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Showbiz Tonight
Joe the Plumber Hires PR Team; The Funniest and Spookiest Campaign Ever; Oprah of Arabia; No on 8
Aired October 31, 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, HOST: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, the funniest campaign ever.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(on camera): I`m on the set of "Live with Regis and Kelly." Why did Regis show up as Joe Biden and Kelly as Sarah Palin?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
Plus, the joke`s on Joe the Plumber. He goes missing when John McCain comes a calling.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R-AZ), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Joe`s with us today. Joe, where are you?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: And is Joe the Plumber really getting a record deal? It`s SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s continuing coverage of the funniest campaign ever.
Just in time for Halloween, the spookiest star moments of the presidential campaign. Paris Hilton`s wild campaign video; Jessica Alba`s jaw-dropping S & M and Tina Fey as Sarah Palin meeting the real Sarah Palin. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is scaring up the spookiest star campaign moments.
Plus, Oprah of Arabia, the remarkable story of how Oprah Winfrey`s show has become a huge hit in the most unlikely of places - Saudi Arabia. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is right there.
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(MUSIC)
Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City. And get that laugh track ready because tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has brand-new hard, laugh-out-loud proof of the funniest campaign ever.
(LAUGHTER)
I never thought I would see the day that I`d run into Sarah Palin and Joe Biden sitting behind the desk that belongs to Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa. But that`s exactly what happened to me today - well, sort of. And I never thought I`d see a guy who goes by the name of Joe the Plumber would be hiring a PR management team. It is all making news right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice over): Regis and Kelly get mavericky -
KELLY RIPA, CO-HOST, "LIVE WITH REGIS AND KELLY": My day is about spending time with an old maverick.
HAMMER: Joe the Plumber becomes Joe the Missing -
MCCAIN: Joe`s with us today. Joe, where are you?
HAMMER: Perhaps, because he was having a drink-off with another Joe, namely Joe`s Six Pack, as played by an Oscar nominated actor.
THOMAS HADEN CHURCH, ACTOR: I`m a plumber.
HAMMER: With just days before the so-called most important election in a generation, shenanigans, both staged -
RIPA: So don`t get used to this outfit. It`s borrowed anyway.
HAMMER: And real -
MCCAIN: Where is Joe? Is Joe here with us today?
HAMMER: Just keep piling up, showing us once again why SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has declared this the funniest campaign ever.
BRETT EHRLICH, CURRENT TV: It`s been so high-staked and everybody`s trying so hard. Even the smallest mistake is just funny.
RIPA: Mind if I call you Joe?
REGIS PHILBIN, CO-HOST, "LIVE WITH REGIS AND KELLY": Mind if I call you Tina Fey?
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was at the Halloween edition of "Live with Regis and Kelly" as the hosts dressed up as the vice presidential candidates. Regis was Joe Biden and Kelly Ripa was Sarah Palin.
PHILBIN: You know, I think you`re rather attractive.
RIPA: Oh, say it isn`t so, Joe.
HAMMER (on camera): I`m on the set of "Live with Regis and Kelly." Why did Regis show up as Joe Biden and Kelly as Sarah Palin?
(voice over): I asked them why after they changed into their other Halloween personas, Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn from "Project Runway."
RIPA: Of course, it`s very nerve-racking to play people who`ve already been so brilliantly parodied by other performers. So I kept saying I`m really playing Tina Fey tonight. I`m not really playing Sarah Palin.
HAMMER (on camera): And you gave her a run for her money, don`t you think? She definitely did that.
(voice over): Brett Ehrlich of Current TV`s "Campaign Update" and "Viral Video Film School" gave Regis and Kelly`s costumes thumbs up.
EHRLICH: We should all be thankful that Sarah Palin doesn`t have one- tenths the energy that Kelly Ripa has, or there would be no moose left.
HAMMER: Then there`s Joe the Plumber, the Ohio man who went from asking Barack Obama a question on the campaign trail to becoming a star. Yes, Joe the Plumber has now hired a publicist.
EHRLICH: That`s the American dream right there, from plumber to famous plumber.
HAMMER: Too bad Joe`s new team of people couldn`t keep him from an apparent scheduling mix-up that caused him to miss a campaign appearance with John McCain.
MCCAIN: Joe`s with us today. Joe, where are you? Where is Joe? Is Joe here with us today? Joe, I thought you were here today. All right.
EHRLICH: It was like watching that scene in "Ferris Bueller."
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?
EHRLICH: Except it was, "plumber, plumber, plumber?" I felt like John McCain was going to ask, "Are there any other campaign-created rhetorical devices in the crowd? Anybody?"
HAMMER: But before there was Joe the Plumber, there was another now- forgotten Joe in the campaign - no, not him.
GOV. SARAH PALIN (R-AK), VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Joe Six Pack.
HAMMER: And this Joe six pack won`t be usurped without a fight.
CHURCH: Joe Six Pack here. Remember me?
