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Showbiz Tonight
Madonna-McCain-Hitler Smackdown; Hill Harper Talks About Barack Obama; "American Idol`s" Fourth Judge; Barack and Michelle Obama`s Love Story; Will Britney Not to Perform at the VMAs
Aired August 26, 2008 - 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: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Madonna versus McCain. Explosive new developments over Madonna`s controversial concert video apparently comparing McCain to Hitler.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KIM SERAFIN, SENIOR EDITOR, "IN TOUCH WEEKLY": Madonna is doing a tour and there`s controversy in it? Oh my goodness. I can`t believe it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: And now, even Barack Obama`s camp is getting into the middle of this. But hold on. Why in the world did both Obama and McCain even bother responding? And is this Hitler video just a desperate Madonna ploy for attention? Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the Madonna-Hitler-McCain video smackdown.
The startling shakeup on "American Idol." Tonight, here comes the new judge. Should Paula Abdul be worried that she`s on the way out? And what`s the real reason behind the "Idol" change? Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with a big shakeup
Plus, Barack and Michelle Obama, a love story made for Hollywood. Tonight, the Obamas reveal how it all began. Barack and Michelle in their own words. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT starts right now.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Hello, I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
ANDERSON: Hi there, everyone. I`m Brooke Anderson, coming to you from Hollywood. And tonight, with the countdown on in Denver to nominate Barack Obama, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is there with the biggest stars, including "CSI New York" star Hill Harper who knew Obama before both of them were famous. They went to school together. Hill Harper joins us in just a moment.
HAMMER: But first, the explosive new developments in the Madonna-McCain- Hitler smackdown, because, yes, now even Obama`s camp is speaking out about Madonna apparently comparing McCain to Hitler in a brand new concert video. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the big story making news right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MICHELLE OBAMA, WIFE OF SEN. BARACK OBAMA: Let`s stand together to elect Barack Obama president of the United States of America.
HAMMER: It`s a love fest at the Democratic National Convention as Barack Obama continues his march to the presidential nomination. But amid the speeches -
SEN. TED KENNEDY (D-MA): And the dream lives on.
HAMMER: Photo ops and cutesy moments -
MALIA OBAMA, DAUGHTER OF SEN. BARACK OBAMA: Hi, daddy.
HAMMER: Hovering over the convention is a ground-breaking woman who`s become a real issue in this vicious presidential campaign. Hillary Clinton, we`re not talking about you.
MADONNA, POP STAR (sung): I don`t care.
HAMMER: We`re talking about Madonna, the Material Girl who has become a material campaign issue for appearing to compare John McCain to Adolf Hitler during her concert tour.
SERAFIN: Like, really? Madonna is doing a tour and there`s controversy in it? Oh my goodness. I can`t believe it.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you Madonna has both candidates snapping at her and each other. And Madge is just the latest celebrity to find herself dragged into the vicious presidential race.
The mess erupted at the opening of Madonna`s new "Sticky and Sweet" world tour in the UK. As you see in this YouTube video, as Madonna sang her song "Get Stupid," she flashed images of death, destruction, Hitler and John McCain. In contrast, Obama`s image was flashed in a more positive montage that featured Gandhi, Al Gore and John Lennon. Imagine that.
SERAFIN: I guess even at 50, she hasn`t lost her touch.
HAMMER: "In Touch Weekly`s" Kim Serafin tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT this is new territory even for a well-known controversy magnet like Madonna.
SERAFIN: We`re used to seeing her upset the Vatican and upset the Catholic Church and upset the Jewish religion with her images of Kabbalah, and then upset people with her S & M images. I think she may have run out of people to insult.
HAMMER: And McCain`s response to Madonna`s insult?
(VIDEO OF PEOPLE BURNING PICTURES OF MADONNA)
HAMMER: OK. Maybe it wasn`t that extreme, but McCain was still pretty steamed. In a statement about the Madonna video, his campaign wrote, quote, "The comparisons are outrageous, unacceptable and crudely divisive all at the same time. It clearly shows when it comes to supporting Barack Obama, his fellow worldwide celebrities refuse to consider any smear or attacks off limits."
McCain loves to link Obama to celebrities, as we saw in his ad that compared Obama to Paris Hilton and Britney Spears.
VOICE OVER: He`s the biggest is celebrity in the world.
HAMMER: And the Madonna video is giving McCain the chance to do it again.
SERAFIN: It does help them out in a way because once again, they can tie Barack Obama to celebrities, people that he probably doesn`t want to be tied to at all.
HAMMER: Obama is also slamming the Madonna ad. In a statement, his campaign says, quote, "These comparisons are outrageous and offensive and have no place in the political process."
