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Showbiz Tonight
Miracle on the Hudson; Outrage on Obama Magazine Cover; Ellen DeGeneres Finally Gets Her Man; Robert Redford`s Final Words for Bush
Aired January 16, 2009 - 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 miracle on the Hudson - one of the most amazing TV stories of all time. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the absolutely amazing stories playing out on television about the crash of Flight 1549.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAEL BLOOMBERG, NEW YORK CITY MAYOR: This is a story of heroes, something straight out of a movie script.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The witnesses. The survivors. What can all these people expect from their instant fame? Who should be cast as the hero pilot? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the miracle on the Hudson, straight out of a Hollywood script.
The SHOWBIZ Obama Watch. Tonight, the controversy over a brand-new magazine cover showing Barack Obama as Superman. Why women`s rights groups are outraged.
Plus new details on a possible Obama movie. Will Will Smith play Barack?
And SHOWBIZ at Sundance with Robert Redford`s fired up final words for President Bush.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERT REDFORD, ACTOR: I`m personally excited just because I`m glad to see the gang that couldn`t shoot straight get out of there. I`m glad to see them gone.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: 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 tonight, the miracle on the Hudson, and TV`s most amazing stories. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is bringing you in their own incredible words the unbelievable stories of the survivors of the plane crash in New York City. Now, it began last night and it continued nonstop today. The survivors on television telling one story more amazing than the next of their jet crashing into New York`s near freezing Hudson River. And all 155 people on board being rescued and saved.
Now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT producers have been watching TV nonstop to capture the stories so unbelievable not even the most imaginative writers in Hollywood could have ever come up with them. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you they are the stories that are making big news right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BLOOMBERG: This is a story of heroes, something straight out of a movie script.
HAMMER (voice over): A movie is right. The fascinating story of U.S. Airways Flight 1549`s terrifying descent into New York City`s Hudson River and the nail-biting water rescue that followed played out like a pulse- pounding Hollywood story with a ready-made title.
DAVID PATERSON (D), GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK: We`ve had a miracle on 34th Street. I believe now, we`ve had a miracle on the Hudson.
HAMMER: The miracle that all 155 people on the plane survived the crash into the bitterly cold water. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you, the sheer number of amazing unbelievable stories that came out of the crash are playing out all over the airwaves. And they have the nation riveted.
Like any great story, this one has a hero. As anointed by TV`s Dr. Phil.
DR. PHIL MCGRAW, PSYCHOLOGIST: Hero is not a big enough word for what this gentleman did.
HAMMER: Pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger has become an instant celebrity for his near perfect water landing that undoubtedly saved dozens of lives. This new celebrity even got a shout out in the celebrity Web site "TMZ." His wife tells CNN her husband is unfazed by the notoriety.
LORRIE SULLENBERGER, WIFE OF U.S. AIRWAYS PILOT: I think, you know, he would just brush it off. He was doing his job.
HAMMER: But as TV show after TV show recounts every last detail of this amazing story, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you, it`s the gripping, blow-by- blow recollections of the survivors that provided the day`s must-see moments.
ALBERTO PANERO, CRASH SURVIVOR: We heard a loud noise and you could feel the plane shake.
HAMMER: This passenger recounted for "LARRY KING LIVE" the frightening scene aboard the Flight 1549 as it descended towards the Hudson after an apparent bird strike ripped apart the plane`s engine.
PANERO: I started getting a bit scared that, you know, I was going to die. And I just, you know, saw my parents and my family just in tears telling the story about this nice young man who had everything ahead of him but, you know, tragically died.
ERIC STEVENSON, CRASH SURVIVOR: It was most incredible feeling to think that that really could be end.
HAMMER: This passenger tells the CBS early show that he, too, thought about those he may be leaving behind.
STEVENSON: I took out a business card and wrote a quick note to my family and shoved it into my pocket. This to my mom and my sister. I just said, "Mom, Jane, I love you."
MARTIN SOSA, CRASH SURVIVOR: I held Sophia and we did the best we can.
HAMMER: As their clearly un-traumatized 4-year-old and 9-month-old children played on their laps, passengers Martin and Tess Sosa told the "Today" show how a stranger helped them prepare their kids for the crash.
TESS SOSA, CRASH SURVIVOR: I just entrusted him. There was just something and he did embrace my son. There was an impact. He gave me my son who was crying. That was such a good sign.
M. SOSA: It was just like you see in the movies. It was a blunt impact. And then the next thing we know, the water was coming into the cabin.
HAMMER: The survivors are also sharing details of the amazing second act of the miracle on the Hudson story, the race against time rescue after the landing when the freezing waters were the biggest danger.
M. SOSA: We both got out of the plane. My daughter and Damian and my wife got on the life raft. And I was basically standing on the wing, trying to - I was actually trying to pull the life raft closer to the tugboat.
MATT LAUER, HOST, "TODAY" SHOW: So you could get the kids.
M. SOSA: Well, so that I could get the whole boat over. And so me and another gentleman tried to pull the life raft closer to the ferry.
HAMMER: Still shivering from his watery ordeal, this survivor told reporters about the orderly rescue.
