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Showbiz Tonight

Oprah Hosts Showdown Over Missing Honeymooner; "General Hospital" Stars Promote Tolerance of Gays; Ads for Diddy`s New Fragrance Too Hot for Some; Rachel Hunter to Star in New Reality Show; TV In the Bedroom Dampens One`s Sex Life

Aired January 18, 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, Oprah and the cruise ship mystery. A man on his honeymoon disappears. The cruise line accused of a cover-up. Tonight, how Oprah got the woman who lost her husband and the head of the cruise line to face each other for the first time.

OPRAH WINFREY, TALK SHOW HOST: Did you participate in the cover-up?

HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the inside story on the drama that has everyone on the edge of their seats.

Star secrets. Shocking allegations. Dirty laundry about entertainment icons. This isn`t coming from the tabloids. It`s coming from the FBI. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT blows the lid off the confidential FBI files and why the government was spying on your favorite stars.

Marcia, Marcia, Marcia. We`re getting a house call from the perfectionist of Wisteria Lane. Fresh off a Golden Globe win for best TV comedy, "Desperate Housewives`" Marcia Cross is crossing our path tonight. Marcia Cross, live, in the interview you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

RICKY MARTIN, SINGER: Hello, everyone. This is Ricky Martin. And 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, a lingering mystery and a dramatic confrontation all played out in front of millions of people watching "The Oprah Winfrey Show" today. It is the story that you have seen on the news, the case of George Smith, the newlywed who disappeared while cruising the Mediterranean with his bride. And there was one heck of a showdown on "Oprah" that you just had to watch.

Nobody knows the story better than CNN`s Deborah Feyerick. She joins us live tonight from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom with more on that memorable hour.

What was going on here, Deborah?

DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it was definitely memorable. Since George Smith went missing during his Mediterranean honeymoon cruise on July 5, news channels have been all over the story. His family has been all over the airwaves. Today, Smith`s wife, Jennifer, went on Oprah to tell her side and to have a dramatic face-off.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WINFREY: You think your husband was murdered?

JENNIFER HAGEL SMITH, WIDOW: I think something bad happened to him.

FEYERICK (voice-over): A devastated bride and a mystery that, after six months, is still no closer to being solved. Jennifer Hagel Smith, the wife of missing cruise ship passenger George Smith, appeared on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" today to talk about the night her husband disappeared.

J. SMITH: I do not remember the last, you know, words or time we saw each other.

FEYERICK: Answer questions surrounding her own actions that night.

J. SMITH: Every single person in the world is looking at me, like, "Yes, right."

FEYERICK: And for the first time ever, confront the president of Royal Caribbean, the cruise line that she says failed her during such an excruciating time.

J. SMITH: Just admit some wrongdoing.

FEYERICK: Last July, George and Jennifer Smith were on a honeymoon cruise in the Mediterranean. After a night of partying, George disappeared. On "Oprah," his wife talked with Gale King about what happened and did not happen the last time she saw her husband alive.

J. SMITH: People have said all sorts of things. People have said that I got in a really bad fight with George and that he called me names and I kneed him.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Are you saying that`s not true?

J. SMITH: I`m not saying one way or the other. People are going to slam me either way. If I say, you know, maybe I was drinking too much, I`ll get slammed. I`m the drunk bride. If I say, "Well, maybe I was drunk," they`ll say, "She`s just making excuses for herself." No matter what I say, it doesn`t matter.

FEYERICK: Blood was discovered on a life boat canopy below the couple`s cabin. But George Smith`s body has never been found. His family fears the worst.

MAUREEN SMITH, GEORGE SMITH`S MOTHER: I really don`t know who would do this to him. He was just a lovely young man

FEYERICK: Smith`s family has fought bitterly with Royal Caribbean over the handling of the incident. They claim the cruise line botched the investigation, contaminated the crime scene, and even made Mrs. Smith pay for her own plane ticket home.

On "Oprah," the devastated bride confronted Adam Goldstein, the president of Royal Caribbean International.

J. SMITH: Why can`t you just say, "I`m sorry. We didn`t give you what you promised"?

ADAM GOLDSTEIN, PRESIDENT, ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL: We did the best...

WINFREY: You knew how to.

GOLDSTEIN: ... that we knew how to do in a situation...

WINFREY: Yes.

GOLDSTEIN: ... we had never encountered before. I am sorry.

WINFREY: Good.

GOLDSTEIN: I say that on behalf of 30,000 people at Royal Caribbean, that we were not able to render you as much assistance and comfort as you would like to have had on that terrible day.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: On the next "A Current Affair."

FEYERICK: The George Smith disappearance has become a dramatic mystery that TV news and talk shows just can`t get enough of.

LARRY KING, HOST, "LARRY KING LIVE": A man passes another man on the cruise. He doesn`t like him. He picks him up and throws him overboard in the middle of the Atlantic or wherever. How is that the cruise line`s fault?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A new photo of the likely death scene of George Smith.

NANCY GRACE, HOST, "NANCY GRACE": You`re saying, No. 1, there may not be a crime. That`s B.S.

FEYERICK: This isn`t the only case getting attention. The cruise ship industry group says that before Smith`s disappearance, about a dozen cruise passengers are presumed to have gone overboard in the last two years.

MICHAEL CRYE, INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF CRUISE LINES: I think you need to keep this in perspective. Ten to 12 people out of maybe 15 million who cruised in that same time frame, is something less than one person goes missing for every million people.

