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Showbiz Tonight
Britney Baby Photo Will Not Lead to Charges; John Legend Comments on Grammy Win; Are Celebs Spoiling Fashion Week?; Emmy Nominees Announced
Aired February 08, 2006 - 23:00 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.
And, breaking Grammy news: tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is live at music's biggest night, the Grammy Awards.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You can't ask for more. It's pretty cool.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Feels like the big exclamation point of the whole thing.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm enjoying every minute of it. Who knows if it'll ever happen like this again.
HAMMER: The stars, the surprises, and backstage with the winners.
And a death wish come true.
CHUCK LAMB, "DEAD BODY GUY": 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. We've got some big updates on the stunning story that continues to be the talk in homes all across America today, the Brittney Spears baby in the car controversy.
This is the shocking photo beamed around the world. Britney Spears driving with her baby son on her lap 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, MANAGING EDITOR, 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, when 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, what's your take on how all this is playing out for Ms. Spears? It is our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. We're asking, "Brittney Spears: is she being treated unfairly?" We'd love for you to get online and vote at CNN.com\SHOWBIZ TONIGHT or e-mail us at SHOWBIZ TONIGHT@CNN.com. We'll read some of what you have to say later on in the show.
Tonight of course the night for Grammy gold: the Grammy Awards, featuring thrills, chills, lots of surprises. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT's Brooke Anderson is live right there at the Staple's Center in Lops Angeles.
Brooke?
BROOKE ANDERSON, CO-HOST: A,J., first I want to start by saying it has been a spectacular evening for American Idol sweetheart Kelly Clarkson. She has won two Grammys, the very first Grammys of her career, including Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "Since You've Been Gone." Also Best Pop Vocal Album for her latest, "Breakaway."
Kelly was clearly surprised and thrilled to have gotten these awards. She cried during her first acceptance speech, was misty-eyed during her performance of "Because of You," was emotional backstage. And when I caught up with her earlier this evening on the red carpet, she said that was the one thing she was worried she would do tonight was cry.
And I also asked her, when I spoke to her -- and this was before the awards were handed out -- how she feels her career has progressed since winning American Idol.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON (on camera): You have done such an incredible job of establishing yourself apart from the American Idol label. Do you feel that is important as you continue your career?
KELLY CLARKSON, SINGER: 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 every artist, I guess, wants to grow a little bit and just continue to get better and better. Thank you, it's very big compliment.
ANDERSON: What do Grammy nominations, possible win, mean for you?
CLARKSON: Just to be nominated in a category with such inspiring people -- 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, appreciating what you're doing. You can't ask for more. It's pretty cool.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: It is indeed pretty cool. And of course there were many other highlights of the evening. Kanye West picked up Best Rap Album once again, this for his latest disc, "Late Registration." He won this award last year as well for his debut album, "College Registration" (sic).
Also, we just found out Green Day picked up Record of the Year for "Boulevard of Broken Dreams." Also, U2 -- they always dominate, don't they? They nabbed Best Song of the Year, Best Rock Song as well, for "City of Blinding Lights." Also Best Rock Album and Best Rock Performance -- four Grammys for them. Wow -- A.J., U2 has won a total of 21 Grammy Awards. They are indeed extraordinary, aren't they?
HAMMER: And they are leading the pack tonight.
And it's amazing to hear Kelly Clarkson and how humbled she was by the whole experience. She mentioned the company that she was keeping in her nominations: Bonnie Raitt, Paul McCartney, Cheryl Crow -- just a few of the people she was nominated with.
ANDERSON: Can you believe it? These veteran performers who have been around in the business for years and years and years; Kelly Clarkson, this is her second album. She won American Idol, and here she has really made such an impact in the music industry. You're right, she is humbled, she is very sincere and very gracious. And that's what everybody likes about her.
HAMMER: And it's definitely going to be --
ANDERSON: As well as her strong, strong voice.
HAMMER: Absolutely. And what a performance by her tonight. It's definitely going to be one of the headlines of the Grammy Awards tomorrow.
Okay, Brooke, we'll be back out to you live in L.A. in just a moment. The Grammy Awards handed out tonight.
