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Showbiz Tonight
Heath Ledger Squirted by Photographer; Mel Brooks Dishes on Golden Globe Nod; Critics Make Golden Globe Picks
Aired January 13, 2006 - 19:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
A.J. HAMMER, CO-HOST: I`m A.J. Hammer.
BROOKE ANDERSON, CO-HOST: And I`m Brooke Anderson. TV`s only live entertainment news show starts right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER (voice-over): On SHOWBIZ TONIGHT: water wars. Heath Ledger attacked by the paparazzi, shot with a water pistol. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the video. The inside story on what really happened to the "Brokeback Mountain" star and the wild scene that followed.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is the guy that did the water pistol.
HAMMER: Tonight, the H2 -- oh, no that has everyone talking.
Tonight, a major soap opera star fired -- and fired up. She claims she got kicked off her show because she got pregnant. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT gets its hands on the bitter lawsuit and the startling charges.
Desperate fight, desperate night. Only SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is live tonight from the set of "Desperate Housewives." Tonight, how the ladies are gearing up for a Golden Globe smackdown against each other.
Plus, secrets from the show`s creator in the interview you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
TERI HATCHER, ACTRESS: Hi, I`m Teri Hatcher. If it happened today, it`s on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Hi there, I`m Brooke Anderson live in Hollywood.
HAMMER: I`m A.J. Hammer live in New York City.
Tonight, shocking video you do not want to miss: "Brokeback Mountain" actor Heath Ledger being attacked by a squirt gun. Even crazier here, it was a paparazzo that squirted him. Turns out several paparazzi have it in for Ledger.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT got to the bottom of the story, and we are bringing you video you will only see here.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER (voice-over): Caught on tape. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has the shocking video of Heath Ledger and gal pal Michelle Williams getting drenched as a paparazzo squirts them down with a red water pistol.
NICKI GOSTIN, "NEWSWEEK": I think he was really surprised. I mean, he would be. I think that, you know, his back was up and he would have gone in there and had a word with him or, you know, maybe fists would have been thrown. Who knows?
HAMMER: Ledger was visibly upset. But someone on the red carpet talked him down and told him not to go there. He walked away and went directly into the theater.
And the man who did the squirting quietly slipped away.
The whole crazy mess happened in Sydney, Australia, at the premier of "Brokeback Mountain"...
HEATH LEDGER, ACTOR: This thing grabs hold of us again.
HAMMER: ... the controversial movie about a romance between two gay cowboys has catapulted Ledger to a whole new level fame.
GOSTIN: Heath Ledger is -- I mean, obviously, he`s a big star here. But a huge star in Australia. He`s born in Perth so he`s a frequent target of Australian paparazzi, who -- because he`s a big home grown star. And now even bigger because he`s probably going to be nominated for an Academy Award.
HAMMER: And that squirt gun attack wasn`t just a random occurrence. Paparazzi claim that Ledger instigated the entire thing.
GOSTIN: They claim that the reason they squirted him at his premier was because he had spat at them repeatedly. He denies those claims.
HAMMER: He not only denies the claims, he says he`s embarrassed by them. But the paparazzi stand by their story.
PIERRE SMITHDORF, PAPARAZZO: I`ve been abused, spat at, assaulted, had my car door kicked in. Several other photographers the same thing. And we`ve just kind of had enough. It`s just our way of saying it`s not very nice.
HAMMER: But it didn`t end there.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is the guy that did the water pistol.
HAMMER: After the incident, check out what happens next. A foot chase ensues. An unidentified man tackles the photographer who shot the squirt gun. Lots of profanities and brawling.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Get off me.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What are you doing? Get off him. What are you doing?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Come on, mate.
HAMMER: Lots of drama, to say the least.
But it isn`t the first time a celebrity has been attacked with the water pistol. Remember this? Tom cruise got a good squirt back in June at the "War of the Worlds" premier in London. Only he didn`t walk away and he wouldn`t let the guy who squirted him get away either.
TOM CRUISE, ACTOR: Don`t run away. I don`t care. It`s incredibly rude.
GOSTIN: It`s just a way, I think, to humiliate someone because, first of all, the person is shocked, and it`s sort of embarrassing to get squirted with water. So it`s a way to sort of poke fun at the person without doing any real harm except to their ego maybe.
HAMMER: But there have been times when the paparazzi have crossed the line. Another Aussie, Nicole Kidman, found a wiretap planted in the wall of her mansion in Australia. The paparazzo responsible was arrested.
And there are less serious times when celebrities just get fed up with all the ruckus. Once while SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was interviewing Kidman, she actually shushed the paparazzi so she could hear us.
NICOLE KIDMAN, ACTRESS: I`m sorry. They`re so distracting me. Shush. Too loud.
HAMMER: And when Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore arrived at a premier of "A Lot Like Love," Kutcher told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT he was losing patience with the paparazzi and their aggressive ways.
ASHTON KUTCHER, ACTOR: I don`t understand why everyone has to yell.
HAMMER: Celebrities say paparazzi are becoming a big problem.
GOSTIN: The last few years, definitely paparazzi have become much more aggressive as there are so many more celebrity magazines and celebrity TV shows, so there`s such a demand for this material.
HAMMER: Aggressive is one thing. But this, actual revenge from a paparazzi, is another.
One thing is for certain. Ledger`s newfound fame is causing a lot of attention from the paparazzi. But he tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT he`s trying to take it all in stride.
