myself from day one. And you know what? It`s also how you act.

HAMMER: OK.

BRESSLER: And I think that -- look, the producers and the editors, not saying that it means anything, but if you`re nice to them and you treat people with respect, they`re not -- they never edited me in a harsh light. You know what? They constantly showed me smoking, which I don`t (UNINTELLIGIBLE) other women on the show...

HAMMER: OK. So they definitely go for the shots that are going to get, you know, a little more of a buzz from people.

BRESSLER: Yes.

HAMMER: I got to jump in here, guys. Thank you very much for your insight. Heidi Bressler, of course, an "Apprentice" contestant, and we have Anthony Mora from Anthony Mora Communications. I appreciate...

MORA: Thank you so much.

HAMMER: Appreciate you both...

BRESSLER: Thank you so much.

HAMMER: ... chiming in tonight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

MORA: Thank you.

HAMMER: And of course, now we need to know what you have to say. Reality TV, is it too degrading? Go to the Web to vote at cnn.com/showbiztonight, or if you want to tell us a little more, got some more thoughts on the subject, the e-mail address is showbiztonight@cnn.com. We will share some of what you had to say a bit later in the show.

BRYANT: After the Oscar goes to the winner, it goes home. And coming up, we`ll show you where the stars store their Oscars. And it`s probably not your first guess.

HAMMER: Plus, it was a fabric finish. Heidi Klum crowns the winner of "Project Runway," and we`ve got them here live.

It is time to take tonight`s "In Style" "Oscar Fashion Challenge." This is where we test your Oscar known-how and your fashion sense. Tonight`s question -- well, this is the back of which former Oscar-winning actress? Is it Renee Zellweger, Charlize Theron or Julia Roberts? We`ll have the answer coming up later in the show.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BRYANT: Well, when the awards are over and the red carpet is rolled up, the winners are left with one more big decision: where to put the Oscar. "In Style" magazine reveals where Oscar lives at home.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice-over): He won an Oscar for his 1987 performance in "The Untouchables," and he keeps that Oscar with his unmentionables. Sean Connery showcases his Oscar in the bathroom of his son`s New York apartment. He says he was shocked he even won.

MARISA FOX, "IN STYLE" MAGAZINE: He felt that the Academy was sort a closed clique and you kind of had to be an insider to win an Oscar, but winning restored his faith in the whole Oscar process.

BRYANT: Connery isn`t the only one who keeps his Oscar in the bathroom. Surprisingly, Lionel Richie does, too. He won for his hit song "Say You, Say Me" from the 1985 movie "White Nights."

FOX: He keeps his in the bathroom, so that when he starts his days off, he sees that Oscar and he says, OK, you can do it. You can do it.

BRYANT: Juliet Binoche also used the award to keep the life in perspective. She won for her 1996 performance in "The English Patient." She keeps the award in the study, but it almost didn`t make it there.

FOX: When she first brought her Oscar home, her son, who was very little at the time, was fascinated by the statue. And he started to sort of to peel away at it, and before she knew it, he had stripped it bare of its golden veneer. And she said the story sort of reminded her about how winning an award is great, but really, the greatest reward is what you keep inside.

BRYANT: That perspective didn`t come as easily for Dustin Hoffman. He won two Oscars for his performance in "Kramer versus Kramer" and in "Rain Man."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP - "RAIN MAN")

DUSTIN HOFFMAN: Tuesday, we got pancakes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Pancakes.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRYANT: He told "In Style" magazine it took him years of therapy before he could finally display them.

FOX: Now he displays them on a mantle above his fireplace. He views his Oscars as not only a reminder of how wonderful it is for other people to enjoy his work, but also to be proud of his own work. It`s OK to acknowledge your own successes, too.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRYANT: Liza Minnelli won an Oscar in 1972 for her performance in "Cabaret." She keeps her Oscar in her New York apartment, right next to her father`s Oscar. Vincent Minnelli won for directing the 1958 movie "Gigi."