And Obama is also using the whole flap to take a shot at his rival saying, quote, "We hope that John McCain will offer a similar condemnation as his allies increasingly practice sleazy swift boat politics."
So once again, with war, a troubled economy, and an uncertain world to talk about, McCain and Obama are spending a lot of time sniping at each other over celebrities, proof positive that even presidential candidates can get star struck, too.
SERAFIN: What this shows is that even candidates, even political campaigns are just as obsessed with celebrity and Hollywood entertainment as we are here.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Now, Madonna`s publicist tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that she has, quote, "not received any comment from Madonna on the subject."
Well, Madonna may not been commenting on this whole McCain mess, but our esteemed showbiz political panel sure is. Coming up at 30 past the hour, a fired-up debate on the Madonna-McCain showdown.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is in Denver, covering the tremendous influx of stars to the Democratic convention, including the great Hill Harper, star of the hit CBS drama "CSI New York." Hill also happens to be a close personal friend of Barack Obama. The two of them go way back. They went to Harvard Law School together.
Hill Harper joins us in Denver tonight. Hill is also the author of two books "Letters to a Young Brothers: Manifest Your Destiny" and "Letters to a Young Sister: Define Your Destiny." Hill, it is good to see you.
And as I mentioned, you and Obama have been friends now since Harvard. So does it just blow your mind that there you are in Denver about to watch him get nominated as the Democratic presidential candidate?
HILL HARPER, ACTOR AND AUTHOR: You know, it`s phenomenal to have someone who you`ve been friends with for 20 years see something like this happen. Because at the end of the day, when we finished Harvard, he was just committed to doing public service, to helping out people. And to see him ascend and ascend and ascend in such a great and magnificent and classy way, I couldn`t be happier. And this is just a wonderful week here. It`s a beautiful day. I couldn`t imagine anything better.
HAMMER: Did he ever say to you when you were hanging out back in Harvard, maybe over a beer, "You know what, Hill, I`m going to be president one day?"
HARPER: You know, A.J., that`s a funny question. I`ve been asked that before. The answer is no. But you`ve got to remember it is Harvard Law School, so it`s a pretty competitive place. Harvard has created more presidents - out of the 43 or 44, I think about eight or nine of them. So everybody, I think, who was there thinks they could be president someday.
HAMMER: No doubt. No doubt. There`s so much about Obama, obviously, that we`ve learned throughout his very public life. I imagine there`s a lot we don`t know about Barack Obama. So as a friend, what is the one thing that you want people to know about the guy?
HARPER: Well, you know, there`s so many lies that fly around the Internet about him, and it just amazes me. I`ve known him for 20 years now, and there`s a couple of things that folks don`t get a chance to see. You know, number one, he`s the most authentic person you`ll ever meet. He`s a complete truth teller. He`s very authentic and he is extremely genuine.
The other thing is the sense of humor. People don`t get to see his sense of humor enough, but you know, it seems he`s always talking about extremely serious issues, but he`s an extremely, extremely witty and funny guy. And I just appreciate him so much.
HAMMER: Yes, I imagine it`s hard to have a sense of humor when there`s so much controversy flying around. And this latest controversy in the campaign is what we just reported about Madonna`s concert video montage in which she basically compared Sen. John McCain to Adolf Hitler. And then Obama released a statement condemning it.
Now, Hill, I`ve got to ask you, knowing Barack Obama so well, what do you think his reaction privately was? What he thinking, "Great, just what I need"?
HARPER: Well, you know, not really. I think - I`m sure he was appalled. I haven`t actually seen it, so I don`t know the extra video. But you`ve got to remember that most of the things people do, particularly celebrities or so-called celebrities do, they`re doing it, I think, to attract attention to themselves. It has nothing to do with Barack Obama or the Obama campaign.
And certainly, I think the voters and American public are much smarter than to watch what Madonna does at a concert. I mean, we`re talking about $4 a gallon gas. We`re talking about people losing their homes and being subjected to the subprime crisis and all these housing issues. I mean, these are serious issues the voters, come November 4, have to deal with.
HAMMER: Yes.
HARPER: And I know that Barack Obama is the best candidate out there.
HAMMER: Hill, certainly we know there has been no shortage of star power rallying behind Obama. In fact, we know that Obama asked "Dreamgirls" star Jennifer Hudson to perform at the DNC. But we also know there have been a lot of critics out there pointing fingers and saying, you know, all the star power can actually hurt or is hurting Barack Obama. Do you think that`s just ridiculous? Or is there something to that?
