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Showbiz Tonight
Jennifer Aniston`s R-Word Controversy; Amazing Transformations of Sarah Palin, Angelina Jolie and Miley Cyrus; "American Idol" Judge Drama; Super-Scary Skinny Showdown; Most Provocative Celebrity of the Week
Aired August 20, 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, HLN HOST: Big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - Jennifer Aniston`s R-word controversy.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JENNIFER ANISTON, ACTRESS: I play dress-up. I do it for a living, like a retard.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: What did she say? Jen`s wrong-word controversy explodes today. Does Jennifer Aniston need to apologize?
A SHOWBIZ special report. Amazing transformations. Sarah Palin, Miley Cyrus, Angelina Jolie. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT reveals their dramatic transformations because of what they said and did.
Today, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT names the most provocative celebrity of the week. Tyra Banks nominated for her scary skinny model backlash. But is Snooki more provocative for being legally charged with being a pest? Or is Jennifer Aniston the most provocative of them all today for all of the controversial things she has been saying?
"American Idol" judge drama. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT reveals today the stars who could replace Simon.
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
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HAMMER: Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer, coming to you from New York City.
BROOKE ANDERSON, HLN HOST: Hi, there, everyone. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with big news breaking today -Aniston R-word outrage.
HAMMER: Yes. Jennifer Aniston is just getting slammed today for saying a certain R-word during a live national TV interview. It`s a word that a lot of people find really offensive. Now, "Aniston" and "controversy" are two words that don`t often appear together in the same sentence.
But today her R-bomb is offending so many people, it`s actually kind of hard to believe we`re talking about someone who`s always been known as one of Hollywood`s good-girl actresses.
Even more shocking, Jen`s R-word slip up isn`t the only thing she said this month that got people really fired up.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER (voice-over): Being an actor in Hollywood can be very dangerous. For instance, you can get hurt during a movie stunt. But Jennifer Aniston is proving that there`s another treacherous danger brave actors must contend with - the dangers of promoting a movie.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you, as Aniston makes the media rounds promoting her new movie, she`s getting burned, repeatedly by controversial comments and critical headlines.
KIM SERAFIN, SENIOR EDITOR, "IN TOUCH WEEKLY": You`re used to seeing rumors about her. You`re used to seeing stories about her whether she is dating someone new. But Jennifer Aniston lately is suddenly involved in a lot of other controversies.
HAMMER: Today, Aniston is dealing with her latest controversy. She`s getting slammed for saying the R-word during a live TV interview on "Live with Regis and Kelly" Thursday morning.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You really embodied Barbra.
ANISTON: Well, that`s so kind of you.
HAMMER: The interview started innocently enough with Aniston discussing her photo shoot in "Harper`s Bazaar" where she dressed up like Barbra Streisand. But little did anyone on "The Regis and Kelly" set know that the dreaded R-bomb was about to be dropped.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You play dress up.
ANISTON: I do play dress up. I do it for a living like a retard.
HAMMER: The audience laughed, but no one else did. Almost immediately after Aniston dropped her R-bomb, the reaction was fierce.
The Special Olympics blasted Aniston, telling SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, quote, "Special Olympics is always disappointed when the R-word is used, especially by someone who is influential to society. The pervasive use of the R-word, even in an off-the-cuff, self-deprecating manner, dehumanizes people with intellectual disabilities and perpetuates painful stereotypes that are a great source of suffering and negative stigma."
SERAFIN: You know you`re not supposed to say this word now because it does offend people.
HAMMER: Aniston`s R-word controversy comes just days before she found herself in another brouhaha - this one about single mothers.
During a press conference, again, to promote her new movie, Aniston said, quote, "Women are realizing it more and more, knowing that they don`t have to settle with a man just to have that child."
That earned her a slam from Fox News` Bill O`Reilly who accused her of diminishing the role of fathers.
BILL O`REILLY, HOST, "THE O`REILLY FACTOR": She`s thrown a message out to 12-year-olds and 13-year-olds, OK, that, "Hey, you don`t need a guy. You don`t need a dad." Ah, you know, that`s destructive to our society.
