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Showbiz Tonight

Rielle Hunter`s Sex-and-Tell and Provocative Photos; Jessica Simpson`s Reaction to John Mayer`s Sex Tell-All on "The View"; Tiger Woods and Sarah Palin`s Common Denominator; Miley Cyrus` Romance Revelations; Jennifer Aniston on Gerard Butler

Aired March 15, 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 today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - the mistress` sex-and-tell. For the first time, John Edwards` mistress tells all about their affair. The explosive interview revealed today telling all about their sex life and their love child.

But wait, there`s more. Her shocking new provocative photos. Brand- new revelations about these photos today from Barbara Walters. And the SHOWBIZ great debate - was the mistress wrong for posing this way?

The sex-and-tell about Jessica Simpson. Jessica`s must-see reaction on "The View" today about John Mayer calling her sexual napalm.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOY BEHAR, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": We`re you angry? I hear you`re getting a lot more calls these days.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: Plus, Tiger Woods, Sarah Palin. Why they share something brand- new and common today. But should they be worried?

ANNOUNCER: 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, the mistress sex-and-tell.

HAMMER: Yes. John Edwards` mistress and the mother of his love child is telling all and I do mean all.

In a brand-new interview just out today, Rielle Hunter spills the beans about their romance, their sex life, the child they had together, and she poses for a revealing picture you have got to see. It`s a picture that led to Barbara Walters exposing today even more brand-new revelations about Hunter, which all made for nonstop big news breaking today.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice-over): This ex-mistress is ready for her close-up. Rielle Hunter, the woman who had an affair with former presidential candidate John Edwards and bore his love child, is now baring all in a brand-new interview with "GQ" magazine released today.

ALICIA QUARLES, ASSOCIATED PRESS: It`s really a strange thing, Rielle Hunter and these sexy poses.

HAMMER: These brand-new "GQ" photos revealed today show Rielle posing with the two-year-old daughter that she had with Edwards. We also see Hunter in some sultry poses, including some with stuffed animals. That outraged host Elisabeth Hasselbeck that morning on "The View."

ELISABETH HASSELBECK, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": If you`re going to involve Kermit, Barney and Dora, put your pants on, OK?

HAMMER: But if you think Hunter`s skinny new "GQ" photo spread is hot, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you her "GQ" interview out today is downright explosive.

QUARLES: It sounds like Rielle Hunter is blaming Elizabeth for everything.

HAMMER: Rielle unloads on John Edwards` estranged wife, Elizabeth, who is dying from cancer. Hunter tells "GQ" that Edwards` marriage was, quote, "A toxic relationship and very abusive. He could not go to his wife and say, `We have an issue,` because he would be pummeled."

QUARLES: She just makes Elizabeth sound horrible.

HAMMER: Hunter also denies her affair with the ex-senator is what destroyed the marriage saying, quote, "The break in the marriage happens before the infidelity and that break happened, you know, 2 1/2 decades before I got there. So the home was wrecked already. I was not the home wrecker."

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She didn`t like that (INAUDIBLE).

HAMMER: This morning, the "GQ" writer who interviewed Hunter told the "Today" show`s Matt Lauer said Hunter did not hold back when discussing Elizabeth Edwards.

LISA DE PAULO, WRITER, "GQ": (INAUDIBLE), that`s what she believes. She`s unapologetic.

HAMMER: In the new "GQ" interview out today, Hunter dishes details about her affair with Edwards who she affectionately calls Johnny. Yes, she says, they had sex the night they first met in 2006.

But she denies reports that she pursued him, saying, quote, "I never hit on Johnny. I`m not a predator. I`m not a gold digger. I`m not a stalker. I didn`t have any power in that way in our relationship. He held all of the power".

QUARLES: It sounds like a bad Harlequin romance novel.

HAMMER: And she says when Edwards found out she was pregnant with his child, quote, "He was always very gracious about it and always said that he would support whatever decision I made. But I believe on some level he was hoping I would get an abortion."

Edwards repeatedly lied about his affair with Hunter and then lied about being the father of her child. But despite that, on the "Today" show this morning, the "GQ" writer who interviewed Hunter says she speaks glowingly about him. In fact, Hunter actually calls Edwards, quote, "honest and truthful."

DE PAULO: I think she is very forgiving of him in many ways. She believes that he was traumatized.

HAMMER: In another revelation, Hunter denies rumors she and Edwards are engaged telling GQ, quote, "We love each other very much and that hasn`t changed. And I believe that will be until death do us part."

This morning on "Today," "GQ`s" Lisa De Paulo reveals why Rielle is speaking out now.

DE PAULO: I think she cared very much about putting her truth out there.

HAMMER: Alicia Quarles of the Associated Press doubts that Rielle Hunter has ended the conversation about John Edwards.