HARPER: You know, when I think about criticism about star power hurting or helping, I think the American public is concerned with things like $4 a gallon gas or concerned about, you know, paying their mortgage and they`re not worried about what Madonna shows on a video screen. And I think that that`s what this election is about. We`re 76 days away from November 4th. And it`s a critical decision we, as Americans, are about to make. And so I tell you, I think people are concerned about a lot bigger things than what Madonna does.
HAMMER: Yes, I think people need to be informed on the issues and that would include celebrities. And Hill Harper, I`m sure you are, and we appreciate you being with us on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Have a great time out there.
HARPER: Thanks, A.J. Take care.
HAMMER: You got it. And make sure you keep it right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT all week. We are one-on-one with so many stars who are right there at the DNC. Wednesday, the great Fran Drescher, and on Thursday, the lovely Rosario Dawson is going to be here.
ANDERSON: Hey, A.J., can you believe there`s going to be a new judge on "American Idol"?
HAMMER: You know, Brooke, I think it`s a little weird to think about anybody but Simon and Paula and Randy on any given day at that table.
ANDERSON: I know, it`s true, but the new judge is on the way for the eighth season. But here`s what I want to know, is Paula shaking in her boots at this point? That`s next on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
HAMMER: Also the decision is in. Yes, we finally know if Britney Spears is going to return to the scene of the crime and perform at the VMAs this year. You definitely don`t miss that, coming up.
We will also have this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
M. OBAMA: I probably did what a lot of people do when they hear about Barack Obama. First I thought, what kind of name is "Barack Obama?"
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The Barack and Michelle Obama love story. I`ve got to tell you, the story just made for Hollywood. The Obamas talk about how they met and how they fell in love. And that is coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SIMON COWELL, "AMERICAN IDOL" JUDGE: Paula has a good reputation of A, having it, B, having an opinion. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) It`s a good combination.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: That`s Simon Cowell being as blunt as ever on the controversial decision to make songwriter Kara DioGuardi the first ever fourth judge on this "American Idol."
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
Tonight, judging "American Idol." The number one show on television is shaking things up by adding a fourth judge to the panel. And today, for the very first time, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was there with all the judges from Paula to Simon as they made their first public appearance together. But should Paula Abdul be worried that she`s the one going home this season?
With me tonight from New York, Dawn Yanek, editor-at-large for "Life and Style Weekly." In Hollywood, Michael Yo, host of "Yo on E!" It`s heard on XM and Sirius Satellite Radio. Dawn, Michael, good to see you both.
And the announcement that "American Idol" is adding Kara DioGuardi as its fourth judge this season came as a surprise to a lot of people. The Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer has worked for the likes of Gwen Stefani and Celine Dion. But she`s not a household name by any stretch.
Dawn, is adding a fourth judge, and a relatively unknown personality at that, the right move for "American Idol"?
DAWN YANEK, EDITOR, "LIFE AND STYLE WEEKLY": Well, only time will tell if it`s the right move. But it`s definitely an interesting move. And that`s because it says "American Idol" is not as strong as it once was. Ratings faltered a bit last year, and they`re obviously looking to shake things up.
Of course, the judging panel is a very delicate balance. So hopefully, Kara, who is a bit of a spit-fire, will have a great opinion and she`ll shake it up. I mean, of course, you know, let`s not forget. You know, the jabs, the jokes - they`ve all become a little predictable. Hopefully, this will change things.
ANDERSON: Yes. You know, FOX has said that after all this time, Paula finally has another woman at the table with her, that she`ll have a little backup, that they`ll have girl power. I don`t think that`s such a bad idea.
But that said though, Michael, the chemistry between Simon, Randy and Paula has worked for eight seasons. Could this backfire?
MICHAEL YO, HOST, "YO ON E!"" Well, I don`t think it`s going to backfire. The judges are all strong in their own right. I mean, as long as Simon Cowell is part of the judges, this show isn`t going anywhere. You`ve got to remember, they said the show was hurting in ratings last year. It fell like 12 percent. Well, that 12 percent it fell was still 21 million people, more than any other show on television.
So, the show is not hurting at all. The addition of Kara to the show is just another example of "American Idol" just beating the trend. It`s their eighth season, so you`ve got to shake it up a little bit.
ANDERSON: Yes, you`ve got to mix things up. And you know, as I said, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was there in New York City today as Paula, Simon, Randy and new judge Kara showed up for auditions for the new season. And Paula has tried to make it clear that she doesn`t mind Kara joining the show. And Kara told Ryan Seacrest on his radio show that she considers Paula a mentor. Listen to this.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
KARA DIOGUARDI, "AMERICAN IDOL" JUDGE: Paula was one of the first people to believe in me. She got a hold of my independent CD and asked to write with me, and we wrote a song, co-wrote a song together that went on to be a big international hit for Kylie. So she actually kept me from going back to my day job.