JEFF KOLODJAY, CRASH SURVIVOR: I`m not going to try and tell it like a big guy. You know, it was my priority to make sure women and children got on first. So after that, we all did.
HAMMER: And on CNN`s "AMERICAN MORNING," there was praise for the passengers and for the flight crew, rescue workers, and ferry boat operators who teamed up to make sure no one was left behind.
FRED BERRETTA, CRASH SURVIVOR: They weren`t just looking after themselves and people helping folks get out on the wing or get on the raft.
HAMMER: And perhaps the final chapter we`re seeing in the miracle on the Hudson story, a group of thankful passengers who feel lucky to be alive.
PANERO: We`re alive. And we were - you know, we crashed into the Hudson River. And, you know, we`re walking and talking about it.
HAMMER: It is indeed a movie-like story with a downright happy ending.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
And let there be no doubt this will be made into a Hollywood movie.
Joining me tonight in Hollywood is Carlos Diaz who is a correspondent for "Extra." Also joining me tonight in New York is Ashleigh Banfield who is an anchor for "In Session."
Carlos, I`d like to begin with you in a little role-playing, OK?
CARLOS DIAZ, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": OK.
HAMMER: Here`s the deal. You are the head of a movie studio. I`m going to play the scriptwriter and I`m going to come to you with a great idea for a film. Are you ready for this?
DIAZ: Bring it on. Let`s go.
HAMMER: All right. Hey, Carlos, how are you?
DIAZ: I`m doing pretty good.
HAMMER: I wrote this great screen play. Just hear me out. It goes like this. So a flock of geese get caught in the plane`s engine. So the plane make a crash-landing. It lands perfectly intact, doesn`t bust up, right there in the Hudson River, just missing Manhattan. But get this, the plane floats, and then all 155 people come out. They stand on the wings right there in the frigid Hudson River and they`re all rescued. Carlos, what do you think? Are you buying this?
DIAZ: My son, crack is whack, and you need to quit the habit because, obviously, you are out of your mind. That`s not going to happen, OK. Why don`t you just get out of my office right now?
That`s exactly what you would get, A.J. I mean, no one would believe this, you know. You are barely going to clear the George Washington Bridge. The pilot is going to, you know, walk up and down, not once, but twice through the aisle to make sure that everybody is out safely.
When he is on the raft, someone is going to say, "Thank you so much." He`s going to say, "I`m just doing my job," kind of a thing. I mean, it`s got every making of a Hollywood script. And the only reason it is going to be made because it is a true story.
HAMMER: I keep thinking - I do some boating in the Hudson River, and that could be pretty tough at times. So this continues to blow me away. And I`ve got to tell you, these Hollywood movie comparisons are really being made by everybody.
Watch now what New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg told reporters today at a news conference about the miracle on the Hudson. Let`s roll that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BLOOMBERG: This is the story of heroes, something straight out of a movie script. But if it had been a movie, people probably wouldn`t have believed it. It was too good to be true - the perfect landing, the phenomenal response, the rescue of every single person.
HAMMER: Yes. See, Mayor Bloomberg just making our point there. It`s got drama. It`s got emotion. It`s got a hero. Ashleigh, is there any doubt that now this has happened, as we speak, Hollywood producers just falling over themselves to get the rights to make this a movie?
ASHLEIGH BANFIELD, ANCHOR, "IN SESSION": Well, if Hollywood producers are not, television producers are. I think this is a great made-for-TV movie as well. And you know what? Truth is stranger than fiction, A.J. So some of the best stuff can actually come from real-life news events.
And don`t forget, we were huge on the big air disaster "Lost." That ended up being a popular television series. "Airport `77" - something 30 years ago - anyway, that was big, too. So I think it might be time for one of these films.
HAMMER: You know, the pilot from the plane that crashed in "Lost" could learn a thing or two from this man, Sully.
BANFIELD: Yes.
HAMMER: Of course any great film has its hero. This is the guy right here - 57-year-old, Chesley B. Sullenberger III, known as "Sully." Carlos you look at this guy. You hear his name - right out of central casting isn`t he?
DIAZ: He is amazing. And I think everyone in America is amazed with this guy except for me. And I`ll tell you why. I went to Indiana University. Our archrivals were Purdue University.
And now, for the rest of my life I`ve got to hear, "Oh, you want to I.U.? You know what? Our guys can land planes in rivers. What have you got? You know, I`ve got to top that from now on.
HAMMER: We have shown you so many of these amazing stories that we have been seeing on TV. You know, they have been unfolding like episodes of a drama. Now, there is one in particular that struck me as I have been watching this whole thing play out - a crash survivor by the name of Brad Wentzell. And in this clip, want to show you he is talking about his daughter and going home. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRAD WENTZELL, CRASH SURVIVOR: My daughter`s name is Caylee(ph) Elizabeth Wentzell. She is in bed right now. And when I get home, I want to take my nose and put it behind her ear and her little warm body and give her a nice kiss from daddy because I`m alive.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: And that pretty much sums it up - 155 families being reunited just like Brad`s. We`re talking about fathers, mothers, sons, daughters that all could have been lost. Ashleigh, as you were sitting there watching this unfold on television, what was really striking you the most?