FEYERICK: Still, this one missing person continues to draw wide- spread attention. But as everyone focuses on what may have happened, his wife wants everyone to remember who George Smith was.

WINFREY: What do you want to say about George?

J. SMITH: That I wish that everybody would just, you know -- every time you see his face, you know, on camera, up on -- like on your TV screen, to just know that, like, he`s our George, that we love him so much, and this has been just such a nightmare for everybody.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FEYERICK: The FBI is investigating the case, and George Smith`s family plans to sue the cruise line.

I`ll be back later in the show with another explosive story why the government was spying on your favorite stars. I`ll tell you about FBI files containing shocking allegations about everyone from Lucille Ball to John Lennon.

HAMMER: The George Smith story is such a fascinating and really such a sad mystery to watch sort of unfold. And I`m sure we will continue to watch for some time. And I`m sure the TV movie not far off, Deborah.

FEYERICK: Probably not.

HAMMER: CNN`s Deborah Feyerick for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. We`ll see you a bit later in the show.

Well, the new season ever "American Idol" started off with quite a bang. You probably were watching, because ratings just in show that last night`s premiere drew in more than 35 million viewers. It`s the show`s highest opening ever. And that means millions of people got to see the likes of this.

If you didn`t get a chance to see it, I`m glad we could provide that footage for you.

As season five gets underway, it looks like a controversy with Kelly Clarkson is actually being ironed out at this very moment. Producers said that Clarkson, the very first "Idol" winner, wouldn`t let her songs be used in the show this season.

Well, late today, Clarkson`s spokesman told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that Clarkson is not flat-out saying no to "American Idol," telling us, quote, "As far as she is concerned, there is no conflict between her and the TV show. She intended all along to license additional material to the show and will do so when asked and within reason."

ANDERSON: And now a "SHOWBIZ Newsmaker. Today, longtime daytime drama "General Hospital" made a dramatic move in support of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues, and two of the show`s hottest stars are here live to talk about it.

The ABC daytime show teamed up with GLAAD, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, to make a public service announcement that promotes awareness. That announcement aired during the show today.

Joining me live -- you see them here -- live from Hollywood are the stars of that PSA and two of the stars of "General Hospital" -- Ben Hogestyn, who plays Lucas, and Lindze Letherman, who plays Georgie.

Ben, Lindze, welcome to both of you. Now, first, let`s take a look at that PSA.

(BEG VIDEO CLIP)

LINDZE LETHERMAN, ACTRESS: Every day, people young and old face hatred, discrimination and even violence because they`re gay.

BEN HOGESTYN, ACTOR: Prejudice and discrimination of any kind is wrong. Be an ally and friend. To find out how, visit GLAAD.org. That`s G-L-A-A-D dot org.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: OK. This could be seen as a brave step that "General Hospital" is taking, even a risky one, because this is still a controversial issue. Ben and Lindze, what made you guys decide to want to work with "General Hospital" and raise awareness?

LETHERMAN: Ben?

HOGESTYN: Well, I believe in the issue, personally. And I think that, especially with the hate crime story line coming up, that a PSA was definitely necessary.

It`s not a reality for a lot of people. They`re not going to meet a hate crime every time that someone comes out of the closet, but at the same time, it is reality for some people. So it -- I was glad I had an opportunity to be a part of that.

ANDERSON: And you mentioned the hate crime in today`s episode. Your character, Lucas, is a victim of gay bashing.

HOGESTYN: Yes.

ANDERSON: Also recently, your character came out to Lindze`s character, who plays your cousin. Now some people may not be used to this on "General Hospital," some long time fans of the show.

Lindze, what do you think? Is it a risk to have plot lines like this?

LETHERMAN: At first I thought it was a little risky, and I was like, "Oh, man. This ought to be interesting to see how it plays out." But the way the show did it was really realistic in my opinion.

I mean, Lucas, you know, Ben`s character, came to my character, Georgie, sat me down and was like, "I don`t know how to deal with this. I`m gay. This is why I`ve been frustrated." Because we`ve had a lot of conflict before then. So I felt as if it was very realistic in that fact.

And then his biggest conflict is not only the gay bashing but, you know, how to come out to a very conservative mother and, you know, a family full of straight strapping men. So I thought that they did it really well.

HOGESTYN: They did.

LETHERMAN: Very tastefully.

ANDERSON: Let me ask you this. OK. We`re fresh off the Golden Globes where a number of films were honored that focus on these issues, "Transamerica," "Brokeback Mountain," "Capote." When you think about that, do you think we`ve learned a corner in terms of raising awareness and acceptance?

LETHERMAN: Absolutely.

HOGESTYN: Yes.

LETHERMAN: I think this could be when being gay isn`t a bad thing anymore. It`s -- you`re just another person.

HOGESTYN: Yes. It seems like it`s definitely a good time kind of to move forward to this type of, you know, subject matter in a story. And as you can tell, I mean, with all of the acclaim that these films have been getting which they definitely deserve, and the performances that were given. I mean, when you have a story that backs up, you know, these type of images on the screen, you believe it.

ANDERSON: A substantial story line.

HOGESTYN: It really is, yes. And I think that if you can manage to draw the audience in, then, you know, sometimes they will tend to forget about, you know, certain viewpoints that they think that they feel very strongly about, either for or against something.

ANDERSON: Ben, Lindze, I appreciate you both being here and opening up about this subject. And also, thanks for sharing the PSA.

HOGESTYN: Thank you.