LEDGER: I don`t ever want to really feel like I`m peeking. You know, I`ve got a lot more I want to do. I`m always learning. My performance, I, as a person, it`s evolving. I just want to continue to do that.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: The lesson, just leave your squirt gun at home.
Heath Ledger has been nominated for a Golden Globe for his role in "Brokeback Mountain," and there`s a lot of buzz that he`ll get that coveted Oscars nod.
Well, now we`d like to hear on you -- hear from you on all this with our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. Paparazzi: do you feel sorry for the stars? You can vote by going to CNN.com/SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. You can also e-mail us. The address is ShowbizTonight@CNN.com. We`re going to read some of what you have to say later in the show.
ANDERSON: Now to more video just in to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. A couple who always draws the attention of the paparazzi: Brad and Angelina and the biggest baby news in Hollywood.
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie arrived in Haiti today. It`s their first public appearance since they confirmed that they`re expecting. Jolie is a United Nations goodwill ambassador. She and Pitt are in Haiti to celebrate the first anniversary of a food distribution program founded by singer/songwriter Wyclef Jean and the United Nations World Food Program.
HAMMER: Well, tonight the countdown to the Golden Globes and SHOWBIZ TONIGHT all over it. Monday, of course, is the big night and we can`t wait to see what happens when all four "Desperate Housewives" are all up against each other in the category of best actress in a musical or comedy. We`ve got lots to share with you tonight, so let`s get right to our Sibila Vargas. Only SHOWBIZ TONIGHT live on the set of "Desperate Housewives" in Universal City, California.
That actually looks like you`re on Wisteria Lane there, Sibila.
SIBILA VARGAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I am on Wisteria Lane. What a beautiful day to be out here. And you know, it`s like million people get to watch that show, and here I am. This is the best part of my job.
Let me give you a little tour, A.J. Right over there, that`s Gabrielle Solis`s house, which of course is played by Eva Longoria, who by the way, was nominated for a Golden Globe this year. A lot of people said that she had been snubbed last year by the Hollywood Foreign Press, but not this year.
Over here is Susan`s house, which of course is played by Teri Hatcher, who got the Golden Globe last year.
And over here to my left is Lynette`s house, of course, the mother, and she`s Felicity Huffman who plays the character Lynette.
It`s really going to be a knockout, drag out fight with these women. Four of the ladies of Wisteria Lane are nominated in the best actress category, in the comedy category. So this is going to be very intense.
And I have a very juicy report. That`s coming up.
But right now I want to focus on this very special interview I did with Mel Brooks. What a comedic genius this man is. It`s such a pleasure being in his presence. And I`ve got to tell you, he`s extremely funny.
He`s got an award in almost every major category, and now his life`s pride and joy, "The Producers," is up for four Golden Globes.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WILL FARRELL, ACTOR: Steal my birds. Otto, Bertha, Adolf.
MEL BROOKS, DIRECTOR/PRODUCER: I`m feeling very proud of our achievement. I mean, Nathan lane is a bit of a genius. Will Farrell is the most exquisitely funny creature. I don`t know if he`s human.
VARGAS (voice-over): You have won every award in every major category.
BROOKS: If only my mother had lived past 93. If she could only have lived to 112, I could have said, "Ma, I got every award they make! Mom!"
She would have been very happy. She would say, "I know. I`m going to make a little chopped liver, sit down."
VARGAS: What was it like growing up?
BROOKS: It was great. I grew up in Brooklyn. And a lot of Jewish ladies that sat on the stoop on the steps outside. They all sat on the steps and they were all your mother. They were like surrogate mothers. You know?
"Melvin, I saw that. I`m going to tell your mother." You know, you couldn`t get away with anything, you know.
NATHAN LANE, ACTOR: Yes.
VARGAS: How old were you when you realized, you know, "Comedy is my thing. I`d really like to do this. I want to be in show business"?
BROOKS: I was about 3 1/2 weeks old.
VARGAS: Really?
BROOKS: Really, I opened my eyes and people looking down at my crib and they were screaming hysterically, laughing. They`d point at me and they`d laugh. I said, "Maybe I was meant to be a comic." I didn`t realize I was a funny looking baby.
VARGAS: You made fun of your looks and you said that you`ve never had any problems with women.
BROOKS: You know, I always did very well. I always did very well. And now I`m in the middle of 100 chorus girls. It`s very nice. I go to Broadway every night, and there they are. Hopefully, kicking. They`re all legs and boobs. It`s like a little Jew`s dream. What am I going on Broadway? You know?
I worked for this guy. I can`t say his name because he has grandchildren. He used to (expletive deleted) these little old ladies on a leather couch on Broadway.
But I was his assistant and I was like taken into this world of show business. Beautiful, half naked women and spangles and stars and lights. And laughs and audiences, you know, bellowing and guffawing with happiness and laughter. It was just -- it was thrilling. It was thrilling.
And he actually did that. He actually would make love to little old ladies on a cracked leather couch and never took his coat off. And then they`d write out -- after he made love to them, they`d say, "How can we help?"
And he`d say, "You might want to contribute, you know, invest in my new show."
"What`s the name?"
The name of the new show was always "Cash." It`s a very catchy name for a show. They`d say, "Cash? Didn`t you do that show before?"
