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Showbiz Tonight
"South Park" Targets Scientology, Tom Cruise; Dana Reeve Makes Public Appearance at Foundation Event; Daniel Radcliffe Dishes on Newest Harry Potter Film
Aired November 17, 2005 - 19:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
A.J. HAMMER, CO-HOST: I`m A.J. Hammer live in New York.
BROOKE ANDERSON, CO-HOST: I`m Brooke Anderson live in Hollywood. TV`s only live entertainment news show starts right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER (voice-over): On SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, a "South Park" shocker. Taking animated aim at Scientology and Tom Cruise.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dad, Tom Cruise won`t come out of the closet.
HAMMER: Tonight, "South Park" fires a Cruise missile. But did the show go way too far?
You`ve heard about anorexia, but how about bigorexia?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No matter how big they get, they typically don`t feel satisfied.
HAMMER: Men going to dangerous extremes, the quest for the perfect body. Tonight, a special report, men who are manic about what they see in the mirror.
The real Harry Potter right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Just hours before "The Goblet of Fire" opens, it`s Harry Potter himself, Daniel Radcliffe. Get ready for a revealing interview that you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
DANIEL RADCLIFFE, ACTOR: Hello, I`m Daniel Radcliffe, and if it happened today, it`s on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Hi, there. I`m Brooke Anderson live in Hollywood.
HAMMER: And I`m A.J. Hammer, live in New York.
Tonight, a "South Park" shocker. One of the reasons the off-beat off- the-wall cartoon comedy is so wildly popular is because it takes these brutal potshots at Hollywood A-listers all the time. Gets them lots of laugh, but probably none tonight from the scientologists, or Tom Cruise. When it comes to this particular Hollywood heavyweight, some are saying the satire might just have crossed the line.
Let`s go straight to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Sibila Vargas, live in Hollywood with that story -- Sibila.
SIBILA VARGAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That`s right, A.J., the "South Park" team had a field day in last night`s episode of the Comedy Central hit. The jabs were directed, like you said, at Tom Cruise and Scientology, and they didn`t go easy. It was an episode that made some wonder did they cross the line?
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We`re going to go play laser tag.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: See you.
VARGAS (voice-over): "South Park" is the highest rated show on Comedy Central. In part because the show is not afraid to stir up controversy. No one and nothing is off limits.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Have you heard of Scientology? A lot of really cool people are scientologists, like Tom Cruise and John Travolta.
VARGAS: Last night`s targets, Tom Cruise and his religion, Scientology. The innuendoes were clear. The show refers to Scientology as a cult.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We just need $240.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Look, Stan, we`re really getting considered about this cult you`re getting into.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You and I together will make $3 million. This is a scam on a global scale.
VARGAS: And Tom Cruise, who for years has battled gay rumors, and even sued to stop these rumors, well, no restraint here.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dad, Tom Cruise won`t come out of the closet.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. Cruise, Mr. Cruise, come out of the closet.
VARGAS: And if you didn`t get it the first time, they hammer it home. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT had the counter ready to go.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Tom, you got to come out of the closet, oh my God.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It`s been four hours now, and Tom Cruise still will not come out of the closet.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Tom Cruise, this is Park County police, please come out of the closet.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It`s time for you to come out of the closet.
VARGAS: Our unscientific tally, almost 40 references. Even for "South Park," did they cross the line? And is the show opening itself up to libel charges by Cruise? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s getting the answers.
HARVEY LEVIN, MANAGING EDITOR, TMZ.COM: I think in Tom Cruise`s wildest dreams there`s no lawsuit here. This was strictly parody. There`s no doubt about it. I mean, this show is legendary for its parody. I don`t think anybody is saying, "Wow, this must be true." There`s no lawsuit here.
VARGAS: For Tom Cruise, he`s been the target of ridicule and wonder ever since he famously professed his love for fiance Katie Holmes on Oprah`s couch.
OPRAH WINFREY, TALK SHOW HOST: Have you ever felt this way before?
VARGAS: And went public on "The Today Show," touting Scientology`s opposition to treating depression with medication.
TOM CRUISE, ACTOR: You don`t know history of psychiatry. I do.
NICKI GOSTIN, "NEWSWEEK": It`s just amazing. He`s just been criticized this year. There`s just been a million web sites making fun of him and making fun of his relationship with Katie Holmes and making fun of his Scientology and just his aggressive happiness. I think it creeps a lot of people out.
VARGAS: Tom`s used to the bad press. Check out this "New York" magazine cover, "Celebrity Psychos." He`s even hired a high-powered publicist to help his image.
And now Madonna, whose own Kabala beliefs get a lot of scrutiny, came to his defense, saying in this month`s "Rolling Stone," quote, "I don`t really know what Scientology is, and because I don`t know, I`m not in a position to have an opinion about it. But I don`t think anybody else knows, either. They need to shut the (expletive deleted) up."
Some say this could be the last straw for Tom, who`s not afraid to defend his name. He won a multimillion dollar judgment in 2003 after suing a male wrestler for claiming they had an affair. So, the "South Park" team decided to make light of lawsuits, too.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are going to sue you. You are so sued.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I`ll sue you in England.