HAMMER: Wow. It`s not often that promoting a movie results in an actor being labeled destructive to our society.
SERAFIN: If you`re a celebrity and you`re promoting your movie and there`s some controversy right before your movie opens, it will probably get more publicity for your movie.
HAMMER: True, nothing sells quite like controversy. But on the other hand, Aniston`s fame is built on the likeable girl-next-door image she cultivated on "Friends." And getting slammed for two consecutive controversial statements probably isn`t that helpful to that image.
SERAFIN: I don`t think of these controversies are taking that appeal away from her.
HAMMER: But "In Touch Weekly`s" Kim Serafin tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT said no one expects Aniston`s R-word controversy or any of the others to do any lasting damage to her career.
SERAFIN: This most recent comment, clearly, wasn`t said in any way that was meant to be malicious at all. I don`t think this is hurting her at all.
HAMMER: Still, given the dangers she has seen in her current promotional tour, when it comes time to promote her next movie, Aniston might want to consider a stunt double.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT did reach out to Aniston`s representatives for a comment on the whole R-word controversy. As of show time, they haven`t gotten back to us.
Now, I have absolutely no problem defending Aniston for what she said about single mothers. I completely get what she was talking about and saying about that.
But a lot of people are much less sympathetic when it comes to her casually dropping the R-word, especially on national TV. That brings us to the SHOWBIZ Flashpoint today - should Aniston apologize for using the R- word?
With me in New York is Megan Alexander. Megan is a correspondent for "Inside Edition." In Hollywood, it`s Hyla. He`s an entertainment journalist from "5DollarPrep.com."
Look, I honestly don`t think that Jen meant to offend anybody. She wasn`t using the word maliciously, but she shouldn`t have used it.
And there is a massive backlash today. I just checked, and I was pretty stunned by the number of people who have sounded off today on the SHOWBIZ marquee blog, writing what they thought about her saying this, and they didn`t like it at all. That`s over on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s home page.
So to the SHOWBIZ Flashpoint, Megan, do you think Jennifer Aniston should apologize?
MEGAN ALEXANDER, CORRESPONDENT, "INSIDE EDITION": As has been stated already, I don`t think she intended to be malicious. She was making fun of herself in using that comment.
A.J., I agree with you, though. It`s never appropriate. It`s a deeply sensitive topic of discussion. And you know, I`m sure she feels bad about it. She has done numerous charitable work. And if she feels bad about it, she should apologize. It`s her call.
HAMMER: She should say something. All right. Hyla, I want your take on this, because, again, I don`t think she intended anything by it. But look, I don`t like people tossing that word around in a casual conversation, let alone by an A-list actress on a national TV show.
HYLA, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST, "5DOLLARPREP.COM": Yes. You know, I don`t think that she should apologize. First, it was a great audition to play Dr. Laura in a movie, so let`s give her a thumbs up for that.
And second of all, though - you know, we spend too much time on words and not enough on actions. There is nothing in her history that shows that she is insensitive to people with mental disabilities.
And if you`re going to make her apologize, then you have to make Regis apologize, because he laughed. And same thing with the entire "Regis and Kelly" audience.
HAMMER: Yes. But the point is - the point that has to be made, Hyla, then it seems to make the use of this word acceptable. And that`s the argument that a lot of these organizations that are speaking out have, which is perhaps why she should say something.
And I, quite frankly, I like the fact that it is at least bringing attention to the fact that this is a word we should not use.
HYLA: Well, again, it`s just a word. Actions speak louder than words. And let`s look at her history. Megan alluded to all of the charities that she works on and that never gets as much press as one word slip-up that was innocent, that meant no harm. And at the end of the day, it`s just a word. That`s what I want to focus on.
HAMMER: All right. I got your point. I disagree with you on that. But Jennifer Aniston`s R-word outrage, despite whether or not you think she should apologize, has made her a nominee to be the most provocative celebrity of the week.
Will it be Jen or will we name "Jersey Shore`s" fabulous Snooki being charged with being annoying? Or will it be Tyra Banks for her scary skinny model backlash? We`ve got that big reveal just minutes away.
