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Showbiz Tonight
Jessica Simpson Speaks Out; The Showbiz Most Wanted; Snuggie-mania; The Cult of Celebrity
Aired January 30, 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 - brand new developments in the Jessica Simpson weight debate. Tonight, for the first time since being slammed for putting on a few pounds, Jessica Simpson is speaking out. What is she saying?
Plus, Jessica`s brother-in-law lashing out at her critics. And your outrageous comments to the "Showbiz On Call" phone lines.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Why do we always put down people who are doing good?
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: The "Showbiz Most Wanted." Tonight SHOWBIZ TONIGHT charges stars with shocking crimes against showbiz. Ashton Kutcher violating the Obama spirit.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
ASHTON KUTCHER, ACTOR: This is where my (EXPLETIVE DELETED) neighbor has decided to be building a house.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Paris Hilton for being well - Paris Hilton. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is going after the stars who are the biggest and baddest in town, the "Showbiz Most Wanted."
Tonight, the surprising link between President Obama and the Brad Pitt-Angelina Jolie-Jennifer Aniston love triangle.
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, Jessica strikes back. Yes, for the very first time since she was widely ridiculed, for gaining a few pounds, Jessica Simpson is commenting on the controversy.
And let me tell you she has plenty of company. I am absolutely amazed how this emotional and fiery war over Jessica`s weight just won`t die down. Besides Jessica speaking out today, everyone, from supermodel Heidi Klum to the ladies of "The View" got all worked up over the great weight debate. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can now reveal that what they`re all saying is making big news right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice over): She`s probably the most buzzed about woman in America right now. No, it is not Michelle Obama or Angelina Jolie - but Jessica Simpson.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you ever since these pictures of a fuller- figured Jessica Simpson made her the target of all kind of criticism and some out-of-bounds jokes, the starlet find herself getting national attention and a lot of support.
WHOOPI GOLDBERG, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": All week, media outlets have been running a photo of our friend Jessica Simpson.
HAMMER: On "The View," the ladies are up in arms over the flak Simpson has been getting.
ELISABETH HASSELBECK, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": It is horrific, you know, especially now, I think, women put so much pressure on themselves, when they attack some one who is A, nice and B, gorgeous just the way she is and call "fat." It just makes me -
HAMMER: And now, for the first time, Jessica Simpson herself is speaking out. At a Virginia concert, her first since the controversy erupted, she thanked fans for their support saying, quote, "I feel like in our world today, we focus on so many things that are completely pointless." She also told the crowd, "Please remember, no matter what you go through in life, somebody else might have it harder. So just appreciate."
JO PIAZZA, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: One of the songs she sang was "Still Beautiful." And she`s singing that to say, "Look, everyone. I think I`m hot. My boyfriend Tony Romo thinks I`m hot. So screw all of you that think I`m fat."
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you, stars from Heidi Klum to Kim Kardashian have come to Jessica Simpson`s defense. But the most surprising Simpson defender of all, her ex, Nick Lachey.
He tells "Extra," quote, I can`t believe it`s this big of a story and people are making such a huge deal about it." He adds, quote, "I hope she is happy whatever size she comes in. I wish her nothing but the best."
PETE WENTZ, JESSICA SIMPSON`S BROTHER-IN-LAW: Actually, it makes me feel bad -
HAMMER: Musician Pete Wentz who`s married to Jessica Simpson`s sister Ashlee tells ET and "The Insider," Simpson`s so-called figure flap is sending a bad message to young girls.
WENTZ: Like the cheesiest thing ever to say, but like who you are is way more important than how you look or any of that. And I think it is crap the way girls are torn apart. And I think it is crap the way people feel like they have to look like the cover of a magazine.
HAMMER: The "leave Jessica alone" outcry is getting so loud, "USA Today" has put her at the top of its heat index of the hottest stories out there.
DONNA FREYDKIN, ENTERTAINMENT REPORTER, USA TODAY: As women we care about what we look like.
HAMMER: Donna Freydkin, A "USA Today" entertainment reporter tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT there is something about the Jessica Simpson story that people are relating to.
FREYDKIN: When you see some one clearly having the same issues that so many women have which is weight going up and down, fluctuating waistline, it resonates with all of us because we have all been there. And it makes her relatable.
PIAZZA: She is actually getting positive and serious attention.
HAMMER: And entertainment journalist, Jo Piazza tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that this new relatability may actually help Simpson`s career.
PIAZZA: She has been trying to change her image from this bootie-shaking starlet singer to a country western singer, a woman who appeals to all of America. And so now that she has gained some weight, she is actually being taken seriously for weight gain. And it is the first time she has been taken seriously for just about anything.
HAMMER: Whether or not this whole flap helps Jessica Simpson`s career remains to be seen. But in a country already wrestling with weight issues, the whole Jessica Simpson figure flap has given us a lot to talk about.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: You know, it really is amazing when we take a look again at just how many stars today join the list of those outraged after hearing Jessica Simpson speaking out for the very first time.
