Return to Transcripts main page

Showbiz Tonight

Michael J. Fox Holds Benefit for Parkinson`s Research; New George Clooney Film Asks Tough Questions; Study: Increase in Depictions of Dead Bodies in Primetime; Sienna Miller Dishes on New Movie

Aired November 21, 2005 - 19:00   ET

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


SIBILA VARGAS, CO-HOST: I`m Sibila Vargas in Hollywood.
A.J. HAMMER, CO-HOST: I`m A.J. Hammer, live in New York. TV`s only live entertainment news show starts right now.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HAMMER (voice-over): On SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, a big movie star tackles the big issues. George Clooney`s revealing opinions about whether the war in Iraq is about weapons or oil.

GEORGE CLOONEY, ACTOR: We`re certainly not telling people what to think. We`re saying let`s just ask questions.

HAMMER: Tonight, George Clooney in the interview you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

A tribute to Michael J. Fox and his brave battle against Parkinson`s Disease. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is there as Fox is honored by some very famous, and very funny, friends.

WANDA SYKES, COMEDIAN: They wanted people not to cross the line, they should have asked jugglers to be here. Call Gallagher.

HAMMER: Tonight, Michael J. Fox, one on one.

Oprah`s favorite things. It`s the show that makes everyone go nuts. Tonight, we have the inside story on what she gave away, and the powerful Hurricane Katrina connection.

KEIRA KNIGHTLEY, ACTRESS: Hello, I`m Keira Knightley. And if it happened today, it`s on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

VARGAS: Hello, I`m Sibila Vargas, live in Hollywood.

HAMMER: And I`m A.J. Hammer, live in New York.

Tonight, Michael J. Fox`s personal battle with Parkinson`s. It`s a personal battle and one he is taking on for so many others who have the disease. Tonight, how Michael is doing, and the stars who came out to a huge event to make sure he is not in this fight alone.

Let`s get right to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s David Haffenreffer, live with the story -- David.

DAVID HAFFENREFFER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: A.J., Parkinson`s is a disease that usually strikes people in their 50s or 60s. But Fox was diagnosed when he was just 30 years old. And he`s doing something about it, just hosting his fifth benefit gala to raise money for Parkinson`s research. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was right there. The theme this year, "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Curing Parkinson`s." The stars and big name comedians came out to take part in an event that`s become an important part of Fox`s life.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MICHAEL J. FOX, ACTOR/ACTIVIST: It`s becoming like Christmas or something. It`s like this thing we look forward to every year.

HAFFENREFFER: The stars were out to support Fox and his foundation. And for comedian Wanda Sykes, the night also held special meaning.

SYKES: Personally, I have an uncle who has Parkinson`s.

HAFFENREFFER: She says Michael J. Fox has been an important part of the battle for a cure.

SYKES: Being such a huge star, to get out there and to be so vulnerable and say, "Look, this is what it does." And just fighting to try to find a cure is really helping millions of people.

HAFFENREFFER: Helping millions, and for Fox himself, he tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT he`s taking every day as it comes.

FOX: I feel great. The only thing that ever is tough for me is there`s a large amount of stress and attention. This night is always a little much.

HAFFENREFFER: The flashing lights and stress of the red carpet might get to him, but he does it anyway.

FOX: But it`s great. It`s so gratifying.

HAFFENREFFER: It`s gratifying because he`s turned his disadvantage into a foundation that`s steadily working towards finding a cure for Parkinson`s Disease. In order to do that, he`s had to be incredibly open about his very personal battle.

FOX: I just got to a point where I couldn`t hide it anymore.

HAFFENREFFER: The first obstacle, announcing to the award-winning cast of "Spin City" and to the world that he had the disease. That was 1998. He had hidden the disease for seven years. Now, a visibly shaky Fox hides no more.

FOX: I need to take two minutes for the pill to kick in. I`ll be back in a second.

HAFFENREFFER: The effects and his decision to go public made for a poignant addition of Bravo`s "Inside the Actor`s Studio."

FOX: That was basically what was happening when we were doing the show. When I was waiting for a pill to kick in, to make me feel better, I thought, "Can I be funny if people know I`m sick? Is it OK to laugh at a sick person?"

HAFFENREFFER: Evidently, they can.

SYKES: I think more people should come out, you know, to support things. Not just celebrities, you know, but it`s good. Like celebrities, you got a nasty cold sore, you know, get on the front cover of a magazine and say, "Hey, I got herpes. And herpes -- they`re real."

JIMMY KIMMEL, TALK SHOW HOST: I was thinking about Fidel Castro. And you know, he has Parkinson`s now. And, you know, everybody loves Michael J. Fox, but not everyone loves Fidel Castro. So I don`t know how this is going to effect the charity donations.

HAFFENREFFER: But behind the jokes and behind Fox is a tightly knit family.

FOX: I have my kids and Tracy. It just makes everything worthwhile and easier.

HAFFENREFFER: Forty-four-year-old Fox is married to actress Tracy Pollan. Together, they have four children.

TRACY POLLAN, ACTRESS: We`ve always been very open about it. And it just sort of fit an understanding.

HAFFENREFFER: Their daughters were born after Michael`s diagnosis, so the disease is part of the dad they`ve always known. And as for their oldest, Sam, he volunteers weekly at the foundation.

SAM FOX, SON: It`s important that we`re getting this close to a cure.

