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Showbiz Tonight
Brand-new Developments on Jennifer Hudson`s Tragedy; Tina Fey on Spoofing Sarah Palin; What the Ladies of "The View" Think of Elisabeth; Spielberg and Movie Stars Say, "Don`t Vote"
Aired October 30, 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, has the smoking gun been found in the killings of Jennifer Hudson`s mother, brother and nephew? Tonight, the brand-new, dramatic and fast-moving developments. Will the gun help solve the case? Is Hudson`s brother-in-law who`s in police custody refusing to take a lie detector test?
Plus, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with more of your overwhelming personal and emotional messages for Jennifer in "Showbiz On Call."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I want to say our prayers and thoughts are with her.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, the ladies of "The View" reveal what they think about Elisabeth Hasselbeck. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is right there on the set for "The View`s" big Halloween party. So is trick or treat? Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with "The View" on Elisabeth Hasselbeck.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I absolutely defend where Elisabeth stands.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Plus Tina Fey tells all about the Sarah Palin phenomenon and why she thought she would totally sync as Palin.
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Hello, I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
BROOKE ANDERSON, CO-HOST: Hi there, everyone. I`m Brooke Anderson, coming to you from Hollywood.
And tonight there are fast-breaking and dramatic new developments in the killings of Jennifer Hudson`s mother, brother, and nephew.
HAMMER: Right now, Brooke, the big question - has the smoking gun been found? Investigators today were analyzing a gun that was found near the SUV where the body of Hudson`s seven-year-old nephew was discovered. And as strange as this may sound, did a Chihuahua manage to do what police were not able to do? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is covering the Hudson family tragedy like no other entertainment news show, and we begin with what`s making news right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice over): It promises to be an emotional goodbye for Jennifer Hudson. Even as police in Chicago were investigating a possible break in the case, a gun that was found. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has learned Hudson has now set the funeral for her mother, brother and young nephew who were all gunned down in a horrific crime.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you private funeral services will be held Monday morning at the Apostolic Church of God in Chicago`s south side, the same church where Barack Obama spoke this past June.
SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D-IL), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: It`s good to be back at Apostolic.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you the investigation into the deaths of Hudson`s family is taking off, with new information about the man at the center of the case, Hudson`s estranged brother-in-law, William Balfour.
MIKE WALTERS, TMZ: It`s been reported and TMZ has confirmed that William Balfour has refused a lie detector test.
HAMMER: Balfour, estranged husband of Jennifer Hudson`s sister, Julia, was locked up on a parole violation after the bodies of Hudson`s mother and brother were found in her mother`s Chicago home last Friday.
On Monday, the body of Hudson`s 7-year-old nephew was found in this abandoned SUV.
WALTERS: TMZ has confirmed that William Balfour told police that he had a good relationship with the Hudson family.
HAMMER: But now, the Associated Press reports that once police asked Balfour to take a lie he detector test, he refused and stopped cooperating.
NANCY GRACE, HOST, "NANCY GRACE": Is that true? Did he refuse to take a polygraph?
HAMMER: In a phone interview, "HEADLINE NEWS" host Nancy Grace asked Balfour`s mother, Michelle, about the lie detector test report.
GRACE: Did your son refuse to take a polygraph? Do you know?
MICHELLE BALFOUR, MOTHER OF WILLIAM BALFOUR: No one knows. No one knows. No one knows. I don`t know. You don`t know. No one knows if he refused.
HAMMER: Whether there`s a lie detector test or not, TMZ`s Mike Walters tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT the investigation is moving forward.
WALTERS: The police are obviously doing other things to try to connect him or not connect him to these murders.
HAMMER: That includes this possible new clue, a gun found in this empty lot.
WALTER: They did find the weapon a block away from where they found young Julian`s body inside the Chevy Suburban.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT brings you this aerial footage from Chicago station WLS. You can see the pistol in this box. Could this be the big break in the case?
WALTERS: Whether or not this is the exact gun used in the murders, that they have to keep testing for forensics.
HAMMER: But while police try to move the ball forward in this case, Jennifer Hudson is left with the task of burying her family and dealing with this horrible and public loss.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
Well, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT did contact the Chicago Police Department about the report that William Balfour refused to take a lie detector test, but we got no response as of show time. Well, now that police have a weapon possibly connected to the killings, what`s next?
Joining me tonight in Chicago is CNN correspondent Susan Roesgen who has been covering this tragic story from the very beginning. Also in Chicago is Judge Greg Mathis of "The Judge Mathis Show," now in its 10th season on the air. I appreciate you both being with us tonight.
I want to begin with this gun that police found on Wednesday in a lot near where the body of Hudson`s seven-year-old nephew was found. Susan, I know you`ve been right there on the ground in Chicago, speaking with police. Did they give you any sense that they feel this gun may be the missing link?
SUSAN ROESGEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You know, not yet, A.J. They have so tight-lipped about this. They won`t talk about the possibility that their person of interest took a polygraph test or did not take a polygraph test. They wouldn`t even say when they found the gun, which we clearly saw in the video. They wouldn`t even say it was a gun, A.J. They said it was a weapon.
