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Showbiz Tonight
Is Michael Jackson Facing Financial Meltdown?; Interview With Joe Frazier
Aired December 09, 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, CNN HEADLINE NEWS ANCHOR: I`m A.J. Hammer.
BROOKE ANDERSON, CNN HEADLINE NEWS ANCHOR: I`m Brooke Anderson. TV`s only live entertainment news show starts right now.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (voice-over): On SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, is Michael Jackson facing a Michael meltdown? Why one of the biggest pop stars of all time could soon lose almost everything he`s got, including the infamous Neverland. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT investigates why Michael may be told to "Beat It."
Plus, `tis the season of controversy. Tonight, how a presidential present is causing a religious uproar. And how some of TV`s biggest comedians are having a field day with this Christmas controversy.
JAY LENO, HOST, "THE TONIGHT SHOW": Can we still say Christmas or do we have to say the non-denominational exchange of gifts? No, Christmas, exactly!
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT finds out why a White House war of the words is making many say, "Bah, humbug."
And Christmas by Paris. Tonight, Paris Hilton on display in a major way. Would you believe a Paris Hilton Christmas shrine? Tonight, the strange story of the man who built what may be the tackiest display you`ve ever seen.
PARIS HILTON, HOST, "THE SIMPLE LIFE": Hi, it`s Paris Hilton. If it happened today, it`s on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Hello, I`m A.J. Hammer.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson. We`re live in New York. Tonight, an Oscar-winning actor ties the knot. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has details on the super-secret wedding. That`s coming up.
HAMMER: But first, a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT special report: Michael Jackson`s cash crunch. Tonight, there`s word that Michael Jackson, the self-described king of pop, could actually end up being a pauper in the poor house. Now, he may have escaped conviction in his child molestation trial, but there is no escaping the creditors on his back and the creditors after his wallet.
Let`s go straight to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Sibila Vargas. She`s live in Hollywood with the very latest -- Sibila?
SIBILA VARGAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, A.J.
Well, Michael Jackson hasn`t come out with any new hits and his celebrity endorsements have dried up, but he hasn`t put an end to his lavish lifestyle. That`s why word is the pop star may be in a big-time cash crunch and time may be running out.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
VARGAS (voice-over): Michael Jackson beat the child molestation charges launched against him, but word is he may not be able to beat the mounting financial battle he now faces.
It`s hard to believe that the pop star, whose music and real estate assets are thought to be worth as much as $600 million, is said to be unable to pay the mortgage. In just two weeks, he faces a $270 million foreclosure that could cost him his sprawling Neverland Ranch and his Sony Beatles music catalog. That`s because he`s said to have taken out millions in loans to fund his lavish lifestyle.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT went to financial writer Krysten Crawford for more.
KRYSTEN CRAWFORD, FINANCIAL WRITER, BUSINESS 2.0: Right now, to put it simply, Michael Jackson is severely in debt. And he`s not bringing in enough cash to make payments on these loans.
As a result of that, under terms of a loan agreement, if you`re not making your regular payments, you technically default on the loan and your creditor has the right to then seize your assets. And the assets that he put up, of course, are the Beatles catalogues, his own songs, and the Neverland ranch.
VARGAS: The issue: Jackson spends more than he makes. His legal costs have exceeded $20 million in recent years, but that hasn`t stopped him for getting over 60 new outfits made for his trips to the courtroom. Those pajamas might cost more than you think.
Here`s what`s at stake: The Beatles song catalogue he purchased in 1985 for $47.5 million. He outbid Paul McCartney for that, and then 10 years later sold his stake to Sony. That joint venture is now said to be worth an astounding $400 million to $500 million.
Also, the Santa Barbara Neverland Ranch, it`s over 2,500 acres and home to a Ferris wheel, a carousel, a chimpanzee or two, and served by about 30 employees. And the "New York Daily News" reports that his mother, Katherine, and brother, Jermaine, along with other family members, could be homeless, too. They report Jackson has neglected payments on his family`s Hayvenhurst mansion in Encino.
Tyler Gray of "Radar" magazine told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT it`s not surprising that Michael Jackson is out of cash.
TYLER GRAY, CONTRIBUTING WRITER, "RADAR" MAGAZINE: He made his name on singing songs that everybody still loves and listens to today. Unfortunately, he strayed away from that. And what`s overtaken his image is some of the strange things, you know, everything from llamas to monkeys and a strange ranch where children are often seen and strange things are thrown out, his accusations, that`s the Michael Jackson we know today, not the guy who sang "PYT" or, you know, "ABC."
VARGAS: Jackson now considers the gulf country of Bahrain his home. It`s way over here. And he`s been staying at the crown prince`s house with his three kids and nanny. And as the December 20th, the day of his foreclosure approaches, he`s running out of time.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VARGAS: And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT contacted Jackson`s people for comment on his financial situation, but they weren`t talking. As December 20th approaches, we`ll be sure to keep you updated.
Brooke, back to you.
ANDERSON: Sibila, thank you so much. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Sibila Vargas, live in Hollywood.
And now we want to hear from you. It`s our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT "Question of the Day." Michael Jackson going broke: Do you feel sorry for him? Vote at CNN.com/showbiztonight. Send us an e-mail, showbiztonight@CNN.com. We`re going to read some of your thoughts later on in the show.
