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Showbiz Tonight
Reality Show Murder Shocker; Brad Pitt-Tom Cruise Smackdown; LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian Go Public with Their Romance; Cause of Michael Jackson`s Death Revealed; Billy Ray Cyrus Defends Miley`s Performance; Plus Sized Applause for Plus Size Model
Aired August 24, 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 breaking developments in the reality show murder shocker.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He was hanging by a belt around his neck. His legs were laying on the ground.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: A dramatic and grisly discovery in Canada. The reality star suspected of murdering a model found dead. The model`s family speaks out. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the latest breaking developments. Could the stunning murder-suicide have been prevented?
Tonight, the explosive Brad Pitt/Tom Cruise smackdown - the brand-new jaw-dropping feud between two of the biggest stars in the world. Brad`s "Inglorious Basterds" dominates at the box office. So is Pitt really trashing Cruise in a brand-new interview? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the inside story behind the Pitt/Cruise smackdown.
Plus, Eddie Cibrian and LeAnn Rimes` steamy romance goes public just as Eddie`s wife speaks out.
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
Tonight, there is breaking news in the Michael Jackson death investigation. I`ve got those details in just a moment. But first, the reality star murder-suicide shocker. This disturbing story has all the makings of a Hollywood horror film. And as unbelievable as it is, it is all too real.
Tonight, we can tell you that Ryan Jenkins, the reality star at the center of an international manhunt, is dead, the victim of an apparent suicide. Now, big questions remain about the gruesome murder of his wife, model Jasmine Fiore. Tonight, Fiore`s mother and her ex-boyfriend are shedding new light on the tragedy.
But could Fiore`s death have actually been prevented? We can tell you that, without a doubt, this murder-suicide shocker is making big news right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): A shocking ending to a reality show murder mystery.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The deceased person that was found in a motel in Hope, British Columbia is, in fact, Ryan Jenkins.
HAMMER: The body of former reality show contestant Ryan Jenkins, the suspect in the gruesome murder of his wife, model Jasmine Fiore, was found at a Canadian hotel. After more than a week on the run from police in two countries, Jenkins apparently hanged himself.
ROBERT HASMAN, JASMINE FIORE`S EX-BOYFRIEND: I`m just happy that Ryan - that he killed himself.
HAMMER: This morning on the "Today" show, the dead woman`s ex-boyfriend and her mother expressed relief that the saga had finally ended.
LISA LAPORE, JASMINE FIORE`S MOTHER: It brings some closure to what`s been going on. I mean, we don`t have to worry about looking for him anymore or being worried that he`s a threat to any other women or men.
HAMMER: Jenkins was a former contestant on VH1`s "Megan Wants a Millionaire" where he competed for the attention of a money-obsessed blond.
RYAN JENKINS, FORMER REALITY SHOW CONTESTANT: Would you prefer champagne?
HAMMER: After filming his appearance on the show this past March, Jenkins met and married Jasmine Fiore, who was not on the show. This TMZ video shows them as the happy couple.
JENKINS: God, I love my life. And I love my wife.
HAMMER: Last Saturday, Fiore`s body was found in a dumpster in L.A. It had been stuffed in a suitcase and later, in front of Fiore`s devastated friends and family, police reveal today to the public another horrific detail.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, the fingers and teeth were removed.
HAMMER: Fiore`s body was so mutilated that police had to identify her by the serial numbers on her breast implants. But friends and family publicly lashed out at the chief suspect, her husband, Ryan Jenkins, who had disappeared without a trace.
HASMAN: Ryan Jenkins is an animal.
HAMMER: Last week, authorities found Jenkins` boat, not far from the Canadian border, leading police to believe he`d snuck across to his native Canada. A desperate international chase had begun, a chase that ended Sunday when the staff of this Canadian hotel found his body.
ADAM BURT, HOTEL EMPLOYEE: He was supposed to check out today. So I went and checked around 12:00, knocked on the door and I said, "Excuse me." I opened the door and there he was, hanging there.
JENKINS: I`ve never believed (INAUDIBLE) girls that could keep up with me.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you we`re now hearing some new details that put the smooth-talking bachelor we saw on TV in a disturbing light.
LAPORE: This man was a professional conman.
HAMMER: This morning on the "Today" show, Fiore`s mother blasted Jenkins.
LAPORE: He targeted women, I believe. He wanted to be something that he wasn`t.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has learned that just this past June, Jenkins was charged with punching his wife in the arm. And in a separate case in Canada back in 2007, he was sentenced to 15 months probation for another assault. And now, there are suggestions that Fiore was about to leave Jenkins.
HASMAN: Jasmine and I - we spoke Thursday night.