But they had many, dozens of police recruits from the Police Academy here in Chicago going on what they called the systemic grid in the area where that missing SUV was found that had the nephew of Jennifer Hudson in it. And that`s where they found the gun about a block away.
Right now, they only say it`s a weapon, and they`ve sent it to the Illinois State Police Lab, the crime lab there to do some testing on it, still waiting to see if it was connected to the murders.
HAMMER: Well, Susan, an interesting side note to this part of the story. The cops may have discovered the gun or the weapon on their own. But you found out some new details about how the body of Hudson`s nephew was found, not by police but by a dog?
ROESGEN: That is so true, A.J. A pint-sized dog did what the Chicago police and the FBI could not do. You know, this missing SUV was so hot. It was put out in the AMBER alert Friday night. For three days, A.J., they looked for the SUV, couldn`t find - you know who found it? A Chihuahua found it. I call it the case of the growling Chihuahua.
The owner went to take the dog for a walk. The Chihuahua growled. When they stopped, the owner went over, saw the white SUV, went in immediately and made sure that the license plates matched and that`s how the cops found it.
HAMMER: That is unbelievable. Well, if we take a step back, there really is a list developing of valuable clues in this investigation. You have the bullet shells from the home. Of course, you have the bodies, the SUV where Hudson`s nephew was fund, and now a gun or as the cops say a weapon.
Judge Mathis, does this all indicate to you that this case could perhaps be solved soon?
JUDGE GREG MATHIS, HOST, "JUDGE MATHIS": Yes, it does. What they must do is match either his fingerprints or hopefully the - well, not hopefully. I`m not hoping that this is the particular person, because if it is, that`s a bad thing to do.
But we want to know whether the gun matches the casings that have been discovered, and also fibers - if there are fibers on the gun or any other type of DNA evidence. I think we`ll find some of that out relatively soon. Some of the ballistic tests take some time particularly in Chicago where there`s a backlog. But I think this will be a priority and we`ll know soon.
HAMMER: And Judge Mathis, from what we know now, is it fair to say the charge that will be brought here at some point would be first-degree murder, that these killings seem premeditated?
MATHIS: Absolutely. You know, if you kill two people right there on sight, there`s a presumption that you have some sort of intent. Secondly, when you took the young boy in the car, you had time to contemplate and determine what you were going to do. And if you killed him after contemplation, that`s certainly premeditated murder.
HAMMER: Well, this has touched so many people. An overwhelming flood of phone calls coming in to our "Showbiz On Call" phone lines in support of Jennifer Hudson. I want to play this one from Monica in Illinois. Let`s roll that.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
MONICA, CALLER FROM ILLINOIS: I just wanted to say that our prayers and thoughts are with her, and we`re praying for her and the family. And we are definitely hoping that they catch the person or persons that are responsible for the murders. Words cannot express how, you know, you feel, but you definitely know that you are in our prayers and our thoughts.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Susan, I want to go to you here. You`ve been right there on the ground as I mentioned. I`d have to imagine you`re hearing the same sort of sentiment that everybody there really wants this solved and solved very quickly.
ROESGEN: Absolutely, A.J. They all were so devastated when they found out Julian, the nephew, had been killed. Everyone was hoping against hope that the boy would be found alive. It`s been on the front page of the papers. It`s been the start of every newscast here.
But A.J., there is one little piece that could be very important in this case, and that`s that the medical examiner`s office here has not released the time that the child died, how long had the child been dead and been in that car. That`s the key piece, because the person of interest was in police custody Friday night. If that child was killed after Friday night, it couldn`t have been the person of interest that they have locked up.
HAMMER: That`s going to be very interesting to follow and watch this. And I`m sure the Chicago Police Department will be doing everything they can to solve it quickly. But also crossing al their T`s and dotting their I`s in the process.
CNN`s Susan Roesgen, Judge Greg Mathis, I do appreciate you both being here tonight.
And as I said, Brooke, we`ve been getting a lot of very personal messages for Jennifer Hudson on our "Showbiz On Call" phone lines.
ANDERSON: That`s right, A.J. And I want to remind our friends at home that they can leave a message for Jennifer and her family by calling "Showbiz On Call" or they can talk about anything else that`s on their mind. The point is we do want to hear from you. The number is 1-888-SBT- BUZZ; that`s 1-888-728-2899. Leave a voicemail. We will play some more of your "Showbiz On Call" phone calls for Jennifer on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
HAMMER: All right, Brooke. Moving on now, like so many people, I, for one, think Tina Fey has just been hysterical playing Sarah Palin.
ANDERSON: Yes, A.J. She really has it down. But tonight, I can tell you she totally did not want to impersonate Palin at first. She even thought she would totally stink at it. Wow. You`ve got to hear Tina in her own words open up about the Sarah Palin phenomenon. That is straight ahead.
And we`ve also got this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARBARA WALTERS, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER AND CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": One of the things that is so wonderful about this program is that we do argue the way married couples argue who have different political opinions, or kids argue with their parents.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: And that`s Barbara Walters. Barbara and the other ladies of "The View" not holding back one bit. What does Barbara really think of Elisabeth Hasselbeck? Well, tonight we are right there on the set of "The View." It is their big Halloween show. You don`t want to miss that, coming up.