VARGAS: But just in case, no one`s taking responsibility on the show`s credits, just a bunch of John and Jane Smiths.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VARGAS: And Matt Stone and Trey Parker, the creators of "South Park," told us they don`t want to talk about the episode. They`re moving forward with the next one.
Now, one interesting note, Brooke, Viacom owns Comedy Central and also owns Paramount, the studio behind Cruise`s next big flick, "Mission: Impossible 3." So very interesting.
ANDERSON: It`s a small world, isn`t it Sibila? Especially here in Hollywood.
VARGAS: It sure is.
ANDERSON: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Sibila Vargas.
HAMMER: Well, tonight, Dana Reeve, wife of the late actor Christopher Reeve, makes her first public appearance after announcing that she has lung cancer. And despite her own personal battle, she`s keeping the memory of her husband alive tonight at a gala in his honor to raise money for a foundation that is looking for a cure for spinal cord injuries.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s David Haffenreffer is there, live on the scene with the very latest -- David.
DAVID HAFFENREFFER: You know, A.J., Dana Reeve certainly is a major league profile in courage. Despite the illness, despite all the months of treatment that she`s been undergoing, she said she always intended at being at this event her at the Marriot Marquis in Times Square, New York City.
It was back in August in the summer that 44-year-old Dana Reeve was diagnosed with lung cancer. And she -- this is her first public appearance, as you mentioned. She is chairwoman of the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation. And she was here earlier tonight to talk a little bit about how she`s feeling.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DANA REEVE, CHAIRWOMAN, CHRISTOPHER REEVE PARALYSIS FOUNDATION: I`m feeling great, surprisingly. I am responding well to treatment. And I have to say that I have gotten so much support from friends and family and really everyone.
And I have to thank all of you for being so respectful of my privacy during this time. And also, I thank just -- I`ve gotten letters, and I`ve gotten more prayer shawls than I know what to do with.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAFFENREFFER: She talks about all the support that she has, all the friends that she has as well. Many of those friends are here tonight and they are big-name celebrities. Names like Uma Thurman, Meryl Streep and Glenn Close all here this evening.
Oh, and by the way, Catherine Zeta Jones and Michael Douglas are receiving an award. And her very good friend Robin Williams will be performing here tonight. We`re going to have more about what went on here at this event tomorrow for you on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
The Christopher Reeve Foundation`s web site is ChristopherReeve.org. It`s a big event here tonight. And she seems very strong is, very upbeat - - A.J.
HAMMER: Celebs coming out in full force yet again to put their names behind a good cause. Thanks very much, David. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s David Haffenreffer, live in New York City.
Well, the government is trying to get anti-smoking PSA`s attached to some DVD releases. The debate on smoking in movies is getting political. But the question is will it work or is it just a smoke screen? We`re going to take a look, coming up.
ANDERSON: Plus, a disturbing disorder, men who are obsessed with bulking up. You`ve heard of anorexia. Tonight, a special report on bigorexia and all of its inherent danger, coming up.
HAMMER: And it`s Harry Potter himself. Actor Daniel Radcliffe coming up next in the interview you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
ANDERSON: But first, a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT "Birthday Shoutout." And this is where we give fans a chance to wish their favorite stars a happy birthday. Tonight, a birthday shoutout to Danny DeVito, who`s celebrating his 61st today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hi, this is Dave DiCasa (ph). I`d like to wish Danny DeVito a wonderful birthday. He`s absolutely my favorite actor. And he`s the funniest guy in the world. Best wishes and many more.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer.
All week long, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is wild about Harry Potter. It`s our special series on Harry Potter as the fourth movie in the series, "The Goblet of Fire," opens tomorrow, as you may have heard.
Tonight, in an interview you`ll see only here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, actor Daniel Radcliffe, who of course portrays Harry Potter, came right here to the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT studio. We talked about a lot of things. We had the chance to talk about Daniel`s theory on Harry`s final outcome and exactly what the British press had to say about that theory.
He also told me that he thinks the fans will be happy with this one because it is darker and because there is some romance.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: All of these movies have been terrific.
RADCLIFFE: Thank you.
HAMMER: But I walked out of this one after seeing it thinking this was the best one. Now do you have any objectivity about that at all?
RADCLIFFE: Yes, no, you do. I mean I think the film, there are some bits in the film I think as a whole the film was really brilliant. I mean, I think they all have been. I think they`ve been very, very different. But we say it every single year, but they are getting better and better and better.
And I think that`s something, and that`s something quite rare for a big franchise. Often subsequent films after the original kind of go downhill. And I think we`ve constantly gotten better. So you know, I think that`s something that we can be very, very proud of really.
HAMMER: And we`ve seen an evolution over the years. But in this one, and the thing that a lot of people are making the big deal of is the evolution to a darker film. Everybody`s talking about it being a PG-13. For you as an actor and for you carrying on the fourth time doing Harry Potter, was that adding to the excitement of shooting the film?