HAMMER: On the "Today" show, Fiore`s ex-boyfriend said he received a text message from Fiore on the day before her body was found.
HASMAN: She wanted to come to Las Vegas. She wanted to come and see me. And she said - her last message was, "I`m coming." I can only assume that that was - might have been the cause or his motive. I don`t know.
HAMMER: But now, people are asking, how did a man with such a questionable past end up on a TV dating show?
JENKINS: I don`t know if Megan and I have had enough time together for her to actually listen up and really get to know me.
HAMMER: The production company that produced "Megan Wants a Millionaire" tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT its background checks failed to turn up anything negative on Jenkins. VH1 has now canceled that show.
Jenkins was also in the upcoming third season of another VH1 reality show, "I Love Money." Today, VH1 announced it`s canceling that show as well. So now, the question is, what effect will this tragedy have on reality TV where the tawdriness and at this titillation we`ve come to expect have given way to something much more disturbing.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
This truly is a tragic story. But should we really be surprised that this happened?
Well, joining me tonight in Hollywood is Lisa Bloom who is a CNN legal analyst. And also in Hollywood tonight, Carlos Diaz, who is a correspondent for "Extra".
It really is a disturbing turn of events that I find almost unbelievable. You`ve got all the elements here. A reality TV star. You`ve got the model and you have this whirlwind romance that obviously turned fatal.
Carlos, what was your reaction when you heard the way this outrageous story unfolded?
CARLOS DIAZ, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": You know, A.J., I`ve got to be honest with you. My reaction was, it was all a matter of time. Living out here in Los Angeles, I have a lot of friends who are on reality shows. I know a lot of people on reality shows.
And the big thing people don`t realize across the country is that an actor, in order to be successful, has to act dramatic. In order to be successful on a reality show, a reality show star has to be dramatic. In other words, that`s who they are.
HAMMER: Yes.
DIAZ: So a lot of times, you get these people who might not be the most stable people in the world because of the fact that they`re dramatic for the cameras. That`s who they are.
HAMMER: Yes. And something is obviously driving them to seek out that level of fame that you can get more quickly on a reality show. Well, 51 Minds is the name of the production company that produced the VH1 reality show Ryan Jenkins appeared on. They tell SHOWBIZ TONIGHT they weren`t aware of Jenkins`s past when they cast him.
Listen to what they said, "The company did have in place what it thought was a thorough vetting process that involved complete background checks by an outside company for all contestants on its shows. Clearly, the process did not work properly in this case. 51 Minds is investigating what went wrong and taking steps to ensure that this sort of lapse never occurs again."
Lisa, back to what Carlos said, when you look at this guy`s background, when you look at his profile, should the producers really have seen the red flags and certainly at least said, "Hey, not a guy we want on our reality show"?
LISA BLOOM, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Well, I don`t know how the production company hires somebody to do a background check. And they miss a recent criminal conviction, a recent one, for assaulting a woman. I mean, that`s really hard to imagine how they could have missed that.
A Google search would reveal that kind of a think. I think it`s appalling that they had him on the show. Thank goodness, this woman was not connected with the show so the producers and the show are not responsible for what happened.
HAMMER: Yes.
BLOOM: But look at this lovely Megan. Something could have happened to her. Somebody else associated with the show could have been harmed. So this is really a wake-up call to all the reality shows to do very serious background checks on all the contestants.
HAMMER: Yes. Just so sad and so tragic. All right. Let`s move on to a brand-new breaking Michael Jackson developments tonight. This is making big news right now.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can now tell you that according to newly released court documents, the Los Angeles County coroner says Michael had lethal levels of the powerful anesthetic propofol in his body at the time of death.
Now, Carlos, we`ve been talking about this for weeks. It`s as if we saw this coming. But does this new revelation really put to rest all of the mysteries surrounding Michael Jackson`s death?
DIAZ: Well, maybe now, you wonder, you know, how it got there and you know, we have to start pointing fingers at who administered the drug. Because the one thing about propofol, which is also known as Diprivan - you know, it`s not something that you can take orally. It`s not a pill that you can take.
There has to be someone there to give it to you and monitor while it`s been given. So now, does that really put the microscope on Dr. Conrad Murray?
HAMMER: Yes.
DIAZ: Might there be another doctor they`re looking at in this case? So that`s the thing. Now, you know, that`s clearing up the case, but it`s not completely clear just yet.
HAMMER: Well, we do have some insight from these court documents that we`re just releasing today. It`s a brand-new timeline we`re now getting of the day Michael Jackson died. I want to put this up in the form of the SHOWBIZ news line. 1:30 a.m., the morning Michael Jackson died, Dr. Conrad Murray gave Jackson Valium.