BANFIELD: Two things, A.J. I was ominously feeling something horrible because the sirens were all racing past my office window. And then, within about 45 minutes, everyone had gathered in my office. We were watching it all play out. And we said to ourselves, "You know what? This is going to be a feel-good story. This is how we are starting 2009. It is all good."
HAMMER: Yes. How refreshing. Carlos, what about you? You know, it`s funny, Ashleigh, because you mentioned the sirens part, I`m just remembering I heard a bevy of sirens because our office is not far from where this happened. It occurred to me why that was. Carlos, what for you?
DIAZ: I travel a lot and I always roll my eyes when they say, your seat can be used as a flotation device. I always say, "If we`re hitting the drink, we are all dying. It`s not going to be a big deal."
But what ticked me off was I saw that picture of everyone on the wing - not any of them. Nobody had their seat in their hand. This is the one time you have to use the seat as a flotation device.
BANFIELD: Some did. Some did.
DIAZ: But I want them all - I want them to be holding on to those things. Finally, you get a chance to use them.
HAMMER: Well, it worked, whatever they did. Carlos Diaz, Ashleigh Banfield, I appreciate you, guys, being here.
BANFIELD: Thanks, A.J.
HAMMER: Well, coming up, I`ve got more of the amazing stories about this miracle on the Hudson. Is there already a movie in the works about flight 1549? And if so, who should play the pilot? How will the pilot survivors handle their instant fame? I`ve got to tell you it is a story straight out of a Hollywood script.
We will also have this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REDFORD: I`m personally excited just because I`m glad to see the gang that couldn`t shoot straight get out of there. You know, I`m glad to see them gone.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
Robert Redford`s controversial final words for George Bush. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT right there at the Sundance Film Festival with Redford`s shocking comments about the outgoing president.
And speaking of shocking - Ann Coulter. Now I just had the controversial conservative author on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It was an exclusive interview. This was her very first extensive interview since her big blowup with the ladies of "The View." And boy, are you all fired up. Your heated calls into the "Showbiz On Call" phone lines about my interview with Ann are coming up next.
Well, right now the SHOWBIZ News Ticker - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: Boy George sentenced to 15 months in jail for falsely imprisoning male escort. Citibank wins $180,000 judgment against Ed McMahon, ruling says he owes the bank debt.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REDFORD: I am personally excited just because I am glad to see the gang that couldn`t shoot straight get out of there. You know, I`m glad to see them gone.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: He`s never one to mince words. That`s Robert Redford at the Sundance Film Festival with some pretty harsh parting words for President Bush.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. And now, SHOWBIZ at Sundance. Yes, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT in once again at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah with all of the stars. Festival founder Robert Redford kicked off the 25th anniversary of Sundance with his annual press conference.
And CNN`s Ted Rollins is right there covering all the excitement for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Good to see you, Ted.
And even though you are right there in Park City, Ted, with all the big stars who essentially came out to push their new films, I`m hearing everybody there is really focused on Washington, D.C. and what is happening on Inauguration Day.
TED ROLLINS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, A.J. Of course, Park city the place to be normally. But for the big stars, D.C. is the place to be this year. So they`re coming in, promoting their films, and then a lot of them are moving on to take part in the inauguration.
And here at Park City during Sundance, on Tuesday, it`s virtually shutting down in terms of premieres. No premieres during about a six-hour block. Then, they`ll resume again. Everybody really focused on the inauguration.
One guy that won`t be leaving Sundance, of course, is Robert Redford, the founder of this festival. He was asked about the fact that the inauguration was landing right in the middle of his film festival. He said he didn`t mind that at all. He also had a lot of parting shots at the outgoing administration.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REDFORD: I`m going to be where I should be. I think it`s great. I mean, it`s just happened. I mean, there`s nothing - I`m fine with it. Look, if the attendance - this is going to sound weird, but I mean if the attendance thins out a little bit, that won`t bother me. Because it allows us more focus on what our point has been all along.
I personally am excited just because I`m glad to se that the gang that couldn`t shoot straight get out of there. You know, I`m glad to see them gone. And I don`t have to spend a lot of time on that one. But, I mean, the sooner, the better.
And you know, you`ve got a lame-duck guy going out. But he sure was doing a lot of quacking in the last while. And so therefore, the sooner they`re gone, the better. And therefore, I`m very excited by the change that is coming.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROLLINS: And Redford going on to say he is hoping that in the end, more money will be dedicated to the arts with the new administration. A.J.
HAMMER: Ted, I know Spike Lee is out there in Park City. He`s a familiar face of the festival many years. I know he is promoting a film. But that`s not all Spike Lee is talking about, is it?
ROLLINS: No. He has got a documentary called, "Passing Strange" which basically follows a young man through his journey to try to find himself through Europe. It`s getting a little bit of buzz. But Spike Lee, like everybody else, is talking about the inauguration.