ANDERSON: And I`ve got to hand it to Nicole Kidman. She gets married, her husband goes right into rehab and she totally sticks by him through it all. Tonight, Nicole is revealing some incredibly personal details about Keith`s Urban`s struggle with alcoholism. Nicole in her own words, coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Now, we want you to know you can watch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT video anytime you want. We are always posting new stuff for you to watch. That`s at our Web site, CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. Among the videos now playing, one on one with Jennifer Hudson`s friend from "American Idol," the headline-making SHOWBIZ TONIGHT interview with Diana Degarmo.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TINA FEY, ACTRESS (as Sarah Palin): You know, Hillary and I don`t agree on everything.
AMY POEHLER, ACTRESS (as Hillary Clinton): Anything.
(LAUGHTER)
I believe that diplomacy should be the cornerstone of any foreign policy.
FEY: And I can see Russia from my house.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Tonight, Tina Fey is telling all about her spot-on impersonations of Sarah Palin and why at first she didn`t even want the job.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Tina Fey`s remarkable resemblance to Sarah Palin has a lot of people saying that it is the role she was born to play.
But now, Tina is really opening up about how she needed to be convinced to do it, how she was lured back to "Saturday Night Live" and what it was like to meet Sarah Palin for the first time.
Joining me tonight in Hollywood, Mary Murphy, who is a contributing editor for "L.A. Times" magazine, and in New York, Ashleigh Banfield, anchor of "In Session."
Mary, Ashleigh, tonight, you know, the new season of Fey`s sitcom, "30 Rock," debuted. And this morning, she went on the "Today" show to talk "30 Rock" and also playing Sarah Palin. Matt Lauer asked her how that role came about. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FEY: You know, I started getting E-mails from people saying, "Oh, you really - you kind of look like her." And I honestly didn`t really see it at first. And then Lorne called and said, "I think you should think about playing her." And I was really resistant at first because -
MATT LAUER, CO-HOST, THE "TODAY" SHOW: What worried you.
FEY: Well, one, I wasn`t an impressionist. So I didn`t - I though (UNINTELLIGIBLE) that stank.
ANDERSON: Mary, did you hear that? Are you as surprised as I am that Tina Fey actually thought that she would not be able to deliver on this?
MARY MURPHY, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, "L.A. TIMES" MAGAZINE: You know, I loved her when she said that this morning on "Today" show. Every week, I teach at the University of Southern California at the Annenberg School and I show "Saturday Night Live" and the impressions she did to the kids and say, "Did it affect the election?"
And to think that she was insecure about it makes anyone who wants to take a risk feel good, because we all feel that way. She just admitted it and she`s so pitch perfect in this. I can`t imagine anybody else doing it.
ANDERSON: Yes, maybe an inspiration to some of your students. Yes, she was brilliant with those impersonations. And as we know, Tina Fey finally met Sarah Palin when Palin appeared on "SNL" a couple of weeks ago. And many people expected there would be some tension between the two when they meant because of Fey`s previous comment to "TV Guide" in which she said she would leave the earth if McCain and Palin were elected. Here`s what Fey told Matt Lauer.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FEY: Here`s the thing. That reporter from "TV Guide" is an old friend from high school and I was joking with him. I was saying like, "I will leave the earth." I was just sort of joking about people who - I`m going to move to Canada. And of course, in print it looks like it`s super serious statement. I will not leave.
LAUER: You promise?
FEY: Amen. I won`t be able to do "Saturday Night Live" anymore.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: OK. She said it in jest. But Ashleigh, given that Tina Fey has also said that hopes by November 5th that she doesn`t have to play Palin anymore, she`s really made it abundantly clear that she`s not a big Sarah Palin fan, is she?
ASHLEIGH BANFIELD, ANCHOR, "IN SESSION": I don`t know. It`s hard to tell with Tina. You really want me - you want to put me on the spot here, right?
ANDERSON: This is a tough one, right?
BANFIELD: I honestly think the reason she`s not going to do "SNL" anymore is because she`s got her other show, "30 Rock." She`s a busy girl, and so I think that`s a fair reason to say, "I can`t do it anymore."
But the other thing is she`s a comedian, she says things in jest all the time. I don`t think we can take it at face value when she says she wants to leave the earth. And I also think anybody who suggests that moving to Canada is escaping U.S. policies. I was born in Canada. Let me tell you something, everything that happens here happens there, too.
ANDERSON: Right. Everybody is involved. You`re right. Well, you know, I think a lot of people were wondering what it was like at that moment on "SNL" when Fey was finally able to meet the woman she had been mocking for weeks. Listen to what she had to say about that on the "Today" show.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
Fey: It`s always surreal to meet the person that you`ve done jokes about. I`ve never impersonated anybody before. But she`s very nice. She`s very game. I told her she should come back and host sometime because I think she could really do it. She was like, "I don`t think so."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: So, Mary, what do you think? Do you get the sense that Fey and Palin are just done with "SNL" forever?
MURPHY: No. I get the feeling that she could be dragged back. She doesn`t really want to be. She wants to do her show. But also that Palin, I mean - I think Tina Fey recognizes who is a star, and like her or not, Sarah Palin is a star and could probably host "SNL" and should and may come back, you never know, as a senator of Alaska.