HAFFENREFFER: And until the cure is found, Fox will continue to put himself out there and provide hope for hundreds of thousands of Americans afflicted with the disease.

FOX: For so long I dealt with this and kept it to myself. And while I don`t regret that, it was an amazing thing when I started to talk about it and see that there was a community there. And that there was -- that that community had hopes and dreams and good reason for optimism. And it`s been tremendously humbling.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HAFFENREFFER: And Sibila, his benefit raised more than $4 million for research. This year alone, they`ve raised a whopping $35 million. It looks like his efforts are paying off -- Sibila.

VARGAS: They definitely are. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s David Haffenreffer, thank you so much.

HAMMER: Another star-studded event, and SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was there. "Syriana" premiered here in New York City with film stars Matt Damon and George Clooney walking the red carpet.

The political drama, already getting lots of buzz because of its political subject matter. Lots of hot button issues of the times being addressed in the film. Clooney plays a veteran CIA agent who`s being used as a pawn in a big scandal involving big oil companies and their influence in Washington, D.C.

Tonight, in a "SHOWBIZ Sitdown," the man at the center of it all, George Clooney.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HAMMER: You were very candid recently about the spinal injury that you had when you were filming "Syriana" during a brutal interrogation scene.

CLOONEY: Yes.

HAMMER: I still feel queasy from. People want to know how you`re feeling.

CLOONEY: Fine. I feel great, actually. Much, much better, and getting better all the time.

HAMMER: You know that`s a really uncomfortable scene. Right?

CLOONEY: I know. Believe me, I know it`s uncomfortable. It was really uncomfortable doing it. If it makes you feel any better, it wasn`t fun to shoot.

HAMMER: Of course, the movie is a work of fiction, but it`s based on real events. And a lot of people are going to walk out of this movie going wow, having no idea that this actually goes on. What do you think the biggest, the most shocking revelation about the oil industry and how this all works will be to people?

CLOONEY: I think that there`s -- it`s so much more complicated, and there`s so much gray area. There are not things, necessarily, that are good and bad. It`s not that easily marked. It`s more shades of gray, you know. Not so good, not so bad kind of things, so that you understand more clearly our own involvement and sort of our own -- how we`re complicit in all this.

HAMMER: You may be aware of the fact that there are a lot of people who think this whole war in Iraq is not related to weapons of mass destruction but it`s all related to oil. Do you share this notion?

CLOONEY: Well, the truth of the matter is of course. I mean, I don`t think there really is anyone that truly denies the idea that if we were just there for regime change, Mugabe would have been a good place to start. There -- you know, Pinochet wouldn`t have been a bad spot to start.

There were a lot of places that we could have gone if it was just about regime change. There`s no oil in, you know, in Uganda.

You know, so the truth is, is it about oil? Of course, it`s about oil. It`s always been about oil. But you know, having said that, we all drive cars and are dependent on it. So we are complicit in all of those arguments. And so it`s not as easy as saying, "Hey, it`s just about oil." The discussion should be about what are our responsibilities? All of ours.

HAMMER: A lot of movies out this fall, and a lot that you, quite frankly, have something to do with, from "Good Night, Good Luck," "Syriana" to "North Country" are movies with a conscience. They really have an awareness or a message. Do you think it`s a coincidence that they`re all happening at this time, or because there is so much unease in the world right now that it`s reflecting that?

CLOONEY: We had about 20 years where there wasn`t much of that in our -- in the land. That`s happened again. There`s a lot of questioning, a lot of people talking about issues. And so films seem to be responding to that.

You know, films are not first responders. It takes two years.

HAMMER: Sure.

CLOONEY: So for us, the idea is right about now is when the things -- when people were telling, you know, I was on the front of a magazine called "The Traitor" because I said we should ask questions before the war.

HAMMER: "The Traitor"? T-R-A-I-T-O-R?

CLOONEY: Yes. You know, literally called "The Traitor." And...

HAMMER: How did you feel about that?

CLOONEY: I wasn`t happy about it. But on the other hand, you can`t demand freedom of speech and then say, "But don`t say bad things about me."

HAMMER: Exactly.

CLOONEY: You`ve got to take the hits. So it`s important now, I think, to have -- the good news for us is that now I think people agree that dissent is not disloyalty, that you`re allowed to have arguments about these issues. And I think that`s good. That`s all.

We`re certainly not telling people what to think. We`re saying, "Let`s just ask questions."

HAMMER: And they`ll walk out of "Syriana," certainly, having those discussions and asking those questions.

CLOONEY: That`s what we hope.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HAMMER: "Syriana," a powerful film that does raise a lot of those questions, opens in limited release on Wednesday. It will open nationwide on December 9.

VARGAS: Sixty-three dead bodies in one week. No, we`re not talking about news coverage. This is primetime TV dramas. Is violence in primetime out of hand? We`ll look into that next.

HAMMER: Plus, dead bodies on display, but at this exhibit in New York City, the controversy is very much alive. That`s also coming up.