He was here today. He`s going to spend a few days here. But he says he has no intention of missing the historic event on Tuesday in Washington.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SPIKE LEE, DIRECTOR: I know it is supposed to be 30 degrees. It will be tropical to me. I don`t care. I don`t care if this is taking place at the North Pole. I wanted to be there. I`ll be bundled up with my wife Tonya. We want to be there to witness this historic occasion.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROLLINS: He, along with of course, million-plus others that will be in D.C. But, A.J., despite the fact that the inauguration is going on, filmmakers are hoping that there is enough attention here at Sundance so that they can sell their product and show them to the world.
HAMMER: Yes. And I think Spike Lee, in addition to getting perhaps some buzz for his film, may be getting some buzz for the headgear he was wearing there. Thanks a lot, Ted.
ROLLINS: Absolutely.
HAMMER: CNN`s Ted Rowlands in Park City, Utah for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
All right. This is pretty unbelievable. The "Showbiz On Call" phone lines just haven`t stopped ringing since my exclusive Ann Coulter interview. Now, this was Ann`s very first extensive interview since the blowup with the ladies of "The View." We`ve got a call in to showbiz on call from Guthrie in Texas.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
GUTHRIE, CALLER FROM TEXAS: I think that Ann has things mixed up a little bit. She is always quick to put people down and has negative things to say about people. But sometimes, I think she should practice writing a book and talk about herself. And I think she should focus some more time on herself instead of writing negative things about people in her books. Thank you very much.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: And thank you, Guthrie. We also heard from Leslie calling in from Maine to "Showbiz On Call."
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
LESLIE, CALLER FROM MAINE: I think Ann Coulter is fabulous. I respect her for being one of the few people in our media who speaks the truth. And she is not concerned with being politically correct.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: And we appreciate your call as well, Leslie. We would like you to call us at "Showbiz On Call" to let us know what you think about this or anything else. The "Showbiz On Call" phone lines are open all the time at 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; that`s 1-888-728-2899. Please leave us a voicemail. We`re going to play your calls right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
And your calls to "Showbiz On Call" are also now online right there on our homepage which is CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
We`ll have more of your calls to "Showbiz On Call" about Ann Coulter coming up later on in the show.
I`ve got to tell you, I still cannot get over the video of that U.S. Airways flight sitting there in the Hudson River. I mean, you look at this thing and it is something straight out of Hollywood. Even New York City`s Mayor Mike Bloomberg thinks so.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BLOOMBERG: This is a story of heroes, something straight out of a movie script. But if it had been a movie, people probably wouldn`t have believed it. It was too good to be true.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Too good to be true, indeed. The miracle on the Hudson. Is Hollywood already working on a movie? So how will the survivors and heroic pilot all handle their instant fame? And if you had to cast the pilot in a movie, who would it be? Think about that. I`ve got it coming up.
Also the SHOWBIZ Obama Watch, the brand-new Obama controversy. Why women`s rights groups are outraged over a new magazine cover of Barack dressed up as Superman.
And Ellen finally gets her man. I`m so happy for her. You know, she has done so many wacky things to get George Clooney on her show - the Chippendale dancers, Radio City Rockettes, Dolly Parton. Well, wait until you hear what finally got George to come on the "Ellen" show.
And now, the SHOWBIZ News Ticker - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: George Clooney in talks to return to NBC`s "ER" for the show`s final episode. Warner Brothers and the 20th Century Fox settle fight over "Watchmen"; film will be out.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
Tonight, I can tell you Ellen DeGeneres finally got her man. Yes, she got George Clooney on her show. You know, Ellen has been doing all kinds of wacky things to get Clooney on the show like sending Dolly Parton, Miss America contestants, the New York Radio City Rockettes, even Chippendale dancers to Clooney`s office.
In fact, Barack Obama even offered to make Clooney ambassador to the "Ellen" show. Can he do that? Ellen took the advice of George`s former "ER" cast mate Noah Wyle who suggested that she get former Cincinnati Reds greats Johnny Bench and Joe Morgan to come on the show. And that is what did the trick.
Clooney is a huge Reds fan. He even tried out for the team. So here now, George on "Ellen" talking about all the wild things she tried.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE CLOONEY, ACTOR: I don`t know about that bait.
ELLEN DEGENERES, HOST, "THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW": It was great bait, wasn`t it?
CLOONEY: It was good bait.
DEGENERES: Yes.
CLOONEY: It was just this level of the Chippendales.
DEGENERES: You have known about all this. Have people been informing you every step of the way of what was done?
CLOONEY: "Informing" is really not what I would call what my office has been doing. Complaining -
DEGENERES: I see. No, they couldn`t be -
CLOONEY: They were a little concerned when the marching band came.
DEGENERES: Did some damage.
CLOONEY: It`s not so bad. It didn`t hurt - the trombone player hurt someone, but happens as always.
DEGENERES: Yes. But people have been coming up to you?
CLOONEY: Oh, people do come up to me all the time all the time and say, "What`s wrong with you, man? Why don`t you go do Ellen`s show?"
DEGENERES: And you say?
CLOONEY: I say I haven`t been in town.
DEGENERES: Right.