ANDERSON: You know, who knows? Palin was a good sport with all the lampooning - maybe so. We`ll wait and see. Mary Murphy, Ashleigh Banfield, thank you both. Good to see you.
And so what do you think? It is our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Which show has been more influential in the election, `The View` or `Saturday Night Live`?" Vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. E-mail us - the address: showbiztonight@cnn.com.
HAMMER: All right, Brooke, a question for you. Please be honest. I expect honesty from you. Would you believe it if I told you Steven Spielberg is directing a film are Tom Cruise, Julia Roberts, Leo DiCaprio, Will Smith, Cameron Diaz, Harrison Ford and Justin Timberlake?
ANDERSON: No, you had me early on, but when you got to the end, A.J., I would say that even "Entourage" super-agent Ari Gold could not put that team together.
HAMMER: Well, Brooke, I guess we`re just going to have to hug it out, because there`s more star power in this political video than the sun. You`ve got to see it coming up. Also this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WALTERS: One of the things that is so wonderful about this program is we do argue the way married couples argue who have different political opinions, or kids argue with their parents.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Hey, that`s not really George Washington. It`s Barbara Walters, but I cannot tell a lie. We are right there on set for The View`s Halloween party. And the co-hosts are telling us what they really think of Elisabeth Hasselbeck. And we`ve got it coming up.
HAMMER: We`ve also got more late-breaking developments in the Jennifer Hudson`s killings. Just how is she coping with the deaths of her mother, brother and nephew? We`ve got that on the way on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Now, be sure to check out the free SHOWBIZ TONIGHT podcast. We`re changing them up all the time, and you can find the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT podcast at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. You can also download it on iTunes. Just do a search for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. And now playing, why did Elisabeth Hasselbeck bring up the Sarah Palin clothing controversy while campaigning for Palin and McCain? We are coming right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson with some more stories are making news right now.
HAMMER: Well, "Forbes" is out with its annual list of top-earning dead celebrities. The big news this year, "The Dark Knight`s" Joker, Heath Ledger, who of course died of an accidental prescription drug overdose in January, makes the list earning $20 million as the third highest earning dead star.
Also new to the list this year at number 11 is Paul Newman, who of course just died last month, $5 million. And on top for the second year in a row, Elvis Presley, the King, made $52 million.
ANDERSON: And Nicole Kidman is speaking out about dealing with her husband Keith Urban`s alcohol addiction. Urban spent three months at the Betty Ford Clinic just after he and Nicole got married back in 2006.
Now, Kidman tells "Parade" magazine, quote, "We were thrown into his alcohol problem three months into the marriage, and that was big. We did 10 years of marriage in three months. You go to hell and back with this when the addiction takes control of the life. It`s terrifying, but there is hope and we work on it of day. And we are in a place of actual peace right now, which is a beautiful place."
HAMMER: Well, Brooke, I just cannot imagine what Jennifer Hudson is going through with the killings of her mother and her brother and her nephew.
ANDERSON: Yes, A.J. Our hearts go out to her and her family.
HAMMER: Well, just how is Jennifer coping with all of this? That is coming up next.
Also this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WALTERS: One of the things that is so wonderful about this program is that we do argue the way married couples argue who have different political opinions or kids argue with their parents.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Do the ladies of "The View" have trick-or-treats for Elisabeth Hasselbeck? We are right there on-set for "The View" Halloween party. Ad I`ve got to say Hasselbeck`s co-hosts are not holding back one bit about what they think of her.
HAMMER: All right. I want you to listen to these stars in a brand-new Steven Spielberg film - Leonardo DiCaprio, Will Smith, Tom Cruise, Julia Roberts, Cameron Diaz, Harrison Ford, Justin Timberlake - I mean, are you kidding me? You have got to see what really has got to be the most star- studded political ad ever. It is certainly the biggest one of the year, and it`s completely off the hook. It`s coming up next on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(NEWS BREAK)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, brand-new developments in the tragic killing of Jennifer Hudson`s family. Has the weapon used in he killings been found? Plus, how is Hudson coping with the horrific death of her mother, brother and young nephew? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT covering this shocking story like no other entertainment news show.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WALTERS: One of the things that is so wonderful about this program is that we do argue the way married couples argue who have different political opinions or kids argue with their parents.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is right there on the set for "The View`s" big Halloween party. Tonight, the ladies of "The View" reveal what they really think about Elisabeth Hasselbeck.
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
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: I`m Brooke Anderson, coming to you tonight from Hollywood. Tonight, Jennifer Hudson`s triple tragedy, the tragic killings of her mother, brother and seven-year-old nephew. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can now reveal there are new questions tonight about how the Oscar-winning actress is coping with her devastating loss.
Here`s the latest. Police are now analyzing a gun that may have been used in the killings. They found the gun in a vacant lot near where Hudson`s nephew was found shot to death inside an SUV.
Also new tonight, the Associated Press is reporting that Jennifer Hudson`s brother-in-law, William Balfour, who is in custody is refusing to take a lie detector test. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT confirmed today that a private funeral service for Jennifer Hudson`s slain family members is set for Monday morning in Chicago.