You have Fall Out Boy`s Pete Wentz who is her brother-in-law defending Jessica today. Heidi Klum speaking out today. "The View`s" Elisabeth Hasselbeck saying she is disgusted. And late today, Jessica`s ex-husband Nick Lachey even defending her.
Joining me tonight from Hollywood is Tanika Ray who is a correspondent for "Extra." And in New York, Steven Smith who is a host for "Fuse TV."
We`ve got to begin with another look at Jessica Simpson`s very first response since this photo of hers surfaced. She has just told her fans at a concert in Virginia, quote, "Please remember, no matter what you go through in life, somebody else might have it harder. So just appreciate. I feel like in our world today, we focus on so many things that are completely pointless. Thank you for your support. Stay positive, and pray out loud. I love you, guys. Good night."
All right. So Jessica, obviously there, turning negatives into a positive for her fans. And I have to point out at the time she was saying that, she is wearing skin tight clothes. Steven, to you first. Was this really just a perfect way for Jessica basically to say, "Take that."
STEVEN SMITH, HOST, "FUSE TV": Oh, hell, yes. Put on some tight clothes. People saying that, you know, you look kind of chunky, gained a little weight, the best thing to do is put on a cat suit and go out and say, "Really? Bite me." It was the best thing for her to do. I`m proud of her.
HAMMER: And even Jessica`s ex-husband, Nick Lachey, as I mentioned. And this guy rarely talks about her anymore. He`s speaking out to Tanika`s show, "Extra." Let me read again what he said, quote, "I can`t believe it`s this big of a story and people are making such a huge deal about it. I never cease to be amazed by people`s reactions to things. I hope she is happy whatever size she comes in. I wish her nothing but the best."
So Tanika, to you - because you guys at "Extra" got this from Nick. Are you a little surprised that even he is going public with his outrage? As I said, he doesn`t talk about her a whole lot anymore.
TANIKA RAY, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": No, he doesn`t. But I think it`s fantastic. You know, this is a time where women should band together and men and say, "Screw you" to the people out there who are criticizing women`s bodies. Who knew Simpson would be a hero of some sort to young girls and body image?
I`m so proud of her for going out there positive, being confident and giving the message to her fans out there, that she is not shaken by this. So I have a lot more respect for Jessica Simpson these days. Go girl, work it out.
HAMMER: Yes. And I am feeling a little optimistic here that in the span of a couple days, and we`ve been talking about this, it is kind of turning itself around.
RAY: Yes.
HAMMER: But there was certainly plenty of outrage continuing this morning. Of course, you know, "The View" got into it. And they were talking about the whole weight flap with Jessica Simpson.
Elizabeth Hasselbeck could hardly contain her disgust. Let`s watch her again.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HASSELBECK: It`s hard enough. I think we are our own toughest critics when it comes to our bodies and weight, given all the pressure that`s out there. It`s unavoidable. But I think that to see - you know, if she has to look through and see they put a picture of her when they called her just right, and a picture of her here, and calling her like, "What happened Jessica?"
SHERRI SHEPHERD, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": Yes.
HASSELBECK: I just think it`s disgusting.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Steven, to Elisabeth`s point, does this not speak to a bigger problem here? Not that it is all about Jessica`s weight, but there`s a real problem with the bloggers and the newspapers who take this one photo and they take it to the extreme. Really, I believe giving no thought as to how this may affect women and young girls.
SMITH: Yes. As shocked as I am that I am actually going to agree with Elisabeth Hasselbeck.
HAMMER: However you want to say it.
SMITH: I am just horrified that bloggers and the media - to quote the great sage Kevin Smith, "The internet is out there to slander people anonymously." And bloggers, people out there - I mean a blogger is anybody who wants to talk and have an opinion and, you know, they can just get the word out. There is an immediacy with the Internet.
Anybody can say anything. You can go online and Google, you know, what people think about you. And if that`s they want to say, go for it. Have the way to say it.
But think about the responsibility you`re putting out there, dealing with children. And every woman I know has a weight issue.
RAY: Absolutely.
SMITH: No one can ever say they are comfortable - comfortable with themselves. And for people to, you know, throw out at someone who obviously is hot as all hell, and say that she has gained weight, is rude and sends a terrible message to people. And it`s just going to increase eating disorders, seriously.
HAMMER: And I think we have to expect that at least from the state of the Internet now and the blogs and sort of the wilder Web sites. But when you see it in a mainstream, widely read newspaper like the "New York Post" putting what I believe is a banner on this photo that`s downright nasty, it is just unacceptable and I don`t get it.
SMITH: Yes.
RAY: Yes. Times are tough enough. Why are we beating up Jessica Simpson?
SMITH: Seriously.
RAY: I have the solution. I`d like to keep the bar low, not get too skinny so people don`t expect too much. That`s how I deal with it.
SMITH: Me, too.
RAY: Being on TV is rough.
SMITH: Me too.
HAMMER: It can be. It can be. So, you know, as we`ve been talking about, not just the stars who are outraged over the whole Simpson weight debate, the "Showbiz On Call" phone lines have been blowing up. And we are getting opinions from both side of this thing.