RYAN SEACREST, "AMERICAN IDOL" AND RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: And look at that ...
DIOGUARDI: Mad love for Paula.
SEACREST: ... her believing in you has now put you next to her ...
DIOGUARDI: Right, I know! So excited!
SEACREST: ... on the "American Idol" panel. So we actually owe Paula.
DIOGUARDI: I owe Paula a lot, yes. I`m going to give her a big fat kiss when I see her.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: It`s a love fest. So, Dawn, do you think there`s anything to the speculation that Kara is in and Paula is on her way out? People have been saying that.
YANEK: Well, the big question is, should Paula be worried? And I think if she reads the blogs and the entertainment magazines, then yes, she should be worried because that`s what they`re all talking about. But that said, Paula is Paula. She`s not going anywhere. She`s a bit of a loose cannon. People are always wondering what`s going to come out of her mouth as well as the nice, sweet compliments. But she`s fun. I think it`s just going to add to the mix.
ANDERSON: Yes. And Paula said on the radio actually that she`s excited about this, but also she`s little bit concerned about how the audience will react to the new judge, if there will be acceptance there. So there does seem to be a little bit of mixed feelings coming from Paula. Michael, do you think she should be worried?
YO: Not at all. They`re just adding a fourth judge. They tried with Angie Martinez, but she hated telling people to not pursue their dreams, so it didn`t work then.
Here`s the whole deal with Paula, you never know what you`re going to get from her, like telling David Archuleta, "I want to pop your head off and put it on my rearview mirror." Or telling David Cook, "Oh, I loved your last performance," when he never performed. I mean, that`s the genius of Paula, and that`s why she going to be part of the show. You can`t get that from anybody else on the show.
ANDERSON: You`re right, it`s brilliant. The show certainly would not be the same without Paula Abdul. We`ll leave it there, guys. Michael Yo, Dawn Yanek, good speaking with you. Thanks so much.
YANEK: Thank you.
YO: Thank you.
ANDERSON: And now we want to hear from you. It is our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "American Idol" Adds Fourth Judge: Should Paula Abdul be worried? Vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. E-mail us, the address is showbiztonight@cnn.com.
HAMMER: All right, Brooke. We all know that Madonna has always been all about controversy. But you know, a lot of people are saying that she might have gone too far this time.
ANDERSON: It`s true, A.J. The video at her concert that seems to compare John McCain to Hitler is new territory even for Madonna.
HAMMER: I`ve got to tell you, I think it`s wild that even the McCain and Obama campaigns are getting in the middle of this. I`ve got to wonder why they even bothered responding. We have a heated debate on the McCain- Madonna smackdown, not to be missed, coming up.
ANDERSON: Also, is Sarah Michelle Gellar to blame for young women not going to church? It`s a "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" story that made us say, "That`s ridiculous." And that`s next on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
We`ll also have this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
M. OBAMA: The Barack Obama I know today is the same man I fell in love with 19 years ago.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
The Barack and Michelle Obama love story. I`ve got to tell you, this is a story just made for Hollywood. The Obamas talk about how they met and how they fell in love. And that is coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. And it is time now for a story that made us say, "That`s ridiculous."
It seems that British women aren`t going to church as much as they used to and a new study says it`s all "Buffy the Vampire Slayer`s" fault. Yes, a sociologist in England says, young women are becoming attracted to Wicca because of movies and TV shows like "Buffy." That`s ridiculous.
ANDERSON: The actor who plays Eva Longoria`s husband on "Desperate Housewives" is speaking out against the story line on the show. Ricardo Chavira says he has mixed feelings about a comedic story line about his and Eva`s characters` daughters being overweight because his sister battled weight issues as a child.
Chavira tells "TV Guide," quote, "Seeing it in my family and considering the childhood obesity issue in the United States right now, should we be making fun of it?"
All right. A.J., I don`t know - which is more astounding, the fact that Madonna seems to compare John McCain to Hitler or that the McCain and Obama campaigns responded to it.
HAMMER: Yes, Brooke. This is such a wild story in so many ways, isn`t it?
ANDERSON: Yes, it is. Coming up, we`re asking if Madonna is just desperately clamoring for attention, if she crossed the line this time, and if McCain and Obama should have stayed above the fray. The heated debate coming up.
Also this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
M. OBAMA: I probably did what a lot of people do when they hear about Barack Obama. First, I thought, "What kind of name is Barack Obama?"
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Michelle and Barack Obama talk about how they first met. I got to tell you, it`s a love story made for Hollywood, coming up.
