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Showbiz Tonight
Britney Spears` Interview with Matt Lauer; Britney Thinking about giving birth in Namibia; Al Gore Discusses "An Inconvenient Truth"; Anderson Cooper`s Interview With Angelina Jolie; Paul McCartney is Turning 64; Jessica Simpson`s Words of Wisdom
Aired June 16, 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: A music and movie star`s feud with Oprah Winfrey. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
BROOKE ANDERSON, CO-HOST: And tips on how to get a guy. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER (voice-over): On SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, the startling way Britney Spears may be taking a page from Angelina jolie`s pregnancy playbook. Plus, the emotional Britney interview everyone is talking about. Britney on motherhood, marriage, and the cheap shots in the tabloids. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT asks, why are we still so fascinated with Britney? And do you feel sorry for her?
Paul McCartney`s big birthday. The former Beatle who wrote "When I`m 64" when he was 16 is turning 64. But tonight, why this may be a birthday filled more with more heartache than celebration. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on Sir Paul`s real-life Lonely Hearts Club Band.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Hi there. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: Welcome to the weekend. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. OK, just when you thought you had heard it all about Britney Spears, we`re here to tell you that no you haven`t, far from it, A.J..
HAMMER: It is definitely the Britney interview that has everybody basically saying huh? And it is not just what Britney told Matt Lauer on "Dateline" that`s got us shaking our heads today.
ANDERSON: No, because just as we were digesting that came word today that Britney may be pulling an Angelina Jolie. So, is Britney about to say good-bye USA, hello Namibia?
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): Toxic is a great way to describe Britney`s relationship with the tabloids. After months of negative headlines about her marriage to Kevin Federline and criticism of her mothering skills, Britney, who`s now pregnant with her second child, may be about to pull an Angelina Jolie.
KATIE CAPERTON, "OK!" MAGAZINE: I a Namibian official says that he`s received an inquiry on behalf of Britney Spears to have their next baby in Namibia, just like Brad and Angelina did.
ANDERSON: Yep, it`s true. A Namibian official tells the "Associated Press" that Britney "Hs shown interest to come over to Namibia." He adds, "Nothing has been confirmed yet, but there is a definite possibility of that happening." You know, Namibia, the tiny African country, population of about two million. It`s also where Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie chose to have their baby in order to escape the media circus.
BRAD PITT, ACTOR: I`d just like to thank the people in Namibia. They`ve been so gracious us to and made our stay here very special.
ANDERSON: Whether it is true or not, Britney would probably love to escape the media glare. In the "Dateline" interview when Matt Lauer asked her if she`d like the paparazzi to leave her alone, Britney broke down.
MATT LAUER, "DATELINE NBC": Is that one of your biggest wishes?
BRITNEY SPEARS, SINGER: Yeah. It is OK. I would like for them to leave me alone.
ANDERSON: And while Brad and Angelina haven`t completely escaped the media spotlight themselves, they were able to have their baby, Shiloh Nouvel, in relative peace and quiet while in Namibia. So, has Brangelina started a trend for celebrity births?
CAPERTON: This could be the next hot spot. There might not be any more celebrity babies born at Cedars-Sinai in L.A. anymore. Might all be born in Namibia.
ANDERSON: Hey, don`t laugh. Maybe Namibia could offer celebrities a Namibian baby birthing vacation package. Stars could get the government assisted privacy that Angelina and Brad Pitt got, the Namibian government denied visas to any journalist who wanted to cover the birth of the Jolie- Pitt baby unless they were Brangelina approved. Local officials were happy to accommodate the famous couple.
FREDDY KAUKUNGUA, NAMIBIAN OFFICIAL: They have requested privacy. Our constitution guarantees you privacy if you wish that.
ANDERSON: Another perk of the Namibian baby birthing vacation package, journalists who don`t follow the country`s rules for covering Brad and Angelina were arrested. Britney would probably smile at that one.
Namibia also offers expecting celebs photo-ops with local dignitaries, like the country`s first lady. And don`t forget, all those frequent flier miles.
All kidding aside, have we really reached a point where Britney and other celebrities must hop a plane to have their babies and live their lives in peace? Ian Drew of "Us" magazine doesn`t feel too sorry for the celebs.
IAN DREW, "US MAGAZINE": A lot of the general public realizes these stars choose these lives. They continue to stay in these lives and they did also leave at anytime. Britney could easily move away to Vermont.
ANDERSON: Britney in Vermont? Maybe it shouldn`t have to come to that. Some people agree with something else Britney said in her "Dateline" interview.
SPEARS: You have to realize that we`re people. And that we need - - we just need privacy and we need our respect.
CAPERTON: She`s with the paparazzi and it was good for her to get out there and say this is what is going on with my life. I`m not a bad mom, I`m a great mom, I have a great marriage. I don`t want to talk about it anymore. You know, just I need the world to back of a little bit.
ANDERSON: And if the world doesn`t back off? There is always Namibia.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT tried contact Britney Spears` camp for comment on the Namibia story. They didn`t respond.
