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Showbiz Tonight

Letterman Speaks Out on Alleged Plot to Kidnap His Son; Interview With Ozzy, Sharon Osbourne

Aired March 21, 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: Letterman speaks out about the alleged kidnapping plot against his son.
KARYN BRYANT, CO-HOST: And a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT tonight Oz fest, Ozzy and Sharon live. I`m Karyn Bryant.

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

BRYANT: The Michael mess. Michael Jackson looks like a mess as he shows up for court late again. What is going on? We`re live in California.

HAMMER: Tonight, the plot thickens. What will David Letterman say as he does his first show since the plot to kidnap his son was revealed?

BRYANT: Family guy, Ozzy and Sharon. The Osbournes live. He`s rocked the house and brought down the house. The "Prince of Darkness" sheds some light on his new album and his last MTV show.

HAMMER: Plus: sex, violence, profanity. Tonight`s "SHOWBIZ Showdown." We ask, Has TV gone too far?

BRYANT: And is Fox first again? A big night in LA. We`ll tell you who took home the statues.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DREW BARRYMORE, ACTRESS: Hi. I`m Drew Barrymore, and if it happened today, it`s on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer, and you`re at the top of the show.

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

HAMMER: You`re taking a look at the live shot of the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York, where just moments ago, Dave Letterman finished taping his very first "Late Show" since the alleged plot to kidnap his son came to light last week.

BRYANT: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has learned that in front of fans and audience members, Letterman personally thanked each member of the FBI by name, as well as the Teton County sheriff. He said, quote, "You always make my family and me feel at home. Thank you very much."

Now, fans waiting to see the Letterman taping were buzzing earlier this afternoon.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice-over): It looks like every other day in front of the Ed Sullivan Theater, fans lining up, waiting to watch funnyman David Letterman`s "Late Show" taping. But this isn`t just any other day. This is his first day back since the unveiling of a plot to kidnap his 16-month- old son and nanny and hold them for a $5 million ransom.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I`m glad to know that Dave is safe and his family`s safe and that the authorities intervened and got it in time.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It was a travesty because celebrities ought to have the same right to safety for their family members that we, as American citizens, do. After all, they`re just people.

BRYANT: The suspect, 43-year-old Frank Kelly. He was arrested last week after the kidnapping plans came to light. Frank once worked as a painter on Letterman`s Montana ranch. Authorities say his plans were busted when his friend and co-worker, Robert Gondeiro, learned of the plot and reported it to them. Gondeiro`s father told "The New York Daily News" his son blew the whistle on the scheme because he loves children. He told "The Daily News," quote, "Kelly Frank tried to get him in on the deal. And when he tried to pull him in on this, Robert had a real hard time with it."

Now Frank`s fiancee, Laurie Johnson, speaks out. She told several New York newspapers that her fiance has been falsely accused, calling it a, quote, "personal vendetta," adding that the two had a falling-out at work. She told "The New York Post" that her fiance has great respect for Letterman and that, quote, "He felt privileged to be able to go up there and work for him."

(END VIDEOTAPE)

And it turns out Kelly is an ex-con. He is on probation and served six months in jail after pleading guilty to stalking and intimidating a woman. That woman claims he also kidnapped and raped her. Frank will be in court tomorrow on arraignment, and SHOWBIZ TONIGHT will have all the details.

HAMMER: Well, that alleged Letterman plot highlights the fears that many stars have that someone will target their kids. And some stars have taken rather extraordinary steps to keep those fears from becoming a reality. Here`s some examples. "The New York Post" reports that Claudia Schiffer and her husband hired a squad of Nepalese fighters called Ghurkas to keep watch over their son and daughter. Guards with special forces training reportedly have kept a constant watch over Madonna`s children. And Gwyneth Paltrow and her husband, Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin, both put up a five-foot security wall around their LA home just before they had their daughter, Apple.

Joining us live now here in New York is Robert Tucker. He is the chairman and CEO of T&M Protection Resources, which provides security to celebrities and other high-end clients. Thanks for joining us, Robert.

ROBERT TUCKER, SECURITY EXPERT: Thanks, A.J.

HAMMER: It has now been over 40 years since the last known successful kidnapping of a celeb`s child. That was, of course, Frank Sinatra, Jr. Give me a reality check here, Robert. How concerned do stars really need to be?

TUCKER: I think they need to be very concerned. I mean, you know, it`s a real business, the celebrity security business, and we, you know, provide that security both to celebrities and to high-profile CEOs. So I think they have to be concerned. I think that people would exploit their children to get at them.

HAMMER: Just a few moments ago, I mentioned what measures people like Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow have been taking. What extremes have you seen that celebrities are actually going to to keep their kids safe?

TUCKER: Well, I think they hire firms like T&M Protection Resources to do background checks, to provide technology and human resources to keep them safe.

HAMMER: You mentioned the background checks and various types of technology. What other kind of measures do you advocate, bulletproof cars, for instance?

TUCKER: I think, you know, where the threat rises to that kind of level that, you know, there are mainstream cars that are now made that are armored. We, you know, have clients that certainly -- that certainly use those. I think, you know, the key to it is to take a look at the whole situation, do an assessment. That`s what our firm does every day in the private sector, just like in the government.

HAMMER: And I imagine it`s been growing and growing. How big a business is this type of security, Robert?

TUCKER: The security business is a billion-dollar industry, and it`s certainly -- on the personal protection side, it`s growing every day. And things like the Letterman incident certainly make people aware that this is a real threat.

HAMMER: Certainly. Bring it right to the forefront. Well, thank you very much for your insight, Robert Tucker of T&M Protection Resources.

TUCKER: Thanks, A.J.

HAMMER: Karyn.

BRYANT: Well, what is going on with Michael Jackson? First he arrives at his trial late again today, walking in arm-in-arm with a bodyguard and his brother, Jackie. Then things come to a crashing halt and court is recessed. Well, CNN`s Miguel Marquez is live right now for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT outside the courthouse in Santa Maria, California. Now, Miguel, this was not a good day for Michael Jackson, was it.

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Boy, at least not physically, or possibly mentally. What happened in court today, at least with his lawyers, seemed to go fairly well for him, but Michael Jackson showed up five minutes late. But boy, does he know how to make an entrance. The guy looked like he was on his last legs, moving into court very slowly. We knew he had back troubles, or so he said he had back troubles two weeks ago, but today it looked like something much, much more. On the way out of court today, he did admit that he was on doctor-prescribed medication of some sort. Today it looked like he was possibly on a bit too much of it, Karyn.

BRYANT: OK, so when court did resume, the doctor was sitting behind him. How was he feeling? And what happened with the testimony of the flight attendant?

MARQUEZ: Yes, there was -- there were several people testified today, including a flight attendant. And she said that she had -- previously, on an XtraJet, a private company, had served Jackson white wine in a Diet Coke can, but she also testified that she never saw kids drinking around Jackson. She never saw him give kids drinks, or she never saw any intoxicated kids around Jackson. She also said that she hid many liquor bottles inside the plane`s bathroom -- Karyn.

BRYANT: OK, so it is still a mystery, though, today everything that went on with Michael. It`s just another day in the crazy trial, as far as his health is concerned?

MARQUEZ: It is another crazy day. I wasn`t convinced that he was going to make it through this trial. When he went into court initially, he was only sitting there for two minutes before he got up again and started going out of court again. His hand was visibly shaking. He was holding Kleenex up to his hands after he was sobbing at the defense table. And it looked like he was about to vomit. He was then gone for about 35, 40 minutes or so, made his way back into the courtroom, sat down and went on for the rest of the day`s testimony.

By the end of the day, though, it looked like whatever ill effects he had early in the day had started to wear off because he was about to his, if we can say normal stage by the time he left, Karyn.

BRYANT: OK. Well, thank you. CNN`s Miguel Marquez reporting for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT from Santa Maria, California.

HAMMER: It is time now for "SHOWBIZ Shorts," a look at more stories that are making news tonight. CBS really sunk its teeth into Sunday night. In early ratings out today, "Spring Break Shark Attack" starring "The O.C.`s" Shannon Lucio helped CBS chomp out a ratings win in both total viewers and the super-important 18-to-49 demographic.

Will Smith and his wife, Jada, joined more than 15,000 fans at an AIDS benefit concert in South Africa over the weekend. Annie Lennox and Queen also performed. The event was hosted by former South African president Nelson Mandela.

More "SHOWBIZ Shorts" coming up throughout the show.

BRYANT: From a recent Oscar winner to talk show Oprah Winfrey -- talk show queen, that is -- the NAACP Image Awards honor the best in movies, television, music and books this weekend. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Brooke Anderson joins us live from Hollywood with the details. Hey, there, Brooke.

BROOKE ANDERSON, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT: Hi, there, Karyn. Jamie Foxx continued his hot streak, while an "American Idol" sang her way to a win in the Outstanding Female Artist category. Fantasia Barrino brought the house down with "I Believe."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice-over): "American Idol" Fantasia Barrino brought the crowd to tears and she brought them to their feet, and SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was there for every note.

FANTASIA BARRINO, OUTSTANDING FEMALE ARTIST: You know what? It caught me off guard because I walked off and then I looked back and I was, like, Hey, everybody`s standing up! I say thank you (UNINTELLIGIBLE) I feel honored.

ANDERSON: Kanye West, who picked up Best New Artist, has been criticized in the past for having what some call a bad attitude. The hip- hop star says he`s now changing his ways.

KANYE WEST, OUTSTANDING NEW ARTIST: I`ve made some mistakes and I`ve learned from those mistakes. And I feel like we have a great responsibility right now to our people, to everyone, to put out positive energy.

ANDERSON: The positive energy surrounded Jamie Foxx and the cast of "Ray." The biopic led all the winners with four trophies, including Best Actor for Foxx.

JAMIE FOXX, BEST ACTOR: Black folks are going to always be behind you. Even when your career ain`t doing what it`s doing, they still going to love you, man!

ANDERSON: And Best Supporting Actress for Regina King, who earlier this week raised eyebrows, telling "Entertainment Weekly," quote, "There`s a difference between actresses of color and actresses not of color. If you look at how big my movies are, it`d be interesting to see if it would have made a difference if my character had been white." But Saturday night, when pressed, she avoided the race issue.

REGINA KING, OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS: My folks, my people, you know what I mean? If it wasn`t for this organization, I wouldn`t be here to accept this.

ANDERSON: Accepting special honors was Senator Barack Obama.

SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D), ILLINOIS: They say that politics is show business for ugly people.

ANDERSON: And Oprah Winfrey, who was inducted into the NAACP Hall of Fame.

OPRAH WINFREY, TALK SHOW HOST: I know that I live the most blessed life. Sometimes I wake up in the morning, I can`t believe it`s me.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: Usher, Prince and Morgan Freeman were also among those honored during the show. The 36th annual NAACP Image Awards will be aired Friday night on Fox -- Karyn.

BRYANT: All right. Thank you, Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.

HAMMER: Family ties like no other. The last "Osbournes" airs tonight, but before they invite us into their home one last time, we`ve invited them into ours. We`ve got Ozzy and Sharon joining us live on set.

BRYANT: Ashton Kutcher hosts "Saturday Night Live," and he gets a surprise visit. Our "Buzz Bench" knows who it is.

HAMMER: It`s time now for tonight`s "Entertainment Weekly" "Great American Pop Culture Quiz." The fourth installment in this film series starred a young Hilary Swank. Was it A, "Alien," B, "The Karate Kid," C, "Star Wars," or D, "The Terminator"? We are coming right back with the answer.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HAMMER: Tonight`s "Entertainment Weekly" "Great American Pop Culture Quiz." The fourth installment in this film series starred a young Hilary Swank. "Alien," "The Karate Kid," "Star Wars," or was it "Terminator"? The answer is B, "The Karate Kid."

BRYANT: Well, it is a big week for the Osbournes. Tomorrow, Ozzy`s new box set called "Prince of Darkness" -- it`s right here -- hits the stores. And Ozzy, as many of you know, is heavy metal royalty. He was the lead singer of Black Sabbath before going solo more than 25 years ago.

And tonight, the whole family ends its four-year stint on MTV with the series finale of their hit reality show. Joining me live now, Ozzy and his wife, Sharon Osbourne. Thank you both for joining us tonight.

SHARON OSBOURNE, "THE OSBOURNES": Thank you.

OZZY OSBOURNE, "THE OSBOURNES": It`s great to be here.

BRYANT: So first and foremost, I want to know what`s more challenging, being a rock star or a TV star?

OZZY OSBOURNE: Being a TV star for me because my heart is in rock- and-roll and I don`t understand these TV (UNINTELLIGIBLE) I`m spontaneous, but you have to go to rehearsals and you got to do TV, and I`m no good at rehearsals.

BRYANT: But certainly, with your reality show, I mean...

OZZY OSBOURNE: Well, you saw what happened.

BRYANT: Right.

OZZY OSBOURNE: The (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the secret to the reality show is the fact that the only thing -- (UNINTELLIGIBLE) have to sit through hours upon hours of film and put it all together because they were there from Monday until Sunday at the beginning, 7:00 until 2:00 in the morning. So I could make a zillion more episodes, I suppose.

BRYANT: But you guys are definitely through with the reality show, do you think?

OZZY OSBOURNE: I never say never.

BRYANT: What do you think, Sharon?

SHARON OSBOURNE: I think that it`s time. It`s like Ozzy started it, and we finish it. And I`m really proud of what -- oh, well, especially Ozzy has done to open the doors up for every other celebrity who`s now doing it. But it`s time for him to go and do something else.

BRYANT: Well, certainly, your family has been through a lot through the course of these shows. There`s been, you know, rehab and cancer and accidents. I mean, can you even believe, at the end of the day, all the things that have taken place?

OZZY OSBOURNE: No, I think that seeing that, I mean, it makes it more real because when Sharon was diagnosed with cancer, the people from MTV said, Do you want us to stop filming? And I said -- I asked Sharon and she said, No, let -- because there`s very little information for people out there about cancer. I mean -- I mean (UNINTELLIGIBLE) people didn`t recover from cancer. I thought patient plus cancer equals death. And I just thought, The woman I love is going to die, you know?

BRYANT: Right.

OZZY OSBOURNE: And she`s so courageous for letting them film everything.

BRYANT: But had you known that that was going to happen, do you think you would have let the cameras be there, if you had any foresight?

OZZY OSBOURNE: It`s reality TV. I mean -- I mean, they said, We want to do a reality show, and we said yes. But I don`t read scripts. I can`t read scripts. (UNINTELLIGIBLE)

BRYANT: You`re just going to have to be Ozzy.

SHARON OSBOURNE: It`s -- I don`t know. If you agree to do reality and do it properly, its the good, the bad and the ugly, and you can`t hide the ugly and just leave all the good stuff in there -- smiley, happy stuff. Then it`s not real.

BRYANT: But would you say it`s improved your life or it`s not made an improvement in your life?

OZZY OSBOURNE: Well, it`s kind of -- it`s -- these last four years have seemed like a lifetime, yet once upon a time, it was new and (UNINTELLIGIBLE) I didn`t understand what (UNINTELLIGIBLE). It`s a 7.3, and I thought we were going to have an earthquake or something.

BRYANT: Well, yes, didn`t you say you had to tell somebody to put it in terms of record sales, so you could understand it?

OZZY OSBOURNE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) If this was a record, how many records would I have sold? Then they`d go, It`d off the -- it`d be off the map. And I`d go -- it never really got me until Sharon and I went out one day, and (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and people were looking at us and -- the power of TV is really awesome.

BRYANT: It is incredible. Well, speaking of records, you`ve been selling records for more than 25 years, and you have -- you know, it`s -- the numbers are crazy.

SHARON OSBOURNE: Thirty-five.

BRYANT: Exactly right, counting Sabbath. Are you better now, Ozzy or were you better then?

OZZY OSBOURNE: It`s not a point of being better. It`s -- music is what got me in the first place, you know? And I`ve always -- (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the Beatles because had I not heard the Beatles -- and when I first heard "She Loves You," something (UNINTELLIGIBLE) turned the switch in my head, and I wanted to be a Beatle, you know?

BRYANT: Right.

OZZY OSBOURNE: I ended up being (UNINTELLIGIBLE)

BRYANT: Well, you did -- you actually...

OZZY OSBOURNE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Black Sabbath, you know?

BRYANT: Yes, well, you know, but you covered some John Lennon on this, as well.

OZZY OSBOURNE: Yes.

BRYANT: And it`s a great package. It`s called "Prince of Darkness" and it`s in stores tomorrow. Ozzy, Sharon, thank you so much for joining us right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

SHARON OSBOURNE: Thanks a lot, Karyn.

HAMMER: Sex, violence and profanity on TV? What do Americans think? Well, a "Time" magazine poll out today shows America is split. The cover story question, "Has TV gone too far?" First, violence -- 66 percent of Americans say, yes, it`s gone way too far. There`s way too much violence on the tube. About a third say, no, not too much. But what about profanity and cursing? Fifty-eight percent say there is too much, thirty- nine percent disagree. And let`s talk about sex. It`s pretty close: 50 percent say too much of it on TV, 45 percent say not too much.

Well, later in the show, we`ll be debating this in our "SHOWBIZ Showdown" question: TV indecency, has it gone too far? We`d like to know your thoughts, and you can vote right now by going to cnn.com/showbiztonight. Send us your e-mail, too at showbiztonight@cnn.com, and we`ll some of what you have to say at 55 past the hour.

BRYANT: Thriller nights. Moviegoers are jumping out of their living rooms and into the theaters. Why audiences are screaming for more scary movies.

HAMMER: And the next time you call for room service, his CD may show up with your breakfast. That`s coming up in this week`s "People`s" "Picks and Pans" for music.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HAMMER: "Weekend Update" gives it to Paula Abdul straight up. That`s coming up a bit later in "Laughter Dark (ph)."

BRYANT: Well, "The Ring 2" wasn`t a laugher at the box office this weekend. In final numbers released this afternoon, the scary sequel starring Naomi Watts took in $35 million. "Robots" retreated to second place with $21 million. Vin Diesel`s "The Pacifier" was still showing power in third with $12.5 million. But Disney`s other film, "Ice Princess," had kind of a cold day in fourth, just under $7 million. And Will Smith`s "Hitch" clung to the fifth position with a $6.5 million take.

HAMMER: Well, "Ring 2`s" big opening is just the latest example of a thrilling trend. Tonight in "The Show`s Biz," why horror movies are scaring up big box office receipts. Joining us life from Los Angeles is Paul Dergarabedian. He`s the president of Exhibitor Relations. It`s a company that tracks box office numbers.

All right, Paul, we just took a look at the numbers for the weekend, 36 million bucks for "The Ring 2." Horror movies like "The Grudge" made $39 million, "Boogieman" $19 million, opening weekend for all of them, No. 1. Why is horror so hot?

PAUL DERGARABEDIAN, PRESIDENT, EXHIBITOR RELATIONS: People love to be scared, bottom line. I mean, You look at amusement parks and the scariest roller-coasters are the ones with the longest lines. And the same thing is true with these movies. People cannot seem to get enough of them. Since August of last year, there have been about 16 horror films released. Of those, 8 opened at No. 1. That says a lot about the popularity of this genre.

HAMMER: Now, the thing about these movies, though, they seem to, you know, hit the top, as you mentioned, but then they tend to drop off pretty quickly. So why is it that the studios are continuing to make these films with such regularity?

DERGARABEDIAN: Well, generally speaking, they have much lower budgets than the average film. I think "Boogieman" had a negative cost of about $7 million, so they`re very profitable. And I think a big part of the reason why they drop off so quickly is because the marketing campaigns are so strong, and to get people in the theaters, but overall, I mean, most of that audience, they want to see that film opening weekend, then they drop off. But by that time, they made enough money to be profitable in that short of a timespan.

HAMMER: Right. And we all know, of course, that the horror flicks are great excuses for the teens to grab ahold of each other because they`re scared, of course. How important is the teen demographic to this element of film?

DERGARABEDIAN: Really important. And in fact, this whole notion of a PG-13 horror film has really been a boon to this whole genre because films like "Boogieman" and "The Grudge" and most recently, of course, this weekend, "The Ring 2," all PG-13. That means that you can go on a date and you don`t have to have the parent, you know, driving you there and getting you into the movie and sitting there with you.

HAMMER: Exactly.

DERGARABEDIAN: So there`s a lot of appeal there.

HAMMER: All right, Paul, thanks for joining us. Paul Dergarabedian, the president of Exhibitor Relations.