LETHERMAN: Thank you very much.

ANDERSON: We appreciate it.

All right. And ABC will air the public service announcement again next Tuesday. It will also air that day during the show`s broadcast on the cable channel, SOAPnet.

HAMMER: Well, tonight, there`s another chapter in the already tumultuous "Behind the Music" life of `70s teen Idol Leif Garrett. Garrett is being held in Los Angeles, where police say he was suspected of carrying narcotics and violating his probation for a previous drug arrest.

Garrett was stopped Saturday in L.A., where he tried to get on a subway without fare and he was displaying symptoms of narcotic use. The Los Angeles district attorney`s office says one count of possession of heroin is being filed.

Garrett appeared in three dozen movies, mostly in the `70s and `80s, and has released 10 albums.

ANDERSON: OK. One of the stars from "Dancing with the Stars" has her own reality show to tango with these days. Rachel Hunter joins us live to tell us all about it, coming up.

HAMMER: Got to say the lovely Rachel Hunter.

Plus, Sean Combs` new fragrance ads are causing a stink in some parts of the country. "Diddy" cross the line? We`re going to let you decide for yourself, coming up next.

ANDERSON: And, fresh off a Golden Globe win for best TV comedy, "Desperate Housewives`" Marcia Cross is crossing our path tonight. Marcia Cross is coming up live, in the interview you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, TV`s only live entertainment news show. I`m Brooke Anderson.

Well, it`s the big Diddy controversy. Sean Combs` ads for his new fragrance are causing a lot of talk, because some say they`re just too hot for America. They had to pull the ads from some cities. And all that buzz is causing a lot of media attention.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON (voice-over): Unforgivable, that`s the name of P. Diddy`s new fragrance. And it`s also what some in the Midwest and Bible belt are calling it, unforgivable. They`re pulling the ads, because they`re just too hot.

The controversy centers around this ad, showing what looks like Diddy in bed with two stunning and naked women, apparently, after just having sex. Can you say menage a trois?

NICKI GOSTIN, "NEWSWEEK": That clearly was what was intended. It`s not like, "Oh, you read into it the wrong way." I think that`s pretty clear.

ANDERSON: Because of all the apparent ruckus, Estee Lauder had to change the ad from this to this, a much tamer version of the ad. Still two stunners, clothed this time, with one serious looking hip-hop mogul. Downgraded from a menage a trois to more like a tete a tete.

The president of Estee Lauder tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT they stand by P. Diddy and the ads. He said in a statement, quote, "This fragrance is about a man who lives his life with passion and unapologetically. We respect Sean Combs` creative perspectives and support him in his vision."

GOSTIN: He`s a rapper and he`s got that lifestyle. So he`s not going to be doing ads like Gwyneth Paltrow does Estee Lauder, lying in a field of sunflowers and talking about how that makes her feel.

SEAN COMBS, HIP-HOP MOGUL: Let`s do it.

ANDERSON: Let`s face it, sex sells. Countless other celebrities have used it big time to sell their fragrances, like Paris Hilton, Jennifer Lopez and Jessica Simpson.

And while sex appeal always spikes sales, a good controversy certainly doesn`t hurt. Nicki Gostin says this is exactly what Estee Lauder wants.

GOSTIN: They must be just jumping up and down. It`s just great buzz. And it`s in the news, and they don`t have to pay for it. And it just creates controversy. Makes it look cool and hip and edgy. It`s just perfect.

ANDERSON: Makes sense, considering Estee Lauder sent SHOWBIZ TONIGHT a press release and rushed the ads over to us and many other media organizations.

GOSTIN: It`s fantastic publicity. And the media then picks up on the story and creates it and talk about it and gives it lots of press.

ANDERSON: Way to go, Diddy.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: Diddy`s new fragrance will hit shelves in February, and word is, the apparent controversy hasn`t impacted orders, which keep pouring in from department stores around the country.

HAMMER: There`s a new study that says having a television in your bedroom can kill your sex life. The study comes out of Italy that found that couples who have a TV in the bedroom have sex half as often as couples who don`t. The study also found that certain shows, like violent movies and reality shows, were more likely to impede couples` sex lives.

We`re going to have more on that later in the show. But right now we want to hear from you on the subject. This is our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. TV in the bedroom, does it ruin your sex life? You can vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight or send us e-mail at ShowbizTonight@CNN.com. We`re going to read some of your e-mails later in the show.

Well, tonight, for a "SHOWBIZ Sitdown," we have Rachel Hunter joining us. Millions watched her as she cut a rug on "Dancing with the Stars." She has graced the pages of "Sports Illustrated`s" swimsuit issue and thousands of magazine covers that you`ve seen. She has been in lots of films you know, including "Rock Star," sitcoms you know, like "The Drew Carey Show." She has two children with former husband Rod Stewart.

And now she`s embarking on her next great adventure, a reality show, "Style Me with Rachel Hunter."

Rachel is joining us in New York. And I guess the first thing I`ve got to ask you, do you have a TV in your bedroom?

RACHEL HUNTER, MODEL/ACTRESS: I do, but I`d never let it ruin my sex life. I really suggest everyone turn the TV off if that`s -- I don`t want to ruin anyone`s sex life with this reality show.

HAMMER: Well, I was going to say, you have a reality show coming on. Do you think it will help or hurt people`s sex lives?

HUNTER: Oh.

HAMMER: Haven`t really thought about that, have you?

HUNTER: No.

HAMMER: You can think about that later.