HAMMER: Well, joining us tonight from Detroit is Trent Vanegas of pinkisthenewblog.com and with me here in New York, Jo Piazza of the "New York Daily News" trying to make sense of all of this continuing obsession of Britney Spears. Thank you, both, for being with us.
So Jo, let`s get into this here. What`s going on? Britney Spears basically hasn`t released an album in years, she hasn`t toured in years. All she`s basically done is gotten married a couple of times and gotten pregnant a couple of times, yet we are continually obsessed. Why do you think?
JO PIAZZA, "NEW YORK DAILY NEWS": Well, America loves a good train wreck, is what I think. And Britney`s certainly giving us one now. I mean, she went on "Dateline" to try to repair her image. And it seems like she ended up doing the exact opposite of that.
HAMMER: You think? I mean Trent, is it as simple as that, that it`s the train wreck aspect that we just can`t turn away our eyes. Although there were portions of it, particularly with the gum chomping going on and the crying going on, but you write about her all the time. You`re a fan of Britney Spears. What do you think?
TRENT VANEGAS, PINKISTHENEWBLOG.COM: Yep. I think I am a fan. And I think a lot of people are, you know, they`re rooting for her. We have been fans for along time. It`s kind of like, what`s go on? You know? Like, what happened? And I think that`s what the fascination is. We`re just stunned.
HAMMER: And we`re enjoying what is unfolding. I mean, watching her cry last night with Matt Lauer.
VANEGAS: Well, I think that, yeah, we are enjoying it. But not so much because we like, you know that she`s breaking down, but it`s like maybe this is the sort of thing that`s going to wake her up and say, you know, what are you doing, you now?
PIAZZA: And in a lot of ways, I mean, it made her seem more human. She`s on "Dateline," her hair is a mess, she hasn`t had a manicure in weeks, I mean, she`s like her -- she`s exactly like her fans. She`s like the people that buy her albums.
HAMMER: And you have to wonder if it is by design. I mean, because we`re, you know, we`re talking about her chewing gum on massive interview, the first one she`s given in a long time of this depth. And you would think that somebody would tell her not to do that. So, to me it seemed almost like it was intentional.
PIAZZA: It did. In a lot of ways it looked like a plan to make Britney -- t0 show this sympathetic side of her to people. I mean, the breaking down, the crying, the begging paparazzi to leave her alone.
HAMMER: Yeah, let`s talk about that for a second. Trent, she is basically crying saying she really wishes that the paparazzi would back off. Is it even realistic to think they will do that? I mean, it`s that age old catch-22 of being a celebrity. You want them to come and follow your every move and then want them to go away.
VANEGAS: Absolutely. I mean, she works so hard in front of the camera since she was a young child. She wanted the attention, she wanted the fame. She worked so hard to get to this plateau where everybody knew who she was. And now that she`s, you know, become $100 million, she`s -- now she wants people to leave her alone. It`s totally not -- it is not going to happen.
HAMMER: Not realistic at all. Is it, even if she were move out of Hollywood?
VANEGAS: Not at all.
PIAZZA: Absolutely not. No, the parazzi will find her wherever she goes. And I agree with Trent. Britney has been in front of the camera a long time. The girl knows what she`s doing.
HAMMER: All right Jo, I actually felt a little sorry for her, watching her cry and watching here breakdown. Are you feeling bad for Britney right now?
PIAZZA: You know, I don`t. Britney chose to be a celebrity a long time ago. And she knows what she`s doing and the people that want to see the pictures of here and her son are the same people who are buying her albums.
HAMMER: Trent, again, you`re a fan, coming from that standpoint, are you feeling sorry for Britney right now?
VANEGAS: You know, I do feel sorry for her. But not because of the attention that she`s getting for the actions she`s doing. I feel sorry for her because it seems like she doesn`t really understand what she`s doing. She didn`t have the chance to mature into, you know, an adult to make the right decisions. She, you know, lived her whole life with people making decisions for her, making her this perfect package and now she`s left to her own devices, this is what we get.
HAMMER: And America will be sure to watch. Trent Venagas of pinkistheneblog.com, Jo Piazza from the "New York Daily News," I thank you for joining us on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Trying to make sense of all this.
And now this leads us to our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT "Question of the Day." What we`re asking you tonight: Britney Spears: Do you feel sorry for her? Vote at cnn.com/showbiztonight, or e-mail us if you have more to say, showbiztonight@cnn.com is the address.
ANDERSON: We`ve got some exciting news that may make you want to get up on your couch and jump around like Tom. Starting this weekend, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT airs seven nights a week. That`s right, we are bringing TV`s most provocative entertainment news show to your weekend. Starting tomorrow, June 17, be sure to tune in. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Saturday and Sunday, that`s at 11:0 p.m. Eastern and 8:00 Pacific.
HAMMER: All right, you ready for Al Gore movie star? Yes, the former vice president is set to open up to me about becoming a movie star and find out what he has to say about Lindsey Lohan, really. That`s coming up. We`ll also have this:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PAUL MCCARTNEY, FMR. BEATLE: My kids said to me, dad, you have to disappear off the face of the face planet.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Paul McCartney got lots of advice for what to do when he turns 64. Well, That day has arrived, but it may be more of a bittersweet occasion than an all-out celebration. We`re going to tell you why coming up.