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VARGAS: And Mel tells me that of all the things he`s ever done, "The Producers" is what he`s most proud of. And let me tell you, A.J., he just had me in stitches the entire time. It was really hard, actually, doing that interview. He`s so funny.
HAMMER: He is truly a classic and a showbiz legend. Glad to see you sitting down with him. And be careful on Wisteria Lane, Sibila, because Mrs. Solis is kind of a reckless driver in that Maserati of hers.
VARGAS: I can -- I can take her on. I can take her on.
HAMMER: We`ll talk to you shortly.
And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is going to be the only entertainment news show with live coverage of the Golden Globes. Join us Monday night at 7 and 11 Eastern.
ANDERSON: A specific problem at "General Hospital." One of its stars is suing, saying she got fired for getting pregnant. We will hear both sides of the story, coming up in the "Legal Lowdown."
HAMMER: Plus, is Gwyneth Paltrow expecting another apple of her eye? Gwyneth clears up the rumors once and for all about whether or not she`s pregnant. That`s still ahead.
ANDERSON: And, does Geena Davis have a commanding lead on Golden Globes night? We`re desperate to know, so we`re getting predictions for who will take the gold on the small screen, coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, TV`s only live entertainment news show. You are looking live at the set of "Desperate Housewives." The show`s nominated for five Golden Globes on Monday.
Our Globe countdown coverage continues in just a few minutes when we go back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Sibila Vargas for the inside story on the "Desperate Housewives" who are all vying for Golden Globes this year. We`ll get some secrets from the show`s creator.
ANDERSON: One of the nominated stars of "Desperate Housewives," Felicity Huffman, is getting candid about part of her past that you might not know about: her battle with an eating disorder. Specifically, bulimia.
In an interview with "60 Minutes," she tells Leslie Stahl what caused it and how she got over it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LESLIE STAHL, CBS`S "60 MINUTES": You had an eating disorder.
FELICITY HUFFMAN, ACTRESS: Yes.
STAHL: You were bulimic.
HUFFMAN: Yes.
STAHL: What was going on?
HUFFMAN: Just sort of what`s going on with a lot of women and girls that, you know, just can`t be thin enough. Can`t be thin enough. Can`t be thin enough. Hate my body, hate my body, hate my body. You know?
STAHL: But you worked your way out of it?
HUFFMAN: Yes, I got therapy and worked it out.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Good for her. That episode of "60 Minutes" airs this Sunday on CBS.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s countdown coverage of the Golden Globes continues now with a look at what Felicity Huffman and all the "Desperate Housewives" are up against, as we take a look at the big news we can expect in the television category.
Joining me live, Devin Gordon of "Newsweek" magazine and Michelle Kung of "Entertainment Weekly." Thank you both for being here.
One of the really fun things about the Golden Globes, it`s not just movies, it`s not just TV. It`s both. Let`s talk about TV right now and some of the surprises because the Globes always full of surprises. What do you think we can expect in terms of maybe shockers on Monday night, Devin?
DEVIN GORDON, "NEWSWEEK": Well, one of the things I think is interesting is you look at the best drama category. Two of the shows on there are not even that good. I mean, they`re "Commander in Chief" and "Grey`s Anatomy." Well, there are two shows on the air that are basically the same as those shows that are better and more popular, "The West Wing" and "House" are more popular. So it`s an interesting group.
It just shows you, the Golden Globes are all about getting the newest, biggest, hottest show on there. It`s one way that they`re better than the Emmys. They get what`s new fast.
HAMMER: What do you think, Michelle?
MICHELLE KUNG, "ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY": Yes. Actually, I totally agree. And you know, if you look at the nominees this year, it`s like 10 of the leading 11 categories, like the only show that has been on for longer than two years is "Curb Your Enthusiasm." Everything else has been there for under two years.
HAMMER: And I want to talk more about that in just a minute and really discuss why that`s taking place.
But what everybody wants to know about is what`s going to happen with the "Desperate Housewives." Of course, in the lead actress comedy category, all the housewives nominated this year. Now, last year three out of the four -- Eva Longoria was sort of left out in the cold and everybody, you know, made up this drama that was going on about all that. Teri Hatcher ended up winning the award.
What about this year? What about all four of them being nominated and how will that affect the other nomination?
GORDON: Mary-Louise Parker is the only one left, and she`s the one I kind of hope wins. I mean, here`s what I hope. I hope that they put this category as late in the night as possible. Because we all know the reason why the Golden Globes are great is because there`s lots of champagne. Everyone is drinking.
So if we put this award late in the night and they`re good and drunk by the time this one comes up, maybe we`ll get a nice big fight when the winner is called. That`s what I`m hoping for. Just a nice scrum (ph) out on the field.
HAMMER: I hope that works out for you.
GORDON: Thank you.
HAMMER: And it would be smart positioning for them to move that category around because there doesn`t seem to be a whole lot of rhyme or reason to when what awards are given out at what time.
Do you think the category will be then so diluted by the "Desperate Housewives" that Mary-Louise Parker may actually have a shot? Do you think the votes will be split among the four, so much so that Mary-Louise, who`s nominated for "Weeds," a show that a lot of people haven`t seen, might win?
KUNG: Unfortunately, I personally don`t think there`s much chance for Mary-Louise Parker, simply because, you know, it`s a cliche but, you know, it`s an honor for her to be nominated. Because, you know, "Weeds" -- it doesn`t have terribly great ratings, even though it`s a smart little show on Showtime. But I feel in this case like, you know, just them recognizing her is a big deal.