Joining me tonight in Hollywood, Howard Bragman who is the founder of Fifteen Minutes Public Relations and the author of "Where`s My Fifteen Minutes." And in New York, Janell Snowden who hosts "VH1 News."
Howard, Janell, before the killings, Jennifer Hudson was about to go on a promotional tour for her new album. She was even supposed to film a music video this week in Los Angeles. Her new film, "Secret Life of Bees" just released in theaters. Howard, how do you imagine that she is going to move on from this tragedy and pick up with her life?
HOWARD BRAGMAN, FOUNDER, FIFTEEN MINUTES PUBLIC RELATIONS: Well, right now, this is the time of her life to focus on her personal life and put your professional life aside. When you get in a tragic situation like this, it`s going to be a marathon, not a sprint.
This is going to take years to resolve itself. And she just has to put all the professional commitments on hold right now, take care of healing herself, healing her family, letting law enforcement really decide what they want her to say and when she needs to say it at this point because there`s more questions than answers about what went on.
And everyone in Hollywood is feeling this, Brooke. It`s a horrible situation, and my heart goes out to Jennifer. But also the reps because you get very close, and her P.R. people and agents and managers have done a wonderful job. And I give them a lot of credit for dealing with this really tragic situation.
ANDERSON: Yes. She and they and everyone involved, that they need no extra stress or pressure at this time. You`re right. She doesn`t need to worry about her career or the public.
Janelle, you and I have both interviewed Jennifer many times. How do you think that she can cope and move on from this eventually?
JANELL SNOWDEN, HOST, "VH1 NEWS": Well, Jennifer`s a musician. She`s also an actress. But oftentimes, musicians and actors will channel their pain through their work. Sometimes that`s when we get the best music.
But I don`t think anybody is thinking about her work right now. I mean, Jennifer Hudson is a new talent but she`s also an enormous talent. There`s only one Jennifer Hudson, so all those projects that she was involved in are still going to be there.
And you know, there are other people that can help promote them. I don`t think that she`s even thinking about them right now with such a horrific tragedy. I`m sure she`s only thinking about how she can help her family through, the remaining family members that she does have.
ANDERSON: You know, someone who knows Jennifer Hudson really well is Diana Degarmo who made it to the final seven on "American Idol" with Hudson. And Degarmo told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT about the close relationship she witnessed between Jennifer and her late mother, Darnell. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DIANA DEGARMO, JENNIFER HUDSON`S FELLOW "AMERICAN IDOL CONTESTANT AND FRIEND: Ms. Darnell came to the show a couple of times. And she was always so pleasant and so wonderful. And you saw why Jennifer loved her mom so much. She was a great person and I know she just looked up to her so much and did everything for her mother. You know, that was her inspiration. I mean, I can only begin to think at what I would be doing if I were in a similar situation.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: You know, at some point - and who knows when this will be, weeks, months, years - Jennifer Hudson will reemerge and be in the public eye again and will be put in a position where she would do the interviews and be asked about the tragedy.
Howard, you have managed crises for some of the biggest celebrities in the world. What would you advise Jennifer to do?
BRAGMAN: She doesn`t want to do a lot of interviews. I would say we need to do one interview, if I was really counseling her. And you need to pick someplace you`re comfortable, somebody you have a relationship with. And the kind of place you want to go is our own Larry King or Oprah Winfrey, some place where you have time to tell your story, somebody who is going to be very sympathetic and you do that interview which we call a catharsis interview.
And put it beside you. When you`re asked about that question again, you say respectfully, "I`ve really talked about that. I want to move on and talk about different aspects of my career." But most important, go where you`re comfortable, go where you`re going to get the chance to tell your story in your way in the most sympathetic environment you can.
ANDERSON: Yes. Good advice. Well, Jennifer has been very open about her life, and she has inspired her fans with her tremendous success story. Janell, I would have to think that eventually she would maybe become an inspiration to people who have gone through similar situations like she is going through now.
SNOWDEN: You`re absolutely right. I mean, Jennifer`s always been very open about everything she`s gone through. She`s lived her life in the public eye over the last several years. We`ve witnessed her rise to fame, and so we sort of feel like she`s a member of our family.
And I can only imagine that she would want to sort of be the pillar for all the women that look up to her. I mean, whether it`s people that are aspiring to be musicians like she is, people that are aspiring to become Oscar-winning actresses. I mean, she has so much that she can offer, and God bless her as she finds her way through this time.
ANDERSON: God bless her, you said it. Well, in the end, you know, Jennifer has to deal with what she has facing her now. As I said, no need to worry about the public or her career at this point. Diana Degarmo had some interesting insight about how important family is to Jennifer. Here`s what she said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DEGARMO: Throughout the show and while we were on tour and the years that I`ve known her, she is such a strong believer in family and in faith. I know she`s using her faith to cope with this horrendous heartache and catastrophe in her life. And I know Jennifer - she`s got the boldest and brightest personality you can ever meet in person. And I know she`s going to be there for her family now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Howard, 10 seconds. Can you see Jennifer using her bold personality down the road to help others in similar situations?
BRAGMAN: I can`t see her not doing that. She`s such a force of nature. She will be out there talking about victims of domestic abuse, family violence. She`s going to be a really powerful voice for people who have gone through tragedies like this. And that`s the good that comes out of a horrible situation.