HAMMER: In a new clip on "FunnyOrDie.com," actor Thomas Haden Church gives a face and voice to a Joe Six Pack who`s not too happy with that other Joe.
CHURCH: Joe the Plumber has come along. He`s like stealing all of my Midwestern blue collar thunder.
HAMMER: So with the help of lots of Pabst Blue Ribbon, Joe decides to drink his way back into iconic regular guy status by going from Joe Six Pack to Joe Case Pack. You`d think with all that wine-drinking, you did the Oscar-winning sideways, Thomas Hayden Church could handle his booze better.
EHRLICH: I think it`s a political cycle. I mean, once you drink a case of beer, then you have to throw up in a toilet. You`ll probably clog it and then you`ll need Joe the Plumber then, won`t you?
HAMMER: Maybe instead of an election, McCain and Obama should follow Joe`s lead and have a cheap beer drink-off to decide the presidency.
EHRLICH: I think politicians should drink more Pabst Blue Ribbon.
HAMMER: That would be fitting end to this, the funniest campaign ever.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
Drink-off? Say it isn`t so, Joe. Well, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s continuing coverage of the funniest campaign ever rolls on.
Joining me tonight in New York, Lisa Bloom who`s the host of "Lisa Bloom: Open Court" and an "In Session" anchor. And also tonight in Hollywood is Laura Saltman who`s a correspondent for "AccessHollywood.com."
Lisa, Laura, we just saw these guys, Regis and Kelly dressing up as Joe Biden and Sarah Palin doing their big Halloween special on the live program. Now, Kelly told me she was actually impersonating Tina Fey as Palin. And I`m thinking if the day-gig doesn`t work out for her, Kelly has a future on "Saturday Night Live." Let`s watch some of that again.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PHILBIN: I`m just a guy who started from scratch. Worked my tail off, got an opinion on everything and everybody, including you. You know, I think you`re rather attractive?
RIPA: Oh, say it isn`t so, Joe. I try to change it up every day, so don`t get used to this outfit. It`s borrowed anyway.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, Tina Fey has said that, you know, once the election over, she`s done playing Palin. But Lisa, and I`m serious about this, I think Kelly has it in her to pick up where Tina Fey would leave off. What do you think?
LISA BLOOM, HOST, "LISA BLOOM: OPEN COURT": Well, she`s absolutely adorable. But you can`t out-Fey Tina Fey. And I don`t think it works to play Tina Fey playing Sarah Palin. That`s like those confusing Shakespeare plays where a male actor`s playing a female who`s performing as a male. It just gets a little bit confusing. She did an adorable job and the jokes were funny. But I think we have to leave this one to Tina Fey.
HAMMER: But did you notice every time Regis was impersonating somebody, he just sounded like Regis? What was that about?
What do you think, Laura Saltman? Kelly with a future as Sarah Palin?
LAURA SALTMAN, CORRESPONDENT, "ACCESSHOLLYWOOD.COM": She did a good job. But you know, her accent was a little bit more Canadian like, "Hey, what`s up there?" (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Alaska.
You know what? People are going to have to get in line, because last night, I went Halloween shopping. I went to all these second-hand stores. I cannot tell you how many women were lined up looking for red power suits. So I think they`re going to be a long line of Sarah Palin impersonators out there.
HAMMER: You can tell me, Laura. I`m a doctor.
Well, another actor in the funniest campaign ever - of course, we`ve been watching the exploits of Joe the Plumber. And as you just saw, this guy now has publicists. There were reports floating around he was even going to record an album.
Now, his people, I should point out, say the album thing is not happening. But it did get us thinking, imagine what a commercial for a Joe the Plumber Greatest Hits album would look like. Hmm -
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
VOICE OVER: For just $9.95 plus shipping and handling, you`ll get all of the romantic songs Joe`s made famous, romantic ballads like "Septic Serenade," "You Make Me Flush All Over," the Grammy-winning "Pipe Dreams," the heartbreaking "Toilet Troubles," and who can forget "I`ve Got a Sinking Feeling." Order before midnight tonight and we`ll throw in a wrench. So order now.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Lisa Bloom, what do you think? Would a Joe the Plumber album make you flush all over?
BLOOM: I do not believe it`s going to happen. I think it`s a load of something that would get left behind in Joe`s toilet. I mean, come on. If he gets an album, I`m Queen Elizabeth. There`s just no way it`s going to happen. Publicist, maybe. And by the way, publicist`s first job, get your guy to show up to his appearance with John McCain.
HAMMER: Yes. Let`s talk about this -
BLOOM: Second job is, he`s not Joe. He`s not a plumber. You might want to straighten that part out.