BRYANT: Some people are scared about what`s happening on the small screen. Tonight`s hot topic is TV indecency and some of your favorite shows in the crossfire. Our "SHOWBIZ Showdown" is next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(NEWS BREAK)

HAMMER: Enough already? Nicolette Sheridan shedding her towel is the -- is only the top of the iceberg. Now a new poll sheds light on whether TV viewers are fed up with all the sex on television. Tonight`s "Showbiz Showdown," has TV indecency gone too far?

BRYANT: Al Green is back with a new record called "Everything is OK." Is it more than OK? We`ll find out tonight in "People`s Picks and Pans."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JESSICA BEAL, ACTRESS: I`m Jessica Beal and if it happened today, it`s on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

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

HAMMER: And I`m A.J. Hammer. Here are tonight`s hot headlines.

The latest in the alleged Letterman plot. You`re now looking at live pictures from outside the Ed Sullivan theater in New York City, where David Letterman just finished taping tonight`s episode.

BRYANT: It was the first taping since he learned there may have been a plot to kidnap his son. Letterman personally thanked by name the FBI agents and the sheriff who are working the case.

Kelly Frank is scheduled to appear in court for a hearing tomorrow in Montana. He is charged with plotting to kidnap Letterman`s son for a $5 million ransom.

HAMMER: Michael Jackson, late again. Jackson showed up late for court today, this time only a few minutes. Once he was inside, Jackson was shaking and crying, and at one point he left the courtroom with tissues in front of his face. A doctor sat behind him when testimony resumed.

BRYANT: Time now for the "Showbiz Showdown": indecency on TV. Earlier we told you about a "TIME" magazine poll out today on TV indecency which finds a majority of those polled believe there`s too much sex, violence, and profanity on the tube, which leads to today`s "Showbiz Showdown" hot topic: TV indecency, has it gone too far?

Joining us live in New York, "Showbiz Tonight`s" Amy Kean, who says yes, TV indecency has gone too far. And Rachel Maddow, host of Air America`s radio program "Unfiltered," who says, no, TV has not gone too far. And we`re going to take this one topic at a time. Violence, profanity and then sex.

So, we`re going to actually start with sex. Amy, what`s your take?

AMY KEAN, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT: Well, I don`t -- I can`t imagine there`s much of a debate here. After Janet Jackson took her breast out at the Super Bowl, I think that that really set off a whole chain of events.

And I think people have really tried to wake up to the fact that, first of all, most American children under the age of 18 watch about 20 hours per week of television, which I think is really, really alarming.

And I think that if you flip -- if someone just sits down and flips around on the dial, the things you`ll see on MTV, FOX, the major networks, as well as cable, I think it`s really upsetting.

And I think that the most important thing to remember here is that cable has changed what we show on the regular, you know ABC, NBC, CBS channels, because they`ve raised the bar of what the viewers expect to see in terms of sex, violence and profanity.

BRYANT: Well, Rachel, why don`t you jump in here? Because the actual numbers are that 50 percent say yes, there`s too much sex. Forty-five percent say there isn`t too much sex.

RACHEL MADDOW, HOST, "UNFILTERED": And if you parse those numbers further, you get to a point where you as people whether there is too much sex, and you`ve got a specific number of people who say, "Yes, there is."

And then you say, "Well, are you personally offended?" And it`s a very small number of those -- a very smaller number of people who say that they are offended and then an even smaller number says they want it banned.

This is one of those things. I mean, ever since Elvis swiveled his pelvis on television everybody thought that there`s too much sex on television. We`ve been freaked out about it for a long time.

The question is, then why do so many Americans watch "Desperate Housewives" rather than watching other shows that are on at the same time that don`t have the same sexual content? It`s the same thing that Americans have always faced. We don`t want to want what we actually seek out.

BRYANT: OK. Well, Amy, we`re going to move on to violence here, because we`ve got to get through all three. The numbers for violence, 66 percent say, yes, there is too much violence. Thirty-two percent say there is not too much violence. Some people argue that we are more tolerant of violence on television than we are of sex. What to you think of that?

KEAN: I think we are much more tolerant of violence. But I think that, you know, people need to remember that there`s other, you know, staggering statistics like, you know, by the time a child reaches 18, they`ve witnessed at least 16,000 simulated murders and 200,000 other violent acts.

And you have to just wake up and realize, you know, if children are watching this much television, there`s no way it`s not infiltrating how they behave. And you know, there are a lot of studies that, you know, go either way, but the fact is, I think we should really be careful, because, you know, Rachel is saying that people kind of watch what they want to watch. And I understand that point of view, but at the same time, we do need to be responsible to children. A lot of the people polled were not parents.

BRYANT: Jump in here, Rachel.

MADDOW: Well, I want to say that with violence issues. I mean, 30 million Americans are watching "CSI" every week. I mean, this is something that people are seeking out.

I`m more horrified by what I see in terms of video games in terms of violence.

Nobody`s going to argue in favor of violence on television, but is the cure worse than what ails you in this case? Do you actually want the government to be banning what`s too violent to be shown on television, because then it`s going to become like pornography. It`s going to move to Internet. It`s going to move to videogames.

KEAN: I don`t really see the downside to violence on TV, because I think what people are really going after are things like, you know, what are we going to miss? Like MTV spring break coverage, you know, the girls gone wild mentality people have got into? I don`t think there`s much art that we`re really going to be getting rid of.

BRYANT: Well, Amy, that`s a good transition, because art, some will say "Saving Private Ryan," a very well-made film. It had been shown before unedited. Recently, there was some nervousness about airing it with the profanity.

Fifty-eight percent say there`s too much profanity. Thirty-nine percent say there isn`t. Rachel, what`s your take on the profanity?

MADDOW: The very best show on television for a very long time, in my opinion, was "The Sopranos." If you want to do "The Sopranos" without swearing, good look. It`s something that happens in the culture that is reflected in television. The job of television is to deliver audiences to advertisers, and people want to see something that reflects reality.

KEAN: I think -- I think you -- I totally agree with you about "The Sopranos," but "The Sopranos" is on HBO.

MADDOW: Right.

KEAN: And it`s on not during, you know, the peak hours when children would be watching. And I think what we really need to remember is that when I was a kid...

BRYANT: Last words.

KEAN: When I was a kid which wasn`t very long ago, there was a family hour, and we`d watch things like "The Waltons" and "Little House on the Prairie." And I feel like, for parents of children, what do they have to choose from? They have shows like "The Starlet" where people, where girls -- reality shows where girls are simulating, you know, lesbian sex scenes.

BRYANT: So Amy, you`re hoping -- you`re hoping a return, a return to the good old days with the family hour?

KEAN: Yes.

BRYANT: Unfortunately, ladies, we`re going to have to end it there tonight. Amy Kean, of course, of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. And Rachel Maddow, host of Air America`s "Unfiltered."

MADDOW: Thank you.

BRYANT: Thanks for joining us.

Now we want to know your thoughts at home. Is -- our "Showbiz Showdown question of the day is "TV indecency, has it gone too far?" You can vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight, or if you want to tell us more, e-mail us at: ShowbizTonight@CNN.com. We`ll share some of what you had to say later in the show.

HAMMER: It is time for more "Showbiz Shorts."

Hugh Jackman coming back for more. "Daily Variety" reports today that Jackman is expected to reprise his role as Wolverine in "X-Men 3," but first, Jackman will shoot a movie in Germany this summer called "Good."

BRYANT: It`s the "SNL" moment everyone is talking about. Demi makes a memorable cameo during Ashton`s monologue. We`ll take it to the "Buzz Bench," coming up.

HAMMER: Plus, a different kind of Green day. We`re checking out Al Green`s new record. That`s coming up in "People Picks and Pans."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHRISTINA MILIAN, SINGER: Hello, I`m Christina Milian, and the show I`m watching right now is "Americas Next Top Model." I`m very much into competition, and you never know what`s going to happen next week.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HAMMER: Yes, it is time for tonight`s "Buzz Bench." Here`s what we`re buzzing about: Demi and Ashton`s "SNL skit," Michael Jackson`s second late excuse, and J.Lo`s dead air.

BRYANT: Joining us on the "Buzz Bench," SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Julie Boorstin covers the entertainment industry for "Fortune" magazine. Comedian and TV personality Chuck Nice and "New York Magazine`s" Sarah Bernard.

So Ashton was hosting "SNL" this weekend. And we have a little clip, so why don`t we just show people this for a second?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ASHTON KUTCHER, ACTOR: Why don`t you come up with me and just enjoy this moment together.

DEMI MOORE, ACTRESS: All right.

KUTCHER: But age is just. It`s a meaningless number. It`s like height or shoe size.

MOORE: Or I.Q.

KUTCHER: Yes. What?

MOORE: You are beautiful.

KUTCHER: Look at you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRYANT: OK, so, obviously feeling very playful. What`s your take on this one, Sarah?

SARAH BERNARD, "NEW YORK MAGAZINE": I think it`s great. I think "SNL" this season especially has been the place to own your own ridicule. Instead of just letting everybody make fun of you, you go on, you face it and you make fun of yourself.

I mean, remember when Paris Hilton famously went on after her sex tapes?

BRYANT: Right.

BERNARD: And that`s about what they`re doing.

Now, I think what scares me here is they only have a 15-year age difference, obviously. But I mean, this is what`s going to happen if she just -- if Demi Moore doesn`t keep up with the plastic surgery. This is what we`re going to end up with. It could be really scary. Fifteen years is a long time. She`s got to look young with him.

CHUCK NICE, COMEDIAN: All I know is, to answer the question, is there too much sex on TV? That was indecent.

BERNARD: Oh, come on.

NICE: That was creepy.

HAMMER: Nobody wants to see the teeth popping out.

JULIE BOORSTIN, "FORTUNE": It was great because if they hadn`t done it, somebody else would have.

BERNARD: Exactly. They were making fun ahead of the gang.

BOORSTIN: Yes. They`re beating them to the punch.

BRYANT: Do you think she`s pregnant?

NICE: Demi? You know, I can only hope so.

HAMMER: Can you have a child at that age? All right.

(CROSS TALK)

HAMMER: Michael Jackson hobbled into court once again today. He was moving a little slow and as we reported earlier it was a rally tough day for him in court.

NICE: Michael is actually turning into, like, Courtney Love, who`s showing up to court late all the time. I don`t know who he`s taking his cues from. I think he`s trying to garner sympathy, and quite frankly, it`s working on me.

BRYANT: Do you feel bad for him?

NICE: I`ve absolutely forgotten all about what this trial is. I`m just like, is Michael OK today? I need to know if he`s going to be all right. Showed up with a doctor in scrubs. Just in case there`s a need for an emergency procedure.