CLOONEY: Which I haven`t been in town for a long time.
DEGENERES: You haven`t.
CLOONEY: I haven`t, really.
DEGENERES: I know you don`t like doing these shows, and I appreciate you being here. You know, I mean, you do enough. You don`t need to be doing that extra stuff.
CLOONEY: I do. You know, I have been busy.
DEGENERES: Yes.
CLOONEY: As you know.
DEGENERES: I do know. Seriously, thank you. So now, why do you think Brad Pitt - first of all, what was your favorite thing that we did so far, besides this, obviously?
CLOONEY: This is pretty good. I don`t know. I have to think. You`ve got to love Dolly Parton coming over. And I have a nice -
DEGENERES: Cardboard cutout.
CLOONEY: Yes. But, you know, it`s a three dimensional cardboard cutout.
DEGENERES: Yes.
CLOONEY: Which some people call, you know, a friend.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, Dolly Parton left the cardboard cutout of herself with George. And I guess he kept it. You can see more of George Clooney on "Ellen" this Monday. Check your local listings.
All right. You know, every single time I look at the video of the U.S. Airways plane sitting in the Hudson River, I find it hard to believe. I`m sure you`re just like me. Even the heroic pilot`s wife says he is not ready for his instant fame.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What did he tell you about all the publicity?
L. SULLENBERGER: He doesn`t know. He is going to be shocked. He has no idea.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: So how will the pilot and the survivors deal with the publicity? Is Hollywood already working on a movie? And if you had to cast this miracle, who would play Pilot Sully? That is next.
Also, will Will Smith, be cast as Barack Obama? Tonight, Will is speaking out. Plus, would he ever run for office?
And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT viewers all fired-up about my exclusive interview with controversial conservative author Coulter. Our "Showbiz On Call" phone lines haven`t stopped ringing with your calls. More of them are coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. We`re coming right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BLOOMBERG: This is a story of heroes, something straight out of a movie script. But if it had been a movie, people probably wouldn`t have believed it. It was too good to be true.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, the miracle on the Hudson. Tonight, the survivors, the heroes. It is a story right out of Hollywood. How will all these people deal with their instant fame? Is Hollywood already scrambling to make a movie? And who would play the pilot who saved so many lives? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the amazing Hollywood story of the miracle on the Hudson.
The SHOWBIZ Obama Watch. Tonight, the controversy over a brand new magazine cover, Barack Obama, dressed up as Superman. Plus, Will Smith reveals if he would play Barack in a movie.
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.
Tonight, miracle on the Hudson. Is there any doubt that the airplane crash on the Hudson River was just like a movie? We could not believe our eyes as the drama of Flight 1549 unfolded on TV. This is a story of heroes. A story of miracles. A story that frankly is screaming to be made into a movie.
Why? Well, first off - you got the pilot. Look at this guy. He`s the perfect leading man - ruggedly handsome, an ace pilot who stays cool, calm, and collected. And against all odds, he saves the lives of his passengers and his name is Sully.
Second of all, you have the story. A flock of geese disables an 82- ton airplane flying over one of the most densely populated cities in the world. You can`t make this stuff up.
And finally, the miracle. The plane lands right there in the middle of the freezing Hudson River. Everybody is rescued and the world sees these stunning images of 155 calm passengers awaiting rescue on the wings of an airplane which is literally sailing down the Hudson River.
It`s America`s new feel-good story. And with all the media frenzy, how is this heroic pilot coping? Is there going to be a movie? And seriously, who should be cast as the leading man?
Joining tonight in Hollywood is Carlos Diaz who is a correspondent for "Extra." Tonight, in New York, is Ashleigh Banfield who is an anchor for "In Session."
So today, for the very first time, Sully`s wife Lori spoke out in an interview with CNN. And she says she doesn`t think all the fame is going to Sully`s head. As a matter of fact, she says he doesn`t even know he has become an overnight sensation. Look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE REPORTER: What did he tell you about all the publicity?
L. SULLENBERGER: He doesn`t know. He has been sequestered and hasn`t turned on the television. And so he only knew what I told him last night. He turned on a little bit, but he has - he is going to be shocked. He has no idea.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I`ve got to say even if this guy is the most even-keeled guy in the world which I suppose he is, being able to do what he did. He is going to be in the spotlight for a long time to come. Carlos, how is he going to deal with all the fame that`s coming so quickly?
DIAZ: I mean, how can he? I mean, if it was me and I landed the plane on the Hudson, I would have landed the plane and got on the phone, "Oprah, I just landed the plane on the Hudson. When do you need me? Is that going to be a problem?"
I mean, this guy has got to have an even-keel because he is going to be the most famous pilot in the history of pilots. In fact, I mean, you see him. You are going to want to buy him a drink, although buying a pilot a drink would be, you know, a good thing. But still, I mean, this guy is going to be more famous than he could ever imagine.
HAMMER: Yes. But talk about even-keel. I mean, he is the definition of calm, cool, and collected. And it adds such a great twist to the story that this humble pilot is in a lockdown right now for the federal investigation. And as his wife said, he doesn`t even know how famous he has become. We are all here talking about him.