RADCLIFFE: Yes, definitely. I mean, I think we don`t, because on the film, we`re not sort of constantly going, sort of referencing the other films when we`re shooting them. We`re not going to go, "Oh, look, this is much darker than that." You`re not hugely aware of it when you`re doing it.
When you actually see the film you can`t help but be aware of how dark it actually is. But it`s -- I think the fans would have been really furious with us if we hadn`t gotten a PG-13 rating, because the book is so dark. It is that dark, and to get a rating less than that, we would have, you know, we would have had to have pulled away from the darkness that is in the book. So we`ve been as faithful to the book as we possibly can be.
HAMMER: Dark, and at one moment, a really sad moment. I actually got a little weepy. I`m not ashamed to say.
RADCLIFFE: Good.
HAMMER: Good, I`m glad you were sad.
RADCLIFFE: Yes -- no. If we can depress a few people, then we`ve done our jobs. But it`s -- you know, it is a sad film. And I mean, you can`t, it can`t help but be sad. You know, a 16-year-old boy dies in it. And that`s an incredibly, you know, when that happens in the real world, sort of everyone is affected by it. It really sort of shocks and saddens everyone.
And so, you know, we`re doing that in the film. And hopefully it will have a similar effect on people.
HAMMER: And among the ways, your character matures, and that you have matured in your own life. A lot is also being made of the fact that there`s now romance. There are now women, girls in the picture. And I have to say you`re very convincing as a bumbling young boy uncomfortable in front of the women. What were you drawing on for that?
RADCLIFFE: Well, personal experience, really.
HAMMER: Of course.
RADCLIFFE: I mean, I think every guy has had awkward moments with girls. I mean, it`s just something that everyone goes through, because before you can -- because I think the thing that guys sort of originally think. I know I certainly did when I was 14, I think I speak for a lot of men. Is that, I know, I`ll just, I have to think, I`ll, just think of really clever things to say. And the harder you try to be clever, the more likely it is you`ll look stupid. And so it`s sort of learning to be natural with girls. And so now, it`s more like sort of just normal and sort of myself with him.
But before I was like what Harry did and trying to say stuff. Or trying to be, you know, funny or interesting and it just going horribly wrong which is what Harry`s like in this film. Just completely awkward with girls.
HAMMER: Every time I`ve seen you out with the fans you`re very gracious with them. You`re signing autographs. And it genuinely seems like you`re happy to be there talking to them.
RADCLIFFE: Yes.
HAMMER: Has it ever been a little out of control or uncomfortable for you?
RADCLIFFE: No, not really. I mean, obviously, here in New York there are the people who aren`t the fans that are the autograph hunters.
HAMMER: Paint the picture what happens with them.
RADCLIFFE: Well, basically you sort of get out of the car anywhere you`re going. They know your schedule better than you do, really. And so you get out of the car, and they`ll sort of be standing there. And a group of them. And they`re not the real -- sometimes, you know, people will be there and they are the real fans. But for them, I`ll always be more than happy to sign. But it`s the autograph hunters that are quite aggressive. I mean, when I`m actually at the premiers, all the people that are there are fans, are real fans of the books and films.
HAMMER: But just walking down the street, do you ever have moments when you just wish you could walk in quiet and peace? Because obviously, you`re very recognizable.
RADCLIFFE: I can walk down the street, really, which I`m thankful for. And I hope that will continue. People come up, but they`re always so, you know, positive about the films and about me, and it`s great. You know, I would challenge you to find an actor that does not like flattery.
HAMMER: Exactly.
RADCLIFFE: So, you know...
HAMMER: It is a part of the equation for many of them.
RADCLIFFE: Exactly.
HAMMER: And you have been doing this part now for better than a quarter of your life. Do you ever feel along the way, "God, I`ve kind of missed out on my childhood," or are you like "I can`t believe the life I have"?
RADCLIFFE: I can`t believe the life I have. I mean, the thing is, it`s very hard to define what would constitute a normal childhood. I mean, the only -- the difference between my childhood, the biggest difference between my childhood and what would be deemed a normal childhood is that I don`t go to school every day. You know, I go and do filming where I do school on the set. But I go and do these films.
But you know, for me, I, as far as I`m concerned, it may not be what everybody actually think -- would expect. I think being on the film set has actually given me sort of a more stable place to be. Because if you think about it, when you`re at school, everyone is going through the same puberty thing. And everyone`s minds are a little bit confused and unstable and just, you know, no one knows what`s going on in their heads.
And so on the film set, most of the people, you know, you`re surrounded by the crew, who have all been through that. So they`re are quite stable. So you`re more likely to get through that a little easier when you`re around people that have already been through it and can talk to you about it, rather than a whole lot of people who are saying, "I don`t know what`s going on." So, yes.
HAMMER: And they don`t get to do the stunts that you get to do.
RADCLIFFE: No, they certainly don`t.
HAMMER: Was that one of the best parts of the film for you? Because when you were 11 I don`t think they were -- they were having you to do all of your own stunts.
RADCLIFFE: No.
HAMMER: And this time around you got to.