I want to play a call for you right now. Listen to what Nancy from Ohio said when she called in to "Showbiz On Call." Charles?
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
NANCY, CALLER FROM OHIO: I think Jessica Simpson has a right to live in the present and be what is the right weight for her in the present. Maybe she made a mistake and got too thin in the past. But people are human and they`re allowed to make mistakes. She has the right to be herself and to be happy.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: I am right there with you, Nancy.
SMITH: Yes.
HAMMER: But you know, not everybody is feeling the same way as Nancy calling in to "Showbiz On Call." We heard from Paula in Oklahoma. She called in to say the criticism of Jessica is completely fair. Let`s listen.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
PAULA, CALLER FROM OKLAHOMA: I think the criticism of Jessica Simpson is legitimate. If she were aspiring to be anything other than eye candy, then I think the criticism would be bad. But she has built her career based on her body.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, not entirely. But thank you, Nancy and Paula for your calls.
RAY: Hater -
SMITH: Yes.
HAMMER: But I`ve got to say - I`ve got to say there has been an overwhelming divide on this whole story. Tanika, you know, we have been talking really mostly how we feel on one side of it. But can you see the truth to both sides of the argument?
RAY: You know, I do. I think there`s a lot of women ...
SMITH: No.
RAY: ... who think Jessica Simpson is really beautiful and they`re probably jealous. And so I understand having that opinion. I just think the amount of weight that she gained is so small and so minute. Who cares?
SMITH: Yes.
RAY: It`s not like she is going to be a contestant on "The Biggest Loser" next year.
SMITH: Yes, seriously.
RAY: We are talking 10 pounds. It`s ridiculous.
HAMMER: Echoing what Jessica Simpson herself said, you know, let`s focus on the positive, shall we? Tanika Ray, Steven smith, thank you, guys.
I`ve got to say, you probably have sensed I think it is a crime how people have been going after Jessica Simpson for her weight gain.
Tonight, we are charging stars with shocking crimes against showbiz. It`s the "Showbiz Most Wanted" - Ashton Kutcher, violating the Obama spirit and going nuts on his neighbor. Paris Hilton for being - well, Paris Hilton. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT going after the stars who are the biggest and baddest in town. The "Showbiz Most Wanted" is coming up. Also this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Normally, you tell kids to eat their vegetables. But now, kids are being warned to hide from them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That`s right. Watch out for those veggies. Vegetables, sex and a big-time Super Bowl controversy. Need I say anything more?
And how about this? The stunning link between President Obama and the Brad Pitt-Angelina Jolie-Jennifer Aniston love triangle.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: Madonna extending her "Sticky and Sweet" tour, adding about 25 more shows through summer. Julian Lennon denies that he will play with half-brother Sean at U.N. awards concert. Sean`s mom, Yoko Ono, Julian`s mom is Cynthia, dad was the Beatles` John Lennon.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: All right. So what do you get when you mix beautiful women, the Super Bowl and some vegetables? Huh? You get plenty of controversy.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Tonight, the Super Bowl controversy involving a TV ad, vegetables, and sex. Yes, I said veggies and sex. Really, what can I say?
Here is CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
MOOS (voice over): Normally, you tell kids to eat their vegetables, but now kids are being warned to hide from them.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Please let me forewarn you, you might want to send the kids out of the room.
MOOS: Women molesting vegetables. It`s the pro-vegetarian commercial banned from the Super Bowl.
CRAIG FERGUSON, HOST, "THE LATE, LATE SHOW": How can a vegetable be suggestive? Do we have a picture of any normal vegetable? There you are!
MOOS: The people from PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, submitted the commercial to NBC and got a shot-by-shot rejection memo.
MICHAEL MCGRAW, DIRECTOR OF MEDIA RELATIONS, PETA: We`re talking about things as ridiculous as licking a pumpkin.
MOOS (on camera): But PETA doesn`t really mind that its commercial got squashed. Its commercials always get squashed. They have what I call their squash strategy.
Do you know how many times you`ve been rejected by the Super Bowl?
MCGRAW: I think this makes the third time.
MOOS (voice over): There was the anti-meat commercial.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: With extra sausage.
MOOS: There was the milk gone wild commercial. Don`t freak out. You`re only going to glimpse pretend cow udders. Take that, Janet Jackson. Every time PETA gets its Super Bowl commercials rejected, they get a ton of free publicity.
On "The View," Whoopi made out with a head of lettuce. Talk shows debated the issue.
JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, TV HOST: Do you eat a lot of vegetables, Jim?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Not after this. I mean, it`s very discouraging. Who knows where they`ve been?
MOOS (on camera): This seems to be an intentional strategy to get ads rejected.
MCGRAW: You know, you will never see an ad from PETA that isn`t provocative.
MOOS: Or funny. Take the recent campaign to rename fish sea kittens so people realize fish have feelings, too. PETA says the Super Bowl controversy has led to over a million hits on its Web site where the banned commercial leads viewers to a serious video on the evils of meat. Move over, Paris Hilton with your hamburger commercial. It`s time for the R- rated vegetable.