And it`s a pretty simple premise. You have 12 contestants who are vying to be your celebrity stylist. They`re going to have a chance to win $10,000, style you for a big red carpet event and get a talent agency contract.

You`ve been at this a long time, as a super model, in all the films you`ve done. Obviously, you know fashion forward and backward. You know what you like. So what are you looking for with this person?

HUNTER: I don`t know. I mean, Philip Block, who`s basically the mentor, who`s the other judge on the show, he`s -- he`s the style, you know, person. Obviously, we go through a lot of absolute disasters in this show.

Because at one stage I was turning around to Philip, and I was like, Could you, you know -- can you, like get me a dress for the red carpet," because I didn`t know how we were going to get through this.

Because there`s parts where people just, you know, fall down crying. And one stage I just couldn`t even pick a winner of this particular show that we did, because it was not in the full, but one task that we asked them to do, because it was disastrous.

HAMMER: It was just all wrong.

HUNTER: It was really bad. I was in hell (ph).

HAMMER: And you mentioned -- you mentioned people crying, and I happen to watch the first episode, which is premiering next week. I took a look at it earlier today. And people are getting very emotional just at the idea of, No. 1, meeting you and then possibly getting into the fashion industry.

HUNTER: Right.

HAMMER: It is just something that they clearly have aspired to for a long time.

Do you remember that first phone call you got where you got a real legitimate modeling gig and you realized, "Oh, my God, I actually am getting paid to do this"?

HUNTER: Yes, I mean, I think in the beginning, I was pretty much reluctant to the modeling. But I think the biggest moment with me was when I found out that I was on the cover of "Sports Illustrated." And that was pretty awesome, yes.

HAMMER: In terms of your very first paid modeling gig...

HUNTER: Oh, yes.

HAMMER: ... do you have any recollection as to what you made?

HUNTER: I think it was like something like $200 or something.

HAMMER: Just a little -- a little pittance.

HUNTER: I was a new talent, you know?

HAMMER: You don`t tie your shoe laces for less than $10,000. Right?

HUNTER: Yes, I do. I like to find a bargain.

HAMMER: People also got to know you from another reality show...

HUNTER: Right.

HAMMER: ... "Dancing with the Stars." Now, was that just kind of a fluke. You said, "Oh, that seems like kind of a fun thing"?

HUNTER: At first I thought it was really, really cheesy. I was kind of a little bit nervous about doing it. And then they said that you know, they`re going to put some great music to it and all the rest.

And also I had danced as a child and that`s something that I really wanted to be as a kid, so I kind of got to live out a kind of quiet little fantasy of mine. And really enjoyed it and loved it.

HAMMER: It was a wild success.

HUNTER: Yes.

HAMMER: It blew -- I think people who even put the show on didn`t realize how big it was going to become.

HUNTER: Yes, and I think, you know, my intentions when I go into these reality shows is really not to, you know, make a name for or reinvent or anything. I do these things because they`re personal things that I want to do.

And the style show is basically something that is something that`s related to something in my business, as well. It`s become so prominent in the last five years that stylists just change people`s image and all the rest of it. Through, yes, I guess, the last five years, it`s been huge.

HAMMER: I have to ask you, you`ve gotten to do reality TV. You`ve been married to a rock star. You have two kids. Done so much, seen so much in your life. What`s at the top of your list, kids aside, which a lot of people will answer, but what`s at the top of your list for where you`ve been and what you`ve done?

HUNTER: All kids aside and everything, I actually do a charity with gorillas. And I go to Uganda and the Cameroon. And I spent two days in a cage with Twiggy, who is a 300-pound gorilla, female gorilla. And we were roughhousing together. And it was pretty much -- it was an awesome experience. So that was my highlight.

HAMMER: You`re going to have to show me pictures.

HUNTER: I will.

HAMMER: Rachel Hunter in the cage with the gorilla. We appreciate you stopping by on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Rachel.

HUNTER: You`re welcome. Absolutely.

HAMMER: "Style" with Rachel Hunter -- "Style Me" with Rachel Hunter is going to make its premiere Monday on WE. That`s the Women`s Entertainment Network.

ANDERSON: "Lost" star Matthew Fox talks about his 4-year-old son`s very grown-up experience with the stomach flu. That`s in "Talk of the Day," next.

HAMMER: And, fresh off a Golden Globe win for best TV comedy, "Desperate Housewives`" Marcia Cross is here. Marcia Cross, joining us live in the interview you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

ANDERSON: And star secrets, dirty laundry from Lucille Ball to John Lennon. This isn`t coming from tabloids but the FBI. Coming up, inside confidential FBI files and why the government was spying on your favorite stars.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: It`s time now for "Talk of the Day," our favorite moment from today`s talk shows. Matthew Fox from ABC`s hit prime time drama "Lost" tells the story about his 4-year-old son`s very first experience with the stomach flu.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MATTHEW FOX, ACTOR: He was just in the bathroom by himself. He`s, like, this tall. So his hands are just, like, on the edge of the toilet. And he`s just standing there, and he`s just -- he`s dry heaving and dry heaving. And Margie said, "Come here, you`ve got to check this out." We`re watching him. He didn`t know that we were watching him. He`s dry heaving. And he goes, "Oh, oh, dammit."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: Doesn`t sound very comforting for the child.

Well, Julia Roberts making a pretty penny on Broadway without ever stepping out on stage. We`ll explain how she`s raking it in, next.