HAMMER: Well, tonight, I can report to you that Oscar-winner Matt Damon officially off the market. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has the details. He tied the knot today in a super-secret ceremony at City Hall here in New York City where we are located. The bride, girlfriend, Luciana Bozan. You`re seeing her right here with Damon in a 2004 picture.
The first marriage for the "Good Will Hunting" actor, who`s currently starring in "Syriana." It is the second for Bozan. Damon`s friend and "Good Will" co-star, Ben Affleck, was not at the wedding. Bozan`s 7-year- old daughter was there. Damon met Bozan when she was bartending in Florida.
ANDERSON: Women all over the country crying over this one.
HAMMER: Wah.
ANDERSON: Well, `tis the season to be jolly, but tonight, a holiday controversy is brewing. Ever since Christian groups pressured the city of Boston to change the name of the Boston Commons Christmas Tree to a Holiday Tree, we`re seeing a contentious back-and-forth over the use of the word "Christmas." It`s a fight before Christmas that`s playing out over the media.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON (voice-over): `Twas two weeks before Christmas and times are so hard. The White House is stressing over Bush`s Christmas card. Comedians are buzzing with more battles in store, as the fight over Christmas is now an all-out war.
There`s been little holiday cheer in the air lately. With the nondenominational domination of signs reading "Season Greetings" and "Happy holidays" this time of year, the media is in a growing backlash against what some are calling the "secularization of Christmas."
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Merry holiday, everybody.
ANDERSON: The trend was spoofed last week on "Saturday Night Live."
CAST OF "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE" (Singing): `Round the fire mother and child, random infant religiously neutral.
ANDERSON: Even Jay Leno couldn`t help but allude to it this week on "The Tonight Show."
JAY LENO, HOST, "THE TONIGHT SHOW": Can we still say Christmas or do we have to say nondenominational exchanging of gifts? No, Christmas, exactly! We`re saying Christmas. It`s coming up Christmas.
ANDERSON: But for some, the "Christmas" versus "holidays" issue is no laughing matter. Some Christian groups are going so far as to boycott stores that have holiday sales instead of Christmas sales.
JENN GIROUX, OPERATION "JUST SAY MERRY CHRISTMAS": For anybody to say there`s not a war on Christmas, it would be like me saying there`s no pornography problem on the Internet.
ANDERSON: The fight has made its way to Washington. President Bush is taking flak from some of his supporters on the Christian right for his cards that wish supporters a "Happy Holiday Season" instead of a "Merry Christmas."
And this year, the Capitol Holiday Tree got a makeover, after congressional Republicans insisted its name be changed back to the Capitol Christmas Tree.
SEN. PETE DOMENICI (R-NM), SENATE ENERGY COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN: This is a Christmas tree, not a holiday day tree. I think that`s good.
ANDERSON: The battle even has TV personalities sniping at each other. Bill O`Reilly is blasting "The Daily Show`s" Jon Stewart for this report from last year.
SAMANTHA BEE, CORRESPONDENT, "THE DAILY SHOW": Christmas: It`s the only religious holiday that`s also a federal holiday. That way, Christians can go to their services and everyone else can stay home and reflect on the true meaning of separation of church and state.
ANDERSON: Jon Stewart responded.
JON STEWART, HOST, "THE DAILY SHOW": If Bill O`Reilly needs to have an enemy, needs to feel persecuted, you know what? Here`s my Kwanzaa gift to him. Are you ready? All right.
I`m your enemy. Make me your enemy. I, Jon Stewart, hate Christmas, Christians, Jews, morality. And I will not rest until, every year, families gather to spend December 25th together at Osama`s homo-bortion Pot-and-Commie Jizzporium.
(LAUGHTER)
ANDERSON: Here at Rockefeller Center at New York City, the Christmas, or holiday spirit, is alive and well. We thought we`d ask people here what they think of this Christmas controversy.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Everyone has a right to their own opinion, but we use the word Christmas when we celebrate this holiday.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think we should use "holiday," because of the fact that we -- people are celebrating Christmas, people are celebrating Chanukah, people are celebrating Kwanzaa, so there are a lot of different holidays that people are celebrating. To be exclusive and to say "Merry Christmas," you`re excluding a large percentage of the population.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: People maybe don`t need to take it so seriously. It`s the spirit of the holiday in general.
ANDERSON: The spirit of the holiday may be getting lost in all this back and forth, but there may be a faint glimmer of hope.
This week`s airing of "Charlie Brown Christmas" drew more than 15 million viewers, the highest rated show in its time slot. Maybe we can come to see it as proof that, in this winter of discontent, there are some things that all religions, red-staters, blue-staters, can agree upon and cheer this holiday season.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Now, I want to go back to the White House holiday card controversy. A spokeswoman for Laura Bush is defending the card, saying the first couple wanted to be inclusive and respectful of other traditions.
HAMMER: Just can`t win, which is why I celebrate Festivus, the holiday for the rest of us.
We`ve got something right out of the "you`ve got to see it to believe it" department: A Paris Hilton Christmas shrine. And this is a Christmas shrine. Is it hot or not? You`ll find out, coming up.
ANDERSON: Tribute to Paris.