HAMMER: Yes. Let`s sort through this, because I have to say for my money, one of the funniest moments in this entire campaign - we just showed it to you - John McCain introducing Joe the Plumber at a rally but Joe was a no- show. A truly classic moment in the funniest campaign ever. Oh, let`s watch again.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MCCAIN: Joe`s with us today. Joe, where are you? Where is Joe? Is Joe here with us today? Joe, I thought you were here today. All right. Well, you`re all Joe, the Plumbers, so all of you stand up and say - I thank you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: In our piece, the guy who said, it was truly a "Bueller? Bueller?" I think it`s better than that. Yes, I should point out, Joe the Plumber did show up at some other rallies. But I want to know, how do we get to the point where an unlicensed plumber actually humiliates a presidential candidate at one of his own rallies?
Laura, is this just more proof that you really don`t need comedians to make this the funniest campaign ever?
SALTMAN: Well, I have the answer to your question. I think he probably ended up hiring some Hollywood publicist for people who notoriously are late like Mariah Carey. And that`s why he showed up late. He had this publicist who just couldn`t get him there.
HAMMER: Yes. I mean, this is where we have truly entered the surreal, Lisa Bloom. You know, the fact that this guy`s has hired a publicist, the fact that there are talks of the level of demands that this man is in.
BLOOM: Oh, yes.
HAMMER: And as I say, you know, the comedians have been doing a great job at it. But even without comedians, we`d still be laughing all the way to the voting booth.
BLOOM: Yes. You know, maybe the publicist can explain why Joe the Plumber thinks that a middle class tax break is socialist. And that`s how this whole thing began. What is this publicist doing? Is he making appearances? Is he making any money? Is he doing anything other than not showing up, not giving interviews? It seems like a very strange job this publicist is doing.
HAMMER: I`m going to miss these moments. I say that truly from the bottom of my heart.
SALTMAN: There`s still three or four more days, though. I think we`re going to see more of it.
HAMMER: Lisa Bloom, Laura Saltman, thank you for being along and laughing with us tonight. I appreciate it.
Well, now, we want to turn it over to you. This is our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Which show do you think has been more influential in this whole election `The View,` `Saturday Night Live`?"
Well, you can vote simply by logging on to our Web site. It is CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. If you have more to say, you can put those thoughts into an E-mail and send them off to showbiztonight@cnn.com.
And we also want you to call us at "Showbiz On Call." It`s a really good way for you to let us know what you think of "The View" or "SNL" or anything else that happens to be on your mind. This is the number to call - 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; that`s 1-888-728-2899. After the sound of the beep tone, leave a voicemail so we can play your calls right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
I need to let you know that your calls to "Showbiz On Call" can also be found on our homepage at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
So not only has this been the funniest campaign ever, it`s been pretty darn spooky, too.
(SCREAM)
Yes, get used to that sound effect. Just in time for Halloween, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is picking the spookiest star moments of the presidential campaign. Paris Hilton`s wild campaign video. You`ve got Jessica Alba`s jaw-dropping S & M ad. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is scaring up the spookiest star campaign moments.
We will also have this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: When Arabs are asked why they like Oprah Winfrey, many say, she empowers them, teaches them and gives them something to look forward to.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Unbelievable. It`s Oprah of Arabia. The remarkable story of how Oprah Winfrey`s become a huge hit in a pretty interesting place, Saudi Arabia. And we`re heading right there, coming up.
Plus, breaking new developments in the Jennifer Hudson killings involving the gun used to kill her mother, brother and nephew. The dramatic action Hudson is taking to help people whose families have been victims of violence. And more of your "Showbiz On Call" messages of support for Jennifer.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MATT LAUER, CO-HOST, THE "TODAY" SHOW: Can I ask you a question?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sure.
LAUER: I`m a little down.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Why?
LAUER: Do I look fat in this?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You know you look a little chunky.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Did you see this? These are some pretty great Halloween costumes right here. That`s Matt Lauer, of course, as the egg who takes a great fall, Humpty Dumpty. His co-host, Meredith Vieira as the "my nose grows when I tell a lie" puppet, Pinocchio.
And I think her nose might just grow a little bit. Come on, Matt didn`t look that fat, did he?
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Well, we were right there on the set of "The View" when they played dress-up for Halloween, too. And well, let me tell you, it`s all treats over there. That`s because tonight I can tell you, "The View" just had its best week ever in the TV ratings.
Listen to this - nearly 4.5 million viewers, all that hot topics fighting over McCain, Obama and Palin, just getting lots and lots of people to tune in. But when it comes to actually making a difference this election, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT viewers think "Saturday Night Live" is the show that`s leading the way.
Now, we`ve been asking you in our question of the day, which show has been more influential in the election? But so far, only 11 percent think "The View" is more influential. A whopping 89 percent thinking "SNL" is.
All right. So clearly our viewers think "Saturday Night Live" has more election influence than "The View." But do comedy shows like "Snl," the late-night talk show, with all of the jokes - do they really make a difference? Do people really vote one way or another based on all the skits and impersonations, all that comedy?
And is the McCain-Palin ticket being unfairly targeted? Our coverage of the funniest campaign ever continues now with SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter. .
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAY LENO, HOST, "THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO": When he told McCain they were only giving him four years - "That`s great. My doctor only gave me two."