Plus, fresh on the heels of a Golden Globe win for best TV comedy, "Desperate Housewives`" Marcia Cross joins us live in the interview you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

Do you have a TV in your bedroom? You may be having less sex. That report on the way.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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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, Oprah and the cruise ship mystery. A man on his honeymoon disappears. The cruise line accused of a cover-up. Tonight, how Oprah got the woman who lost her husband and the head of the cruise line to face each other for the first time.

OPRAH WINFREY, TALK SHOW HOST: Did you participate in the cover-up?

HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the inside story on the drama that has everyone on the edge of their seats.

Star secrets. Shocking allegations. Dirty laundry about entertainment icons. This isn`t coming from the tabloids. It`s coming from the FBI. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT blows the lid off the confidential FBI files and why the government was spying on your favorite stars.

Marcia, Marcia, Marcia. We`re getting a house call from the perfectionist of Wisteria Lane. Fresh off a Golden Globe win for best TV comedy, "Desperate Housewives`" Marcia Cross is crossing our path tonight. Marcia Cross, live, in the interview you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

RICKY MARTIN, SINGER: Hello, everyone. This is Ricky Martin. And 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, a lingering mystery and a dramatic confrontation all played out in front of millions of people watching "The Oprah Winfrey Show" today. It is the story that you have seen on the news, the case of George Smith, the newlywed who disappeared while cruising the Mediterranean with his bride. And there was one heck of a showdown on "Oprah" that you just had to watch.

Nobody knows the story better than CNN`s Deborah Feyerick. She joins us live tonight from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom with more on that memorable hour.

What was going on here, Deborah?

DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it was definitely memorable. Since George Smith went missing during his Mediterranean honeymoon cruise on July 5, news channels have been all over the story. His family has been all over the airwaves. Today, Smith`s wife, Jennifer, went on Oprah to tell her side and to have a dramatic face-off.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WINFREY: You think your husband was murdered?

JENNIFER HAGEL SMITH, WIDOW: I think something bad happened to him.

FEYERICK (voice-over): A devastated bride and a mystery that, after six months, is still no closer to being solved. Jennifer Hagel Smith, the wife of missing cruise ship passenger George Smith, appeared on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" today to talk about the night her husband disappeared.

J. SMITH: I do not remember the last, you know, words or time we saw each other.

FEYERICK: Answer questions surrounding her own actions that night.

J. SMITH: Every single person in the world is looking at me, like, "Yes, right."

FEYERICK: And for the first time ever, confront the president of Royal Caribbean, the cruise line that she says failed her during such an excruciating time.

J. SMITH: Just admit some wrongdoing.

FEYERICK: Last July, George and Jennifer Smith were on a honeymoon cruise in the Mediterranean. After a night of partying, George disappeared. On "Oprah," his wife talked with Gale King about what happened and did not happen the last time she saw her husband alive.

J. SMITH: People have said all sorts of things. People have said that I got in a really bad fight with George and that he called me names and I kneed him.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Are you saying that`s not true?

J. SMITH: I`m not saying one way or the other. People are going to slam me either way. If I say, you know, maybe I was drinking too much, I`ll get slammed. I`m the drunk bride. If I say, "Well, maybe I was drunk," they`ll say, "She`s just making excuses for herself." No matter what I say, it doesn`t matter.

FEYERICK: Blood was discovered on a life boat canopy below the couple`s cabin. But George Smith`s body has never been found. His family fears the worst.

MAUREEN SMITH, GEORGE SMITH`S MOTHER: I really don`t know who would do this to him. He was just a lovely young man

FEYERICK: Smith`s family has fought bitterly with Royal Caribbean over the handling of the incident. They claim the cruise line botched the investigation, contaminated the crime scene, and even made Mrs. Smith pay for her own plane ticket home.

On "Oprah," the devastated bride confronted Adam Goldstein, the president of Royal Caribbean International.

J. SMITH: Why can`t you just say, "I`m sorry. We didn`t give you what you promised"?

ADAM GOLDSTEIN, PRESIDENT, ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL: We did the best...

WINFREY: You knew how to.

GOLDSTEIN: ... that we knew how to do in a situation...

WINFREY: Yes.

GOLDSTEIN: ... we had never encountered before. I am sorry.

WINFREY: Good.

GOLDSTEIN: I say that on behalf of 30,000 people at Royal Caribbean, that we were not able to render you as much assistance and comfort as you would like to have had on that terrible day.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: On the next "A Current Affair."

FEYERICK: The George Smith disappearance has become a dramatic mystery that TV news and talk shows just can`t get enough of.

LARRY KING, HOST, "LARRY KING LIVE": A man passes another man on the cruise. He doesn`t like him. He picks him up and throws him overboard in the middle of the Atlantic or wherever. How is that the cruise line`s fault?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A new photo of the likely death scene of George Smith.

NANCY GRACE, HOST, "NANCY GRACE": You`re saying, No. 1, there may not be a crime. That`s B.S.

FEYERICK: This isn`t the only case getting attention. The cruise ship industry group says that before Smith`s disappearance, about a dozen cruise passengers are presumed to have gone overboard in the last two years.

MICHAEL CRYE, INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF CRUISE LINES: I think you need to keep this in perspective. Ten to 12 people out of maybe 15 million who cruised in that same time frame, is something less than one person goes missing for every million people.

FEYERICK: Still, this one missing person continues to draw wide- spread attention. But as everyone focuses on what may have happened, his wife wants everyone to remember who George Smith was.

WINFREY: What do you want to say about George?