When that didn`t work, Murray said starting at 2:00 a.m., he injected other narcotics intravenously. At 10:40 a.m., Murray administered 25 milligrams of propofol after Jackson repeatedly demanded he do so. Later, Murray left the room to make some phone calls. He came back and found Jackson not breathing.
Lisa Bloom, you`re an attorney. Do these revelations really seal the manslaughter case against Dr. Murray here?
BLOOM: Well, the keywords are "lethal" - that it was a lethal injection of propofol. And apparently, that`s what the preliminary coroner`s conclusion is. Now, we haven`t heard from Dr. Murray or his side of it. His side may be, that even if there were high levels of propofol, there were other medications in Jackson`s system that came from other doctors.
And therefore, all the causation, which is the legal term, doesn`t fall on him. So we`re only hearing one side of it. But the word "lethal," lethal amounts of propofol that came from Dr. Murray is very bad news for him and is just another brick in the wall that`s being built by prosecutors to build that manslaughter case against him.
HAMMER: We`ll be watching it very closely. Lisa Bloom, Carlos Diaz, thanks, guys.
As we move on tonight, I have to say there is a jaw-dropping feud perhaps brewing between two of the biggest movie stars in the world, Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise. Tonight, did Brad Pitt really trash-talk Tom Cruise in a brand-new interview?
And after "Inglourious Basterds" dominated the box office, who`s now the bigger star? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the truth behind the Brad Pitt/Tom Cruise smackdown.
Also, Billy Cyrus speaks out for the very first time about the Miley pole-dancing controversy. Did he think it was too racy or does he think it was much ado about nothing?
And on the subways, on the streets, even on the top of the pedicabs, run and hide if you dare from the naked New Yorkers.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I`ve been shooting nudes in public in New York.
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: From a nude female posing in the subway to a nude male posing in Times Square.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Why New Yorkers are going naked? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Michael Jackson film, "Michael Jackson: This is It" to hit theaters October 28th. Brad Pitt`s "Inglorious Basterds" tops box office with $37.6 million.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MUSIC PLAYING)
HAMMER: OK. Did you see this? Reality star Heidi Montag there stripping down in what looks like lip-synching her new song "Body Language" on last night`s 2009 Miss Universe pageant.
Well, let me just say for the record, "The Hills" were not alive with the sound of music. And I`m having just a bit of deja vu here. Does this at all look familiar? Well, yes, it does. Britney Spears did basically the same thing back in 2000 at the MTV VMA. I`m sorry, but I have to say, Heidi, oops! Don`t do it again.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Did you see this? Naked New Yorkers running wild. Well, you`ve seen the movies of New Yorkers running from scary villains like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man in "Ghostbusters" or the Sandman in "Spiderman."
But now, we have naked people overtaking the city. Yes, naked people. So hide the kids because from subway strip shows to pedicab pole-dancing, you can`t escape naked New Yorkers.
Here`s CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
MOOS (voice-over): In New York, subway riders are called strap hangers, some insist on removing their straps, dangling from the poles. And now, comes the opening of decent exposures at Chain and the Maiden Gallery.
ZACH HYMAN, PHOTOGRAPHER: I`ve been shooting nudes in public in New York.
MOOS: From a nude female posing in the subway to a nude male posing in Times Square, Zach Hyman said the trick is to get a few shots before the police get you.
(on camera): How long did this one take to shoot?
HYMAN: About 15 seconds. This one was about 30 seconds. This was less than 10 seconds. This was about two, 2 1/2 minutes.
MOOS (voice-over): That`s how long it took to get one subway stop from Brooklyn to Manhattan. Only one lady complained -
HYMAN: That`s nasty. Put your clothes back on -
MOOS: Men tend to have the opposite reaction. For instance, when the voyeur bus carrying half-naked women pressed up against the picture windows ...
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hi, Baby!
MOOS: ... toured Manhattan about nine years ago, they ended up getting arrested.
RUDY GIULIANI, FORMER NEW YORK CITY MAYOR: Stupid. They`re stupid. Of course, you`re going to get arrested if you take your clothes off.
MOOS: But only if they catch you. This woman disrobed for a total of 30 seconds on the subway, then passed a KFC bucket for some finger-licking good donations. And this comedian hung a disco ball and danced.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Don`t be scared, ladies.
MOOS: He gave new meaning to the subway`s security slogan -
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If you see a suspicious package, call someone.
MOOS: And then, there was a Pollette(ph) girl who won a $10,000 dare from a Web site, swinging and hanging upside down and giving fellow riders the boot. But the most innovative pole-dancers are the ones who come to you, complete with neon dance score towed by modified bike.