The Daytime Emmy nominations were out today. The CBS soap, "The Young and the Restless," had a pretty good day. They received 18 nominations, which is fairly incredible. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT right there on the set of "The View" when the nominations were announced live on the talk show.
"The Ellen Degeneres Show" leads the talk show pack with 11 nods. 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. It would be great.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: And Carroll Spinney 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: Whoever knew Oscar the Grouch was so ungrateful. The Daytime Emmy Awards will be handed out on April 28, and it will air on ABC.
Well, Paris Hilton in the news yet again. No big surprise, I guess. But get this: Tonight, one man says the hotel heiress threatened to kill him. What did he do to protect himself? We've got that coming up.
Plus, celebrities are showing up to the runway in droves -- it's Fashion Week -- 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:
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Nailed it.
CHUCK LAMB, "DEAD BODY GUY": It was wonderful. Oh, my God. I got goose bumps.
HAMMER: Coming up, a death wish come true. Tonight, the guy who's been dying to play a corpse gets his chance. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT right there on the set.
But first, for your consideration, the Grammy nominees for Album of the Year. First, Mariah Carey's "The Emancipation of Mimi" -- this was the best selling album of 2005, earned eight Grammy nominations for Mariah Carey. She walked away with a couple tonight.
Next up: Paul McCartney's "Chaos and Creation in the Back Yard." This is McCartney's 45th Top Ten album, combined with his other solo releases and his work with the Beatles and Wings.
Gwen Stefani nominated in the category for her solo album, "Love Angel Music Baby." The single "Hollaback Girl" number one for four straight weeks, and it made music history when it became the very first song to rack up a million digital downloads.
U2, nominated in the category for "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb:" debuted at number one on Billboard's Top 200. And U2's Vertigo Tour was the top grossing tour of 2005. It earned over $260 million.
And finally, also up for Album of the Year, Kanye West's "Late Registration." The album took the Billboard charts by storm. It debuted at number one and has sold more than 1.4 million copies. It did that in its first two weeks alone.
We're going to tell you who took home the top prize, coming up 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, it is time once again for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT's "Fashion Frenzy." We are smack dab in the middle of New York's Fashion Week. This is where designers and celebrities from all over 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 actually growing a bit tired of the celebrity presence there. Our own Sibila Vargas is at the tent in New York City's Bryant Park, where Fashion Week is happening right now.
SIBILA VARGAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, A.J. And celebrities have been coming through in droves at Fashion Week this week. But there is a backlash. A lot of people think that their presence is actually causing a lot of people to lose focus of what the show is really all about, and that's the designers.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
VARGAS (voice-over): They're everywhere: celebrities sitting front row and center at Fashion Week.
CARRIE UNDERWOOD, "AMERICAN IDOL" WINNER: 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 Menkes 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., many fashionistas and designers tell me that the industry is evolving right now, and it's a good thing. It has a lot to do with the celebrities. Celebrities -- you can see them in all the top magazines. It's not just about the models anymore.
Back to you.
HAMMER: Celebrities and fashion will always go hand in hand. Thanks, Sibila. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT's Sibila Vargas at New York's Bryant Park for Fashion Week.
Well today, startling new words from one of the O.J. Simpson prosecutors. A sneak peek at what he told Oprah, coming up next.
Plus, what Heather Locklear found that reportedly led to her filing for divorce from her Bon Jovi husband, Richie Sambora. That's coming up.
And we've got this:
(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: It's the story of a very much alive guy who would do anything to play the role of a dead guy. Did his "death wish" come true? Find out, coming up.
First, here comes tonight's "Entertainment Weekly" Great American Pop Culture Quiz: Who substituted for a reportedly ailing Luciano Pavarotti to sing "Nessun Dorma" at the 1998 Grammy Awards? Was it Whitney Houston, Placido Domingo, Aretha Franklin or Jewel? Hang out; we're coming right back with the answer.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Once again, tonight's "Entertainment Weekly" Great American Pop Culture Quiz: Who substituted for a reportedly ailing Luciano Pavarotti to sing "Nessun Dorma" at the 1998 Grammy Awards? Was it Whitney Houston, Placido Domingo, Aretha Franklin or Jewel?
It was the Queen of Soul herself. Aretha Franklin stepped in, so the answer, "C."
