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Showbiz Tonight
Britney Baby Photo Will Not Lead to Charges; John Legend Dishes on Grammy Chances; Music Mogul Clive Davis Throws Star Packed Party; Are Celebs Spoiling Fashion Week?; Emmy Nominees Announced
Aired February 08, 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. TV`s only live entertainment news show starts right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER (voice-over): On SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, new developments in the Britney baby controversy. Tonight, will this shocking photo get Britney Spears in big trouble? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT investigates the startling story that`s causing coast-to-coast outrage.
Plus, Grammy gold. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is live on the red carpet for music`s biggest night, the Grammy Awards.
Will Kanye West win out West? Will it be a big night for Mariah Carey? Or for new kid on the block, John Legend? We`re they`re live with the stars, and the surprises.
And a death wish come true.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was wonderful. Oh, my God. I got goose bumps.
HAMMER: Tonight, the guy who was dying to break into Hollywood, literally gets his chance to play a dead body. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT takes you to the set where a working stiff gets to be a stiff.
JOHN LEGEND, MUSICIAN: This is John Legend. And if it happened today, it`s on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Hello, I`m A.J. Hammer, live in New York City.
BROOKE ANDERSON, CO-HOST: And I`m Brooke Anderson, and I am live at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles, where SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is the only live entertainment news television show bringing you live coverage of the 48th annual Grammy Awards, where Mariah Carey is already a big winner.
We found out just moments ago, she has won three Grammy awards at the pre-telecast awards show, including best R&B song, best contemporary R&B album and best R&B performance. Also R&B vocal performance, rather.
Also, Kanye West and Keith Urban have each picked up one Grammy apiece.
I will be back throughout the show. In just a moment, in fact, with all the action here. As you can see, there is a whole lot of action. But A.J., I know there is another big story out there tonight.
HAMMER: Absolutely. Right, Brooke, we do have some big updates on the story that all of America is still talking about, the Britney Spears baby in the car controversy.
This is the shocking photo beamed around the world. Britney Spears driving with her baby son on her lab in her SUV. Well, now SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has late-breaking information. We learned about what legal fallout, if any, Britney is facing.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER (voice-over): This photo of Britney Spears driving with her 4- month-old baby on her lap is causing a Britney baby brouhaha that`s making the pop star the topic of ridicule from late night comedians.
JIMMY KIMMEL, HOST, "JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE": It`s still early in 2006, but already she has been eliminated from mother of the year competition.
DAVID LETTERMAN, HOST, CBS`S "LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN": What happened to the old days when celebrities would just dangle kids off balconies?
JAY LENO, HOST, NBC`S "THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO": In her defense, the baby had to sit on her lap, because her husband, Kevin, was asleep in the child seat. So apparently.
HAMMER: And she`s getting scorned from another famous mom, Kelly Ripa.
KELLY RIPA, CO-HOST, ABC`S "LIVE WITH REGIS & KELLY": It`s very dangerous. First of all, it`s very dangerous
HAMMER: But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has learned the photo will probably not lead to any legal fallout. In California, it is illegal for a child under 6 years old or 60 pounds to ride without a car seat. Critics point to video like this to show why an unrestrained child is in danger in even the smallest of crashes.
SALLY LEE, "PARENTS" MAGAZINE: No parent that I know would ever think about driving with a baby in their lap.
HAMMER: But the L.A. County sheriff`s department, which reportedly sent a deputy to Britney`s home, tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that it is not investigating the matter. TMZ.com`s Harvey Levin tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT he`s not surprised.
HARVEY LEVIN, TMZ.COM: The sheriffs really can`t do anything unless there`s a citizen complaint, unless somebody saw it, because the sheriffs weren`t there when it happened. We`re talking about a minor infraction.
HAMMER: As for wire reports that L.A.`s Department of Children and Family Services is now looking into the matter, the DCFS tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, quote, "Everything that comes into the department is a confidential matter."
Legal experts say Britney probably doesn`t have a lot to worry about in this area either.
LEVIN: I`ve done many stories about L.A. children`s services, and I can tell you, nothing is going to happen to her this time. She`s not going to have the child taken away from her. But it`s now on record that she did something reckless. And if she repeats that kind of conduct, then it could get serious.
HAMMER: Still, despite Britney Spears` claims that she was only trying to get herself and her baby away from a, quote, "horrifying frightful encounter with the paparazzi," this whole thing has been nothing less than a P.R. nightmare for her. As this editorial cartoon in the "New York Post" shows, Spears is getting all kinds of criticism from those who say she endangered her child.
LEE: I understand the pressure from the paparazzi, but it`s not a valid explanation, or explication or justification. There is no justification for driving with your baby on your lap. None at all.
LEVIN: This is the kind of thing that can turn into a buzz kill for a celebrity, hen they do something really reckless where people turn on them. And this could be that kind of event, unless it`s managed properly.
HAMMER: But in the meantime fairly, or unfairly, Britney Spears will have to deal with criticism of her skills as a mother instead of her skills as a singer.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: By the way, X-17, the agency that took the Britney photos, says that, despite Britney Spears` claims, pictures were actually taken in a, quote, "peaceful context" in which photographers exhibited no aggressive behavior.
Well, music`s biggest night is going on right now. Just a short time from now the 48th annual Grammy awards is going to be getting under way. Let`s get back to our own Brooke Anderson. She`s live in Los Angeles, on the red, which is really the green carpet at the Staples Center with an eight-time Grammy nominee.