Now, if you want to read more on Oscars at home, pick up a copy of March`s "In Style" magazine, which hits newsstands tomorrow.

HAMMER: Where would you keep your Oscar?

BRYANT: Where would I? I would just probably keep it with me at all times.

(LAUGHTER)

HAMMER: I don`t get the bathroom thing. A little unsanitary.

We have more Oscar news now, as we bring you another "SHOWBIZ Short." The "P" is for presenter. The Academy announced today that P. Diddy has been added to the list of Sunday`s Oscar presenters.

Ashton Kutcher knows a thing or two about the `70s. You know he spent the last seven years on "That `70s Show," and he`s also spent a lot of time with Demi Moore. And today he told Oprah all about it. It`s coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

HAMMER: Plus, pre-Oscar pampering. We`ll show you how Oscar membership has its privileges.

Now tonight`s "Birthday Shoutout." Edward James Olmos is turning 58 years old today. The Shoutout from Nia Vardalos.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NIA VARDALOS, "MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING": Mr. Olmos, I would just like to say that you inspire people like me to try and do the best work possible. You`ve been good in everything. We`re waiting for you to trip and fall, but we know you won`t. Happy birthday.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(NEWS BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRYANT (voice-over): Designing man. Reality`s latest winner live and in fashion.

HAMMER (voice-over): And music and passion. Barry`s big night, and we`ve got your only backstage look.

NICK LACHEY, SINGER: Hey, what`s up? I`m Nick Lachey.

JESSICA SIMPSON, SINGER: And I`m Jessica Simpson.

LACHEY: And if it happened today, it`s on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

SIMPSON: What he said.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRYANT: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It is 30 minutes past the hour. I`m Karyn Bryant.

HAMMER: And I`m A.J. Hammer. Here are tonight`s "Hot Headlines."

BRYANT: Tonight, the Oscar countdown continues. Earlier, we showed you how just this afternoon, the red carpet was rolled out at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood. That, of course, is where the awards will be given out this Sunday.

HAMMER: Lindsay Lohan reportedly threatened in divorce papers. Lindsay`s mom alleges that her estranged husband and Lindsay`s dad threatened to kill her, Lindsay and his other children.

And three times, three wins. In early numbers out today, last night`s "American Idol" pushes Fox to another ratings victory. And "American Idol" is just one of the reality shows that we`re talking about tonight.

We`ve been asking you to vote on tonight`s "Showbiz Showdown Question of the Day." Reality TV, is it too degrading? A lot of votes coming in on this, lots of opinions.

Eighty-four percent of you say, yes, it is too degrading. Sixteen percent of you say no. We`d like you to keep voting at cnn.com/showbiztonight, and send your e-mail us to us at ShowbizTonight@cnn.com. Of if you just want to write and tell us how special Karyn`s hair looks tonight, we`re going to share some of what you had to say at 55 past the hour.

BRYANT: Well, thanks for that, A.J.

Well, there was a special reality moment on today`s "Oprah Winfrey Show" as Ashton Kutcher opened up like never before about the love of his life, Demi Moore. Ashton goes public, and SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s David Haffenreffer has all of details.

DAVID HAFFENREFFER, CNN HEADLINES NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Karyn, it was Kutcher without the kitsch on the "Oprah Winfrey Show." Today, the 27- year-old star of "That 70s Show" and the celebrity pranks series "Punk`d" really opened up about his relationship with his well known and slightly older girlfriend.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ASHTON KUTCHER, ACTOR: She`s the most giving, caring, just perfect person.

HAFFENREFFER (voice-over): The prankster from "Punk`d" showed his soft and tender side doing something he rarely does, talk at length about his relationship with Demi Moore.

KUTCHER: I love being with her. I mean, she makes me a better person.

HAFFENREFFER: So how did Hollywood`s most talked about May-December romance begin? Ashton spilled the beans. He and Demi, who is 16 years older, first locked eyes at a New York hotel before heading out with a group of mutual friends.