QUARLES: I have a news flash for her. I highly doubt that this is going to set anything straight. I think that the intrigue is going to go on more and more because all along, John Edwards hadn`t been honest. I think people are going to question how honest she is being as well.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HAMMER: So does Rielle Hunter come out of this sex-and-tell all looking better or even worse? Joining me tonight from Hollywood, Jerry Penacoli who is a correspondent for "Extra." Also in Hollywood tonight, Wendy Walsh, who is a TV journalist and doctor of psychology.

OK, guys. So the part that really is getting people`s goat is the fact that Rielle had this affair with John Edwards knowing full well that he was married and that his wife Elizabeth had cancer.

And in this "GQ" article, she is positively unapologetic. The woman who interviewed Rielle for "GQ" told Matt Lauer on the "Today" show this morning how she was so surprised about that. Watch this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MATT LAUER, CO-HOST, "TODAY" SHOW: On the subject of Elizabeth Edwards, this is going to get a lot of people pretty upset. She says, "The wrath of Elizabeth is a mighty wrath." Does she go on to say, "And boy, I deserve it. I deserve a portion of that wrath"?

DE PAULO: No. No. She - the one thing that is interesting about her, she didn`t whitewash anything. You know, what she says about Elizabeth, that`s what she believes. And you know, she had ample opportunity to spin that a little differently, but she`s unapologetic.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: Yes. She says she`s unapologetic, apparently, has no remorse here. Jerry Penacoli, I`ve got to get your take on this, because in my mind, she just totally blew her last big chance to make people think differently about her. Do you think I have that right?

JERRY PENACOLI, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": You`ve got it absolutely right. Unapologetic is an understatement. Rielle Hunter, at this point, at least in this article in "GQ," is delusional. I mean, she says things like, "John Edwards didn`t fall from grace. I helped him fall to grace. I helped him find the truth in his life." I mean, she is honestly delusional.

HAMMER: Well, and it seems to me, and Wendy, tell me if you agree, that she really squandered any opportunity that she had to perhaps make people feel a little bit better about her.

DR. WENDY WALSH, TV JOURNALIST AND DOCTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY: Yes. First of all, A.J., she probably shouldn`t have chosen the print media because so much can be construed like those photographs.

But secondly, she`s clearly making rationalizations for her behavior. That`s what`s going on right now because she wants to protect her tiny new nuclear family and she`s doing it the best she can.

HAMMER: Yes. But let`s talk about this photograph, because, really, I see it as making matters worse. And I wasn`t at all surprised to see the sheer outrage that exploded over the racy photos of Rielle that were taken for "GQ" spread, wearing nothing but a buttoned down shirt and surrounded by stuffed animals. Classy.

Now, I totally get why she would want to come out and tell her side of the story, perhaps set the records as she believes it. But Jerry, do you think that Rielle went completely over the line with this kind of a photo- shoot? I don`t see how this could help her at all.

PENACOLI: Well, here`s the real story, A.J. What happened was there were many photographs taken that day. The series of photographs that are all over "GQ" magazine in the shirt was showing the leg, a lot of skin - that was only one set of photographs.

There were other photographs with a lot more clothes on. And so "GQ" - the photo editors looking at all the photos - they are a men`s magazine. Which one do you think they`re going to use? Of course, the ones just in the shirt.

HAMMER: Yes. Of course, they`d want to do that -

PENACOLI: She can`t - she can`t complain about them using those photos. She posed for them. She was there.

HAMMER: Yes, she was there. She posed for them. She signed a release and could have fully well expected that any photo that she took was going to show up in the magazine.

PENACOLI: Exactly.

HAMMER: And our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook page not surprisingly blowing up today over these photos. And I`m telling you, no matter how hard I tried - and I went through the whole Facebook page, I couldn`t find one nice word.

Let me read a couple of the comments. Diane P. infuriated over the sexy photo where Rielle is holding her daughter, Quinn. She wrote this, "Life`s going to be hard enough for that kid and she had to exploit her and put her in the picture? Is that woman from another planet?"

Carolyn M. writing, "She needs to fade off and go away. Getting sleazy pics taken for publicity is low class and it is tacky."

I`ve got to tell you, I`m not surprised people are enraged. But now, she says she didn`t take any money for this so it`s not that she`s cashing in on any of it all. But I have to say, I don`t think she did anything to, in any way, change the way people are going to view her.

And today, the ladies of "The View" could not stop talking about Rielle and these photos. As it turns out, Barbara Walters had a bombshell revelation about Rielle that Rielle just called her. Watch this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARBARA WALTERS, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER AND CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": She was in tears when she called. She said that when she saw the pictures, precisely the pictures that you called, she said she found them repulsive.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: Yes. So back to the question, why did she pose for them in the first place? Guys - Wendy, Jerry, I want you to stay right where you are. You are going to see and hear all of what Barbara revealed today. It is just amazing.

ANDERSON: Tiger Woods, Sarah Palin - they share something brand-new in common today. But should they be worried about it? Hey, guys, here`s a tip. You might want to keep your TV turned off for a while.