BRYANT: Do you think this is an act or do you think he`s really ill?

BERNARD: I think this is his attempt at an insanity defense. I think he watched that "Sopranos" episode where Uncle Junior was wearing the bathrobe, walking around. And he was like, that`s what I need to do.

BOORSTIN: Going crazier. I mean, look at him. Every time he looks nuttier and nuttier and it`s not like he wasn`t necessarily a little bit nutty to begin with. And you know...

BRYANT: He`s working on you guys.

BOORSTIN: Yes.

NICE: I think there is absolutely no question that Michael Jackson is one sick individual. OK? So, we can rest assured that that`s the one thing that`s not debatable. Is he`s sick.

BRYANT: Right. Define sick.

BOORSTIN: The problem is you have the judge telling the jury, now don`t take this as saying anything about the case. And of course the jury is going to think, who is this guy? How could it not affect the jury?

BRYANT: Do you think it makes him look more guilty, you know, like that he`s trying to hide something and so he`s distracting?

NICE: Oh, yes. Yes. I think perhaps that when you`re trying to divert attention away from any issue, that it makes you look more guilty. So I`m thinking that this is not going to work for him.

The rumor is, though, that the reason why he`s so ill is that he`s been drinking a little too much Jesus juice.

BRYANT: We want to move on.

BOORSTIN: Please.

BRYANT: Our third topic is J.Lo. We love talking about J.Lo here at SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

BERNARD: Absolutely.

BRYANT: It`s good stuff. So, she was in Australia. She was interviewed on a radio program by a woman named Jackie O. Jackie brought up the whole PETA, the animal fur, and J.Lo`s clothing line and basically J.Lo said, "Well, had I known more about this, you know, maybe somebody could educate me." Jackie proceed to inform her on the air graphically about what happens when you use fur, and J.Lo just -- radio silence, just dead air. What do you think of this thing?

BOORSTIN: She had nothing to say, and that was the worse possible situation.

The truth is that J.Lo is trying to prove she`s not just a pop star. She`s also the CEO of this company. She runs this company. This is a company with her name on it. She`s going to put her name on a company, then she better have some answers.

And the truth is that if she`s using fur, there are plenty of ways that you could talk about why you might want to use fur. I mean it`s such a hot issue in the fashion industry that some designers like Karl Lagerfeld who really do use fur, they stand up for themselves or they even explain it. But she had nothing to say.

I mean, it`s like being accused of using sweatshops and, you know, slave labor. You`ve got to have an explanation or even apologize or something. But she didn`t have anything to say, and that was the worse response.

BERNARD: I think this is going to get more exciting, because they say that their next stop, they might -- PETA might show up at the premier of "Monster-in-Law" in L.A.

HAMMER: For a demonstration.

BERNARD: Right.

HAMMER: You have to believe she`s educating herself now, or people are educating her so she will at least have something to say.

NICE: She`s a busy woman.

HAMMER: What should she say, Chuck?

NICE: She`s a very busy woman. She can`t be up on everything, people, you know. She`s got a lot to do.

BOORSTIN: She has a lot of fur trim in that line.

NICE: I`m just glad that now she`s basically given up on her whole puppy coat idea.

BRYANT: With that, we will end it. We will end it. Julie Boorstin of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT and of course "Fortune" magazine, thanks for joining us.

Chuck Nice, comedian and TV personality and Sarah Bernard of "New York Magazine," thanks for joining the "Buzz Bench."

Now, Moby has a new record. His latest comes out tomorrow. It`s called "Hotel." Should you check in? We`ll find out coming up in "People`s Picks and Pans."

HAMMER: Plus, here comes the judge. Paula Abdul gets the "SNL" treatment, coming up in "Laughter Dark."

BRYANT: Now, tonight`s birthday shout out. James Bond himself, Timothy Dalton, turns 59 today. The shout out comes from Jimmy Fallon.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JIMMY FALLON, COMEDIAN: Hello, Mr. Bond. Happy birthday to you. I hope you`re having a great one, Mr. Bond.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: It`s time now for "People" magazine`s music picks and pans. And there is something for everybody tonight. Moby, Al Green and Tweet all have new albums.

Joining us live from "People" magazine is senior writer Julie Dam. Thanks for dropping by, Julie.

JULIE DAM, "PEOPLE MAGAZINE": Thanks for having me.

HAMMER: Moby`s "Hotel" finally is out tomorrow. I`ve been a huge fan of his for years, mostly from his "Play" album back in the late `90s with that electronic sound. Is this something of that same type?

DAM: Well, that`s the thing. Just when you thought that he might be relegated to VH1`s "I Love the `90s," he`s actually proven that he`s still very relevant. You know, he`s got sounds that are right in tune with the neo-new wave bands like Franz Ferdinand and the Killer but also with the moody Brit poppers like Cold Play and Keen.

HAMMER: Yes. And this CD not just available just in music stores.

DAM: No. It`s also -- it`s called "Hotel," so it`s also available at W hotels.

HAMMER: Some smart marketing. All right, well let`s move on to the Rev. Al. Al Green has got his brand new CD. It`s called "Everything is OK." And it`s really him doing what he does best, isn`t it?

DAM: Yes. It`s vintage Al Green. Love and happiness. He`s moved away from the gospel a little bit, but he`s got this great cover of "You Are So Beautiful" that just blows us right away.

HAMMER: Yes. Really, really nice. Excellent. And that came out last week, so that`s already in stores.

DAM: Yes.

HAMMER: Let`s move on to Tweet. Tweet had an album come out a couple years ago.

DAM: Right.

HAMMER: She`s got one dropping tomorrow, and she`s a protege of Missy Elliot, who produced seven tracks on this album?

DAM: Right. You know, she had a controversial song about three years ago that, shall we say, is about self-love. And this time around she`s got a controversial song, too, about how to attract men by sex, sports and food.

HAMMER: OK. Well, the album is called "It`s Me Again," and it arrives in stores tomorrow.

Julie Dam, senior writer for "People" magazine, thanks for dropping by.

DAM: Thank you.

HAMMER: And for more of "People`s Picks and Pans," you can check out this week`s "People" magazine. It`s at newsstands everywhere.

BRYANT: A legendary singer who was a fixture on the New York cabaret scene died this morning. Bobby Short died of leukemia at a New York hospital. He had been singing at Cafe Carlisle in Manhattan since 1968. Short performed often at the White House and won three Grammys. Bobby Short was 80 years old.

HAMMER: Judging Paula Abdul, "Saturday Night Live" has some fun with the "American Idol" judge. And that`s coming up in "Laughter Dark."

BRYANT: And there`s still time for you to sound off in tonight`s "Showbiz Showdown" question of the day: TV indecency, has it gone too far? You can vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight or e-mail us what`s on your mind at ShowbizTonight@CNN.com.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HAMMER: Welcome back. It is 55 minutes past the hour and time for more "Showbiz Shorts."

"The Insider" host Pat O`Brien is in rehab tonight. In a statement, O`Brien says he had an alcohol problem and has decided to take action.

BRYANT: An affair to remember: "A Current Affair" is back on the air tonight. The show started tabloid TV when it began in 1986. It was hosted by Maury Povich and others, for 10 years. Former NFL player Tim Green is hosting the new version.

HAMMER: Runway part two. Well, today we learned that Bravo has given the green light to a second season of "Project Runway." It has ordered 10 episodes of the series, where fashion designers compete for a contract.

BRYANT: Well, it is time to get your laugh on in "Laughter Dark." And as we do every night, we bring you the late night laughs you may have missed.

HAMMER: Later this week, of course, "American Idol" judge Paula Abdul may face charges for an alleged traffic accident. That`s a story that had "Saturday Night Live" written all over it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AMY POEHLER, "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE": Los Angeles prosecutors are contemplating whether to bring criminal charges against Paula Abdul for her alleged role in a hit and run accident last December.

As it stands, the judge informed Abdul that, "I think you look great and you started out driving really well. But then when you swiped the car it was a little, not your best. But, still, I like you and I like your style. Nice job."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: You know, Paula`s actually been a little more on point this season...

BRYANT: You think?

HAMMER: ... with getting a little more aggressive and telling people exactly how she feels.

BRYANT: I`m a Simon girl.

HAMMER: All right.

BRYANT: Definitely, a big fan of Simon criticism.

HAMMER: I don`t think that -- I`m just saying, I don`t think all of Paula`s things have been buttered up.

BRYANT: I agree with you. I agree with you.

Throughout the show, we`ve been asking you to vote online in our "Showbiz Showdown" question of the day: TV indecency, has it gone too far?

Let`s take a look at how the vote is going so far. Fifty-nine percent of you said, yes, TV indecency has gone too far. And 41 percent of you said, no, TV indecency has not gone too far.

You`ve always been sending us e-mails on this question.

Ryan from Saginaw, Michigan, says, "I really don`t think that TV is really that bad. If you don`t like the show or its content, turn the channel."

Now, remember you can continue to vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.

HAMMER: It is time now to see what`s playing on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT tomorrow. Let`s take a look at the "Showbiz Marquee." And yes, the marquee guy is still here.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANNOUNCER: Billy Idol, he`s back and it`s not just idol worship. Party.

BILLY IDOL, MUSICIAN: Why wouldn`t you want to party with that?

ANNOUNCER: Well, why, indeed. How Billy bounced back. Tomorrow he`s on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

Plus, she`s been called the girl next door. Must be some neighborhood. Sandra Bullock on looks, family and her new flame, tomorrow.

Bye-bye from the marquee guy.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: Classic. Nothing Ozzy and Sharon tonight.

BRYANT: Here`s the thing. I told Ozzy before, I said, you know, when I was in eighth grade, I think it was, or it might have been a little bit before that, but "Diary of a Mad Man" came out and everybody got it for a Christmas present. I got it for people. They bought it for me. And it was classic.

HAMMER: How was he with that, because some people don`t like to hear, you know, when I was a kid.

BRYANT: I think he was fine with it. I mean, I`m a fan. I put the record on today, and I still knew all the words. It was great. Come on.

HAMMER: And what I loved about her is what you see is clearly what you get.

BRYANT: Oh, yes.

HAMMER: Everything that you see on TV you actually feel you do get to know her by watching "The Osbournes." I`ve been watching since season one. Exactly what you expect.

BRYANT: Keen fashion sense on that woman.

Well, that does it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. We will see you here tomorrow.

