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Showbiz Tonight
Has Simon Cowell Killed "American Idol?"; Paula`s Ultimate Revenge Against "Idol?"; Sarah Palin-Kate Gosselin Connection; Mariah Drunk for Dollars
Aired January 12, 2010 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
A.J. HAMMER, CO-HOST: Big news breaking right now on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - has Simon killed "American Idol"? Brand-new blockbusters today about how Simon Cowell leaving "Idol" could destroy the show.
Plus, the very first exclusive interview with Simon since he dropped the bombshell.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SIMON COWELL, "AMERICAN IDOL" JUDGE: I do feel a little bit emotional when I said it because then it`s real.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, the "Idol" debate. Can anyone replace him? And how Simon ditching "Idol" may lead to Paula Abdul`s ultimate revenge.
The incredible Sarah-Kate connection. Kate Gosselin, Sarah Palin. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT uncovers and reveals the unbelievable links between Sarah and Kate. What could they possibly have in common? Find out tonight.
Mariah, drunk for dollars. Tonight, the remarkable revelation today about how Mariah Carey sloshed speech at a major film festival could be worth $40 million.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
HAMMER: Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
BROOKE ANDERSON, CO-HOST: Hi there, everyone. I`m Brooke Anderson, coming to you from Hollywood. And tonight, has Simon Cowell killed "American Idol?" Just a short time ago tonight on TV, "American Idol" kicked off its new season, barely 24 hours after Simon Cowell dropped the bombshell this would be his last season on "Idol."
But even before "Idol" began tonight., the burning, heated questions today came fast and furious. Can "Idol" survive without Simon? Or has he killed the show? If it does, who should replace Simon?
And could his leaving "Idol" ultimately lead to sweet revenge for Paula Abdul? Yes, let there be no doubt about it. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can now reveal that this all made for big news breaking today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Everyone`s asking the same question.
ANDERSON (voice-over): With the ninth season of "American Idol" debuting tonight, it comes with a big question mark, and it`s not who`s going to win. With Simon Cowell making the bombshell announcement that this will be his last year as "American Idol`s" resident grouch.
COWELL: I thought the performance was verging on grotesque.
ANDERSON: And with his famous sparring partner, Paula Abdul, already gone from the show.
PAULA ABDUL, "AMERICAN IDOL" JUDGE: I love hearing how your voice goes in and out of these beautiful colors.
COWELL: I don`t understand a word of what you just said.
ANDERSON: Everyone`s asking, can "Idol" survive without its two biggest stars?
TODD GOLD, MANAGING EDITOR, "FANCAST.COM": Imagine "I Love Lucy," you know, without Lucy or Ricky.
ANDERSON: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT brings you late-breaking developments on the big "American Idol" shakeup and what Hollywood`s biggest stars are telling us about the prospect of "American Idol" without Simon and Paula.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I`m in shock right now.
ANDERSON: In an exclusive new interview with "Extra" that aired today, Simon tells Terri Seymour why he`s leaving "American Idol" - to start a U.S. version of the British TV talent show, "X Factor," which, like "American Idol" will air on Fox.
COWELL: I just felt like doing something new.
ANDERSON: But Cowell tells "Extra" he doesn`t think his departure will kill "American Idol."
TERRI SEYMOUR, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": Do you think "American Idol" survive without you?
COWELL: Yes, Terri. And it will. I promise you. It will just be a different show.
ANDERSON: But complicating matters even more, the online universe blew up today with speculation that Simon is on the verge of hiring Paula Abdul to join him on the new American "X Factor." And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, can tell you Simon is doing nothing to dispel that rumor.
Listen to what he told "Idol" host, Ryan Seacrest, this morning on Seacrest`s radio show.
RYAN SEACREST, "AMERICAN IDOL" HOST: Is there a Paula Abdul in your future?
COWELL (through telephone): You`ll have to wait and see, Ryan.
ANDERSON: So not only will "Idol" soon have to do without both of its MVPs. It`s starting to look like Simon and Paula will soon be appearing on a newer, splashier music talent show.
GOLD: If Simon hires Paula as a judge and the two are reunited on "X Factor," it`s going to create a huge buzz.
ANDERSON: At last night`s Hollywood premiere of Denzel Washington`s movie, "The Book of Eli," Denzel and his fellow stars shared with SHOWBIZ TONIGHT their feelings about Simon`s big "American Idol" departure.
DENZEL WASHINGTON, ACTRESS: Tell him I said, "You owe a dollar." I`m sure he has a couple.
GARY OLDMAN, ACTOR: Maybe they could get Gordon Ramsay. They`d have to bleep him out, though, wouldn`t they?
ANDERSON: And actor rapper Ice Cube tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT no way "American Idol" can go on without Simon.
ICE CUBE, ACTOR AND RAPPER: I don`t think so. I think he`s the man. You know? He`s definitely the man that makes that show tick. Always has been.
ANDERSON: But "American Idol" is already beginning its new era.