KAREEN WYNTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: John McCain and Sarah Palin, late-night comedies` favorite targets.
DAVID LETTERMAN, HOST, "LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN": Time for another message from Sarah Palin. Sarah?
PALIN: I have no experience. John McCain should get rid of me.
WYNTER: The McCain-Palin ticket has been the butt of seven times more jokes on late-night TV than their Democratic counterparts. According to a new study by the Center for Media and Public Affairs, ABC`s Jimmy Kimmel jokingly accepted a trophy for telling the one millionth John McCain old joke.
JIMMY KIMMEL, HOST, "JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE!": Thank you. Thank you.
WYNTER: He even denies he and fellow late-night hosts are biased against the Republican candidates.
KIMMEL: I don`t think anybody really is taking sides. I mean, you know what? When things happen, you come up with a spin on them.
WYNTER: There`s also evidence this humor might actually influence voters.
LAUREN FELDMAN, PROFESSOR, AMERICAN UNIVERSITY: The power of late-night comedy to influence voters really lies among those voters who are currently undecided and are potentially less-tuned in to the campaign.
WYNTER: American University Professor Lauren Feldman conducted a study based on the 2004 primaries and found that negative comedic portrayals of candidates can have an impact by seeping into the audience`s consciousness.
FELDMAN: The extent to which comedians harp on these negative characteristics makes these characteristic more top of mind.
WYNTER: At a recent panel discussion at the University of Southern California, comedy writers differed on the power of their work to influence voters.
MICHAEL PIERCE, CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, "THE SIMPSONS": I don`t think it changes your opinion that much. I think it makes you feel better about how you already feel and gives you a laugh.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They take the worst features of people, exaggerate them and reduce them to these devisable stereotypes which make it easier for us to make our minds up about.
TINA FEY, ACTRESS (AS SARAH PALIN): Are we not doing the talent portion?
WYNTER: Perhaps acknowledging the power of comedy shows to influence voter opinion, Palin herself appeared on "Saturday Night Live" after being parodied for weeks. And McCain finally sat down with Letterman following missing a visit which earned him almost nightly ridicule. Experts say both needed to block their battered images after serving as the laughing stocks of late night.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: That was SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter. Well, I know there have been really funny moments in this election and there are the really spooky things that have happened.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHERRI SHEPHERD, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": When Sarah Palin got picked as a running mate, I thought that was pretty spooky.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, that`s "The View`s" Sherri Shepherd there dressed up as an Abe Lincoln penny - pretty spooky in itself, if you ask me. Then there`s Paris Hilton`s wacky campaign video and Jessica Alba`s S & M ad. Coming up, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is revealing the spookiest celebrity campaign moments.
(SCREAM)
Oh, they`re screaming for Oprah in Saudi Arabia. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can now reveal Oprah Winfrey is huge in parts of the Arab world. But why is she so inspirational to so many women there? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is in Saudi Arabia with this absolutely remarkable story.
And there are breaking new developments to tell you about in the Jennifer Hudson family killings. News about the gun that police found, also the dramatic move Jennifer`s making to help other families who have been victims of violent crimes.
Plus more of your emotional "Showbiz On Call" words of support for Jennifer.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer. And right now, I`ve got the very latest developments on the Jennifer Hudson family killing. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that police have confirmed through testing that the gun they found Wednesday is, in fact, the gun that killed the Oscar-winning actress` mother, brother and seven-year-old nephew.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has also learned in addition to a public memorial on Sunday, there`s a private funeral service scheduled for Monday. And we can tell you that Jennifer and Julia have established the Hudson-King foundation for families of slain victims in honor of their family members. This foundation`s goal is to care for families who have lost relatives to violent crimes.
And we have also been getting so many viewer calls to our "Showbiz On Call" phone lines. We heard from Sheila in Oklahoma who was calling with these words of support.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
SHEILA, CALLER FROM OKLAHOMA: I`m so sorry for her loss and I hope her and her family be well. And I hope they catch whoever did this to them. Jennifer, I`m a big fan of yours. I hope that you get through this and your family gets through this, and I love you.
We do appreciate your phone calls. Remember, you too can call us at "Showbiz On Call" whether it`s with your thoughts for Jennifer Hudson or if you have anything else that is on your mind. The number to call - 1-888- SBT-BUZZ; that`s 1-888-728-2899. Leave us a voicemail so we can play your call right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Moving on now, this election has been obviously very interesting and plenty of really funny moments, plenty of really spooky moments, too. So tonight, just in time for Halloween, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is picking the scariest star campaign moments.
(SCREAM)
You have to go to (UNINTELLIGIBLE) every time she screams. Thank you. Paris Hilton`s wacky video among them, Jessica Alba`s S & M ad - really frightening stuff. It is coming up.
Also this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: When Arabs are asked why they like Oprah Winfrey, many say she empowers them, teaches them and gives them something to look forward to.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Oprah of Arabia? That`s right. Oprah Winfrey is huge in Saudi Arabia. A real inspiration to women there. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is there in Saudi Arabia with the truly remarkable story.