ANDERSON: And we finally know whether Britney Spears will be returning to the scene of the crime and performing at this year`s VMAs. That is still ahead.
(NEWS BREAK)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, showbiz at the Democratic National Convention. Shocking new developments in the Madonna-McCain smack down. Tonight, both McCain and Barack Obama come out swinging against Madonna comparing John McCain to Adolf Hitler. But should they have just stayed out of it?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
M. OBAMA: I probably did what a lot of people do when they hear about Barack Obama. First I thought, what kind of name is "Barack Obama?"
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: It`s a script right out of Hollywood. Tonight, an amazing look at how Barack Obama and his wife Michelle met and fell in love in their own words. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT continues right now.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It is 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson, coming to you tonight from Hollywood.
HAMMER: Well, tonight as the Democratic National Convention continues in Denver, Barack Obama has now been drawn into this nasty Hitler battle between Madonna and John McCain. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has been telling you how Madonna kicked off her worldwide "Sticky and Sweet" tour in Wales by running a video montage during the concert that seemed to compare McCain with Adolf Hitler.
And as McCain continues to hammer away at Obama`s celebrity status, what does McCain do on the very first night of the convention? Well, he goes on the biggest celebrity pit stop of all, "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is in Denver at the convention.
Joining us from Denver tonight, "Extra" correspondent Carlos Diaz. Here in New York tonight, the founder of the Britto agency, Marvet Britto. And in Hollywood, the founder of Fifteen Minutes Public Relations, Howard Bragman.
And gang, we`ve got to begin with this whole Madonna controversy. The video that included McCain and Hitler was played during her song called "Get Stupid." Now, there are images that come up on the screen of global warming, destruction, even dictator Robert Mugabe, Adolf Hitler, and then John McCain.
But she also played a video comparing Barack Obama to people like Gandhi and John Lennon and Al Gore. Carlos, we know Madonna has always done outrageous things throughout her career. But what do you think? Did this just cross the line?
CARLOS DIAZ, "EXTRA" CORRESPONDENT: It crossed the line in one respect because it was done not on U.S. soil. The concert was in Wales. So the same kind of thing with the Dixie Chicks a few years ago where they ripped on President Bush not in America. And it`s the same kind of thing here. You have Madonna over in the U.K. ripping on McCain, comparing him to Hitler, not in America. But it`s the kind of thing that we would expect from Madonna.
HAMMER: It is the kind of thing we`d expect from Madonna. But Marvet, I`m curious to get your take on this because even though, yes, it`s Madonna who always loves to push people`s buttons, is there a line? Is this a line that was, in fact, crossed by making this particular comparison? And maybe she should have thought a little harder about it.
MARVET BRITTO, FOUNDER, THE BRITTO AGENCY: Yes, A.J. I believe that artistic freedom should never be expressed at the expense of dragging someone`s character and integrity through the mud. And all the while, she`s making comparisons to people who committed hideous crimes. I mean, we do expect this from Madonna. We know that she`s known at 50 for reinventing herself and really going out and doing outlandish extreme things. But this, I think, is really over the top.
HAMMER: Well, as shocking as it was, I`ve got to tell you, the component of this that really blows me away is you would think that McCain and Obama would really have better things to do than respond to Madonna. Now, McCain had already come out and condemned what Madonna did.
Now, Obama`s camp is even responding saying, quote, "These comparisons are outrageous and offensive and have no place in the political process."
Howard, I need you to help me understand this. Why would Obama and McCain`s people even take the time to respond to this? Do you think they are genuinely afraid of Madonna`s influence?
HOWARD BRAGMAN, FOUNDER, FIFTEEN MINUTES PUBLIC RELATIONS: Here`s why. McCain`s people are spending a lot of time and money and effort trying to convince people that Barack Obama is a celebrity and that he`s vacuous and he`s shallow and that people like him for all the wrong reasons. And Barack Obama is spending a lot of time saying, "I`m serious. I don`t want to get embroiled in the celebrity thing. I want to talk about the issues."
So that`s why John McCain is saying, "Here`s what Madonna did. It`s horrible." That`s why Barack Obama is saying it`s equally horrible. Finally, something they agree on, though. Isn`t that nice, A.J.?
HAMMER: Yes, I guess it was a little refreshing. You know, we take our silver linings where we can find them, Howard.
Carlos, you`re there at the convention. You`ve been hobnobbing and schmoozing and hanging out with the people. Do you get any sense from the people you`ve spoken to that Madonna`s outrageous act is having any impact at all or buzz?
DIAZ: The only woman they`re talking about here on stage is Hillary Clinton tonight. She`s the big woman of conversation here. The Madonna issue happened, you know, a world away. It happened over the weekend. It`s kind of a dead issue now, and we`re kind of looking forward tonight to Hillary Clinton speaking.