ANDERSON: Absolutely. Our hearts go out to her. Howard Bragman ...
BRAGMAN: Absolutely.
ANDERSON: ... Janelle Snowden, we`ll leave it there. Thanks.
HAMMER: Brooke, you know, since Jennifer`s tragic story broke, we`ve been getting a ton of very personal messages for her to our "Showbiz On Call" phone lines.
ANDERSON: We have, A.J. And tonight, as we`ve been doing all week, we`re sharing some of those emotional calls like this one from Diane from Indiana who beautifully says what we`ve all been feeling.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
DIANE, CALLER FROM INDIANA: I just want to say that I believe the whole world is your extended family. Everyone that I`ve talked to and that I`ve heard about, concerned about you. I just hope you`ll keep everything in balance and don`t let yourself get overwhelmed by demands from outside of you. Get time for you, time for your loved ones. And God bless you.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: And Patricia from Virginia who says she lost her own mother left this message of hope for Jennifer on our "Showbiz On Call" phone line.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
PATRICIA, CALLER FROM VIRGINIA: We`re all praying for you. And just keep your hopes up and a positive outlook that you`ll find out who has done this heinous act. We love you, Jennifer. Keep on keeping on.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: We want to remind you that you, too, can leave a message for Jennifer or leave a message about anything else that`s on your mind. Call "Showbiz On Call" at 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899. Leave us a voicemail right there so we can play your call right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
ANDERSON: Well, I can tell you about a few people who are never afraid to let us know what`s on their mind, the ladies of "The View."
HAMMER: That`s right, Brooke. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, right there on the set of "The View" for their big Halloween special. We wanted to really know what they really think of Elisabeth Hasselbeck.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WALTERS: One of the things that is so wonderful about this program is that we do argue the way married couples argue who have different political opinions or kids argue with their parents.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: It`s Barbara Walters dressed up like George Washington, being very diplomatic, too. But what does she and the other ladies of "The View" really think about Elisabeth`s very different point of view? They are not holding back telling SHOWBIZ TONIGHT everything, next.
Also, this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TOM CRUISE, ACTOR: On November 4th, make sure you go out and vote.
STEVEN SPIELBERG, DIRECTOR: Cut. No, no, no. It`s, "On November 4th, don`t vote."
HAMMER: Don`t vote? Wow. This is amazing. Steven Spielberg teaming up with everybody from Tom Cruise to Harrison Ford to Cameron Diaz and Julia Roberts, even Leo DiCaprio doing the most remarkable star-studded political video, I think, I`ve seen all year. We are playing it for you. You`ve got to see it when SHOWBIZ TONIGHT comes right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Forget, "All hail the chief." How about, "All hail the pumpkin." Did you see this? Just before Election Day and of course Halloween, a New York artist has carved pumpkins that look like John McCain and Barack Obama, and I`ve got to say, they`re pretty darn good. He`s got Barack`s ears going there. And would you call that a Mac-o-Lantern?
HAMMER: I wouldn`t call that a Mac-o-Lantern, Brooke. Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
And tonight we`ve got "The View" on Hasselbeck. For the very first time, the ladies of "The View" are dishing on their outspoken Republican co-host, Elisabeth Hasselbeck. They really opened to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT when we visited the set of "The View" for the taping of their annual Halloween show which will air on Friday. This was a presidential theme as you might well guess with each of the ladies dressing up as a different president from history.
But the crazy outfit did not stop them from getting honest about their co-host. So how do the ladies of "The View" really feel about Elisabeth Hasselbeck?
Joining me tonight in Hollywood is Mary Murphy, who`s a contributing editor for "L.A. Times" magazine. Also tonight in New York, Ashleigh Banfield who`s an anchor for "In Session."
HAMMER: All right, ladies. Elisabeth Hasselbeck has really gotten into with every co-host on "The View," even the ever-composed, politically neutral Barbara Walters. Well, when we visited Barbara on the set of "The View," she told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT what she really thinks of Elisabeth, while, I might point out, also making a truly stunning George Washington. Take a look at this.
WALTERS: I cannot imagine this program without Elisabeth and her point of view. One of the things that is so wonderful about this program is that we do argue the way married couples argue who have different political opinions or kids argue with parents and so forth. We`re enormously fond of Elisabeth. She does her homework. She presents her point of view and it makes the program extremely exciting.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Wow. Barbara`s looking hot there. Elisabeth obviously does make for interesting TV. But I`ve got to say, Barbara Walters, being ever diplomatic there. Ashleigh, I mean, that`s, you know, her doing her job, basically. But clearly, Barbara realizes that "The View" might not be as successful, or for that matter, not as interesting without Elisabeth.
BANFIELD: Nobody wants a love fest, certainly on television. I think we all learned that from cable news. So I think that provides the electricity, and I think it also provides the headlines. Because let`s not forget what a battle Hasselbeck got into with Rosie O`Donnell before Rosie eventually left "The View." It skyrocketed them in the ratings. It does provide the perspective, which is fantastic. I don`t personally think that Elisabeth`s right-wing perspective is as eloquent as Bill Kristol`s but it`s there and it`s daytime and it`s important.