And this sounds really cool. If you`ve ever wanted to be one of the Beatles, you may get your chance. You have got to see how you could be able to rock out with John, Paul, George and Ringo. That is coming up.
(NEWS BREAK)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHEPHERD: When Sarah Palin got picked as a running mate, I thought that was pretty spooky.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Just in time for Halloween, the spookiest moments of the presidential campaign. Tina Fey playing Sarah Palin, meeting the real Sarah Palin. Paris Hilton`s wild campaign video and Jessica Alba`s jaw- dropping S & M ad. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is scaring up the spookiest star campaign moments.
Oprah of Arabia. Tonight, the amazing story of how Oprah Winfrey`s show has become a huge hit in the most unlikely of places, Saudi Arabia. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is right there.
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC)
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.
And tonight, just in time for Halloween, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is declaring right here, right now, the spookiest celebrity campaign moments in the presidential election. Yes, we`re here to count down the spookiest, scariest campaign moments that the stars have made so, so memorable, including, of course, Paris Hilton`s campaign ad where she`s posing in a leopard-print bathing suit rattling off an energy plan that actually kind of makes sense.
And who can forget Jessica Alba bound and gagged in the jaw-dropping S & M ad just to get people out to vote. And of course, there`s Tina Fey as Sarah Palin meeting the real Sarah Palin after her dead-on impersonations of her. This is scary spooky.
And with us tonight for this fright fest, in New York, Lisa Bloom, who`s an anchor for "In Session." From Hollywood tonight, Laura Saltman who is a correspondent for "AccessHollywood.com." And in New York is Michael Musto who is an entertainment columnist for "The Village Voice."
I want you all on your best behavior tonight. In addition to that cheap sound effect, I brought along my cheap plastic chainsaw. Let us now begin with what was perhaps the spookiest moment of them all - Tina Fey as Sarah Palin walking by Sarah Palin on "Saturday Night Live."
Of course, soon after John McCain announced Sarah Palin was his running mate, we saw Tina Fey making her big debut as Palin on "Saturday Night Live." Lisa, this was just a blood curdling moment, wasn`t it? Did you get goose bumps when you saw Tina Fey walk by Sarah Palin?
BLOOM: Yes. Many of us, like Sherri Shepherd, thought what could be scarier than Sarah Palin herself? How about Sarah Palin times two? When you see them walking by each other, it`s almost like you didn`t expect to see them in the same room. They actually are two different people. Who knew?
HAMMER: And I might add, it didn`t look like a love-fest was going on at that time. Just my personal observation.
BLOOM: No eye contact.
HAMMER: And perhaps - stay with me on this - even scarier than Tina Fey walking by Sarah Palin, that classic moment on "Saturday Night Live" when Tina Fey as Sarah Palin repeated this line that Sarah Palin made famous. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AMY POEHLER, ACTRESS (AS HILLARY CLINTON): I believe that diplomacy should be the cornerstone of any foreign policy.
FEY (as Sarah Palin): And I can see Russia from my house.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Laura Saltman, off to you. You know, what made that so scary was that Sarah Palin really did use at least that concept to try to argue or prove the point that she had foreign policy experience. Does it get any spookier than that?
SALTMAN: But what`s so funny about it - it`s all about the delivery of the line and the way that Tina Fey says it. Like, "I can see Russia from my house." She has this kind of like dumb-blond moment there. That`s what`s so funny. It actually made it into my top 10 quotes that week. I did that on "AccessHollywood.com" because it was just so brilliant.
BLOOM: Hey, hey. Don`t bring blonds into this. Sarah Palin`s a brunette.
SALTMAN: Sorry. Sorry.
BLOOM: For one, she`s not a dumb blond.
(LAUGHTER)
SALTMAN: Show me the chainsaw.
HAMMER: Yes. That was a little derogatory there. Come on, take that back, Laura.
SALTMAN: OK.
HAMMER: All right. A lot of spooky moments on "The View," of course. I mean, there always have been in the past, but particularly, during this presidential race. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was right there on the set of "The View`s" big Halloween extravaganza. And we had to ask co-host Sherri Shepherd - yes, that`s her - what her spookiest moment of this election was. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHEPHERD: When Sarah Palin got picked as a running mate, I thought that was pretty spooky.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Michael Musto, separate from Sherri`s costume there, what was the moment that Sherri mentioned that`s a ghostly moment for you as well?
MICHAEL MUSTO, ENTERTAINMENT COLUMNIST, "THE VILLAGE VOICE": It was the end of the free world for me, A.J. I was devastated; not since Destiny`s Child broke up have I been so horrified. And by the way, I can see New Jersey outside my window. That doesn`t mean I understand it.