HAMMER: Plus look on the runway. It is a plane. No wait a second. It is a dog. And "That`s Ridiculous," and that`s next.
ANDERSON: But first tonight`s "Entertainment Weekly" "Great American Pop Culture Quiz." What hotel does the Stephen King book "The Shining" take place in? Is it A. the Overlook, B. The Winter, C. The Washburn, or D. Motel 6. We`re kidding with the last answer, but think about the first three. We`ll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: That was our wonderful director, Charlie, thank you. So again, tonight`s "Entertainment Weekly" "Great American Pop Culture Quiz." What hotel does the Stephen King book "The Shining" take place in? Answer is A. The overlook.
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT for a Friday night, we are TV`s most provocative entertainment news show. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. It is time now, I hope you`re ready, it`s another story that made us say, "That`s Ridiculous."
In California, a dog on a runway. No, it isn`t a canine fashion show here, talking about the other kind of runway. Yes, this cute little seven-pound Yorkie wandered onto a runway at the Burbank Airport. Now, maintenance workers chased the little guy, look at the little guy, they chased him for about ten minutes until they finally caught him. People at the airport gave him a bath and they`re holding him until they can find his owner. In fact, they`ve even given the guy a temporary name. For now, they`re calling him "Taxi." Personally, though, I think I would have gone with "Tarmac."
ANDERSON: Tarmac or Taxi, either one, very appropriate. And the Burbank Animal Control has even said it`s gotten calls, some inquiries wondering if they can adopt the little runaway. So, there you go. But, a dog on a runway, we say "That`s Ridiculous."
OK, it`s Angelina Jolie`s first interview since baby Shiloh was born. In a CNN exclusive, she sat down with Anderson Cooper, and told her -- told him how the birth went. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANGELINA JOLIE, ACTRESS: I just wanted to hear her crying. And I was sure everything would go -- at last minute I became the mother that was sure everything would go wrong and she`s healthy and it was amazing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Angelina and Anderson spent a lot of time talking about refugees, which is a personal crusade of Jolie`s. She talked about her first trip to Sierra Leone, and the worst refugee camp she has ever seen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON COOPER, "AC-360": Had you ever seen anything like that?
JOLIE: I hadn`t seen anything like that. And I don`t think -- it was the most -- it was one of those things where you -- in so many ways it was -- I was so grateful to have had that experience and I knew I was changing as a person, I was learning so much about life and I was -- so in some ways it was the best moment of my life because it -- it changed me for the better and I was never going to be -- never going to want for more in my life.
COOPER: How did it change you?
JOLIE: Well, I was young and I grew up in Los Angeles and I`m an actor. So, everything is very focused on certain things in life. And then suddenly you see these people who are really fighting something, who are really surving who have so much pain and loss and things you have no idea.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: You can see more of Anderson Cooper`s exclusive interview with Angelina Jolie, Tuesday on "AC-360," 10:00 p.m. Eastern on CNN.
HAMMER: All right, let`s say you run for president of the United States and well, things don`t quite work out the way you wanted them to what do you do? How about making a movie that`s a hit with the critics and audiences and that`s what Jessica Simpson`s words of wisdom Paul McCartney Anderson Cooper`s exclusive interview with Angelina Jolie Al Gore did with his film "An Inconvenient Truth." It`s a documentary based on his book which chronicles his ongoing efforts to spread the word about the dangers of global warming. I spoke with the former vice president about this very pressing issue and about being a part of the Hollywood scene.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
AL GORE, FMR. U.S. VICE PRESIDENT: I never would have thought that this slide show I`ve been giving all over the world would ever get me to the red carpet in Cannes, but the producers of this movie and the director, Davis Guggenheim, have done what I have in my admittedly biased view believe is a terrific job, it`s very entertaining, funny even. Hard to believe, but it is. And the audiences come away saying this is not a political movie, this is a factual movie and I think that`s why the per screen average rating is so high. And I`m glad because it gets the message out more quickly to more people.
HAMMER: And are you having a good time with the movie star aspect of it, though? As you mentioned, you went to Cannes, I mean, you`re out doing publicity for a film. Here you are on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. are you about to hit the party circuit with Paris Hilton in the Hollywood Hills or something?
GORE: No. Well, no. But I did enjoy Cannes, to tell you the truth. I`m old enough to be able to enjoy something like that without getting it out of perspective and I know that a red carpet`s just a rug. But, I have enjoyed this and I found it very interesting. And the people I`ve worked with in making the movie and in writing the book, that Rodele has out now, of the same title "An Inconvenient Truth," it`s been a wonderful experience.
HAMMER: Well Hollywood and politics, certainly both known for being cutthroat businesses. Which would you say is more so now that you`ve been sort of a part of the machine?