ANDERSON: A.J., I am here with the man everybody is talking about, John Legend.
Good to see you.
LEGEND: Good to see you, too.
ANDERSON: And congratulations. Eight nominations. One of three leading nominees here.
LEGEND: Yes.
ANDERSON: How are you feeling?
LEGEND: I`m feeling great. I`m very excited right now. We already won one in the pre-televised awards.
ANDERSON: Congratulations.
LEGEND: So I`m feeling good. Feeling good.
ANDERSON: All right. This is for your debut solo album, "Get Lifted."
LEGEND: Yes.
ANDERSON: That is pretty darn incredible.
LEGEND: Yes.
ANDERSON: Mariah has been in this business forever. Kanye, you know, this is his sophomore album.
LEGEND: Yes.
ANDERSON: But you, this must feel like such validation.
LEGEND: This is great. I feel like it`s even early in my career to be in this position. But I`m enjoying every minute of it. Who knows if it will ever happen like this again? So I`m just going to just enjoy it.
ANDERSON: And what do you think about Kanye West? You really have given him a lot of credit for your success.
LEGEND: Yes.
ANDERSON: How has he helped you along the way?
LEGEND: Well, he helped me get signed. He helped me get featured on a lot of records where people didn`t even know who I was yet. And he included me in that process. And so I appreciate everything he`s done for me. He produced a couple songs on my album, too.
And I`m just proud of the work he`s creating as an artist, as well, because he`s creating good albums and giving me something good to listen to. So that`s good.
ANDERSON: What do Grammy nominations, Grammy wins mean for something like you?
LEGEND: For me, it means I get more attention and more press. I get to talk to you more.
ANDERSON: Which I love chatting with you.
LEGEND: And you know, that helps me sell records and get some more people. And you know, as an artist, you want people to hear your music. And this is a great way to let people know about my music.
ANDERSON: Performing tonight as well.
LEGEND: Yes.
ANDERSON: We`re looking forward to it.
LEGEND: I am, too.
ANDERSON: John Legend, great to see you again.
LEGEND: Great to see you, too.
ANDERSON: Best of luck.
LEGEND: Thank you. Thank you very much.
ANDERSON: Up for best new artist as well, including, that is one of his eight nominations.
All right. But did you know that some of the biggest parties happen before the Grammy night, before tonight. And one of them was last night. It was Clive Davis, uber producer, uber music mogul. He threw his legendary pre-Grammy party. It was the ticket that all the celebrities wanted to get.
And we`re going to take you inside that party right now. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON (voice-over): It was the biggest night in music before the biggest night in music. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was right there.
(MUSIC)
ANDERSON: Rod Stewart was one of many big name stars to perform at last night`s pre-Grammy party thrown by industry legend Clive Davis.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Everybody knows to come to this party now. The biggest parties happen before the Grammys, you know, not after.
ANDERSON: Clive Davis` party has gained a reputation as one of the hottest tickets in town for any musician. And this year was no exception.
BO BICE, "AMERICAN IDOL" RUNNER UP: I`m sorry. I don`t want to bump into Miss Diana Ross.
ANDERSON: The event was a celebrity extravaganza.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Kind of like Hollywood Squares.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Like "People" magazine came to life.
ANDERSON: Kelly Clarkson got the crowd going inside with her smash hit "Since You`ve Been Gone."
Clarkson performs later tonight at the Grammys, where she`s up for two awards. She was humbled when we caught up with her on the red carpet, telling SHOWBIZ TONIGHT she hasn`t written a speech yet.
KELLY CLARKSON, SINGER: Oh, no. Everybody`s like 15 years my senior in the business. I realize I have no chance.
ANDERSON: We`re not so sure of that, Kelly.
CLIVE DAVIS, RECORD PRODUCER: A major milestone. It`s our 30th anniversary of this party.
ANDERSON: And what a party it was: from Jamie Foxx to Mary J. Blige. Where else do you have a red carpet traffic jam with stars as bright as this?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I mean, I go in that room, I -- wow.
ANDERSON: Rob Thomas is up for two Grammys for his solo album. He teamed up with Santana to perform "Smooth," the single most successful song to come out of Clive Davis` J Records label.
(MUSIC)
ANDERSON: Barry Manilow was the very first artist that Clive Davis signed back in the mid-1960s. And as we found out, he was a big draw last night for some of the younger artists, including "American Idol" winner Carrie Underwood.
CARRIE UNDERWOOD, "AMERICAN IDOL" WINNER: Barry Manilow, yes, I`m really excited.
ANDERSON: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was there as he sang his classic, "Mandy."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: And Clive Davis has been throwing that pre-Grammy, that legendary party for 30 years. He has discovered and cultivated some of the most amazing talent out there, including the man we just saw, Barry Manilow, also Alicia Keys and also Whitney Houston.
And Clive also used the party last night as a platform to announce the big news, Pearl Jam, he has signed Pearl Jam to J Records. So a very eventful night last night and today.
A.J., back to you.
HAMMER: Big news about Pearl Jam, who have been away from the mainstream for some time.
Now, Brooke, I want a sense of what people are talking about there out on the red carpet, which is actually green. Mariah Carey and Kanye West already multiple Grammy winners. A lot of people saying this is the big Mariah-Kanye smack down tonight. Are people talking about that competition?