HAMMER: That`s true. But can you see one of the rest stops? All right. Let`s move on to our next spooky celebrity moment in the presidential campaign - John McCain`s campaign ad featuring Britney Spears and Paris Hilton. Let`s roll that out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VOICE OVER: He`s the biggest celebrity in the world. But is he ready to lead? With gas prices soaring, Barack Obama says "no" to offshore drilling, and says he will raise taxes on electricity?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I might remind everybody, that ad was a pivotal moment. It actually was the kickoff to what was a nonstop celebrity spooky moment barrage that followed. Lisa, is it not bone-chilling that Paris Hilton became a force in the most important presidential election of a lifetime, which, you know, to an extent, she did?
BLOOM: You know, I`m still in heavy denial that Paris Hilton`s name even gets uttered during this presidential campaign. But you know what? What I think is really spooky is that Barack Obama has Warren Buffett giving him economic advice and the Republicans have Joe the plumber. I mean, how bone-chilling is that?
HAMMER: Yes. But Laura, does it get scarier than Paris Hilton? I mean, come on.
SALTMAN: You know what`s interesting? I`m shocked that she can act. You know, she did that whole thing on "FunnyOrDie.com" after that came out. And I`m like, wow, she can actually act. Because she couldn`t act in that movie (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and some other movies she did. It was like, wow, this girl might actually have a career, not in politics, though.
HAMMER: Who could have imagined that career would come courtesy of the presidential campaign? I mean, come on.
All right. It gets even spookier. Sound effect, please.
(SCREAM)
Paris Hilton put out a campaign ad herself responding to the McCain ads, that ones that featured her. And her ad was posted on FunnyOrDie.com. We`ve got to take a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PARIS HILTON, ACTRESS: Here`s my energy plan. Barack wants to focus on new technologies to cut foreign oil dependency and McCain wants offshore drilling. Well, why don`t we do a hybrid of both candidates` ideas? We can do limited offshore drilling with strict environmental oversight, while creating tax incentives to get Detroit making hybrid and electric cars. Crisis solved.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Michael Musto, are you with me on this? Now, even though she, I`m sure, did not come up with that plan, the spookiest part of the whole is the fact that Paris actually made some sense there. I mean, that is frightening beyond belief, isn`t it?
MUSTO: Well, she can read off a prompter. That`s not that terrifying. What`s terrifying, A.J., is the fact that this video became a factor in this campaign where we`re dealing with a war in Iraq and the economy plunging into the toilet. Suddenly, Paris Hilton, a socialite, is a key player. Then again, this is the world that I helped to create. So I deserve this.
HAMMER: And as you said, the world is coming to an end. Got to get to our next spookiest celebrity campaign moment. It was a real thriller. Jessica Alba`s S & M ad - look at this. She`s bound and gagged in an ad designed to get people out to vote. Now, we do know the immediate effect it had was a spike in sales of the S & M tape that`s used in the ad. I don`t think that was what they were going for. Lisa, for you, trick or treat?
BLOOM: Don`t go to me on the S & M question.
HAMMER: Come on.
BLOOM: I don`t know nothing about it. You know - by the way, how scary is "FunnyOrDie.com?" Does that mean that if you don`t like it, something terrible is going to happen to you?
HAMMER: No, like do or die. Funny or die -
BLOOM: Right. And if John McCain thinks Americans don`t like celebrities, this Jessica Alba story is a good example of how far off base he is. I mean, here`s this beautiful young woman trying to make a point about why you should vote. And everybody understands it as, "Well, I want to be beautiful like her. So I`m going to go out and buy a gag at some S & M store. I mean, are we out of our minds?
HAMMER: Michael, is that what you`re going to be wearing to the Halloween parade in (UNINTELLIGIBLE) tonight?
MUSTO: I`m actually (UNINTELLIGIBLE). But I`m actually going as Harry Potter tonight. So for once, I`m going to be PG-rated. But this really backfired, A.J. I mean, you put Jessica Alba naked in masking tape. People aren`t going to go out and vote. They`re going to play with whips and chains and play with all kinds of things.
HAMMER: I suppose they will. Laura, 10 seconds for you. Was this a trick or a treat?
SALTMAN: Oh, definitely a treat. That`s like showing up to somebody`s house tonight and getting a full-size Hershey bar and some M & Ms and a Reese`s cup.
HAMMER: Yes. As opposed to like getting an apple, particularly one with a razor blade in it.
SALTMAN: Exactly.
HAMMER: All right. You were all very well-behaved tonight.
SALTMAN: That`s what I`m giving out.
HAMMER: I did not have to take out my chainsaw. Lisa Bloom, Laura Saltman, Michael Musto, thank you for being spooky with me.
All right. Moving on, Oprah Winfrey has, of course, been called the queen of all media. But here`s something more amazing. Could Oprah single-handedly bring change to the Middle East?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: When Arabs are asked why they like Oprah Winfrey, many say she empowers them, teaches them and gives them something to look forward to.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I`ve got to tell you, this is truly remarkable. Turns out that Oprah`s show is having an incredible impact on women and men in the Arab world. Coming up next, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is going all the way to Saudi Arabia for the fascinating story of Oprah of Arabia.