J. SMITH: That I wish that everybody would just, you know -- every time you see his face, you know, on camera, up on -- like on your TV screen, to just know that, like, he`s our George, that we love him so much, and this has been just such a nightmare for everybody.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FEYERICK: The FBI is investigating the case, and George Smith`s family plans to sue the cruise line.

I`ll be back later in the show with another explosive story why the government was spying on your favorite stars. I`ll tell you about FBI files containing shocking allegations about everyone from Lucille Ball to John Lennon.

HAMMER: The George Smith story is such a fascinating and really such a sad mystery to watch sort of unfold. And I`m sure we will continue to watch for some time. And I`m sure the TV movie not far off, Deborah.

FEYERICK: Probably not.

HAMMER: CNN`s Deborah Feyerick for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. We`ll see you a bit later in the show.

Well, the new season ever "American Idol" started off with quite a bang. You probably were watching, because ratings just in show that last night`s premiere drew in more than 35 million viewers. It`s the show`s highest opening ever. And that means millions of people got to see the likes of this.

If you didn`t get a chance to see it, I`m glad we could provide that footage for you.

As season five gets underway, it looks like a controversy with Kelly Clarkson is actually being ironed out at this very moment. Producers said that Clarkson, the very first "Idol" winner, wouldn`t let her songs be used in the show this season.

Well, late today, Clarkson`s spokesman told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that Clarkson is not flat-out saying no to "American Idol," telling us, quote, "As far as she is concerned, there is no conflict between her and the TV show. She intended all along to license additional material to the show and will do so when asked and within reason."

ANDERSON: And now a "SHOWBIZ Newsmaker. Today, longtime daytime drama "General Hospital" made a dramatic move in support of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues, and two of the show`s hottest stars are here live to talk about it.

The ABC daytime show teamed up with GLAAD, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, to make a public service announcement that promotes awareness. That announcement aired during the show today.

Joining me live -- you see them here -- live from Hollywood are the stars of that PSA and two of the stars of "General Hospital" -- Ben Hogestyn, who plays Lucas, and Lindze Letherman, who plays Georgie.

Ben, Lindze, welcome to both of you. Now, first, let`s take a look at that PSA.

(BEG VIDEO CLIP)

LINDZE LETHERMAN, ACTRESS: Every day, people young and old face hatred, discrimination and even violence because they`re gay.

BEN HOGESTYN, ACTOR: Prejudice and discrimination of any kind is wrong. Be an ally and friend. To find out how, visit GLAAD.org. That`s G-L-A-A-D dot org.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: OK. This could be seen as a brave step that "General Hospital" is taking, even a risky one, because this is still a controversial issue. Ben and Lindze, what made you guys decide to want to work with "General Hospital" and raise awareness?

LETHERMAN: Ben?

HOGESTYN: Well, I believe in the issue, personally. And I think that, especially with the hate crime story line coming up, that a PSA was definitely necessary.

It`s not a reality for a lot of people. They`re not going to meet a hate crime every time that someone comes out of the closet, but at the same time, it is reality for some people. So it -- I was glad I had an opportunity to be a part of that.

ANDERSON: And you mentioned the hate crime in today`s episode. Your character, Lucas, is a victim of gay bashing.

HOGESTYN: Yes.

ANDERSON: Also recently, your character came out to Lindze`s character, who plays your cousin. Now some people may not be used to this on "General Hospital," some long time fans of the show.

Lindze, what do you think? Is it a risk to have plot lines like this?

LETHERMAN: At first I thought it was a little risky, and I was like, "Oh, man. This ought to be interesting to see how it plays out." But the way the show did it was really realistic in my opinion.

I mean, Lucas, you know, Ben`s character, came to my character, Georgie, sat me down and was like, "I don`t know how to deal with this. I`m gay. This is why I`ve been frustrated." Because we`ve had a lot of conflict before then. So I felt as if it was very realistic in that fact.

And then his biggest conflict is not only the gay bashing but, you know, how to come out to a very conservative mother and, you know, a family full of straight strapping men. So I thought that they did it really well.

HOGESTYN: They did.

LETHERMAN: Very tastefully.

ANDERSON: Let me ask you this. OK. We`re fresh off the Golden Globes where a number of films were honored that focus on these issues, "Transamerica," "Brokeback Mountain," "Capote." When you think about that, do you think we`ve learned a corner in terms of raising awareness and acceptance?

LETHERMAN: Absolutely.

HOGESTYN: Yes.

LETHERMAN: I think this could be when being gay isn`t a bad thing anymore. It`s -- you`re just another person.

HOGESTYN: Yes. It seems like it`s definitely a good time kind of to move forward to this type of, you know, subject matter in a story. And as you can tell, I mean, with all of the acclaim that these films have been getting which they definitely deserve, and the performances that were given. I mean, when you have a story that backs up, you know, these type of images on the screen, you believe it.

ANDERSON: A substantial story line.

HOGESTYN: It really is, yes. And I think that if you can manage to draw the audience in, then, you know, sometimes they will tend to forget about, you know, certain viewpoints that they think that they feel very strongly about, either for or against something.

ANDERSON: Ben, Lindze, I appreciate you both being here and opening up about this subject. And also, thanks for sharing the PSA.

HOGESTYN: Thank you.

LETHERMAN: Thank you very much.

ANDERSON: We appreciate it.

All right. And ABC will air the public service announcement again next Tuesday. It will also air that day during the show`s broadcast on the cable channel, SOAPnet.