VARGAS: And she`s the woman everyone wants to talk to these days. We`re one-on-one with Sienna Miller, coming up in the interview you`ll only see on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

HAMMER: Here we go. Time for tonight`s "Entertainment Weekly Great American Pop Culture Quiz." Which of these 1990 films was the first completely computer-generated feature? "Ever May (ph)", "The Lion King," "Toy Story," "A Bug`s Life" or "Antz"? Coming right back with the answer.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

VARGAS: So again, tonight`s "Entertainment Weekly Great American Pop Culture Quiz." Which one of these `90 films was the first completely computer-generated feature? Was it A, "The Lion King"; B, "Toy Story"; C, "A Bug`s Life" or D, "Antz"? The answer is, B, "Toy Story."

HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer.

Tonight, a startling new report about violence on TV. The Parents Television Council researched the numbers of dead bodies on primetime TV for the Associated Press. And the study found there were 63 bodies in primetime in the last week of September 2005, versus 27 bodies seen during that same time one year ago.

Joining us live in Hollywood for a "SHOWBIZ Newsmaker" interview, the executive director of the Parents Television Council, Tim Winter.

Thanks for being with us, Tim.

TIM WINTER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PARENTS TELEVISION COUNCIL: Hi, A.J. Good to see you again.

HAMMER: Man, those numbers stack up. Almost twice as many dead bodies shown on TV this year versus last. What are some of the outrageous moments of violence that raise the red flag for you guys?

WINTER: Well, we`re seeing -- we`re actually seeing three things, A.J. No. 1, of course, the number of dead bodies. More than 100 percent increase over a year ago.

We`re also seeing more graphic, grotesque depictions of these dead bodies, and further, we`re seeing them at an earlier hour than we used to. We used to see them, perhaps, at 10 p.m. Now we`re seeing them at 8 p.m., the so-called family hour.

At 8 p.m. just recently, we saw a -- a corpse hanging from a tree. An investigator was on the scene, and the head literally fell off into the investigator`s hands. And it was covered in maggots, and there was decay and decomposition going on. It was -- it was nauseating to see.

HAMMER: Well, as a watchdog group, I know none of this can make you happy. There`s not a Law, of course, regulating violence on TV. But why aren`t there organizations like the PTC who make noise, you know, about sex on TV, why aren`t there organizations doing the same thing about violence on television?

WINTER: Well, the PTC is -- our mission is to protect children from sex, violence, and profanity, all three negative types of content in television.

You pointed out correctly that I think the reason why there`s so much media attention to the sex issue is that it is against the Law to have patently offensive sex on broadcast television during certain times of the evening. There`s no similar Law for violence.

And what`s troubling, I think, most is that when it comes to the social scientists, the kids are really acting out the violence at a younger age. The sexual acting out, the scenes that they see, the sexual scenes they see at an earlier age, you know, teenagers and so forth. But the violence can be even preschools and toddlers.

The concern is very, very high, not only with the PTC, but with a number of other media watch dog groups, parenting groups. And we know that Senator Hollings, who resigned from the Senate not too long ago, was very keyed in on the violence issue, and others are on Capitol Hill, as well. It`s very tough to legislate, though.

HAMMER: And it must be hard to say specifically which is more harmful. But have you guys assessed, you know, which is -- which has a more harmful effect on the kids, the sex or the gratuitous violence?

WINTER: We rely on a social scientist to do that research. What we do is we watch every hour of primetime programming, and we record every instance of violence and sex. And we make it available on our web site so parents can make a more informed media choice for their family every night.

What it comes down to in terms of the social science research is that both -- I mean, would you rather die of starvation or die of dehydration? I mean, you know, pick your poison. They`re both harmful, especially to children. And they`re both of grave concern.

And we hope that this recent study, done by the A.P. with our help, will draw more heightened attention to this, not only for the advertisers who support the content, to the broadcasters who are airing it, but also to the folks inside the beltway to see if there`s something that can be done at their level to...

HAMMER: In terms of legislation. Sure. Tim, got to wrap you there. We appreciate your checking in with us and going through this tonight. Tim Winter.

WINTER: Thanks, A.J.

HAMMER: Live from Los Angeles at the Parents Television Council. Thanks very much.

Now, it`s time to hear from you. It`s our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. Prime-time TV: does violence bother you more than sex? You can vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. Or e-mail us at ShowbizTonight@CNN.com. We`ll read some of your thoughts later in the show.

VARGAS: Sienna Miller has been making headlines ever since Jude Law came clear with his relationship with his children`s former nanny. But right now, her attention is focused on her new movie, "Casanova."

Sienna stars as Francesca Bruni, the only gal to capture Casanova`s heart. Sienna sat down with SHOWBIZ TONIGHT producer Jenny D`Attoma and set the record straight about her on-again, off-again relationship with Jude Law and how she feels about being a fashion trend setter.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JENNY D`ATTOMA, CNN SHOWBIZ TONIGHT PRODUCER: You`ve done the premier for this. You`re doing all the press for it.

SIENNA MILLER, ACTRESS: Yes.

D`ATTOMA: Much has been made about Jude attending the premier with you. Can you set the record straight for us?

MILLER: You know what? I`m just so excited to be talking about something other than him, you know?

D`ATTOMA: Has it been relentless?

MILLER: It has been utterly relentless. We have a lot of things to talk about, work. It`s just a relief, to be honest, to not even go there. But you know, we`re working things out.

D`ATTOMA: So many people are pulling for you. You feel that way? Your fans? Because you are a trend setter: the way you dress, your new haircut, for example. Do you feel like there`s lot of women paying attention to what you do?