HAMMER: I want to go back to what we were talking about earlier, about the shows that are nominated, "Commander in Chief", "My Name is Earl", "Prison Break." All brand new shows, some with critical acclaim, some less critical acclaim.
But what does this say about the state of television now, the fact that these shows are all brand new and shows like "The West Wing," as you mentioned, that have been around for awhile did not get nominated this year?
GORDON: It shows that they want to get the shows nominated that are getting the most attention in the media, in the tabloids, in the press. And the shows that get the most attention are the new shows. People don`t write too many stories about "Will & Grace" now because "Will & Grace" has been on pretty much since the `70s.
So people, you know, they put on these new shows and those are the hot ones. Those are the ones that everyone is talking about. That`s why you see a show like "Prison Break," which has had, like, eight episodes. I mean, they haven`t even had a season finale to screw it up with yet. And the show is already nominated for Golden Globes.
HAMMER: I`ve got 15 seconds. Michelle, what`s your take on that?
KUNG: Yes, I totally agree. And for example, the show, something like, you know, "Everybody Hates Chris" being nominated. You know, it`s the first nomination for UPN, and it shows that, you know, the foreign Hollywood press, you know, they`re looking out for all the newest things.
HAMMER: I appreciate you both for stopping by, giving us your insight. It`s always exciting to see what happens. Michelle Kung, Devin Gordon, thank you very much for joining us tonight.
And don`t forget, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT will be the only entertainment news show with live coverage of the Golden Globes Monday at 7 and 11 Eastern.
ANDERSON: All right. Another Hollywood couple is calling it quits. We will tell you which big star has just filed for divorce after 16 years of marriage. That`s coming up.
HAMMER: Plus, Queen Latifah is back on the big screen in "Last Holiday." Will it leave a lasting impression? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT helping you plan your weekend, just ahead in our "SHOWBIZ Guide to New Movies."
ANDERSON: And, will "Brokeback Mountain" be the breakout winner at the Golden Globes? The gold rush is on, and we`ve got the best lineup of experts you`ll see anywhere, with some edgy predictions and a lot more to say about the big night. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has it covered.
But first, tonight`s "Entertainment Weekly Great American Pop Culture Quiz." Who was David Letterman`s first "Late Night" guest in 1982? Was it Chevy Chase, Gilda Radner, John Belushi or Bill Murray? Think about it. We will be right back with your answer.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: So again, tonight`s "Entertainment Weekly Great American Pop Culture Quiz." Who was David Letterman`s first "Late Night" guest in 1982? Chevy Chase, Gilda Radner, John Belushi or Bill Murray? The answer is "D," Bill Murray.
HAMMER: Time now, as we get into the weekend, 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," we`ve got new movies from Colin Farrell, Josh Lucas and Queen Latifah, who is back.
Joining me live in New York to give us the scoop on each one, "People" magazine movie critic Leah Rozen.
Let`s go, Leah. Let`s step right into it with "The New World." Colin Farrell in the video that he wants you to see.
LEAH ROZEN, MOVIE CRITIC, "PEOPLE" MAGAZINE: This one is directed by Terrence Malick, who did "Badlands." He`s sort of this very arty director, and he has made a very arty historical epic.
This is the Pocahontas story, but nobody is seeing colors in the wind. It`s essentially -- it`s a film you just have to sort of let wash over you. Lots and lots of nature stuff, lots of characters twirling in meadows and walking through forests and saying interior monologues.
Some viewers are going to be just touched deeply by all this. A lot of other people are going to sit there and just go, "Wah, wah, wah." So kind of a mixed review; like the last third of the film when Christian Bale shows up.
HAMMER: Excellent. And we`re introducing a new 15-year-old actress in this.
ROZEN: Q`Orianka Kilcher.
HAMMER: Q`Orianka Kilcher.
ROZEN: She plays Pocahontas, and she is radiant.
HAMMER: Excellent.
ROZEN: Beyond that, I`m not going to go.
HAMMER: Well, then, let`s move on to "Glory Road." Now this is a Disney film. By all indications it looks like a real feel good film and kind of reminds me of the idea of "Remember the Titans."
ROZEN: This is "Remember the Titans," just with a basketball instead of a football. Same producer. It`s a Jerry Bruckheimer production. You know, the man knows how to make movies.
Streamlined, inspirational sports story based on a true story about the first coach, played by Josh Lucas, to take a Texas team in 1965 to put black players on the team. None had played for that Texas school before. He takes them all the way to the NCAA championships.
HAMMER: Well, let`s move on to "Last Holiday." Queen Latifah, and it looks like this is a terrific film and a great role for her. And I have about 30 seconds.
ROZEN: This is a mediocre comedy that she makes a whole lot more fun than it deserves to be. Plot you`ve seen before. She gets a failed diagnosis and decides to go blow all her money and have a good time. And you know, because it`s Queen Latifah, you kind of have a good time.
HAMMER: She really is a fine actress, isn`t she?
ROZEN: She`s working at it.
HAMMER: All right. I`ll take that for what it is. Leah Rozen, thank you very much.
ROZEN: You`re welcome.
HAMMER: We`re going to see you a bit later in the show when we do our Golden Globes movie panel.
And for more "Picks and Pans," you can grab your copy of "People" magazine, on newsstands now.