ANDERSON: People cannot stop talking about that competition, in fact, because they are both up for eight nominations apiece. Everyone is asking who will win more.
And what`s really interesting about this competition is that the album of the year category, Kanye actually is a producer on Mariah Carey`s album, "The Emancipation of Mimi." So he`s kind of competing against himself. So it`s rather interesting.
HAMMER: Well, Kanye has made no secret about the fact that he made that album open for winning in that category. We`ll be back with you in just a few moments, Brooke.
And remember that SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is going to be here all night. We`re going to be back live at 11 p.m. with breaking Grammy news. We`ll have all the big winners, the backstage interviews, a whole lot more, right here on CNN Headline Prime at 11 p.m. Eastern.
Well, Paris Hilton is in the news again. Get this. Tonight, one man says the hotel heiress threatened to kill him. What he did to protect himself is coming up.
Plus, celebrities are showing up to the runway in droves, but tonight some want the stars to sashay away. Are celebs hurting Fashion Week? Our weeklong coverage of fall Fashion Week continues.
And we`ve got this. Coming up, a death wish come true. Tonight the guy who`s been dying to play a corpse gets his chance. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is there on the set.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. This is TV`s only live entertainment news show.
Well, tonight, startling statements from one of the chief prosecutors in the O.J. Simpson murder trial. Back in 1995, Christopher Darden was part of the Los Angeles district attorney`s team trying to convict the former football star for allegedly killing his ex-wife, Nicole, and Ron Goldman.
Now in a shocking admission, Darden tells Oprah that he should have listened to O.J.`s attorney, the late Johnny Cochran, and not the LAPD detective Mark Fuhrman on the stand. Fuhrman was the controversial cop who found the infamous bloody glove at the scene of the crime.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHRISTOPHER DARDEN, FORMER PROSECUTOR: Johnny warned to me not to put Fuhrman on the stand. He said, "Brother, don`t put that white boy on the stand."
OPRAH WINFREY, TALK SHOW HOST: He told you?
DARDEN: He told me. To see Fuhrman with this success, to see some of the relationships and friendships that he`s developed with people in the media, and celebrities and the like, it just makes me want to vomit.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: You may remember at the trial Fuhrman was accused of planting evidence and being a racist. Darden left the L.A. district attorney`s office. He has written a couple of books since then. And you can catch more of Oprah`s interview with Chris tomorrow.
Well, once again, it is time for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s "Fashion Frenzy." We are smack dab in the middle of New York`s Fashion Week, where designers and celebrities from all around the globe converging in one place to get a little glimpse of the red carpet trends for fall 2006.
But word is some people in the fashion industry are growing a bit tired of all the celebrities that are coming to hang out there.
Our very own Sibila Vargas is live at the tent in New York City`s Bryant Park. That`s where Fashion Week is happening right now.
And you are still looking very fashionable yourself, Sibila.
SIBILA VARGAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Thank you very much. I`m picking up some serious tips over here.
But people are just making their way into the Anna Sui fashion show. And you can bet there`s going to be a celebrity or two there. But the celebrities, you know, they`re suffering some type of backlash. A lot of people think that celebrities are actually taking away from what the true focus of a Fashion Week should really be all about, and that`s about the designers.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
VARGAS (voice-over): They`re everywhere: celebrities sitting front row and center at Fashion Week.
UNDERWOOD: Fashion Week is about coming up here and having fun and seeing all of the beautiful clothes by all these wonderful designers.
VARGAS: Celebrities may love Fashion Week, but some in the industry say enough is enough.
LAUREN DAVID PEDEN, "FASHION WIRE DAILY": I think celebrity backlash has been building for a while.
VARGAS: A big reason for that backlash is this, the incredible media frenzy every time a celebrity comes to a fashion show.
PEDEN: It sort of reached a crescendo last season when Suzy Menkes got clomped on the head by Beyonce`s bodyguard at an Oscar De La Renta show.
VARGAS: Suzy Menke is a well-respected fashion writer for the "International Herald Tribune." And she`s not the only fashionista to be snubbed because of a celebrity.
PEDEN: Last February, at the Baby Phat show, Andre Leon Talley, who again is a "Vogue" editor at large, very well respected, somebody that you want at your show, was denied admittance because Usher had come in right before him with an entourage of 14 or 15 people. And the fire marshal said it was too full and you couldn`t go in. So to have somebody like, you know, Andre Leon Talley turned away from a show is not so good.
VARGAS: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT caught up with Talley backstage at a Carolina Herrara show, and he said in spite of everything, celebrities do need to be a part of Fashion Week.
ANDRE LEON TALLEY, EDITOR AT LARGE, "VOGUE": I think celebrities are very important to the world of fashion. I think that Renee Zellweger, who is a chronic, customary (ph) customer, is not here this morning. But when she steps on the red carpet in March 5 in one of those great dresses and readjusted for her in a special color, it`s going to be extraordinary.
VARGAS: And that`s why many celebrities tell SHOWBIZ TONIGHT their sole purpose of Fashion Week is clothes, clothes, clothes.
AMERIE, SINGER: I think celebrities kind of really influence what`s going on in fashion. And then they`re also influenced by what`s on the runway. So it`s kind of hand in hand. It`s not really fair, a fair comment.