KUTCHER: So I heard her outside of the door saying goodnight to her girls. And I thought it was the most beautiful thing that I`d ever heard. And I told her that.

And then we went to dinner and sat there and talked and looked up, and everybody had disappeared from the table. And it was just us talking. And there were like -- 13 people were all gone. And since then we`ve been together.

HAFFENREFFER: So what about the ex, Bruce Willis?

OPRAH WINFREY, TALK SHOW HOST: Were you the least bit anxious, intimidated, whatever, to meet Bruce for the first time?

KUTCHER: Yes.

WINFREY: Were you?

HAFFENREFFER: Ashton told the audience about their first meeting, when Ashton took Bruce and Demi`s private plane back to L.A. after visiting her in Idaho.

KUTCHER: So I`m on the plane and Demi calls me on the plane and she`s like, "Listen, Bruce is going to be there when you land. So, you know, I just want you to know that." And I`m like, "Thank you." Like -- it`s like, the one way -- welcome to ex-husbandville. Here we go!

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HAFFENREFFER: Hey, don`t worry. There was no violence when the plane finally landed. In fact, Kutcher told us -- or rather told Oprah today that things are pretty good between he, Bruce, and Demi. In fact, especially whether it comes to the three Willis` daughters, who affectionately call him, we understand, MOD, my other dad.

BRYANT: Oh.

HAFFENREFFER: Isn`t that sweet?

BRYANT: He seems like a good guy. Thanks a lot, David.

HAMMER: Well, tonight is the big night for Barry Manilow. His act opens in Vegas, and Barry invited SHOWBIZ TONIGHT for a behind-the-scenes look. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Brooke Anderson is live in Hollywood right now with the best of Barry.

Brooke, I hate to say this, but I have to, looks like he made it!

BROOKE ANDERSON, CNN HEADLINE NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, thank you, A.J. We are here on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where Barry has his very own star. And you`re right, it is a very big night for him tonight in Las Vegas. He officially kicks off his brand new show.

Now, this morning, on "Good Morning America," Diane Sawyer and Robin Roberts went out to Vegas to see Barry. They called it a surprise, and what a surprise he gave back to them. A special performance.

Here he is performing "It`s a Miracle."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON (voice-over): Vegas meets Manilow...

BARRY MANILOW, SINGER, (SINGING): Well, you came and you gave without taking...

ANDERSON: ... for the very first time. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has the exclusive. We were the first to go behind the scenes into his specially designed Vegas dressing room.

MANILOW: I`m fabulous!

ANDERSON: After more than 50 albums and three decades of performing, Manilow is ready to settle down Sin City style and talk about sin.

MANILOW: I have more towels from all of the hotels that I have stolen. I have more little bars of soap than you will ever need in your life. I am done with this touring thing. The reason that this is much better is I get to stay in one place.

ANDERSON: He`s headlining the Hilton`s famous 1,700-seat showroom where the king himself, Elvis Presley, once played.

MANILOW: I`m always surprised to find myself that there is an audience out there that is interested in still hearing and seeing what I do.

(SINGING): Everybody`s going to be dancing, dancing, dancing in the street.

ANDERSON: Barry tells us it`s a mix of old and new like nothing he has ever done before.

MANILOW: It`s bigger than I thought. More expensive than I thought.

(SINGING): Dancing in the street.

MANILOW: There are things that are much more extravagant than I have ever had. I mean, you know, things coming down from the ceiling, lights, films.

I still have my hair. And I still don`t -- you know, I still -- you know, I`m like 95 years old and I don`t look too bad. I`m not out of breath on the stage. And, you know, so I`ve got nothing to complain about. I`m a very happy guy.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: A.J., Manilow will present more than 100 performances during this Vegas gig. They`ll run into 2006. So all of the fanilows, the Manilowees, the Copacafanas out there, they can go to manilow.com for information on tickets.

HAMMER: All right. Thanks so much, Brooke. I guess all of that time in Vegas doesn`t leave much time for a "Weekend in New England."

(LAUGHTER)

HAMMER: Sorry.