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 put 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 his 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: At the trial, Fuhrman was accused of planting evidence, as you might remember, and being a racist. Chris 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 him tomorrow.
Well, we've got some late-breaking news about injured ABC News anchor Bob Woodruff and his cameraman. We'll get into that coming up next.
Also on the way, new developments in the Heather Locklear and Richie Sambora split. Tonight, what Locklear found that may actually have caused her to file for divorce.
We've also got a live one here:
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Nailed it.
CHUCK LAMB, "DEAD BODY GUY": It was wonderful. Oh, my God. I got goose bumps.
HAMMER: Goosebumps, but this guy actually wants to play dead. You heard me right. He's alive and he wants to play dead. Tonight, we've got the story of a working stiff who gets to play a stiff. It's not all that complicated. We'll explain in just a few moments and let you know if his "death wish" in fact comes true.
That's still to come. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT will be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(NEWS 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. Tonight, the 48th annual Grammy Awards, music's big night. I've got my scorecard right here.
Always a bunch of surprises at the Grammy Awards, tonight no exception. Everybody was talking about Kanye West and Mariah Carey being the big stories of the night. They certainly did well for themselves, but it was U2, in fact, who will be some of the front page news about the Grammy Awards. Kelly Clarkson, as well.
We'll have our one-on-one interviews with the big winners backstage in just a few moments and we'll get to the experts on our Grammy panel to a blow-by-blow of some of the big moments and big things that happened tonight.
Also, a guy who's life wish was to play a dead guy. And he got the chance. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT happened to be right alongside, on set, when he got that opportunity. It's a fascinating story and it's coming up in just a couple of moments.
But first, let's get into tonight's hot headlines. Cameraman Doug Vogt has been transfered to an outpatient facility at the Bethesda Medical Center. Vogt of course was injured with ABC anchorman Bob Woodruff in a roadside bombing in Iraq. Woodruff remains at the National Naval Medical Center. ABC News President David Weston says Woodruff is making some progress, and responding well to lower levels of sedation as he recovers from head wounds and other injuries.
Tonight there's new information about the breakup of Heather Locklear and Richie Sambora. People.com is reporting that Locklear found an e-mail that a friend of the couple sent to Sambora and that it contained provocative pictures of a woman who had been a sore subject in the relationship. Sources say the e-mail was the last straw in Locklear's decision to seek a divorce.
Police in Los Angeles say they're looking into the Brittney Spears incident in which she was photographed driving with her baby on her lap. A spokeswoman says deputies went to Brittney's home to get information about the incident, but they do not expect to file charges. Spears says her son wasn't in a car seat because she was trying to quickly get away from paparazzi.
And that leads us to our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day once again. We're asking, "Brittney Spears: Is she being treated unfairly?" You can sound off by voting at CNN.com\SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. You can share more of your thoughts with us at SHOWBIZ TONIGHT@CNN.com -- that's our e-mail address. And we'll read some of your e-mails coming up at 55 past the hour.
Of course it is music's big night -- the 48th annual Grammy Awards happening in Los Angeles. Our own Brooke Anderson's been hanging out, talking to the stars. Let's go see what she's up to.
ANDERSON: Hi, there, A.J. The story here: it has been a phenomenal night for U2. This band has dominated -- five Grammys, including the biggie, Album of the Year for their disc "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb." They also won for Song of the Year, Best Rock Song, Best Rock Album and Best Rock Performance. Five total -- that makes 22 Grammys in the career of U2. Pretty darn impressive.
All right, Kanye West picked up Best Rap Album once again this year for "Late Registration." Last year he won it for his debut album, "College Dropout." Many thought he may have had a chance for that Album of the Year category, but he did not win. U2 took that one home.