GORE: Well, I have seen the very best of the movie industry. These folks, Lori David, Lawrence Bender, Scott Burns, Jeff Schole at Particment (ph) Productions, and all of his colleagues, and I`ll mention again Davis Guggenheim, the director, Leslie Chillcot, these are fantastic individuals. And I have loved working with them. It`s been a great experience. There was a lot about the political world that I also enjoyed. There`s some aspects of it that I don`t miss, but this effort get this message out through the movie and the book has been gratifying because I feel like I`m -- have a sense of mission on this. And, you know, the old saying, you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free. I learned that as a kid. And I really think that`s the essence of what this climate crisis is all about.
HAMMER: Well, you are certainly getting the message out. And this may come as a shock to you, but on this issue of global warming, Mr. Gore, there are those who paint you an extremist. And this film certainly leaves no doubt that global warming is a real issue. It`s something that has got to be dealt with immediately. It has made me crazy for a long time now that there are people who still see this as conspiracy or a political issue. So, tell me how it is possible that there are still people out there with their heads in the sands about global warming?
GORE: Well, I think they party on Saturday nights with the group that thinks the moon landing was staged on a movie lot in Arizona. And there are still people who think that, you know, and luckily the news media doesn`t say, well, on the one hand, some people think we landed on the moon, on the other hand, some people think it was a hoax. Just like the flat earth group now has receded in prominence. And really the debate is over on the climate crisis. A few of the least responsible large polluters have spent millions of dollars a year to try to intentionally confuse people about this. Same way that some of the tobacco companies did years ago to try to confuse the link between smoking and lung disease. And that`s immoral. It is irresponsible.
HAMMER: Sure.
GORE: And I hope they`ll stop it.
HAMMER: I do to. And I have to ask you before we go, the obligatory question, of course, are you running for president in 2008 or will we seeing you doing a buddy movie with Lindsay Lohan at that time?
GORE: I have no intention of being a candidate again. I am involved in a campaign, but it is not for a candidacy, it is for a cause. And I`m trying to steer clear of as many Hollywood feuds as I can. I think she`s a great actress incidentally and looking forward to seeing her and my buddy Tommy Lee Jones in the "Prairie Home Companion," I hear that`s a great flick, but go see "An Inconvenient Truth" first.
HAMMER: Al Gore, thank you so much for your time.
GORE: Thank you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: And you can see Al Gore in "An Inconvenient Truth" which is playing in select theatres right now.
ANDERSON: Exciting news now for you. Starting this weekend, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT airs seven nights a week. You heard me, we are bringing TV`s most provocative entertainment news show to your weekends. Starting tomorrow, June 17, be sure to tune in to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 p.m. Eastern, that`s 8:00 Pacific.
HAMMER: A star of music and movies, in a feud with Oprah Winfrey. Coming up, we`re going to hear what he has to say about how they don`t see eye to eye.
ANDERSON: Plus, Jessica Simpson is at it again. This time, the very quotable ms. Simpson is talking about how she likes to kiss. We`ll tell you what she said, coming up.
We`ll also have this:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MCCARTNEY: My kids says to me dad, you got to disappear off the face of the planet.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Paul McCartney got lots of advice for what to do when he turned 64. Well, that day has arrived, but it may be more of a bittersweet occasion than an all-out celebration. We`ll tell you why, coming up.
ANDERSON: First a birthday shoutout. This is where we give fans a chance to wish their favorite star a happy birthday. Can you hear it? Tonight we`re sending one out to you guessed it, Sir Paul McCartney.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)Happy birthday, Paul McCartney. My name is Thomas Bracco from Staten Island, New York and I love the Beatles. Love the Beatle! Happy Birthday.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Oh, that Jessica Simpson. In an interview with "maxim" magazine, Simpson says she will never do another reality TV show. So, it looks like we won`t get to see those "Chicken of the Sea" moments first- hand anymore. But in the interview, she waxes poetic on everything from getting in shape for her upcoming movie "Employee of the Month," to how she likes to kiss. Let`s get to the quotes, shall we? On filming her new movie, Simpson says, "I didn`t drink for, like, three months or something. We worked out all the time." In the romance department, "I love to kiss with my eyes open, because I can take in the entire situation and know if I`m enjoying it or not."
You can read more of Jessica Simpson`s words of wisdom in the July issue of "Maxim" magazine, on newsstands now.
HAMMER: Some tips on kissing from Jessica Simpson. But what about finding someone to kiss in the first place? Some tips on how to find Mr. Right, coming up.
ANDERSON: Plus, when Paul McCartney wrote "When I`m 64," he was only 16 years old, and couldn`t have imagined the life he`d have all these years later. Now that he is turning 64, it may be bittersweet. We`re going to tell you why, coming up.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: .would turn around and go for him, but Jack was in charge.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Jack was in charge. Forget scaredy cat -- this cat scared a 300 pound bear, right up a tree. We`re going to have the inside story of cat versus bear, we`re getting to the heart of the matter, coming up. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT for a Friday night is coming right back.
(NEWSBREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT for Friday night. It is 30 minutes past the hour. I am A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: I am Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. This is TV`s most provocative entertainment news show.
HAMMER: Brooke, we know how beloved Oprah Winfrey is. And you would think that all stars love everything Oprah has to say. But there are actually a few who are up in arms over some things she has said about their community.