Also this -

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MILEY CYRUS, SINGER AND ACTRESS: I think it was on that first day we immediately felt something for each other. And I think when you connect like that, I think it`s usually pretty immediate.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: I tell you. I cannot believe how much Miley Cyrus has grown up. I look at her, I don`t see Hannah Montana. But wait until you hear how she just opened up to me about her love life. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.

And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker." These are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.

TEXT: Kate Winslet and husband Sam Mendes split up. A 16-year-old boy has been arrested and charged with breaking into Susan Boyle`s home.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.

ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Hey, A.J., I absolutely love those "Airplane!" movies and I`m really sad that one of the big stars died.

HAMMER: I`m right there with you, Brooke. A sex in the city star is really glad today about some happy news. And Heidi Montag, the movie star? What a world. It`s all making big news in the buzz today.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice-over): The passing of Peter Graves. Hollywood is mourning the legendary 83-year-old actor who died Sunday of an apparent heart attack. Graves was best known for his role on TV`s long running "Mission Impossible." But it was his role in the spoof movie "Airplane!" that many people remember him for.

PETER GRAVES, ACTOR: You all expect there was a plan? Why don`t you take care of it.

HAMMER: Paying tribute to supporters of gay community. "Sex and the City" star, Cynthia Nixon, got one of GLAAD`s top honors, the gay advocacy group`s media awards over the weekend. Nixon reveals how difficult it was to come out as a star in Hollywood.

CYNTHIA NIXON, ACTRESS: It was a little daunting at first just because there was such a big media reaction.

HAMMER: Also recognized at the awards, CNN`s "American Morning" and HLN`s Joe Behar. Heidi Montag, the movie star? The reality show actress, plastic surgery advocate and wannabe pop star has just tweeted that she got a cameo in a movie starring Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler.

Montag tweeted, "Getting hair and makeup for the comedy feature film." And she added, "Getting ice cream to celebrate. Jump for joy!"

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: Oh, OK. Tonight, big news breaking surrounding the tragic death of `80s teen idol, Corey Haim. Investigators Haim could now be linked to a massive multimillion dollar prescription medication drug ring.

Joining me tonight in New York, Sunny Hostin, from "In Session" on our sister network, "Tru TV."

Hey, Sunny, any indication how long this kind of investigation could take before they know for sure whether Haim was getting his prescription meds from this drug ring?

SUNNY HOSTIN, LEGAL CONTRIBUTOR, "IN SESSION" ON TRU TV: It could really take some time because this drug ring is probably quite big. And the prosecution is not going to want to jump the gun on this because they are going to want to get people not at the very bottom but the people at the very top.

So I would estimate, even though the investigation is ongoing, it`s going to take a bit of time to link Corey Haim`s death to this drug ring.

ANDERSON: Yes. And I just want to say this isn`t just a problem in L.A. Not just a problem with celebrities. Things like this happen everywhere. It is extremely, extremely dangerous.

And I want to move now to other big news breaking. It`s in the Charlie Sheen domestic violence case. Late today, Charlie Sheen appeared in a Colorado courtroom and pleaded not guilty to attacking his wife, Brooke Mueller.

Listen to this - trial date set for July 21st. Sunny, do you really believe this thing is going to go to trial or will there be some sort of plea deal before we even get to that point?

HOSTIN: I think it`s very possible that this will go to trial. He`s been charged with menacing which is a Class 5 felony. He could get up to one to three years if convicted of that, and criminal mischief and assault.

And so he`s looking at so much time. Any prosecutor that offers a plea will have to offer a plea that has jail time. And when that happens, most defendants decide to go to trial.

ANDERSON: This is extremely serious. And there have been reports that Charlie`s wife, Brooke, wants the whole thing to just go away. Sonny, if she doesn`t testify in the trial, is it game over for prosecutors? Or does it even matter?

HOSTIN: It does not matter. It`s not game over by any stretch of the imagination. Brooke called 911 and that tape can be used in trial without her testimony. And I have tried several of these domestic violence cases and I have gone forward without the victim. It can happen and if he chooses to go to trial and she doesn`t want to testify, it will happen.

ANDERSON: Yes, prosecutors have a strong-enough case. They can move forward. OK. Trial date is set for July 24th at first. Court says it`s expected to be a three-day trial. Sonny Hostin, thanks for your insight. We appreciate it.

HAMMER: Brooke, as we move on, we`re still getting dozens of calls into "Showbiz on Call" about the fired-up debate over Oscar nominee Gabourey Sidibe. Now, Howard Stern slamming Gabby saying that she`s not going to have a long-term career in Hollywood because of her weight.

ANDERSON: A.J., I completely disagree with Howard, especially with how he made his point. Janie calling from Missouri thinks that Gabby`s weight will hurt her.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

CALLER: I think that the girl who played "Precious," because of her weight, will hinder her getting other jobs. I mean, there`s just not very many jobs out there for 300-pound girls. And I don`t know which is worse, the weight or the girls that weigh 80 pounds?