HAMMER: Well, tonight, there`s another chapter in the already tumultuous "Behind the Music" life of `70s teen Idol Leif Garrett. Garrett is being held in Los Angeles, where police say he was suspected of carrying narcotics and violating his probation for a previous drug arrest.

Garrett was stopped Saturday in L.A., where he tried to get on a subway without fare and he was displaying symptoms of narcotic use. The Los Angeles district attorney`s office says one count of possession of heroin is being filed.

Garrett appeared in three dozen movies, mostly in the `70s and `80s, and has released 10 albums.

ANDERSON: OK. One of the stars from "Dancing with the Stars" has her own reality show to tango with these days. Rachel Hunter joins us live to tell us all about it, coming up.

HAMMER: Got to say the lovely Rachel Hunter.

Plus, Sean Combs` new fragrance ads are causing a stink in some parts of the country. "Diddy" cross the line? We`re going to let you decide for yourself, coming up next.

ANDERSON: And, fresh off a Golden Globe win for best TV comedy, "Desperate Housewives`" Marcia Cross is crossing our path tonight. Marcia Cross is coming up live, in the interview you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, TV`s only live entertainment news show. I`m Brooke Anderson.

Well, it`s the big Diddy controversy. Sean Combs` ads for his new fragrance are causing a lot of talk, because some say they`re just too hot for America. They had to pull the ads from some cities. And all that buzz is causing a lot of media attention.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON (voice-over): Unforgivable, that`s the name of P. Diddy`s new fragrance. And it`s also what some in the Midwest and Bible belt are calling it, unforgivable. They`re pulling the ads, because they`re just too hot.

The controversy centers around this ad, showing what looks like Diddy in bed with two stunning and naked women, apparently, after just having sex. Can you say menage a trois?

NICKI GOSTIN, "NEWSWEEK": That clearly was what was intended. It`s not like, "Oh, you read into it the wrong way." I think that`s pretty clear.

ANDERSON: Because of all the apparent ruckus, Estee Lauder had to change the ad from this to this, a much tamer version of the ad. Still two stunners, clothed this time, with one serious looking hip-hop mogul. Downgraded from a menage a trois to more like a tete a tete.

The president of Estee Lauder tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT they stand by P. Diddy and the ads. He said in a statement, quote, "This fragrance is about a man who lives his life with passion and unapologetically. We respect Sean Combs` creative perspectives and support him in his vision."

GOSTIN: He`s a rapper and he`s got that lifestyle. So he`s not going to be doing ads like Gwyneth Paltrow does Estee Lauder, lying in a field of sunflowers and talking about how that makes her feel.

SEAN COMBS, HIP-HOP MOGUL: Let`s do it.

ANDERSON: Let`s face it, sex sells. Countless other celebrities have used it big time to sell their fragrances, like Paris Hilton, Jennifer Lopez and Jessica Simpson.

And while sex appeal always spikes sales, a good controversy certainly doesn`t hurt. Nicki Gostin says this is exactly what Estee Lauder wants.

GOSTIN: They must be just jumping up and down. It`s just great buzz. And it`s in the news, and they don`t have to pay for it. And it just creates controversy. Makes it look cool and hip and edgy. It`s just perfect.

ANDERSON: Makes sense, considering Estee Lauder sent SHOWBIZ TONIGHT a press release and rushed the ads over to us and many other media organizations.

GOSTIN: It`s fantastic publicity. And the media then picks up on the story and creates it and talk about it and gives it lots of press.

ANDERSON: Way to go, Diddy.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: Diddy`s new fragrance will hit shelves in February, and word is, the apparent controversy hasn`t impacted orders, which keep pouring in from department stores around the country.

HAMMER: There`s a new study that says having a television in your bedroom can kill your sex life. The study comes out of Italy that found that couples who have a TV in the bedroom have sex half as often as couples who don`t. The study also found that certain shows, like violent movies and reality shows, were more likely to impede couples` sex lives.

We`re going to have more on that later in the show. But right now we want to hear from you on the subject. This is our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. TV in the bedroom, does it ruin your sex life? You can vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight or send us e-mail at ShowbizTonight@CNN.com. We`re going to read some of your e-mails later in the show.

Well, tonight, for a "SHOWBIZ Sitdown," we have Rachel Hunter joining us. Millions watched her as she cut a rug on "Dancing with the Stars." She has graced the pages of "Sports Illustrated`s" swimsuit issue and thousands of magazine covers that you`ve seen. She has been in lots of films you know, including "Rock Star," sitcoms you know, like "The Drew Carey Show." She has two children with former husband Rod Stewart.

And now she`s embarking on her next great adventure, a reality show, "Style Me with Rachel Hunter."

Rachel is joining us in New York. And I guess the first thing I`ve got to ask you, do you have a TV in your bedroom?

RACHEL HUNTER, MODEL/ACTRESS: I do, but I`d never let it ruin my sex life. I really suggest everyone turn the TV off if that`s -- I don`t want to ruin anyone`s sex life with this reality show.

HAMMER: Well, I was going to say, you have a reality show coming on. Do you think it will help or hurt people`s sex lives?

HUNTER: Oh.

HAMMER: Haven`t really thought about that, have you?

HUNTER: No.

HAMMER: You can think about that later.

And it`s a pretty simple premise. You have 12 contestants who are vying to be your celebrity stylist. They`re going to have a chance to win $10,000, style you for a big red carpet event and get a talent agency contract.

