Return to Transcripts main page
Showbiz Tonight
Mad at Madonna; The Divorce Gets Nastier!; Where`s Wesley?; Gay in Hollywood; Dancing with the Elderly; Gay Twins Come Out;
Aired October 20, 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, CNN CO-HOST: Two late-breaking stories. Both out of the country music world.
First, Sara Evans` husband fights back with stunning allegations. He claims she cheated on him.
I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
BROOKE ANDERSON, CNN CO-HOST: And Keith Urban checks into rehab with his wife Nicole Kidman by his side.
I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood, TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
HAMMER: On SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Madonna mayhem. Tonight, why is Madonna such a lightning rod for controversy? Anger over her adopting a child. Crucified for performed on a cross. Rage over her religion, and that sexy Spears smooch.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT says, come on. Shouldn`t we just give Madonna a break?
Gay in Hollywood. A "Grey`s Anatomy" star comes out of the closet.
Twin brothers brought up as strict Jehovah`s Witnesses, reveal they are gay for a TV show.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are both gay.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with an in-depth look at whether coming out is the way to get on the Hollywood A-list or get off it.
Friday night is on. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: Welcome to the weekend, everyone. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood, with what seems to be the in thing to do these days, A.J., bash Madonna.
HAMMER: Yes, Brooke. If it seems to you like everybody is always mad at Madonna for something, well, you are not imagining things. The latest controversy, of course, is the uproar over her adoption of a child in Africa.
But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s been doing a little time traveling. And we can tell you that being miffed at Madonna seems to be a national past time. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Sibila Vargas with us tonight in Hollywood.
SIBILA VARGAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That`s right, A.J. Madonna is used to controversy. She`s basically prided her career on it. Every little thing she`d say or do gets people hung up on her. You`ve heard it all before.
And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you the top grossing female artist ever is once again causing a commotion.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Often the subject of controversy, let`s just say.
VARGAS, (voice-over): Just when you think there`s nothing that Madonna hasn`t done, she surprises once again. The one-time material girl is the subject of not one, but two controversies in the same week.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You won`t be seeing Madonna hanging from a cross any time soon.
VARGAS: NBC is now saying it will remove footage of Madonna`s mock crucifixion when the network airs her concert special. The crucifixion routine is featured on her world tour, and that`s drawing worldwide protests.
KIERA MCCAFFREY, CATHOLIC LEAGUE SPOKESWOMAN: She loves using Catholic imagery and trashing it. This is old hat for her.
VARGAS: Kiera McCaffrey of the Catholic League tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that it is no longer a surprise when Madonna steps over the line.
MCCAFFREY: She`s a clown. We know it. We expect it. There is really not much more we can do than raise our eyebrows at her.
VARGAS: At the same time, the pop star is getting hammered for adopting a 1-year-old boy from the African nation of Malawi. At best, critics are accusing her of getting special treatment in the speedy international adoption.
CHERYL CARTER-SHOTTS, AMERICANS FOR AFRICAN ADOPTION: I just don`t think it`s right for a celebrity to have all kinds of concessions made when they`re just an average person.
VARGAS: And at worse, other critics are accusing her of buying a child. Andrea Peyber of the "New York Post" writes, quote, "Madonna, the sluttish, egomaniacal mother of the century, has topped even her most revolting self."
Two big controversies in the same week? That`s remarkable even for Madonna. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you after more than 20 years of being out there, no one can inspire and infuriate like Madonna can.
The list of people, groups, religions and country that she`s offended, frightened or just plain ticked off over the years is too long for us to count.
J.D. HEYMAN, "PEOPLE" MAGAZINE: And people have very strong opinions when it comes to Madonna, and so whenever Madonna does anything, it`s going to get a reaction.
VARGAS: That`s been true for decades now. In the 80s, she ignited a war with Catholic groups that continues to this day. With the video of her song, "Like a Prayer."
In the 90s, Madonna got a whole nation, Argentina, mad at her when she got the title role in the movie musical, "Evita." Based on the life of Argentina`s legendary former first lady.
We`ve also seen Madonna smooch Britney Spears on live TV, and the skeptical eye of Jewish groups by embracing Kabbalah.
MADONNA, SINGER: I am here as a student of Kabbalah.
VARGAS: Now, in the wake of her crucifixion controversy, some critics are bashing Madonna as a religion bating attention hog.
MCCAFFREY: We know Madonna tries to scandalize. This is what she enjoys doing. She obviously can`t get enough attention for herself by singing and dancing.
VARGAS: But as the most successful female artist of all time, with more than 120 million records sold, Madonna hardly seems to need more attention. And now, even her selfless less-sac religious acts like adopting a child still seem to get Madonna hammered in the press.
"People" magazine`s Julie Jordan tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT it`s easy to see why.
JULIE JORDAN, "PEOPLE" MAGAZINE: Well, it`s Madonna, and you can`t forget that controversy tends to follow her. And when there`s no chaos, people like to create it. So even in a situation like this, when she`s doing a good thing, people look for that. They want excitement. They want drama.
VARGAS: Madonna tells "People" magazine, quote, I expect to be given a hard time about many of the things I do. I know they are provocative, and I prepare myself, but I did not expect the media, the government or any human rights organizations to take a stand against my trying to save a child`s life."