One such star is going to be talking with us and telling us actually what`s on his mind about Oprah in just a few minutes.
ANDERSON: That`s right, coming right up.
And also, A.J., for anybody out there who`s searching for that perfect mate, we`ve got some good tips. Coming up, two love coaches from the new reality series "How To Get the Guy" will join us.
HAMMER: And first tonight, for most people, turning 64 wouldn`t necessarily be much different than turning, well, pretty much any other age. After all, what`s in a number?
Well, quite a bit if you are former Beatle Paul McCartney, who turns the big 64 this weekend. McCartney wrote the song "When I`m 64" for the 1967 album "Sgt. Pepper`s Lonely Hearts Club Band," one of the greatest albums ever recorded. He painted this idyllic picture of life at 64, a picture that did not include a nasty divorce feasted on by the tabloids worldwide.
Here`s CNN`s Paula Newton for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(SINGING)
PAULA NEWTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When he wrote those lyrics at the age of 16, Paul McCartney had no idea how bittersweet his own 64th might be.
(SINGING)
NEWTON: Sir Paul will finally turn 64 this weekend, just a month after separating from Heather Mills, his second wife, of four years.
(SINGING)
NEWTON: Who could turn Paul McCartney away? Apparently, Heather Mills McCartney.
The British tabloids have been ruthless, relentless. Mills says it was the media scrutiny that destroyed her marriage. But the separation is said to be destroying her. The newspapers are plastered with photos from Mills` past. They allege a career in soft porn and prostitution.
Mills says the tabs are printing lies, and she says she will sue. But her publicist adds, "The last month has been hideous."
MAX CLIFFORD, PUBLICIST: The public perception is, well, you know, he`s been taken a fall. He`s been taken for a ride. And it`s very sad. He obviously loved her, and showed that. So we feel very sorry for him. I mean - you know, the crueler ones will say, Well, there`s no fool like an old fool.
NEWTON: And the divorce settlement could be staggering. Mills stands to gain as much as a quarter of McCartney`s $1.5 billion fortune.
IAN CAPLIN, LEGAL ANALYST: So even in the case where there`s been a short marriage - say, you know, three to five years or something like that, the courts can still make - they - they decided a substantial award of the husband`s assets in favor of the wife.
(SINGING)
NEWTON (on camera): Paul McCartney and the Beatles recorded "When I`m 64" back in the 60s. Here, at Abbey Road Studios, (INAUDIBLE) fans can`t help but think if they actually believed if the lyrics to that song would one day ring true for all of them.
(voice-over): A fact not lost on anyone at the well-worn crossing on Abbey Road. Fans scribble their birthday notes, and wax poetic about this grandfather`s life at 64.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It`s kind of ironic. I`m sure he`s kicking himself for that one.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The lyrics in the song are kind of poignant. When you`re going through a divorce, you`re probably rethinking a lot of things right now.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just change it to 84 - when I`m 84, yes.
NEWTOWN: Sir Paul himself jokes he might change the lyrics. He is said to be having a quiet birthday at his country retreat this weekend. We can only wonder if he`ll be tempted just a little to play the song.
(SINGING)
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: That was CNN`s Paula Newton for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Speaking of playing that song, CNN`s Daryn Kagan sat down with Paul McCartney when he was 63 to ask him that very same question.
So will McCartney take a sad song and make it better? Here`s Paul`s answer.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DARYN KAGAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Are you singing out there, "When I Turn to 64"?
PAUL MCCARTNEY, SINGER: No, I`m not singing that.
KAGAN: You`re not?
MCCARTNEY: Well, I`ve got - naturally feeling I might be next year. My kids said to me, Dad, you have got to disappear off the face of the planet.
KAGAN: For that one year?
MCCARTNEY: Nest - next year. Next year. Don`t be here. And I said, Oh well. I said, it`s either of that or I`ll be right in the middle of all. So I haven`t yet made the decision. But if you don`t see me next year, you`ll know why.
KAGAN: We heard it here first.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: He certainly still is in the middle of it all.
Some interesting facts about the song: McCartney said he wrote "When I`m 64" thinking maybe one day it would come in handy for a musical comedy. The song names three children - Vera, Chuck and Dave - and in real life, Sir Paul does have three grandkids. Their names are Miller (ph), Elliott (ph) and Arthur (ph).
ANDERSON: All nice names.
The NAACP is taking on Hollywood. The organization is looking at diversity, or the lack of it, in the fall TV lineup. The NAACP says none of the 11 new comedies premiering on the four major networks this fall features a minority in a starring role. But CBS` "The Class," NBC`s "20 Good Years," FOX`s "Happy Hour" and "The Winner" have all-white casts.
OK, Oprah`s been taking a lot of heat from the hip-hop community, complaining she doesn`t put enough rappers on her show. Ice Cube made some pretty controversial comments about all this not too long ago, and he is with me now in Hollywood. He`s got a new album now called "Laugh Now, Cry Later." You see it right there.
Cube, it`s good to see you.
ICE CUBE, RAPPER: How you doing?
ANDERSON: I`m doing great, thank you.