HAMMER: Nancy Grace is up next right after the very latest from Headline News.

END


Aired March 21, 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: Letterman speaks out about the alleged kidnapping plot against his son.
KARYN BRYANT, CO-HOST: And a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT tonight Oz fest, Ozzy and Sharon live. I`m Karyn Bryant.

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

BRYANT: The Michael mess. Michael Jackson looks like a mess as he shows up for court late again. What is going on? We`re live in California.

HAMMER: Tonight, the plot thickens. What will David Letterman say as he does his first show since the plot to kidnap his son was revealed?

BRYANT: Family guy, Ozzy and Sharon. The Osbournes live. He`s rocked the house and brought down the house. The "Prince of Darkness" sheds some light on his new album and his last MTV show.

HAMMER: Plus: sex, violence, profanity. Tonight`s "SHOWBIZ Showdown." We ask, Has TV gone too far?

BRYANT: And is Fox first again? A big night in LA. We`ll tell you who took home the statues.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DREW BARRYMORE, ACTRESS: Hi. I`m Drew Barrymore, and if it happened today, it`s on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer, and you`re at the top of the show.

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

HAMMER: You`re taking a look at the live shot of the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York, where just moments ago, Dave Letterman finished taping his very first "Late Show" since the alleged plot to kidnap his son came to light last week.

BRYANT: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has learned that in front of fans and audience members, Letterman personally thanked each member of the FBI by name, as well as the Teton County sheriff. He said, quote, "You always make my family and me feel at home. Thank you very much."

Now, fans waiting to see the Letterman taping were buzzing earlier this afternoon.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice-over): It looks like every other day in front of the Ed Sullivan Theater, fans lining up, waiting to watch funnyman David Letterman`s "Late Show" taping. But this isn`t just any other day. This is his first day back since the unveiling of a plot to kidnap his 16-month- old son and nanny and hold them for a $5 million ransom.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I`m glad to know that Dave is safe and his family`s safe and that the authorities intervened and got it in time.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It was a travesty because celebrities ought to have the same right to safety for their family members that we, as American citizens, do. After all, they`re just people.

BRYANT: The suspect, 43-year-old Frank Kelly. He was arrested last week after the kidnapping plans came to light. Frank once worked as a painter on Letterman`s Montana ranch. Authorities say his plans were busted when his friend and co-worker, Robert Gondeiro, learned of the plot and reported it to them. Gondeiro`s father told "The New York Daily News" his son blew the whistle on the scheme because he loves children. He told "The Daily News," quote, "Kelly Frank tried to get him in on the deal. And when he tried to pull him in on this, Robert had a real hard time with it."

Now Frank`s fiancee, Laurie Johnson, speaks out. She told several New York newspapers that her fiance has been falsely accused, calling it a, quote, "personal vendetta," adding that the two had a falling-out at work. She told "The New York Post" that her fiance has great respect for Letterman and that, quote, "He felt privileged to be able to go up there and work for him."

(END VIDEOTAPE)

And it turns out Kelly is an ex-con. He is on probation and served six months in jail after pleading guilty to stalking and intimidating a woman. That woman claims he also kidnapped and raped her. Frank will be in court tomorrow on arraignment, and SHOWBIZ TONIGHT will have all the details.

HAMMER: Well, that alleged Letterman plot highlights the fears that many stars have that someone will target their kids. And some stars have taken rather extraordinary steps to keep those fears from becoming a reality. Here`s some examples. "The New York Post" reports that Claudia Schiffer and her husband hired a squad of Nepalese fighters called Ghurkas to keep watch over their son and daughter. Guards with special forces training reportedly have kept a constant watch over Madonna`s children. And Gwyneth Paltrow and her husband, Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin, both put up a five-foot security wall around their LA home just before they had their daughter, Apple.

Joining us live now here in New York is Robert Tucker. He is the chairman and CEO of T&M Protection Resources, which provides security to celebrities and other high-end clients. Thanks for joining us, Robert.

ROBERT TUCKER, SECURITY EXPERT: Thanks, A.J.

HAMMER: It has now been over 40 years since the last known successful kidnapping of a celeb`s child. That was, of course, Frank Sinatra, Jr. Give me a reality check here, Robert. How concerned do stars really need to be?

TUCKER: I think they need to be very concerned. I mean, you know, it`s a real business, the celebrity security business, and we, you know, provide that security both to celebrities and to high-profile CEOs. So I think they have to be concerned. I think that people would exploit their children to get at them.

HAMMER: Just a few moments ago, I mentioned what measures people like Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow have been taking. What extremes have you seen that celebrities are actually going to to keep their kids safe?

TUCKER: Well, I think they hire firms like T&M Protection Resources to do background checks, to provide technology and human resources to keep them safe.

HAMMER: You mentioned the background checks and various types of technology. What other kind of measures do you advocate, bulletproof cars, for instance?

TUCKER: I think, you know, where the threat rises to that kind of level that, you know, there are mainstream cars that are now made that are armored. We, you know, have clients that certainly -- that certainly use those. I think, you know, the key to it is to take a look at the whole situation, do an assessment. That`s what our firm does every day in the private sector, just like in the government.

HAMMER: And I imagine it`s been growing and growing. How big a business is this type of security, Robert?

TUCKER: The security business is a billion-dollar industry, and it`s certainly -- on the personal protection side, it`s growing every day. And things like the Letterman incident certainly make people aware that this is a real threat.

HAMMER: Certainly. Bring it right to the forefront. Well, thank you very much for your insight, Robert Tucker of T&M Protection Resources.

TUCKER: Thanks, A.J.

HAMMER: Karyn.

BRYANT: Well, what is going on with Michael Jackson? First he arrives at his trial late again today, walking in arm-in-arm with a bodyguard and his brother, Jackie. Then things come to a crashing halt and court is recessed. Well, CNN`s Miguel Marquez is live right now for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT outside the courthouse in Santa Maria, California. Now, Miguel, this was not a good day for Michael Jackson, was it.

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Boy, at least not physically, or possibly mentally. What happened in court today, at least with his lawyers, seemed to go fairly well for him, but Michael Jackson showed up five minutes late. But boy, does he know how to make an entrance. The guy looked like he was on his last legs, moving into court very slowly. We knew he had back troubles, or so he said he had back troubles two weeks ago, but today it looked like something much, much more. On the way out of court today, he did admit that he was on doctor-prescribed medication of some sort. Today it looked like he was possibly on a bit too much of it, Karyn.

BRYANT: OK, so when court did resume, the doctor was sitting behind him. How was he feeling? And what happened with the testimony of the flight attendant?

MARQUEZ: Yes, there was -- there were several people testified today, including a flight attendant. And she said that she had -- previously, on an XtraJet, a private company, had served Jackson white wine in a Diet Coke can, but she also testified that she never saw kids drinking around Jackson. She never saw him give kids drinks, or she never saw any intoxicated kids around Jackson. She also said that she hid many liquor bottles inside the plane`s bathroom -- Karyn.

BRYANT: OK, so it is still a mystery, though, today everything that went on with Michael. It`s just another day in the crazy trial, as far as his health is concerned?

MARQUEZ: It is another crazy day. I wasn`t convinced that he was going to make it through this trial. When he went into court initially, he was only sitting there for two minutes before he got up again and started going out of court again. His hand was visibly shaking. He was holding Kleenex up to his hands after he was sobbing at the defense table. And it looked like he was about to vomit. He was then gone for about 35, 40 minutes or so, made his way back into the courtroom, sat down and went on for the rest of the day`s testimony.

By the end of the day, though, it looked like whatever ill effects he had early in the day had started to wear off because he was about to his, if we can say normal stage by the time he left, Karyn.

BRYANT: OK. Well, thank you. CNN`s Miguel Marquez reporting for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT from Santa Maria, California.

HAMMER: It is time now for "SHOWBIZ Shorts," a look at more stories that are making news tonight. CBS really sunk its teeth into Sunday night. In early ratings out today, "Spring Break Shark Attack" starring "The O.C.`s" Shannon Lucio helped CBS chomp out a ratings win in both total viewers and the super-important 18-to-49 demographic.

Will Smith and his wife, Jada, joined more than 15,000 fans at an AIDS benefit concert in South Africa over the weekend. Annie Lennox and Queen also performed. The event was hosted by former South African president Nelson Mandela.

More "SHOWBIZ Shorts" coming up throughout the show.

BRYANT: From a recent Oscar winner to talk show Oprah Winfrey -- talk show queen, that is -- the NAACP Image Awards honor the best in movies, television, music and books this weekend. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Brooke Anderson joins us live from Hollywood with the details. Hey, there, Brooke.

BROOKE ANDERSON, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT: Hi, there, Karyn. Jamie Foxx continued his hot streak, while an "American Idol" sang her way to a win in the Outstanding Female Artist category. Fantasia Barrino brought the house down with "I Believe."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice-over): "American Idol" Fantasia Barrino brought the crowd to tears and she brought them to their feet, and SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was there for every note.

FANTASIA BARRINO, OUTSTANDING FEMALE ARTIST: You know what? It caught me off guard because I walked off and then I looked back and I was, like, Hey, everybody`s standing up! I say thank you (UNINTELLIGIBLE) I feel honored.

ANDERSON: Kanye West, who picked up Best New Artist, has been criticized in the past for having what some call a bad attitude. The hip- hop star says he`s now changing his ways.

KANYE WEST, OUTSTANDING NEW ARTIST: I`ve made some mistakes and I`ve learned from those mistakes. And I feel like we have a great responsibility right now to our people, to everyone, to put out positive energy.

ANDERSON: The positive energy surrounded Jamie Foxx and the cast of "Ray." The biopic led all the winners with four trophies, including Best Actor for Foxx.

JAMIE FOXX, BEST ACTOR: Black folks are going to always be behind you. Even when your career ain`t doing what it`s doing, they still going to love you, man!

ANDERSON: And Best Supporting Actress for Regina King, who earlier this week raised eyebrows, telling "Entertainment Weekly," quote, "There`s a difference between actresses of color and actresses not of color. If you look at how big my movies are, it`d be interesting to see if it would have made a difference if my character had been white." But Saturday night, when pressed, she avoided the race issue.

REGINA KING, OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS: My folks, my people, you know what I mean? If it wasn`t for this organization, I wouldn`t be here to accept this.

ANDERSON: Accepting special honors was Senator Barack Obama.

SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D), ILLINOIS: They say that politics is show business for ugly people.