But now, I`ve got to move on to the big "American Idol" judge mystery. Brooke, what`s the deal with it? Is it true that even Ryan Seacrest doesn`t know who the new judge is going to be?
ANDERSON: I think Ryan Seacrest knows more than he is revealing -
HAMMER: Yes.
ANDERSON: But he`s under contract to keep it all under wraps. That said, this is becoming the best-kept secret in Hollywood. It`s becoming so mysterious.
And there are brand-new reports today that Mariah Carey is in talks to become an "Idol" judge. I love Mariah. I think she`d be great. So we`ve got the Mariah reports. We`ve got the reports that Steven Tyler is a go for next season.
Megan, all of the mystery is kind of making me that much more curious. Is that how you feel or is it getting old to you? Just announce it already, Fox.
ALEXANDER: Yes, Brooke. I don`t know. I start to think the clock is ticking with "Idol." And Mariah Carey will be entertaining as a judge after a few cocktails. I think that they are continuing to push these different people.
But problem I have, Brooke, is in the beginning, it seemed that it was about encouraging the next generation. Even Paula, with all her kookiness, seemed to really care about these performers.
Now, it seems like these A-list celebrities just want the fame and the money and it`s no longer really about the talent. I`m worried about that.
ANDERSON: I hope not. Well, you know, with all this cloak-and-dagger "Idol" drama, we decided to take matters into our own hands here at SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
So we`re asking today in our exclusive poll - "`American Idol`: Who should be the next idol judge?" What do you think? Mariah Carey? Or how about Shania Twain? Maybe Harry Connick, Jr.? You can vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
HYLA: I like Mariah Carey out of the three that you mentioned. I mean, I personally would like to put Snooki in there somewhere. That`s going to really bring entertainment value, but -
ANDERSON: No more exposure for that pouf, please.
HYLA: Come on. No, absolutely. We love Snooki. But Mariah, out of the three - I think she brings the biggest music cred. And she`s going to bring the biggest personality.
ANDERSON: And teach those kids how to hit those super high notes.
HYLA: Yes.
ANDERSON: Hyla, Megan Alexander, thanks.
HAMMER: All right. We`ve got to move on now to the amazing transformations of Miley Cyrus, Angelina Jolie and Sarah Palin. What they said, what they did. Their dramatic transformations revealed today. It is a SHOWBIZ special report not to be missed.
Who will SHOWBIZ TONIGHT name as the most provocative celebrity of the week? Tyra Banks? Lots of backlash against her apparently going gaga over a scary skinny model. "Jersey Shore`s" Snooki, perhaps? Charged with being a pest. Maybe it will be Jennifer Aniston for saying the R-word on TV. What was she thinking?
OK. Is it nap time yet? You know what would be great right now? A Snazzy Napper.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Wearing the Snazzy Napper in the New York subway provoked both smiles and the cold shoulder. Would I be able to ask your opinion about this?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: What will they think of next? I am frightened to find out. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Now, it`s the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Mel Gibson spends an estimated $7.2 million a year on living expenses. Britney Spears and Lady Gaga neck-and-neck for most Twitter followers.
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ANDERSON: Madonna making big news today, and not in a good way. "People.com" reports the Material Girl is being sued over the rights to use the name "Material Girl" for her new kiddy clothing line. Madonna`s daughter, Lourdes, is the designer of the line with help from mom.
Well, another clothing company claims they have been using the name "Material Girl" for its brand of clothing for 13 years, and Madonna can`t use it too. No word yet from Madonna.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with A.J. Hammer in New York.
HAMMER: Well, Brooke, there is big news breaking in "The Buzz" today. New dramatic details revealed about Anna Nicole Smith`s drug use by the father of Anna`s daughter.
Michael Douglas` dramatic decision as he battles a throat tumor. Ricky Martin is now ready to tell-all in a new book about the famous and being gay.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER (voice-over): Ricky Martin is writing about living la vida loca. The singer is working on a memoir called "Me." According to the publisher, Ricky`s book, quote, "includes life-changing decisions including coming to terms with his sexuality." He admitted he`s gay earlier this year. "Me" is set to hit stores in November in both Spanish and English.