BILL O`REILLY, HOST, "THE O`REILLY FACTOR": I hope those vegetables were of legal age.
FERGUSON: If I want to see a beautiful woman get it on with a vegetable, I`ll look through the window at Hugh Hefner`s house. I don`t need -
MOOS: I hope all this doesn`t upset People for the Ethical Treatment of Vegetables. Bottom line, PETA likes to get shot down.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: That was CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. And PETA`s getting rejected also really ended up saving them about $3 million, the average cost of a 30-second Super Bowl commercial. An obviously, look how many people are talking about this ad. So I do think PETA did, in fact, come out ahead of the game.
Well, on Thursday, we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. It was this - "Jessica Simpson`s Weight Gain: Is it wrong to criticize her?" An overwhelming 82 percent of you say yes. Only 18 percent of you say no, it`s not wrong to criticize her.
And we`re still getting so many fired-up calls into the "Showbiz On Call" phone lines about this Jessica Simpson great weight debate. And I think we may actually have to have our interns working over the weekend. And I`m sorry about that. Listen to this call in to "Showbiz On Call" from Michelle in Missouri.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
MICHELLE, CALLER, FROM MISSOURI: I think to criticize Jessica Simpson for putting on weight is absolutely ridiculous. I think that young girls have enough to look at on the TV to worry about weight. She is only human. And everyone`s weight fluctuates throughout their life.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Michelle, thank you so much for your call. We also heard from Kay calling in from Georgia into "Showbiz On Call."
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
KAY, CALLER FROM GEORGIA: From the beginning of time, men have been hard- wired to be watching women like Jessica Simpson sashay around. And that was the market she chose. If that is not the market she is choosing now, then she can do something else about it. I haven`t seen Christian Bale out there sashaying around washing cars.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: That`s pretty true. Kay, we appreciate your call as well. We`d like you to call us at "Showbiz On Call" to let us know what you think about this or anything else that`s on your mind. "Showbiz On Call" phone lines are open all the time at 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899. Leave us a voicemail because we would look to play your call right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Your calls to "Showbiz On Call" are also now online right at our homepage, and that is CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
And I bet our "Showbiz On Call" phone lines are going to be ringing nonstop when you hear this. Tonight, I am revealing the stunning link between President Obama and the Brad Pitt-Angelina Jolie-Jennifer Aniston love triangle. You do not want to miss this.
Also this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PARIS HILTON, SINGER AND ACTRESS: I think it`s always good to look someone in the eye and just do cute smiles and bat your eyelashes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. I love you, Paris. I have to ask is this Paris Hilton dumb thing - the whole blond thing just an act? That`s just one of the serious, shocking crimes Paris has committed against showbiz. We`re even busting Ashton Kutcher for violating the Obama spirit.
They`re the "Showbiz Most Wanted" and they`re coming up. And leaping lizards. Wow, what the heck is this? It is a 110-year-old lizard who becomes a dad for the very first time to, are you ready, 11 kids. I am not kidding.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: Divorce between Russell Simmons and Kimora Lee Simmons has been finalized. "House Bunny" star is engaged to actor Chris Pratt.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Did you see this? A 110-year-old lizard-like animal is now a dad. His name is Henry. He`s a New Zealand tuatara and hooked up with a younger lady of about 80 named Mildred.
Henry had erectile dysfunction for many years, so he popped a Viagra. I`m kidding about that. But he had a lump removed and voila. A little candlelight, some wine, and 11 hatched eggs.
Now, tuataras are endangered and they`re actually related to dinosaurs. And we hear Henry passed out cigars filled with flies to celebrate.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer. And tonight the CoverGirl versus the Supermodel. Ellen is the face of CoverGirl make-up and she challenged the always-gorgeous Heidi Klum to a pose-off. Take a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HEIDI KLUM, SUPERMODEL: Anyway, what are we doing?
ELLEN DEGENERES, HOST, "THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW": Well, Heidi, we are going to play. It`s like musical chairs.
KLUM: I love it.
DEGENERES: And we each have a set of items that we can pose with. And when the music starts, just grab whatever you can on your side.
KLUM: I love it.
DEGENERES: This is my side. And then, put a look together. When the music stops, we have to stop here and pose like a supermodel. And the music starts again, you do whatever and then stop again like that, OK?
KLUM: Let`s do it.
DEGENERES: Go.
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: You know, I know Heidi is a professional. But I think Ellen held her own there.
All right. Moving on, tonight, I have to ask, is that whole Paris Hilton ditzy dumb blond thing just an act?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HILTON: I think it is always good to look someone in the eye and just do cute smiles and bat your eyelashes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Ah yes, she just makes me want to charge her with a horrific crime against showbiz. And then there`s Ashton Kutcher violating the spirit of President Obama and going ballistic on his neighbor. What the heck is going on? Tonight, these stars are the "Showbiz Most Wanted." That`s coming up.
Also, the stunning link between President Obama, and the Brangelina- Jennifer Aniston love triangle. What?
Also this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Call it Obi-Wan wear or monk chic. Many aren`t sure what it is.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: It`s Snuggie-mania, that`s what it is - a blanket with sleeves. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT operators are standing by to explain why people all over the place are snuggling up to the Snuggie.