ANDERSON: And Oprah Winfrey, who was inducted into the NAACP Hall of Fame.

OPRAH WINFREY, TALK SHOW HOST: I know that I live the most blessed life. Sometimes I wake up in the morning, I can`t believe it`s me.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: Usher, Prince and Morgan Freeman were also among those honored during the show. The 36th annual NAACP Image Awards will be aired Friday night on Fox -- Karyn.

BRYANT: All right. Thank you, Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.

HAMMER: Family ties like no other. The last "Osbournes" airs tonight, but before they invite us into their home one last time, we`ve invited them into ours. We`ve got Ozzy and Sharon joining us live on set.

BRYANT: Ashton Kutcher hosts "Saturday Night Live," and he gets a surprise visit. Our "Buzz Bench" knows who it is.

HAMMER: It`s time now for tonight`s "Entertainment Weekly" "Great American Pop Culture Quiz." The fourth installment in this film series starred a young Hilary Swank. Was it A, "Alien," B, "The Karate Kid," C, "Star Wars," or D, "The Terminator"? We are coming right back with the answer.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HAMMER: Tonight`s "Entertainment Weekly" "Great American Pop Culture Quiz." The fourth installment in this film series starred a young Hilary Swank. "Alien," "The Karate Kid," "Star Wars," or was it "Terminator"? The answer is B, "The Karate Kid."

BRYANT: Well, it is a big week for the Osbournes. Tomorrow, Ozzy`s new box set called "Prince of Darkness" -- it`s right here -- hits the stores. And Ozzy, as many of you know, is heavy metal royalty. He was the lead singer of Black Sabbath before going solo more than 25 years ago.

And tonight, the whole family ends its four-year stint on MTV with the series finale of their hit reality show. Joining me live now, Ozzy and his wife, Sharon Osbourne. Thank you both for joining us tonight.

SHARON OSBOURNE, "THE OSBOURNES": Thank you.

OZZY OSBOURNE, "THE OSBOURNES": It`s great to be here.

BRYANT: So first and foremost, I want to know what`s more challenging, being a rock star or a TV star?

OZZY OSBOURNE: Being a TV star for me because my heart is in rock- and-roll and I don`t understand these TV (UNINTELLIGIBLE) I`m spontaneous, but you have to go to rehearsals and you got to do TV, and I`m no good at rehearsals.

BRYANT: But certainly, with your reality show, I mean...

OZZY OSBOURNE: Well, you saw what happened.

BRYANT: Right.

OZZY OSBOURNE: The (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the secret to the reality show is the fact that the only thing -- (UNINTELLIGIBLE) have to sit through hours upon hours of film and put it all together because they were there from Monday until Sunday at the beginning, 7:00 until 2:00 in the morning. So I could make a zillion more episodes, I suppose.

BRYANT: But you guys are definitely through with the reality show, do you think?

OZZY OSBOURNE: I never say never.

BRYANT: What do you think, Sharon?

SHARON OSBOURNE: I think that it`s time. It`s like Ozzy started it, and we finish it. And I`m really proud of what -- oh, well, especially Ozzy has done to open the doors up for every other celebrity who`s now doing it. But it`s time for him to go and do something else.

BRYANT: Well, certainly, your family has been through a lot through the course of these shows. There`s been, you know, rehab and cancer and accidents. I mean, can you even believe, at the end of the day, all the things that have taken place?

OZZY OSBOURNE: No, I think that seeing that, I mean, it makes it more real because when Sharon was diagnosed with cancer, the people from MTV said, Do you want us to stop filming? And I said -- I asked Sharon and she said, No, let -- because there`s very little information for people out there about cancer. I mean -- I mean (UNINTELLIGIBLE) people didn`t recover from cancer. I thought patient plus cancer equals death. And I just thought, The woman I love is going to die, you know?

BRYANT: Right.

OZZY OSBOURNE: And she`s so courageous for letting them film everything.

BRYANT: But had you known that that was going to happen, do you think you would have let the cameras be there, if you had any foresight?

OZZY OSBOURNE: It`s reality TV. I mean -- I mean, they said, We want to do a reality show, and we said yes. But I don`t read scripts. I can`t read scripts. (UNINTELLIGIBLE)

BRYANT: You`re just going to have to be Ozzy.

SHARON OSBOURNE: It`s -- I don`t know. If you agree to do reality and do it properly, its the good, the bad and the ugly, and you can`t hide the ugly and just leave all the good stuff in there -- smiley, happy stuff. Then it`s not real.

BRYANT: But would you say it`s improved your life or it`s not made an improvement in your life?

OZZY OSBOURNE: Well, it`s kind of -- it`s -- these last four years have seemed like a lifetime, yet once upon a time, it was new and (UNINTELLIGIBLE) I didn`t understand what (UNINTELLIGIBLE). It`s a 7.3, and I thought we were going to have an earthquake or something.

BRYANT: Well, yes, didn`t you say you had to tell somebody to put it in terms of record sales, so you could understand it?

OZZY OSBOURNE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) If this was a record, how many records would I have sold? Then they`d go, It`d off the -- it`d be off the map. And I`d go -- it never really got me until Sharon and I went out one day, and (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and people were looking at us and -- the power of TV is really awesome.

BRYANT: It is incredible. Well, speaking of records, you`ve been selling records for more than 25 years, and you have -- you know, it`s -- the numbers are crazy.

SHARON OSBOURNE: Thirty-five.

BRYANT: Exactly right, counting Sabbath. Are you better now, Ozzy or were you better then?

OZZY OSBOURNE: It`s not a point of being better. It`s -- music is what got me in the first place, you know? And I`ve always -- (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the Beatles because had I not heard the Beatles -- and when I first heard "She Loves You," something (UNINTELLIGIBLE) turned the switch in my head, and I wanted to be a Beatle, you know?

BRYANT: Right.

OZZY OSBOURNE: I ended up being (UNINTELLIGIBLE)

BRYANT: Well, you did -- you actually...

OZZY OSBOURNE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Black Sabbath, you know?

BRYANT: Yes, well, you know, but you covered some John Lennon on this, as well.

OZZY OSBOURNE: Yes.

BRYANT: And it`s a great package. It`s called "Prince of Darkness" and it`s in stores tomorrow. Ozzy, Sharon, thank you so much for joining us right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

SHARON OSBOURNE: Thanks a lot, Karyn.

HAMMER: Sex, violence and profanity on TV? What do Americans think? Well, a "Time" magazine poll out today shows America is split. The cover story question, "Has TV gone too far?" First, violence -- 66 percent of Americans say, yes, it`s gone way too far. There`s way too much violence on the tube. About a third say, no, not too much. But what about profanity and cursing? Fifty-eight percent say there is too much, thirty- nine percent disagree. And let`s talk about sex. It`s pretty close: 50 percent say too much of it on TV, 45 percent say not too much.

Well, later in the show, we`ll be debating this in our "SHOWBIZ Showdown" question: TV indecency, has it gone too far? We`d like to know your thoughts, and you can vote right now by going to cnn.com/showbiztonight. Send us your e-mail, too at showbiztonight@cnn.com, and we`ll some of what you have to say at 55 past the hour.

BRYANT: Thriller nights. Moviegoers are jumping out of their living rooms and into the theaters. Why audiences are screaming for more scary movies.

HAMMER: And the next time you call for room service, his CD may show up with your breakfast. That`s coming up in this week`s "People`s" "Picks and Pans" for music.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HAMMER: "Weekend Update" gives it to Paula Abdul straight up. That`s coming up a bit later in "Laughter Dark (ph)."

BRYANT: Well, "The Ring 2" wasn`t a laugher at the box office this weekend. In final numbers released this afternoon, the scary sequel starring Naomi Watts took in $35 million. "Robots" retreated to second place with $21 million. Vin Diesel`s "The Pacifier" was still showing power in third with $12.5 million. But Disney`s other film, "Ice Princess," had kind of a cold day in fourth, just under $7 million. And Will Smith`s "Hitch" clung to the fifth position with a $6.5 million take.

HAMMER: Well, "Ring 2`s" big opening is just the latest example of a thrilling trend. Tonight in "The Show`s Biz," why horror movies are scaring up big box office receipts. Joining us life from Los Angeles is Paul Dergarabedian. He`s the president of Exhibitor Relations. It`s a company that tracks box office numbers.

All right, Paul, we just took a look at the numbers for the weekend, 36 million bucks for "The Ring 2." Horror movies like "The Grudge" made $39 million, "Boogieman" $19 million, opening weekend for all of them, No. 1. Why is horror so hot?

PAUL DERGARABEDIAN, PRESIDENT, EXHIBITOR RELATIONS: People love to be scared, bottom line. I mean, You look at amusement parks and the scariest roller-coasters are the ones with the longest lines. And the same thing is true with these movies. People cannot seem to get enough of them. Since August of last year, there have been about 16 horror films released. Of those, 8 opened at No. 1. That says a lot about the popularity of this genre.

HAMMER: Now, the thing about these movies, though, they seem to, you know, hit the top, as you mentioned, but then they tend to drop off pretty quickly. So why is it that the studios are continuing to make these films with such regularity?

DERGARABEDIAN: Well, generally speaking, they have much lower budgets than the average film. I think "Boogieman" had a negative cost of about $7 million, so they`re very profitable. And I think a big part of the reason why they drop off so quickly is because the marketing campaigns are so strong, and to get people in the theaters, but overall, I mean, most of that audience, they want to see that film opening weekend, then they drop off. But by that time, they made enough money to be profitable in that short of a timespan.

HAMMER: Right. And we all know, of course, that the horror flicks are great excuses for the teens to grab ahold of each other because they`re scared, of course. How important is the teen demographic to this element of film?

DERGARABEDIAN: Really important. And in fact, this whole notion of a PG-13 horror film has really been a boon to this whole genre because films like "Boogieman" and "The Grudge" and most recently, of course, this weekend, "The Ring 2," all PG-13. That means that you can go on a date and you don`t have to have the parent, you know, driving you there and getting you into the movie and sitting there with you.

HAMMER: Exactly.

DERGARABEDIAN: So there`s a lot of appeal there.

HAMMER: All right, Paul, thanks for joining us. Paul Dergarabedian, the president of Exhibitor Relations.

BRYANT: Some people are scared about what`s happening on the small screen. Tonight`s hot topic is TV indecency and some of your favorite shows in the crossfire. Our "SHOWBIZ Showdown" is next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(NEWS BREAK)

HAMMER: Enough already? Nicolette Sheridan shedding her towel is the -- is only the top of the iceberg. Now a new poll sheds light on whether TV viewers are fed up with all the sex on television. Tonight`s "Showbiz Showdown," has TV indecency gone too far?