But maybe Madonna deserves a break. So we ask Kiera McCaffrey of the Catholic League if she has anything nice to say about the group`s long-time nemesis.
MCCAFFREY: Do I have anything nice to say about Madonna?
VARGAS: After some thought, Kiera did come came up with something. She complimented Madonna as a devoted mom. Sort of.
MCCAFFREY: Madonna states that she keeps her children away from television. She doesn`t want them to be corrupted by it and influenced by it. That`s very nice, Madonna, that you`re so concerned with what your own children are watching. Meanwhile, she`s putting this trash out here for everybody else`s kids to see.
VARGAS: Oh well. A backhanded compliment is still a compliment. Madonna and the rest of us will have to contend with the fact that no matter what she does, who she offends and who she adopts, she will always be one of our more controversial figures. And she`ll also be one of the most successful.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VARGAS (on camera): And all of you Madonna lovers and haters, listen up. Madonna will be on the "Oprah Winfrey Show" next Wednesday. So she`ll no doubt talk about these controversies. And you can bet SHOWBIZ TONIGHT will bring you the very latest on Madonna`s news-making appearance.
ANDERSON: We certainly with. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Sibila Vargas in Hollywood, thanks. And it`s great to have you back.
HAMMER: Well, now we`d like to hear from you. Bashing Madonna: Does she get criticized unfairly? This is our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. We`d like you to keep voting at cnn.com/showbiztonight or e-mail us at showbiztonight@cnn.com. Want to do more than that?
Well, remember, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is the only entertainment news show to let you express your opinion on video. All you got to do is look straight into your video camera or your webcam if you got one of those. Send us a piece of your mind through video e-mail. It`s very easy to do. Just go to the Web site, cnn.com/showbiztonight to learn how to do it. You click, you attach and you send it to us. Just keep it under 30 seconds and watch for your video e-mails only SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
ANDERSON: Now, on to some late-breaking news today. Two stunning stories out of the country music word.
First, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that Country Star Keith Urban, who is married to Nicole Kidman, has checked into rehab for alcohol. Late today, we got this statement from Urban`s publicist. "I deeply regret the hurt this has caused Nicole and the ones that love and support me. One can never let one`s guard down on recovery and I`m afraid that I have. With the strength and unwavering support I am blessed to have from my wife, family and friends, I am determined and resolved to a positive outcome."
Urban`s publicist also tells us Nicole was with him when he checked in, but he won`t say where the rehab facility is.
Now, coming up a bit later, more on stars struggling with addiction. It`s our special week long series, "Prescription for Rehab." Former "Full House" star Jodie Sweetin on battling crystal meth.
HAMMER: And now, the other shocking story from the country music world. Country Singer Sara Evans` husband is lashing out, saying, hang on just a second. He was the one who got cheated on. This is the latest shot in what is truly one of the nastiest divorces we have. It even rivals the Paul McCartney-Heather Mills take no prisoners split.
Joining me from Glendale, California tonight, Harvey Levin, managing editor of the "Entertainment News" Web site, TMZ.com.
All right, let me run through it here, Harvey. Just this week we saw Sara Evans bailing out of "Dancing with the Stars." She is saying her husband, Craig, cheated on her, that he has an extensive porn collection, he has photos of himself having sex with other women. He`s saying something completely opposite, isn`t he?
HARVEY LEVIN, MANAGING EDITOR, TMZ.COM: Oh, is he ever. He is now saying that it was Sara Evans who cheated -- and not only cheated, but he is alleging that he found out about this the night before she filed for divorce, while they were having dinner.
Now, he doesn`t say who she cheated with or allegedly cheated with. However, we know from sources within his camp that he accused her of having an affair with her "Dancing with the Stars" dancing partner. Now, that partner and Sara Evans both deny it, but it seems like he is trying to drag him in A.J.
HAMMER: He said, she said, this is getting awfully tiresome. Let`s talk about these pictures for a second. Apparently, she`s claiming that Evans -- that her husband has these pictures of him having sex with other women. Now they either exist or they don`t exist, Harvey. If we were to believe him, they only are pictures of him and Sara Evans, and they were possibly taken by Evans. Obviously, the proof`s going to be in the pictures. Could they actually come out in a court battle as this gets nastier and nastier?
LEVIN: Boy, with -- boy, the bad Harvey was about to say something, the proof is in the pictures. But I won`t say it, A.J.
HAMMER: Bad Harvey.
LEVIN: Well, no, I mean, look, the pictures -- the pictures -- the pictures are what will be telling here. And he`s saying, look, there was a time when basically the two of us were taking pictures of each other while we were messing around. And if there is a picture of me in this state of arousal, she was the photographer.
So ultimately, I think we`re going to figure something out; although, guess what, A.J., you won`t be able to really see the photographer, so it could always stay a mystery.
HAMMER: Yes. Unless there`s a mirror involved. But I`m not going to go there. Bad A.J. is not going to get involved.
LEVIN: Bad A.J.
HAMMER: All right. So back to the question of who cheated on who. Again, as I said, it`s a he said/she said thing that`s going on. Are either one of them actually saying they can prove the other has cheated, as far as you know?