Also, some are calling it "The Passion of the Christ" for kids, but is it even a good movie? "The Chronicles of Narnia" reviewed in the "Showbiz Guide" to new movies, coming up.
HAMMER: And are you ready? One of the greatest boxers of all time, and now he is getting back into the ring at the age of 61. We`re going to go a couple of rounds with Smokin` Joe Frazier, live in the interview you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
ANDERSON: But first, we`ve got tonight`s "Entertainment Weekly" "Great American Pop Culture Quiz" for you. Who hosted the very first episode of "Saturday Night Live" back in 1975, Steve Martin, Tom Hanks, Paul Simon or George Carlin?
Think about it, and we will be right back with your answer.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: So, again, tonight`s "Entertainment Weekly" "Great American Pop Culture Quiz." Who hosted the first episode of "Saturday Night Live" in 1975? The answer is D, George Carlin.
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer.
It is time now for a "Showbiz Sitdown." Tonight, I`m going a few rounds with former heavyweight boxing champion and icon, Smokin` Joe Frazier. Frazier and, of course, another boxing legend, Muhammad Ali, who you`re seeing right here, had one of the biggest rivalries in all of sports.
Back in 1975, the two battled it out for the third time in the Philippines -- the "Thrilla in Manila" -- considered by many to be the greatest fight ever. Well, now Frazier getting back into the ring, back into the action, with a brand new book called "Box like the Pros."
Joe Frazier joins me now live from Philadelphia. Smokin` Joe, nice to see you.
JOE FRAZIER, AUTHOR, "BOX LIKE THE PROS": Hello there, everybody. Happy new year to you, everybody, and merry Christmas. Let`s say 1971 was the greatest fight in history; `75, ah, we all had a good time, that`s all.
HAMMER: So you think the one, the first one back in `71, outranks the thrilla?
FRAZIER: Yes, everybody was there. All those stars, let`s say, like the great Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., all these guys were ringside.
HAMMER: And as I mentioned, you and Muhammad Ali had what is considered by many to be the greatest rivalry in all of sports history. What exactly led to that rivalry, because it doesn`t often spill outside of the boxing ring? But, in your case, it was at least perceived to have done that.
FRAZIER: Well, (INAUDIBLE) we had our ups and downs (INAUDIBLE) the fight game and with our normal life. And he thinks one way, and I think another. So, therefore, it gave people one right, so we got together, and got it together, and said, "This is right."
HAMMER: So what did lead you to finally reconcile, just sort of maturing and growing up?
FRAZIER: Yes, otherwise, growing up and doing what we have to do. And we look back on the past and things that happened. We got daughters now fighting, not sons, daughters.
HAMMER: Yes, let`s talk about that, because your daughter and Ali`s daughter would also become professional boxers. They got into the ring together, actually, not that long ago. Did this kind of bring back a bit of that old rivalry feeling, when you saw your daughter and Laila Ali in the ring together?
FRAZIER: Well, I know what it`s all about. You know, I have a daughter, son also that fight. And the main thing about it is that I want them to be the best and do the best, so they have to sit there and listen well and get the job done.
HAMMER: Did you try to discourage your daughter, Jackie, from actually getting -- following in your footsteps? Because, you know, Joe, I think you`re familiar with the perils of boxing.
FRAZIER: You know how the woman are. You can`t discourage them on anything that they want to do, so the best thing to do is to join on along with them and get the job done well. And she`s doing pretty good.
HAMMER: Smokin` Joe Frazier, a supportive parent.
Well, Joe, films like "Rocky," of course, and "Million Dollar Baby," you know, famous boxing films that really have put the idea and image of boxing into many people`s heads, have all of these scenes in training, from in "Rocky," when, you know, there`s the punching of the meat in the meat lockers, and, of course, the "Million Dollar Baby" with the training sessions with Hilary Swank`s character.
You know, you have this new book out, "Box like the Pros," and I`m curious how realistic the scenes we see in these training -- in these films are, compared to what kind of training actually goes on?
FRAZIER: I just want, let`s say, the young man, the young lady, whoever wants to put the gloves on, and maybe it`s probably to stay in shape. This particular book, it will help you out very well. What you has to do, how to keep the body intact, and therefore you know better than to put your hands up in the public (INAUDIBLE)
HAMMER: And as you point out, Joe, you do need heart, soul and commitment to be a boxer. Smokin` Joe Frazier, it`s a pleasure to have you on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
FRAZIER: Amen. Happy holidays, everybody, and thanks a lot.
HAMMER: Thank you. And for Joe`s boxing tips, the book is "Box like a Pro," and it`s in stores now.
ANDERSON: 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`s" "Picks and Pans," new movies, three big movies opening this weekend, all adapted from books, "The Chronicles of Narnia," "Memoirs of a Geisha," and "Brokeback Mountain." But which one should you go see?
Here to help us decide is "People" magazine film critic Leah Rozen. Leah, great to see you, as always.
LEAH ROZEN, "PEOPLE" MAGAZINE: Same with you.
ANDERSON: Let`s start with "Narnia." Based on C.S. Lewis` really popular, widely popular book, attracting the younger film fans here, right?
ROZEN: And I think younger film fans are going to like it. My 6- year-old nephew, he loved it. He read the book with some help, loved the movie. As an adult, the first half of the movie is magic, when the kids are just discovering "Narnia."