ANDERSON: Our Golden Globes coverage continues. Coming up, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is live at Wisteria Lane, where the Desperate Housewives are competing for a Golden Globe. Plus, secrets from the show`s creator.
HAMMER: Also, a million and one little pieces. Just ahead, we`re going to tell you why James Frey is going back to the book and what he`s adding because of the controversy around it.
ANDERSON: And, a soap star has some angry words for "General Hospital." She says she got fired for getting pregnant, and she is suing. We`ll hear both sides of the story. That`s coming up in the "Legal Lowdown." Stay with us. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT will be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It`s 31 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. And you are watching TV`s only live entertainment news show.
A.J., there is a bitter legal battle going on right now between a major soap star and ABC TV. Actress Kari Wuhrer has filed a multi-million- dollar lawsuit against ABC, claiming she was fired from "General Hospital" for getting pregnant. Coming up in the "Legal Lowdown," her exact claims and what ABC is saying about the whole thing.
HAMMER: Yes, they`re not sitting still with this one.
Also, our "Gold Rush" continues, as we count down to the Golden Globes which, of course, are happening on Monday night. A lot of anxiety, I`m sure, on Wisteria Lane, where all of the "Desperate Housewives" are nominated. We`ll find out about that when we go live to "Wisteria Lane," where Sibila Vargas is standing by.
Also, we`ve assembled an expert movie panel, some of the finest in the business, going to fill us in on what they think will happen with some of the films nominated on Monday night, as well.
ANDERSON: Looking forward to that, A.J. But first, tonight`s "Hot Headlines." Tonight, a heartfelt sendoff for singer Lou Rawls.
In Los Angeles, Stevie Wonder was among those paying tribute to Rawls, who died last Friday after battling cancer. The Reverend Jesse Jackson presided over the funeral, where they celebrated Rawls` life, his music, and his many charitable works. Lou Rawls was 72.
OK, call it a peace offering. Future editions of "A Million Little Pieces," which Oprah`s Book Club made famous, will now carry a note from author James Frey. That in the wake of controversy over the book`s authenticity. Frey has admitted he embellished certain facts in writing the bestselling memoir. Meanwhile, a reader is suing Doubleday, the book`s publisher, on allegations of consumer fraud. A spokesperson for Doubleday says, quote, "We are confident we will be able to successfully defend this action."
"Baywatch" star David Hasselhoff`s marriage is washed up. Hasselhoff has filed for divorce from his wife of 16 years, actress Pamela Bach. The couple have two teenage daughters. A rep says the pair have reached an amicable settlement.
And those are tonight`s "Hot Headlines."
HAMMER: A watershed moment for Heath Ledger, but not in a good way.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: ... change your life entirely now?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That`s not nice. At the Australian premiere of "Brokeback Mountain" in Sydney, ledger was soaked by photographers, as you saw, wielding water pistols. His fiancee and costar, Michelle Williams, was also doused. Later, a scuffle ensued between the shutterbugs. Paparazzi say the attack on Ledger was a case of "Brokeback" payback, amid claims that both the star and his uncle spat at photographers in the past. Ledger maintains those allegations are false and hurtful.
That leads us, once again, to our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT "Question of the Day." We`re asking: Paparazzi: Do you feel sorry for the stars? Keep voting by going to CNN.com/showbiztonight and write to us at showbiztonight@CNN.com. Your e-mails on the way at 55 past the hour.
Our coverage of Golden Globes continues tonight. And what a desperate fight it`s going to be in the category of best actress in a comedy or musical. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT will be the only entertainment news show to bring you live coverage of the Golden Globes on Monday night. And only SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Sibila Vargas will bring you live reports tonight from the set of "Desperate Housewives."
We`ll have to take you back to Wisteria Lane -- Sibila?
SIBILA VARGAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That`s right. I am smack dab in the middle of Wisteria Lane. What a wonderful night, and a wonderful night for all of these women who have really, for the second year in a row, dominated the best comedy actress category. Four of the five faces are from Wisteria Lane.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
EVA LONGORIA, ACTRESS: We would love to come.
TERI HATCHER, ACTRESS: Absolutely.
VARGAS (voice-over): Four best actress in a comedy nominations for "Desperate Housewives." Marcia Cross, Felicity Huffman, Teri Hatcher and Eva Longoria. With all those nods from one show, how can anyone possibly make a decision?
JAMES PONIEWOZIK, "TIME" MAGAZINE: Every time there are competitions at the Golden Globes, whether it`s within a show or between shows, it becomes largely about what your character did the past season.
HATCHER: What are you saying, that your father actually told you he was going to be having a one-night stand with Edie Britt?
MIKE SCHNEIDER, "VARIETY": I think it comes down to maybe who`s had more larger story lines this year or who`s been, maybe, in the press a little bit more.
VARGAS: All four get plenty of face time in front of the cameras. From red carpets to charity events, these women are everywhere. Where does that leave us?
SCHNEIDER: At this point, I think it`s really Felicity Huffman`s to win. If you noticed, she`s really been front and center so far this fall. And she`s also been out there. You`ve seen her a lot on talk shows. She has her movie out. She`s been in several magazine profiles.
FELICITY HUFFMAN, ACTRESS: Gabby had an affair?
VARGAS: Huffman plays Lynette Scavo, who recently went from being a stay-at-home mom back to her fast-track career in advertising.