LEVIN: No. I mean, they`re not submitting evidence in this case. They`re making allegations in this case. Now he is denying every allegation she made, including the allegation of possibly having an affair with a nanny. He is saying he never had an affair, was never unfaithful. This is going to be an absolute war, A.J. From her perspective, he`s a dog. From his perspective, this was just a blunt, the attack that he was about to make on her. So this is ugly by all counts.
HAMMER: All right. We got to wrap it up there, Harvey. It is the weekend. You can let bad Harvey out to play. Harvey Levin, managing editor of TMZ.com. Thanks a lot.
LEVIN: Bye, A.J.
ANDERSON: Stars eating dog food. No, they`re not out of work, but why we think it`s a doggone ridiculous idea. That`s next.
HAMMER: And the inspirational story of a top designer who`s still able to see amazing things, even though he`s blind. He`s even got his own TV show. And that`s coming up in just a bit.
We`ve also got this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JONATHAN WALTON, CORRESPONDENT: You`ve actually pole danced before, though?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well.
WALTON (voice-over): But it`s not what you think.
(On camera): Oh, you were dancing around a pole because it was in the way?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, it was in the way.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Forget shuffle board and bingo, Carmen Electra is electrifying senior citizens with some pretty sexy moves. We`re talking Lap dances, folks. This is definitely one you got to see to believe. Still to come.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER (on camera): Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, TV`s most provocative entertainment news show. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York and it`s time now for another story that made us say, "That`s ridiculous!"
All right. I love animals. In fact, I would do anything for my dog, Seven, as anybody who knows me knows. There he is right there. Look, licking his chops. He just enjoyed a lovely meal. But downing dog food with Seven, for me, that would even be going a bit too far.
Well, listen to this. "Little House on the Prairie" star Melissa Gilbert and Ross, the intern form the "Tonight Show," popped some puppy chow for Dine with your Dog Day. And it`s pretty much exactly what it sounds like. Eating dog food with your dog.
"Eight is Enough" TV dad Dick Van Patten is behind all this. His Natural Balance dog food company is the sponsor of the event.
Brooke, I got to tell you, I will sit there and I will feed Seven a steak, perhaps. I will eat my dinner while he is eating his, but I will not eat the dog food.
ANDERSON: Right. Seven can eat the people food, but not vice versa. There`s a reason it`s called dog food. It`s for dogs, not people. It`s disgusting.
HAMMER: And we think it`s a crazy idea. And that`s why we say dining with your dog, that`s ridiculous.
ANDERSON: That`s ridiculous.
HAMMER: Well, now on to our ongoing coverage of Hollywood`s obsession with body image and weight. We call it the "Showbiz Weight Watch." We cover this stuff like no other entertainment news show.
And tonight, Super Model Claudia Schiffer and Actress Jennifer Tilly, speaking out about the struggle to stay skinny. Schiffer tells Bunt, which is a German magazine, that models today are too thin to be attractive.
Schiffer says, "It doesn`t really look good anymore. Fashion looks good on thin models, but when you look at today`s models, you cannot help but think there is something wrong. They are way too thin. It is only bones that stick out." Schiffer goes on to say, "Models have always been thin. But today, they are even thinner, which is unbelievable."
ANDERSON: Oscar nominated actress Jennifer Tilly knows all too well about the pressures of staying attractive in Hollywood. Tilly is currently starring in the ABC family movie "Initiation of Sarah." It`s a horror film about the mystical and deadly side of college sororities.
I had a chance to talk to Tilly about her role and about how getting older in Hollywood has actually been a plus for her.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JENNIFER TILLY, ACTRESS: People say after you turn 40, the roles dry up. But I found after I turned 40, the roles have gotten a lot more interesting for me because it`s not just about, you know, looking attractive. Now it`s about looking attractive and being entertaining at the same time.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: "Initiation of Sarah" premiers this Sunday on ABC Family. And remember, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is the only entertainment news show that`s covering Hollywood`s ongoing obsession with body image like this.
Catch the "Showbiz Weight Watch" every Tuesday and Friday and other nights as news develops. That`s right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT:
HAMMER: All right. Imagine getting the chance to be on a reality television show to have a room in your house redesigned. Sounds great, right? Well, now imagine you find out your interior designer is blind. You think it can`t happen? Well, it already has on A&E`s new reality show, "Designing Blind." Designer Eric B. is blind, but that hasn`t slowed him down one bit.
Eric B., joining me tonight for this sit down.
Pleasure to meet you.
ERIC B., "DESIGNING BLIND": Same here, A.J. Thank you.
HAMMER: Eric, my mom worked at the Lighthouse here in New York City with the blind for many years, and she`s a vocational trainer, which means she helps blind people find work, get jobs or learn how to do certain jobs. But the job of interior designer never came up. And it`s a little surprising. I imagine you get that a lot.
ERIC B.: No, I do. What`s happened to me is actually I came back to doing what I do today because of my own needs. After I lost my sight, I was redesigning my own house and I had to finish it blind. And realizing my need, I shifted. And I needed to make a home more about how it felt rather than how it looked.
HAMMER: Which makes an awful lot of sense. And I know you lost your sight, it was about 10 years ago.
ERIC B.: Right.