A tumor isn`t slowing Michael Douglas down. Twentieth Century Fox says the sequel to his 1987 movie "Wall Street" called "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps" will open on schedule on September 24th. Douglas will also get out there and do all those pre-opening media interviews.
Douglas was just diagnosed with a tumor in his throat and needs eight weeks of radiation and chemotherapy. Doctors expect Michael Douglas to make a full recovery.
Anna Nicole Smith drug bombshells. Larry Birkhead, father of Anna Nicole`s daughter, just testified that he saw Anna Nicole take lots of prescription drugs, but Anna insisted to him she wasn`t an addict.
Birkhead even says he tried to hide some her medicine. But Anna`s lawyer, Howard K. Stern, yelled at him for doing so. Birkhead also said he regularly saw Stern give her medicine. Stern and two of Anna Nicole`s doctors are on trial for allegedly conspiring to unlawfully provide excessive drugs to Smith.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: These are certainly disturbing new revelations. And big question today remains - could Anna Nicole Smith`s doctors actually be convicted?
With me, in New York, is Vikki Ziegler. Vikki is a family law attorney and author of a fine book called "Premarital Survival Guide."
So Vikki, Birkhead has made some pretty serious claims about Howard K. Stern. He said Howard enabled Anna Nicole`s addiction to methadone. And her doctors prescribed way too many medications to her.
So if a court finds them guilty - I, first of all, presume it`s a jail-able offense - how much time are they look at here?
VIKKI ZIEGLER, ATTORNEY AND AUTHOR: A.J., they`re actually looking at up to five years each to be incarcerated if actually convicted of the crimes.
And what are the crimes? There are 23 counts of felony, but we`re focusing on the conspiracy charges. And really, were there excessive prescriptions given to Anna Nicole Smith? And really focusing on, was she really an addict? Or did she really have chronic pain, which would allow these doctors to give her the pain medication.
HAMMER: Right. Then, it would have been OK. What Birkhead is alleging is it was excessive. She didn`t need all these drugs.
I know you`ve been paying attention to Birkhead`s testimony. From you`ve heard so far, do you believe that Howard K. Stern and whoever else is involved here should get locked up?
ZIEGLER: That`s a great question and I think there`s going to be so much more testimony. And I think this trial could go on for months. So I don`t think we have seen all of the testimony from the experts.
But at this point, Larry Birkhead basically said, "Yes. You know what? Howard K. Stern - he picked up her medications. I saw him give it to her. She was an addict. Everyone knew it. He said she could not live without methadone."
Those are harsh, harsh words. So there is a possibility, even though Howard K. Stern is not a doctor - he`s a lawyer held to some standard - he may be incarcerated along with those two doctors.
You know what? I wish I had a crystal ball, but this is going to be very interesting.
HAMMER: Isn`t it amazing we`re still talking about these guys? And it`s pretty poignant as well in that so much has been made, a really big deal about celebrities being enabled by doctors.
You`ve got Michael Jackson`s doctor awaiting trial right now for manslaughter. If Anna Nicole`s doctors are convicted, it would seem to me this could really help to shut down all the celebrity doctor shopping that goes on, couldn`t it?
ZIEGLER: Oh, my gosh. I think Hollywood is really looking with a deep eye here. They really need to be clear. If a judgment - if a doctor has poor judgment and he gives excessive prescription medication to celebrities, just because they are celebrities and they`re convicted, this could change the landscape in Hollywood.
It`s going to really, really make a difference at this point who is getting prescription medications and whose names they`re under.
HAMMER: Yes. I think it would really scare not only a lot of doctors, but a lot of celebrities, even some A-listers, probably. Vikki Ziegler, thank you very much. I appreciate it.
ANDERSON: Miley Cyrus, Angelina Jolie, Sarah Palin - what they said and did. Their dramatic transformations revealed today. It is a SHOWBIZ special report.
Super model smackdown, Tyra Banks, versus Janice Dickinson. The brand-new ugly battle over Tyra apparently praising a super skinny model. This is not going to be pretty.