LEANNE RIMES, SINGER: I think it`s obviously the designers` day. Their time to shine. But I think celebrities, it`s great that, you know, we`re able to go to their shows. We`re the ones who wear a lot of their clothes to different events.
JAMIE-LYNN SIGLER, ACTRESS: I think the clothes are well appreciated, and that`s why coming, I guess, from the celebrity standpoint, that`s why we`re here is to enjoy the show and support the designers. So I`d hate to say that there is backlash.
VARGAS: And one fashionista tells us celebrities can be annoying, but having them in the front row actually helps the industry.
MARY ALICE STEPHENSON, FASHION STYLIST: Yes, it is a pain when you`re a fashion editor sitting front row, and Nicole Richie and her bodyguards come in and push you around. But that`s about it. Really, celebrities help us get fashion messages to the public, and that`s what`s most important.
VARGAS: Bullying bodyguards and paparazzi aside, there`s one other element to celebrity backlash that`s unforgivable, and that`s the rude celebrity.
PEDEN: During the Betsy show in particular, I was sitting across from Paris Hilton. She was on her cell phone with Kelly Osbourne, her new best friend, for most of the show.
VARGAS: Many designers tell me there`s a time and place for everything. And that celebrities do need to keep that in mind.
CAROLINA HERRERA, FASHION DESIGNER: Fashion is not entertainment. Fashion is a very serious thing. In a way that is a very serious business.
LUCA CASINI, DESIGNER, LUCA LUCA: There`s no denying the fact that they distract a little bit. And we have to remember that these kind of shows are done for professionals of the -- of the business.
VARGAS: And one of them, designer Kenneth Cole, perhaps a celebrity in his own right, says showbiz and the fashion biz go hand in hand.
KENNETH COLE, FASHION DESIGNER: I think fashion wins when celebrities pay attention, when celebrity participates. And is there a sense of distraction? Yes, I would imagine there is. But the level of attention is so much more significant.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VARGAS: And A.J., a lot of fashionistas and designers have told me that the industry is evolving in a good way, and it has a lot to do with the celebrities. There`s a lot more celebrities in top magazines, a lot more than models. It`s not just about the models anymore.
Back to you.
HAMMER: I`m curious about your perspective on this, Sibila. Because you`re there to speak with the fashionistas, the designers. You`re also there to speak with the celebrities. So has it been bearable?
VARGAS: it has been bearable. And you know, in fact, I spoke to stylist Philip Bloch yesterday. He styles a lot of the stars. And he told me that this year, compared to last year, there`s a lot less celebrities, and the focus is a lot more on the clothes. So it is bearable. And I`ve seen a few celebrities, but not that they`re taking away from anything that the designers are doing.
HAMMER: But you sure can get bounced around quite a bit. Thanks so much, Sibila.
VARGAS: Sure thing.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Sibila Vargas, joining us from Fashion Week.
Well, it`s been a big day for "The Young and the Restless," and a grouch has something to smile about as the daytime Emmy Award nominations are announced. We`re going to tell you who got the nods.
And more of our Grammy gold coverage. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Brooke Anderson has a very special interview with nominee Bonnie Raitt, who has been around the Grammy block a few times before. She`s going to tell us how the city of New Orleans will play a big role in tonight`s Grammy show.
Plus, did Paris threaten to kill someone? Is it possible? Tonight the shocking story of a guy who claims Paris Hilton threatened his life. That`s coming up in just a bit.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: And the nominee is, "The Young and the Restless." The CBS soap opera received an incredible 18 daytime Emmy nominations today. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was right there on the set of "The View" when the nominations were announced live on the talk show.
"The Ellen Degeneres Show" leads the pack with 11 nods in the talk show rounds. But the ladies of "The View" also got 10 nominations, including best host and show.
Meredith Vieira, co-host of "The View" could also win as host of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?"
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MEREDITH VIEIRA, CO-HOST, ABC`s "THE VIEW": It`s funny, because every year I pretend that this doesn`t matter at all, and the day before I`m with my kids, who cares. It`s just an award. And then I find myself late at night sort of looking at the few Emmys that I have, and it`s like, I would kind of like another one. Great.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: And Carroll Spinney Oscar will get a lifetime achievement award for his work on "Sesame Street" as Oscar the Grouch and Big Bird. Listen to what Oscar had to say about his handler.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CARROLL SPINNEY, VOICE OF OSCAR THE GROUCH: Well, I tried to make sure he didn`t get it. Yes, I wanted Regis to get it. He`s such a grouch.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You think Regis could handle this job?
SPINNEY: Oh, yes, yes. I`m going to try to get him to move into a trash can next to mine. See you, Regis.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The daytime Emmy Awards air on April 28 on ABC.
Now coming up, we have new developments in the Heather Locklear and Richie Sambora split. Tonight, what Locklear found that may have caused her to file for divorce.
And we`ve got a live one here.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Nailed it. It was wonderful. Oh, my God. I got goosebumps.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: But this guy actually wants to play dead. Tonight, the story of a working stiff who gets to play his stiff. His death wish come true, coming up.
Plus, more Grammy gold coverage, live from the green carpet in Los Angeles, where the stars are coming out for music`s big night.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It is 31 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. You`re watching TV`s only live entertainment news show, and we are the only entertainment news show live on the green carpet at the Grammy Awards at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Music`s big night about to get under way. Our own Brooke Anderson is live right now with unquestionably one of the night`s big stars.