The second half, though, sort of plays like a pint-sized version of "Lord of the Rings," you know, with little kids running around being action heroes.
Then there`s the whole question of the religious content.
ANDERSON: Right.
ROZEN: You know, adults...
ANDERSON: It`s being marketed to Christians.
ROZEN: Exactly. I think adults will recognize it. If you`re looking for it, you`re going to see it there. And some of it is when the lion sacrifices himself and is killed, you know, it sort of plays like the animal version of "The Passion of the Christ."
ANDERSON: Interesting.
ROZEN: But kids are obviously to it if they don`t know it`s there, so, you know...
ANDERSON: So either way.
ROZEN: It`s all -- the movie`s OK.
ANDERSON: OK. All right. Moving on then to "Memoirs of a Geisha." The controversy surrounding this one that non-Japanese actors were cast in this, based on a wildly popular book, as well.
ROZEN: Yes, I think the problem -- I think the good thing is, at least they cast Asian actresses. You know, in the old days when Hollywood made these movies, they cast white woman and put Asian makeup on them. So at least it`s a little bit of progress.
The movie itself, absolutely gorgeous-looking, looks great, less filling. It just doesn`t really have that much resonance. Even as you`re watching it, you`re not that drawn into the story. So I think what people loved about the book was how incredibly involving the book was and you`re not...
ANDERSON: Not getting it here.
(CROSSTALK)
ROZEN: You`re going to go, "Lovely kimono."
ANDERSON: Well, let`s move on to one that you love, I know, "Brokeback Mountain."
ROZEN: I love "Brokeback Mountain." This was one of the great movies of the year. It`s going to be an Oscar contender. This is about two men, two cowboys, who sort of find themselves falling in love, but it`s really a haunting love story and, in some ways, a tragedy because one of them, just played beautifully by Heath Ledger, he sort of can`t quite cross that bridge.
ANDERSON: And from Oscar-winning filmmaker Ang Lee, so heart-breaking story. Looking forward to that one.
Leah Rozen, thank you so much, as always. And for more "Picks and Pans," you can pick up a copy of "People" magazine. It is on newsstands now.
HAMMER: Well, Leah, and a lot of people love that movie, but does Heath Ledger think he`s risking his career by playing a cowboy who`s in love with another cowboy? We`re going to go one-on-one with the "Brokeback Mountain" star coming up.
ANDERSON: Plus, a big year for Bo Bice, filled with ups -- a new baby, a new album -- and downs -- emergency surgery. Tonight, a revealing, live interview with the "American Idol" runner-up you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
HAMMER: And the Tom Cruise-Matt Lauer psychiatry controversy flares up yet again. What happened on this morning`s "Today" show? That`s coming up in tonight`s "Talk of the Day."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Well, tonight, the crowds might have come and gone, but, of course, John Lennon`s legacy does live on. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was the only entertainment news show live from Strawberry Fields in New York`s Central Park last night, as fans from all over the world came out to celebrate the life of the former Beatles star.
ANDERSON: Yes, yesterday marked the 25th anniversary of the day that Lennon was shot and killed by Mark David Chapman, outside his New York City apartment.
Lennon`s widow, who you see here, Yoko Ono, made a rare public appearance, reading messages left by fans at the "Imagine" mosaic, that is the centerpiece of Strawberry Fields.
A.J., you were out there. It was really touching to see that many people there paying tribute on this anniversary. How did it feel to be there among them?
HAMMER: Well, I`ve tried to stop by year after year. And what I noticed last night on the 25th anniversary of the death, there was a heavier feeling. But at the same time, with the guitars playing in the background and people singing along, there was a real sense of this love, and peace, and just spirit that I think John would have been really happy with.
ANDERSON: And maybe even a celebration of what he did in his life.
HAMMER: It was, indeed, a celebration. And people were just talking. It was very nice to see.
ANDERSON: Oh, maybe. Yes, absolutely, such a special day for a whole lot of people, A.J.
And now we are moving now to "Talk of the Day." On this morning`s "Today Show," Matt Lauer poked fun at his controversial interview with Tom Cruise earlier this summer. Remember, Cruise called him, quote, "glib" when the two were chatting about chemical imbalances and Brooke Shields` battle with post-partum depression.
Here`s what Matt told the guys from VH-1`s "The Best Week Ever" today when talking about the past year.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You need something to do during the day.
MATT LAUER, HOST, "TODAY" SHOW: Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, just go. What comes to mind?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: First of all, are you OK, Matt?
(LAUGHTER)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Because you had a little beef with Tom this year.
LAUER: I`m all right.
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Matt, Matt, you don`t know Tom Cruise. You don`t know. Did you do the research on Tom Cruise, man?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I just wanted to bet, if he would have just went ballistic, could you take Tom?
(LAUGHTER)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I got my money on Matt. I got money on Matt.
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He`s got that crazed sort of like berserker rage. I don`t know. I`m sorry. I take Tom...
(CROSSTALK)
LAUER: They`re having a baby. They`re going to have a baby. I just hope she doesn`t experience post-partum depression, then we got a problem.
(LAUGHTER)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, oh. Come on, people! Come on, people!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Matt Lauer, Matt Lauer, ladies and gentlemen.