BRYANT: OK.

HAMMER: Moving on.

BRYANT: Nice.

Everyone usually asks what the ladies are wearing to the Oscars, but we`re going to even the score. Designer John Varvatos with his picks for the gentleman, that`s coming up.

HAMMER: Plus, pre-Oscar primping. An inside look at what the stars get for being stars.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BRYANT: You are looking at a live shot of the Kodak Theater in Hollywood. Right here in the Headline Prime studios, once again, we are bringing you an insider`s look at "PEOPLE" "Hollywood Daily." Now, you can still cannot get the set (ph) at your local newsstand. It is only for Hollywood`s movers and shakers, but we`ve got you covered.

Joining us live is "PEOPLE" Magazine`s beauty editor, Eleni Gage.

Eleni, I want to get right into it. What can the ladies and gentlemen get from Frederic Fekkai?

ELENI GAGE, "PEOPLE": They can get manicures, pedicures, facials, and if they are brave or a little bit wrinkled, botox.

BRYANT: OK. Now, Frederic Fekkai, though, a very well-known hairdresser, primarily, right? But he figured he`d sort of branch out?

GAGE: He has a salon, and, you know, people say it`s an honor just to be nominated, but you also get tons of free stuff and free services.

BRYANT: But why would you want botox before you win your award? I am so happy.

GAGE: Well, you might want it in your armpits so you don`t sweat.

BRYANT: OK. OK. Well, there you go. That`s a good idea. I never thought of that.

GAGE: It happens. It happens.

BRYANT: I want to talk about this place called The Silver Spoon. Now, where is this even happening? It`s kind of a secret, hidden...

GAGE: It`s a secret, but I will tell you.

BRYANT: OK.

GAGE: It`s at the Hollywood Athletic Club. And it`s just for the guys. Because a lot of the suites, like I said, have manicures or pedicures, or are giving out jewelry. But here the guys can go and test- drive porches or play virtual golf or gamble.

BRYANT: Hello.

GAGE: Anything a Hollywood man wants to do.

BRYANT: See, but I golf and I know my...

GAGE: That`s what I say.

BRYANT: ... A.J. has a car, a nice car.

GAGE: What if we show up? But, no, men only.

BRYANT: All right. Men only. Well, they have to have something.

Now, I want to move on. There is one more thing. There`s kind of this luxury lounge. And this is sort of the ultra swank?

GAGE: It`s at the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Hotel, yes, and you can get basically whatever luxury item you want, Cosabella lingerie, Nokia phones. You name it, it`s there. Mark Jacobs` bags.

BRYANT: Oh, nice.

GAGE: You just go and pick it up, if you`re a nominee.

BRYANT: And it just -- it`s just crazy it me. All the people who can get the free stuff can buy it themselves, but...

GAGE: Everybody loves a winner, yes. What can you do?

BRYANT: Absolutely. All right. Well, Eleni Gage, you are the beauty editor of "PEOPLE" Magazine, and I thank you for joining us.

And we are going to be bringing you more from "PEOPLE" Hollywood`s Insider. But can stay with us on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT for more of that tomorrow.

Plus, also, don`t miss my pre-Oscar special. It`s called "Hollywood`s Gold Rush." I`ll be hosting it on Sunday on CNN with Sibila Vargas.

HAMMER: Well, it is time once again for the "InStyle" Oscar fashion challenge, where we test both your Oscar and your fashion knowledge. Tonight`s "InStyle" question: This is the former -- this is the back of which former Oscar-winning actress, Renee Zellweger, Charlize Theron, or Julia Roberts?

The answer is Charlize Theron -- or Theron. It`s pronounced different ways to different people. She won an Oscar back in 2003 for her performance in "Monster."

Now, when we talk about Oscar fashion, a lot of times it is focused on actresses. But, you know, the guys got to look good too. And fashion designer John Varvatos has plenty of ideas.