(END AUDIO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Thanks, Janie.

HAMMER: We also heard from Cheryl calling in to "Showbiz on Call" from Georgia who thinks that Gabby`s talent is what matters.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

CALLER: I would say if the lady who played the lead role in "Precious" got that role, she will get others. I don`t think weight is a factor on whether she will get leading roles or not. I think it`s her talent. We`ve had big leading ladies before. We`ll continue to have it.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

HAMMER: Thank you so much, Cheryl.

ANDERSON: The "Showbiz on Call" phones lines are always open. Give us a ring. Here`s the number 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; that`s 1-888-728-2899.

HAMMER: Well, John Edwards` mistress reveals all in a brand-new sex-and- tell out today, and I do mean all, because Rielle Hunter is now in this provocative new photo spread. And today, on "The View," Barbra Walters reveals her new conversations with Rielle about the photo.

WALTERS: She thought they were repulsive. She cried for two hours and realizes how terrible they are.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: Well, you know what? Boohoohoo. Why did you pose for them in the first place, Rielle? Come on.

Also, Tiger Woods, Sarah Palin. Guess what? These guys now share something new in common. The question is should they be worried about it?

So are they dating or what? I`m talking about Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler. Well, maybe there is a clue in the very sweet things Jen had to say about Gerard today. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.

Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.

TEXT: "Alice in Wonderland" tops box office for second straight week - $62 million. "Alice`s" Tim Burton recognized by France`s national order of arts and letters.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

HOWARD STERN, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: She is enormous. And you feel because -

ROBIN QUIVERS, CO-HOST OF HOWARD STERN: Everybody`s pretending that she is a part of show business.

STERN: Right. It`s just ludicrous because everyone`s pretending she should be part of show business.

QUIVERS: As if she`s going to be around.

STERN: She`s never going to be in another movie.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

HAMMER: Howard Stern`s slam on Gabourey Sidibe`s weight has sparked absolute outrage. And today, the fury continues.

Tonight, the debate over "Precious" star, Gabourey Sidibe, rages on and I`m being handed the results of the astonishing SHOWBIZ TONIGHT poll where we ask, "Gabourey Sidibe: Will her weight hurt her career?"

Look at this, a lot of people on Howard Stern`s side here. Seventy- three percent saying, "Yes, Gabby`s weight - it`s going to hurt her career. Only 27 percent say no.

But I have to say none of this seems to be affecting Gabby although she was a little upset when she showed up on "E`s" "The Soup" to claim an award that was lost in the mail.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GABOUREY SIDIBE, ACTRESS: You gave it to Sandra Bullock, didn`t you?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, we did. She`s talented.

SIDIBE: That isn`t fair. She gets everything, even the crappy awards that no one cares about. I`m not leaving without something. I came here for something, and I want it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK. Oh, you want this?

SIDIBE: What does it do?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It`s smokes and sings old "Hall and Oates" song while it cries.

SIDIBE: Yes. You can come home with me. I shall call you Eli.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That`s not my name.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: Weight controversy? What weight controversy, Brooke? It looks like Gabby`s just fine.

ANDERSON: Yes. You know, I`ve interviewed her in person. She`s upbeat and a happy person. I`m glad that she`s not letting this get to her.

And A.J., our Facebook fans are really fired up about this, too, right now. Amanda W. says she`s got a solution for Gabby haters. She writes, "Gabby is very pretty and I think she will do just fine in the harsh world known as Hollywood. If you don`t like the way someone looks, then turn your head."

But Kemi A. says she should lose some weight, "Gabourey Sidibe is a beautiful angel of a girl who is comfortable in her own skin. But she needs to lose weight, not even for her looks, but for health reasons."

There are so many ways to connect with SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Become our fan on Facebook. You can follow us on Twitter. You can call at "Showbiz on Call" or just send us an E-mail. "Showbiz Connects" on our Web site, CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.

And now, the SHOWBIZ lineup. Here`s what is coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

Shocking pictures out today of John Edwards` mistress. You`ve got to hear Barbara Walters` reaction. And was it wrong for Rielle Hunter to pose like this?

Jessica`s must-see reaction on "The View" today about John Mayer calling her sexual napalm. And we`re asking, has Jessica`s imaged changed for the better?

And Tiger Woods, Sarah Palin - they share something in common today. But should they be worried about it? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.

And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.

TEXT: Jennifer Love Hewitt and Jamie Kennedy break up. Larry David says "Curb Your Enthusiasm" will likely return for 8th season.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, steamy new photos of John Edwards` former mistress out today. And Barbara Walters big new revelations about the story behind the photos.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WALTERS: She thought they were repulsive. She cried for two hours and realizes how terrible they are.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: Tonight, the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT great debate - was it wrong for Rielle Hunter to pose this way?

Tiger Woods, Sarah Palin - they have something new in common today. But should they worry about it?