Part-time pedicab driver named Andrew Katzander dreamed up pole- riders. He says people throw money at them out of car windows and come running out of bars. No nudity, no arrests, no accidents, just roll with the pole.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: That was before they clothed Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m thinking the whole nude movement could actually help the naked cowboy`s campaign trying to become New York City`s new mayor. Although after seeing that story, I`m not going to be riding the subways anytime soon.
All right. Well, people will not stop calling into the "Showbiz on Call" lines about octomom - you know, Nadya Suleman and whether or not she`s a good mom. In fact, the "Showbiz on Call" operators - they have been working day and night, morning feedings, diaper duty for the octuplets, are very busy.
We`ve got a call in to "Showbiz on Call" from Ashley in Ohio. And Ashleey says putting the kids on camera, big mistake.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CALLER: I think Nadya Suleman - she is an OK mom. But in a way, she`s a bad mom because her kids are cussing on national TV. I didn`t think that she didn`t have any home training. And now, look at the kids. They don`t have any home training either. I think having all these kids was just a terrible mistake that she made.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thanks a lot, Ashleey. We also heard from Tay calling from North Carolina in to "Showbiz on Call" who thinks octumom is in it for the fame.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CALLER: I think she`s just trying to be famous because she has not been on the TV like in a long time. And now, she just wants to all of a sudden jump back on TV. So I really think she`s trying to be famous and that hey, she just wants to be a famous star.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Tay, thanks for your call. I`d like you to remember that the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are open all the time. This is the number, 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899.
I have always thought of Brad Pitt as a really nice guy which is why it`s really hard for me to believe Pitt would actually talk smack about none other than Tom Cruise.
Tonight, did Pitt really trash Tom Cruise`s movie just as "Inglorious Basterds" took the top spot at the box office? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has got the real story behind the Brad Pitt/Tom Cruise smackdown.
And after months of speculation that actor Eddie Cibrian and country singing sensation LeAnn Rimes were hooking up, they go public. Cibrian`s wife is telling the world she does not approve. You`ve got to hear what she says.
And is Alec Baldwin going to run for Congress against Sen. Joe Lieberman? Huh? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
And now, it`s time for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Auction price for crypt above Marilyn Monroe`s reaches $4.6 million. Miss Venezuela wins Miss Universe crown for a second year in a row.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right. The first runner-up is Dominican Republic which means Miss Universe is Miss Venezuela again.
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer with some more stories that are making news right now.
Lindsay Lohan robbed. Lohan`s Los Angeles home was broken into over the weekend. Lindsay and her sister, Ali, who was staying with her, were not home at the time. Lohan`s publicist tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that her things were taken without remorse. The LAPD says they are investigating.
Is Alec Baldwin running for Congress? Well, Alec told "Playboy" magazine recently that he wants to run against Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman because he had no use for him. But now, he`s backtracking, saying Lieberman should stay in office because there are so few moderate Republicans.
Well, when Lieberman was asked about the story on CNN`s "State Of The Union," he got a kick out of it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN KING, CNN HOST, "STATE OF THE UNION": In the latest issue of "Playboy" magazine, Alec Baldwin is quoted as saying "Maybe I`d move to Connecticut. I`d love to run against Joe Lieberman. I have no use for him." You`re not up for three years. Do you want to go against Alec Baldwin? You had a good one last time.
SEN. JOE LIEBERMAN, (I) CONNECTICUT: First, let me say, when you started with the "Playboy" reference, I`m glad you ended with Alec Baldwin and not with one of the centerfolds.
Second, you know, make my day.
(LAUGHTER)
I must say I respect Alec Baldwin as an actor and as a comedian, and if he wants to run, that`s his right.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Alec may actually make Lieberman`s day someday because his brother Stephen says Alec is pretty serious about politics.
Well, Katie Holmes has a new career as a fashion designer. Mrs. Tom Cruise is reportedly putting together a line of premium women`s clothing and a line for kids, too. Holmes is teaming up with a personal stylist, Jean Yang, for a label called "Holmes and Yang," inspired by Holmes` personal style. And the line will make its debut in a Los Angeles boutique.
Well, the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook page has just been buzzing. A lot of people are talking about Paula Abdul and if her career can actually survive without "American Idol."
Nicole P. says that Paula is the master of reinvention. Nicole writing, "Paula reinvented herself once already with the start of "Idol." She can most certainly do it again. Maybe she`ll start up her music career again."
But Michelle K. says, not going to happen, "No, I don`t think her career will continue. She`s only known now from doing "American Idol" Her singing career was from the `80s and `90s."