ELLEN DEGENERES, "AMERICAN IDOL" JUDGE: I have the power to say you will be the next "American Idol." Or no, you won`t.
ANDERSON: That was Abdul`s replacement, Ellen DeGeneres, backstage today via Twitter before taping her very first show in her new gig as "Idol`s" new judge.
DEGENERES: I`m just about to walk out there and give people - either make their dreams come true or crush them. Crush their dreams.
ANDERSON: But as Ellen takes her seat next to Simon for his final year, "American Idol" is about to find itself in a new position once Simon leaves.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
Much like the performers on the show, "American Idol" is going to have to prove whether it still has what it takes to be number one.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: So, has Simon`s swan song sparked the beginning of the end for "Idol"? Joining me tonight from Hollywood, Michael Yo, who is a celebrity correspondent for "E!" Also tonight from Hollywood is Kim Serafin who is a senior editor for "In Touch Weekly."
So a lot of people are saying by making this decision to leave "American Idol," Simon Cowell is effectively pulling the plug on the most successful show on television. Michael Yo, what do you think? Did Simon just kill "Idol."
MICHAEL YO, CELEBRITY CORRESPONDENT, "E!": No, I don`t think so. Like Simon said, the show will go on. You`ve got to remember, this show had 26 million to 27 million viewers. You lose half of those - say half of the people left. You still have 13 million to 14 million people in the number one show on television.
So even if half the audience left, Simon still doesn`t kill the show. "American Idol" goes on and "X Factor" is just as big.
HAMMER: Yes. But you know, in television, losing half your audience, no matter how big, a lot of people consider that killing the show even if the show doesn`t go away. Simon`s big announcement coming as everybody is still wondering how much the new season that began tonight is going to suffer without Paula there.
Well, our "Showbiz on Call" phone lines have been buzzing nonstop. We heard from Kate in Pennsylvania. She called in today to say Idol is over. Listen.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
KATE, CALLER FROM PENNSYLVANIA: I think that once Paula left, they were done. And if Simon left, absolutely. That show`s going to be done. Paula and Simon made the show. It`s going to be done.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thanks a lot, Kate. What do you think, Kim, is "Idol" done?
KIM SERAFIN, SENIOR EDITOR, "IN TOUCH WEEKLY": Yes. I think it is. I think that anyone who thinks that "American Idol" without Simon and Paula will still be "American Idol" just needs to know two words, "The Tonight Show."
Because what we`re looking at right now, "The Tonight Show with Conan O`Brien," is obviously not the same "Tonight Show" with Jay Leno, or else, NBC wouldn`t be having problems today. So I think this will be a different show. I think - yes. Could "American Idol" survive a few more seasons? Yes. Is it going to be the powerhouse that it once was? No way. People will tune in to the "X Factor."
Simon talked about overexposure. You don`t want so many singing competitions all year long. I think people are kind of tiring of "American Idol" and they`ll look to "X Factor" as the new thing.
HAMMER: Well, you`ve got to tip your hat for him getting out while he`s on top and also just for making what appears to be a very smart decision for business and the overexposure element as well.
A lot of unbelievable details are coming out about the negotiations, about Simon`s deal with "Idol," all this coming out of the woodwork today. Simon reportedly was offered $144 million to stay.
But in a brand new interview with "Extra," he says the whole thing wasn`t about the money. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEYMOUR: How much did Fox try to pay you to stay on "Idol?"
COWELL: A lot. They did try to persuade me a lot. As you know, we`ve got a great relationship with Fox. And they did want me to stay on the show. And I was offered a lot of money to stay on the show.
And everyone thought I was posturing to negotiate more money, et cetera, et cetera. But that actually wasn`t the case. I just felt like doing something new.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. When you have Simon Cowell money, you can do that. Michael Yo, let me flip this around. Ponder this, if you will, because we know there are a lot of Simon haters out there, people who probably don`t watch "American Idol" because they don`t like this guy and they`re probably rejoicing, saying, "Hey, good riddance. Now, I`m going to watch it." Do you think I have that right?
YO: No. You know what? You may have some people that say that. But, still, the show is bringing in 26 million to 27 million people per episode. So I think there`s a lot of people that like Simon Cowell.
And I think this is all going to move over to "X Factor." But one thing that you have to remember it`s not going to take away from "American Idol." The shows are on at two different times. So that`s what people have to remember, too, going into this.
HAMMER: Well, yes. There is that, but there is that idea that it could die a little with the idea perhaps. Everybody also wondering what`s going to happen with Ellen with Simon out of the way. Is it possible, Kim - do you think I`m crazy to think this, that Ellen will actually take over his throne?
SERAFIN: I don`t think so. I think the reason everybody were excited to see Ellen on the show is because everyone was waiting for the fireworks between Ellen and Simon. They wanted to see Ellen put Simon in his place, someone who could finally be more important than Simon on this show.
HAMMER: Yes.