Now, you can always sign up for the daily SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsletter. Just head on over to CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. Click on the "sign up for newsletter" link at the bottom of the page. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is coming straight back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HILTON: I think it`s always good to look someone in the eye, do cute smiles and bat your eyelashes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, "Showbiz Most Wanted." We are charging the stars with crimes against showbiz. Paris Hilton for being Paris. Ashton Kutcher for violating the Obama spirit. Tonight, it`s "Showbiz Most Wanted."
Is there a connection between President Obama and Brad Pitt-Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has the startling answer.
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC)
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It`s 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting to night and every night from New York City.
And tonight, we are convicting the "Showbiz Most Wanted." Court is now in session. Do we have a gavel? Can we bang the gavel?
(BANGING SOUND)
That is a gavel? Well, tonight, the brand-new stories of the stars who are guilty of shocking crimes against showbiz kind.
First up on "Showbiz Most Wanted" - this guy, Ashton Kutcher. The crime here - a brand-new video you have got to see where he is freaking out on his neighbor.
Then, we have Paris Hilton. She is actually up for our "Showbiz Most Wanted" two for tonight. Paris trying to convince the world this week that she is only acting like a dumb blond. Plus, she is on a quest for her brand new BFF again.
Also on the "Showbiz Most Wanted" list, a freshly impeached former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. Dude, do you realize how much of our TV time you wasted this week with all your blah, blah, blah interviews? It did you no good and we will never get the time back. I mean, come on.
With me tonight from Hollywood is Tanika Ray who is a correspondent with "Extra." And here with me in New York Steven Smith - he is a host on "Fuse TV."
All right, guys. Let us start off with Ashton Kutcher. Now, Ashton got all riled up. He was awakened by a construction crew banging away at his neighbor`s house at 7:00 in the morning. What does he do? He doesn`t walk over and ask the neighbor to, you know, tone it down for a couple of hours.
No. Ashton, as you`re seeing here, picked up his cell phone and went ballistic. And then, he posted his cell phone-taped rant online. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KUTCHER: See, this is my porch. This is my house. This is my deck. Right up there - that`s my bedroom. This is where my (EXPLETIVE DELETED) neighbor has decided to be building a house at 7:00 a.m., pounding on steel and welding, right next to my freaking house. I`m going to lose it on this guy. I am going to lose it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Now, we will reveal the charge against Ashton in just a moment. It is not for using low-grade cell phone technology.
But Steve, off to you first. Were you shocked? Not only, you know, seeing Ashton losing it like that, but the fact that he posted his rant online.
SMITH: I am more shocked again by his choice of head wear, as always with Ashton Kutcher. But he posted it online and he posted it online with his cell phone? I thought he was broadcasting from Afghanistan. That was very low-grade footage for him from some one that came out with "Punked."
And also, having lived in Los Angeles and been next to people who have done construction early in the morning, it is a huge pain in the ass, especially if you are like Ashton and you`re coming in from the clubs, and you know, you have a really long night schedule, and when you are hung over. That`s the worst thing to hear - a power drill.
HAMMER: Yes. And I`m with you on the hat gear, by the way. Perhaps, our reaction to Ashton`s freak-out wouldn`t have been so bad if, you know, he hadn`t produced a videotaped pledge recently to be a nice person as part of a star-studded celebration of Barack Obama`s election. I mean, this is amazing. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I pledge.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: To show more love.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: To strangers.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: To meet my neighbors.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Find out their names.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I`m going to give them a smile.
KUTCHER: I pledge -
DEMI MOORE, ACTRESS: I pledge to be a servant to our president -
KUTCHER: And all mankind.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. I don`t know if that`s what he was doing. And as you know, Ashton was in the video. But that`s not it. The whole thing was his idea. And that is why Ashton Kutcher is one of our "Showbiz Most Wanted." We find him guilty of violating the Obama spirit.
Tanika, do you think Ashton is guilty as charged?
RAY: Absolutely. But you guys didn`t see the footnote of that video which was, "unless they wake you up at 7:00 a.m." He`s going to lose it. He`s going to lose it. And he lost it.
I`ve got to tell you, nothing really these days happens. No conversations happen between just two people. We share it all with the world. So it`s very on par for Ashton to share that with the world.
But I`ve got to tell you, there is some other part of this video where he and Demi come out on the patio and literally throw vitamin water bottles at the roof and they hit it and they nail it. So he is really upset. Apparently, this has been going on for four months, and he`s got five more months to go. I`d get mad, too.
HAMMER: Watching that part of the video, too, and trying to figure out, was he trying to give them a little breakfast treat or something? I don`t think that`s what it was.
SMITH: Vitamin water? Wow, he is tough.
HAMMER: Let us move on to our next celebrity on the "Showbiz Most Wanted" list. It is Paris Hilton. Now, in a brand-new interview with the British morning show, Paris claims, you know, the whole dumb blond image - it`s all an act. She totally made it up for her first reality show, "The Simple Life."