Speaking of Tyra, we might name her SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s most provocative celebrity of the week. Maybe it will be "Jersey Shore`s" Snooki for getting charged with being a pest. Or it could be Jennifer Aniston for her R-word bombshell. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
HAMMER: And now, it`s the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Katy Perry denies reports she`ll be wearing latex when she marries Russell Brand. Katy Perry`s "Teenage Dream" tops iTunes song charts.
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ANDERSON: Courtney Love`s dramatic daughter drama revealed today. The trouble rocker just tweeted an extraordinary message aimed squarely at her now 18-year-old daughter, Frances Bean Cobain.
Courtney says she is seriously concerned for Frances` financial future, now that Frances is in control of her multimillion-dollar inheritance that was left to her by her dad, Kurt Cobain.
Courtney tweets, "I love you, but you`re 18 now. Don`t allow any guardianship to continue whatsoever. They`ll lie to you, tell you it has to. No, it doesn`t. For god`s sake, now that you`re of age, run like hell."
Courtney also tweeted Frances - she wants her to move in with her.
HAMMER: Wow. Well, Brooke, the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines have been ringing nonstop today. A lot of people really interested in speaking out about "Jersey Shore" star Snooki, because she has formally and legally been charged with being annoying.
ANDERSON: That`s right, A.J. Joseph just called in, and he`s shocked Snooki got busted for - well, for being Snooki.
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JOSEPH, CALLER: I did not know you could get arrested for being annoying and especially in this situation. There`s a lot of other things that she could be arrested for. But being annoying - I don`t see it. She is getting paid to be drunk on TV.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Thanks, Joseph.
HAMMER: Well, Brooke. Wait until you hear what Delores in Arizona has to say. She is happy that Snooki got in trouble and quite frankly hopes her "Jersey Shore" co-stars get in trouble as well.
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DELORES, CALLER FROM ARIZONA: Finally, someone has listened to me. I said before, they`re a bunch of fist-pumping morons, annoying pests. And why people want to rush home and look at this kind of garbage is beyond me.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Beautifully said, Dolores. Thanks.
ANDERSON: OK. Authorities claim Snooki, whose real name is Nicole Polizzi, is annoying. But is she the most provocative celebrity of the week? Or how about Tyra Banks? Lots of outrage over her being amazed by a scary skinny model`s super-thin waist on "America`s Next Top Model."
Or will a friend beat them all? Will we name Jennifer Aniston most provocative for her R-word controversy? We`re mere moments away from our big reveal.
HAMMER: Now, the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT lineup. Here`s what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
The super-scary skinny showdown. Is being super-skinny still in? Can women with curves kick thin models to the curb and off of the catwalk?
Miley, Angelina, Sarah - their amazing transformations today. It`s a SHOWBIZ special report.
And did you see this? This contraption is supposed to help you get some shut-eye. I don`t really know how. I`m thinking all the noise from people laughing is going to keep you up.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They don`t have to look at you with your mouth open while you sleep or -
MOOS: No. Now, they have to look at you, wondering, what is that thing on your head?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: 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: Lauryn Hill returns to Billboard chart for the first time in 10 years with song "Repercussions." Beyonce reveals what inspires her and why she`s so charitable in September "Self" magazine.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - amazing transformations. Miley Cyrus, Angelina Jolie. Sarah Palin - a revealing look at their dramatic changes. It`s a SHOWBIZ special report.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT names the most provocative celebrity of the week. The nominees - Tyra Banks and her scary skinny model controversy; "Jersey Shore`s" Snooki, charged with being annoying; and Jennifer Aniston, and the outrage surrounding her use of the R-word.
The Snuggie, the Slanket and now the Snazzy Napper?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS: Wearing the Snazzy Napper in the New York subway provoked both smiles and the cold shoulder.
(on camera): Would I be able to ask your opinion about this?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Plus, breaking today from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - a stunning Michael Jackson legal development. And Michael J. Fox returns to TV.
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
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HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It is 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer coming to you from New York City.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Today, a SHOWBIZ special report - amazing transformation. Angelina Jolie, Miley Cyrus, Sarah Palin - they are some of the most famous women in Hollywood and beyond.