MILLER: I don`t really buy into it or get involved with it or think about it. Because I think as soon as I did, it would start to affect me personally. And I live a very normal life as much as I can and have the same group of friends that I`ve had since I was 3, you know. So it`s flattering to hear. And I do feel supported. Yes, I feel -- I sense that, but I don`t read it or pay too much attention.

D`ATTOMA: You don`t buy into it.

MILLER: No, I can`t. I think if I did it would start to mess with my head, you know?

D`ATTOMA: Has it calmed down? Has the paparazzi -- are they still following you everywhere you go?

MILLER: A little bit, yes. It`s been a rough year. I don`t want to whine about it. But I suppose you have to accept it to a certain degree. But I have got it really, really badly. And it`s not why I did this job. I didn`t do it to be famous. I didn`t -- my evening (ph) didn`t really -- I thought I could be one of those actresses that could balance a very private personal life and a good career. And it kind of hasn`t worked out that way this year.

But you know, I hope things will die down and that people will focus on the work that I`m doing. Because I`m working very hard to be respected as an actor.

D`ATTOMA: What does it feel like to be that woman who sort of, you set trends around the world?

MILLER: It`s really nice, I guess. I just don`t really -- I don`t really think about it. I try not to read it. I`m aware that people like what I wear. This is great. This is nice. But it`s not anything that I am too obsessed with or worry about. It`s -- I`ve always loved clothes. I`m a girl. I`ve collected vintage clothes. And it`s very flattering, but it`s not too important, you know.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

VARGAS: And Sienna tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT producer Jenny D`Attoma her new short haircut is actually for her next role, as Edie Sedgwick. She begins shooting her starring role in "Factory Girl," a biopic of the life of Edie Sedgwick, in early December.

HAMMER: Volunteers who helped out during the Hurricane Katrina aftermath get the surprise of their lives on "Oprah." That`s coming up.

VARGAS: Plus, Lauren Holly made a choice about motherhood that took her away from Hollywood. Now she`s back on a hit TV drama. Lauren Holly is here live, coming up in the interview you`ll only see on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

HAMMER: And we`re going to take you to a controversial exhibit in New York where cadavers are on display. Some people, outraged. They say there`s a racial issue here. And that`s coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HAMMER: It`s time now for the "SHOWBIZ Guide," where throughout the week we help you decide where to spend your dollars on movies, music, DVDs, and more. Tonight, in "People" magazine`s "Picks and Pans," what`s new in music? Let`s talk country with Merle Haggard, and let`s talk pop with Cyndi Lauper. They each have new albums out.

Live here in New York to tell us all about them, "People" magazine`s senior writer, Anne Marie Cruz.

All right, Anne Marie. Let`s get right to it. You reviewed a couple of country stars just on the heels of the CMA Country Music Association Awards last week. Merle Haggard, everybody names him as their inspiration. Is this album a knockout?

ANNA MARIE CRUZ, SENIOR WRITER, "PEOPLE" MAGAZINE: Yes. It`s our critic`s choice for the week. And he`s been at it for four decades. He`s 68 years old, and he`s still hungry and proving that old school, hard bitten, walk the line type country music is still alive and kicking.

He`s got covers of Willy Nelson`s poignant, romantic song, "It Will Always Be," as well as some antiwar songs. So he`s still relevant. He says something in "America First" about how we should "get out of Iraq, get on track, and rebuild America first." So he`s still sending out his political opinions there.

HAMMER: It`s nice to have Merle back. There`s a lot of competition out there in the country music world, and you think he`ll do well with this album?

CRUZ: Yes, I think.

HAMMER: OK. Well, let`s move on to pop icon Cyndi Lauper. Still singing the same songs. Cyndi stopped by SHOWBIZ TONIGHT to tell us about her new album recently. The pop hits from the `80s are back.

CRUZ: But this time they`re reinterpreted as quieter, folkier songs. She`s playing the dulcimer now, which is a sort of lap autoharp. And some of the songs come off really well, like her duet with Sarah McLachlan, "Time After Time."

HAMMER: Beautiful version.

CRUZ: Yes, exactly. And also, a really fun inspired ska-inflicted "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" with the very giggling Japanese girl group Puffi Ami Yumi, who you might know from the cartoon network.

HAMMER: So she`s truly doing it differently, not just for the sake of getting the songs back out there?

CRUZ: Well, some of them don`t work so well, like the "She Bop" version is a little sad sack. It`s kind of strange to see her singing it as a dour song.

HAMMER: OK. So it`s 75 percent.

CRUZ: Yes, exactly.

HAMMER: Thanks very much. Anne Marie Cruz from "People" magazine.

For more "Picks and Pans," you can always grab your copy of "People" magazine, which is on newsstands now.

VARGAS: Tonight there`s a new place in Kentucky where everyone can float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. The stars came out in Louisville to join the world famous boxer for the opening of the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville. Stars, including Jim Carrey and Angelina Jolie, were on hand for that dedication. Jolie said that Ali is an inspiration.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANGELINA JOLIE, ACTRESS: Whether it was the pictures of him young and him so proud and so full of fire, or even knowing his now and seeing what he`s just gone through and how -- how he`s just accomplished it with such grace and strength and dignity. And he just carries on with such -- you know, he`s just glorious. So I think he`s just that person that you just - - he`s one of those, you pull to when you need strength, when you need guidance.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VARGAS: The Muhammad Ali Center opened to the public today.