SERAFIN: I think also people said Ellen didn`t have the kind of gravitas, really, that Simon has in the music world. So I don`t think she can replace him. And you know what? Every reality show tries to get some cranky Brits to come in and be that Simon Cowell judge. And it never really works.
HAMMER: It all began with Simon. Of course, we saw it begin to play out tonight with Ellen on the show. We`ll watch it as the season unfolds.
I want to move on to another big "Idol" topic today. Huge headline, brand-new reports today that Simon might actually hire Paula Abdul to be a judge on his new show "X Factor." I`ve got to ask, if Simon hires Paula, would it not be Paula`s ultimate revenge against "American Idol?" Michael Yo, Kim Serafin, stay right where you are.
Now, over to you for our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "`American Idol`: Can survive without Paula? Can it survive without Simon?" Vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight or E-mail showbiztonight@cnn.com.
ANDERSON: OK. We`ve been digging all day. We`ve left no stone unturned. And tonight, I can reveal the incredible Sarah-Kate connection. Kate Gosselin, Sarah Palin - what could they possibly have in common?
Also, is Mariah Carey`s wacky speech, a speech she admitted giving after she had a whole lot of champagne, worth $40 million?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CAREY: And please forgive me because I`m a little bit - yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Remarkable revelation today about how Mariah sloshed speech at a major film festival could be worth $40 million big ones. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Hollywood heiress Casey Johnson laid to rest today in New Jersey. "Star Trek" movie sequel set for release on July 29, 2012.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAY LENO, HOST, "THE JAY LENO SHOW": Welcome to the "Jay Leno Show." As you know, we`re not just a show anymore. We are now a collector`s item.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Wow, this is incredible. Let me tell you, Jay Leno is not holding back one bit about all the chaos over at his network, NBC. He keeps slamming his bosses for canceling his 10:00 p.m. show. Will Leno really get the last laugh?
Welcome back tonight. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York with Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
You know, Brooke, what Jay Leno is doing - I find it absolutely amazing. Night after night, he`s going on his show and he dissing his bosses. Of course, these are the people who, at this point, still sign his big checks.
ANDERSON: Yes, I know, A.J. Jay is definitely angry at NBC. He`s not holding back at all on his show. Listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LENO: Supposing we were moving to 11:30, but even this is not sure. See, my people on the set - call this people on the set. Hey, NBC said they wanted drama at 10:00. Now, they got it. I take pride in one thing. I leave NBC primetime the same way I found it - a complete disaster.
(LAUGHTER)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Now, granted Jay can use the excuse of, Hey, it`s all in the name of comedy." But I`ve got to tell you, Brooke, I really can`t imagine slamming SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s excellent executive producer Dave Levin like that and then getting on the air. I don`t see it.
ANDERSON: Yes, we wouldn`t do that, of course, because we love Dave.
HAMMER: Love you, Dave. No one in real life could say this stuff about their boss without getting fired, of course. So the big question here is, will Leno have the last laugh? Here`s CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: In a little over seven months, he`s come full circle.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It`s the "Tonight Show with Jay Leno."
REGIS PHILBIN, CO-HOST, "LIVE WITH REGIS AND KELLY": Let them all go and have fun at night.
MOOS (on camera): Sorry, Donald. Here`s NBC`s latest claim. So Leno would move from 10:00 to 11:30 and Conan will move from 11:30 to midnight, 12:05 to be exact.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Though it`s weird to start "The Tonight Show" at a time when it`s no longer tonight.
MOOS (voice-over): Conan himself has been making plenty of jokes about all the rumors.
CONAN O`BRIEN, HOST, "THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH CONAN O`BRIEN": Both of our shows will be on at 11:30 running simultaneously on a split screen.
(CROSSTALK)
O`BRIEN: "The Tonight Show" will be an iPhone app and "The Jay Leno Show" will become and Xbox game.
MOOS (on camera): Hey, they`re both already a game.
(voice-over): TMZ lets you use your mouse to make Conan cash his ever- changing contract - boom, boom, boom. Until Leno`s big head gets in the way.
O`BRIEN: Jay and I will be joining the cast of "Jersey Shore" as a new character called "The Awkward Situation."
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My heart is so ripped up it`s (INAUDIBLE).
MOOS: But what is the situation? TMZ asks.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So are you happy about the switch, Jay?
LENO: We`ll see what happens.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You`re not happy, though.
LENO: Welcome to show business. NBC is working on a solution, they say, in which all parties will be screwed equally. So I.
MOOS: Maybe not so equally.
(on camera): You know how Leno is always doing those Jay walking bits?
LENO: What separates your inner ear from your outer ear?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Your brain, right?
MOOS: Yes. Instead of "Jay Walking" now Conan who could walk.
(voice-over): Walk into the arms of another network like Fox. The musical chairs have tongues wagging on YouTube.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Give Jay Leno his 11:35 slot back.
MOOS: Multiple choice - was he, A, scratching his tongue; B, looking for a mustache hair; or C, trying to make himself gag and all this programming movement is making him queasy?