And of course, it was the Beatles who famously sang the classic line, "You say you want a revolution." Well, get ready for a brand-new revolution. This is extraordinary. There`s a brand-new way for Beatles fans to make believe that they`re actually one of the Beatles and personally rock with the Fab Four. That`s coming up.
Also, one of my favorite Hollywood stars, Jennifer Aniston - she is back in a big way. She`s teaming up with Owen Wilson. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has your brand-new first look at their upcoming movie "Marley & Me." You`ve got to see this when SHOWBIZ TONIGHT comes right back.
Now, remember you can watch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT video anytime. We are always posting new stuff for you to check out on our Web site. Just go to CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. Among the videos now playing, "The View" on Hasselbeck. The ladies of "The View" reveal what they really think of Elisabeth Hasselbeck.
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HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Tonight, the absolutely remarkable story of the power of Oprah Winfrey in Saudi Arabia. Yes, I said Saudi Arabia. Now, we all know that Oprah is the queen of all media, from her TV to her magazine and of course, her book club - everything Oprah touches turns to gold.
But could Oprah Winfrey have the power to single-handedly change the lives of every single woman in the Middle East? You know, she`s becoming so popular with women there that they`re there this close to crowning the queen with a new title - Oprah of Arabia.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is going all the way to Saudi Arabia for this incredible story. Here`s CNN correspondent, Octavia Nasr for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
OCTAVIA NASR, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): She`s viewed as the face of success and her story inspires so many women here in the Arab world. When Arabs are asked why they like Oprah Winfrey, many say she empowers them, teaches them and gives them something to look forward to.
UNIDENTIFIED ARAB FEMALE: She gives me courage also to speak about certain problems we don`t speak about, like about woman freedom and sex abuse.
NASR: Subjects often completely taboo in most of the Arab Middle East, which remains conservative, unable or unwilling to address such topics openly. The Saudi-owned Middle East Broadcasting Center is based in Dubai. It is the venue that ushers Oprah Winfrey straight into people`s homes five days a week.
Oprah in English with Arabic subtitles. The show is popular among Arab women, many of whom are still fighting for basic rights, such as driving or traveling without permission from a male guardian. Saudi Maha Al-Faleh sees Oprah as an inspiration.
MAHA AL-FALEH, SAUDI PROFESSIONAL (quoted): I witnessed first had women opening up to their families about their own fears and insecurities when they were inspired by either Oprah or her guests.
NASR: Buthaina al-Nassr is also Saudi. She is a popular TV personality who is inspired by Oprah.
BUTHAINA AL-NASSR, SAUDI TV HOST (through a translator): We have many great writers, TV presenters and successful talk show hosts but we have no Oprah - man or woman. The reason is that our governments aren`t ready to see an Arabian Oprah on TV.
NASR: She points out that without real freedom of speech, no Arab man or woman can do what Oprah does. Some Arab men also praise the talk show host.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE ARAB: I think she`s such an influential lady. It`s nice to be a mother. It`s nice to be a housewife. But I believe a woman would be much more helpful to society if she`s given the rights and more freedom to achieve goals in her careers.
NASR: An Arab world fascinated by one woman who is crowned in this article, quote, "the media queen." Some here say with the freedom of speech they`re fighting for, perhaps one day, they`ll crown their own version of Oprah Winfrey.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: That was CNN`s Octavia Nasr for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. And Oprah, as we all know, is a huge Barack Obama supporter. And she`s just one of the stars who have been extremely vocal during this election season. But you know, some of Hollywood`s biggest stars are also very passionate about the very controversial issue of gay marriage.
And they`re fighting to defeat what is known as Proposition 8 in California. This is a ballot initiative to ban same-sex marriage. From Brad Pitt who says he won`t marry Angelina Jolie until everyone has the same rights, to Ellen DeGeneres who, of course, recently married her girlfriend, to Steven Spielberg who has now donated thousands of dollars to defeat Proposition 8. But will the star power that`s showing up for this thing make a difference? Here`s SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Brooke Anderson.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BROOKE ANDERSON, CO-HOST, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT (voice over): A fierce debate is raging in California over Proposition 8, a ballot initiative to change the state constitution and ban same-sex marriage.
At the premiere of Sean Penn`s new film, "Milk," the story of California`s first openly gay elected official, Harvey Milk, protests of the measure were abundant, from activists to actors.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I would love to see Proposition 8 defeated.
ANDERSON: Many stars are using their celebrity status to reach voters, in effect becoming the face of "No on 8."
ELLEN DEGENERES, HOST, "THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW": Please, please vote "no" on 8.
ANDERSON: Ellen DeGeneres who married her partner Portia de Rossi in August, Margaret Cho, Molly Ringwald and America Ferrera -
AMERICA FERRERA, ACTRESS: We`re against Proposition 8.
ANDERSON: Are among those who have done PSAs.