Well, coming up, they`re three little words that make otherwise normal people go bonkers: "Oprah`s favorite things." We`ll see what she gave away and who got it, next.

HAMMER: Plus, she dropped out of sight to be a stay-at-home mom. And now, she`s back on a hit TV drama. Lauren Holly joins us live in the interview you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

And then, tie a yellow ribbon around your remote and keep it right here because Tony Orlando and both Dawns, coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SUSAN HENDRICKS, CNN HEADLINE NEWS ANCHOR: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT continues in just one minute. Hi, everyone. I`m Susan Hendricks with your "Headline Prime Newsbreak" now.

President Bush has returned to the U.S. after a weeklong tour across Asia. The trip included a stop in Mongolia. It is the first time a U.S. president has ever visited that country. He thanks Mongolian officials for sending troops to Iraq.

U.S. military officials say they`re performing forensic tests to determine if Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was among eight bodies found inside a home in Mosul, Iraq. However, Iraqi officials say it isn`t likely the al- Zarqawi was there. The occupants detonated explosives inside after a gun battle with Iraqi security forces.

Just in time for Thanksgiving, forecasters are expecting some severe weather along the east coast this week. They expect a wintry mix of snow and rain from North Carolina up to New England. Experts say the cold front could slow travelers on the busiest holiday of the year.

And that is the news for now. I`m Susan Hendricks. We return you now to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It is 31 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.

VARGAS: And I`m Sibila Vargas in Hollywood. You`re watching TV`s only live entertainment news show. Here are tonight`s "Hot Headlines."

"The Goblet of Fire" burned up the box office this weekend. In final figures out just this afternoon, the fourth flick in the "Harry Potter" series pulled in $102 million. It`s the fourth best weekend opening ever for a movie.

Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon`s "Walk the Line," about Johnny Cash, debuted in second with $22 million.

Apparently, Christina Aguilera has found "What a Girl Wants," and that`s a husband. The 24-year-old pop star, known for hits like "Genie in a Bottle," "Dirrty," and "What a Girl Wants," tied the knot this weekend with record executive Jordan Bratman in California. Here`s a recent picture of them.

And those are tonight`s "Hot Headlines."

HAMMER: Well, a huge surprise today on "The Oprah Winfrey Show." What was billed as a retrospective on Hurricane Katrina actually turned out to be one of the year`s biggest "Oprah" shows, much to the surprise and delight of the audience.

SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s David Haffenreffer is live with more. David, I know there are people who do not make their Christmas lists until this show is on the air.

HAFFENREFFER: Boy, delight might be an understatement, A.J.

Oprah Winfrey already has donated and raised millions of dollars for Katrina relief. Today, she donated some holiday cheer and a big surprise to the volunteers who put their lives on pause to help out after the tragedy.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

OPRAH WINFREY, TALK SHOW HOST: Every single person that you see here, every single one is a real-life American hero.

HAFFENREFFER (voice-over): These are real-life American heroes, each of them volunteers who put their lives on hold to provide help in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You just did what you had to do because you knew you had to do it.

HAFFENREFFER: They each came to "The Oprah Winfrey Show" taping thinking they were there to talk about their experiences. But what they got was a pat on the back and the shock of their lives.

WINFREY: Because of everything that you did, obviously, nobody can repay you. But I wanted to at least try with a few of my favorite things!

(APPLAUSE)

HAFFENREFFER: With screams and more screams, Oprah`s audience of Katrina volunteers were floored, as Oprah surprised them with the news that they are this year`s recipients of Oprah`s favorite things. It`s Winfrey`s annual holiday gift show where her studio audience makes off with the must- have items of the season.

Tim McFadden, who helped clear away destroyed homes in Louisiana, was one of the volunteers Oprah honored. He came straight to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with all his gifts to tell us what it was like to go from the pain of Katrina to being Oprah`s queens and kings for a day.

TIM MCFADDEN, FORMER HURRICANE KATRINA VOLUNTEER: You`re getting teary. And then suddenly, bam, the set goes up and she`s like, "It`s my favorite things." And everybody is like, "Ahh," and they start screaming. It was really hysterical.

WINFREY: But there ain`t nothing wrong with a little bit of bling.

(APPLAUSE)

HAFFENREFFER: Oprah gave every member of the all-Katrina-volunteer audience a $2,000 diamond encrusted watch, a new video iPod, expensive Burberry coats, a Sony laptop, and a bunch of other gifts.

MCFADDEN: She really, really loves doing stuff like this for people.

HAFFENREFFER: The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina is a subject near and dear to Oprah Winfrey`s heart. Days after the hurricane, she went to New Orleans and got an emotional firsthand look at the devastation.

WINFREY: This makes me so mad. This makes me mad. This should not have happened.

HAFFENREFFER: And though she`s now rewarding the work done by the volunteers, Tim McFadden says they didn`t do it for the reward.

MCFADDEN: We didn`t volunteer for any of this. We volunteered because it came from a pure place of love and compassion.

Our friends, you know, we talked a lot about our feelings, about getting these gifts. You know, well, should we keep them? Should we donate them? Should we do something with them? And I think we`re still all wondering. I haven`t opened my stuff yet.

HAFFENREFFER: Still, it was the spirit of giving that each of the volunteers exhibited through their work. And it`s what Winfrey celebrated on today`s show.