LENO: Hey, Ted (ph), what does NBC stand for? "Never believe your contract." But you know -
MOOS (on camera): Sounds vaguely familiar.
LENO: Welcome to NBC, which stands for "never believe your contract." Thank you very much.
MOOS: That was back when Leno was finally awarded the "The Tonight Show" over Letterman. What a difference 17 years doesn`t make.
LENO: Never believe your contract.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Wow, that was CNN Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Now, late today, we got a statement from Conan O`Brien basically telling his NBC bosses to take a hike. He`s not going to do a 12:05 a.m. show if Leno goes back to his 11:35 slot.
But Conan, I`m thinking good for you for standing by it. And hey, Brooke, I`m going to our boss` office and demand a new SHOWBIZ TONIGHT mug right now. Because quite frankly, this one is faded pretty badly and it`s in my contract that I have a nice one.
ANDERSON: You know what I`m going to demand, A.J.? I`m going to demand a 20-hour makeover like Kate Gosselin had. I`ll tell you, we`re also going to need to send the "Showbiz on Call" operators to a spa or something because they`ve been getting swamped with calls about Kate`s makeover.
HAMMER: Yes. We`ve got a call into "Showbiz on Call" from Aziza in Pennsylvania who thinks that Kate day-long do-over is no big deal.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CALLER: I think her haircut was awesome. I think that even 20 hours - that`s fine. Mom`s takes off all the time. And for people to say she needs to spend all of her time with her children, that is just ridiculous. No one can spend all of their time with their children.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thank you, Aziza.
ANDERSON: A.J., Joy calling from Florida wonders how Kate, the mother of eight, found the time to do this.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CALLER: How in the world does a mother of eight that she has time for a 20-hour makeover? Plus, is she not realizing that being in the spot like that - that`s just more fuel for Jon to use against her.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Thank you, Joy.
HAMMER: The "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are open all the time.
ANDERSON: Call us - 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899.
Everybody is talking about Simon Cowell leaving "American Idol" today just as the new season premieres tonight.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
COWELL: I just feel a little bit emotional when I said it. Because then it`s real. And then you remember all the good times you`ve had. And I have had a good time.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: We`ve got the very first exclusive interview Simon did since he dropped the bombshell that he`s quitting the show. And I wonder if Paula Abdul is straight-up smiling tonight. Will Simon`s ditching "Idol" lead to Paula`s ultimate revenge?
Also making news right now, is the Vatican taking on "Avatar?" That`s right. The pope`s very own film folks are really not happy with the little blue people.
And a startling, unbelievable Sarah Palin-Kate Gosselin connection revealed right here tonight. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: ABC orders "Bachelor" and "Bachelorette" spin-off, with former contestants. Rebecca Romijn and her twins featured in new "Got Milk?" ad.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It doesn`t go like that.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She`s bleeding all over.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: That was just seconds after Snooki from MTV`s "Jersey Shore" got punched in the face at a bar. Well, tonight, I can tell you the guy who socked Snooki is about to be sacked.
New York City schoolteacher Brad Ferro punched Nicole Polizzi, better known as Snooki, in the face at a New Jersey bar over the summer while "Jersey Shore" cameras were rolling.
Well, now, TMZ is reporting that Ferro is about to be fired from his job as a high school gym teacher in New York. He was found guilty of assault and hit with a $500 fine. And now, he`s being canned.
Under a ton of pressure, MTV decided not to air the video of Snooki getting punched, which I think was the right thing to do.
HAMMER: From Snooki getting socked to $1 million of bling getting swiped from Usher. The R & B star says seven-figures worth of jewelry was stolen from his car.
Here`s what allegedly went down. Usher says someone broke into his SUV at a mall at Atlanta. And according to a police report, furs, a computer and the jewelry were all jacked.
And that`s not all. Usher is worried that some never-before-heard songs on the stolen computer might get out. Cops are investigating, but I`m thinking, hey, Usher, you know, this is terrible. But really, do you think it`s a good idea to leave all that stuff unattended in the car at the mall?
ANDERSON: Yes, good point. OK. I knew as soon as we posted the news that Simon Cowell was leaving "American Idol" on our Facebook page, the posts would come flying in.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook fans are sticking to their opinions tighter than one of Simon`s shirts. Abdiel C. thinks "Idol" is over, "Simon Cowell is `Idol!` Whether you like him or not, he is what `American Idol` popular."
Crystal K. agrees, "Simon is the only reason why I watch that show."
Laura R. says good riddance, "I think `Idol` will be better without him because he has been treating people like dirt."
Write me on Facebook. Also, follow us on Twitter for breaking entertainment news alert. Sign up at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
HAMMER: And now the SHOWBIZ lineup. Here`s what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
We are bringing you the very first interview Simon Cowell has granted since announcing he`s leaving "American Idol."
And will Simon leaving the show lead to Paula Abdul`s ultimate revenge? Think about it.
Also, is Mariah Carey`s sloshed award`s show speech really worth $40 million?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CAREY: And please forgive me because I`m a little bit - yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. Seriously, why this could be worth $40 million big ones.