Remember, you can sign up for our Facebook and Twitter pages simply by going to CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
Now, the SHOWBIZ lineup. This is what we have at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. The Brad Pitt/Tom Cruise smackdown. OK, did Brad Pitt really trash Cruise at a brand-new interview? We`ve got the inside story.
And Eddie Cibrian`s steamy romance with LeAnn Rimes goes public just as Cibrian`s wife speaks out. You`ve got to hear what she`s saying.
Also, the revealing photo that has women across the country shouting, "Right on." This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Reba McEntire to perform on "America`s Got Talent" Wednesday. Scarlett Johansson is the new face of Dolce and Gabbana`s new fragrance.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, is Brad Pitt really dissing Tom Cruise? Brad`s brand-new interview. Is there a battle brewing between two of the biggest movie stars in the world?
LeAnn and Eddie go public. Eddie Cibrian and LeAnn Rimes step out as Eddie`s wife speaks out about what she really thinks about her husband and his new love.
And Billy Ray Cyrus speaks out about his daughter Miley`s saucy pole- dancing bit. You`re not going to believe Daddy`s take on it.
Plus, more stories breaking from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker."
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It`s 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
Tonight, Brad Pitt/Tom Cruise smackdown. Brand-new Nazi movie from Brad topping the box office. It left everything in the dust over the weekend.
Now, it appears that Brad is gunning for Tom, attacking Cruise`s Nazi movie that didn`t do quite so well last year. Did Brad really call Tom`s movie ridiculous? Plus, is Brad Pitt now a bigger movie star than Tom Cruise?
LeAnn Rimes` love drama. LeAnn and actor Eddie Cibrian spotted together for the very first time just weeks after they both split from their spouses. But the newly-minted couple aren`t the only ones going public. Eddie`s wife also airing out their dirty laundry.
And what`s in Paula Abdul`s future? Tonight, the shocking results of our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT poll about Paula`s post-"Idol" career.
With me from Hollywood, Lisa Bloom - she`s a legal analyst for CNN. Also in Hollywood tonight is Carlos Diaz. He is a correspondent for "Extra."
So Brad`s new movie is called "Inglorious Basterds." It`s a fictional World War II movie. And Brad reportedly trash-talked Tom`s World War II movie called "Valkyrie." That`s about a real plot to kill Adolf Hitler.
Well, when he asked about "Valkyrie," Brad apparently told the German magazine "Stern," quote, "It was a ridiculous movie." Now, I`m thinking Brad Pitt is the last guy you would expect to be caught up in any kind of a public war of words with anyone, much less Tom Cruise.
Lisa, over to you first. People really do seem to like the idea of two of the biggest stars on the planet going at it. So do you think it`s going to game-on here? Or are we going to see Tom taking on this smackdown?
BLOOM: Yes, I kind of like it. And by the way, welcome back, A.J. We missed you. Look, the only way to resolve this, I think, is shirtless mud wrestling between Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise. I mean, they really have to have a knockdown, drag-out, biceps-rippling kind of battle. It`s the only way to resolve it.
HAMMER: OK. Clearly, Lisa, you have an agenda with this entire situation. And thank you for the welcome back, by the way.
Here`s what Brad`s manager is telling UsMagazine.com. He says, "Brad has never seen `Valkyrie,` so this is not accurate." Carlos, are you with me. Something probably got lost in translation here, right? I mean, Brad is not really going after Tom Cruise.
DIAZ: I don`t think - I think Brad`s actually going after anyone he wants to go after right now. We interviewed him on the red carpet before "Inglorious Basterds," before the premiere. And he honestly was like - you know what? He was just throwing out stuff in an honest way, in a kind of a, you know, "I don`t really care anymore" attitude.
But there has been bad blood between the Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt in the past from "Interview with a Vampire." But in this instance, I just think Brad is just like, "To heck with Hollywood. I`m going to say what I want to say. You deal with it."
HAMMER: Yes. I just think he`s kind of above the fray of calling people out. He certainly doesn`t have to do it for the publicity. And it`s interesting because even if the "Valkyrie" quote was lost in translation, in the same German magazine, here`s something that Brad reportedly says.
This is a little interesting. It goes to what you`re saying, Carlos, "The Second World War could still deliver more stories and films, but I believe that Quentin (referring to "Basterds`" director Quentin Tarantino) put a cover on that pot. With `Basterds,` everything that can be said to the genre has been said. The film destroys every symbol. The work is done, end of story."
Quite a statement - Brad basically declaring the end of an entire movie genre because of his film. Lisa, do you think maybe - and this perhaps goes to Carlos` point - maybe Brad`s getting a little too cocky here so he thinks he can just talk smack because now, he`s the biggest star in the world, even over Tom Cruise?