Spectacular evening as well for the American Idol, Kelly Clarkson. She won two Grammys -- her first two Grammys of her career -- including Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "Since You've Been Gone," and Best Pop Vocal Album for her latest, "Breakaway." She was clearly emotional and very surprised that she won against some really veteran performers and musicians. And we talked to her throughout the evening, and backstage, let's take a look at what she said, her reaction to being so successful here tonight.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CLARKSON: Yeah, oh man! Two Grammys -- one Grammy even, like, I was excited. And a performance -- it's been, like, the coolest night ever. I lost it, I just -- you know, the little kid came out of me. I was just so excited to be on the stage in front of all these people that I adore and admire and aspire to be. Yeah, too cool, to me.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: She was just blown away. Also, she was posed an interesting question backstage, and it was this: If she were home tonight, would she rather be watching the Grammys or American Idol, which aired tonight? Take a listen to what she said.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CLARKSON: Oh -- I mean, I love Idol and I loved -- that was my door to come in, but like I said, like, I used to watch this show, like, every year. It was like a family thing. We had one television. I'd be, like, this is my night and you all are all watching the Grammys whether you like it or not. And I'd sit there and watch it and then go perform in my room with a hairbrush on the commercial breaks and come back and -- it literally is just like -- I don't know, my ten-year-old self is just loving it right now. And I keep crying.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Congratulations to her. And of course she is not the only female artist to have had massive success here tonight.
Alison Krauss won three Grammys. We caught up with Alison and Union Station backstage after they picked up their awards, including for Best Country Album. And get this: Alison has won twenty Grammys, making her -- it's a record. She has won more Grammys than any other female artist ever.
I talked to them about the sheer number of Grammys they all have won during their carrers.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON (on camera): So is it still thrilling to win, because you've all been here, done that before. When they call your name, is it like oh, whatever? How does it feel?
ALISON KRAUSS, SINGER, UNION STATION: Every record is like you never made one before, and you're never going to make another one. It's all a totally new piece of work. So the fact that you would be nominated once is amazing, and then to be nominated more than once is amazing -- more amazing.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're surprised every time. The look on your face for that last one -- that's why they make TiVo.
ANDERSON: Can you do it for us again?
KRAUSS: I don't think it was probably very good, the way you talk about it. He didn't say, oh you had a nice smile on your face. That's not what he said.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You were surprised.
ANDERSON: What do the Grammys mean for you guys? You are established, you're all veterans, here. You don't need this to validate your careers. But what does it mean for your careers?
KRAUSS: It's an incredibly satisfying feeling when you finish a record -- and everybody who makes a record, at least I'll speak for me -- when we got done making a record, you go, oh it's terrible, because you've heard it so many times. And then you get away from it, and then somebody says -- or a lot of people say -- hey, that's a good record. And then somebody rubs you down with a brush like that.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: They were definitely giddy during the entire interview. They were very, very happy and excited. And I sent them off with some candy that we had, some chocolate. so A.J., I'm sure that just added to their silliness for the rest of the evening, that sugar.
HAMMER: Everybody likes the free stuff and a good sugar buzz.
So let's talk about Mariah Carey for a moment. Of course, 16 years ago, back in 1990, she won the Best New Artist.
ANDERSON: Won her two Grammys.
HAMMER: She won her only two Grammys in her career up to this point, but Best New Artist was one of them. Tonight, although she got three of the eight, I think she was probably hoping for more -- certainly, the Album of the Year. She just has to have been completely thrilled.
ANDERSON: Absolutely. She can add three new Grammys to those two that she won 16 years ago. So now Mariah has five Grammys to her name, and you know, she didn't win the Album of the Year category -- many may have thought she would have picked up more than three. But she does have to be absolutely excited, and during her performance it seemed she was very -- she was at peace. And she was in a good spot.
And she had an incredible, powerful performance. Her voice was fantastic. What a range she has, that gospel choir came out there with her. So she's had a fantastic evening; no one can take that away from her.
HAMMER: And of course the big money was on John Legend to win Best New Artist, which he did. We're going to get into that in just a few moments with our Grammy panel.
All right, Brooke, we'll talk to you in just a few moments for that. It is of course the biggest night in music, and lots of big surprises. We're going on all night long. We'll get a little play-by-play from our panel of Grammy experts, coming up in just a couple of moments.
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, and we'll show you how it went. Coming up next on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, TV's only live entertainment news show. I'm A.J. Hammer.
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, in case Couric leaves her 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: 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 it all plays out.
All right, let's get down to it. Big night at the Grammy Awards. And between the big wins and all the amazing performances, certainly a lot to talk about with our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Grammy panel. Let's get into it.