And today I uncovered something absolutely unbelievable. Right here tonight, I will reveal the incredible connection between Sarah Palin and Kate Gosselin. You heard me right. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
It is time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: On less "chick"! Two Dixie Chicks members releasing album without Natalie Maines. Sorry, "Lost" fans! Producers say no spin-offs, sequels after the show ends in May.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
COWELL: They did want me to stay on the show. And I was offered a lot of money to stay on the show. And everyone thought I was posturing to negotiate more money.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Simon Cowell`s very first interview since his game-changing announcement about leaving "American Idol." And will Simon`s departure lead to Paula Abdul`s ultimate revenge?
It`s the incredible Sarah Palin-Kate Gosselin connection. Kate, the reality star. Sarah, the political star. What could they ever have in common? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT reveals their unthinkable link.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CAREY: And please forgive me because I`m a little bit - yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Could Mariah`s boozy acceptance speech be $40 million? Tonight, you won`t believe who`s raising a glass to Mariah`s tipsy "thank you."
Plus, more stories breaking from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker."
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
HAMMER: 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.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson, coming to you from Hollywood.
Tonight, a Simon Cowell exclusive, the very first exclusive interview Cowell did right after he dropped the big bombshell that he`s leaving "American Idol."
Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is bringing you the revelations from that interview, the only on-camera interview Simon has done. And right here tonight, the reporter he sat down with
. I`ve got to say, Simon`s big breaking news also causing a firestorm for ex-"Idol" judge, Paula Abdul. Brand-new revelations today about how this could lead to Paula Abdul`s ultimate revenge on "Idol."
And now that Simon is saying "sayonara" to "Idol," the big debate today was, who could replace him? Or is he irreplaceable?
With me tonight is Terri Seymour, who is a correspondent for "Extra" and who sat down with Simon right after he made his big announcement.
Terri, it`s really great to see you again. And hey, in your first interview ...
TERRI SEYMOUR, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": Hi, Brooke.
ANDERSON: ... or in your interview with Simon, first seen exclusively on "Extra," he really laid out to you why he decided to make this new season of "American Idol" his last and just how he felt when he finally did make the big announcement. Let`s watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
COWELL: I do feel a little bit emotional when I said it, because then, it`s real. And then, you remember all the good times you`ve had. And I have had a good time. But I was talking to Mike earlier on Mike Darnell who commissioned the show for Fox.
And he was saying, "Your favorite show - season was the first season, wasn`t it?" And I went, "Yes. I had the best time," because we didn`t know what to expect. And actually getting successful is more fun than being successful sometimes. And I kind of missed that, of not knowing what`s going to happen and that`s how it feels doing this show now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Terri, he sounds to me like he was just plain bored with "Idol" recently. Is that what you think it came down to for him and why he needed this change?
SEYMOUR: I don`t know if I`d say plain bored, but it`s definitely something he`s been thinking about for the last couple of years.
You know, this is his ninth season and Simon loves a challenge. And he just wanted to do something different. And the "X Factor" is his baby. You know, he created the show. He`s the executive producer. He stars on the show. He always wanted to bring this show to the States.
ANDERSON: So that was an ultimate goal of his. And you dated Simon Cowell. That`s well known. You`ve remained close friends since then. So I just want to get your take on him leaving "Idol" from that perspective because you say he`s been planning this for a little while now.
What other insights can you give us on his decision to leave? You`ve known him for a long time.
SEYMOUR: I have known him for a long time and it`s something he`s spoken to me, you know, about for a long time and been telling me how he`s been feeling.
And you know, there`s been so much speculation. And yesterday, the press conference, he wanted to be there and confirm it to everybody. He didn`t want to just send out a press release.
And I actually think he was surprised by how he kind of - he was a bit emotional yesterday, actually, when I sat down with him. And I don`t think he expected to feel like that when he announced that he would be leaving "American Idol."
ANDERSON: Yes, he said it became very ...
SEYMOUR: (INAUDIBLE) emotional.
ANDERSON: Yes, he said it became very real for him. And Terri, there were also some reports today that Fox offered Simon as much as - and this is just unfathomable for me - but $144 million a year to keep doing "Idol."
But in your exclusive interview with Simon, he cleared the air and said that those reports out there are untrue, that nothing about this was about money. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEYMOUR: How much did Fox try to pay you to stay on "Idol?"
COWELL: A lot. They did try and persuade me a lot. Actually, we`ve got a great relationship with Fox. And they did want me to stay on the show. And I was offered a lot of money to stay on the show. And everyone thought I was posturing to negotiate more money, et cetera, et cetera, but it actually wasn`t the case. I just felt like doing something new.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: So it wasn`t about the finances. Terri, he`s obviously a risk- taker. But what do you think? You know him very well personally. Do you think he`s going to regret leaving "Idol?"
SEYMOUR: I definitely do not think he`ll regret leaving "American Idol." Everybody knows how much Simon Cowell loves money. I mean, he`s never, you know, been afraid to admit that.