HAMMER: And I have to imagine, though, whether it`s clients or whether it`s participants on your show, you are met with a bit of skepticism. It seems pretty natural because it seems sort of counter intuitive to have a blind designer.
ERIC B.: That`s correct. So, what I do actually, do an exercise with them and show them that they can use the other senses in a different way. And looking actually a lot of the time what they don`t realize, you know, psychologically, I do it for them by doing some different things, while obvious at first, but I actually think that people take for granted.
HAMMER: Well, give me a sense of what actually happens. You walk into a room. You`re with a client. How do you know what to do? How do you even begin?
ERIC B.: Well, I play a little bit like a psychologist. First, I try to understand where people are in their lives and why they are in the state they are. I mean, people don`t -- are not, you know, locked into a design issue for no reason. So I have to understand why first.
So I -- again, I play a little bit like a therapist and then I feel my way around. I use my hands just like my eyes. I pay attention to sounds and smell and I put those pieces together in order to know what I need to do with the room.
HAMMER: Colors have to be pretty difficult, I imagine.
ERIC B.: They are, but color is emotional. It`s something -- I try to understand the emotional response to people`s life with colors. For example, I blindfold my clients and ask them to relate to colors through feeling such an object they know, or tasting certain things, so they can actually share the colors with a feeling, rather than something visual.
HAMMER: So how do you know, Eric -- in the end, how do you know that your design has been a success?
ERIC B.: I guess when they take -- whenever my clients takes the blindfold off. You know? If that`s a wow factor. If, you know, you can hear it in the sound of their voice.
HAMMER: Yes.
ERIC B.: And I know, you know, I have succeeded.
HAMMER: Nothing can be better than, I`m sure, doing that reveal at the end and they`re screaming, oh my God. And you know if that`s a good, oh my God or a bad oh my God, I`m sure.
ERIC B.: You know, and the tears help, too.
HAMMER: Yes. Tears always do help. Eric B., I think the concept is fascinating and I appreciate you coming in and talking to us about it tonight.
ERIC B.: Thank you very much.
the show is called "Designing Blind," and you can and catch Eric in that show on A&E.
I want to remind you now that SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can now be seen seven nights a week. You know, here we are. It`s Friday night, but don`t worry. We are around for your weekend, too, with TV`s most provocative entertainment news show. So join us for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Saturday and Sunday and of course each and every night 11:00 p.m. Eastern, 8:00 Pacific.
ANDERSON: Listen to this. Twin brothers brought up as strict Jehovah`s Witnesses reveal they are gay. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, with an in depth look at whether coming out is the way to get on the Hollywood A-list or get off it.
HAMMER: Oh why oh why are these people running around in their underwear? Well, believe it or not, it`s for a good cause. We still think it`s kind of ridiculous. That`s coming up.
We`ve also got this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I do aerobics, also, so.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That kind of loosens you up for this?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Forget shuffle board and bingo. Carmen Electra is electrifying senior citizens with some pretty sexy dance moves. We`re talking lap dances here. Now, this is definitely one you got to see to believe. Still to come.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT this weekend, our continuing series, "Prescription for Rehab." Whitney Houston, the drug rumors, the divorce drama and now word is the singer is making a comeback. What`s it going to take to revive Whitney`s career? That`s this Saturday and Sunday on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT this weekend.
ANDERSON: When the tax man cometh, it looks like Wesley Snipes headeth to Africa. It`s the stunning question on everyone`s mind this week. Where is Actor Wesley Snipes? It looks like the same place where Angelina Jolie gave birth to Shiloh a few months back, Namibia.
Officials in the African country say Wesley is shooting a movie there.
The folks over at the Internal Revenue Service want to have a chat with Mr. Snipes over allegedly not filing six years worth of returns and falsely claiming more than $12 million in refunds. If convicted, Wesley could get up to 16 years in prison. But get this. Namibia has no extradition treaty with the United States. So Wesley might be hanging out there for a while. I guess that means no "White Men Can`t Jump" sequel.
HAMMER: A "Grey`s Anatomy" star comes out and says he is gay. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, with an in depth look at whether coming out is the way to get on the Hollywood A-list or get off it.
ANDERSON: Oh why oh why are all these people running around in their underwear? Believe it or not, it is for a good cause. But we think it`s kind of ridiculous.
Plus, we have also got this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JONATHAN WALTON, CORRESPONDENT: You`ve actually pole danced before, though?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well.
WALL (voice-over): But it`s not what you think.
(On camera): Oh, you were dancing around a pole because it was in the way?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, it was in the way.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (on camera): Forget shuffleboard and bingo, Carmen Electra is electrifying senior citizens with some pretty sexy moves. I`m talking about lap dances here. It is definitely one you got to see to believe. That is still to come.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT for Friday night is coming right back.
(NEWSBREAK)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It is 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. This is TV`s most provocative entertainment news show.
A.J., George Michael is shocking people once again. This time he`s publicly talking about the fact that he loves his marijuana. Is his drug use out of control? Hear what George Michael has to say about it, coming up.
HAMMER: Also coming up, a couple of guys -- now pay attention, Brooke. They`re identical twins. They`re from Montana. They`re from strict Jehovah`s Witness families. They`re trying to be pop stars and they`re gay. There`s an awful lot to talk about with these guys. And we`ll get to bottom of all of that, coming up in just a few minutes.