LAUER: She`ll be doing a lot of exercise and vitamins.
(LAUGHTER)
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: It`s cool to see that Matt can have a sense of humor.
ANDERSON: Matt speaks out.
HAMMER: Well, there`s big news tonight about who you won`t see at next year`s Oscar awards. That`s next.
ANDERSON: Plus, deck the halls with Paris Hilton? Tonight, a guy who likes Paris Hilton so much he built a Christmas shrine to her all over his front lawn. We have the pictures. You decide: Good taste, or just plain tacky? Next.
HAMMER: And I just got back from one of the very first screenings of Steven Spielberg`s powerful new movie, "Munich," which has been shrouded in secrecy. I`m going to show what I thought of the film, coming up in just a bit on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(NEWSBREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT for a Friday night. It is 31 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: I`m Brooke Anderson. And you are watching TV`s only live entertainment news show.
HAMMER: Well, you`re going back to Hollywood this weekend. Are you and your husband going to go pick up a Christmas tree and decorate it?
ANDERSON: I hope to. It`s on the schedule.
HAMMER: I put a menorah on display for Chanukah. But there`s one guy who is celebrating the holidays this year with a Paris Hilton Christmas shrine.
ANDERSON: That I won`t do.
HAMMER: I`ll give a little preview: It`s a little bit wacky. And we`ll show you that, coming up in a few.
ANDERSON: And I wonder if Paris is flattered or fearful about this whole thing. Who knows?
HAMMER: I`m fearful.
ANDERSON: A.J., you remember Bo Bice?
HAMMER: Yes.
ANDERSON: Runner-up on "American Idol" this year. He`s had a big year, got married. His wife had a baby. Also, he`s had some health problems, but he has battled back, and he has a debut album coming out next week. He will join us live for a "Showbiz Sitdown," and that`s coming up in just a few minutes.
HAMMER: But first, let us get to tonight`s "Hot Headlines." Sibila Vargas joining us live once again from Hollywood -- Sibila?
VARGAS: Hey.
Matt Damon and fiancee Luciana Bozan have tied the knot in a quiet civil ceremony. The two exchanged vows in front of a justice of the peace at New York City Hall today. Bozan`s 7-year-old daughter was there. This is Damon`s first marriage and Bozan`s second. The couple met in Florida where Bozan was working as a bartender.
There`s a job opening at the Academy Awards. A.J., if you`re up to it, the Oscars, they need a host. Chris Rock`s publicist says the comedian will not be hosting the show this year. Rock took to the stage last year cracking jokes at the expense of some actors. The academy is expected to announce a new host in the next few weeks. The Oscars air March 5th.
Well, you know Shaquille O`Neal. That`s Officer Shaq to you. NBA star Shaquille O`Neal is on the beat in Florida. Shaq was sworn in as a reserve police officer in Miami Beach. He spent the last year training for the volunteer post. The 7-foot-1 center can now carry a gun and a badge. In fact, he`s already made his first arrest. Shaq helped another officer cuff a hate crime suspect.
And those are tonight`s "Hot Headlines." A.J., I think you would be a fabulous, fabulous host.
HAMMER: Well, let me see: Sibila, Joaquin, Joaquin, Sibila. See, that`s -- that kind of works.
VARGAS: Hey, that works.
HAMMER: All right, Sibila, thanks very much. Have a nice weekend.
Well, tonight, Paris Hilton is spreading a little holiday cheer, all over someone`s front lawn. That`s right. The hotel heiress is bringing joy and a bit of disapproval to the world of Cranston, Rhode island.
Homeowner Joe Moretti decked his front lawn with 38,000 lights and life-size photos of Paris Hilton, including this one where she`s clad, as you see, in a tiny pink top and knee-high boots. What a good look. Moretti says he just wanted to do something different and decided on Hilton after meeting her in the Hamptons.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOE MORETTI, DECKED THE HALLS WITH HILTON: I had met her in New York, saw her once and then had met her, and just decided she`s cool, fun, hot, no pun intended, and went for it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: It`s strange, Joe; it`s just strange. The display has drawn a bit of criticism from some local residents, as you might imagine, and even raised some eyebrows on ABC`s "The View" this morning.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He obviously misunderstood what the "ho" in ho- ho-ho is all about.
(LAUGHTER)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I mean, it`s just wrong.
(LAUGHTER)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, the nice thing is, this guy`s an equal opportunity celebrater -- celebrater? Last year, Moretti paid tribute to Martha Stewart. He was actually arrested for trespassing on Stewart`s property in Maine.
ANDERSON: I don`t quite know what to say about that.
HAMMER: Just move on.
ANDERSON: Tonight, in a "Showbiz Sitdown," Heath Ledger. He`s receiving a lot of Oscar buzz these days. He`s starring alongside Jake Gyllenhaal in "Brokeback Mountain." It`s a love story between two cowboys in 1963. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT producer Jenny D`Attoma sat down with Ledger to talk about his daring new role and all the Oscar buzz he is receiving.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JENNY D`ATTOMA, CNN SHOWBIZ TONIGHT PRODUCER: "Entertainment Weekly" is calling this movie the most daring love story this year. How do you feel about that?