But it was about a new challenge, you know. It`s like he said when I interviewed him yesterday. You know, he came to the States to do "American Idol" and he didn`t know how long the show would last for, you know, if it would even work.
And he`s feeling that same kind of excitement now bringing "X Factor" to the States.
ANDERSON: Right.
SEYMOUR: And you know, just not knowing what`s going to happen. He likes not having any rules and he loves a challenge.
ANDERSON: Well, no doubt. This is a huge blow to "American Idol." And Terri, stay right there. Because also joining me tonight, right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, from Hollywood, Michael Yo, who is a celebrity correspondent with "E!" Also in Hollywood, Kim Serafin, who is a senior editor with "In Touch Weekly."
And guys, here`s the big question tonight. Could this lead to Paula Abdul`s ultimate revenge on "Idol" because Simon, as we`ve mentioned, is leaving "Idol" to start a U.S. version of his British hit talent show, "X Factor."
He`s making it perfectly clear that, you know, he wants to work with Paula Abdul in the future. That could possibly mean her being a judge on the show. Michael Yo, would that be Paula`s ultimate and sweet revenge?
YO: I think it would. I think it would be a brilliant move. Everybody knows the chemistry between Simon and Paula. You always need a person you can make fun of and everybody to feel sorry for. And then, they always make up in the end.
I think this will be great chemistry on the show. It would bring - already, it`s going to have a lot of buzz. But it would even bring that much more buzz to that show, "X Factor."
ANDERSON: Yes. Kim, what are your thoughts? Do you think that Paula Abdul - I personally think she`s probably feeling a whole lot of relief right now.
SERAFIN: Absolutely. It makes you wonder if maybe she knew something when she left "Idol." Maybe her and Simon had some sort of conversation. Maybe she knew that there might be an opening.
He, of course, said from the very beginning that he adores Paula. He said it again - he adores Paula. He wants to work with her again in the future. Putting Paula and Simon again together would make people tune in to the "X Factor," not want to tune in to "American Idol," because they want to go see something familiar.
And that`s what you get when you have Simon and Paula. That chemistry works so great.
ANDERSON: Yes. They make a great team. And Terri, in your exclusive interview with Simon for "Extra," you asked Simon about Paula and he really didn`t hold back. Let`s watch that part.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
COWELL: Paula is - has been talking to me for months. But I`ve always made I had clear that in some capacity, I want to work with Paula again. It might be here. It could be in England. I don`t know yet. But I adore Paula. I miss her.
SEYMOUR: You do miss her?
COWELL: She`s my little buddy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: She`s his little buddy. Terri, I`m getting the sense this is almost a done deal. Would this be great revenge for Paula?
SEYMOUR: I don`t know if it would be great revenge for her, but I`m sure she would like it.
ANDERSON: I`m sure she would as well. And you`re being a little bit cagey. Something else you know, Terri, you`re not telling us?
SEYMOUR: My lips are sealed.
ANDERSON: OK. I understand. Hey, A.J., what do you think about Paula`s potential part in all of this?
HAMMER: Well, I`m with Kim. I thought as soon as this news broke that, you know, all those months ago, when Paula Abdul announced that she was not going to renew with "Idol," even though they made some pretty generous offers for her.
Everybody kind of sat back and said, "Really? You`re walking away from this?" I have a feeling when that things were not going so well in those negotiations, Simon said, "All right, Paula. Don`t worry about it. I`ve got a few things in the works. I will make things happen for you when all the dust settles." So I think it`s going to be great. I think it`s a great idea.
ANDERSON: They maybe had a plan all along. Well, today, for the very first time since Simon`s announcement, we heard from Paula. Paula tweeted this to her fans, "Hey, guys. I`m not ignoring all of your tweets regarding me, `X Factor` and Simon leaving `AI.` I look forward to being able to answer all your questions very soon. I appreciate all your continued support and patience. All my love, Paula."
Michael, quickly, do you think Paula is going to join Simon on the U.S. version of "X Factor."
YO: Absolutely, 100 percent, without a doubt. Yes.
ANDERSON: Yes. And Kim, yes or no? Your thoughts?
SERAFIN: Yes, absolutely. That was a non-answer. That was a non-tweet if that were to exist. It sounds very clear that she`s going to be joining Simon sometime soon.
ANDERSON: It certainly does seem like it`s going to happen. Terri Seymour, Michael Yo, Kim Serafin, thank you all.
And we`ve been asking you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "`American Idol`: Can it survive without Simon and Paula?" Keep voting at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. E-mail us, showbiztonight@cnn.com.
HAMMER: Well, Simon and Paula made quite a team for years on "American Idol." But tonight, I can tell you, there is another dynamic duo that has got everyone talking. It is Kate Gosselin and Sarah Palin.
Yes. This is the incredible Sarah-Kate connection. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT uncovers their unbelievable link. We`re also asking this controversial question, who will come out on top? Who`s going to have a better 2010?