ANDERSON: All right. Looking forward to that, A.J.
But first, tonight, a startling announcement as another major star comes out of the closet. "Grey`s Anatomy" Star T.R. Knight confirms to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT he is gay. In a statement to "People" magazine, the actor said he wanted to address growing rumors, but he hoped being gay wasn`t the most interesting thing about him.
For a major star to reveal they are gay is not an easy decision. But how can it affect their career?
With me tonight in Hollywood, Celebrity Publicist Howard Bragman.
Howard, great to see you again.
HOWARD BRAGMAN, CELEBRITY PUBLICIST: Hi Brooke.
ANDERSON: Hi there. OK, T.R. Knight confirms he is gay. He says he addressed the issue because the buzz was starting to circulate, the rumors were out there, that he hopes it`s not the most interesting thing about him.
Howard, is it the best strategy to go ahead and nip those rumors in the bud?
BRAGMAN: You know, it has to be a personal strategy. There`s your career and there`s your life. I`m sort of the go-to guy in Hollywood when actors and athletes want to come out of closet. And I have never found anybody that wasn`t delighted when they come out. They get more attention, they get more roles, they get more support from their fans. And ultimately in almost every case, I think it is a great decision.
ANDERSON: Yes, you encourage them, if that`s the choice that they want to make. In fact, years ago you helped Dick Sergeant, who played Darren in "Bewitched," come out of the closet.
Howard, why don`t you think more publicists do the same thing?
BRAGMAN: Because they call this show business. And if you have a star that`s a multimillion dollar actor, you have people making money, you have agents and managers making 10 percent. You have the publicist making money, and they don`t want to shake things up. And I guess I`m a little different. People come to me to come out of the closet. Most publicists keep their clients in the closet. But I would rather let people live in their truth and their honesty and they`re always happy. And it`s always -- they`re always in a better place.
And in fact, you and I talked about this. I talked to somebody on the set this morning. And they said that T.R. is 10-feet tall today and the weight of the world has been lifted from his shoulders and it`s transformed not only him, but the entire show is in a different place than it`s been during the last couple of weeks because of things that happened.
ANDERSON: That`s fantastic. The burden of the secret sounds like it`s just been lifted from him.
A couple of other openly gay celebrities, as we all know --Ellen DeGeneres, Rosie O`Donnell. Howard, both of them were on network TV when they came out. Now, the initial reaction was mixed, but now look at them. They`re doing better than ever. They`re so successful. What does that say?
BRAGMAN: It says that if you`re happy in your own life, that you`re going to do better in your career. To be able -- to have to take somebody to a premier that you don`t -- isn`t really your partner, and to have to fake it is no way for anybody to live and I can`t imagine a superstar happy in their mansion with millions of dollars living a lie basically. And I think when you live in your truth, that it shows to the world and people respect you. It`s a different world we live in.
As I always say, I grew up watching "My Three Sons" and "Leave it to Beaver." Kids today come home from school and they watch "Will and Grace" and they watch "Queer Eye for the Straight Eye." And it`s just a different world that we live in.
ANDERSON: Very true. It is a different world out there. But let me ask you about the case of `N Sync Start Lance Bass. He came out after he was done, after he was finished with the whole boy band thing. So must there still be a fear of turning away your fans?
BRAGMAN: Of course there is a fear. There`s any -- everybody has a fear about shaking up a career that`s working. And a lot of people like Dick Sergeant came out after their careers. But I think there`s a new generation out there and I work with nemesis who`s going to be on the show today and they`ve coming out at the beginning of their career. And T.R. is very young in his career and he is out at the beginning of his career. And I think that`s the generational shift we are going to see, that people are just going to say, the closet`s not for me. I would rather live honestly and take the world as it comes.
ANDERSON: And just get out of that closet.
Howard Bragman...
BRAGMAN: Exactly.
ANDERSON: ... as always, thanks so much. We appreciate it.
BRAGMAN: Thanks, Brooke.
ANDERSON: Coming out of the closet must have been a really big deal for T.R. Knight.
I can tell you it was also a very big deal for two twins, who Howard just mentioned, who are hoping to make it big in the music business. Coming up at 45 past the hour, A.J.`s interview with the brothers who came out on national television. After that, they`re Jehovah`s Witnesses. It`s the interview you`re going to see only right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
HAMMER: Now on to some breaking news today out of the country music world. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can now tell you that Country Star Keith Urban, who`s married to Nicole Kidman, has checked into rehab for alcohol.
Late today, we got this statement from Urban`s publicist. It says, "I deeply regret the hurt this has caused Nicole and the ones that love and support me. One can never let one`s guard down on recovery and I`m afraid that I have. With the strength and unwavering support I am blessed to have from my wife, family and friends, I am determined and resolved to a positive outcome."
Urban`s publicist also tells us that Nicole was with him when he checked into rehab, but he won`t say where that rehab facility is.