Ashleigh, how crazy a ride does Sully need to brace him for? I mean, Carlos mentioned "Oprah." Is he going to get booked on all the late-night shows? Of course, they`re going to be coming at him to write his own book, I`m sure.
BANFIELD: This humble Air Force vet will probably be deluged with requests from Oprah to Larry to Barbara, and I would think Jay Leno, David Letterman, and everybody will be lining up to speak with him.
I don`t know if he`ll be interested. You`ll never know what kind of personalities these people have. But one thing`s for sure. He`s got a speaking future if he wants it. And I think that Obama and the inauguration may eclipse this story somewhat come Tuesday. But he will always stay with us, just like Todd Beamer of "Let`s Roll" fame will stay within our national lexicon.
HAMMER: Talk about a guy who probably never imagined he would need a publicist, and now he probably needs a whole team of them.
And all the staff here at SHOWBIZ TONIGHT couldn`t stop talking, of course, about how this is major movie material. Even New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg agrees with SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Look what Bloomberg said today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BLOOMBERG: This is a story of heroes, something straight out of a movie script. But if it had been a movie, people probably wouldn`t have believed that it was too good to be true. The perfect landing. The phenomenal response.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Mayor Bloomberg has a good point there, doesn`t he? Carlos, this story is almost too good to be true.
DIAZ: He has the perfect point. We`ve all seen the movie "Air Force One." How did the movie end? They put Air Force One down in the water and it broke all apart.
I mean, after yesterday, now Air Force One isn`t believable because you walk out of that and you`d be going, "Why couldn`t he land the plane in the water? That one guy did it?" You know, I mean - so obviously, yes, I mean, this has got movie written all over it. In fact, you can have - the title could be "Brace for Impact: The True Story of Flight 1549." There you go right there.
HAMMER: All right. We`ll take that one into account along with "Miracle on the Hudson" which I thought was the obvious choice. But if we all agree then that this is going to be made into a movie, we`ve got to talk about who should be cast to play the part of the heroic pilot Sully.
Here are some of the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT top picks. I want to run this by you. There`s Sean Connery as one. Richard Dreyfuss is another one we came up with. How about Michael Caine as Sully. Maybe - you mentioned Air Force One - Harrison Ford. And then we thought if Alex Trebec wants to try his movie chops on, maybe that could be done. Ashley, what is your pick?
BANFIELD: You know what? I`m going to go with another one. I thought he looked a little like Mike Farrell from "M.A.S.H." fame - B.J. Remember B.J.? But then, I changed my mind. Because of what this guy did and how incredible he is, I think Daniel Craig should play him because this guy is like James Bond.
HAMMER: Yes. No kidding. Carlos, any favorites for you?
DIAZ: You guys are going for what he looks like. They never do that in Hollywood. Nobody ever looks like they do in real life. You go with Clooney. It`s Clooney.
By the way, in fact. Seriously this guy is so - Sully is so hip. He even has a hip mustache that Clooney and Brad Pitt are wearing right now. That`s how cool the guy is.
HAMMER: All right. I`m going to call George. Maybe he wants to produce the thing, too.
DIAZ: There you go.
HAMMER: And what is amazing too is we`ve watched this unbelievable story unfold. Even the eyewitnesses didn`t believe it. They actually really thought it was a movie shoot. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BEN VONKLEMPERER, CRASH WITNESS: You know, the first 30 seconds to a minute after I saw it, I was obviously immediately speaking with my colleagues in the office about it. And you know, I heard a rumor it was part of a movie shoot. It almost looked - it looked so strange, so calm, and so controlled that it didn`t immediately look like a disaster.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: These images of the passengers there, waiting patiently on the wings of the sinking airliner. You look at this and you think they`re taken straight from a movie. Even as we watched it live on CNN yesterday, that`s what was going through our heads.
Ashleigh, I bet the movie studios are just kicking themselves and saying, "Why didn`t we think of that?"
BANFIELD: Or they have gone into the vaults and they`re dusting off a bunch of old screen plays that they didn`t think would be popular. But they should add one scene - the 40-something-year-old guy who decided to swim to shore and made it. His physician, the treating physician saying, he was very, very cold.
HAMMER: Yes, I imagine he was. And for me, I can`t get over the idea of even touching the Hudson River ...
BANFIELD: Yes, there is that.
HAMMER: ... so I am just blown away by this whole thing. What a story. Carlos Diaz, Ashleigh Banfield, thanks, guys.
BANFIELD: OK.
DIAZ: Thank you.
HAMMER: All right. Moving on now, I`ve got to tell you the "Showbiz On Call" phone lines have not stopped ringing since our exclusive Ann Coulter interview. I spoke with Ann right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It was her first extensive interview since her blowup with the ladies of "The View."