PONIEWOZIK: Lynette is probably the most rounded of the characters, and Felicity Huffman probably does the best job with that.
VARGAS: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT caught up with Huffman, who also nabbed a Golden Globe nod, crossing over to movies, for leading role in the movie, "Transamerica." She plays a man preparing for a sex change operation.
HUFFMAN: After my operation, I will be a woman.
VARGAS: She tells us she thinks winning for this role may be a long shot.
HUFFMAN: It feels completely out of my control and like pie in the sky. And it`s a small movie. I`m thrilled that people are watching it.
VARGAS: Marcia Cross is also a favorite to win. ABC describes her character, Bree Van De Camp, as Martha Stewart on steroids.
PONIEWOZIK: Marcia Cross got to have her husband die. It helps to have a death in the family. On the other hand, some of the other characters are the more sort of entertaining, and it is an escapist show.
VARGAS: Eva Longoria, who SHOWBIZ TONIGHT saw earlier this week out on the town, got a nod this year.
STEVE CARELL, ACTOR: Eva Longoria, "Desperate Housewives."
VARGAS: She was left out in the cold last year, but this time around Eva is ecstatic. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT caught up with her on the set of "Desperate Housewives" soon after she got the nomination news.
LONGORIA: I`m ecstatic. I`m so happy to be in the company of my cast mates. And just to be recognized as a group and as a whole, it`s really fun.
VARGAS: And then there`s Teri Hatcher. She took home the Golden Globe last night for her role as Susan Mayer, the divorcee and single mom who will go to extraordinary lengths for love. All talented actresses, all up for an award.
So who should win? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT went straight to the creator and executive producer of "Desperate Housewives" for some help. We caught up on Wisteria Lane. He tells me he loves all the women, but it`s Eva`s nomination that really sticks out.
MARC CHERRY, CREATOR, "DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES": Now that they finally recognized her, I am probably more thrilled with her nomination than anyone else`s, just because she`s so good in the show.
VARGAS: "Desperate Housewives" is a runaway hit. Last week`s episode drew more than 23 million viewers, 10 million more than its closest competitor on Sunday nights.
PONIEWOZIK: There`s certainly something very importable and universally relatable about having problems in your marriage, you know, wanting to strangle your kids.
SCHNEIDER: It`s just a really well-done show, really well-written, well-acted.
CHERRY: Win or lose Monday night, I`m the luckiest guy in show business.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VARGAS: And did you know that five networks actually turned down "Desperate Housewives" before ABC actually picked it up? It`s pretty incredible. But now, not only are the ladies nominated, four ladies are nominated, but the show is also nominated in the best TV series comedy or musical.
Back to you, A.J.
HAMMER: You look right at home on that Wisteria Lane set. What`s the coolest part about the "Desperate Housewives" set?
VARGAS: Just being out here. It`s just so surreal. I mean, you see this on the show, but actually to come out here, and, first, it looks so real. It absolutely looks -- I`d like to stay, actually. I`d really love to stay.
HAMMER: You ought to talk to Marc Cherry about that.
VARGAS: I spoke to Marc Cherry. What a wonderful guy.
HAMMER: See if he`ll let you stay there.
VARGAS: Yes. Yes. And he told me that, if Eva Longoria was, you know -- she kind of went out of the contract, that didn`t want to do it, that he would call me. But I`m not quitting my day job.
HAMMER: OK. Best of luck with that, Sibila. Thanks for joining us live from Wisteria Lane, Sibila Vargas. And make sure you tune in on Monday night, when SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is the only live entertainment news show at the Golden Globes, Monday night at 7:00 and 11:00 Eastern.
ANDERSON: Coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, the envelope, please. Which big-screen contenders will grab the gold on Golden Globes night? Some expert predictions, just ahead.
HAMMER: Plus, we know Gwyneth Paltrow has an Apple. Word is she`ll soon have a pair. We`re going to explain, coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
ANDERSON: And unexpected drama for a former "General Hospital" star. This pregnant actress claims baby on board led her to getting shown the door. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has the inside story of the baby brouhaha.
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HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT will be the only entertainment news show to bring you live coverage of the Golden Globes on Monday night. But ahead of the big night, we`re taking a look at the big-screen contenders.
Joining me live right now from Hollywood, Tom O`Neil of TheEnvelope.com. Joining us live here in New York, Leah Rozen, film critic for "People" magazine. Also live in New York, Peter Travers, the film critic for "Rolling Stone" magazine.
It`s good to have you all here. I`m going to start with you, Tom, out there in Hollywood. Of course, Golden Globes known for big surprises. What`s your expectation for one such surprise we`ll see on Monday night?
TOM O`NEIL, THEENVELOPE.COM: I think the big jaw-dropper is going to happen in the race for comedy musical picture. Remember, they have two best picture awards at the Globes, one for drama, one for comedy or musical. Everybody is saying "Walk the Line," "Walk the Line." I think we`re going to see "Pride and Prejudice" win here.
HAMMER: Interesting. And I want to talk about the distinction of those categories, coming up in a moment.
Leah, what do you think for the big surprise on Monday?
LEAH ROZEN, "PEOPLE" MAGAZINE: Well, the big surprise is that George Clooney wasn`t nominated for best actress. He`s up for everything else.
HAMMER: Best actress?
ROZEN: He`s up for best supporting actor. His film is up for best picture. He`s up for best director. So I`m just kind of hoping he sneaks in with a fourth one.