ANDERSON: Singer George Michael, causing shock waves again. This time, it`s over his drug use. Michael could be seen openly smoking marijuana during an interview that will air on British television. Inhaling deeply, Michael said, quote, "This is the only drug I`ve ever thought worth taking. This stuff keeps me sane and happy. I`d say it`s a great drug, but obviously not very healthy." The interview was taped in Madrid.
Michael said that he`s just enjoying life and that his habit is not out of control. Recently Michael was arrested for marijuana possession after police found him slumped at the wheel of his car.
Ahead on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, our special series "Prescription for Rehab" continues. We`re going to take a look at stars who have battled addictions.
Coming up, you remember former child star Jodie Sweetin as Stephanie Tanner on "Full House." Well, we talked to her about her shocking addiction to crystal meth. That`s coming up at 49 after the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
HAMMER: Have you been paying attention? There`s a ballroom dancing revival going on these days. People everywhere, signing up to learn new and old dance moves.
Of course, first there was "Dancing with the Stars." And now there`s a group of senior citizens taking some lessons from none other than the sexy star Carmen Electra.
Here`s Jonathan Walton for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JONATHAN WALTON, CORRESPONDENT: These are the silver star senior tap dancers, tapping up a storm at the Madison Joves (ph) Senior Citizen Center in Pasadena. The dance they`re doing now is called stomping away at the sevoy (ph). They actually do about 60 shows a year, believe it or not.
(On camera): Do you do bar mitzvahs?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We haven`t yet, but we can always try something new.
WALTON (voice-over): And they`re available for hire, if anyone`s interested.
(ON CAMERA): Would you do a bris (ph)?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A what?
WALTON (voice-over): Francis Christian and her gang are about to try out some new moves, though, taught by Carmen Electra.
CARMEN ELECTRA: It`s time to learn how to give a little something I like to call a lap dance.
WALTON: Admittedly, when Carmen Electra`s lap dance DVD went in, some of the seniors were a little reluctant. Apparently, she has a reputation among the over 60 crowd.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I`ve heard of her.
WALTON (on camera): Good things?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, not particularly.
WALTON (voice-over): But Joy Patterson and her peeps gave it their best shot anyway. They matched Carmen Electra`s hoedown, move for move. And at the end of the session, actually had the lap dance learned.
(On camera): You`ve actually pole danced before, though?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well.
WALTON (voice-over): But it`s not what you think.
(On camera): Oh, you were dancing around a pole because it was in the way?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, it was in the way. Yes.
WALTON: You weren`t actually like a stripper at Treasures or something?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, I don`t think so.
WALTON: As for Rufus Tormillo (ph), he was the only guy in the group.
RUFUS TORMILLO (ph): I do aerobics, also, so...
WALTON (on camera): That kind of loosens you up for this?
(Voice-over): Oh, and he was loose and apparently quite oblivious as to what he was learning.
TORMILLO (ph): That was stripping?
WALTON (on camera): Well, it was a strip tease. It was like a lap dance.
TORMILLO (ph): Oh.
WALTON: You ever did a lap dance? Can`t say that anymore, can you?
TORMILLO (ph): Well, no. I`m pretty good at it now.
WALTON (voice-over): And who better than Carmen Electra to broaden Rufus` horizons.
(On camera): She`s, as the kids say, got it going on.
(Voice-over): A point that will no doubt echo for generations to come.
TORMILLO (ph): She`s got it going on.
WALTON (on camera): I hear that.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: wow. That was Jonathan Walton for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
ANDERSON: We are all over Hollywood`s obsession with body image and weight. Coming up next, on the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, on the Showbiz weight watch, former American Idol Ruben Studdard drops 75 pounds. Wow. He tells us how he did it, just ahead.
HAMMER: Also, check these guys out. They`re twin brothers. They want to be music stars, and they`re Jehovah`s Witnesses. Find out what happened when they told their parents they`re also gay.
We`ll also have this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don`t know. I still am not sure if it was, you know, completely due to the fact that I was a child star. I don`t know if this would have happened regardless.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: She played the darling Stephanie Tanner from "Full House," but it was her battle with addiction that she`s speaking out about. How did she keep it hidden and how did she overcome it? It`s the interview you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, TV`s most provocative entertainment news show. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
Time now for another story that made us say, "That`s ridiculous." This one really makes me laugh. In Hawaii, more than 200 people wearing only their tidy whiteys and sneakers ran a mile in the underpants run. The runners suit up, so to speak. Then they recite the underwear run pledge, crossing their hearts and saying, I will resist the temptation to wear the evil garment and so on. Then they all take off running through town.
Now, the tongue in cheek event is meant to poke fun at those who don`t know when to wear butt hugging swimsuits, but it also helps raise money for Special Olympics, which is a good thing.
So it may be a good cause, but running in your underwear, A.J., I mean it`s only a mile, but I hope they all had on sunscreen. You know, a lot of sensitive skin getting exposed.
HAMMER: You see I had my heart crossed. Can you see that? Now what`s the pledge?
ANDERSON: You were reciting the pledge?
HAMMER: Yes.
ANDERSON: I will not wear the evil garments.
HAMMER: I will not wear the evil garments. Running in your underwear, that`s ridiculous.
ANDERSON: That`s ridiculous.
HAMMER: All right. Moving on now to our ongoing coverage of Hollywood`s obsession with body image and weight. We call it the "Showbiz Weight Watch."