Here`s exactly what Paris said about that, quote, "I just say jokes, but they think I am serious which I think is funny. And I think I kind of play up the image sometimes because whatever, it`s just entertainment."
Steven, are you buying this at all? Or should we lock Paris up and throw away the key for being guilty of - well, just being Paris Hilton?
SMITH: Well, you know, I think her comments on the economic stimulus package were true. No. She is a vapid moron. I interviewed her years ago. And if she is playing it up, then she is the greatest actress ever.
But as you saw in the quote, she thinks she is playing it up which proves she is not really living on this planet. They say blonds do have more fun. I`m not even sure the blond is real.
HAMMER: Yes. And as I have mentioned earlier on the program, if the whole thing is an act and she is that good an actress, I`m going to get "The Hottie and the Nottie" this weekend if it`s out on the Blue Ray.
RAY: Oh, don`t do it. Don`t do it.
HAMMER: But wait a second. Hold on a second Tanika, because, you know, this actually gets better. You know, Paris launching now the second season of her reality show, Paris Hilton`s "My New BFF." This time she is looking for another new best friend forever in England.
And despite the fact that she already has a new BFF from season one, Paris is revealing exactly, you know, how difficult it really is to find a BFF on a reality show. Watch Paris -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HILTON: Actually, it was really hard for me and I hate confrontation. And just doing eliminations is probably the worst part about it. Because it is hard, you know. I mean, you know, the first episode wasn`t as hard because I didn`t know the people. But it gets harder as you become friends with them and then you have to like, let them go one by one.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. Life is rough. I`ve got to say this one more time by the way, just so I`m clear. Paris just got a new best friend forever on season one.
Tanika, do we throw the book at Paris for this one as well? You can`t have two singular best friends, can you?
RAY: OK. We wanted to shake her, slap her, and give her a dictionary before. Now, it`s just, please lock her away. First of all, she`s already dumped her first BFF. She is gone. The girl can`t find Paris anywhere.
So she`s now going to London. She`s got to go to a foreign country and find a best friend? What she really needs is a fabulous gay best friend who`s going to just worship the ground she walks on every day and want to borrow her heels. That`s the only best friend she is really looking for.
HAMMER: Well, I wish her the best of luck. Up next, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s "Most Wanted," former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. Of course, he was just kicked out of office for allegedly trying to sell off that Senate seat left open by President Obama.
And now he is facing crimes against showbiz for spending this entire week doing the talk show circuit, proclaiming his innocence. I mean, do you realize how much of our time this guy wasted from "The View," to "GMA," CNN`s "LARRY KING LIVE" - Blagojevich all over the place. And his most shocking claims came as he revealed to Larry King that he considered naming Oprah Winfrey to replace Obama in the Senate. Let`s watch that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. ROD BLAGOJEVICH (D-IL): I was thinking - trying to think outside the box. And the idea came to me from a friend who suggested Oprah. It wasn`t my idea. Among the things we talked about was, you know, the unlikelihood that she would be interested in it because Oprah has a bully pulpit that is worldwide. And she actually has more influence than U.S. senators combined - all 100 of them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Blah, blah, blah. All right. Steve, is Rod Blagojevich, as I said, guilty as charged, wasting valuable TV time with his "I am not a crook" media tour?
SMITH: Yes. I think he is completely guilty of offering himself up there. And I don`t know what it is between him and Ashton today. But the things on their heads - horrifying. For him to wear that kind of chapeau especially - I`m sorry, that was his hair? Oh, I apologize.
HAMMER: Well, listen (UNINTELLIGIBLE). What do you think? I`m not sure.
SMITH: Yes, is it breathing? Is it moving? Far be it for me to make fun of, you know, someone`s looks or anything. But I think his hair might have seeped in and affected his judgment.
HAMMER: Tanika Ray, Rod Blagojevich guilty as charged?
RAY: Absolutely. Welcome to the world we live in. Where in a world where everyone wants to benefit off of infamy, financially and maybe be a little star - he, the judge for the Anna Nicole Smith case.
It`s really sad when you live in a world where there`s a governor - I mean, politician. And there`s a guy who`s a judge who went to law school. And I have more respect for the hooker, Ashley Dupree. Why? Because she didn`t try to benefit off the salaciousness of her event. God bless you, Ashley Dupree.
HAMMER: And before I go to that, did I get my Blagojevich - did I do it right? Blah, blah, blah. That`s pretty good, isn`t it?
SMITH: Awesome.
RAY: Thank you.
HAMMER: Tanika Ray, Steven Smith, thanks for joining us in the session of "Showbiz Most Wanted."
Now, let me turn it over to you. Here is our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Paris Hilton: Is the dumb blond thing just an act?" Well, why don`t you weigh in at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight? You can also E-mail us at showbiztonight@cnn.com.
Well, coming up, tonight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, wait until you hear the startling connection between President Barack Obama and Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston. You definitely do not want to miss this.
And if you act right now, you also get Snuggie-mania.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Call it Obi Wan wear or monk chic. Many aren`t sure what it is.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: It`s Snuggie mania. The commercial that has become an instant hit, finally answering that age-old old question, "Why doesn`t my blanket have sleeves?" We`re looking into the smashing success of the Snuggie.