Some cheered us for giving Coulter a chance to speak her mind. Others - well not so much. We`ve got this call I want to play to you into "Showbiz On Call" from Judy in Florida.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
JUDY, CALLER FROM FLORIDA: I think she just goes about it in the wrong way, the way she is insulting the people, the way she doesn`t check her facts. She is very malicious, and she really should go about her - the way she writes and talks to people in a whole different way.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: And we also heard from Maureen calling in from Illinois.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
MAUREEN, CALLER FROM ILLINOIS: It`s great that you have Ann Coulter on your show. I think she is wonderful. I just think she tells things like they are. And I was really disappointed how "The View" treated her. In fact, I don`t even watch "The View" anymore. But anyway, I think you are great for having her. Thanks again. Bye.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. We appreciate opinions on all sides. Judy, Maureen, thanks for calling in. Let us know what you think about this or anything else at all. Give us a buzz at "Showbiz On Call." The phone lines are always open at 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899. Put it on your speed dial. More of your "Showbiz On Call" about Ann Coulter later in the show.
Well, just days before his historic inauguration, Barack Obama is caught up in a brand-new controversy. There is absolute outrage tonight over a new magazine cover of Barack Obama dressed up as Superman. Well, we are going to reveal who is so upset about this and why.
Many have said Obama`s historic rise to the presidency could have been ripped right out of the script pages of the "West Wing." Well, you have to see what the "West Wing" TV show would have looked like with the real Obama and his administration cast in the show. This is some crazy funny stuff. I assure you.
And what does Scarlett Johansson have that Lindsay Lohan wants? Lindsay gets really personal about her life and career in a brand new interview.
And now, the SHOWBIZ News Ticker - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: NBC renews "The Office" and "30 Rock" securing another season for both shows. "Office" star Steve Carell buys general store in Massachusetts where he has a home.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JON HAMM, ACTOR: Here`s what I hope for. I hope that we - and I mean it in every sense of the word - as Americans can just be on the same page and sort of pulling for a greater America.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That was "Mad Men`s" Jon Hamm on his hopes for President-elect Obama and his administration.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
And tonight, in the SHOWBIZ Obama Watch, it`s Will Smith`s role of a lifetime. Now, the action superstar says he is actually ready to play Barack Obama if there is a big-screen version of the President-elect`s life.
Will has joked that his ears make him a shoo-in to play Obama. But now, Will says it would be almost un-American if he didn`t jump at the chance. Listen to what Will told a reporter on the red carpet of the London premiere of his new movie, "Seven Pounds," quote, "If I am ordered by my commander-in-chief to star in a film about him, I will do my duty as an American."
Will also says that starring as Obama is the closest that he ever wants to get to the White House because he says he is having way too much fun being an actor to ever be a politician.
All right. So Will Smith isn`t taking up residence at the White House. But tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you there is a brand-new Hollywood connection to Barack Obama and his team in the "West Wing." Almost from the moment he started his campaign, people have said that Barack Obama`s historic run was eerily similar to the plot line of the TV show "The West Wing."
From the show`s young upstart candidate defeating the older Republican to the fact that Obama`s real life senior adviser consulted on the now- canceled TV show, it is all really remarkable.
And now, there is this very cool new mash-up video on YouTube which uses the real-life "West Wingers" in a fake opening sequence for the TV show. Now, I know this may sound a bit confusing. But I`ve got to tell you, it is all pretty ingenious.
(VIDEOTAPE OF FAKE OPENING SEQUENCE OF "THE WEST WING")
HAMMER: I`m a huge "West Wing" fan. I just think that is so cool. And I`m thinking maybe they could play that right before the president appears instead of just, you know, "Hail to the Chief." Obama is all about change, right?
OK. More on the SHOWBIZ Obama Watch tonight. A big controversy is brewing over a magazine cover featuring President-elect Obama. He`s featured as a feminist superhero. So what`s got people up in arms?
Well, here is CNN`s Jason Carroll for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: He`s graced the covers of just about every major magazine, "Time," "Newsweek" "Ebony" "Rolling Stone" even "Tiger Beat." Some flattering, others controversial, while this upcoming cover of "Ms." Magazine in the latter category.
AMY SISKIND, THE NEW GENERATION: The problem the cover is it`s a man standing in a Superman pose. And thank you, but the women of this country can stand up for themselves.
CARROLL: Feminists like Amy Siskind remember a feminist movement united under the cause of advancing women`s rights. "Ms." magazine was a leading voice then. Its original cover featured a Wonder Woman for president. How Siskind wonders could they feature a Superman, declaring this is what a feminist looks like?
SISKIND: If they had put "is this the face of feminism" instead of "this is the face of feminism," it would have been a provocative cover. But I think by proclaiming it, it was a real mistake.
KATHERINE SPILLAR, EXECUTIVE EDITOR, "MS." MAGAZINE: This is not a takeoff on that original cover. I think people have overreacted.
CARROLL: "Ms." magazine`s knows its cover ignited a debate. The executive editor says it`s not selling out by featuring Obama.
SPILLAR: We had a couple of people contact us, why would we put a man on the cover. It`s because, indeed, men, too, can be feminist.
CARROLL: Siskind agrees men can be feminists. In fact, some are part of their organization called "The New Agenda." But she, like some political observers say so far, Obama just hasn`t done enough to support women.