HEATH LEDGER, ACTOR, "BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN": I don`t know. I guess, initially before (INAUDIBLE) were calling, I don`t know, people were calling it, it was -- you know, it was an honor to be a part of such an incredible story and beautiful screenplay. The actual script was hands- down the most beautiful script I`d ever read.
And then there was a seemingly perfect director for it. And so all the elements were there, you know? And it`s just -- it`s very rare to come across a story that hasn`t been told.
LEDGER, AS CHARACTER IN "BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN": We`re around each other, and this thing grabs hold of us again in the wrong place in the wrong time, we`re dead.
D`ATTOMA: Did you ever feel that you were taking a risk with your career?
LEDGER: I never felt like I had a career at stake. You know? It was like, what am I risking? I felt most of the risk or fear surrounding this project was fairly manufactured from, like, other sources, like studios and stuff like that.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You boys sure found a way to make the time pass up there.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You don`t go up there to fish.
LEDGER, AS CHARACTER IN "BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN": You don`t know nothing about it.
D`ATTOMA: What did you draw on for your rage, the rage in your character?
LEDGER: You know, you just feel it. You just -- you know, once you get a thorough understanding of your character and his battle, you kind of try and keep pent, penting something up, storing something up, and, ultimately, you know, acting, well, for me at least, it`s all about harnessing the power of belief, you know? And I think, once you do that, you can take yourself kind of anywhere, really.
D`ATTOMA: Are you prepared for the onslaught of all the Oscar buzz that it`s already receiving?
LEDGER: No, not really. I`m not sure how to.
D`ATTOMA: Are you excited about it?
LEDGER: I`m excited to be in a film that`s getting received well. That`s a big relief.
D`ATTOMA: Is that an ultimate achievement for you, an Oscar, or it`s more about your career path?
LEDGER: You know, I don`t ever really want to feel like I`m peaking or, you know -- I`ve got a lot more I want to do. And I`m always learning my performance. As I, as a person, it`s evolving and maturing, and I just want to continue to do that.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: "Brokeback Mountain" opens in limited release this weekend and in additional cities on December 16th.
HAMMER: Well, speaking of new films, earlier today, I had the chance to see one of the first screenings of Steven Spielberg`s new film, "Munich." The film is a thriller. It`s set in the aftermath of the murder of the 11 athletes at the 1972 Olympics, which were held in Munich.
It stars Eric Bana, Daniel Craig and Geoffrey Rush. And, Brooke, what is it now, well, four hours ago, I got back from this screening. I`m still just trying to wrap my head around it.
ANDERSON: Still trying to absorb it?
HAMMER: Yes, a very heady movie.
ANDERSON: The director, Steven Spielberg, is only doing one interview about this. He did it with "Time" magazine. A.J., he said he hopes it helps with the Middle East peace process. After seeing it, do you think it has that potential?
HAMMER: It certainly will have people talking. And it raises a lot of things to provoke dialogue, including the fact that what happened back in `72 is actually still going on today, you know, some 30 years later. It`s fascinating, and I think we`ll see a lot of discussion come out of it.
ANDERSON: All right. I`m scheduled to see it next week, and we will, I`m sure, continue this conversation.
And moving on now. Earlier on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, we told you that Michael Jackson was on the verge of foreclosure and could lose just about everything he had. Tonight, a Jackson spokeswoman is denying these reports.
And that leads us again to our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT "Question of the Day." Michael Jackson going broke: Do you feel sorry for him?
Keep voting at CNN.com/showbiztonight and write us at showbiztonight@CNN.com. Your e-mails are coming up at 55 past the hour.
HAMMER: The revolution will be televised. We`re going to tell you why TV watchers are more demanding and how networks are responding, coming up next.
ANDERSON: Plus, fame, fortune, fatherhood. "American Idol" star Bo Bice is here live to tell us about his very eventful year, coming up in the interview you`re going to see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
HAMMER: And what does Arnold Schwarzenegger look like after a bunch of shots of Peach Schnapps? George Clooney knows. That`s coming up in "Laughter Dark."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer.
Another big week in the TV on demand revolution. This Tuesday, NBC announced that it, too, is diving head first into the iPod nation. That`s right. The network announced a deal with Apple to sell TV shows on iTunes. ABC was the first. CBS offers some of its shows on demand through Comcast`s digital cable service.
An article in this week`s "Entertainment Weekly" focuses on how TV networks are changing the way we watch our favorite shows. Jennifer Armstrong wrote the article called "The Revolution will be Televised."
Jennifer joins us here in New York live. Hi, Jennifer. Thanks for being here.
JENNIFER ARMSTRONG, "ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY": No problem.
HAMMER: So you`re calling this a TV revolution. Is that really what`s going on here? Because that`s a pretty big word to be throwing around.
ARMSTRONG: It`s absolutely a revolution, in terms of what we`re going to see down the road. Now, right now, it`s not going to be a lot different. You aren`t going to wake up tomorrow and be suddenly, you know, hooked up to an iPod watching all of your television that way.
But what this does is puts the viewers in charge of what they see, and when they see it, and how they see it. And that`s what`s the most exciting thing about this.
HAMMER: Well, let`s talk about that down-the-road aspect, because people are using TiVo, and that`s been going on for a few years. Digital video recorders are very widely available now. People are now downloading from the Internet onto their iPod, television programs, like "Lost," as I mentioned, you can actually watch.