And new revelations about Miley Cyrus`s love life from Miley herself.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CYRUS: I think it was on that first day, we immediately felt something for each other. I think - when you connect like that, I think it`s usually pretty immediate.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: Miley Cyrus opens up to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Brooke Anderson. Is she in love?

Plus, more stories breaking from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker."

ANNOUNCER: 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 tonight from Hollywood.

And, tonight, sex, tell, and pose. For the very first time, John Edwards` mistress, Rielle Hunter, is revealing brand-new details about her affair with Edwards in an explosive interview released today with "GQ" magazine.

But that`s not all she`s revealing. Her shocking new tell-all includes this provocative photo spread wearing, well, not very much.

And today, on "The View," for the very first time, Barbara Walters spills the beans about her own secret conversations with Rielle about the photos and about John Edwards.

You`re about to see and hear what Barbara revealed. It`s incredible. Barbara`s bombshell revelation today on "The View" had her co-hosts up in arms. And I can tell you the ladies did not hold back on exactly what they think of Rielle, the photos, and her sex-and-tell about John Edwards.

Speaking of sex-and-tell, wait until you see Jessica Simpson`s reaction on "The View" today when she was asked about John Mayer calling her sexual napalm. All I can say is, "Go, team Jessica."

Joining me tonight in Hollywood, Tanika Ray who is an entertainment journalist. Also in Hollywood, Wendy Walsh, who is a TV journalist and doctor of psychology.

Wendy, Tanika, one of the most remarkable things Barbara Walters revealed today was about the controversial photos of Rielle posing in very little and about the love child she had with John Edwards.

Barbara says that she`s had secret conversations with Rielle Hunter since last June. And then she revealed that she spoke with Rielle just this morning. Watch.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WALTERS: She said that when she saw the pictures, precisely the pictures that you called, she said that she found them repulsive. I asked, "Well, if that was the case, then why did you pose the way you did?"

She said, she trusted Mark Seliger, whom she said is a brilliant photographer, and she, quote, "I went with the flow." She said he took a lot of pictures and he thought there might be one like that that showed her being sexy.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Tanika -

TANIKA RAY, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: Yes?

ANDERSON: I think that she`s being pretty delusional here. What did she expect? This is "GQ."

RAY: Yes. That`s the word of the day. "Delusional" is one. I can think of another one that starts with a W and ends with an E. Let`s be honest here. She`s not a dignified woman.

She`s known for being John Edwards` baby mama and side chick, his jump off. How dare that she think that she`s legitimate enough to be in a publication and somebody is going to take her, you know, seriously. She is a - I`ll say it - a (EXPLETIVE DELETED).

Let`s be honest. And she had this baby and that`s all she is to us. And for her to think that someone is going to take her (INAUDIBLE) and have this beautiful pictorial of her and glorify who she is, she is delusional.

When it comes down to it, big ups for the photographer because he basically put an agenda on this photo shoot. And now, everybody`s saying his name. It`s all the same with what Annie Liebovitz did with Miley Cyrus. She put her agenda on it -

(CROSSTALK)

ANDERSON: And she posed for the pictures.

RAY: Absolutely.

ANDERSON: It`s not like they airbrushed her legs or anything.

RAY: She is a photographer herself. She knows what goes through the lens.

ANDERSON: Right. She knows how it works. And I can tell you that Whoopi Goldberg could not contain herself on "The View" this morning when she heard what Rielle told Barbara. Watch this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WHOOPI GOLDBERG, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": I`m just curious because this interview was done for "GQ" magazine. And "GQ" is, you know, a sexy magazine for a man. So it can`t - it does not seem to me that it should be as surprising as if, you know, she had done just - gone and done a -

(CROSSTALK)

WALTERS: (INAUDIBLE) a television interview.

GOLDBERG: It`s hard to take you seriously when you`re sitting with no pants on.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: I think Whoopi is dead on here.

RAY: Yes.

ANDERSON: "GQ" caters to men. Wendy, was this a terrible move for Rielle?

WALSH: You know, Brooke. We`ve got to start slamming all the women out there. This poor woman is a mother. She`s got a two-year-old to deal with now. Let`s stop shaming her.

The truth is people feel uncomfortable about these pictures because women`s bodies were made for two things - having and nursing babies and having sex. And she mixed them all up with a metaphor in one photograph. And who knows what -

(CROSSTALK)

RAY: (INAUDIBLE) She had a baby with a married man.

WALSH: Of course -

ANDERSON: Wendy, how can you call her "this poor woman."

RAY: No -

WALSH: No, I know that. I know what you guys are saying, that she`s not reflecting our moral culture, and I believe you and I agree with you. But it`s done and now she is - I think the bigger issue is that this artistic photographer convinced her that mixing stuffed animals and babies and simply nudity is not appropriate.

ANDERSON: Let`s talk about those children`s toys, because that really enraged a lot of people.

RAY: Yes.