RADCLIFFE: Yes, I mean, it was fantastic. I had an amazing stunt department behind me the whole time. They were just brilliant. The underwater stuff was a lot of fun.
HAMMER: Fascinating scenes from the movie. And I`ve seen some of the behind the scenes footage...
RADCLIFFE: Oh, right. OK, cool.
HAMMER: ... of you down there and spending a lot of time in this tank.
RADCLIFFE: We spent 41 hours and 23 minutes around that.
HAMMER: And now you`re a world class diver.
RADCLIFFE: Well, now I think I`m about three lessons away from having like a certificate saying that I can do it anywhere in the world. So it`s, you know, it`s another one of the opportunities the films has given me, is to learn SCUBA diving. So I`m quite -- I`m ready to be -- probably not something I would have done had it been for the Harry Potter films.
HAMMER: J.K. Rowling has said seven books, that`s going to be it. Do you have a theory as to what Harry Potter`s future is going to be about?
RADCLIFFE: I said this in -- in England. And, of course, the sort of British press jumped all over it and said, because my prediction is that, because Harry and Voldemort are always so closely linked, through the -- so many similarities, I think maybe the only way Voldemort can be killed is if Harry dies, as well. That`s the theory.
Of course, the British sort of jumped all over that. And it was like, "Daniel Radcliffe says Harry will die." And so it`s, you know...
HAMMER: But you as an authority.
RADCLIFFE: Because I know this is completely uninformed. J.K. Rowling has not -- the only person on the films who`s heard something, the directors I think always have an idea. I think the producer does. But the only actor that`s been told anything about the future of his character is Alan Rickman, Snape.
HAMMER: OK. So the directors are the ones to hassle and harangue about the future?
RADCLIFFE: Yes, absolutely.
HAMMER: "Order of the Phoenix" scheduled for release in 2007, a little premature to be talking about it, but they`ve already -- it`s on there. It`s in the database as such. But you`re on board.
RADCLIFFE: Yes, definitely. I start filming in February. And the director`s a man called David Yates who`s done lots of British TV, not done a film before, not sure. But the British television that he`s done is -- he did a thing called "State of Play" was the thing that I think really got everyone, oh, maybe he should do, and it`s amazing. It`s absolutely brilliant.
HAMMER: Return of Ralph Fiennes for that film?
RADCLIFFE: Oh, yes, I think. I don`t like to say, you know, if he`s not going to do it, I don`t know. But as far as his character`s in it, so I would think, yes. I hope so. Yes.
HAMMER: Daniel Radcliffe. Pleasure to see you.
RADCLIFFE: Thank you very much.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Daniel as charming as he appears and certainly wise beyond his years.
He also told me that there is one stunt in the movie that he did, the 60-foot drop from a rooftop that actually did terrify him.
Remember, it is Harry Potter mania all this week here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Tomorrow, we wind it all down as we are live at the "Goblet of Fire" movie hitting theaters.
And now we would like to hear from you with our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day on something that Daniel mentioned in that interview. Harry Potter series: do you think Harry will be killed off? Let us know. CNN.com/ShowbizTonight is our web site. Our e-mail address is ShowbizTonight@CNN.com. We`re going to read some of your thoughts later in the show.
ANDERSON: Now it is time for the best in late night laughs in "Laughter Dark." On "The Tonight Show," Jay`s protege, Ross the intern, takes a trip into the wild with crocodile hunter, Steve Irwin. And let`s just say Ross was a little nervous.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ROSS MATTHEWS, ROSS THE INTERN, NBC`s "THE TONIGHT SHOW": Can we get a code word for when I panic? Can we just agree on a code word right now?
STEVE IRWIN, CROCODILE HUNTER: Yes.
MATTHEWS: It needs to be something like we wouldn`t say ordinarily?
IRWIN: Crike.
MATTHEWS: Or pineapple. Pineapple.
IRWIN: Look at you. Hero.
MATTHEWS: Look at me. Pineapple. Pineapple. OK. There you go.
IRWIN: You should look at the spider. Look how pretty she is.
MATTHEWS: OK, take it right now. Just take it.
IRWIN: OK, pineapple for you.
He tried to take a chicken off a big alligator. The big alligator tore the front of his nose off. So we took him to one of our fantastic new breed vets.
MATTHEWS: Oh.
IRWIN: And the vet fixed him up.
MATTHEWS: Looks like a little Joan Rivers.
IRWIN: Yes.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: That Ross is quite a character.
And you know, I wonder if Ross has anything indigo in his wardrobe. Well, Kirsten Dunst does. And we`ll find out if you should, too. The hottest looks, right now, coming up in "Thursday InStyle."
ANDERSON: Plus, a videotape surfaces that actually could change Anna Nicole Smith`s future. It`s a tape of her and her late husband talking about his financial plans for her. We`ve got that coming up in the "Legal Lowdown."