BRYANT: Al Green is back with a new record called "Everything is OK." Is it more than OK? We`ll find out tonight in "People`s Picks and Pans."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JESSICA BEAL, ACTRESS: I`m Jessica Beal and if it happened today, it`s on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

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

HAMMER: And I`m A.J. Hammer. Here are tonight`s hot headlines.

The latest in the alleged Letterman plot. You`re now looking at live pictures from outside the Ed Sullivan theater in New York City, where David Letterman just finished taping tonight`s episode.

BRYANT: It was the first taping since he learned there may have been a plot to kidnap his son. Letterman personally thanked by name the FBI agents and the sheriff who are working the case.

Kelly Frank is scheduled to appear in court for a hearing tomorrow in Montana. He is charged with plotting to kidnap Letterman`s son for a $5 million ransom.

HAMMER: Michael Jackson, late again. Jackson showed up late for court today, this time only a few minutes. Once he was inside, Jackson was shaking and crying, and at one point he left the courtroom with tissues in front of his face. A doctor sat behind him when testimony resumed.

BRYANT: Time now for the "Showbiz Showdown": indecency on TV. Earlier we told you about a "TIME" magazine poll out today on TV indecency which finds a majority of those polled believe there`s too much sex, violence, and profanity on the tube, which leads to today`s "Showbiz Showdown" hot topic: TV indecency, has it gone too far?

Joining us live in New York, "Showbiz Tonight`s" Amy Kean, who says yes, TV indecency has gone too far. And Rachel Maddow, host of Air America`s radio program "Unfiltered," who says, no, TV has not gone too far. And we`re going to take this one topic at a time. Violence, profanity and then sex.

So, we`re going to actually start with sex. Amy, what`s your take?

AMY KEAN, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT: Well, I don`t -- I can`t imagine there`s much of a debate here. After Janet Jackson took her breast out at the Super Bowl, I think that that really set off a whole chain of events.

And I think people have really tried to wake up to the fact that, first of all, most American children under the age of 18 watch about 20 hours per week of television, which I think is really, really alarming.

And I think that if you flip -- if someone just sits down and flips around on the dial, the things you`ll see on MTV, FOX, the major networks, as well as cable, I think it`s really upsetting.

And I think that the most important thing to remember here is that cable has changed what we show on the regular, you know ABC, NBC, CBS channels, because they`ve raised the bar of what the viewers expect to see in terms of sex, violence and profanity.

BRYANT: Well, Rachel, why don`t you jump in here? Because the actual numbers are that 50 percent say yes, there`s too much sex. Forty-five percent say there isn`t too much sex.

RACHEL MADDOW, HOST, "UNFILTERED": And if you parse those numbers further, you get to a point where you as people whether there is too much sex, and you`ve got a specific number of people who say, "Yes, there is."

And then you say, "Well, are you personally offended?" And it`s a very small number of those -- a very smaller number of people who say that they are offended and then an even smaller number says they want it banned.

This is one of those things. I mean, ever since Elvis swiveled his pelvis on television everybody thought that there`s too much sex on television. We`ve been freaked out about it for a long time.

The question is, then why do so many Americans watch "Desperate Housewives" rather than watching other shows that are on at the same time that don`t have the same sexual content? It`s the same thing that Americans have always faced. We don`t want to want what we actually seek out.

BRYANT: OK. Well, Amy, we`re going to move on to violence here, because we`ve got to get through all three. The numbers for violence, 66 percent say, yes, there is too much violence. Thirty-two percent say there is not too much violence. Some people argue that we are more tolerant of violence on television than we are of sex. What to you think of that?

KEAN: I think we are much more tolerant of violence. But I think that, you know, people need to remember that there`s other, you know, staggering statistics like, you know, by the time a child reaches 18, they`ve witnessed at least 16,000 simulated murders and 200,000 other violent acts.

And you have to just wake up and realize, you know, if children are watching this much television, there`s no way it`s not infiltrating how they behave. And you know, there are a lot of studies that, you know, go either way, but the fact is, I think we should really be careful, because, you know, Rachel is saying that people kind of watch what they want to watch. And I understand that point of view, but at the same time, we do need to be responsible to children. A lot of the people polled were not parents.

BRYANT: Jump in here, Rachel.

MADDOW: Well, I want to say that with violence issues. I mean, 30 million Americans are watching "CSI" every week. I mean, this is something that people are seeking out.

I`m more horrified by what I see in terms of video games in terms of violence.

Nobody`s going to argue in favor of violence on television, but is the cure worse than what ails you in this case? Do you actually want the government to be banning what`s too violent to be shown on television, because then it`s going to become like pornography. It`s going to move to Internet. It`s going to move to videogames.

KEAN: I don`t really see the downside to violence on TV, because I think what people are really going after are things like, you know, what are we going to miss? Like MTV spring break coverage, you know, the girls gone wild mentality people have got into? I don`t think there`s much art that we`re really going to be getting rid of.

BRYANT: Well, Amy, that`s a good transition, because art, some will say "Saving Private Ryan," a very well-made film. It had been shown before unedited. Recently, there was some nervousness about airing it with the profanity.

Fifty-eight percent say there`s too much profanity. Thirty-nine percent say there isn`t. Rachel, what`s your take on the profanity?

MADDOW: The very best show on television for a very long time, in my opinion, was "The Sopranos." If you want to do "The Sopranos" without swearing, good look. It`s something that happens in the culture that is reflected in television. The job of television is to deliver audiences to advertisers, and people want to see something that reflects reality.

KEAN: I think -- I think you -- I totally agree with you about "The Sopranos," but "The Sopranos" is on HBO.

MADDOW: Right.

KEAN: And it`s on not during, you know, the peak hours when children would be watching. And I think what we really need to remember is that when I was a kid...

BRYANT: Last words.

KEAN: When I was a kid which wasn`t very long ago, there was a family hour, and we`d watch things like "The Waltons" and "Little House on the Prairie." And I feel like, for parents of children, what do they have to choose from? They have shows like "The Starlet" where people, where girls -- reality shows where girls are simulating, you know, lesbian sex scenes.

BRYANT: So Amy, you`re hoping -- you`re hoping a return, a return to the good old days with the family hour?

KEAN: Yes.

BRYANT: Unfortunately, ladies, we`re going to have to end it there tonight. Amy Kean, of course, of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. And Rachel Maddow, host of Air America`s "Unfiltered."

MADDOW: Thank you.

BRYANT: Thanks for joining us.

Now we want to know your thoughts at home. Is -- our "Showbiz Showdown question of the day is "TV indecency, has it gone too far?" You can vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight, or if you want to tell us more, e-mail us at: ShowbizTonight@CNN.com. We`ll share some of what you had to say later in the show.

HAMMER: It is time for more "Showbiz Shorts."

Hugh Jackman coming back for more. "Daily Variety" reports today that Jackman is expected to reprise his role as Wolverine in "X-Men 3," but first, Jackman will shoot a movie in Germany this summer called "Good."

BRYANT: It`s the "SNL" moment everyone is talking about. Demi makes a memorable cameo during Ashton`s monologue. We`ll take it to the "Buzz Bench," coming up.

HAMMER: Plus, a different kind of Green day. We`re checking out Al Green`s new record. That`s coming up in "People Picks and Pans."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHRISTINA MILIAN, SINGER: Hello, I`m Christina Milian, and the show I`m watching right now is "Americas Next Top Model." I`m very much into competition, and you never know what`s going to happen next week.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HAMMER: Yes, it is time for tonight`s "Buzz Bench." Here`s what we`re buzzing about: Demi and Ashton`s "SNL skit," Michael Jackson`s second late excuse, and J.Lo`s dead air.

BRYANT: Joining us on the "Buzz Bench," SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Julie Boorstin covers the entertainment industry for "Fortune" magazine. Comedian and TV personality Chuck Nice and "New York Magazine`s" Sarah Bernard.

So Ashton was hosting "SNL" this weekend. And we have a little clip, so why don`t we just show people this for a second?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ASHTON KUTCHER, ACTOR: Why don`t you come up with me and just enjoy this moment together.

DEMI MOORE, ACTRESS: All right.

KUTCHER: But age is just. It`s a meaningless number. It`s like height or shoe size.

MOORE: Or I.Q.

KUTCHER: Yes. What?

MOORE: You are beautiful.

KUTCHER: Look at you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRYANT: OK, so, obviously feeling very playful. What`s your take on this one, Sarah?

SARAH BERNARD, "NEW YORK MAGAZINE": I think it`s great. I think "SNL" this season especially has been the place to own your own ridicule. Instead of just letting everybody make fun of you, you go on, you face it and you make fun of yourself.

I mean, remember when Paris Hilton famously went on after her sex tapes?

BRYANT: Right.

BERNARD: And that`s about what they`re doing.

Now, I think what scares me here is they only have a 15-year age difference, obviously. But I mean, this is what`s going to happen if she just -- if Demi Moore doesn`t keep up with the plastic surgery. This is what we`re going to end up with. It could be really scary. Fifteen years is a long time. She`s got to look young with him.

CHUCK NICE, COMEDIAN: All I know is, to answer the question, is there too much sex on TV? That was indecent.

BERNARD: Oh, come on.

NICE: That was creepy.

HAMMER: Nobody wants to see the teeth popping out.

JULIE BOORSTIN, "FORTUNE": It was great because if they hadn`t done it, somebody else would have.

BERNARD: Exactly. They were making fun ahead of the gang.

BOORSTIN: Yes. They`re beating them to the punch.

BRYANT: Do you think she`s pregnant?

NICE: Demi? You know, I can only hope so.

HAMMER: Can you have a child at that age? All right.

(CROSS TALK)

HAMMER: Michael Jackson hobbled into court once again today. He was moving a little slow and as we reported earlier it was a rally tough day for him in court.

NICE: Michael is actually turning into, like, Courtney Love, who`s showing up to court late all the time. I don`t know who he`s taking his cues from. I think he`s trying to garner sympathy, and quite frankly, it`s working on me.

BRYANT: Do you feel bad for him?

NICE: I`ve absolutely forgotten all about what this trial is. I`m just like, is Michael OK today? I need to know if he`s going to be all right. Showed up with a doctor in scrubs. Just in case there`s a need for an emergency procedure.