JULIE MENIN, DEMOCRATIC COMMENTATOR: There is still some concern from some women`s groups about President-elect Obama. And specifically, some of the concerns they have are there have not been that many women appointed to his cabinet.
CARROLL: And while "Ms." says it has received a mostly positive response to the cover, Siskind got responses like this on her blog, quote, "Obama won because he was not a woman. So why does `Ms.` have to rub it in our faces?"
Another writes, "Another example of how truly silly the hero- worship of Obama has become."
SPILLAR: I think they should read the magazine. We explained why the illustration and why we wanted to really wake people up to the opportunity that now exists.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: And that was CNN`s Jason Carroll for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`ve got to let you know SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is going to be right there in Washington for Barack Obama`s historic presidential inauguration.
This thing is expected to be the most star-studded inauguration celebration ever. SHOWBIZ at the Inauguration here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Well, we would like you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Barack and Michelle Obama: Do they influence your style?" Let us know. Please be honest and vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. If you`ve got more to say, put it in E-mail and send it off to showbiztonight@cnn.com.
It`s time now for "Making It Work." This is where we find the secrets of how stars make their relationships work in Hollywood and beyond.
And tonight, the lovely Mira Sorvino. Even though Mira Sorvino is the daughter of legendary actor Paul Sorvino, she says she had a pretty normal childhood growing up in NEW JERSEY. Although Mira lives in Hollywood now, she hasn`t forgotten her roots.
And she says that goes a long way in making it work with her husband, Christopher Bacchus and their two young children.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MIRA SORVINO, ACTOR: We spend all our time with our two kids. We - you know, they`re our favorite people in the world. We don`t spend a lot of time partying. We don`t go out much. This is like a rare night for us to really be seen out and about. And we just love our children and we love each other. And we have a good life. You know, we`re sort of normal people living in an abnormal place.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Mira is always very candid. She recently told "People" magazine that she really struggled to balance her life as a working mom in Hollywood. Mira says if she had it her way, she would actually quit acting and become a full-time mom and an activist.
But for now, Mira is still as busy as ever. She is co-starring in the upcoming TV miniseries, "The Last Templar." And she is also in a new movie called "Like Dandelion Dust." That is set to come out next month.
All right. So I went toe to toe last night with Ann Coulter over her explosive visit to "The View" and her controversial book attacking single moms in Hollywood among other targets.
Now, it is your turn. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT viewers fired up, calling in. I`m telling you. The "Showbiz On Call" phone lines Nearly in meltdown mode. Your calls coming up next on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
And now the SHOWBIZ News Ticker - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: Jackie Chan in talks to play Mr. Miyagi in remake of "The Karate Kid." Johnny Knoxville detained at L.A. airport after caught with inert grenade.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer.
I still can`t believe how many of you reached out to us at "Showbiz On Call" after our exclusive interview with the controversial conservative author, Ann Coulter.
Now, some of you cheered us on for giving Coulter a chance to speak her mind, you know, after her fired-up visit to "The View." Others think Coulter - well, she is just plain bad news. Here`s what Vicky called to say to "Showbiz On Call."
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
VICKY, CALLER: I really think it is great that you got Ann Coulter on your program. She is actually allowed to speak. I did see "The View" and thought it was pretty nasty how "The View" girls - Ann didn`t get a word in edgewise. It was really nice to see her on your program and able to speak.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thank you very much for your call, Vicky. We also heard from Jennifer calling from Illinois to "Showbiz On Call." Listen to her.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
JENNIFER, CALLER FROM ILLINOIS: I think that Ann Coulter - I think she - I hate her. I think her heart is filled with jealousy. And I don`t think she should be on your show or anyone else`s show because clearly, she is out of her mind. She is crazy. She`s insane.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, Jennifer, thank you for your opinion. We`d like to hear from you, too. The "Showbiz On Call" phone lines are open all the time at 1- 888-SBT-BUZZ; that`s 1-888-728-2899. Please leave us a voicemail so we can play your call right here SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Well, Ann may not care what people think about her but Lindsay Lohan is singing a different tune. Lohan is speaking out candidly about how her wild ways have hurt her acting career.
Lohan opened up to legendary model Lauren Hutton in "Interview" magazine saying she is not happy about her image as an out of control party girl. But she accepts some of the blame for it saying, quote, "What hurts me the most is that I work just as hard as any other actress around my age like Scarlett Johansson, but I just don`t get the opportunities that they get because people are so distracted by the mess I`ve created in my life."
You can read the entire conversation with Lindsay in the February issue of "Interview" magazine. It`s on newsstands Tuesday.
Well, on Thursday we asked to you vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. It was this - "The Obama Kids: Should they be off limits to the paparazzi?" Pretty one-sided here - 91 percent of you said yes; nine percent no. Some of the E-mails we got included one from J.R. in Ohio who writes, "The Obama children should never be considered fair game for the paparazzi."
And we also heard from Melissa in Tennessee who writes, "I believe that it is ultimately up to President Obama and the first lady how much coverage the children get." We always appreciate you writing in. And we appreciate your watching.
That`s it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. And remember, you can always catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN on the 11:00s - 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific, and in the morning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern.
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