HAMMER: OK. And they usually like the directors who are actors also, right? Doesn`t it kind of work that like, Peter?
(CROSSTALK)
PETER TRAVERS, "ROLLING STONE" MAGAZINE: Yes, yes, (INAUDIBLE) Kevin Costner and Robert Redford...
ROZEN: Exactly.
TRAVERS: ... and Clint Eastwood, and everybody they give it to. So it`s a big time for George. This is huge.
HAMMER: What about surprises for you? What do you think?
TRAVERS: You know what my surprise is? The surprise is that they`re so serious now. What happened to the Globes? I liked them when they were wet and reckless, drunk and disorderly, you know, where Jack Nicholson would get up and moon them. Now they all want to be the Academy Awards.
ROZEN: I think it may have to do with the fact they`re on television now every year.
TRAVERS: They were on television then, but they still did it. Where`s the drama? Why didn`t they pick Paris Hilton as best actress for "House of Wax"?
(CROSSTALK)
HAMMER: I can come up with a list of reasons for you.
ROZEN: Maybe because they have saw the movie.
TRAVERS: I want the old Golden Globes back. I want the Pia Zadora days back. I`m just nostalgic for that.
HAMMER: Well, maybe the Hollywood Foreign Press is watching.
TRAVERS: I hope so.
HAMMER: And, you know, Hollywood spends so much money, big bucks, hundreds of millions of dollars on films like "King Kong." But let`s take a look at the nominations in the best picture category, the drama side of things: "Brokeback Mountain," "Good Luck, and Good Luck," "Match Point," "A History of Violence," "Constant Gardener." These are relatively inexpensive films, Tom, and they have sort of this non-mainstream feel about them. What is up with this and this sort of type of film being nominated in this category?
O`NEIL: Well, the Globes are sending a serious message to the studios that you blew it this year. You didn`t produce the quality films that these small filmmakers did. So I think the highest budget is -- it`s less than $20 million for these pictures. And they`re trying to say that, you know, you don`t have to spend a lot of money to make great films.
HAMMER: What about this, Leah? They all have independent feel to them.
ROZEN: Well, with the exception of "The Producers" and "Walk the Line." But I think what you`re seeing -- and I think you`re going to see more and more of this; it happened last year, as well -- the studios are in the business of making big sequels, big blockbusters. They all now have art-house divisions that make the movies that will get nominated for Globes and Oscars.
HAMMER: And, of course, there`s "Brokeback Mountain," with controversy swirling around it. Peter, does that help the movie?
TRAVERS: I feel the swirl now. Yes, I do.
HAMMER: Do you?
TRAVERS: Yes, it helps the movie, because people will hear about the controversy and go see it and want to see what it`s all about. So that`s a good thing.
But just to get back to that serious issue again, you know, we all heard about what happened to Heath Ledger with the squirt gun. The only nominee that I know there who has a sense of humor at the Golden Globes is George Clooney. I wish he would bring a squirt gun and anytime he loses in a category, just fire away at one of those people. It needs that, please.
HAMMER: All right, well, there`s some confusion for me -- and maybe you guys can help sort this out for me and the viewers -- why there are two different categories for best film? We mentioned there`s the best drama and there`s the best musical or comedy in a film.
You have films like "Walk the Line," which, yes, it has music in it. Not a musical. You have a film like "Pride and Prejudice." It`s not a musical or it`s not a comedy.
Well, let me get Tom in here first. Go ahead, Tom.
O`NEIL: Well, out in Hollywood, they have no sense of humor. You know that, A.J. Especially at the Oscars, where it`s so rare that comedy, like "Annie Hall," wins best picture. Look at the greatest comedy ever made, according to the American Film Institute, "Some Like it Hot." It lost at the Oscars.
So what they do at the Globes is create this separate category, and sometimes the definitions get a little cloudy, as you say. For example, this year, Terrence Howard in "Hustle and Flow" said, "I want to be in the comedy-musical side," and the Globes said, "No, no, no, no, we`re putting you in drama." Well, that has music in it, just the way that "Walk the Line" does. So what`s different about it?
HAMMER: I mean, I understand "The Producers" being nominated in the musical category.
O`NEIL: Do you?
ROZEN: It`s really the more -- getting nominated...
(CROSSTALK)
HAMMER: Not being nominated, but being in that category.
(CROSSTALK)
ROZEN: But it`s really the more the merrier. I mean, this way they get to give out a whole bunch more prizes than the Oscars. More stars come, more stars get to make acceptance speeches. Everybody`s happier.
TRAVERS: That used to be it, but they used to nominate the wrong people to get there. Why aren`t Brad and Angelina nominated for "Mr. and Mrs. Smith"? Why?
HAMMER: You`re just not happy with the Golden Globes this year, are you?
TRAVERS: I am not happy. The Oscars are serious enough. It`s like graduation. This used to be the bar mitzvah. This used to be people having a great time, and they`re not having a great time. Stop it! Make them go back to the way they were.
HAMMER: I hope they bring back more of the bar mitzvah effect for you, Peter Travers. Leah Rozen, Tom O`Neil joining us from Hollywood, we thank you all for being with us tonight.
And don`t you forget, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, the only entertainment news show live on Monday at the Golden Globes.