WINFREY: Thank you for your generous hearts, your courage, for showing the world, the whole world, once again what the American spirit is all about.

MCFADDEN: Sometimes when you give, you get back way beyond what you could have ever imagined.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HAFFENREFFER: And if you fell in love with any of the items featured on Oprah`s favorite things episode, hurry up and get them, because they routinely sell out.

And another Oprah surprise. We learned late today that she has finally accepted David Letterman`s invitation to appear on "The Late Show." Oprah had said she was uncomfortable being the subject of Letterman`s jokes. She`ll make her appearance on December 1st -- A.J.?

HAMMER: And back to the favorite things show, though, how great for her that she did it for that audience, who certainly wasn`t looking for it. Nice going, Oprah.

HAFFENREFFER: Indeed.

HAMMER: Thanks very much, David Haffenreffer, live in New York.

VARGAS: Time now for another "Showbiz Sit-down," this time with Lauren Holly. Tonight, her story of putting Hollywood on hold for motherhood. Now, you might remember Lauren as a cast regular on "Picket Fences" or even "Chicago Hope." In the film, she costarred with her then- husband Jim Carrey in "Dumb and Dumber."

Well, it`s been three years since she left the glitz and glam of Hollywood for a life of a full-time mom. Now she`s back on the CBS hit drama "NCIS." She plays Jenny Shepard, the new boss at the agency that investigates crime scenes connected to the Navy and Marines.

Lauren Holly, live in Chicago. Thank you so much for being with us.

LAUREN HOLLY, ACTRESS, "NCIS": Thank you for having me.

VARGAS: You did something that was extraordinary. Most actresses would never even think of doing it. You left Hollywood behind. Why was it so important for you to step out of the spotlight to be with your kids?

HOLLY: Well, I just thought that I had had my fill for a while and wanted to have a family. And my husband was moving to Chicago for his job. And so I went along. And it was a great thing that I did.

But I guess they say, sometimes, you know, if you`re an actor, it`s in your blood. And I started to miss it. And I`m really glad to be back.

VARGAS: But did you ever -- were you concerned that, you know, Hollywood wouldn`t want you back, that, you know, leaving that behind would be very hard for you to come back to it?

HOLLY: Yes, you definitely have those thoughts. And, you know, as an actress, I`m getting older and whatnot. But it all worked out. And I`ve joined a fantastic show. And I`m thrilled, so now just the future, I guess.

VARGAS: Well, it`s definitely is fantastic. You`re the boss on "NCIS," the hit show, program seen by over 17 million people every week. How hard was it, though, making the transition back to work?

HOLLY: Well, I had to see what it was going to be like. And at first, I signed on for six episodes. And I think that they wanted to see how they felt about my character.

And I also, in the back of my head, wanted to know what it was going to be like to be working in Los Angeles and really living in Chicago. And it worked out great. And I`m pleased to say that they asked me to become a regular cast member. And I couldn`t be working at a better place. And I just love the show.

VARGAS: I know. I know. And you also get to work with Mark Harmon, right? I mean, this is a man that you`ve worked with on "Chicago Hope," great relationship there.

HOLLY: Yes, yes. Mark and I worked together before. And it`s always a good sign when two actors work together again. I think he was instrumental in getting me this part. I think he made Don Bellisario, our creator, aware of me for this role. And I`m just thrilled to be working with him again, because he`s such a great guy.

VARGAS: That`s terrific. Well, many remember your high-profile relationship with Jim Carrey, where your every move was captured. What was that like?

HOLLY: Well, you know, I think it was really at the beginning of all this tabloid frenzy, and all the shows that were covering that stuff, and everything else.

And I remember, after our garbage was being gone through, and we were involved in all these chases getting home, and people camping out on our property to get pictures, and whatnot.

Clint Eastwood at a banquet said to the two of us, you know, "I feel sorry for you guys, because we never had to deal with this when I was younger." And I think that was just the beginning, and it`s gotten only worse.

And now it seems like there`s all these people that are featured in these, you know, television shows and tabloids and whatnot, that really are only famous for being famous. I`m not sure why they`re famous. So it sort of feeds off of each other. And it`s a really strange phenomenon. It`s quite a shame, actually.

VARGAS: So why do you think, though, that we`re so obsessed with seeing celebrities in the tabloids? Where does the obsession come from?

HOLLY: I`m not sure. Maybe because at one point celebrities seemed not very accessible or something and now they`re more accessible? I don`t know.

You know, I started in this business on soap operas. So I never had that reputation of being not accessible. Because, if you start in daytime, you know, you`re in everybody`s homes every single day. And they feel very comfortable with you. So I never had that sort of star aura or whatever.

So I`m not sure exactly what it is. But I`m just glad I`m not in their shoes.

VARGAS: Well, you certainly have that star aura to all of us, I mean, but I am so unbelievably fascinated that you did decide to go back. And you are such an inspiration to so many mothers who are out there wondering, "Can I go away from my career and then come back? Can I make a comeback?"

And you know what? You did. So thank you so much.

And you can catch Lauren Holly on "NCIS" Tuesday nights on CBS. Thank you so much, Lauren.

HOLLY: Thank you.

HAMMER: Well, still to come, primetime TV: Does violence bother you more than sex, bothers you on TV? Your e-mails are coming up.