All right. We got to talk about Oprah for a second. In "FHM" magazine you recently said: "For `Barbershop` she had Cedric the Entertainer and Eve on. But I wasn`t invited. Maybe she`s got a problem with hip hop. She`s had dam rapists, child molesters and lying authors on her show. And if I`m not a rags-to-riches story for her, who is?"
Well, you`re not the only person who has blasted Oprah recently. Ludacris, 50 Cent have been very open about it as well.
What`s the deal? What`s going on here?
ICE CUBE: I don`t know, you know? I mean, you know, I`m a fan of Oprah, so, you know, of course, you know, when I have a project that, you know, I helped create on her show, I would love to be invited. You know, there was a couple opportunities where I just wasn`t asked at all, you know? And this - you know, it`s a little disappointing. But, you know, the show still goes on, you know what I mean?
So, you know, I would love to be on the show. But it`s really her show. If she don`t want me on it, that`s cool.
ANDERSON: She has responded to all the controversy recently. And she said, you know, she doesn`t - it`s not rap or hip hop specifically, or any artist. She said that at times she feels the music or maybe a music video could be degrading to women. She also says it`s the use of the n- word.
What do you say to that?
ICE CUBE: Well, you know, I feel like that`s really what her show is about, is about confronting the issues that we deal with today. And, you know, if she don`t really like the content that we using, have us on. Let`s talk about.
She`s had comedians on that use the same content, you know? Dave Chapelle was just on. So, you know, to me that`s - that`s not really good enough, you know? That - that to me is just an excuse not to have us on.
But, you know, everybody get a chance to get they point of view across. Why not us?
ANDERSON: That`s right. You want a discussion.
ICE CUBE: Yes, let`s talk about.
ANDERSON: All right.
We did just recently tell the story of - couple of minutes ago, about the NAACP complaining that no new shows premiering this fall have a minority as a star. Now, you produced the reality series "Black,White" for FX recently, where people change races, switch races to see what the experience is like.
Do you think the - the complaint by the NAACP is fair?
ICE CUBE: Well, you know - I mean, I would have to kind of look at the shows that - that these new shows were up against, you know? To me I think television is trying to put on the best shows. And - you know, it - I really don`t - don`t really have nothing to compare it. So, you know, I don`t know how many black shows were submitted or how many shows were submitted with a black star, you know? If there were none, then that`s a problem. But if - if shows were just turned down - you know, that - that`s the business. That`s show business, you know?
Some years we`ll have a lot of black shows on. Some years, you know, not hardly. So.
ANDERSON: Just - just changes.
ICE CUBE: You know - yes.
ANDERSON: .from time to time.
Now on this new album - I want to talk about that as well. You target the war in Iraq - lyrics also talk about the president. You`ve complained that music - rap specifically - doesn`t really today reflect what`s really going on in real life, whether it be the war in Iraq; whether it be the inner city.
Why is that?
ICE CUBE: Well, you know, I think rap goes through its eras, through its phases. You know, when I grew up - you know, as far as looking at the music and getting influence from the music, it was a lot of groups like Public Enemy out and Boogie Down Productions and Four Righteous Teachers. It`s just a different phase.
You know, now it seem like it`s more of a bling era. It`s more of an era of - of party and go to the club, hang out, look at your rims. And I just wanted to get back to making music that was relevant to the people that`s buying it, and talking about some of the things that are happening in the inner cities.
Also in the suburbs, you know? Just talking about things that affect us, you know, right here in America.
ANDERSON: All right. Well, Ice Cube, thanks so much. Happy birthday, by the way.
ICE CUBE: Thank you.
ANDERSON: Turned 37 yesterday?
ICE CUBE: Yes.
ANDERSON: All right. Ice Cube`s new CD, "Laugh Now, Cry Later" is in stores now.
Coming up, unlucky in love? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has your tips and tricks from the love coaches of "How To Get the Guy."
HAMMER: And just in time for your weekend movie date - maybe you`re looking for a chick flick like "The Lake House." Or maybe you`re looking to laugh with Jack Black in "Nacho Libre." But are they any good? The SHOWBIZ guide has your "Picks & Pans" coming up.
Plus, we`ve got this:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I thought that the bear would turn around and go for him. But Jack was in charge.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: It`s the David and Goliath story from the animal kingdom. Jack the cat knew no fear when he chased a 300-pound black bear straight up a cheer. It made us here at SHOWBIZ TONIGHT say "That`s Ridiculous!"
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Let`s A.J. to pit lean master (ph). Roll to break, and effect black.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, TV`s most provocative entertainment news show. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
It`s time now for a story that made us say "That`s Ridiculous!" And here`s how it goes:
Cat meets bear. Cat scares bear. Bear runs up a tree. And it`s all true.
Here`s CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Forget scaredy cat. We`re talking scaredy bear, and here`s the picture that proves it.
Sure, there`s much more dramatic video of tranquilized bears falling out of trees.
(SCREAMING)
MOOS: Or falling on to a trampoline. The bear survived, and so did this cat.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (SCREAMING)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK, she`s down.