CHAD GRIFFIN, POLITICAL ADVISOR, "NO ON 8": When someone comes from a position of profile, people see it and they hear it on TV, on the radio, on the internet. And so what a celebrity can do is amplify a message.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Nobody gets to say what is good love and what is bad love.
ANDERSON: Tens of millions of dollars have been funneled into the fight from both sides with Hollywood providing a major source of opposition funding.
GRIFFIN: The entertainment industry is certainly an important donor base for any election.
ANDERSON: Brad Pitt and Steven Spielberg each donated $100,000 to the cause. Melissa Etheridge performed at a "No on 8" benefit which raised nearly $4 million. But proponents of the proposition feel the star wattage won`t make much of an impact on Election Day.
SONJA EDDINGS BROWN, SPOKESWOMAN, "YES ON 8": I just don`t think the average voter is influenced by what people who live lives of exception think about political issues. The voters generally know where the Hollywood community comes down in politics and that`s usually on the liberal side of things. So if you support that, then you identify with them. If you don`t, it doesn`t really matter what they do.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: That was SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Brooke Anderson reporting. And I have to tell you, this ballot initiative has so many people fired up and it`s certainly drawing a ton of attention to next Tuesday`s election as if it needed any more attention.
Well, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can also tell you there are some more big stories making news right now. Tonight, Michael Jackson shooting down the rumors that he`s heading back to the studio with his brothers. Now, the rumors started from what you would think would be a really good source - Jermaine Jackson, one of the original members of the Jackson 5, of course.
But apparently Michael didn`t get that memo. Michael did release a statement saying, quote, "My brothers and sisters have my full love and support, but at this time, I have no plans to record or tour with them."
But have no fear - Michael says he is working on a brand-new solo album and tour. Note to the Jacksons here, you might want to check with Michael first before you start packing your bags.
And while the Jacksons are not reuniting, the Beatles are - at least virtually. The creators of the videogame "Rock Band" promise an interactive game that lets you rock just like John, Paul, George and Ringo. And there`s even a coincidental Michael Jackson connection here, too, because he owns the copyrights to most of the Beatles catalogs. That means if this game takes off, which I`m sure it will, when they hit stores by next Christmas, it could actually mean a lot of money for the surviving Beatles and Michael Jackson, who I understand could use some money right about now.
Well, wait until you see what we have coming up next. Jennifer Aniston back on the big screen for the first time in two years. And I, for one, say it`s about time because we miss you, Jen.
Jennifer`s brand new romantic comedy has her teaming up with Owen Wilson. It`s called "Marley and Me." SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has your brand-new first look at the movie. We are coming right back
Make sure you check out the free, ever-changing SHOWBIZ TONIGHT podcast which you`ll find on our Web site, CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. You can also download it on iTunes. Just do a little search for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT coming straight back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. It is time now for your SHOWBIZ first look. Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson play a couple who learn big life lessons from a little dog. Here now is your SHOWBIZ first look at "Marley and Me".
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
OWEN WILSON, ACTOR: There`s nothing like the experience of raising your first dog. Of course, that kid`s not even me. That`s me and that crazy hound I`m chasing is more like the world`s worst dog.
Sorry!
But our story begins before Marley was born.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: Dream house. Paint the Barney on the wall and you have a great little playroom. You guys are going to have kids, right?
JENNIFER ANISTON, ACTRESS: Yes.
ERIC DANE, ACTOR: Want my advice? Get a puppy or something. You never had it going.
WILSON: There`s nothing to it. You walk and you feed them. You let them out every now and then.
VOICE OVER: This Christmas, get ready for a surprise.
WILSON: One, two, three.
ANISTON: Oh, they`re adorable. Hi, puppy.
WILSON: Marley, this is our house. And now it`s yours. Marley, you can`t go through a screen door. He`s just like a kid, except a little furrier.
ANISTON: That is evil with a dog`s face.
WILSON: He gets an answering machine and then went back and had the phone for dessert.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: A dog can only have one master. Which one of you has the most authority in your relationship.
WILSON: Maybe I`ll stand over there for the beginning.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: I thought so.
VOICE OVER: On December 25th, give your family the gift -
ANISTON: It`s just beautiful.
WILSON: Put it on.
ANISTON: Where did it go? I put it right here.
WILSON: How can it just disappear?
VOICE OVER: Of Marley.
WILSON: Spit it out. Good boy.
ANISTON: Dr. Jay is going to send over a laxative.
WILSON: What? I think we need to find a new house. Whose dog is that?
VOICE OVER: It may be the world`s worst dog.
WILSON: None of this was part of the plan.
ANISTON: No, it wasn`t. It`s so much better.
VOICE OVER: But he brings out the best in their family.
WILSON: A dog doesn`t care if you`re rich or poor. Give him your heart and he`ll give you his.
WILSON: He`s making a break for it! Pull over.
ANISTON: There`s a ton of traffic!
VOICE OVER: "Marley and Me."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: "Marley and Me" opens December 25th. And that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. The latest from "CNN HEADLINE NEWS" is next.
END