Plus, more of your fired-up calls coming into the "Showbiz On Call" phone lines about the criticism Jessica Simpson is getting for putting on a few pounds.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: First Lady Michelle Obama`s brother Craig Robinson writing a book called "A Game of Character." Amy Winehouse`s London home burglarized while she was in the Caribbean.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Tonight, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie with their six kids in Japan. The entire Jolie-Pitt brood, including the 6-month-old twins Knox and Vivienne are in Asia to promote Daddy Brad`s film, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button."
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
Tonight, the cult of celebrity. So what do Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, and Brad`s ex Jennifer Aniston have in common with President Obama? The cult of celebrity.
If you think that connection is a bit of a stretch. Well, you won`t after reading a fascinating new book. It`s called just that, "The Cult of Celebrity." And it`s written by the wildly-popular nationally syndicated radio host Cooper Lawrence.
You have got to hear what Cooper told me about this. I asked her why President Obama has become an outright celebrity and if it had anything to do with our celebrity-obsessed culture?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
COOPER LAWRENCE, NATIONALLY SYNDICATED RADIO HOST: We`re not making him a celebrity. I think it is very different now. You know what? There`s a chapter in my book where I talk specifically the very first time they televised the debates. It was Kennedy versus Nixon. And Kennedy understood the power of the media. And he had hair and makeup and a fabulous suit.
And Nixon showed up in ill-fitting clothes and no makeup on. And people who watched the debate said that Kennedy definitely won. People that listened to the debate said that Nixon won. So the power of the media - this is how it`s played out over time.
You know, Obama can`t just be a good president. He has also got to be handsome. We`ve got to see all the pictures of him. We wonder about his wife and their relationship. And they answer those questions. They don`t say no comment. So they`re letting us in as much as we want to come in.
HAMMER: The Obama line, I think, is clearly blurred, because we are looking at him for the qualities that we look at our celebrities for.
LAWRENCE: Right.
HAMMER: You know, when we talk about how he looks and how he dresses and what kind of music he listens to. And that is a whole new day here.
LAWRENCE: That`s the danger. I mean, he had to go do that silly little dance on "Ellen" when he was campaigning. Can you imagine Abraham Lincoln having to go do that? But that`s the danger because we have to remember this guy is a smarty pants, and he`s got policies. And judge him by his character. Judge him by what he does for the country and not how cute he looks in a swimsuit.
HAMMER: But the truth is I`m told, Cooper Lawrence, that that little dance he did on "Ellen" is actually what pushed things over the edge for him.
LAWRENCE: Oh, yes. I`m sure that`s what it was.
HAMMER: Let`s move on to one story that just won`t go away. It`s the whole Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, and Jennifer Aniston love triangle. You know, the story still makes headlines. But it`s four years old which is remarkable to me. Why is the story, Cooper, so important to people still?
LAWRENCE: This is the archetype of good versus evil, right? I mean, Jen is the every-girl. She finally gets "the guy," Brad Pitt. He was the sexiest man alive during his time.
And then our worst fear is realized. The evil, beautiful, more incredible-looking woman comes and steals him away. So she plays into all of our fears that we have about our relationships, and there it was played out. So it`s good versus evil.
But it is also - you know, they`re not letting it die also. Every time you open a magazine, they`re talking about it still. This month`s "Vogue," this month`s "GQ," this month`s "W" - they`re all commenting on this. So they won`t let it go either.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: And you can grab your copy of Cooper`s book called, "The Cult of Celebrity" in stores right now. And you can also catch Cooper on the VH1 show "Confessions of a Teen Idol."
All right. Did you see this? It`s Snuggie-mania. Now, you probably have seen the commercials. They`re running on CNN and pretty much everywhere else. It`s the Snuggie. You know, for all the times when you thought, "Boy I wish this blanket had sleeves." The commercial, an instant classic, and it has set off Snuggie-mania. Here is CNN`s Jason Carroll for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Don`t worry, one size fits all. So creepy (UNINTELLIGIBLE) seductive pose.
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: YouTube has been flooded with people imitating it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are mundane tasks like answering the phone now impossibly difficult?
CARROLL: Ellen DeGeneres is making jokes about it.
DEGENERES: They give you a free light when you order it. What they should throw in is a pointy hat so you can look like a wizard or something like that.
CARROLL: Call it Obi Wan wear, or monk chic. Many aren`t sure what it is.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How do you put it on?
CARROLL: Or why anyone would want it.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it`s funny, but hey, someone invented it.
CARROLL: It is a Snuggie. It`s an oversized fleece blanket with sleeves, and it`s an economic gold mine.
SCOTT BOILEN, CEO ALLSTAR MARKETING GROUP: No one knows why things take off, but the Snuggie just took off. And people are talking about it, and they`re making fun of it. But they`re certainly buying it.
CARROLL: The company says four million Snuggies have sold since they started airing those quirky national commercials last October.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Enjoy a snack while staying snuggly warm.