ANDERSON: One of the night`s big stars, absolutely. I am here with Kelly Clarkson.
KELLY CLARKSON, SINGER: Hi.
ANDERSON: Hi, one of the big nominees. I have to ask you, you have done such an incredible job of establishing yourself apart from the "American Idol" label.
CLARKSON: Oh, thanks.
ANDERSON: Do you feel that that is important, as you continue your career?
CLARKSON: Not really important to me. I mean, it`s how I got in the business. I`m very, very happy for it and happy I got in the business. But, you know, every artist I guess wants to grow a little bit and just continue to get better and better. So, you know, thank you. That`s a very big compliment. Thank you.
ANDERSON: You`re performing tonight.
CLARKSON: Yes.
ANDERSON: Talk to me about that. What are you going to do?
CLARKSON: Well, it`s a win-win situation tonight, because I`m performing. And I can`t tell you the song yet, because I`ll get in trouble. But, no, it`s a song that`s very close to my heart. And I hope I don`t cry during it, because my 12-year-old self is kind of kicking myself that I`m performing here, so, yes.
ANDERSON: We will look forward to that.
CLARKSON: Thank you.
ANDERSON: And last question, I know you have to go. What do Grammy nominations, possible win mean for you?
CLARKSON: You know, just to be nominated in a category with such just inspiring people and musicians that I`ve been looking up to since I was little, and people that are in the business, you know, they`re respecting your music, at least, you know, appreciating what you`re doing. You can`t ask for more. It`s pretty cool, so...
ANDERSON: It`s great to see you.
CLARKSON: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much.
ANDERSON: Thank you so much, really. I appreciate it. You look great.
CLARKSON: Bye, y`all. Thank you.
ANDERSON: Of course.
All right. And another lady who is no stranger to the Grammys, Miss Bonnie Raitt. She already has nine of the statues, and she is up for a 10th one tonight for her song "I Will Not be Broken." And when she stopped by the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT studios in Hollywood a couple of days ago, I spoke to her. And she told me about a very special jam session tonight that she is part of that will be a tribute to New Orleans.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Bonnie, you`re nominated for a Grammy. You`re presenting. You`re also performing. You`re part of an all-star musical tribute to New Orleans and Southern soul.
BONNIE RAITT, MUSICIAN: Yes.
ANDERSON: First of all, how did that come together? And who`s part of this? Who`s going to be up there jamming with you on stage?
RAITT: Well, it`s pretty exciting. And this one is in particular, you know, heartfelt, because so much of the music that we do and our business is based on music that originated in New Orleans. And I know Bruce Springsteen`s going to sing part of the Wilson Pickett tribute. And Steve Cropper, who co-wrote so many of those great hits for Wilson, who we just lost.
ANDERSON: And you are nominated again. You`ve won nine of these Grammys. This is your 18th album. Here you are, another Grammy nomination. Does it ever get old when they announce your name? "Oh, I`ve been here, done that before."
RAITT: No.
ANDERSON: Or is it special every single time?
RAITT: It`s really special. I mean, if I start acting blase about it, you can, you know, hang me up. No, it`s really a thrill to be recognized.
ANDERSON: I would never do that, first of all.
RAITT: OK, well, I like my job, too. You know, it`s recognition by your peers. So there`s a big, wide group of people that have had bigger selling records, so to even make it in there still is really -- it`s a big honor.
ANDERSON: Well, congratulations on that.
RAITT: Thank you.
ANDERSON: And your song, "I Will Not be Broken," it seems that there is so much passion and emotion in these lyrics. How much does this song reflect what you`ve been through in your life, because you`ve been through a tough time? You lost both your parents within months of each other, right?
RAITT: Yes, this last year has been a challenging one. And I went in the studio while my dad was still, you know, fighting and had made a little remission there. And we went in the studio and cut that song. And it was right after the election.
And there was just a lot going on. So for anybody that`s kind of finding the inner strength to really stand up and make it back up, I think that song -- every night when I sing it, I know it really touches a nerve in me, too.
ANDERSON: I know when I hear it, it makes me feel stronger...
RAITT: Oh, thanks.
ANDERSON: ... just for listening to it.
You have never been shy about speaking out against the war. Take the Grammys. What do you think about the Grammys, an award show like this being a platform to express your opinions? Do you think it`s a good place, an appropriate place?
RAITT: I don`t feel on the show itself -- it`s a personal -- I don`t like to make judgments for other people. But myself, you know, if I get asked in an interview or if I`m at a rally, or, you know, or do it on something where it`s germane to the topic, but I think when you`re there to be celebrating music, either, you know, you can talk about where your inspirations come and hope for peace. And, you know, I think anything other than that is a personal decision, but something I probably wouldn`t do.
ANDERSON: Wow. Bonnie Raitt, as always, such a pleasure.
RAITT: Thank you, Brooke.
ANDERSON: And congratulations on this umpteenth Grammy nomination for you. Best of luck.
RAITT: Oh, man, I`m thrilled like it was the first one. It`s just a great night.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: And I also asked Bonnie what advice she gives to any aspiring singers, and she told me that she would tell them to read any contract before they sign it, because once you sign that dotted line those are things that cannot be changed.
A.J., back to you.
HAMMER: Brooke, is that Hulk Hogan who just walked behind you? Didn`t that look like Hulk Hogan?