ANDERSON: And, a special report on bigorexia, a disorder that makes some men spend hours in the gym and go to dangerous lengths to change their bodies. That`s coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It is time now for "Thursday InStyle." Tonight, it`s the month`s best looks on some of the hottest celebrities. "InStyle`s" fashion director, Hal Rubenstein, gave SHOWBIZ TONIGHT the scoop.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAL RUBENSTEIN, FASHION DIRECTOR, "INSTYLE": Indigo is this great, rich deep blue. If you`ve got blue eyes, it`s killer. It`s very striking.
One of the looks on this page that I like so much is Kirsten Dunst in a Christian La Croix. It has that kind of sort of innocence, and that sort of shapelessness. The fabric`s moving seamlessly against the body. But on the other hand, the dress is incredibly easy to wear.
You know, it`s like every couple of years, we`ve got jungle prints are back. Animal prints don`t leave, you know? It`s one of the few prints I will tell women that if it seems to go out one season, put it in the back of your closet, because you`re going to be yanking it out again.
What I like on Lindsay Lohan, this is a girl who is 19 years old and I think sometimes maybe a little overexposed. But this is one time where she picked an Alexander McQueen dress which is really, I think, more sophisticated than she`s used to, and I think she pulls it off quite nicely.
Going full tilt, addresses the idea that, you know, the line where a woman always says, "Are my seams straight?" Well, here`s a case where deliberately a neckline is done asymmetrically.
What you see on Nicole Kidman. She`s picked this Roland Marey (ph) dress with the neckline. It`s a v-neckline, but it`s going this way, so you`re focusing on really the most important part of fashion, which is a woman`s face and not her dress.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: And if you want to read more about this month`s best looks, pick up a copy of December`s "InStyle" magazine, on newsstands tomorrow.
HAMMER: So going to the gym is a good thing, right? Well, maybe not, if you`re spending hours upon hours there every single day. It`s just one of the dangerous facets of a disorder called bigorexia. That`s coming up next in a special report.
ANDERSON: Plus, some government officials say smoking in movies -- that`s on screen, not in the theater -- is out of control and they have an idea how to fight it. That`s coming up.
HAMMER: And, everybody stand back. It`s Burt Bacharach. The songwriting legend is here live, coming up in the interview you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It is 31 minutes past the hour. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
HAMMER: I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. You`re watching TV`s only live entertainment news show.
ANDERSON: A.J., tonight, we are going to take a look at the eating disorder bigorexia. It`s when men become obsessed with being extremely muscular. We`ll meet a man who suffered from bigorexia and learn about the extremes he went to, to achieve what he thought was the perfect body.
HAMMER: Also, we`re going to talk about a woman`s whose weight loss has certainly been front and center, Anna Nicole Smith. But that`s not what we`re talking about. A lot of people know she married an 89-year-old billionaire who passed away. She didn`t get any inheritance. But now there`s a new video that may help her in her case. We`ll deal with that in the "Legal Lowdown," coming up.
But first, let`s get to tonight`s "Hot Headlines." SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Sibila Vargas, joining us live once again from Hollywood -- Sibila.
VARGAS: A.J., tonight Dana Reeve is making her very first public appearance since revealing her battle with lung cancer. Reeve, who was diagnosed in August, tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT a short time ago that it`s been a full year of turmoil, but she`s feeling great.
Tonight she`s taking part in the star-studded New York City benefit for Christopher Reeve`s Paralysis Foundation in honor of her late husband.
Josh Lucas may want to stay out of dry land for awhile. The actor says he was blasted with a water cannon while filming Warner Brothers` remake of "The Poseidon Adventure." Lucas is now wearing a cast on his left hand and arm after tearing his ligaments. Ouch.
ABC`s "Lost" is about to go from the small screen to the very small screen. The Emmy-winning drama is set to roll out a new series exclusively for cell phones. The "Lost" episode -- the "Lost" video diaries follow the adventures of two new characters who are marooned with the show`s primetime cast. About 20 short episodes will be shot next month in Hawaii.
And those are tonight`s "Hot Headlines."
A.J., who watches TV on their cell phone? Don`t answer that, because I know you probably do already.
HAMMER: Really, I don`t. I haven`t upgraded to that level yet, Sibila.
VARGAS: OK.
HAMMER: Thank you very much. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Sibila Vargas in our Hollywood newsroom.
ANDERSON: Tonight, a special report on a disorder you might not have heard of. We`re all familiar with anorexia. But more and more, we`re hearing about men who suffer from the opposite: bigorexia. And the preoccupation with being muscle-bound can be just as dangerous.
Here`s CNN`s Paula Zahn for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PAULA ZAHN, HOST, "PAULA ZAHN NOW": In his mid 30s, out of shape, and overweight, this man began a quest for the perfect body.
MICHAEL LOMBARDI, SUFFERED FROM BODY IMAGE DISORDER: Thirty-eight waist, 54 chest, 18 inch arms, 18 inch carves.
ZAHN: As Michael Lombardi gained more and more muscle mass, he liked what he saw. He looked like the famous bodybuilders he had always admired. His quest quickly became an obsession.
LOMBARDI: I would go and get to the gym at 5 in the morning. I`d be there right when the door opened. And, like, if the guy was late I`d be complaining to the owner of the gym.