Tonight, American Idol winner Ruben Studdard has a new look along with his brand new album. He shed 75 pounds over the last year, and he says he is feeling healthier than ever.
I sat down with Ruben to talk about what it took for him to lose all that weight.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RUBEN STUDDARD, AMERICAN IDOL WINNER: I went to the Duke Diet and Fitness Center for a month and I -- you know, they took really great care of me. I call it the five-star fat camp.
HAMMER: The five-star fat camp?
STUDDARD: Five-star -- because, oh man, like I didn`t know you would lose weight and eat filet mignon, like it was outstanding.
HAMMER: It really, as you learn, turns out to be more about changing your lifestyle?
STUDDARD: You`re changing your lifestyle and changing your choices. You know, the thing is, is that, you know, we never really look for the healthy choices. Like a lot of people say, well, are there less healthy choices out there now that you`re on the road? No. We just never paid attention to them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The velvet teddy bear`s new album, "The Return," is now available everywhere. And we`re going to have the full interview with Ruben Studdard on Tuesday, right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Well, from one pop star to a set of twins who hope their pop careers will take off like Ruben`s.
First, they have a few things to take care of. You see, Jacob and Joshua Miller have the look, they have the sound, a record deal, even a TV show. But they`re also gay and from a household of Jehovah`s Witnesses who didn`t know they were gay. So they had to tell their family before they heard about it on TV.
Here`s how that went.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JACOB MILLER, GAY TWIN: Josh and I are releasing a record later this fall, as you know. And I wanted you guys to know that we are both gay and we are both going to be openly gay as we release the record.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I sat down with Jacob and Joshua to talk about their new show, "Jacob and Joshua: Nemesis Rising," and to see how things turned out with the family.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Coming out to one`s parents as we always have heard the story, is difficult enough. Yours happen to be Jehovah`s Witnesses. You guys happen to be put on a timetable because of the TV show and the music and your manager, and all of that.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Exactly.
HAMMER: What was the anticipation of having to sit down and tell them like for you guys?
JACOB MILLER: It`s incredibly nerve wracking. I mean, for me, it worked out better to just kind of take it real business like. I just, you know, kind of give this little spiel and say, you know, we are gay and we are going to market ourselves openly. We`re not going to try to hide it.
HAMMER: But you were more prepared to do that than you were?
JOSHUA MILLER, GAY TWIN: Yes, well, right. Because I had not ever talked to my parents about being gay because I didn`t want to talk to them, you know? It wasn`t something I wanted to do. And now all of a sudden I was in a position of having to do it because we were doing our television series and it was going to be on there.
And I didn`t want to it because I knew it would impact my life in terms of, you know, their religion and their faith, and I knew all of that was going to come up. So I never dealt with it before.
HAMMER: So how did it go? Was it as difficult as you anticipated? Easier?
JOSHUA MILLER: It was great because I didn`t say anything. Jacob just like sprung it on us while we were all having dinner on the porch.
JACOB MILLER: I, as usual, had to do all the work.
JOSHUA MILLER: I think they took it amazingly well. I mean, it`s a process that they`re still going through.
JACOB MILLER: Yes, not to make light of their emotions. And they cry and they, you know, it`s a very, it`s a serious issue that`s important to them.
HAMMER: And the added component is the teachings of the Jehovah`s Witnesses, which basically say for family members, they have to limit their association with gay family members. And is that what is, in fact, happening?
JACOB MILLER: They have not limited their association with us yet. They haven`t. They`re supposed to.
JOSHUA MILLER: Well, the show just -- it`s starting to air now.
JACOB MILLER: Yes, that`s kind of the X factor.
JOSHUA MILLER: Yes. Well, I mean, once -- it was fine once, you know -- it`s like don`t ask, don`t tell was fine. But once it`s made public, once the shows are airing, then it`s something that they have to figure out how they are going to handle.
HAMMER: I have heard before where it`s not an uncommon thing for twins to be gay, but when did you come out to each other?
JACOB MILLER: Right after we moved away from Montana and got to Nashville and I started working at an airline and I met somebody, of course, at the airline who was gay. And he became a god friend of mine. And the long story short of it is that I ended up -- he ended up being my first, my first gay relationship.
And Joshua was...
JOSHUA MILLER: So I just knew, I new something was going on because he was emotionally detached. He was exploring his life and I was being left behind. So I started snooping around.
HAMMER: So how did you react when he finally came out to you?
JACOB MILLER: I freaked out, you know, because I was still trying to be a good boy and so I, you know, wanted to take him to the elders and have him disfellowshipped and go through all of the process, you know, that now I`m worried about having done to me.
HAMMER: And it came -- it enabled you to sort of come to terms with whatever you were going through in your own mind?
JACOB MILLER: Yes. It was the catalyst, you know, that made me say, OK, I can start to examine myself for the first time.
HAMMER: So you guys are being marketed as a gay duo. In fact, in the first episode the manager says to you, that`s how we`re going to market you because we want to be truthful and that`s the way it`s going to be. Is that a problem? It is going to be a part of your identity, both with the television show and with the music. Are you at all concerned that it may overshadow the music?