And it may seem that they don`t have a whole lot in common, but they actually do. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is here to reveal the amazing ways Angelina, Miley and Sarah have all transformed themselves. And let me tell you, they are not the least bit shy about putting it all out there.
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ANDERSON (voice-over): Even in Hollywood, where makeovers are as common as movie sequels, the transformations of Angelina Jolie, Miley Cyrus, and Sarah Palin are nothing short of jaw-dropping.
CAROLINE SCHAEFER, EXECUTIVE EDITOR, "US WEEKLY": All three of them have had amazing transformations from when we first saw them.
ANDERSON: And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you, each of these three women announced their transformations with a roar that said, "I`m changing. Deal with it."
When Angelina Jolie burst onto the Hollywood scene in the mid-`90s, she quickly developed a reputation as a hell-raising wild child, talking openly about her bisexual relationships, and getting creepily cozy with a lip-smacking kiss with her brother at the Academy Awards, wearing a vial of her then-husband Billy Bob Thornton`s blood around her neck.
SCHAEFER: She was at total rebel, very open and honest about her sexual escapades.
ANDERSON: But soon after she adopted her first son, Maddox, in 2002, the transformation of Angelina began.
SCHAEFER: She made it her mission to sort of go around to different countries. She became a U.N. ambassador.
ANDERSON: Jolie roared about her new U.N. mission. And in her 2005 interview with CNN after receiving an award for her work with the refugees.
ANGELINA JOLIE, ACTRESS: I feel like the person I should be, there. I feel really connected to what really matters.
ANDERSON: And since getting together with Brad Pitt in 2005, she has become the mother of six children. On ABC`s "Nightline," Jolie roared that the new family-oriented Angelina Jolie is here to stay.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do you see yourselves growing old together?
JOLIE: Of course. We wouldn`t have six children if we weren`t absolutely sure of that.
SCHAEFER: She definitely has gone from this sort of rebel renegade to being sort of Santa Angelina.
ANDERSON: If you think Jolie`s transformation was extreme, take a look at Miley Cyrus. Let`s go back in time.
HAMMER (on camera): You seem very excited, Miley.
MILEY CYRUS, SINGER AND ACTRESS: I am.
ANDERSON: In 2006, then 13-year-old Miley Cyrus and her dad, Billy Ray Cyrus, stopped by SHOWBIZ TONIGHT for one of her first-ever big TV interviews. It was to promote their new show, something called "Hannah Montana."
M. CYRUS: I really enjoy it, especially getting to work with them.
ANDERSON: Just a short time later, "Hannah Montana" made Miley one of the biggest teen stars ever.
SCHAEFER: She got to post it on "Hannah Montana" for a couple years, then, done, you know, a "Hannah Montana Grows Up Movie" and then done a "Hannah Montana Has Kids" movie.
ANDERSON: But Miley went the other way, destroying her little-girl image with a roar that said, "I`m not a Disney princess anymore." Her controversial pole dance routine at the 2009 Choice Awards was Miley`s statement that she is growing up.
She later announced she was leaving "Hannah Montana," telling SHOWBIZ TONIGHT earlier this year, it was time.
M. CYRUS: I`m excited to move on to new things and new challenges.
ANDERSON: From wholesome teen star to video vixen in under four years.
When it comes to quick transformations, Sarah Palin`s was even faster than Miley`s. It`s been more than two years since the obscure governor of Alaska became a vice presidential candidate.
After losing the 2008 election, Palin roared that she`s not going away.
SCHAEFER: She was ready to move on from politics, at least temporarily.
ANDERSON: Sarah transformed herself into a media juggernaut. Speaking her mind, and publicly mixing it up on TV with her almost son-in- law, Levi Johnston -
LEVI JOHNSTON, EX-FIANCE OF BRISTOL PALIN: I have things that can - you know, that would get her in trouble and could hurt her.
FMR. GOV. SARAH PALIN (R-AK): He doesn`t have anything on me.
ANDERSON: Writing bestselling books and launching a new reality show on TLC.
SCHAEFER: She knows what to do to make a lot of money and also to get her name out there.
ANDERSON: Three different women. But their transformations had one thing in common. Each woman roared, and made the change on her own terms.