Working out all the time, like four hours a day, two in the morning, two at night. Sometimes 30 minutes in the afternoon, during lunch, I would go work out. Work some type of body part.
And I was also working part-time in the gym. And then, when I go home sometimes I would run.
ZAHN: But the closer he got to his goal, the farther away it seemed.
LOMBARDI: You know, if I was waiting for somebody somewhere, I would open my trunk and do some curls or something. I had like a protein stock in the trunk, too. Every kind of protein drink, bottles of water, shakes. When I get really obsessive is the food calculator that tracks every little thing I put in my body.
ZAHN: Michael, like hundreds of thousands of men, suffers from a condition called muscle dysmorphia, or, bigorexia.
DR. KATHARINE PHILLIPS, AUTHOR, "THE ADONIS COMPLEX": No matter how big they get, they typically don`t feel satisfied.
ZAHN: Dr. Katherine Phillips, who wrote the book, "The Adonis Complex," directs the body dysmorphic disorder and body image program at Butler Hospital in Rhode Island.
PHILLIPS: Bigorexia was a term that was coined originally to describe people, mostly men, who think that they are too small, inadequately muscular. Some will say puny or tiny. But in reality, their body build is normal. Or some of them are even very muscular.
ZAHN: Within a year, Michael was more than muscular. He was huge. He started competing in strong man contests. To keep his body lean, and his muscles bulging, he took extreme measures.
LOMBARDI: At one point I was taking, I think, 88 pills a day. They were all over the counter, but there`s pills that are banned now, that the federal government stopped because they were put in, they were playing with the molecules inside of them. That have the same effect that steroids would have on you. But they were legal.
ZAHN: Michael wouldn`t tell us whether he ever used steroids to get bigger. But he did admit this.
LOMBARDI: Who can get that big unless you really invest in needles? Or like if you do the big Miss Olympias and stuff like that. You`re not going to get that big. You can`t do that normally.
ZAHN: It took four trips to the emergency room, suffering from exhaustion and dehydration, for Michael to finally realize he had a serious problem.
LOMBARDI: I went to my primary doctor, and he`s seen that my blood levels were all wrong. So he started to ask me what I`d been doing and I told him. And he said, "You`ve got something going on with your body. You don`t see it like other people see it."
And he weighed me in and I thought it was too heavy. So I purged in the bathroom, and he actually caught me.
ZAHN: No matter what people or doctors told Michael about his body, he never believed it. He still wanted to be even bigger, stronger, leaner.
LOMBARDI: Every little trick of the book I would research. A lot of the pro-bodybuilders you get tips from. They write them all in a book. They tell you what they do. They give you sample cycles.
ZAHN: Nothing could stop him from working out and competing. Not even injury.
LOMBARDI: I dislocated my bicep one time. My whole arm looked like it was -- the top half was greenish blue. Really bad. And a couple hamstring pulls. I would still work that body part, which was really dumb.
ZAHN: Until one day, the pain began to outweigh his desire for perfection.
LOMBARDI: I was like, whoa, what`s happening here? You`re getting so big, you can`t even buy a shirt at a normal store. You always had to go to the big and tall guy store.
ZAHN: Michael says he no longer obsesses about food and tries not to overdo his work-outs. He will always struggle with muscle dysmorphia. With counseling, he`s starting to accept himself the way he is.
LOMBARDI: Trying to get to, you know, understand what`s going on. Trying to adapt and adjust. And understand that you`re not seeing what you really think you`re seeing.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: That was CNN`s Paula Zahn for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Michael says he`s still a little bit heavier than he wants to be, and he`s trying to lose some weight and replace it with muscle.
Tonight, a dramatic proposal in the war on smoking in the movies. Attorneys general in 32 states across America today demanded that Hollywood help convince kids to not smoke. They want anti-smoking public service announcements put right on DVDs and videos of movies that show people smoking onscreen.
Tonight, a "SHOWBIZ Newsmaker" interview with Maryland attorney general J. Joseph Curran Jr., who is leading this fight. Attorney General Curran joins us live tonight in Baltimore.
We appreciate you being with us.
J. JOSEPH CURRAN JR., ATTORNEY GENERAL OF MARYLAND: Thank you very much for having me.
HAMMER: My pleasure. And you wrote this letter to the major motion picture studios out there in Hollywood. You`re asking that they put these anti-smoking PSAs right there on the DVDs that feature smoking in these movies. Why did you decide that this needed to be done?
CURRAN: Well, we all can play a role in protecting children. And no one can argue that smoking is good for children, much less good for anyone.
So there`s nothing wrong, no harm by asking the movie people to include a PSA message that we will produce, or the Legacy Foundation will produce at our cost and place it on the movies that they`re going to send out for home consumption.
You know, we know that movies can influence behavior, and that`s a good thing, because -- I have no problem with that. But I also would like the behavior to be the behavior that is good for people.
HAMMER: So as you`re producing these PSA and you`re financing them yourselves, I`m thinking, I don`t know if you`re like me, I`m the kind of guy, I rent a DVD. I skip all the commercials. I skip all the previews and I go right to the movie.