Plus, from sex and violence on TV to dead bodies on display. Coming up, the controversy surrounding an exhibit of body parts. This one is certainly not for the squeamish. We are talking brains, muscles, and more. That`s next.

And then something for everyone, to lighten things up. Two girls and a guy who were certainly one of the biggest groups of the 1970s. And there they are. They`re back together after nearly 30 years. A "Showbiz Flashback" with Tony Orlando and Dawn, coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer.

Time now for a "Showbiz Flashback." Tonight, we are taking you back to the `70s with Tony Orlando and Dawn. The trio just cranked out the hits, hit after hit, songs like "Knock Three Times," "Candida," "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Around the Ole Oak Tree." Everybody knows the songs.

They also fronted a TV variety show, with guest stars like George Carlin regularly on, Jackie Gleason, Milton Berle. Well, for the first time in nearly 30 years, the group is reuniting for a Christmas album.

And joining us live now, the whole crew, Tony Orlando, and Dawn Joyce Vincent, and Telma Hopkins.

Thanks for being here.

TONY ORLANDO, SINGER: Thank you, A.J.

(CROSSTALK)

HAMMER: It`s not only awesome to -- did I just say awesome? It`s awesome to be sitting with you guys. Hey, we`re flashing back. But to hear your song come on, "Knock Three Times," and you start bopping and dancing.

(CROSSTALK)

ORLANDO: Where were you when it was a hit?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: In the crib.

HAMMER: Anyway, moving back to you guys.

ORLANDO: Well, that`s what we normally say.

(LAUGHTER)

HAMMER: Because so often, you know, when those older songs come on and people hear them, you`ve heard them hundreds of thousands of times. There might be a little frown on the face. But you guys were all smiles.

ORLANDO: No, man, we`re very proud of the stuff that we did. And having the opportunity to get back together after all these years just to do this Christmas album has been a joy.

HAMMER: Well, for the first time in 30 years, that`s a long time. And I know you guys have all been busy with your respective projects, but why now?

ORLANDO: Well, we did -- you know, there`s a wonderful company that decided to put out a DVD that put out Johnny Carson, and Rodney Dangerfield, and Sonny and Cher. And they did ours, our show.

(CROSSTALK)

HAMMER: The variety shows we were just talking about.

ORLANDO: "The Tony Orlando and Dawn Show," where you`ve got those clips running, and I don`t know who that guy was that was singing.

(LAUGHTER)

(CROSSTALK)

(LAUGHTER)

ORLANDO: But they put this wonderful DVD out this month. It`s out there. It`s gotten a great reaction. And the company that provided this for us said, "Why not cut a Christmas album? You guys never did."

We went back into the studio with Michael Omartian in Nashville, Tennessee, recorded this album. And I`ve got to tell you something, A.J. In all of the years in this business, I honestly mean this: I have never, ever been prouder than I am of that work.

HAMMER: Wow. So was the magic right there?

TELMA HOPKINS, "TONY ORLANDO AND DAWN": It was better, even better. I think, because we`ve all matured, and we`ve al lived a lot more, we had a lot more to bring to the table.

So it was very, very special. And we had the pleasure, as he said, of working with Michael Omartian. And for the first time in a long time, it was all real strings and horns. And it was really reminiscent of where we come from, only better.

HAMMER: And did you stay in touch over those years?

HOPKINS: Oh, yes.

JOYCE VINCENT WILSON, "TONY ORLANDO AND DAWN": Definitely.

HAMMER: So it wasn`t all of a sudden, oh, let`s make a little money and get back in the studio?

(CROSSTALK)

HAMMER: ... a family project.

ORLANDO: No, I mean, we rooted for each other when we were together and we rooted for each other -- certainly, we rooted for each other apart. Telma`s having an amazing career. Joyce went on to continue her work in gospel and Christian singing and backgrounds in studio. And I went on doing my casinos and my road shows throughout the time.

But we`re always together. When we get together, it`s like no day went by. And in that studio, I didn`t know what to expect. And, my goodness, it was amazing to go on there.

We did three new songs, one called "Christmas in New York," one called "Spirit of Christmas," and another one called "I Lose It When I Hear `White Christmas.`" And it`s a mixture of the old, the new, the classic, and some of the stuff that we just love to do.

HAMMER: And what`s clear is you obviously all can still sing. And I have to talk, obviously, one of your iconic songs, "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Around the Ole Oak Tree." It will always be out there.

When the song was written and released, nothing about hostages or war. That wasn`t theme. But it, of course, became emblematic in the hostage crisis back in the early `80s. How did you feel the first time you saw people tying yellow ribbons out?

HOPKINS: Oh, it was amazing. It was absolutely amazing.

For me, though, the most wonderful experience was when the POWs came home. We did a show at the Cotton Bowl. And we were to close the show singing "Tie a Yellow Ribbon." And we started it. And they all stood up and started singing it to us with their families. And we just -- we lost it.

HAMMER: Yes, I`m sure.

And, Joyce, we`re still seeing those today, particularly with the war in Iraq and our soldiers still over there.

WILSON: Yes, we are still singing. It`s amazing.

HOPKINS: Yellow ribbons on everything.

ORLANDO: You know, the yellow ribbon is a symbol that really was created -- we were just the mailmen that delivered the letter. Irwin Levine and Larry Brown, they wrote the song. The American people made this symbol, a warm, loving welcome home symbol for people who are either held hostage or away from home or at war.