ANDERSON: She posed with Kermit. She posed with Barney and Dora. And on "The View" this morning, Elisabeth and Sherri had a lot to say about all of this. Watch.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HASSELBECK: Well, if you`re going to involve Kermit, Barney and Dora, put your pants on, OK? This is - isn`t this sort of disgusting? These are nonconsensual participants in this. It`s borderline perverse.

SHERRI SHEPHERD, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": I know that the Edwards have split up, but it still brings me back to the fight that here is a woman battling for her life. And it just so blatantly disrespectful to Elizabeth Edwards as she trying to fight.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Yes. To Elisabeth`s point, I think it is just strange she would pose with those children`s stuffed animals half naked. And then, to Sherri`s point, Tanika, it`s outrageous that she thinks she has the right to trash Elisabeth Edwards in this interview.

(CROSSTALK)

RAY: And for her to not have pants and then (INAUDIBLE), "I don`t know why the pictures came out," she`s ridiculous, this woman. She has to go somewhere, stay away from the cameras.

John Edwards really needs to just like cut that off. I know they have a child so that`s impossible. But really, you couldn`t stoop any lower. She is ridiculous. And no, we shouldn`t feel sorry for her.

No, I know that she wants to save her child and it`s going to have a tough life.

WALSH: Not her. Not her. The two-year-old -

RAY: You know what? She took a picture with her child.

(CROSSTALK)

ANDERSON: I think that that was irresponsible. She should have left the child out.

RAY: It`s ridiculous -

ANDERSON: The child should be protected from all of this madness. And ladies, Rielle Hunter`s sex-and-tell not the only sex-and-tell making for big news breaking today. There was also Jessica Simpson`s brand-new revelation about John Mayer`s sex-and-tell about her. Jessica was able to crack a joke about John calling her sexual napalm in a "Playboy" magazine interview.

But Jessica also revealed today that the whole thing has been a little embarrassing for her as well. Watch.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JESSICA SIMPSON, SINGER AND ACTRESS: It`s more embarrassing because I walk into a restaurant or something and notice that more men are looking at me, but I feel like they are undressing me. So it`s a little bit embarrassing.

WALTERS: Have you said anything to him about this?

SIMPSON: Oh, no.

WALTERS: You haven`t talked to him?

SIMPSON: No, he`ll never have this napalm again.

WALTERS: What he said could be taken as a compliment.

SIMPSON: Yes. I guess.

WALTERS: (INAUDIBLE) that you don`t talk about your sex life. It could be disgusting, but it could also be a compliment.

SIMPSON: Right.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Wendy, I don`t think that`s going to be taken as a compliment. He made her look trashy.

WALSH: No.

ANDERSON: What do you think?

WALSH: First of all, our culture does not like boys who kiss and tell. Maybe women talk about things with each other, but certainly, men shouldn`t. And secondly, using the metaphor of napalm - napalm is a very dangerous thing that kills people, OK? It has such a negative underbelly. I know he was trying to be clever. But John, if you`re not clever, don`t try.

ANDERSON: Yes. I think he was trying to be clever and it totally backfired on him. Tanika, what do you think? Maybe it`s the difference between a man`s perspective and a woman`s perspective.

RAY: Yes.

ANDERSON: But I do not think it was complementary.

RAY: Yes. I think if a woman is Playboy bunny or Rielle in this case, I think she`d be really, really proud of herself for being compared to napalm.

But Jessica - she has been a victim of a lot of harsh criticisms on who she dates, why she dates them. And I just feel like it was over the top and it like knocked her while she was down. We`ve talked about this before.

ANDERSON: She`s handled it very well.

(CROSSTALK)

RAY: Absolutely.

ANDERSON: She`s handled it with a lot of grace. So go team Jessica. And she really has grown up right before our eyes.

So we want to know what you think about this. We`d like to hear from you in our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Jessica Simpson: Has she changed her image for the better?" Vote CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. E-mail us at showbiztonight@cnn.com. Tanika Ray, Wendy Walsh, thank you both.

HAMMER: Moving on now, Tiger Woods, Sarah Palin. They have something brand-new in common today. But should they be worried about it?

Also, Miley Cyrus on her love life.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CYRUS: I think it was on the first day that we immediately felt something for each other. I think - when you connect like that, I think it`s usually pretty immediate.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: Tonight, Miley Cyrus opens up to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Brooke Anderson. Miley`s first kiss with her new boyfriend. And is she really in love?

And are they or aren`t they? All right. I`m talking about Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler. We`ve seen the "W" magazine pictures of them getting pretty cozy. Well today, Jen reveals some pretty sweet secrets about Gerard. In fact, she even does a really funny impression of the guy. Come on. It sounds like true love, doesn`t it? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.

Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.

TEXT: "24" may end up on NBC if Fox decides to cancel it. Corey Feldman to skip Corey Haim`s Toronto funeral, will mourn in L.A. and plan a memorial.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: Did you see this? Gisele Bundchen back in supermodel form. She looks great for her "Vogue" magazine photo shoot just four months after giving birth to her baby boy with Tom Brady, all this after she told "People" magazine that giving birth naturally didn`t even hurt. What can I say? The girl is blessed with really good genes. But what is she, a superhuman supermodel?

Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with A.J. Hammer in New York. And tonight, the joke`s on Tiger.

HAMMER: Yes, Brooke. Look out, Tiger, because "South Park" is coming after you big time. We learned today that "South Park" could actually be making mincemeat out of Tiger Woods in an episode that airs in just a couple of days. And Sarah Palin may have the same problem Tiger could.

Joining me tonight from Hollywood, Tanika Ray who is an entertainment journalist. Also from Hollywood tonight, it`s Kim Serafin, who is the senior editor with "In Touch Weekly."

I`ve got to say, I can`t wait to see this one. I`m a huge fan of "South Park." Wednesday is when it`s going down, "South Park" actually kicking off its amazing 14th season. They are doing an episode focusing on Tiger Woods and of course his cheating and sex scandal.

Well, today, we get just a small taste of it in an online tease. Watch this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR (as Tiger Woods): I thought I could get away with whatever I wanted to. I felt that I had worked hard my entire life and deserved to enjoy all of the temptations around me.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: I`ve got to say, that`s a pretty good impression. I`m guessing Tiger Woods probably will be watching Comedy Central come Wednesday. And I`m also guessing that he would cringe if he did.

All right. Tanika, you first. Should Tiger run for the hills or at least the 18th hole on the golf course?

RAY: Come on. He knows it`s coming. Everybody has to take a slap at Tiger at this point. Once you go past the two, third, and fourth hoe, you`ve got to know that America is going to make fun of you if you get found out. So it`s just "South Park`s" turn. "SNL" will do it.

HAMMER: Yes.

RAY: Everybody`s got to have a handout. And so, yes, he should run for the hills, but he should just brace himself. This is not going to be the end until he gets back on the golf course.

(CROSSTALK)

HAMMER: It`s not ever going to be then end. It`s part of pop culture history. All right. The joke is not only on Tiger because, look out, Sarah Palin, the joke may be on you as well.

Tina Fey coming back to "Saturday Night Live." I, for one, can`t wait. We`ve just heard the date that Tina`s going to return to "SNL" since, of course, her devastating impressions of Palin. Mark it down on your calendar. Put it in your day planner. Saturday, April 10th is the date.

Now, Fey has said in the past that her days of playing Sarah Palin are not over. Kim let me ask you, Tina Fey has even more material to work with now. I`m thinking, however, Palin has had a pretty good sense of humor about all of this in the past so she`s probably not all that worried about it now.

KIM SERAFIN, SENIOR EDITOR, "IN TOUCH WEEKLY": Yes, you know, obviously, Tina Fey`s impression of Sarah Palin is kind of mutually beneficial. It certainly has helped Tina Fey. But it really does help Sarah Palin because it makes her a bigger pop culture figure.

And Sarah has shown that she can kind of play along with the joke. And if the joke goes too far, Sarah Palin shows that she will take to her Facebook page and she`ll go right back at her whoever is making fun of her.

HAMMER: Yes.

SERAFIN: So it really will help Sarah Palin. People that love her will cheer her on and condemn mean Hollywood for doing something bad to her. The people that don`t like Sarah Palin won`t like her, but the fact is, Sarah Palin is ratings gold. And the ratings will go up Tina Fey does it again.

HAMMER: Well, also, I hate to say it`s not all good, Kim, though. Because sadly, I think it shows what an easy target she can be and has become.

SERAFIN: Absolutely.

HAMMER: Moving on now, big Miley Cyrus news in today. Brooke Anderson just got the scoop herself. Brooke?

ANDERSON: That`s right, A.J. It is Miley`s romance confession to me. I just interviewed 17-year-old Miley about her upcoming new movie, "The Lost Song." And she confesses that she found a new love on set, her co-star, Liam Hemsworth.

Now, Miley confirmed to me they are a couple and I asked her how she knew that Liam is the right person for her and if he`s the one. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CYRUS: He`s really hilarious. That`s what I love. And I get bored super- easily. And it has to be somebody that is, like, always on because I`m always on.

ANDERSON: Do you think he`s the one? I know you`re only 17. I keep forgetting you`re only 17, but do you think you`re in love?

CYRUS: I don`t know. I`ll let him answer that question because it would look really bad if I said yes and he said no.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: All right. Now, Brooke, I`ve got to tell you, it was cool hearing her say that. But I`m surprised she was so open although you do tend to make the stars tell all. She never talks publicly about her romances. What changed here do you think?

ANDERSON: You know, she`s young. She`s not jaded by the whole process. And she`s excited, A.J. And you know, they do have a movie to promote.

Tanika, were you surprised she was so open? Because it does benefit the film`s publicity.

RAY: Of course.

ANDERSON: It generates more interest. But I think they are a pair.