So do you really think it is worth all the trouble that you`re going to go through in that it can actually make a difference?
CURRAN: Well, No. 1, I think it can. And we`re hoping also that we can, by negotiating with the movie industry itself, that we can cause them to permit us to use the PSAs in the theaters. And we`re working on that.
But at the same time, we thought, "Well, wait a minute. So much of the movies now are used for home consumption. And the kids can buy almost anything, or rent almost anything, and they`ll see the film again and again and again."
Our concern is that we know from past experience that the movies can influence people. They can set trends. Youngsters, and oldsters for that matter, have heroes and idols. And, you know, we follow that trend.
And we`ve had two recent studies by the Dartmouth medical people to show that their analysis is that young people who watch a significant numbers of movie that`s smoking is displayed, do, in fact, excuse me, do in fact, three times as much, initiate smoking. And that`s a bad trend.
HAMMER: Sure. Sure. And hopefully the work that you`re doing will make a difference in it. And we appreciate you informing us as to what you`re doing. I`m afraid we`re out of time at this point. Best of luck with your endeavors. And thank you.
CURRAN: Thank you very much for having us.
HAMMER: Maryland attorney general Joe Curran, live from Baltimore. Thanks again.
ANDERSON: Coming up, will a new video shed light on Anna Nicole Smith`s claim to her husband`s fortune?
Plus, could Russell Crowe be barred from acting in the U.S.? That`s ahead in the "Legal Lowdown."
HAMMER: And Burt Bacharach is back with a new album with a political spin this time around. Burt Bacharach joins us live in the interview you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson.
It`s time now for a look at what`s new at the movies this week. And there are some good ones. Listen up. Harry`s back, but this time, he finally meets his arch nemesis, Voldemort, in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire."
Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash`s love story hits the big screen in "Walk the Line," starring Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon. And in a limited release, "Breakfast on Pluto," starring Liam Neeson.
HAMMER: It`s time now for the "Legal Lowdown," taking a look at what`s going on in the world of entertainment legal news. On our docket tonight, a new revealing home video of Anna Nicole Smith`s 90-year-old late husband is showing what Anna Nicole has been claiming all along, that he wanted her to inherit a chunk of his billion-dollar fortune. But is the video enough for her to win in court?
Also today, Russell Crowe`s gets ready for a hearing that could determine whether he can actually ever work in the United States again.
Joining us tonight is Harvey Levin, managing editor for the entertainment news site, TMZ.com. He`s live at the TMZ Studios in California.
Harvey, it`s the story that just won`t go away for years now. We all know Anna Nicole Smith was 26 years old. She married an 89-year-old billionaire. All along, after he passed away said, "He wants me inherit his fortune."
Now she has video to back it up. What is said in this video and why is this proof?
HARVEY LEVIN, MANAGING EDITOR, TMZ.COM: I am telling you, A.J., it is incredible. I have seen it. It`s on "Extra" tonight, and my jaw dropped.
1992, Christmas Day, he is with Anna Nicole, right next to a Christmas tree, and she`s basically saying, "Oh, come on, honey, say what you said last night."
And you see this guy basically say, "Here`s what I promised to give you." And it`s not half his fortune. I mean, it`s a car and a house. It`s like, "Let`s Make a Deal." But it ain`t no $450 million.
And you know, and one of the relatives who was there said, he never promised that. So, basically this video paints Anna Nicole as a liar. It`s really -- I`m telling you, you`ve got to see the whole thing, but it is really incredible video.
HAMMER: Maybe it will toss her a card just for good luck and good fortune. But the fact is, and the big contention all along has been she wasn`t actually named in the will.
This fight is actually about to go to the Supreme Court. I`m still having a hard time figuring that out. But will a video even hold up in court if it`s admitted? Or is the will really more legally binding?
LEVIN: Well, you know, I think maybe at the trial this could have maybe been a factor. But it`s not going to be a factor at the U.S. Supreme Court. They can`t consider new evidence. They basically -- they base it on the record that they have before them.
And this is a real technical issue, A.J. It`s not really about the nuts and bolts of the case. It`s about, you know, it`s very, very -- you don`t want to know. It`s very technical.
HAMMER: All right. Let`s move on to Russell Crowe. Don`t want to get too technical.
Very quickly, there`s a hearing tomorrow that begins over whether or not he assaulted this hotel concierge in New York. Why could Russell lose his right to work in the U.S., real quickly?
LEVIN: Well, he`s answering the charges tomorrow. And this is a felony. And it`s theoretically possible that authorities could say, "Look, if you end up getting convicted, we have a right to evoke your -- your permit to work here." So a lot is on the line.
HAMMER: All right, we`ll be talking about it again tomorrow night. TMZ.com`s Harvey Levin, live in Glendale, California. Thanks, as always.
LEVIN: See you.
ANDERSON: Tonight in a "SHOWBIZ Sitdown," Mr. Burt Bacharach. You know his songs: "What the World Needs Now is Love," "Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head," "That`s What Friends are For," all of them Bacharach compositions. So it might surprise you that his latest album could be considered a political album.