HAMMER: Well, as Howard Bragman just reminded us, you know, we`ve seen John McCain continually slamming Obama`s star status, calling him the biggest celebrity in the world in this controversial ad that we all saw comparing Barack Obama to Paris Hilton and Britney Spears. I`ve got to show it again. Chris, would you roll that?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VOICE OVER: He`s the biggest celebrity in the world. But is he ready to lead?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK, so there`s that comparison. What does John McCain do on the first night of the Democratic National Convention? Where does he show up? On the celebrity couch as a guest on "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno.
Hello, John McCain, Paris Hilton has been on that couch, and so has Britney Spears. Marvet, I don`t know about you but to me that makes McCain look hypocritical.
BRITTO: Absolutely. I mean, no pun intended, but it`s likely the pot calling the kettle black. He`s going on a show that most celebrities go on when they`re selling a movie or an album. I mean, it`s insane. And it`s the same time that he shows up at a school in Phoenix with Daddy Yankee of all people. It`s so contrived and he`s looking for an endorsement. Whereas, with Barack Obama, people are organically endorsing him because they believe in his principles and believe that he can lead this country.
HAMMER: Yes, but we are hearing the buzz or seeing evidence that perhaps this could go against Barack Obama having so many celebrities coming out behind him, which doesn`t make a lot of sense to me.
But with all the celebrities showing up in Denver, we had to ask in our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day on air and online, "Hollywood Invades Denver: Could it backfire on Obama?" I`ve got to say, I was a little surprised by this - 65 percent said yes, it could backfire. Thirty- five percent said no.
Now, big stars are showing up. Scarlett Johansson, Sheryl Crowe, Hill Harper who I spoke with earlier in the program, all there in Denver.
Carlos, you`re there in Denver. Do you get any sense that there is any concern on the convention floor that this could backfire on Obama having so many celebrities involved?
DIAZ: I don`t see how you can say that. I mean, if celebrities aren`t here, then "Extra" is not here. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT doesn`t cover it as much. I mean, the more celebrities, the more coverage you get in a bunch of different locations. What it boils down to is what are the celebrities are going to say once they get on the mike?
Now, Jennifer Hudson singing the National Anthem - that will be a great moment. But when those celebrities get on the microphone and get in front of the camera, they have to mind their p`s and q`s and make sure that they keep their focus forward and say nothing but positive, intelligent things about Barack Obama.
HAMMER: And certainly be sure to be informed on the issues about which you speak because that`s where celebrities speaking politics can really be kind of an ugly mix sometimes.
Howard, I`ve got to tell you, I think it`s ridiculous to suggest, as Kid Rock has done, that celebrities should not be getting involved in politics at all. They are citizens just like the rest of us. Don`t they just have a right to be there?
BRAGMAN: Absolutely. They have a right to be here. But we have to look at the reality and the reality is John McCain came out with these anti- celebrity ads, and they`re working. They`re cutting into Obama`s lead, and he`s going to continue to play that theme until it stops working for him. So I`m afraid we`re stuck with this for this election, A.J.
HAMMER: Well, I really would like to see people look at that for the ridiculousness of it all. I`m saying regardless of who you happen to support as a candidate, I just think it`s kind of nuts that is what is being talked about at such a high level.
Carlos Diaz, Marvet Britto, Howard Bragman, I thank you for being with us tonight.
And make sure you stay with SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. We`re at the Democratic National Convention all week long speaking with so many of the stars who are showing up. Wednesday night, you will not want to miss Fran Drescher. And on Thursday, I`ll be going one-on-one with the lovely actress Rosario Dawson.
ANDERSON: Hey, A.J., I`ve got to say the way Barack Obama met his wife Michelle and how they fell in love is truly a story that Hollywood could not have scripted any better.
HAMMER: You know, you`re right about that, Brooke. And tonight, we get to hear that story in their own words.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
M. OBAMA: I probably did what a lot of people do when they hear about Barack Obama. First, I thought, "What kind of name is Barack Obama?"
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: This is just fascinating. Barack and Michelle opening up about how they met, very personal things about their relationship. That`s coming up next.
ANDERSON: And it definitely doesn`t feel like a year ago that Britney got out on that MTV VMA stage and totally mangled "Give Me More." It was so embarrassing. Is she going to give it another try at this year`s VMA? That`s new right now and that`s next.