SERAFIN: Not because, oh, a publicist told them to do this or a pollster told them to do something. They`re doing this because they really believe in what they`re doing.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Wow. Those were some amazing changes, right? I still cannot believe how fast Miley Cyrus has grown up, and how much Angelina Jolie has changed. So to the SHOWBIZ Flashpoint today - whose transformation worked best? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is rolling out the report cards here.
Joining me from Hollywood, Tanika Ray, who is an entertainment journalist. Also from Hollywood, Jessica Weiner, who is an author and founder of the Actionist Network.
Ladies, school is in session. Let`s get to the grading. And I`ve got to begin with Miley Cyrus who famously quit her Disney show, "Hannah Montana," made headlines as a result of her pole-dancing at the 2009 Teen Choice Awards, and who danced provocatively in the middle of a birdcage for her music video for "Can`t Be Tamed."
I`ve got to say, I feel like her transformation has been really abrupt. So Jess, on a grading system of A through F - F being flunking, absolutely - what do you give Miley? I would give her a C-plus, I think.
JESSICA WEINER, FOUNDER, THE ACTIONIST NETWORK: I gave her a C-plus too.
ANDERSON: Ah.
WEINER: And I`ll tell you why. I think she is experiencing some normal transformations, actually. And I am a self-esteem expert and I care about the well-being of girls and their confidence. And I think she is not being the greatest role model, but she is being a teenager. So I kind of give her the C-plus because I want her to improve.
She`s not making great choices and she seems to be influenced by a lot of other factors. I don`t get a sense that it`s really authentic. I think she is trying to find herself. And I think, unfortunately, she has a very young fan base still that is confused by her transformation.
ANDERSON: Oh, boy. I got a whiplash. The whole thing was so fast. Tanika, Jess and I didn`t give her such a great score. How are you grading Miley`s transformation?
TANIKA RAY, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: Yes, I`m taking it one step lower, and saying just a regular old C. I think middle of the road is sort of what she has done here with her transformation. The problem is, we have seen this before. We`ve seen Britney do it. We`ve seen Hilary Duff do it.
WEINER: Right.
RAY: There is a small window of opportunity where you can transform from a child star and try to prolong your adult career. And I think she may have missed it by a year or so. But I think you`re right. When you`re a teenager, you`ve got raging hormones.
I think you want to express yourself and you want people to see you as you are today instead of the little girl that people are going to remember you by in "Hannah Montana."
ANDERSON: Yes. And you want things immediately - you want things immediately when you`re young.
RAY: Yes.
ANDERSON: I think if she eased into it, then her fans may be more easily, more quickly able to accept it.
OK. I do have to move now to Angelina Jolie, who transformed herself from a rebel into one devoted mommy. Angelina says that if the kids asked her to marry Brad, she would do it.
And she now confesses that Brad Pitt is the love of her life. And Angelina is getting very picky about her movie roles. She says family comes first. I`ve got to give this girl an A. Jess, how do you grade Angelina?
WEINER: I`m going to be a little tougher on Angelina, even though my caveat is I love her and I think she is an amazing role model for humanitarian efforts. I give her a B, because as a teacher, I want her to - to feel that there is a space for improvement.
ANDERSON: There`s always room for improvement, yes.
WEINER: And I think she would agree with that, actually. And I think Angelina is transformation-embodied. I think that she is growing up. I think she`s handled it as best she can. And most importantly, she takes her fame and she points the spotlight someplace else.
RAY: Yes.
WEINER: And maybe if I`m going to be in a good mood, I`ll give her a B-plus. I`ll give her a B-plus.
ANDERSON: Tanika. Are you giving Angelina a B-plus or, like me, an A?
RAY: No. Jess knows I`m giving her an A for Angelina. Come on. Come on. Here`s the thing. I think yes, she has transformed a lot. But I also think it`s more about evolution. You know, she has taken it, really been in touch with herself each step of the way.
So it hasn`t been shocking for us, if you really have paid attention. It really has been a woman who wanted to rebel and be crazy.
ANDERSON: Yes.
RAY: Then, it was like, "All right. Now, I want a child," and she had one child. And then, it was like, "Well, now I need to pay attention to that child and make that child first."