You`ve been at this a long time, as a super model, in all the films you`ve done. Obviously, you know fashion forward and backward. You know what you like. So what are you looking for with this person?

HUNTER: I don`t know. I mean, Philip Block, who`s basically the mentor, who`s the other judge on the show, he`s -- he`s the style, you know, person. Obviously, we go through a lot of absolute disasters in this show.

Because at one stage I was turning around to Philip, and I was like, Could you, you know -- can you, like get me a dress for the red carpet," because I didn`t know how we were going to get through this.

Because there`s parts where people just, you know, fall down crying. And one stage I just couldn`t even pick a winner of this particular show that we did, because it was not in the full, but one task that we asked them to do, because it was disastrous.

HAMMER: It was just all wrong.

HUNTER: It was really bad. I was in hell (ph).

HAMMER: And you mentioned -- you mentioned people crying, and I happen to watch the first episode, which is premiering next week. I took a look at it earlier today. And people are getting very emotional just at the idea of, No. 1, meeting you and then possibly getting into the fashion industry.

HUNTER: Right.

HAMMER: It is just something that they clearly have aspired to for a long time.

Do you remember that first phone call you got where you got a real legitimate modeling gig and you realized, "Oh, my God, I actually am getting paid to do this"?

HUNTER: Yes, I mean, I think in the beginning, I was pretty much reluctant to the modeling. But I think the biggest moment with me was when I found out that I was on the cover of "Sports Illustrated." And that was pretty awesome, yes.

HAMMER: In terms of your very first paid modeling gig...

HUNTER: Oh, yes.

HAMMER: ... do you have any recollection as to what you made?

HUNTER: I think it was like something like $200 or something.

HAMMER: Just a little -- a little pittance.

HUNTER: I was a new talent, you know?

HAMMER: You don`t tie your shoe laces for less than $10,000. Right?

HUNTER: Yes, I do. I like to find a bargain.

HAMMER: People also got to know you from another reality show...

HUNTER: Right.

HAMMER: ... "Dancing with the Stars." Now, was that just kind of a fluke. You said, "Oh, that seems like kind of a fun thing"?

HUNTER: At first I thought it was really, really cheesy. I was kind of a little bit nervous about doing it. And then they said that you know, they`re going to put some great music to it and all the rest.

And also I had danced as a child and that`s something that I really wanted to be as a kid, so I kind of got to live out a kind of quiet little fantasy of mine. And really enjoyed it and loved it.

HAMMER: It was a wild success.

HUNTER: Yes.

HAMMER: It blew -- I think people who even put the show on didn`t realize how big it was going to become.

HUNTER: Yes, and I think, you know, my intentions when I go into these reality shows is really not to, you know, make a name for or reinvent or anything. I do these things because they`re personal things that I want to do.

And the style show is basically something that is something that`s related to something in my business, as well. It`s become so prominent in the last five years that stylists just change people`s image and all the rest of it. Through, yes, I guess, the last five years, it`s been huge.

HAMMER: I have to ask you, you`ve gotten to do reality TV. You`ve been married to a rock star. You have two kids. Done so much, seen so much in your life. What`s at the top of your list, kids aside, which a lot of people will answer, but what`s at the top of your list for where you`ve been and what you`ve done?

HUNTER: All kids aside and everything, I actually do a charity with gorillas. And I go to Uganda and the Cameroon. And I spent two days in a cage with Twiggy, who is a 300-pound gorilla, female gorilla. And we were roughhousing together. And it was pretty much -- it was an awesome experience. So that was my highlight.

HAMMER: You`re going to have to show me pictures.

HUNTER: I will.

HAMMER: Rachel Hunter in the cage with the gorilla. We appreciate you stopping by on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Rachel.

HUNTER: You`re welcome. Absolutely.

HAMMER: "Style" with Rachel Hunter -- "Style Me" with Rachel Hunter is going to make its premiere Monday on WE. That`s the Women`s Entertainment Network.

ANDERSON: "Lost" star Matthew Fox talks about his 4-year-old son`s very grown-up experience with the stomach flu. That`s in "Talk of the Day," next.

HAMMER: And, fresh off a Golden Globe win for best TV comedy, "Desperate Housewives`" Marcia Cross is here. Marcia Cross, joining us live in the interview you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

ANDERSON: And star secrets, dirty laundry from Lucille Ball to John Lennon. This isn`t coming from tabloids but the FBI. Coming up, inside confidential FBI files and why the government was spying on your favorite stars.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: It`s time now for "Talk of the Day," our favorite moment from today`s talk shows. Matthew Fox from ABC`s hit prime time drama "Lost" tells the story about his 4-year-old son`s very first experience with the stomach flu.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MATTHEW FOX, ACTOR: He was just in the bathroom by himself. He`s, like, this tall. So his hands are just, like, on the edge of the toilet. And he`s just standing there, and he`s just -- he`s dry heaving and dry heaving. And Margie said, "Come here, you`ve got to check this out." We`re watching him. He didn`t know that we were watching him. He`s dry heaving. And he goes, "Oh, oh, dammit."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: Doesn`t sound very comforting for the child.

Well, Julia Roberts making a pretty penny on Broadway without ever stepping out on stage. We`ll explain how she`s raking it in, next.

Plus, fresh on the heels of a Golden Globe win for best TV comedy, "Desperate Housewives`" Marcia Cross joins us live in the interview you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

Do you have a TV in your bedroom? You may be having less sex. That report on the way.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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