MOOS: But it was the picture of Jack the 10-pound cat chasing a 300- pound bear up a tree in New Jersey that went worldwide. For awhile, it was Yahoo!`s most e-mail photo, rivaling even the death of Iraq`s top terrorist.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Maybe the bear was already up there and the cat just came.
MOOS: Nope. The neighbor who took the pictures saw Jack the cat chase the bear.
As for Jack`s owner.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I was very nervous. I thought that the bear would turn around and go for him. But Jack was in charge.
MOOS: At the Queens Zoo bear exhibit, kids were skeptical.
(on camera): It was a little cat.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you sure?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It reminds me of the elephant who`s afraid of the little mouse.
MOOS (voice-over): It`s not unusual for large animals to fear smaller ones, says the zoo`s curator.
SCOTT SILVER, CURATOR OF ANIMALS AT QUEENS ZOO: I`ve seen leopards cowering in the corner over a fish - a 6-inch fish. It was.
MOOS (on camera): Really?
SILVER: It was flopping around - they had never seen a fish before.
MOOS (voice-over): The owner of a cat named Max took pictures of his feline facing down a bear that ventured on to Max`s porch.
Take it from Garfield.
BILL MURRAY, ACTOR: Time to grab some chow before I eat your liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.
MOOS: And bears can often be intimidated just by clapping or opening an umbrella.
But Jack didn`t have an umbrella.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This cat is so brave that I am guessing he`s neutered. His owners probably got tired of tripping over his giant (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
So I am sending Jack this collar with two bells on it.
MOOS: The bear got away when the cat`s owner called Jack off. It`s enough to blacken a black bear`s image.
(on camera): Do you think a bear is - is, like, fierce or chicken?
CROWD: Chicken!
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: A bear scared of a cat. Now that`s ridiculous.
That was CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
ANDERSON: Speaking of chasing and scaring, why don`t we talk about dating now?
Face it; there wasn`t a Dating 101 back in school. So what is the key to getting that guy or even that girl? Well, the love coaches on ABC`s new reality show "How To Get the Guy" say they have the answers.
Here to share them with us are love coaches, as they call them, Teresa Strasser and JD Roberto. They join me here in Hollywood.
Guys, thanks for being here. Welcome.
JD ROBERTO, HOST, "HOW TO GET THE GUY": Hey, thanks for having us.
TERESA STRASSER, HOST, "HOW TO GET THE GUY": Thanks for having us.
ANDERSON: Oh, of course.
Now, Teresa, I want to begin with you. What is the biggest myth that guys have about what women are looking for in a guy?
ROBERTO: Yes, what is it?
STRASSER: OK, I don`t know who started this whole thing about how women want bad boys, but whoever said that - no. We want guys that pay their taxes, that pay their parking tickets. They show up on time, they`re nice to me. This bad boy thing - I - I don`t know who started it. But I don`t want a bad boy, and I don`t know anyone who does.
Am I right, Brooke?
ANDERSON: You`re right. The - the - the guys who pay their taxes are responsible. It doesn`t mean they`re boring; it just means they`re mature.
Now - now JD, I want to go to you. From a guy`s perspective.
ROBERTO: Yes.
ANDERSON: You`ve been there in the dating scene - you`re married now. Have a new baby; congratulations.
ROBERTO: Oh, yes.
ANDERSON: ..by the way.
But what`s.
ROBERTO: Thank you very much.
ANDERSON: .the biggest.
ROBERTO: Yes.
ANDERSON: .mistake that women make in looking for a guy?
ROBERTO: You know what? When - when you go out on a date with a woman as a guy, you know that you`re sitting across the table from somebody with a checklist, right? If you`re not a left-handed, red-haired, kayaking brain surgeon, you have no chance.
I would say, Women, leave the checklist at home and give us a chance. A lot of us are really nice guys; just give us a chance to impress you.
ANDERSON: Trash those checklists. Very good advice.
OK, Teresa.
ROBERTO: Yes, just get rid of it. Get rid of it.
ANDERSON: Get rid of it.
You guys on the show try a number of different strategies. You try blind dates; you try online dates, group dates, the - the meeting at the parties.
Is there one really perfect way to get the date and find someone?
STRASSER: OK, here`s what I`d say: if you`re looking for a job, you would probably do a couple things. You`d fix up your resume; you`d tell everyone you know you were looking for a job. You`d go online.
So what we suggest is, volume dating. Try everything. And I especially love fix-ups. Most married couples and most couples well tell you that they met through friends. So, you know, it might have a smidge of desperation - you might have to swallow your pride a little bit.
This is what I did: I walked into my place of business and I said, Listen, I will go out with any of your friends one time. And that`s how I met the guy I`m currently seeing.
ROBERTO: Yes. You know what? It`s not any one thing. It`s be willing to do all things. Be willing to be fixed up; be willing to go out and online date. Be open to every possibility. That`s the one thing: do it all.
ANDERSON: So you really have to go out on a limb at times, and - and take some risks.
And the show features four women. They`re in their 30s. They`re attractive; they`re successful.
JD, does dating get harder as you get older? We all know it`s a new generation; times have changed.