ANDERSON: Tonight, a report that Gwyneth Paltrow is expecting her second child after weeks of keeping mum. The actress, who`s married to Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, reportedly confirmed the pregnancy after an L.A. screening of her movie "Proof." Reports tonight say actor Lou Diamond Phillips introduced Paltrow as a pregnant woman, which she confirmed. Her daughter, Apple, is 20 months old.
Word of the pregnancy comes just days after news that her ex-fiance, Brad Pitt, is expecting a child with Angelina Jolie. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT reached out to Paltrow`s rep. They said they did not want to comment.
OK, tonight the powerhouse ABC soap "General Hospital" is under fire. A former star on the show says she was fired for being pregnant. Kari Wuhrer, who played Reese on the show, says, when she told producers she was pregnant, her character was killed off. I was exclusively on the scene of "General Hospital" when Kari rehearsed scenes with her costar, Maurice Bernard, who played Sonny. And now she slapped the show and the network with a multi-million-dollar lawsuit.
Joining us now to give us the "Legal Lowdown," attorney Lida Rodriguez-Taseff, who joins us from Washington. Lida, let`s get right to it. What exactly is she claiming here?
LIDA RODRIGUEZ-TASEFF, ATTORNEY: Well, she`s claiming -- and, you know, this complaint -- and I read through it all -- it reads like a soap opera, with phrases like, "I`m pregnant," and, "It was either terminate the pregnancy or be terminated."
But with theatrics aside, this complaint makes a very serious point, that she was terminated after notifying her producers that she was pregnant, just two weeks after she told them. And she`s saying she was terminated because she was pregnant and no other reason. And that the fact is that she was a very popular soap star with the viewers, and the viewers loved her, and so they could have written in the pregnancy into the character.
ANDERSON: Yes, a lot of shows do make accommodations for situations like this, by either writing in the pregnancy or hiding the pregnancies. Take Sarah Jessica Parker in "Sex and the City," Debra Messing, "Will and Grace," Jennifer Garner in "Alias." But there`s no mandate that says it has to be accommodated, right?
RODRIGUEZ-TASEFF: True, Brooke, there is no mandate that says that they have to write it in, but there is a mandate that says that -- imagine if she was, instead of being a soap opera star, imagine if she was a circus trapeze artist. She gets pregnant. Obviously, she can`t go on the high wire. Can they fire her? Absolutely not. They must treat her as they would every other temporarily disabled employee.
So if another trapeze artist breaks his leg and he gets to go on disability leave, so should a pregnant person. So the same applies here. Merely because she`s pregnant, she can`t be terminated. Obviously, she needs to be treated as any other disabled employee. That`s what the law requires.
ANDERSON: Well, let me ask you this. How tough is it to prove discrimination like this in Hollywood, where plot lines can change and go in any direction at any time? How strong is this case?
RODRIGUEZ-TASEFF: Well, Hunter Tylo showed us that these claims can be proven and that they can result in a lot of money. She won in excess of $5 million when she sued "Melrose" for having kicking her off when she got pregnant.
So obviously these claims can succeed. And in fact, they have succeeded across the country. There`s been an increase of these by 25 percent over the last 10 years.
Hollywood, as fickle as it is, can argue until the cows come home, as ABC is doing in this case, that they fired her because she wasn`t sexy enough and because she had no chemistry. But you`ve got to wonder, two weeks within having notified her producers that she was pregnant, you decide.
ANDERSON: Right. A lot of people will be closely following this case. Lida Rodriguez-Taseff from Washington, D.C., tonight, thank you so much for joining us.
RODRIGUEZ-TASEFF: Thanks, Brooke.
ANDERSON: Of course.
And moments ago, ABC issued a statement to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. The network says, quote, "ABC Daytime has a clear track record of working with actresses on all of its programs to continue their employment during pregnancy. The decision to eliminate Ms. Wuhrer`s character on the show was made for legitimate creative reasons, was consistent with her contract, and was not motivated by her pregnancy."
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: We`ve been asking you to vote online on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT "Question of the Day." Paparazzi: Do you feel sorry for the stars?
Sort of a 50-50 mix of sympathy, with 52 percent of you saying yes, 48 percent of you saying no.
Among the e-mails, one from Michael in Tennessee writing, "Actors should be allowed to live their lives just like the rest of America with no intrusions."
We also heard from Chrissy in Iowa. She writes, "If they don`t want the attention, maybe they should have become accountants."
ANDERSON: All right. It is time to see what`s playing on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on a very important Monday. Let`s take a look at the "Showbiz Marquee." Marquee Guy, it`s all yours.
MARQUEE GUY: Monday, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is all over the Globes. The Golden Globes is the place to be, and SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is your golden ticket to the VIP seats. We`re in live overdrive. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, the only entertainment news show live, live with the red carpet regalia, live with the very first reactions from the big winners, live from the hottest party. And the Marquee Guy does know how to party. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, first, fast, fabulous. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s global domination, live Monday, live. Did I mention we`ll be live?
This is the Marquee Guy, and I`ll be receiving a lifetime achievement award for best marquee guy. I`d like to thank A.J., Brooke, our floor director, Mikey, my aunt, my uncle, my dog, my cat...
HAMMER: You`re welcome, you`re welcome. Have a lovely weekend.
ANDERSON: Glad he could remember us. OK.
HAMMER: That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer.
ANDERSON: Thanks for watching, everyone. I`m Brooke Anderson. Stay tuned for the latest from CNN Headline News.
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