Joining me live here in New York: Brian Garrity -- he's from Billboard magazine; Erik Parker is here, from Vibe magazine, and Brian Hiatt from Rolling Stone magazine. Brooke Anderson, still there, live at the Grammys in Los Angeles.
All right, Erik, you were here last night with our panel as we were looking into what to expect for tonight, and everybody really was talking about the big deal being Mariah Carey, Kanye West. And look who walks away with their big sweep of the night -- five Grammys for U2.
ERIK PARKER, VIBE MAGAZINE: Right, U2 -- definitely, that's the big story -- really is U2 and how he kind of stepped in between Mariah Carey and Kanye West and stole the thunder. I mean, it's really -- it's something that most people didn't talk about, but you could have predicted it, in some way, if you really paid attention.
HAMMER: And this is only the second time, Brian, that they've won Album of the Year.
BRIAN HIATT, ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE: That's right. The last time was back with "Joshua Tree."
HAMMER: '87, yeah.
HIATT: '87, right. So they've been nominated before for it, but they're been kind of in a drought. But they've been at such massive popularity in the last year.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRIAN GARRITY, BILLBOARD MAGAZINE: Grammy voters do love U2.
I think the other big story is Kelly Clarkson, actually.
HAMMER: Sure.
GARRITY: I don't think people thought that she'd get any Grammys. It's just somehow, although people really like her songs, I just don't think people made that connection. But I think this is a big deal for her. I think she's already jumped from American Idol winner to a really legitimate pop star, on some whole new level.
HAMMER: It's completely validated American Idol. And Brooke, you and I were talking about the fact that Kelly was telling you, she was just marveling at the company she was in, between Mariah Carey and Gwen Stefani and Cheryl Crow and Paul McCartney.
ANDERSON: And Bonnie Raitt, Cheryl Crow -- she was in incredible company, and as you and I said, she was very humbled by the entire situation. But Kelly -- this has definitely validated her, as you say, really cemented her credibility, apart from American Idol. This really proves that she is a talented singer. Sure, she got her start on American Idol, but she is really working to establish herself apart from that, and this is really an incredible start.
HAMMER: And what a platform the Grammy Awards is to prove yourself as a performer, because a lot of performers will go out and they'll do a half track, like Madonna -- you know, she did a fine performance, but it started out with a track, which you kind of need to do when you're doing all those calisthenics. But Kelly -- man, she showed her pipes, didn't she?
GARRITY: She really did, and it was almost like she was on American Idol again, as one of her big performances, or something. It was great. She really nailed it.
PARKER: And you see Madonna, she shows off her legs, because she's got great legs for a lady who's, what, 86 now?
HAMMER: Come on now!
GARRITY: And the Grammys can be unforgiving too. I think that Ciara was not that great, tonight, for instance.
PARKER: But she has great legs, too.
HIATT: She does have great legs.
HAMMER: See, so it's all a balancing act. Well, while we're talking about the performances, let's talk about some of the standouts.
Brian, what did you think? What was one of the best performance moments for you tonight?
GARRITY: Actually, I was really impressed by the New Orleans tribute at the end. That was really -- it had some of the best star power and really kind of balanced a lot of the different acts, from Springsteen to Elvis Costello and on. It was great.
HIATT: Jay-Z and Linkin Park won for their mash up of -- what was it? But the performance tonight, and then suddenly Paul McCartney wanders out and they further mash up "Yesterday," with the rest of that performance. That was the mash up to end all mash ups, I think.
PARKER: Right. The performance that to me took the cake was Kanye West and Jamie Fox. They came on with the drums and the -- it was great.
HAMMER: Let's talk about that for a second. Do you think that was great? I thought it started out real strong and then I wasn't so sure.
GARRITY: I thought it was great, and it went on a little too long. But it still was great.
PARKER: (INAUDIBLE), come on! You got to give it up to them.
HAMMER: Brooke, buzz in here. What are people buzzing about, in terms of performances out there?
ANDERSON: Kanye and Jamie, with that marching band -- I thought it was a whole lot of fun. And also I think John Legend and Mariah Carey, how wonderful were their performances? You could just tell that they were really feeling the evening and feeling their talents, and it was special.