BLOOM: Yes. You know, he made comments about gay marriage and legalizing drugs. And I think he does just sort of shoot from the hip and he says whatever he wants to say. Or you could be cynical and say, "Look, he`s trying to stir the pot and stir up some controversy about his new film." Now, we`re talking about it. So no publicity is bad publicity, right?
HAMMER: Yes, I guess that`s right. I just don`t see it as being his particular style.
OK. Let`s move on, because also making news right now, LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian going public with their romance for the very first time. LeAnn and Eddie denied reports for months that they were having an affair.
But now, their marriages have each gone bust. Let me ask you this, Carlos. Is it really such a good idea for the two of them to be running around like this, considering the fact it`s only been a month since LeAnn split from her husband?
DIAZ: Right. And in this situation, I would say, "Hey, you know what? Do what you`ve got to do. If you`re two accountants or you`re two lawyers or whatever and you want to step out, step out."
But when your career depends on what the public thinks of you, then maybe not a great idea to step out in public immediately after your marriages are over and still not legally over.
HAMMER: Yes. See, I`m thinking this is not such a smart move.
DIAZ: No.
HAMMER: And when all of this affair drama first broke, Eddie`s wife was standing right by him at first. In fact, if we can remember, she even accused LeAnn of stalking Eddie. I`m now thinking the whole stand-by-your- man thing has come to an end.
I want you to listen to what Eddie`s wife told People.com about Eddie. This is fascinating, quote, "I don`t understand you think you know one thing and you wake up and it`s all been a lie. There is one side of him that I absolutely love and always will, but that side of him is not the side I`m divorcing."
This really is quite different from the usual, you know, "Please respect our privacy in this difficult time" blah, blah, blah that we usually hear after a celeb split-up. Let me ask you this, Lisa, and if I may, as a divorcee, if I might say - you`ve shared that with us on the program before.
BLOOM: Sure.
HAMMER: I think a lot of women can probably relate to what Eddie`s wife is saying here and are probably cheering her on, don`t you think?
BLOOM: Yes, I think so. Look, it`s tough, when you split up, whether it`s a divorce or just a break-up of a long relationship, to know how long is it appropriate that you`re supposed to wait before you go public with a new partner and when there`s children involved, and there`s an ex involved, when your a public figure, that time period is elongated.
I mean, as Carlos said, this is a public figure. They`re both public figures. They have their fans to consider. They have their professional images to consider. So while I sympathize with them - look, they`re a couple. Why not come out of the closet? There are other factors that might have indicated they should have waited a little longer
HAMMER: Yes. Now, what do you think, Carlos, about Eddie`s wife coming out and saying things like, "You wake up and it`s all been a lie"? I mean, this has to be striking a real chord with a lot of women.
DIAZ: And Lisa and I are both divorcees so we can both attest to the fact that marriage is a lie. But still, you know, I mean, you know, applaud her for actually saying things in an honest way. We spend our lives as entertainment reporters trying to get stars to be honest.
HAMMER: Yes.
DIAZ: And she`s being in this situation.
BLOOM: That`s true.
DIAZ: Maybe she shouldn`t vent to "People" magazine.
HAMMER: And maybe, just not just yet at the same time.
BLOOM: Just our to our shows -
HAMMER: Let it simmer down just a little bit. Exactly right -
DIAZ: Hey, that`s nice.
HAMMER: Also, let`s move on because also making big news tonight, it`s Paula`s next big move. All kinds of speculation, of course, about what Paula Abdul might do after "American Idol."
Well, we asked on air and online in our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day, "Paula Abdul: Can her career survive without `American Idol?`" Generally, you don`t seem to think so. Forty-three percent voted, yes. The majority - 57 percent said no.
What do you think, Lisa Bloom? Did Paula commit career suicide by playing hardball with "Idol" and effectively losing?
BLOOM: No, I disagree with all those naysayers. She`s going to do very well. She`s got a lot of fans. She`s got the dancing shows coming after her. And she`s a character.
DIAZ: Does she?
BLOOM: She`s a figure. You look at her, you immediately know who she is. You know what to expect. I think she`s going to do just fine.
DIAZ: Does she, though? I mean, in all honesty, I mean, we`ve heard all these rumors. But what`s she got lined up? And what is really coming to fruition for her? I mean, all of these things were supposed to be there and they`re not.
The bottom line, Paula Abdul got sucked into the biggest thing in Hollywood which is jealousy. She got jealous about other people`s money. Listen, I don`t make A.J. Hammer kind of money and I`m fine with that, all right. I`ve come to that realization in my life, all right?
BLOOM: But there`s always a place for nice people like Paula in show business, isn`t there?