JACOB MILLER: The music`s very strong. The music`s good. It will be difficult to overshadow the music if we can get people to listen to the music, you know?
JOSHUA MILLER: But you`re right, out of the gay, it`s the only thing that anybody wants to talk about, which it`s so strange for us because we never talk about it.
(CROSSTALK)
JACOB MILLER: ... that you have to tell. My hope is that after people know that we are gay and we tell our story, then everything kind of shifts to the music and hopefully people will just stop talking about being gay. I don`t see why it matters.
JOSHUA MILLER: Audiences are ready to purchase, you know, popular music from a couple of gay brothers.
HAMMER: And hopefully it will stand alone on its own.
Joshua and Jacob, I thank you for coming in. Best of luck to both of you guys.
JOSHUA MILLER: Thanks for having us.
JACOB MILLER: Thanks for having us.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: You can catch "Jacob and Joshua: Nemesis Rising," on the Logo Network. Their first album`s called "Rise Up," and it is available on Nemesiswebsite.com.
ANDERSON: Last night we asked you what you think about all these juicy and sometimes graphic details about celebrity relationships. Stars Splits: Should they keep their dirty laundry to themselves? 93 percent of you say, yes. Only 7 percent of you say no.
Here`s some of the e-mails we received.
Nikki from Louisiana writes, "They should keep that to themselves. We don`t want to hear their pity story. We have our own problems."
Leslie from Canada says, "Stars should keep their dirty laundry to themselves, but the media is not allowing them to do just that."
Remember, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is the only entertainment news show that lets you send in video e-mail now. So go to cnn.com/showbiztonight. We`ll show you how.
HAMMER: And now our continuing special series "Prescription for Rehab." We are taking a look at stars who have battled addictions sometimes in the public eye, but sometimes without anyone knowing.
And that was the case with former child star Jodie Sweetin. When she starred as Stephanie Tanner on "Full House," no one could have predicted that years later she would be battling an addiction to crystal meth.
Well, she stopped by SHOWBIZ TONIGHT and we talked about the her two- year addiction and how she overcame it.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: I remember when you came out about your addiction.
JODIE SWEETIN, STARRED ON "FULL HOUSE": Yes.
HAMMER: You said you weren`t quite sure what it was or if being a child star directly contributed to it. Now that you`ve had a little more space and time, do you have perspective to say if it was a factor?
SWEETIN: You know, I don`t know. I still am not sure if it was completely due to the fact I was a child star. I don`t know if this would have happened regardless. But there are a lot of pressures and a lot of different things that sort of come with being a child star and growing up in this business that, you know, normal kids don`t have to deal with. And it does create, you know, certain issues and things like that, but, you know, I feel really fortunate that I have been able to come through to the other side and really sort of, you know, learn how to deal with those things, and, you know, fortunately get another career started, you know at 24 again. I`m really lucky.
HAMMER: It`s always so terrific when you hear that people are able to come to terms with an addiction because it can go both ways as we know.
SWEETIN: Yes.
HAMMER: And you were really dealing with the very typical scenarios of hiding it from your family.
SWEETIN: Right.
HAMMER: You were hiding it from your husband, who was an L.A. -- this was your husband...
SWEETIN: Yes, yes.
HAMMER: ... an L.A. cop?
SWEETIN: Yes.
HAMMER: That has to have been like leading a double life, right?
SWEETIN: Yes, it was. I mean, it was, you know, it was hard. It was hard. But it`s -- you know what? It`s a way for me now -- I feel really fortunate that I get to speak about it. I`m actually doing a college tour and going around to different universities all over the country and speaking to college students about my -- you know, dealings with the drug and how to come through onto the other side. And I`m using it as something that, you know, I can help others with.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Jodie tells me that her "Full House" co-stars are totally supportive and still keep in touch.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s special series "Prescription for Rehab" continues with another former child star, Danny Bonaduce. He battled alcohol and drug abuse for quite some time. He shares his struggle on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT this weekend.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is coming right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: We`ve been asking you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. It is this, Bashing Madonna: Does she get criticized unfairly? Keep voting, cnn.com/showbiztonight. Send us an e-mail, showbiztonight@cnn.com.
We`re going to read some of your thoughts on Monday. And don`t forget SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is the only entertainment news show that lets you express your opinion on video. So just look into your video camera or webcam, send us a piece of your mind via video e-mail. Super easy. Head to the Web site, cnn.com/showbiztonight and you can learn how to do it. All you have to do is click, attach and send. Remember, the videos have to be 30 seconds or less. So short and sweet, people. And then watch for your video e-mails only right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
HAMMER: And here`s what`s coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT this weekend.
Tomorrow, it is our continuing series "Prescription for Rehab." Whitney Houston, the drug rumors, the divorce drama and now, word is she`s making a come back. What`s it going to take to revive Whitney`s career? It`s a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT special report this weekend.
On Monday`s SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Anna Nicole Smith, her son finally buried more than a month after his sudden death. But now, what`s going on with the investigation? Will there be any legal action taken in this shocking case?
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT investigates. That`s on Monday. But that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thanks for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: Have a great night, everybody. Join us here this weekend. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
Glenn Beck is coming up next right after the latest headlines from "CNN HEADLINE NEWS."
(NEWSBREAK)
END