Burt Bacharach joins me live now from Hollywood.
Welcome, Burt.
BURT BACHARACH, SONGWRITER: Hi, Brooke. Great to be here.
ANDERSON: Burt, it`s great to have you. And what a long illustrious career you`ve had: six decades in music, 48 top 10 hits, nine No. 1 song, more than 500 compositions. Burt, what do you consider your most defining moment?
BACHARACH: I don`t think you can be specific and say there is one defining moment. I mean, it`s all been a treasure. I`ve always had this great fortune. And I`ve been very lucky, and I feel very blessed.
I`m still here; I`m writing music. I`m writing music particularly on this album that`s a little bit different than anything I`ve ever written before. And I`m very grateful for that.
And I could really -- I can`t write like an op ed piece, but I can express through my music what I feel about this world we`re in right now. Having two young kids, a 9-year-old and a 12-year-old, a 19-year-old son. So, you know, it`s -- it is more political than I`ve ever been.
ANDERSON: And it draws attention to the problems in this world. What do you feel is wrong with this world?
BACHARACH: Well, it is against the administration for sure. You know, I mean, there is one piece in here called "Who Are These People?" that Elvis Costello sings on. And basically, the lyric says, "Who are these people that keep telling us lies? How do these people get control of our lives? And who will stop the violence because it`s out of control. Make him stop."
So, you know, it goes on from there. And the thing is, I just, there are so many areas that I feel have just gone south on us. And I can express it through my music.
Look, it is like, I`ve written love songs all my life. And this is still writing love songs. I write love songs about heartbreak: "Only Love Can Break a Heart," "Anyone Who Had a Heart.
And here we have a situation where I`m still writing love songs, not sacrificing melody. Writing with a couple of Dr. Dre drum loops, which is a very different thing for me to go that way, with real legitimate instruments, strings.
ANDERSON: Dr. Dre, Elvis Costello, Rufus Wainwright, just a few of the people you`ve collaborated with. And I want to ask you, Burt, actor Mike Myers considers you his good luck charm. He cast you in all three "Austin Powers" movies. Do you feel that after that pop culture exposure, are you gaining new and younger fans?
BACHARACH: I think that`s helped my career with all the 11-year-olds in this country, being in those films. You know, I love Mike. And he`s been a great supporter of me. And I sent him this album as soon as it came out. An advance copy. And he sent a great note back. How much he appreciated it and loved it.
ANDERSON: Oh, that`s terrific. And I want to ask you, when you are writing, how do the songs come to you? You have such a catalog of music. We hear them on the radio all the time. How are you inspired?
BACHARACH: I`m inspired because I have a discipline where I sit down and work. And particularly with this album, I started in December, a flurry of activity. I watch CNN every night. I watch the 10 news. I hear what was going on. And it would just translate.
I know I`m giving you a plug. You know, I wasn`t watching FOX.
ANDERSON: Burt.
BACHARACH: But I was watching Aaron, you know, and I would then translate it into my music. So, the music -- this is the first time I`ve ever written lyrics in my life.
ANDERSON: Well, congratulations, Burt, on doing that. Thank you so much for joining us tonight. We are out of time. I appreciate you being here.
BACHARACH: Thanks, Brooke.
ANDERSON: The new album, "At This Time," is in stores now.
HAMMER: There`s still time for you to sound off in our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. "Harry Potter" series: do you think Harry will be killed off? Vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. Or write to us at ShowbizTonight@CNN.com. Your e-mails coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: We`ve been asking you to vote online in our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. "Harry Potter" series: do you think Harry will be killed off? The vote so far is 30 percent of you say yes, so 70 percent of you say no, he won`t be.
Among the e-mails, on from Ann Marie in New York. I don`t think she`s a fan. She writes, "I hope so. I`m sick of hearing about this character. It`s only a book! Stop obsessing."
Andrea from Mississippi writes, "I think Harry`s future is pretty bleak. Hopefully, he will come out, probably not unscathed, but alive."
ANDERSON: It`s time now to see what`s playing on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT tomorrow. So let`s take a look at the "SHOWBIZ Marquee." Marquee Guy, it`s all yours.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANNOUNCER: Tomorrow, Pottermania creates a frenzy at SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Get "fired" up as "Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire" finally opens. It`s about time. And we`ll have first reviews from 100 percent actual certified movie goers. When? Tomorrow.
Also tomorrow, it`s a bird, it`s a plane, it`s Superman. The man of steel steals the spotlight, a new adventure, a new Clark Kent. And we`ll have your very first look at the movie with actual 100 percent guaranteed certified video. When? Tomorrow.
Look up in the sky, it`s A.J., it`s Brooke, the Marquee Guy, too.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I have no idea what`s going on.
ANDERSON: We should have had our capes on for that one, right, A.J.?
HAMMER: I don`t think so.
That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer live in New York.
ANDERSON: I`m Brooke Anderson, live in Hollywood. Stay tuned for the latest from CNN Headline News.
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