BRYANT: Do you think this is an act or do you think he`s really ill?

BERNARD: I think this is his attempt at an insanity defense. I think he watched that "Sopranos" episode where Uncle Junior was wearing the bathrobe, walking around. And he was like, that`s what I need to do.

BOORSTIN: Going crazier. I mean, look at him. Every time he looks nuttier and nuttier and it`s not like he wasn`t necessarily a little bit nutty to begin with. And you know...

BRYANT: He`s working on you guys.

BOORSTIN: Yes.

NICE: I think there is absolutely no question that Michael Jackson is one sick individual. OK? So, we can rest assured that that`s the one thing that`s not debatable. Is he`s sick.

BRYANT: Right. Define sick.

BOORSTIN: The problem is you have the judge telling the jury, now don`t take this as saying anything about the case. And of course the jury is going to think, who is this guy? How could it not affect the jury?

BRYANT: Do you think it makes him look more guilty, you know, like that he`s trying to hide something and so he`s distracting?

NICE: Oh, yes. Yes. I think perhaps that when you`re trying to divert attention away from any issue, that it makes you look more guilty. So I`m thinking that this is not going to work for him.

The rumor is, though, that the reason why he`s so ill is that he`s been drinking a little too much Jesus juice.

BRYANT: We want to move on.

BOORSTIN: Please.

BRYANT: Our third topic is J.Lo. We love talking about J.Lo here at SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

BERNARD: Absolutely.

BRYANT: It`s good stuff. So, she was in Australia. She was interviewed on a radio program by a woman named Jackie O. Jackie brought up the whole PETA, the animal fur, and J.Lo`s clothing line and basically J.Lo said, "Well, had I known more about this, you know, maybe somebody could educate me." Jackie proceed to inform her on the air graphically about what happens when you use fur, and J.Lo just -- radio silence, just dead air. What do you think of this thing?

BOORSTIN: She had nothing to say, and that was the worse possible situation.

The truth is that J.Lo is trying to prove she`s not just a pop star. She`s also the CEO of this company. She runs this company. This is a company with her name on it. She`s going to put her name on a company, then she better have some answers.

And the truth is that if she`s using fur, there are plenty of ways that you could talk about why you might want to use fur. I mean it`s such a hot issue in the fashion industry that some designers like Karl Lagerfeld who really do use fur, they stand up for themselves or they even explain it. But she had nothing to say.

I mean, it`s like being accused of using sweatshops and, you know, slave labor. You`ve got to have an explanation or even apologize or something. But she didn`t have anything to say, and that was the worse response.

BERNARD: I think this is going to get more exciting, because they say that their next stop, they might -- PETA might show up at the premier of "Monster-in-Law" in L.A.

HAMMER: For a demonstration.

BERNARD: Right.

HAMMER: You have to believe she`s educating herself now, or people are educating her so she will at least have something to say.

NICE: She`s a busy woman.

HAMMER: What should she say, Chuck?

NICE: She`s a very busy woman. She can`t be up on everything, people, you know. She`s got a lot to do.

BOORSTIN: She has a lot of fur trim in that line.

NICE: I`m just glad that now she`s basically given up on her whole puppy coat idea.

BRYANT: With that, we will end it. We will end it. Julie Boorstin of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT and of course "Fortune" magazine, thanks for joining us.

Chuck Nice, comedian and TV personality and Sarah Bernard of "New York Magazine," thanks for joining the "Buzz Bench."

Now, Moby has a new record. His latest comes out tomorrow. It`s called "Hotel." Should you check in? We`ll find out coming up in "People`s Picks and Pans."

HAMMER: Plus, here comes the judge. Paula Abdul gets the "SNL" treatment, coming up in "Laughter Dark."

BRYANT: Now, tonight`s birthday shout out. James Bond himself, Timothy Dalton, turns 59 today. The shout out comes from Jimmy Fallon.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JIMMY FALLON, COMEDIAN: Hello, Mr. Bond. Happy birthday to you. I hope you`re having a great one, Mr. Bond.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: It`s time now for "People" magazine`s music picks and pans. And there is something for everybody tonight. Moby, Al Green and Tweet all have new albums.

Joining us live from "People" magazine is senior writer Julie Dam. Thanks for dropping by, Julie.

JULIE DAM, "PEOPLE MAGAZINE": Thanks for having me.

HAMMER: Moby`s "Hotel" finally is out tomorrow. I`ve been a huge fan of his for years, mostly from his "Play" album back in the late `90s with that electronic sound. Is this something of that same type?

DAM: Well, that`s the thing. Just when you thought that he might be relegated to VH1`s "I Love the `90s," he`s actually proven that he`s still very relevant. You know, he`s got sounds that are right in tune with the neo-new wave bands like Franz Ferdinand and the Killer but also with the moody Brit poppers like Cold Play and Keen.

HAMMER: Yes. And this CD not just available just in music stores.

DAM: No. It`s also -- it`s called "Hotel," so it`s also available at W hotels.

HAMMER: Some smart marketing. All right, well let`s move on to the Rev. Al. Al Green has got his brand new CD. It`s called "Everything is OK." And it`s really him doing what he does best, isn`t it?

DAM: Yes. It`s vintage Al Green. Love and happiness. He`s moved away from the gospel a little bit, but he`s got this great cover of "You Are So Beautiful" that just blows us right away.

HAMMER: Yes. Really, really nice. Excellent. And that came out last week, so that`s already in stores.

DAM: Yes.

HAMMER: Let`s move on to Tweet. Tweet had an album come out a couple years ago.

DAM: Right.

HAMMER: She`s got one dropping tomorrow, and she`s a protege of Missy Elliot, who produced seven tracks on this album?

DAM: Right. You know, she had a controversial song about three years ago that, shall we say, is about self-love. And this time around she`s got a controversial song, too, about how to attract men by sex, sports and food.

HAMMER: OK. Well, the album is called "It`s Me Again," and it arrives in stores tomorrow.

Julie Dam, senior writer for "People" magazine, thanks for dropping by.

DAM: Thank you.

HAMMER: And for more of "People`s Picks and Pans," you can check out this week`s "People" magazine. It`s at newsstands everywhere.

BRYANT: A legendary singer who was a fixture on the New York cabaret scene died this morning. Bobby Short died of leukemia at a New York hospital. He had been singing at Cafe Carlisle in Manhattan since 1968. Short performed often at the White House and won three Grammys. Bobby Short was 80 years old.

HAMMER: Judging Paula Abdul, "Saturday Night Live" has some fun with the "American Idol" judge. And that`s coming up in "Laughter Dark."

BRYANT: And there`s still time for you to sound off in tonight`s "Showbiz Showdown" question of the day: TV indecency, has it gone too far? You can vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight or e-mail us what`s on your mind at ShowbizTonight@CNN.com.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HAMMER: Welcome back. It is 55 minutes past the hour and time for more "Showbiz Shorts."

"The Insider" host Pat O`Brien is in rehab tonight. In a statement, O`Brien says he had an alcohol problem and has decided to take action.

BRYANT: An affair to remember: "A Current Affair" is back on the air tonight. The show started tabloid TV when it began in 1986. It was hosted by Maury Povich and others, for 10 years. Former NFL player Tim Green is hosting the new version.

HAMMER: Runway part two. Well, today we learned that Bravo has given the green light to a second season of "Project Runway." It has ordered 10 episodes of the series, where fashion designers compete for a contract.

BRYANT: Well, it is time to get your laugh on in "Laughter Dark." And as we do every night, we bring you the late night laughs you may have missed.

HAMMER: Later this week, of course, "American Idol" judge Paula Abdul may face charges for an alleged traffic accident. That`s a story that had "Saturday Night Live" written all over it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AMY POEHLER, "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE": Los Angeles prosecutors are contemplating whether to bring criminal charges against Paula Abdul for her alleged role in a hit and run accident last December.

As it stands, the judge informed Abdul that, "I think you look great and you started out driving really well. But then when you swiped the car it was a little, not your best. But, still, I like you and I like your style. Nice job."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: You know, Paula`s actually been a little more on point this season...

BRYANT: You think?

HAMMER: ... with getting a little more aggressive and telling people exactly how she feels.

BRYANT: I`m a Simon girl.

HAMMER: All right.

BRYANT: Definitely, a big fan of Simon criticism.

HAMMER: I don`t think that -- I`m just saying, I don`t think all of Paula`s things have been buttered up.

BRYANT: I agree with you. I agree with you.

Throughout the show, we`ve been asking you to vote online in our "Showbiz Showdown" question of the day: TV indecency, has it gone too far?

Let`s take a look at how the vote is going so far. Fifty-nine percent of you said, yes, TV indecency has gone too far. And 41 percent of you said, no, TV indecency has not gone too far.

You`ve always been sending us e-mails on this question.

Ryan from Saginaw, Michigan, says, "I really don`t think that TV is really that bad. If you don`t like the show or its content, turn the channel."

Now, remember you can continue to vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.

HAMMER: It is time now to see what`s playing on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT tomorrow. Let`s take a look at the "Showbiz Marquee." And yes, the marquee guy is still here.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANNOUNCER: Billy Idol, he`s back and it`s not just idol worship. Party.

BILLY IDOL, MUSICIAN: Why wouldn`t you want to party with that?

ANNOUNCER: Well, why, indeed. How Billy bounced back. Tomorrow he`s on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

Plus, she`s been called the girl next door. Must be some neighborhood. Sandra Bullock on looks, family and her new flame, tomorrow.

Bye-bye from the marquee guy.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: Classic. Nothing Ozzy and Sharon tonight.

BRYANT: Here`s the thing. I told Ozzy before, I said, you know, when I was in eighth grade, I think it was, or it might have been a little bit before that, but "Diary of a Mad Man" came out and everybody got it for a Christmas present. I got it for people. They bought it for me. And it was classic.

HAMMER: How was he with that, because some people don`t like to hear, you know, when I was a kid.

BRYANT: I think he was fine with it. I mean, I`m a fan. I put the record on today, and I still knew all the words. It was great. Come on.

HAMMER: And what I loved about her is what you see is clearly what you get.

BRYANT: Oh, yes.

HAMMER: Everything that you see on TV you actually feel you do get to know her by watching "The Osbournes." I`ve been watching since season one. Exactly what you expect.

BRYANT: Keen fashion sense on that woman.

Well, that does it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. We will see you here tomorrow.

HAMMER: Nancy Grace is up next right after the very latest from Headline News.

END