And a coincidence? Or is something else going on here? On the day Charlie Sheen reveals he`s about to be a father again, comes the shocking news that his ex`s, Denise Richards` TV show could be canceled, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
M. OBAMA: See, the Barack Obama I know today is the same man I fell in love with 19 years ago.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Barack Obama`s wife, Michelle, with just a wonderful speech on Monday night at the Democratic National Convention, a really personal look at their marriage.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. And now, more of our ongoing coverage - Hollywood votes, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT at the Democratic National Convention.
And I`ve got to say the way Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama met his lovely wife Michelle, it seems straight out of Hollywood, doesn`t it? Think about it? Are you with me? It`s a perfect script. You`ve got plenty of surprising twists and turns, lots of romantic moments.
Well, tonight, CNN presents Barack and Michelle, the amazing details of their love story in their own words. Here`s CNN`s White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In 1988, like his father 30 years earlier, Barack Obama was accepted into Harvard, where he planned to study law.
After his first year, Barack returned to Chicago for a summer internship at the Sidley-Austin Law Firm. It was here he met Michelle Robinson, a recent Harvard Law School grad.
SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D-IL), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I had actually spoken to her on the phone. And she was very corporate and very proper on the phone, trying to explain to me how the summer program at Sidley and Austin was going to go.
M. OBAMA: I probably did what a lot of people do when they hear about Barack Obama. First, I thought, "What kind of name is Barack Obama"?
B. OBAMA: First of all, she thought it was inappropriate to have any interoffice dating, even though I was only there for the summer.
M. OBAMA: I had already sort of created an image of this very intellectual nerd. And I was prepared to be polite and all that.
B. OBAMA: When I saw her, she was very crisp, and professionally dressed, and - and beautiful.
M. OBAMA: And then he walked into my office on that first day, and he was cuter than I thought he would be. So, that was a first positive impression.
B. OBAMA: Then she had, I think, given up on men. She was going to be focusing just on work.
M. OBAMA: I thought, this guy is going to be a good friend of mine. I liked him. We hung out. But I just didn`t see that. I didn`t see a relationship coming out of that.
B. OBAMA: And she had all these theories. And I basically knocked them down one after the other, until finally ...
M. OBAMA: I said, "OK, we will go on this one date, but we won`t call it a date. I will spend the day with you."
B. OBAMA: At that point, I thought, "OK, I think I got something going here."
M. OBAMA: We went to the Art Institute in Chicago. And he impressed me with his knowledge of art. And then we walked up Michigan Avenue. It was on a really beautiful summer day, and we talked, and we talked.
Then, we wound up having a drink on the 99th floor of the John Hancock Building. That gives you a beautiful view of the city. And, probably by the end of that date, it was - it was over.
MALVEAUX (on camera): You were sold?
M. OBAMA: I was sold.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: That is a great story. That was CNN`s Suzanne Malveaux for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Now, be sure to check out two really interesting "CNN Presents" specials this coming weekend - "What You Don`t Know About The Presidential Candidates"; "McCain Revealed"; followed by "Obama Revealed." It all gets underway. It`s 7:00 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday only on CNN.
And you know, Brooke, there`s been an awful lot of talk about celebrities throughout this rather nasty presidential campaign. But I`ve got to say, with that amazing speech Michelle Obama gave on Monday night, I think her star power shot way up, and that`s not a bad thing.
ANDERSON: Yes. I couldn`t agree with you more, A.J. She did a terrific job. She was inspiring. She was charming. There were tears in the audience. And she really focused on why family is so important to her. She really hit a home run.
All right, we`re going to make a big turn right now and talk about Britney Spears. Tonight she has apparently made a big decision, and it`s one of two stories making news right now. Is Britney Spears going back to the scene of the crime, so to speak, and performing at this year`s MTV Video Music Awards? Her manager makes a huge revelation.
Also new right now, Charlie versus Denise. Charlie Sheen reveals he and his new wife are expecting a baby on the same day that there is big buzz that his ex-wife Denise Richards` reality TV show is going to be canceled.
Joining me tonight in New York, editor-at-large for "Life and Style Weekly" Dawn Yanek. In Hollywood, Howard Bragman, the founder of Fifteen Minutes Public Relations.
Dawn, Howard, I want to begin with Britney Spears. Her manager is now saying she will not be performing at the MTV Video Music Awards in a couple of weeks.
Dawn, given her - how do I say it - disastrous performance a year ago, is that a mistake? Should she just get up there and wipe out the memory of last year`s train wreck of a performance?
YANEK: No. I actually think this is a really good move on her team`s part. Because, of course, there would be so much pressure on her. And who could really live up to the hype, I mean, especially given the disaster that happened last year? So instead, what they get to do is control what`s out there. They get to control the cute little promo with Russell Brand. They get control, possibly a red carpet moment and she can really shine. And then they direct the people to the future and say, "Wow, she`s working on a new album. Everybody should watch out for that."