HAMMER: Well, one of Elisabeth`s favorite sparring partner, and we get to see this every day, is Joy Behar. They really go at it. They couldn`t be any more on opposite ends of the political spectrum.
You`ve got to take a look at what Joy told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT about Elisabeth. By the way, as you`re watching Joy - keep in mind she is supposed to be Teddy Roosevelt. You`ll want to watch her mustache in particular.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOY BEHAR, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": I think that they see two sides of the issue with Elisabeth and me in particular because I`m strict about it and strong and so is she. And I think that it`s been very interesting. People come up to me and say, "Thank you for saying what you`re saying," and I`m sure they say that to her. And so I think that people - how can I do a serious interview with this mustache? A.J., I ask you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I don`t know, really. But it`s a good look, Joy. I love the mustache on you.
All right. Mary Murphy, over to you. You`ve been covering TV for a long time. Now, Joy is saying that she and Elisabeth bring two strong sides of the story to "The View," but they really only have one vocal Republican in Elisabeth. So Mary, is it really a fair debate?
MURPHY: Elisabeth looks battle-weary to me. And I think that the debate they`re having on "The View" is the debate that most people have even in their own homes. But we`re all tired of the debate, and it looks to me like Elisabeth is always ganged up on. I`m not sure I believe anything that anybody says diplomatically about how they really feel about her, and she looks tired.
I`m sure she`s so welcoming the end of this election. And if I think - if I were advising "The View," I would tell them stop fighting so much and bring on guests that make news, not necessarily the hosts battling each other.
HAMMER: Well, it`s going to be interesting to see if they follow your advice, Mary, because as was mentioned earlier, Ashleigh said, you know, during the Rosie O`Donnell battles, the ratings spiked. During this whole thing, the ratings spike. I know that they want to keep the ratings up. And so we`ll have to watch. Let`s take a look at Elisabeth in action, shall we?
She does not hold back on "The View." In fact, on Thursday`s show she commented on Barack Obama`s into infomercial that aired on the networks on Wednesday night. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ELISABETH HASSELBECK, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": It seems odd to me that we`re going to trust a guy to be frugal with our economy when he has thrown all this cash to an ad. At this point, what are you trying to sell to us that cost (UNINTELLIGIBLE) millions of dollars?
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I`m not going to get into the logic of that particular argument. But Elisabeth does spend a good chunk of time on the show defending the McCain-Palin ticket. That`s what she believes in.
I`ve got to show you this SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day where we asked, "Elisabeth Hasselbeck: Is she helping the McCain-Palin ticket?" And as you see right here, only 19 percent of those who voted said yes. That means 81 percent said no. Ashleigh, are you surprised that this vote is so lopsided?
BANFIELD: No. I`ll go back to what I was saying originally. I don`t think she`s very well researched sometimes in some of her opinions - just what she said about the infomercial. Barack Obama didn`t take any public money for his campaign. It`s called paying for your campaign, whereas McCain did. And so, maybe she could make that comment if McCain did that infomercial but she can`t make that about Barack Obama.
So again, these comments are great. They come from a different perspective, but they`re not always accurate or well-researched. So I think a lot of people see through that. And sometimes we don`t give the viewing public or the electorate enough credit. Sometimes, we give them much ...
HAMMER: Yes.
BANFIELD: ... but in this particular case, I think some people have seen through it.
HAMMER: Yes. I`d have to agree with you on that. And when you talk about representing both sides of the coin, Well, Sherri Shepherd, for one, can really appreciate Elisabeth`s point of view especially since Sherry was dressed as a coin, the ever-honest Abe Lincoln. Watch Sherri.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHERRI SHEPHERD, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": I absolutely defend where Elisabeth stands. She`s believes she has - she`s very passionate about what she believes as the other ladies are passionate in what they believe. So I respect that. I`m in awe of her. It`s hard to do. And you know, she feels she wants to go on campaigning with Palin. Girl, get on out there because they`re losing. So go on and do it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: You`ve got to give them credit for those costumes. It`s pretty amazing seeing her speak so eloquently while wearing that. It sounds like Sherri does thinks it`s great that Elisabeth has been out there campaigning with Sarah Palin. Mary, it does sound like despite what we see on the show, there really is harmony in "this live and let live" attitude there.
MURPHY: Well, it might be that, and it might not be. Because they always said there was harmony with Rosie O`Donnell. And it turns out there wasn`t harmony with Rosie O`Donnell.
I think Elisabeth, if she - I think she really is tired. And if she were less strident, I think it would work better. I mean, I think Oprah is the perfect role model. She went out. She expressed her opinion. She did what she could, and then she shut up.
HAMMER: And then she shut up. We`ve got to end it there, Mary. Good points all. Ashleigh Banfield, Mary Murphy, thanks for being here, ladies.
We`ve been asking you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Which show has been more influential in the election, `The View` or `Saturday Night Live`?"
What do you think? CNN.com/ShowbizTonight is where you vote. Or E- mail showbiztonight@cnn.com.
ANDERSON: You know Joe the Plumber, right? The regular guy who became a household name when catapulted into the election during the final presidential debate. Well, Joe`s days of sinks and toilets may be far behind him. He is about to become a country music star.