CARROLL: Why is it so popular now? Snuggie says consumers have cozied up to the idea of staying home and saving money by turning down their heat during a troubled economy.
AILI MCCONNON, REPORTER, "BUSINESS WEEK": It really does appeal to that sort of hunker down mentality so many Americans have now. It`s almost - the Snuggie is almost like the comfort food of the clothing line.
CARROLL: Consumer experts also say the Snuggie came at the right time just when conventional advertisers were pulling TV spots to cut costs, leaving cheaper TV time for Snuggie creators to buy.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Call now and you will get ultrasoft, ultrawarm Snuggie for only $19.95.
CARROLL: That cheesy commercial - it`s so bad yet so good. Call it the Snuggie cult, now a pop culture hit with fans who dedicated a Facebook page to it.
SAMUEL CRAIG, PROFESSOR, NEW YORK UNIVERSITY: You start to get a viral marketing buzz and word of mouth takes over. And people just say, "I want to get that, because why? Someone I know has it."
CARROLL: Out on the street, it`s definitely an eye catcher.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It feels snuggly.
CARROLL: But consumer experts wonder if the fad will last. When it gets warm, who is really going to want a Snuggie when beach blankets go on sale?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Please don`t wear those things in public. That was CNN`s Jason Carroll for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
It is time now for "Making It Work" where we take a look at strong relationships in Hollywood.
Tonight, Isla Fisher. She and "Borat" star Sacha Baron Cohen have been together for seven years now. They`re engaged to be married and they have a 1-year-old daughter named Olive.
Isla told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that it was actually Sacha who encouraged her to do comedy which led to her role in "Wedding Crashers" and in the upcoming film, "Confessions of a Shopaholic."
Isla sat down with SHOWBIZ TONIGHT and we had to ask her how she manages to stay so private with such a high-profile relationship.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ISLA FISHER, ACTRESS: My personal life is just so important to me. And I think the only way that I do it is by not answering questions about my family. And I try to kind of dance around it or make a funny anecdote or give away a little bit, but without having to, you know, share that because it`s so important to me, to have something to myself even though I`m only starting out. You know, it`s still - it`s my heart. It`s my family.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: And she figured it out. You can see Isla Fisher in "Confessions of a Shopaholic." It`s in theaters on February 13th.
Well, coming up next on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, more of your fired-up phone calls to "Showbiz On Call" all about the criticism of Jessica Simpson is getting for putting on a few pounds.
Also, have you heard about the California woman who gave birth to octuplets, and already has six kids at home? Tonight, we have some advice for her from Kate, from "Jon and Kate plus Eight."
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: Tom Jones launching U.S. tour in February for his new album "24 Hours." "General Hospital" set getting a makeover; new look will debut in April.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
It`s time now for more of your fired-up phone calls coming in to "Showbiz On Call" about the Jessica Simpson weight debate.
Now, Jessica has been getting slammed for putting on just a few pounds. There has been a lot of outrage about that criticism. But some people say Jessica is fair game.
I want to you check out this call into "Showbiz On Call" from Shannon in Georgia.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
SHANNON, CALLER FROM GEORGIA: I think it`s OK to criticize Jessica. I think it was a bad wardrobe choice, not so much her weight that`s been put on. But if you look at how she markets herself, it`s all about her body and how she wants to be seen as the hot woman in town.
So if some changes happen and you don`t keep up with it, you have to expect that someone is going to notice. That`s what you get when you put it all out there.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thank you so much for your call, Shannon. We also heard from Pat calling into "Showbiz On Call" from Minnesota. And Pat says, stop the madness.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
PAT, CALLER FROM MINNESOTA: I definitely think that this skinny-thing going on with people is so wrong. It`s not right to judge anybody and it really has a bad affect on young kids in school - middle school, for instance on their weight. I think they should stop it now and be ashamed of themselves for judging people.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thanks, Pat. I`m right there with you. I`d like you to call to us at "Showbiz On Call" so you can tell us what you think about this or anything else. The "Showbiz On Call" phone lines are open all the time - 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899. Leave us a voicemail. We`ll play your calls right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
And your calls to "Showbiz On Call" are also now online right on our homepage, and that is CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
All right. So you probably heard about the woman in California who gave birth to octuplets on Monday and already has another six kids at home. Well, now, the star of "Jon and Kate plus Eight" is giving her a little bit of parenting advice.
Kate Gosselin is the mother of 8-year-old twins and 4-year-old sextuplets. Kate tells "People" magazine her tips for raising so many kids under one roof. And here now are just a few of them.
Kate says, "You must have help. Accept it." And she says, "schedule, schedule, schedule." Kate says, "It`s crucial to create a schedule very early on and then stick to it. Also, choose your battles. You can`t control everything so let the little things go. Encourage teamwork."
And Kate says, "Getting the kids involved in chores helps their work ethic. And above all, take a few minutes for yourself even if it`s just a 10-minute shower, which at the beginning, seems like a luxury."
And that sounds like good advice. And that`s it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thanks for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
You can always catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on the 11:00s - 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific, and in the morning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern on HLN.
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