So, five years from now, will programming as we now it now, where, you know, you look at your "TV Guide" and flip on your favorite show at 8:00, will that still exist, where people are watching a specific show at a specific time, or will that be a thing of the past?
ARMSTRONG: Prime-time will still probably exist, according to most of the experts who track these kinds of things. Something has to be on that TV box, you know, when you turn it on, so you will still turn it on and you`ll see all of that there.
But that will just kind of be a front for this whole, vast catalog of shows that you`ll be able to watch whenever you want to watch them and however you want to watch them, whether with commercials, maybe for free, or without commercials that you pay a little bit more for, you know, the one or two dollars that we`re seeing now.
HAMMER: Well, if terms of commercials, because, right now, if you download a TV show off the Web, you just get the show. If you load it onto your iPod, no commercials. So what`s going to happen to the ads? They`re obviously going to have to change how that all works.
ARMSTRONG: Yes, ads are definitely going to change. You`re going to see a lot more product placement. That`s going to be the big, big change. You`re going to see a lot more interesting ads that people are going to want to watch with, you know, narrative stories that go along with them.
They have to do something major to get people to actually want to watch these things and find out about, you know, new products. But you`ll just see a lot more of that incorporated into the programming and entertainment that you see. That`s going to be the biggest difference, but there will probably still also be commercials.
HAMMER: Then I guess we can call it a revolution. Certainly, times are a-changing.
ARMSTRONG: Exactly.
HAMMER: Jennifer Armstrong, we appreciate you joining us on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. To read more about TV on demand, grab "Entertainment Weekly" on newsstands now.
ANDERSON: Time now for another "Showbiz Sitdown" with Bo Bice. It`s been a big year for Bo. He became a household name and won the hearts of millions of fans, thanks to "American Idol." Who could forget that? He also got married, became a new dad, in fact. Bo Bice`s debut album is in stores next week, and he joins us now live.
Hey, Bo.
BO BICE, MUSICIAN: Hello, how are you?
ANDERSON: I`m doing well. It`s been a big year, an eventful year. You just turned 30 -- happy birthday -- but some people don`t want you to say you`re 30.
BICE: Oh, yes, man, you know, in the music industry, we stay forever young. You know, so they say I`m 28 or 25.
ANDERSON: The record label does?
BICE: Yes, and we`re all...
ANDERSON: A difference of just a few years.
BICE: Most labels like to, I`m sure, let their artists be a bit younger, but...
ANDERSON: But you`re open about your age.
BICE: Well, yes, I`m happy with being 30.
ANDERSON: And what`s the difference?
BICE: You know, I don`t mind it.
ANDERSON: Still quite young. And now, you got married. Your wife had a baby, Aidan. You`ve also had some health problems this year. In fact, you had to have surgery. I noticed you`ve lost a lot of weight. How are you doing?
BICE: Oh, well, you know, I`m doing a lot better now. But I did. You know, I lost about 30, 35 pounds there. And, you know, when people go cutting on your stomach, it tends to make you not want to eat too much.
ANDERSON: You had some intestinal problems, didn`t you?
BICE: Yes, ma`am, I had an intestinal blockage, so -- but, you know, it was -- everything worked out. It was mainly, I guess, stress-related. I don`t know where in the world they think I`m under any stress.
I mean, you know, this has been such a peaceful, easy feeling that I get. But, no, you know, it`s all good now. I`ve just had to, you know, watch my diet a little bit and, you know, kind of -- it`s also been helpful to have such a, you know -- now I`ve got a great label. I`ve got great management, you know, with strategic and...
ANDERSON: Great family, too, right?
BICE: Great family.
ANDERSON: Aidan is what, 9 weeks old?
BICE: He is. He`s 9 weeks old.
ANDERSON: How is it being a dad? Are you changing diapers, singing him lullabies? What it`s like?
BICE: Well, you know, I can`t take all the credit. Caroline does a lot of the diaper changes, but, you know, we don`t nanny, so if it`s not her doing it, then it`s me up at 3:00 in the morning doing it, so...
ANDERSON: It`s up to you guys.
BICE: But, you know, it`s the best thing that`s ever happened to me in my life. It`s so enjoyable to have, you know, not only have him come in and be healthy and happy, but, you know, to have such a beautiful, wonderful wife and a great, supportive family. It`s just really great.
ANDERSON: And you and your family just moved to Nashville from Alabama. You actually donated your home in Alabama to victims of Hurricane Katrina, is that right? What inspired you? When did you decide, "I need to do this"?
BICE: Well, you know, I had friends in the Grand Isles and in New Orleans, and also had friends in Mobile and in Gulfport, Mississippi, which were areas that didn`t get a lot of recognition over a lot of this stuff.
So it`s really just kind of a second nature thing for me. I haven`t really thought anything much about it, I guess. You know, if you`ve got, you give.
ANDERSON: I`m sure the people who have that house now think a lot about it and are very thankful, so good for you for doing it. It`s admirable.
And this album, I want to ask you about that, "The Real Thing." You`re known as a rocker. Is it straight rock and roll?