ANDERSON: That is the very large Hulk Hogan standing behind me.
HAMMER: Who else have you seen of great interest tonight?
ANDERSON: That`s right. He and his family are here. This carpet is full of action. I saw L.L. Cool J walked by. I see Maroon 5 down the carpet. They actually won best new artist last year.
So this carpet is extremely exciting right now. And earlier, we spoke with Gwen Stefani. She is actually a big nominee this year, including best album of the year for her disc, "Love. Angel. Music. Baby." Let`s take a listen to what she said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GWEN STEFANI, MUSICIAN: It`s really exciting to be here tonight. I feel like I already have my award, you know, just cooking in here.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: But it`s amazing. I mean, the past, I think, year has been one of such growth for you. You go out as a solo artist and then, boom, you`re nominated for album of the year. What a great way to validate it, you know?
STEFANI: It is unbelievable. I mean, just the whole process of making the album. I`ve said it a hundred times. I worked with so many incredible people. Tonight`s making me think of everybody, you know?
Like, I just -- there are so many people that worked on it. And I was so lucky with that part of it. And then to end up with the tour that I was never going to do and pregnant on tour. I mean, it was just -- there were so many layers to this album, weirdness and craziness.
And so tonight is really -- it feels like a big exclamation point of the whole thing, you know?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: And here I am -- are we on? Here I am with the Hogan family, friends of ours, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Your name is Brooke, as well, correct?
(CROSSTALK)
Good to see you all. How are you all feeling about being here tonight? You all look so glamorous, first of all.
LINDA HOGAN, WIFE OF HULK HOGAN: We`re so excited. We`re so late, but, you know, we`re looking forward to it.
NICK HOGAN, SON OF HULK HOGAN: The Grammys, it`s a party, you know?
BROOKE HOGAN, DAUGHTER OF HULK HOGAN: Yes, we`re all wearing last- minute stuff. I just went and got his belt today at Macy`s. You know, it`s all thrown together and crazy.
ANDERSON: She helps you shop?
HULK HOGAN, PRO WRESTLER AND REALITY SHOW STAR: Oh, yes. I`m like piecemealed together. But we`re really excited, because Brooke is in the studio the last couple months with Scott Storch, and everybody`s asking about "Hogan Knows Best," our second season, so we`re all pumped up. We`re ready.
ANDERSON: Well, tell me how the reality show has changed your life?
L. HOGAN: Yes, it`s been crazy. It`s changed our lives as far as, you know, we`ve been a great support system for the Hulkster, who`s been, you know, in the public eye for many years, you know, WWF, WWE.
But now we`re behind him, and we`re out there, too. And it`s weird. People are recognizing us and kind of realizing what really kind of made the Hulkster tick all these years. And his family, we`re his family, so...
ANDERSON: How do you feel -- how do you feel about pulling your family into the public eye? I know, Brooke, you are working in the entertainment industry, as well. But how did you feel about that? Any trepidation to begin with?
H. HOGAN: Well, I was approached several years ago when Ozzy did his thing, to do a reality show with me as the target. I didn`t want to do it. But when Brooke started doing the music thing, she needed an equal platform, like the Simpson girls, or a little hand with the movies.
And then Nick`s been acting. Plus, he`s trying to qualify this week as the first pro drift driver at 15 years old. So the TV`s helped open a lot of doors that were hard to knock down. And we`re having fun doing it.
And we just got done with season two. It airs March 19th. And we just love doing it. We`re friends with all the camera guys, and they`ve become like people we hang out when the show`s not being filmed. So it`s cool.
ANDERSON: What a supportive father and husband you are.
H. HOGAN: Thank you.
ANDERSON: Congratulations to all of you. Thank you for stopping by. We appreciate it.
H. HOGAN: Thank you very much.
ANDERSON: Have a wonderful time tonight.
H. HOGAN: And we love CNN. That`s all I ever watch when I`m working out is CNN.
ANDERSON: I bet he works out a lot. OK. We enjoyed it. Thank you so much. Have a great time.
A.J., as you can tell, it will be a very memorable evening here at the 48th annual Grammy Awards.
HAMMER: We`ll take every viewer we can get, especially Hulk Hogan. And it`s interesting. As many stars as show up to these things, it was so out of context I almost didn`t think it was possibly him.
ANDERSON: It was him. It was not a Hulk Hogan look-alike. As soon as I saw his family, I knew it was the real Hulk Hogan.
HAMMER: Who is the strangest person, the most out-of-context person you think you`ve seen at the Grammy green carpet tonight?
ANDERSON: You know, so far, everyone I`ve seen, I haven`t really been that surprised. Either they are in the music industry or have some kind of ties to the music industry. As Hulk said, his daughter is working to become a successful singer. So thus far, it`s been pretty, you know, not predictable, but as always very exciting, very fun.
HAMMER: Well, we`ll look forward to chatting with you again in just a moment and hear who else you run into. And, remember, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has all of your breaking Grammy news tonight. We`re going to be live at 11:00 Eastern with all the big winners, the backstage interviews you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Also, fashion from the green carpet. So join us back here at 11:00 Eastern.
So the big question today is, will Meredith Vieira leave "The View" for "The Today Show"? It`s all the buzz. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT asked her flat- out. We`ve got her answer, coming up.