And of course, at the same time, we make sure her mental well-being stays just that, well.
ANDERSON: Exactly. They can control it. And speaking of that album she`s working on, Dawn, I want you to take a look at the statement Britney`s manager released to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, quote, "Contrary to media reports, Britney was never slated to perform on this year`s VMAs. She`s in the middle of recording her next album which is going amazingly well, and her focus remains on the studio."
OK. Key words here, "not slated to perform." He never says, though, flat out that she`s not going to perform. Howard Bragman, Mr. PR Guy, carefully worded, isn`t it? Are they leaving the door open here?
BRAGMAN: I don`t think they are. He`s not a nuanced communications professional like I am, Brooke. Come on, he`s just a manager and I`m going to take him at his word.
No. I think Britney should not, will not perform. I think she`ll show up. I think the promos are great and I think her comeback is working right now. And it`s going to lead up to the album. If the album is good, she`s going to be back on top again. So I don`t think she should perform. I think, good decision.
ANDERSON: I can`t wait for her to be back on top again. A lot of reasons for optimism here.
OK. Now, I want to move to another story new right now. Just as newlyweds Charlie Sheen and Brooke Mueller happily reveal they`re expecting their first baby together, reports surfaced that the reality show of Charlie`s ex-wife, Denise Richards will be canceled. The show aired on "E!" But a spokesperson for "E!" tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT "`It`s Complicated` has not been canceled. It performs well for us and the decision is still being made regarding a second season."
Now, Dawn, regardless of whether the show comes back, Denise said at the beginning she wanted to change her tabloid image of being a bitter ex who allegedly steals husbands. Do you think that she accomplished that with the first season or does she need one more season to get that done?
YANEK: Oh, dear. That`s such a mixed question because I really think she should call it a day because people really don`t like her more than they did when she first started out. And that`s a big problem. When you have a reality show that`s all about you, you really have to have people like you. I mean, even Ozzy Osbourne was able to do that. So that said, you know, I don`t - people like her first. It was kind of interesting, but then they just kind of lost interest so I think she needs to call it quits.
ANDERSON: We`ll see what happens. I, for one, did feel for her watching the show. Dawn Yanek, Howard Bragman, thank you both.
HAMMER: I don`t know. Something smells a little funny about that old Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards story and this is going to smell funny to Hillary Clinton fans. You`re going to get a really interesting whiff of her. The Hillary perfume? I`ll be sticking my nose into this, coming up next.
Now, be sure to check out the free ever-changing SHOWBIZ TONIGHT podcast which you`ll find on our Web site. Surf on over to CNN.com/ShowbizTonight, or you can even download it on iTunes. Just do a search for "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" which is coming right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. The Hollywood Votes Showbiz at the Convention coverage continues right now.
I`ve got a little something for all those Hillary Clinton supporters who are still disappointed by her not winning the Democratic nomination. It`s a really interesting smell, though sorry, it is not the smell of success. Here`s CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): You won`t see this scent for sale at the Democratic Convention -
FEMALE VOICE OVER: Catharsis -
MALE VOICE OVER: A fragrance for the woman who lost the one thing she ever wanted and instead just gets one lousy speech.
MOOS: A comedy group called Public Service Administration created "Catharsis" calling it a temper tantrum in a bottle.
MALE VOICE OVER: The smell that says, "Me, me, me."
MOOS: Just when the real Hillary is saying, "Him, him, him."
SEN. HILLARY CLINTON (D-NY), BARACK OBAMA SUPPORTER: Ready to elect Barack Obama -
MALE VOICE OVER: Smells like a woman.
FEMALE VOICE OVER: A woman who is pretty sure she should be president.
MALE VOICE OVER: But she`ll have to settle for this.
MOOS: With an unconventionally cathartic moment -
FEMALE VOICE OVER: Catharsis -
MOOS: I`m Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: On Monday, we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Hollywood Invades Denver: Could it backfire on Obama?" Sixty-five percent of you say yes, it could; 35 percent of you say no it couldn`t."
Your passionate E-mails have been pouring in. Larry from Florida thinks it can backfire, "Most people think celebrities are out of touch with most Americans. They don`t want a candidate who is the same."
But Ann from California doesn`t buy that, "Give me a break. Do you really think that movie stars are going to decide what I think? They don`t have any morals or care about our kids. They have children out of wedlock and make disgusting movies."
HAMMER: A blunt statement there. Goodness.
That`s it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Thanks so much for watching. And remember, you can always catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on the 11:00s - 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific, and in the morning, 11:00 a.m. Eastern. The latest for "CNN HEADLINE NEWS" is next.
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