BICE: Well, I mean, you know, we`ve got a little bit of rock, a kind of southern rack, and alternative. We`ve got some great people, like Chad Kroeger from Nickelback and, you know, Richie Sambora, and John Shanks, and Bon Jovi worked on some stuff, and, you know, Ben Moody and...
ANDERSON: Some incredible collaborations.
BICE: It`s just incredible people that have all stepped up here to help the new guy do well, I guess. But it was truly an honor to get to work with a lot of these guys, you know, Marty Frederickson (ph).
ANDERSON: Yes, Clive Davis produced the album.
BICE: Yes, ma`am. Mr. Davis is incredible.
ANDERSON: Don`t say "ma`am," speaking of age. Please don`t say that. But congratulations on this CD, and on the baby, and the family.
BICE: Thank you so much. Thank you, Brooke.
ANDERSON: Of course. Bo Bice, and he appears on the Oxygen network holiday special this Sunday. And "The Real Thing" is in stores next Tuesday.
HAMMER: I`ll take over here, ma`am.
It is time now for the best in late-night laughs in "Laughter Dark." George Clooney certainly has a reputation in Hollywood of being somewhat of a prankster. Well, on "The Tonight Show," Clooney tells Jay about the time he played a little prank on Arnold Schwarzenegger before he became the governor of California.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE CLOONEY, ACTOR: ... bar or restaurant -- I don`t know if he still has it -- called Shotsies (ph). And we had a big dinner with all of his -- James Caan was there and all these people were there. And he was drinking peach schnapps. Peace schnapps.
(LAUGHTER)
So I gave the waitress $500 bucks to keep bringing me shots of water and bringing him shots of peach schnapps. And every five minutes, he`d be sitting there talking to Maria. And I`d be like, "Hey, let`s go. Come on. Let`s go."
(LAUGHTER)
"Come on, super stud, let`s go."
(LAUGHTER)
And I got him about -- literally about 15 shots in. And he was just sitting there like this, like, drinking, "Uhh."
(APPLAUSE)
(LAUGHTER)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Nobody can handle 50 shots, not even "The Terminator," right?
All right, there is still time for you to sound off in our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT "Question of the Day." Michael Jackson going broke: Do you feel sorry for him? Vote at CNN.com/showbiztonight or write us at showbiztonight@CNN.com. We`ll read some of your e-mails, live next.
HAMMER: Time now for the "Entertainment Weekly" must-list, five things "EW" says you`ve got to check out this week. First, make sure you get yourself a copy of this past summer`s very cool movie, "March of the Penguins."
Next, "EW" says to check out the "Rent" soundtrack. Nine years after the musical lit up Broadway, it hit the big screen.
And then, pick up your copy of the book, "Sitcom Style: Inside America`s Favorite TV Homes." It examines the living rooms and the kitchens of our favorite family TV shows.
"EW" also says to watch T.R. Knight on "Grey`s Anatomy" and that his character, George O`Malley, is like a puppy in scrubs.
Then finally, a must-have DVD is Barbra Streisand`s television specials. A collection of Babs` late-`60s and early-`70s shows, which will make her fans want more.
For more on the must-list, pick up your copy of "Entertainment Weekly" on newsstands now.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: It is time now for 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 WWE wrestler Kurt Angle, who`s celebrating his 37th today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What`s going on? This is A-Train, all the way from Philadelphia PA in the NYC, New York City. I want to give a big shoutout to my man, Kurt Angle. I want to tell you one thing, Kurt Angle: I`ll take you (INAUDIBLE) Times Square later and lay the smackdown on you. One, two, three. Big happy birthday shoutout to you, NYC. A-Train.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right, A-Train.
Well, we`ve been asking you to vote online on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT "Question of the Day." Michael Jackson going broke: Do you feel sorry for him? It`s a little one-sided, as you`re about to see: 93 percent of you say no, with only 7 percent of you say, yes, you feel sorry for him.
Among the e-mail, one from Melissa in Ohio who writes, "Jackson is a legend who earned all of his money through honest, hard work. It`s sad that he has nothing to show for it anymore."
And Jonathan from Georgia writes, "The only way I will believe Michael Jackson is going broke when I see a U-Haul pulling up to the Neverland Ranch."
ANDERSON: A U-Haul at Neverland. All right.
And now it`s time to see what`s playing on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT next week. So, Marquee Guy, take it away.
MARQUEE GUY: All next week, long live the king. It`s "King Kong" week on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Will we go bananas? Yes! Can "King Kong" dethrone "Titanic" as the biggest movie of all time?
We`re one-on-one with the director. We`re going crazy with the stars. We`ll have first reviews from moviegoers. It`s "King Kong" week, next week on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Monday, let the awards season begin. Before the Golden Globes nominees are announced -- or as we say in showbiz, "the noms" -- we`re getting out our crystal balls to predict the big winners. That`s Monday on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
This is the Marquee Guy. And I am honored. I`d like to thank the Academy and most of all, all my fans.
HAMMER: Oh, somebody cut him off.
ANDERSON: Was he nominated or...
HAMMER: Do you say "the noms"? I don`t say "the noms."
ANDERSON: I say the "nods" occasionally.
HAMMER: The nods and nominees. That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Have a nice weekend. I`m A.J. Hammer.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson. Please stay tuned for the latest from CNN Headline News.
END