HIATT: I didn't like the John Legend performance. I thought it was really overblown and kind of Barry Manilowesque, actually, but --
HAMMER: It's funny -- you think -- I was thinking, watching him perform that song, you know, "Ordinary People" is going to be played in piano bars from here to eternity.
PARKER: Right.
HIATT: That's kind of the vibe, a little bit.
PARKER: I thought he was going to have tip jar right on top of his piano.
GARRITY: Oh, come on!
PARKER: He's great. I love John Legend, I think he's awesome.
ANDERSON: Stop giving him a hard time!
PARKER: But it was kind of a little bit loungey.
HAMMER: Anything shocking, though? This was a year where nothing really blew us away and there were no huge surprises.
GARRITY: Sly Stone's mohawk was a very big deal, and the fact that, look, he came out -- it was a little sad -- he came out there and really didn't do much. It was cool that he was there, but why was he there, if he's not going to do anything.
PARKER: He was playing -- but I just think the mohawk really did take -- it really did make for a great show, seeing him with the mohawk.
HAMMER: He just seemed a little uncomfortable out there, and it was kind of played up the kind of recluse angle.
ANDERSON: Hey, A.J., I have a surprise, something I thought was a surprise.
HAMMER: Why don't we get to you with the surprise.
ANDERSON: Green Day winning Record of the Year for "Boulevard of Broken Dreams."
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, yes.
ANDERSON: Quite a popular song, and many people love it, but a lot of people thought that Kanye West might take that one home. So a lot of people were surprised by that win.
HAMMER: That took people off guard, they thought Kanye or Mariah would get that.
Brian Garrity, Erik Parker, Brian Hiatt -- thanks for joining us. Brooke out there in Los Amgeles. We'll talk to you again in just a few moments.
You may remember the dead body guy. We brought you the story on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT about the man whose ambition was to play a corpse in a movie. Well, guess what? 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: That was CNN's Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Jeanne tells us that Chuck's been getting even more offers and he's even auctioned his services off on -- what else -- eBay.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT will be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I'm Brooke Anderson live at the Staple's Center in downtown Los Angeles, where the 48th annual Grammy Awards have just wrapped up. And just moments ago we caught up with John Legend, winner of Best New Artist.
We caught up with him backstage, and here's what he had to say:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN LEGEND, SINGER: Nobody is a newcomer -- anybody who wins Best New Artist is only new to the general public. They always work a lot beforehand to get a record deal, to get the album out -- it's a long struggle. And we did -- we struggled, we took a while to get noticed. We got turned down by a lot of labels, including the one I'm signed to now.
And so it takes time, and that's normal, and I'm not mad, I'm not -- I don't feel vindictive about it. It's just like, you know, it's what it was, and it happened at the right time. Everything came together beautifully this year -- in '05 -- and we won three Grammys. It feels good.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: John Legend won three Grammys here tonight, and that is for his debut solo album "Get Lifted," which he released in December 2004, -- released it around his birthday, he told me, so what a present. It has sold more than a million copies. And A.J. he also has told me he credits Kanye West for a lot of his success, that Kanye had faith in him as a producer when no one else did.
HAMMER: It's nice to see a young humble guy like that winning -- 27 years old. And when he was first starting to get buzz in the industry and SHOWBIZ TONIGHT had the opportunity to speak with him, you could tell he really was working hard for it. And the hard work certainly has paid off.
So Brooke, I think when we open up the newspaper tomorrow morning, the big Grammy headline is going to be U2 and Kelly Clarkson. U2 -- five Grammy Awards tonight -- not bad.
ANDERSON: That's not bad at all. Some fireworks are exploding off to my right, so the celebrations have already begun, and as we've been throughout the show, they've actually taken down everything behind me. So we started here early today and we've got the last one here on the green carpet tonight.
HAMMER: You're all by yourself, aren't you.
ANDERSON: That's right. All by my lonesome self.
HAMMER: A private fireworks show. Well, thank you very much for your good work out there, out in Los Angeles, Brooke Anderson. And that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Lot's of fun.
I'm A.J. Hammer in New York. Stay tuned for the latest from CNN HEADLINE NEWS.
END