I had the chance to meet up with him at his New York City showroom for his take on what the five leading men of the Oscars should wear on Sunday.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HAMMER: What are some of the trends in menswear you think we`ll be seeing on the red carpet this year?

JOHN VARVATOS, DESIGNER: I think it`s really hearkening back to old Hollywood, to elegance.

FRANK SINATRA, (SINGING): Hey there, mister, build a fence around your sister. It`s the -- the boys night out

VARVATOS: I couldn`t say it any simpler. I just definitely think it`s getting away from a little bit of the costumey type of outfits that were of the past to the chicness. Everything good in a way kind of comes around again. And even though it`s not exactly the same as it was in the past, hopefully it`s better than it was in the past.

HAMMER: All eyes will be on Jamie Foxx this year. What would you dress him in?

VARVATOS: I think this look is perfect for Jamie Foxx. I think it`s unique, but still very sophisticated.

It`s got a little bit more power to it. I think he can pull it off. He`s got a little stronger persona on his own. You know, it`s got a great detail with all the satin binding all around the lapels and little satin detail at the shoulder.

HAMMER: Clint Eastwood representing old Hollywood at the Oscars this weekend. What would you dress him in?

VARVATOS: Old Hollywood would be so unbelievably cool. So I think you want him to look cool, but you want him to look like the king. And I think, you know, when you take a beautiful shawl collar like this with a bow tie, and the pleated front shirt, couldn`t get anymore more Hollywood.

HAMMER: So is this your Leo look, would you say?

VARVATOS: Part of Leo is like taking the baton for old Hollywood and kind of running with it. Because guys have been on like black shirts and just straight ties, but there is pretty chic about seeing a bow tie on a young guy again.

You know, I think this look also would be great for Don Cheadle. Sometimes when you put something that`s a little bit more classic on an edgy guy, it really kind of takes it to another level.

HAMMER: If you asked Johnny Depp, he`d prefer not to show up to the Oscars at all, but as long as he does he needs to look good. So what would you have in mind for him?

VARVATOS: We`d want to find something that he`s comfortable in and feels like his own skin. So we did this great new little triple needle stitch on the lapels, which is kind of a very artisan touch, which I think Johnny Depp would relate to.

It`s like the new tuxedo. And I think Johnny Depp is always looking to push the edge a little bit.

SINATRA (SINGING): But the boys are out after...

VARVATOS: There is nothing like a great looking guy in a great, beautifully tailored tuxedo and formal shirt and tie.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HAMMER: Now, Varvatos told me the biggest factor he keeps in mind when he`s dressing the stars is comfort. And that`s not only, you know, the fit of the clothes, but also the style. It`s got to vibe with the personality of whoever he is dressing.

BRYANT: Very nice. Nicely done, A.J.

HAMMER: Thanks.

BRYANT: Well, they say opposites attract. Jay Leno says that is definitely not the case for Prince Charles and Camilla. That`s coming up in our "Laughter Dark" segment.

HAMMER: And this Jay went all the way last night. And now he`s got his very own fashion line. The winner of "Project Runway" live next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HAMMER: They call it the Prada of reality TV. I`m talking about Bravo`s "Project Runway," which had its season finale last night.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is the search for the next big fashion designer.

HAMMER (voice-over): Over the last 10 weeks, 12 budding designers have duked it out with competing designs. All in hopes of taking home the grand prize: a year`s contract with the Designer`s Management Agency, a full spread in "Elle" magazine, and $100,000 to start their own label.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Your challenge is to redesign the postal service uniform.

HAMMER: The designers have been put up to all kinds of challenges, from putting together a design made from 50 bucks worth of groceries, to strutting their stuff on the cat walk during New York`s fashion week.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: For god sakes, what is this?

HAMMER: Fashion is a high-drama industry. And this season of "Project Runway" should sure didn`t lack for bickering and back-stabbing.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Don`t talk to me.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, I will talk to you. Because I`m going to tell you that...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Wendy (ph), I`m getting ready for a show. I don`t care what you have to say.