ROBERTO: Yes.
ANDERSON: It`s not unusual to be single in your 30s or even 40s anymore. But does it get harder as you go along?
ROBERTO: Yes, I think it does. I think, you know, for our parents` generation, if you weren`t married by the time you were 30, you were an old maid. Now it`s really common for people to have a life and have a career and find themselves in their mid 30s still looking for love.
And let - let`s be honest: none of the four women we`re with on the show need a guy. They`re all great; they are all really great, smart women. But they`re looking to find the right guy, and in your 30s that`s tough. It`s uniquely tough.
STRASSER: Yes, I would - I would agree. And I would also say that one big difference about dating in your 30s is that, you know, you maybe have a little more baggage. And - and sometimes some of the mistakes - and I made this too when I was dating - sometimes you confuse a first date with a therapy session.
And God knows, I love therapy. But a first date is not the place to talk about, Daddy didn`t go to your dance recital. And - you know, maybe you have an eating disorder. Or whatever problems you have, you can save that for date 6.
ROBERTO: Yes, I don`t want the cheesecake makes you gassy. I don`t want to hear about your ex-boyfriends.
A first date should really be light, easy conversation. Do not overshare, please.
ANDERSON: That`s right. Save that stuff for later on.
OK, thanks for the tips, guys.
(CROSSTALK)
ANDERSON: Exactly. Teresa Strasser.
(CROSSTALK)
ANDERSON: Thank you, Roberto. Thanks so much.
And "How To Get the Guy" airs Monday nights on ABC.
HAMMER: It is time now to take a look at the movies opening this weekend in our SHOWBIZ Guide and People`s "Picks & Pans."
We`re talking about the reunion of Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. They`re starring in "The Lake House." Jack Black is back in "Nacho Libre." And a little something for the family in "Garfield: The Tail of Two Kitties."
Here to take through each one, "People" magazine movie critic Leah Rozen.
OK, Leah: they`re back together. Twelve years since "Speed," Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock have returned for "The Lake House." Should they have?
LEAH ROZEN, "PEOPLE" MAGAZINE: Yes. It`s a romantic drama. These two live in - actually, it`s sort of on these parallel-universe-world things where they`re actually two years apart, living in the same house, exchanging letters through a magic mailbox. I only wish the U.S. Postal Service was as good at their mail exchange.
This is one of those movies - it`s sort of big, old-fashioned, glossy-movie-star kind of movie. I enjoyed it against my better judgment. It`s one of those movies you find yourself liking it, but it doesn`t bear real close scrutiny. Because if you start examining it too closely, it`s like, Huh? Huh? What is the world? Ay! What year are we in?
But if you just kind of let it go. Go, here are these big movie stars; I want them to be able to get together across time - you`ll enjoy it.
HAMMER: Sounds fair enough.
Well, I`m curious what you think about Jack Black`s new movie "Nacho Libre," because from the trailer it looks kind of like, Eh. And then I`ve heard a couple people say, Oh.
What do you say?
ROZEN: I say it`s abysmal. I say it`s one of the worst movies of the year.
This is one of those films where they went new farther than the premise. They had the premise with which they sold the movie - Jack Black will live in a Mexican monastery and be a wrestler on - secretly be a masked wrestler. And they never bothered to develop it beyond that.
Now, I so - I mean, it`s just - it`s flat as a pancake. That said, the man sitting next to me at the screening saw - the louder Jack Black broke wind, the harder this man laughed. It just.
HAMMER: So that kind of sums up who the movie`s for.
ROZEN: Exactly. If a good flatulence joke gets you every time, this is your film.
HAMMER: OK, we got another Garfield movie to talk about. Something for the family this weekend.
ROZEN: Yes, I got to say I`m not big on this one either. It`s the sequel to the last Garfield film. Same adults are back; mix of live action and animation.
But again, lots of belching jokes, lots of breaking wind jokes. You`re going, What? That said, my 6-and-a-half-year-old nephew loved it. Says it`s much better than the first one.
HAMMER: All right.
ROZEN: Only his opinion.
HAMMER: Well thank you so much for your insight, as always. And as always, for more "Picks & Pans," you get your copy of "People" magazine on newsstands now.
ANDERSON: We`ve been asking you to vote on tonight`s SHOWBIZ TONIGHT "Question of the Day": "Britney Spears: Do you feel sorry for her?" Keep voting: cnn.com/showbiztonight.
Write to us: showbiztonight@cnn.com. We`re going to read some of your e-mails on Monday.
Now after our segment, Britney`s spokesperson finally released a statement about the pop singer considering giving birth in Namibia. She says it`s not true.
Hang tight. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT will be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Last night, we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT "Question of the Day": "Tom Cruise: Do you agree he is the most powerful man in Hollywood?" A whopping 87 percent of you said yes; 13 percent of you said no.
One of the e-mails we got, Norma from Nevada, writes: "There are many stars in Hollywood with more influence than Tom Cruise. What you do with your fame and money defines power."
Good point.
HAMMER: That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thanks for watching. I am A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: I am Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Make sure you join us this weekend, and stay tuned for more from CNN Headline News.
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