We`ll also have this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CAREY: And please forgive me because I`m a little bit - yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: New revelations today about how Mariah Carey sloshed up award`s speech could be worth a whopping $40 million. Are you kidding me?
And tonight, the Vatican versus "Avatar." Why the Vatican is picking a fight with the biggest movie on the planet. Whose side will you be on? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Time now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Tobey Maguire and Spiderman director Sam Raimi won`t return for "Spiderman 4." George Clooney and Meryl Streep win best actor honors at N.Y. film critics circle awards.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: I`ve been following you, Hunter. You must choose your own (INAUDIBLE) and he must choose you.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: When?
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: When you are (INAUDIBLE).
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, "Avatar" is breaking box office records left and right. But tonight, it`s actually getting slammed by the Vatican. While there`s been universal praise for the 3D epic around the globe, the Vatican`s own film folks are saying they don`t like the thing.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York with Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
Today, in a scathing review in the Vatican newspaper and on the Vatican radio station, film critics are dissing "Avatar," calling the plot unoriginal, bland, even sappy.
ANDERSON: That`s not all, A.J. The Vatican also claims the movie comes dangerously close to promoting the worship of nature as a substitute for religion.
HAMMER: But the Vatican taking a stand on TV shows and films is nothing out of the ordinary. In fact, just last month, the Vatican praised the Simpsons for realistic and intelligent writing. So there you go.
ANDERSON: OK. All right. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT blowing the lid off the Sarah Palin-Kate Gosselin connection. But what could they possibly have in common?
HAMMER: Well, I`m here to tell you, Brooke, brand-new revelations today about the absolutely shocking links between Sarah and Kate. And it comes just as we learn Palin is going to be starting a new gig working for Fox News and Kate has just given herself a major makeover.
Joining me tonight in Hollywood, Leslie Marshall, who is the host for "The Leslie Marshall Radio Show." Tonight, in New York is Rachel Zalis, who is the contributing editor for "Life and Style Weekly."
I mean, who would have thought that Kate Gosselin and Sarah Palin could be such soul sisters? When you look at the similarities, I`m thinking this is a no-brainer here.
Let`s look at the controversy. Both Kate and Sarah are lightning rods for drama, the shenanigans, all that paparazzi mayhem. Now, Rachel, both of them have something else very much in common. When it comes to Sarah, when it comes to Kate, you either love them or you hate them. Why is that?
RACHEL ZALIS, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, "LIFE AND STYLE WEEKLY": And they both think they`re right all the time. I mean, Sarah with the politics and Kate with her ex-husband, Jon. But you know, it`s like they have so much in common between being moms, creating controversy everywhere they go. They`re authors.
But I actually think Kate cannot even compete with Sarah at all. I mean, Sarah Palin is bestselling author, is getting six figures for speaking engagements, is probably the leading contender to be presidential nominee for 2012. And doubled Oprah`s ratings. I mean, we`re obsessed with her. What`s more than that?
HAMMER: All right. Let me mark you down. Team Sarah right there. Right now, both Sarah and Kate do have another strong connection. Both are about to embark on big new careers.
The news just broke that Sarah Palin has signed on to be a commentator for Fox News. Kate Gosselin is gearing up to launch her own top secret show on TLC.
Now, Leslie Marshall, I`m thinking I`ll probably check out Kate`s show on TLC if only for the train wreck factor. Jury is still out on what I`m going to do with Sarah Palin. But who do you think is going to have the most successful 2010?
LESLIE MARSHALL, HOST, "THE LESLIE MARSHALL RADIO SHOW": Oh, well, I actually think that both are going to be very successful in whatever they choose to do. Because obviously, people just love to watch them and to contribute to their bank accounts, contribute to that wealth.
I think it also depends on what Sarah Palin decides to do politically. If she`s going to plan for a run, she`s got some time. And if so, you`re going to see, I think, more book deals.
And certainly, we`re going to see her - oh, not just contributing. I would say, filling in. By the way, A.J., I called that. When she said she wasn`t going to be governor, I said, they`re going to sign her up.
HAMMER: Yes. Well, it`s interesting because usually - not always, but usually, somebody winds up as a news commentator after their big run working in government. And they usually stay on that side, not the other way around.
Well, the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook wall was just raging today. As a matter of fact, it was so huge they had to shut down our east coast servers. It was crazy. A big debate going on over who is going to have the best 2010.
This is Deana H. who is on team Kate. Deana H. is writing, "Sarah - no! She`s a commentator now. Total downgrade. Kate - yes! She got rid of Jon. Total upgrade."
But Leslie C. is team Sarah all the way, writing, "Sarah Palin represents everything that is real, and Kate represents everything that is fake. Go Sarah! Down with Kate!"
Leslie C. right there making a very interesting comment because there really is the distinction about what`s real and what`s fake in these two people.
ZALIS: Yes, like her new hair. Kate`s new hair. Totally fake. No, I mean, I think it`s clearly Sarah Palin. Kate Gosselin just got dumped from the talk show that she was about to do.