HAMMER: Over the course of the season a designer was eliminated every episode until only three remained. And in last night`s season finale, one lucky designer was chosen.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Jay, congratulations. You are the winner of "Project Runway."

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That`s nutty.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HAMMER: And here he is joining us on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Jay McCarroll, winner of "Project Runway."

Jay, you`ve got to tell me about this grocery outfit. You had 50 bucks to spend on groceries. What did you make?

JAY MCCARROLL, "PROJECT RUNWAY" WINNER: Oh, I made like a tinfoil cocktail dress, which is kind of, I guess, passe at this point. They say never use tinfoil for these kind of things. But I made a shrug out of a shower curtain and balloons.

HAMMER: So there was no fruit or vegetables involved.

MCCARROLL: No, not on mine. Although, looking back to see Austin winning the corn house (ph) dress, I should have made something out of eggs or pineapples or something like that.

HAMMER: Sometimes you`ve got to go for the produce section.

MCCARROLL: Yes, that`s true.

HAMMER: So congratulations. Now, other than all of the trappings of winning the prize, the $100,000, how has your life changed through this whole experience?

MCCARROLL: Well, just -- I mean, it just happened last night. So I don`t know. Other than the women stopping me on the street and wanting to like have children with me all the time.

HAMMER: And that`s been going on pretty much since the show`s been on the air?

MCCARROLL: Yes. I`m inundated with these middle American women. They all want a piece of Jay.

HAMMER: Now, in that little piece we played right before we brought you on, the contestant, Wendy, who is a self-proclaimed back-stabber, you guys had a little thing. Because there was the contest of do a Grammy dress. She won it, and they said your dress wasn`t right, it was too glam, to Oscar-like.

MCCARROLL: No, that was actually Austin. They said his was too Grammy-like. Mine, they thought the top was matronly or dowdy or -- no, that`s a Wendy word. But they loved the skirt, so -- and at end of the day, who cares? Because I won.

HAMMER: Because you won.

MCCARROLL: Really.

HAMMER: I`ll make a note about my research here.

MCCARROLL: That`s it.

HAMMER: So you get $100,000 to start your very own label. What are the plans for it? What`s the name going to be?

MCCARROLL: Oh, it`ll just be my name, Jay McCarroll. And to tell you the truth, I haven`t really thought about it yet. So I`m going to meet with some people in the next few weeks and get it all sorted out.

HAMMER: What is your basic sensibility? What designers do you really admire and hope to...

MCCARROLL: Probably no one that you`ve ever heard of.

HAMMER: Lay it on me.

MCCARROLL: I love June Takahashi from the label Undercover out of Paris. And I love Walter Van Buren Donk (ph) out of Antwerp.

HAMMER: But it was a good experience all around?

MCCARROLL: Oh, it was fantastic experience.

HAMMER: Excellent.

MCCARROLL: Tank you, "Project Runway."

HAMMER: All right. Congratulations.

MCCARROLL: Yes, thank you.

HAMMER: Jay McCarroll, the winner of "Project Runway."

Karyn, over to you.

BRYANT: Well, Hollywood`s only Grammy-nominated canine is barking again on "Late Night with Conan." That`s up next on "Laughter Dark."

HAMMER: And there is still time for you to sound off in tonight`s "Showbiz Showdown Question of the day," which is, reality TV, is it too degrading? You can vote by going to CNN.com/showbiztonight, or you can email us what`s on your mind. ShowbizTonight@CNN.com is our address, and we`ll read some of your thoughts live coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HAMMER: The sun has come out there in Hollywood. And now it`s time to get your laugh on in "Laugher Dark." As we do every night, we bring you the late-night laughs you might have missed.

Now, first, we have the Grammy-nominated Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, who was back on "Late Night with Conan O`Brien" last night, doing what he does best, insulting celebrities.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRIUMPH, INSULT COMIC DOG: This is Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20. Of course the final score, Matchbox 20, talent zero.

(LAUGHTER)

TRIUMPH: For Metallica, one of the hardest rocking bands in show business, your fan club has a cute nickname, too. Yes, New Jersey.