Plus, the man who got a restraining order against Paris Hilton. We`re going to find out why he went to court to get Paris away from him, still ahead.
Also on the way...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHUCK LAMB, "DEAD BODY GUY": Don`t forget they`re going to give me a body bag, so I want all you guys to sign it, please. Did everybody sign my dead body bag?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: An aspiring actor`s death wish comes true. He wanted to play a dead guy in a movie. We`ll show you how it went, coming up next on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: You`re not going to believe this -- or maybe you will -- Paris Hilton back in the news yet again. This time, a judge ordering Paris to steer clear of a guy who claims that she threatened to kill him. We turn now to Harvey Levin, managing editor of TMZ.com. He`s got the story behind the story.
What`s going on today?
HARVEY LEVIN, MANAGING EDITOR, TMZ.COM: This was a crazy case, A.J. We were in court when Brian Quintana, who is an associate of Paris` boyfriend, basically went in and said: Look, I feel threatened by Paris Hilton. She has threatened me. She`s pushed me. She`s made all sorts of harsh comments about me, and I want a restraining order.
And guess what? The judge gave him one.
HAMMER: What kind of harsh comments are you talking about here?
LEVIN: Basically he`s saying, look, she blamed me -- this is what he says -- for everything that was going wrong in her life, with all of the bad publicity.
And she was just ripping him. Every time something happened, she would verbally attack him, several times push him, and at one point say, allegedly, "I`m going to put a contract out on you."
And the judge -- now, here`s the deal. This guy admitted, squarely admitted on the stand that he had committed perjury in court before. But Paris didn`t show up, so the judge said, look, you know, I`ve got questions about you, dude, but you`re the only one here, and I`m going to grant this restraining order.
HAMMER: So suffice to say, had Paris shown up and the judge was able to question her, perhaps he wouldn`t have granted this order? And maybe this is really a bunch of nothing?
LEVIN: Well, he may not have granted the order, but after the hearing, Paris` lawyer, Howard Weitzman, came out and said, look, this is a victory for us, because we don`t want this guy in our life. In fact, Weitzman had tried to get this guy to agree to mutual restraining orders so they would just separate. And he allegedly said, no, I won`t do that. So Weitzman said, as far as we`re concerned, we got what we were after, too.
HAMMER: And you mentioned that this guy had committed perjury years ago on the stand. So aren`t there any kind of restrictions as to the types of people who can get restraining orders? It`s not simpler than that, that the judge would look at that and say, "No, I don`t think so"?
LEVIN: Well, no, because you know what? A perjurer still could have his life threatened.
HAMMER: True.
LEVIN: I mean, the fact is that if he committed perjury on the stand, if he`s a creep, if the judge says there`s some reason to believe this happened, that`s the way the law works. And without Paris there to rebut it, the judge kind of said, look, I have no choice.
HAMMER: Now, I have to ask you this quickly. You captured video of the fake Paris earlier this week. We had her here on the program earlier this week. Will the restraining order apply to the fake Paris?
LEVIN: Listen, I`ve got to tell you something real quick. I don`t think it applies to the fake Paris. But I will tell you this. Last night in New York, we got pictures of Paris Hilton being rejected from a club because they thought she was the fake.
(LAUGHTER)
HAMMER: And you know why? Because ever since she was on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, people have are starting to turn her away.
LEVIN: There you go.
HAMMER: Harvey Levin from TMZ.com, thank for filling us in.
LEVIN: See you, A.J.
HAMMER: Well, Meredith Vieira is leaving open the possibility of going to "The Today Show" to replace Katie Couric. The buzz has been that Vieira is NBC`s top choice if Couric leaves the show when her contract is up in May.
Today, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT went to "The View," right to the set, to get the scoop from Meredith herself. She told us that she`s not sure where all this buzz is coming from, but she`s very flattered. Then we asked her if she would actually consider moving to "Today" if it`s offered to her.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MEREDITH VIEIRA, "THE VIEW" HOST: I don`t know. I never predict what`s going to happen next, because my career`s been so bizarre. Who would have predicted that I would go from "60 Minutes" to "The View" to "Who Wants to be a Millionaire"? That`s not normal.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, Meredith also told us that her contract with "The View" is up in August, so we`re just going to have to stay tuned to see how all of this plays out.
Well, you may remember the dead body guy. We brought you this story on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT about a guy whose ambition it was to play a corpse in a movie. Well, his death wish has finally come true.
Here`s CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When it comes to dying, Chuck Lamb knows how to live. Laughing his way out of a body bag, playing a dead guy on a real live movie set, to acclaim from his fellow actors.
LOUIS VANARIA, ACTOR, "STIFFS": It`s funny when you say a dead guy has got a future, right?
MOOS: The dead body guy first gained fame thanks to his Web site where he posed dead in a bid to get a bit part in a movie. He figured the easiest way for a non-actor to get an acting job was to play dead.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ready?
MOOS: The publicity paid off, and the dead body guy was offered a role in "Stiffs," a film about a funeral home starring Danny Aiello. The film`s being shot in Boston where Chuck got his own trailer...
CHUCK LAMB, "DEAD BODY GUY": Nice!
MOOS: ... labeled with his name.
LAMB: Wait a minute. Let me get my dead on. All right. I`m ready.
MOOS: The only thing better than Chuck`s death pose is his resurrection.
LAMB: You like that acting, guys, huh?