Sarah is obviously getting a big new job on another network. And I don`t even think it`s a competition. You know, what is Kate really known for? You know, eight kids, a winger ex-husband, having crazy hair. And now, hair that costs $7,000.
HAMMER: Yes. And takes 20 hours to get together. What do you think, Leslie? You work in radio. You know what it`s like to be a commentator. You`ve been in the business for a while. Is this a big downgrade for Sarah Palin?
MARSHALL: No. I don`t agree that it`s a downgrade at all. This is why. If there is a plan to run, obviously, you know, because of the equal time laws, she only has so much time.
She becomes more known among people who are fans. And by the way, she becomes more known by people that are not fans.
HAMMER: True.
MARSHALL: So if you think about it, this is sort of like a big help for a campaign if it is to happen. This is a woman that can effect change and when I say change, I`m not trying to do an Obama thing here. Certainly, she`s a Republican.
But you know, this is a woman that was on a ticket to be, possibly, vice president of the United States. Who knows what will happen in future?
And Kate Gosselin - a very different thing. Kate Gosselin is not going to affect our lives. But certainly, if Sarah Palin`s president or vice president, a senator or et cetera, it certainly could affect us.
HAMMER: Well, I`ve got to tell you, Leslie, you know, this big makeover that Kate`s had has perhaps impacted people who want to go out and want to have a new do like hers? Let me ask you about this, quickly, since you brought it up, Rachel.
ZALIS: A.J., are you getting extensions?
HAMMER: Hold on a second. You know, they`ve been criticized and applauded for the hair. Quickly, why all the fuss? It is a little nutty, isn`t it?
ZALIS: I mean, Sarah is like the total, sexy secretary which is so unusual for a politician, female politician. We`re used to like the bob.
HAMMER: Yes.
ZALIS: You know, and Kate - I mean, both were Halloween wigs. So you know, how great is that?
HAMMER: That`s true. We`ll see where it goes from here. Leslie Marshall, Rachel Zalis, thank you both.
TEXT: Paul McCartney and Harrison Ford to present at the Golden Globe Awards. Megan Fox unveils new ads for Emporio Armani underwear and Armani jeans.
ANDERSON: Mariah Carey`s boozy speech bonanza. A remarkable revelation today about Mariah Carey`s tipsy turn at a major film festival.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CAREY: And please forgive me because I`m a little bit - yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Could the Mariah blacked-out speech be worth $40 million? I`ll drink to that. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CAREY: And please forgive me because I`m a little bit - yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Mariah Carey admitted she was a little tipsy during her acceptance speech at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. But tonight, the people who run the festival are saying, "Hey, Mariah. Have another round on us because it may be worth $40 million."
Mariah`s loopy, champagne-soaked acceptance speech at the awards show went totally viral online because it was so wacky. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CAREY: I met Helen Mirren tonight. I was so excited. I couldn`t believe it - the genius Helen Mirren.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: From a queen to a diva.
CAREY: Yes, that`s right. You need to be clapping.
(APPLAUSE)
Sorry. Sometimes I get a little - I`m very grateful. I thank you all for listening to my little spiel. And God bless you. OK. Take care.
(APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Late today, the folks over at the Palm Springs Film Festival told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT they are actually thrilled Mariah got drunk because all those Web hits that people looking at Mariah was better than any PR money could buy.
"Mariah Carey added a billion impressions for us. That would have been like $40 million worth of advertising."
$40 million? Hey, Mariah, forget about that award you got for breakthrough actress in "Precious." These film festival people - they should be cutting you a check.
HAMMER: Imagine if she threw up, Brooke. I mean, that would have been something. All right. So Mariah can blame her loopy behavior on champagne. But I think we`re all going stir crazy because of how ridiculously cold it has been everywhere.
Did you see this? A guy actually turned his pool into a winter wonderland pool table. It`s so cold in Austin, Texas, this guy decided to use his swimming pool as a pool table. The hotshot racked them up and let it rip on the pool that is now rock solid.
But as you can see, none of this guy`s friends were brave enough to cue it up outside. So I`m thinking this is going to be a pretty bad game.
ANDERSON: On Monday, we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. Just moments ago, we did get those final results - "Ellen versus Simon: Will `American Idol` be a better show this year?" Forty-five percent of you say yes, it will. But 55 percent say no, it won`t.
Here are some of the e-mails we received. Geraldine from Saskatchewan, Canada writes, "Ellen will certainly provide real entertainment and perhaps compassion."
Lynda from California says, "I have been watching `Idol` since day one. But in my opinion, hiring Ellen was a bad move and I think Simon thinks so too, but is too much of a gentleman to say so."
And we do appreciate your E-mails. Keep them coming.
HAMMER: And we thank you for watching. That`s it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Don`t forget you can catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on the 11:00s - 11:00 p.m. Eastern, 11:00 p.m. Pacific, and in the morning, 11:00 a.m. Eastern on HLN.
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