Yes, you heard right. The Ohio plumber whose real name is Samuel Wurzelbacher is going country. Some big music honchos are so hot on Joe that they want to put out his brand new album in time for Inauguration Day. And would you believe Joe`s already got his own publicity team and music producer.
Joe says he is a long-time country fan and he, quote, "knocks around on the guitar a bit." So it looks like no matter who ends up in the White House, one sure winner is Joe the Plumber
HAMMER: Unbelievable. Well, Steven Spielberg and Tom Cruise teamed up for "War of the Worlds." And now, they`ve got yet another blockbuster on their hands.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CRUISE: On November 4th, now make sure you go out and vote.
SPIELBERG: Cut! No, no, no, no. It`s on November 4th, don`t vote.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: What? Don`t vote? We`re going to tell you why Steven Spielberg, Tom Cruise, Harrison Ford, Cameron Diaz, Julia Roberts and Leo DiCaprio are all teaming up for an amazing and provocative, all-star election video. We will play it for you, next on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: What do you think when you hear the names Leonardo DiCaprio, Steven Spielberg, Will Smith and Tom Cruise in one sentence? No, they`re not the blockbuster cast of an epic new movie. But they are part of the lineup in a brand-new election video. I`ve got to say this thing is remarkable. See for yourself.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WILL SMITH, ACTOR: On November 4th, get out and vote.
SPIELBERG: No, no. Say, "Don`t vote." Don`t vote.
HARRISON FORD, ACTOR: You want me to say don`t vote?
BEN STILLER, ACTOR: I`m sorry. What am I supposed to say?
JULIA ROBERTS: "Don`t vote." That doesn`t make sense.
CAMERON DIAZ, ACTRESS: You want people to vote, right?
SPIELBERG: Just say, "Don`t vote." It`s going somewhere.
SNOOP DOGG, ACTOR AND RAPPER: I don`t get it, man.
SPIELBERG: Listen. Scarlett, just say, "Don`t vote."
SCARLETT JOHANSSON: Don`t vote?
W. SMITH: On November 4th, get out and - don`t vote.
SPIELBERG: It`s part of the big picture.
ZACH BRAFF, ACTOR AND FILMMAKER: Did Tom Cruise say, "Don`t vote"?
CRUISE: On November 4th, now make sure you go out and vote.
SPIELBERG: Cut! No, no, no, no. It`s, "On November 4th, don`t vote."
CRUISE: Don`t vote?
SPIELBERG: Don`t vote.
CRUISE: What do you mean "don`t vote"?
SPIELBERG: It`s like the last one that they did. It was great. Hundreds of thousands of people signed up to register to vote. So it`s kind of like the concept.
RYAN REYNOLDS, ACTOR: Do not vote.
SPIELBERG: Shia, a little more, a little more sarcastic.
SHIA LABEOUF, ACTOR: More - what if people don`t understand that it`s being sarcastic?
CRUISE: Oh, sarcasm.
SPIELBERG: You can do sarcasm?
CRUISE: Yes, I can do sarcasm.
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE, SINGER: I can do anything. I was in a boy band, OK.
STILLER: Don`t vote.
W. SMITH: Don`t vote.
CRUISE: Don`t vote.
FORM: Like that?
SNOOP DOGG: Don`t vote.
CRUISE: Like that? I don`t get it.
SPIELBERG: One vote doesn`t count. Just imagine that.
W. SMITH: What does that mean?
JOHANSSON: OK, one vote doesn`t count.
ROBERTS: One vote doesn`t count.
LABEOUF: No, one vote doesn`t count.
JASON SEGEL, ACTOR: One vote? What is that going to do?
SNOOP DOGG: It don`t matter.
DIAZ: It`s just one vote.
LEONARDO DICAPRIO, ACTOR: You`re one tiny itty-bitty person in this entire country.
NEIL PATRICK HARRIS, ACTOR: And you`re just this one.
FORD: You know what? I can`t do it. It`s not true. I don`t believe it - 537 people decided the 2000 election. You want me to tell people one vote was doesn`t count.
JOHANSSON: 537?
TIMBERLAKE: That`s it?
REYNOLDS: There are more Baldwin brothers than that.
SPIELBERG: The concept worked last time this was on YouTube.
FORD: Worked for who? It didn`t work for me.
DIAZ: I`m going to have to go with Harrison.
CRUISE: I was having the same trouble with this. I don`t get it.
W. SMITH: It doesn`t make any sense at all.
CRUISE: No, it doesn`t make any sense.
W. SMITH: I respect you. You know, you`ve got awards and stuff. But this is ridiculous.
DICAPRIO: I think we should be kind of a little more direct, don`t you think?
SPIELBERG (tearing the script): Say what is in your heart.
CRUISE: Really?
W. SMITH: Now that makes sense. I`m voting because when I was growing up, my father told me that if you don`t vote, then you have to shut up.
HARRIS: I vote because I fell in love and I want it to matter.
SNOOP DOGG: Vote, because the first time ever, an African-American could end up in the White House.
BRAFF: Vote, because for the second time in history, a woman is running for vice president.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR (as a soldier): If you`re not voting for your self, vote for people like me.
SPIELBERG: Vote for the future of your children.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That is great. And that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. The latest from "CNN HEADLINE NEWS" is next.
END