RAY: It`s a romance movie and I don`t want to - your interview was brilliant. But I do want to tell you that she did sort of give a little information on the red carpet at the Oscar`s about maybe being in love. But look, she`s 17. I thought I was going to marry my boyfriend at 16, too - no offense to you out there. Come on.

(CROSSTALK)

HAMMER: Yes. She`s growing up. We`re going to have to accept it, guys. And we`re going to have to end it there. Tanika Ray -

ANDERSON: He`s a cutie. He`s cutie.

HAMMER: Kim Serafin, thank you, guys.

RAY: It`s perfect for the movie. It`s the promotion.

ANDERSON: A.J., we`ve got more big news breaking from my interview with Miley Cyrus and from her co-stars from "The Last Song."

Kelly Preston`s plays Miley`s mom in the film. "The Last Song" does mark Kelly`s first on-screen role since the sudden death of her son, Jett, who died just six months before she went back to work.

When I asked Kelly what motivated her to take the part, she revealed to me that Miley and her own daughter, Ella were very persuasive.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KELLY PRESTON, ACTRESS: She called me up and asked if I would play her mom. So of course, I said yes. And Ella was like, "Yes, Mom. Say yes." Such a huge deal. She`s nine, going to be 10. And I`m thrilled that I did, because the movie is terrific.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: It`s always such a delight. "The Last Song" opens March 31st.

HAMMER: Well, Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler really seem sweet on each other lately. In fact, Jen is revealing a dirty little secret about her "Bounty Hunter" co-star today. Wait until you see Jen`s hilarious impression of Gerard. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.

Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker." These are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.

TEXT: "Friends" star David Schwimmer engaged to 24-year-old photographer Zoe Buckman. "O" magazine turns 10, Oprah to celebrate with "Best Life" weekend in N.Y.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: So are they or aren`t they? I`m talking about Jennifer Aniston and her "Bounty Hunter" co-star, Gerard Butler. Are they dating or what?

Well, wait until you hear the sweet secrets about Gerard Jen divulged today. Do they reveal if they`re a couple?

Aniston was on "Live with Regis and Kelly" this morning. You know, she has never confirmed dating Gerard. They did end up on vacation together. They did pose for this sexy "W" magazine cover.

But Reg and Kelly got Jen to spill some secrets from the set of "The Bounty Hunter." Check out Jen`s very cute impression of Gerard and how he would hide food no-no`s from his personal trainer, Tim.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JENNIFER ANISTON, ACTRESS: He likes sweets.

REGIS PHILBIN, CO-HOST, "LIVE WITH REGIS AND KELLY": Yes. Sure.

ANISTON: And it`s really kind of cute.

PHILBIN: Yes.

ANISTON: Just cake, and he just gets so excited. You know, and it`s just like - and literally he`s like, "Don`t tell Jim." So he`s literally, like, you know - then he had this one scene where he comes out in a towel after the shower, and so I guess he`d been extra good.

And at the end of the day I see Angie, his assistant, walking by with a cupcake. I go, "Wait a minute, where`s that cupcake going?"

PHILBIN: Yes, you know where it`s going.

ANISTON: I put a note in it saying, "Are you sure you want to eat me?" And he never saw the cupcake.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Hmm. Sounds like Jen and Gerard are pretty close.

HAMMER: Well, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was right there at the 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York City on Saturday night. These awards honor stars and shows that accurately promote lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues.

I`m very excited to tell you HLN`s own Joy Behar, who of course hosts "THE JOY BEHAR SHOW" ever night, 9:00 p.m. Eastern, here on HLN - she won the excellence in media award.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BEHAR: I thank you all, again, for this honor. It means more than you know to me. It`s like the only honor that I will accept. I hate awards ceremonies. I hate to be honored. I feel embarrassed. It doesn`t suit my personality, but I really appreciate this one. So thank you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: No big surprise - Joy very humble in accepting her award. So congrats, Joy. We love you. Other big winners - ABC`s "Brothers and Sisters." What a great show. They took home Outstanding Drama. CNN`s "American Morning" won outstanding TV journalism for a segment they did about the 10-year-old boy who won`t say the pledge of allegiance until people of all sexual orientation have equal rights.

ANDERSON: On Friday, we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. Just moments ago, we did get those final results. Howard Stern slamming Oscar nominee Gabby Sidibe, saying she`ll never have a career because she`s too heavy. So we asked, "Gabourey Sidibe: Will her weight hurt her career?" Seventy-three percent of you think it will while 27 percent think it won`t.

Some E-mails - Marj from Canada says, Stern is right, "Most people are looking for people like Sarah Jessica Parker and her attractive girlfriends on "Sex and the City." Gabby should think about losing weight. She has a very pretty face."

But Jen from New Jersey says, "As if Gabby`s weight will be a hindrance to her career. Did it make a difference in careers of Oprah or Aretha Franklin or John Goodman and so on? I think not."

HAMMER: That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.

ANDERSON: I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. You can catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT every night on the 11:00s - 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific, and in the morning, 11:00 a.m. Eastern.

END