MOOS: First order of business, wardrobe. Chuck was to play a working-class stiff, so he needed stains.
LAMB: I was going to take this home.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, you can take it home. It washes out.
(CROSSTALK)
MOOS: Next stop, makeup. They have special makeup for corpses.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It`s literally called the death will.
MOOS: Chuck considers his natural pastiness a plus.
LAMB: You`ve never seen a tan dead body.
MOOS: Then came rehearsal.
LAMB: Shoes on? Shoes off?
MOOS: Real actors, like John Polito, offered advice.
JON POLITO, ACTOR, "STIFFS": If you could lose a few pounds, because I have to carry you. I`m just saying, OK?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You did that on purpose.
POLITO: This body`s talking.
MOOS: Actually, any carrying would involve a body bag double, lucky for Chuck.
Everywhere he went, Chuck flashed...
LAMB: Dead body guy trading cards.
MOOS: ... 10 poses to a pack. Admittedly, Chuck was star-struck...
LAMB: It`s Danny Aiello.
MOOS: ... but the other actors were nowhere to be seen when it was time to shoot Chuck`s scene, a close-up.
LAMB: I`m ready.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So be dead, please? Ready and action.
LAMB: Nailed it. It was wonderful. Oh, my god. I got goose bumps. Don`t forget, they`re going to give me a body bag, so I want all you guys to sign it, please. Did everybody sign my dead body bag?
Hey, Danny, would you sign my body bag?
MOOS: So maybe Danny Aiello wouldn`t sign. Nevertheless...
LAMB: Believe it or not, it`s going up on my wall in my poker room.
MOOS: Chuck carried his body bag back to Columbus, Ohio, as if it were a garment bag. Dead body guy even wiped his feet before getting in.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: It takes a certain talent. That was CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
We are live at the Grammy Awards which are about to get under way in Los Angeles. Let`s go back to Brooke Anderson. She`s on the red -- green carpet with a VIP.
Hi, Brooke.
ANDERSON: I have two VIPs here, Russell Simmons and Maria Shriver, first lady of California. Hi to both of you.
RUSSELL SIMMONS, MUSIC PRODUCER: Hi.
ANDERSON: You told me this is your date tonight.
SIMMONS: Yes, well, we`re working on an inspired campaign that Bono and her brother, Bobby, launched. (INAUDIBLE) battle against AIDS in Africa, to get -- the GAP involved, and Armani`s involved, and American Express is involved, and Converse is involved.
And these people are building products in Africa. And again, the money is being raised to fight AIDS in Africa, to get us drug money for those people who are affected. As you know, 7,000 people die a day because they don`t have the drugs to stay alive.
ANDERSON: Maria, why is this a good spot to be a platform to speak out about this and encourage others?
MARIA SHRIVER, WIFE OF GOV. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER: Well, because Bono is really leading this charge to alleviate AIDS in Africa. And he`s up for, as you well know, many Grammys tonight. And he and my brother, Bobby, are launching this campaign, which has really a sustained vision for itself, to get people, individuals to buy products that are red.
And they really hope that with the millions, and millions, and millions of dollars that they make, they will in fact wipe AIDS off the face of this Earth. So anytime that I can support an idea like that, that brings together companies, individuals, and is inspired, I`m more than happy to do it.
And after all, we`re doing it here in the state of California where all great innovative ideas are born.
ANDERSON: Very quickly, how does this event compare to what you normally do and the events you`re normally at?
SHRIVER: Oh, it`s very different from any political event, I should say that right off the top.
SIMMONS: And I would say that the cultural events are even greater than the political events. The fact is that culture is the basis of almost all the change. And I think it`s very important to get these people, heroes like Mary J. Blige, and these stars have a much greater effect and a more honest effect, I think, than some of the politicians. After all, where did her husband come from?
SHRIVER: This is one of my heroes right here.
ANDERSON: I can tell you -- I can tell you have a lot of friends here.
SHRIVER: Thank you. Good to see you, too.
ANDERSON: All right. We`ve got to go.
A.J., what an exciting time here. Back to you.
HAMMER: Nice to see them getting a good message out, Brooke. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT will be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, TV`s only live entertainment news show. I`m A.J., and I`m live in New York City.
Brooke Anderson, my pal, is live on the green carpet, which is normally a red carpet, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. And we should point out that the Grammys, the reason it`s green tonight is because of one of the big sponsors of the event.
ANDERSON: That`s right. That`s right, A.J. And it has been such a fun evening here. And it is just getting started. We`re a couple of minutes away from the telecast.
And Mary J. Blige just stopped by. She looks beautiful. She`s performing tonight with U2. As well, we spoke with Maria Shriver. She`s here promoting a good cause through U2 and Bono, as well. So it has been an incredible evening.
HAMMER: And I should point...
ANDERSON: And as you say -- go ahead. I`m sorry.
HAMMER: No, I was going to point out Bono and U2 already two-time Grammy winners already. And we`ll find out a little later on how many they end up walking away with tonight.
ANDERSON: That`s right. And they are also up for the biggie tonight, album of the year, for their latest CD, "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb." So it`s anybody`s guess, actually. Kanye, Mariah, John Legend all up for eight nominations apiece. It`s an exciting time.
HAMMER: And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT will see you at 11:00 p.m. Eastern. Have a good evening. We`ll see you then.
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