HAMMER: I think there is. It`s going to be very interesting to see what happens there because -
BLOOM: Tell me you don`t have to be mean.
HAMMER: I don`t think she`s going to wind up here either. Lisa Bloom, Carlos Diaz, thanks, guys.
All right. It`s your chance to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - back to Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise, the two of them against each other. That`s what we`re pitting tonight. Who`s the bigger movie star, Brad or Tom?" Vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. E-mail showbiztonight@cnn.com.
All right. You know all the heat that Miley Cyrus took for a little pole dancing routine. A lot of people say she`s way too young for such a raunchy routine. But what does daddy think? Well, you`re not going to believe what Billy Ray has to say about his daughter`s dance.
Also, the plus-size model who has everyone talking. She posed naked for a major fashion magazine and is causing a major sensation. I`ve got the great weight debate.
Also, Simon Cowell weighs in on this guy`s audition -
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Wow, that`s a teacher trying out for Britain`s "The X Factor." But what Simon said about his audition, well, I never thought I`d live to hear him say something like this. You don`t want to miss it. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: NYC lawmaker wants Michael Jackson honored at subway where "Bad" was shot. Police question LeAnn Rimes after traffic accident in Los Angeles.
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HAMMER: Did you see this? An audition from a 27-year-old teacher on Britain`s "The X Factor" got an absolutely unprecedented response from judge Simon Cowell. You have got to stick around because you have to hear what Simon had to say and you will in just a few moments here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
Tonight, Miley`s pole-dancing mania. Billy Ray Cyrus speaking out in a brand-new interview defending his daughter, teen idol Miley Cyrus` pole- dancing. Billy Ray says his daughter`s provocative dance with a pole at the Teen Choice Awards - it was no big whoop. New tonight, Billy Ray defends his daughter.
Also tonight, it`s plus-size model madness. Women everywhere jumping to their feet and applauding this candid photo of a plus-size model this month`s "Glamour" magazine. Why is this photo striking such a deep chord with so many women?
Joining me tonight in Hollywood is Laura Saltman who is a correspondent for AccessHollywood.com. Tonight, in New York is Ben Widdicombe, who is the celebrity editor for StyleList.com.
And we begin with the Miley Cyrus pole-dancing mania. Jaws just dropped when 16-year-old Miley Cyrus did a saucy little dance involving a pole at the Teen Choice Awards. But get this, her dad, country megastar Billy Ray Cyrus says, this was no big deal. He`s telling "Access Hollywood" Miley was just entertaining her audience. Watch.
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BILLY RAY CYRUS, COUNTRY STAR: I just think that Miley loves entertaining people. She loves singing, songwriting. I always tell her, you know, to love what you`re doing and stay focused, you know, for the love of the art and not worry so much about opinions.
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HAMMER: For the love of the art. All right. Laura, off to you first. "Access Hollywood" got this interview with Billy Ray. Do you agree with Billy Ray? Was her dance routine OK because, hey, you know, she was just performing?
LAURA SALTMAN, CORRESPONDENT: It`s not like she had a literal stripper pole there and she was, you know, doing flips around it like they do in the clubs in Vegas. If you actually look at the performance, it was an ice cream pole coming out of an ice cream car.
She kind of just needed something to hold onto. I think everyone`s really, really blowing this out of proportion. And I do kind of agree with Billy. You know, I don`t know if this is the subject that I think is such a big deal. But I mean, do agree with him in the sense she should do what she wants. I don`t agree because she is a role model and she has to watch what she does.
HAMMER: Well, yes. Let us not forget and it`s sort of hard to ignore the fact, you know, Miley is still only 16 years old. She`s a role model, Laura mentioned, to millions of girls around the world.
And I do think it is a great message that Billy Ray is encouraging Miley to stay true to her art and not sweat what people say. But that doesn`t mean the stripper pole routine, if you believe it was a stripper pole routine - Ben, I`ll ask you this - sends a great message.
BEN WIDDICOMBE, CELEBRITY EDITOR, "STYLELIST.COM": I think this is just a Miley Cyrus non-troversy like when she was photographed in "Vanity Fair" with the bare back and everyone went crazy. You used the correct word. It was just saucy. It wasn`t raunchy.
I think pole-dancing is very mainstream now. I received an invitation just this week in the mail to go to a charity benefit called "Pole Superstar" in New York. I think it`s very mainstream and no one should really worry about it.
HAMMER: OK. Well, you had me worried for a moment, Ben. I thought you were going to say you received an invitation to do some pole-dancing yourself.
Let us move on to an incredible photo and let me put this up. It is plus-size model Lizzi Miller who posed in this month`s issue of "Glamour" magazine. Take a look. She`s 20 years old. I think she is gorgeous. And apparently, she wears between a size 12 and 14.