It`s taken on -- the evolution of it`s been amazing. The net profit of it all is that it`s about the heart, about welcoming home our own. And I`ve been very proud to be a part of that.

HAMMER: Well, I have less than 30 seconds. But I have to know, now that you know the magic is still there, you can still do it, what about an album of original material, of new material?

ORLANDO: Keep talking, man. Keep going ahead. If there`s an opportunity to do it, and this album is received hopefully they way we`d like to see it received, we -- I learned from Destiny`s Child: There`s no thing as a solo career and just a group. You can do it all.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That`s right.

(CROSSTALK)

ORLANDO: We`d love to.

HAMMER: Tony, Joyce, Dawn...

ORLANDO: A.J., thank you.

HAMMER: Pleasure to see you guys.

ORLANDO: Love the show. Enjoyed it.

HAMMER: Happy holidays to you.

(CROSSTALK)

HAMMER: Thank you very much. A reach over there.

(LAUGHTER)

HAMMER: Tony Orlando and Dawn`s new CD, "It`s a Christmas Reunion," is out in stores now. Go grab it.

And for something a little more nostalgic, the `70s variety show that we mentioned, the DVD set, also in stores right now.

VARGAS: Tonight, you are about to see a show that will send shivers up your spine, because it literally shows spines and a whole lot more. We also want to give you a heads-up: What you are about to see is graphic. It`s a controversial museum exhibit that just opened in New York City, a body of work that is all about bodies.

Here`s CNN`s J.J. Ramberg for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

J.J. RAMBERG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): With a feeling of part- medical lab, part-Hollywood horror film, this exhibit in New York City is exposing the human body in ways most of us aren`t used to seeing.

ARNIE GELLER, PRESIDENT, PREMIERE EXHIBITIONS: You`re seeing a side cut of the brain, actually.

RAMBERG: What you`re looking at is the brain child of Arnie Gellar, the president of Premiere Exhibitions. His company is showcasing the remains of 22 bodies that were preserved, displaying different parts, muscles, nerves, the pulmonary system.

Similar exhibits have traveled the world. But the New York display, like others, has become the center of controversy, with protestors outraged at its very existence.

(on-screen): Exhibitors say that the bodies on display here are unclaimed or unidentified cadavers from China that were donated to a university for medical purposes. Many Asian-Americans say that this show is an exploitation of the dead.

CHRIS KUI, ASIAN-AMERICANS FOR EQUALITY: It`s in Chinese culture that, you know, we do have the highest respect for the dead. And, you know, for something like this, I mean, this is, like, unheard of.

RAMBERG (voice-over): Chris Kui heads Asian-Americans for Equality, a group calling for an investigation into the origin of the cadavers. Geller insists the corpses are being treated with respect, and that his company has gone through the correct legal channels.

GELLER: We went and spent many months, actually, determining the source of the specimens, the processes used.

RAMAN: And, he says, in spite of the controversy, he plans to take the exhibit on tour for the next five years.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

VARGAS: And that was CNN`s J.J. Ramberg for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

HAMMER: Still a little time for you to sound off in our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT "Question of the Day," so please do. The question, prime time TV: Does violence bother you more than sex?

If you`d like to vote, CNN.com/showbiztonight is where we are on the web. You can also write to us at showbiztonight@CNN.com. We`re going to read some of your e-mails live, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Throughout the show, we have been asking you to vote online on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT "Question of the Day." Prime time TV: Does violence bother you more than sex?

Here is how the vote`s been going so far tonight: 62 percent of you say, yes, it does; 38 percent of you say, no, it does not.

Among the e-mails we`ve received, one from Monique in Ohio. She writes, "Violence on TV doesn`t bother me nowhere near as badly as a news story that is centered around a violent person." Interesting.

And Jessica from Illinois writes, "Frankly, there is too much of both on TV. It`s a shame that there is no family programming on during prime time."

If you`d like to, please continue to vote by going to CNN.com/showbiztonight.

VARGAS: Well, now it`s time to see what`s playing on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT tomorrow. Let`s take a look at the "Showbiz Marquee."

Marquee Guy, take it away.

MARQUEE GUY: Tomorrow, we`re going 360. No, not "AC 360" -- sorry, Anderson Cooper -- but Xbox 360. It comes out tomorrow and it`s hot, hot, hot. Sorry, Paris. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has your first look, when x marks the spot, tomorrow.

Also tomorrow, Lainie Kazan live. You know Lainie. She was in "My Big, Fat Greek Wedding." Now she`s in the engagement ring. And, wait, it`s supposed to be the other way around. Ring first, then a wedding. What`s going on, Lainie? We`ll ask you. When? Live, tomorrow.

This is the Marquee Guy. And I`m quite an engaging figure myself. Does that have a familiar ring?

HAMMER: OK. Hey, you know anybody who`s wanting that Xbox 360 this holiday season, Sibila?

VARGAS: I can think of a few people, actually.

HAMMER: Because you know where I can get a hold of one.

VARGAS: Myself being one.

HAMMER: It`s so cool. We`ll be talking about that tomorrow night. Looking forward to it.

That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.

VARGAS: And I`m Sibila Vargas in Hollywood. Stay tuned for the latest from CNN Headline News.

END