Green Day, you know, real punkers, yes. Punker, punker, who? Green Day, you know, hooray for us. We`re like a less queer Blink-182.

(LAUGHTER)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: No treats for that dog tonight. And Jay Leno points out on "The Tonight Show" that Prince Charles and Camilla actually have a lot in common. Take a look at this.

BRYANT: OK.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAY LENO, TALK SHOW HOST: And, you know, we do a lot of jokes, but Charles and Camilla really aren`t a very attractive couple. Show their picture.

All right. Now, you see, look at the two of them. You know, you could switch their faces and it wouldn`t make any differences.

Switch their faces. You see what I`m saying?

(LAUGHTER)

LENO: See what I mean? It doesn`t make...

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: Some people say that about you and I. Can we put up the before picture please? That`s what we look like on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Can we switch the faces, just switch the faces?

(LAUGHTER)

HAMMER: Yes, you see, really no difference at all.

BRYANT: But see now you look like you could be in Metallica or something, or I look like I could be in Metallica.

HAMMER: Those heels hurt, too.

BRYANT: Very nice.

Well, throughout this show we`ve been asking you to vote online on our "Showbiz Showdown Question of the Day." Reality TV, is it too degrading? Let`s take a look at how the voting is going so far.

Eighty-four percent of you said, yes, reality TV is too humiliating and degrading. Sixteen percent of you said, no, it is not. And you`ve been sending us e-mails on this question, we`re going to read some right now.

Travis from Boulder, Colorado, writes us. He says, "Life can often be degrading. Reality TV exposes such injustices to the sheltered masses. Learn from it."

Nicely done, Travis.

Well, Matthew from Ohio says, "Reality TV? You`re kidding, right? The genre isn`t what degrades. The people simply do it to themselves."

Now, remember, you can continue to vote and sound of at cnn.com/showbiztonight. You can send us your thoughts to showbiztonight@cnn.com.

HAMMER: It is time to find out what is playing on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT tomorrow.

BRYANT: Let`s take a look at the SHOWBIZ marquee.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANNOUNCER: In a world of pre-Oscar shows came one show that had the Oscars covered like no other, with plenty of hoorays for Hollywood, starring live, Oscar show producer Gil Cates. Plus, the stylist to the stars Phillip Bloch, on how to, oh, behave on the red carpet.

And how suite it is. The goodies they`re getting in the Oscar suites for free.

Plus, rides, games. Bring the family, bring the kids. Everyone`s welcome tomorrow to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

This SHOWBIZ TONIGHT marquee is rated PG.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HAMMER: That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. We`ll see you tomorrow on the red carpet, I hope.

BRYANT: Yes! Weather permitting, I`m going to make my flight in the morning, and I will make it to Hollywood. So I`m excited.

Well, stay with us here because "Headline Prime" continues next with Nancy Grace.

HAMMER: As we leave you with a live shot, or did leave you with a live shot, live from Hollywood and where the Oscars are taking place.

SOPHIA CHOI, CNN HEADLINES NEWS ANCHOR: Hello. I`m Sophia Choi with your Headline Prime Newsbreak.

An Italian official says Pope John Paul II was conscious and recovering following an emergency tracheotomy to ease his breathing. Doctors called the 30-minute operation a success. The pontiff will stay in a Rome hospital overnight.

Congress is promising more protection against identity theft. Lawmakers plan to introduce legislation to limit the activities of data profilers, like ChoicePoint, which sell Social Security numbers and other consumer information to businesses. The move comes after criminals gained access to the company`s database.

Congress may also act on the steroid allegations in Jose Canseco`s new book. At least one congressman says Canseco, Mark McGwire and other players accused of taking steroids should be brought to Capitol Hill for testimony.

And get out the salt. That`s the message from a consumer health group suing the FDA. It claims the agency isn`t properly regulating salt content in processed foods.

Those are the headlines. I`m Sophia Choi. Nancy Grace starts right now.

END