Women going ga-ga over this photo. Now, she told Matt Lauer on the "Today" show why she thinks the picture appeals to so many women. Take a look at this.
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LIZZI MILLER, PLUS-SIZE MODEL: I just think that was a real picture and they just caught in the moment. I was just feeling comfortable and I was just being natural. And that`s just (INAUDIBLE). I think there needs to be more representation for women who don`t fit into that norm of the size 2 that`s portrayed in the media.
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HAMMER: Why do you think there`s been such a huge reaction to this photo? Is it basically because, you know, we`re finally getting to see a body on a woman that real women everywhere can actually relate to?
SALTMAN: Of course, because real women are who read these magazines and real women are tired of seeing these little size 0s and size 2s who are airbrushed to look like they`re so perfect because we`re not perfect.
When we sit that certain way, a lot of us do have the little belly bulge. It`s so refreshing to see someone in their natural form.
HAMMER: Yes.
SALTMAN: I think it`s an incredible shot. And I hope that the industry will continue to do stuff like this.
HAMMER: Wouldn`t that be nice? Well, I wasn`t at all surprised to see our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook page blowing up over this.
Sarah M. writing this on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook wall, "It`s a tastefully done photo of a naturally beautiful woman. It`s about time that a big-time magazine started using photos of real women and not skinny, next-to-nothing models who don`t reflect the majority of the population. Kudos to `Glamour` for having the guts to do this?"
And it`s true - when you think about things like this, and if we can put this photo up - it is a wildly airbrushed photo of Kelly Clarkson on the cover of "Self" magazine. Seriously, they airbrushed half her body away. Ben, do you think "Glamour" and this photo could actually change things for the better?
WIDDICOMBE: Well, you know, the public say that they want to see more regular-sized women. But the reality is if "Glamour" filled its pages with models like this, the magazine would disappear. People want aspirational images. They want beautiful celebrities. And this model was, in fact, used in a body acceptance story. So she wasn`t used as a regular "Glamour" model.
HAMMER: Yes.
WIDDICOMBE: People like it, but they won`t buy magazines with larger women in them.
HAMMER: I think what they need to do is show the variety. Ben Widdicombe, thank you so much. Now, Laura Saltman, don`t move anywhere because I want to congratulate you on what I thought was an amazing performance on today`s "The Young and the Restless." Let`s roll that, Brit.
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SALTMAN (on camera): Can I come in.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Yes?
SALTMAN: Sonia Wells with "The National Inquisitor."
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Get lost.
SALTMAN: Can you tell us what it`s like seeing your former wife, a Speed of Nature(ph) spokesmodel in the looney bin?
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HAMMER: All right. Laura Saltman, congratulations. Nice going. Very well done. We`ll see you soon.
SALTMAN: Thanks, A.J.
HAMMER: All right. Well, moving on, tonight a truly amazing moment on Britain`s singing competition "The X Factor." Now, this show is kind of like "American Idol" but on it, the contestants audition live in front of a stadium of people.
Judge Simon Cowell was there along with the other judges. Now, check out what happened on the very first episode of this season when 27-year-old teacher Daniel Johnson took the stage. And get ready for goose bumps.
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SIMON COWELL, JUDGE, "X FACTOR": I`ve been doing this for how many years? Eight, nine years? OK, Daniel, that was single-handedly the best first audition I have ever heard.
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HAMMER: And he`s got it all in shorts and sneakers. Now, the early odds already have him as the favorite to win, but getting that reaction from Simon probably a huge prize in and of itself.
All right. Titanic director James Cameron is back. He`s got a brand- new sci-fi movie. The special effects in this thing - they will knock your socks off. And I`m thinking, well, they probably should. They cost a reported $200 million. I`ve got your first look at "Avatar," coming up. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Nick Jonas talks about juvenile diabetes at National Press Club lunch. Carrie Prejean in talks with Donald Trump to star in "Celebrity Apprentice."
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HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
Time now for the SHOWBIZ first look. Tonight, "Avatar," the highly anticipated sci-fi thriller from "Titanic" director James Cameron. In "Avatar," reluctant hero embarks on a mission to save the world.
Now, the special effects on this thing look just spectacular. The movie reportedly cost over $200 million to complete. And along the way, Cameron revolutionized new technologies to create the effects. Here is your first look at "Avatar."
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HAMMER: Pretty cool what we just saw. "Avatar" in theaters December 18th. And that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Thanks for watching. You can always catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on the 11:00s - 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific, and in the morning, we`re on at 11:00 a.m. Eastern on HLN.
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