ANDERSON: Right.
RAY: So it has been a slow progression -
ANDERSON: Yes.
RAY: And has really been rooted in reality for her. And I really applaud her for what she has done.
ANDERSON: It certainly has been real. She is genuinely passionate about that humanitarian work. She is spending millions of her dollars of her money to help other people. So I give the girl an A. And she looks fabulous.
RAY: A - yes.
ANDERSON: I`ve got to move to former governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin to Sarah the reality star. You know, she famously quit her office as governor of Alaska, published a bestselling autobiography, signed on for her own reality show. Jess, how do you grade this transformation?
WEINER: All right. I can`t believe I`m going to say this, but I`m going to give her a D.
ANDERSON: What?
RAY: I`m going to give her a D.
WEINER: I know -
RAY: Yay!
ANDERSON: It`s almost a failure.
WEINER: It is almost a failure. I know what Tanika is going to say, but mine is going be for "delirious," OK? I think she came on the scene like an A. If you were going to grade her entry into our pop culture lexicon, she came in like an A, but has slowly gone downhill.
And I think the fact that she quit her job to go and make more dough, she is obvious. She`s transparent. I mean -
RAY: Oh, harsh.
WEINER: Yes, I know. I`m harsh.
ANDERSON: I`m going to give her a B and reserve judgment until her reality show airs.
HAMMER: The scary, skinny showdown. Is super-skinny still in?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The reality is, when it comes to the fashion industry, skinny will always win because that super-skinny model is still desired.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Lots of outrage today for Tyra Banks for apparently gushing over a scary-skinny model. Supermodel Janice Dickinson is slamming super model Tyra.
Will we name Tyra the most provocative celebrity of the week? Or maybe it will be "Jersey Shore" star Snooki? She was actually charged with being annoying. Or how about Jennifer Aniston for her R-word controversy?
All right. You`ve got your Snuggie. You`ve got your Slanket. And now, you`ve got your Snazzy Napper?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They don`t have to look at you with your mouth open while you sleep or -
MOOS: No. Now they have to look at you wondering, what is that thing on your head?
HAMMER: Yes. I mean, seriously, this thing just looks ridiculous. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Multimillion dollar lawsuit against Michael Jackson over failed reunion concert dismissed. Scarlett Johansson featured in Dolce and Gabbana`s new makeup campaign.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Well, it`s Friday. And of course, that means it is time for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT to name the most provocative celebrity of the week.
Our nominees today - Tyra Banks, "Jersey Shore`s" pouf-haired Snooki, and Jennifer Aniston. So who is it going to be? We`re moments away from revealing our pick.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York with Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
ANDERSON: A.J., just in today, there is a raging Hollywood debate today over the Tyra Banks` skinny-model controversy. Tyra is caught on camera appearing to fall in love with a model`s ridiculously small waist.
And that`s ignited the whole skinny-versus-curvy battle again, right as the fall fashion season kicks off. Here is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter with the scary skinny showdown.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KAREEN WYNTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Look at the fashion. This season, curves are making a comeback on catwalks around the world as designers pack their runways with fuller-figured models.
But here`s the real skinny. Despite all the lip service the fashion industry is paying to promote voluptuous women, some say thin is still in.
TYRA BANKS, JUDGE, "AMERICA`S NEXT TOP MODEL": You have the smallest waist in the world.
WYNTER: When Tyra Banks talks, people all around the world listen. So when she beamed over the size of this stick-thin model`s shockingly small frame in a promo for the new season of "America`s Next Top Model" -
BANKS: Look at this waist. There is something about her that I like.
WYNTER (on camera): Viewers didn`t like the message and Banks is now eating those words. She issued the apology and yanked the promo.
Veteran fashion model Roshumba Williams says when it comes to scary skinny, sadly, nothing has really changed.
ROSHUMBA WILLIAMS, SUPERMODEL: Because that super-skinny model is still desired.
WYNTER (voice-over): Even if it involves Photoshopping.
WILLIAMS: The reality is, when it comes to the fashion industry, skinny will always win.
WYNTER: Leaving plus-size models like Crystal Renn on the losing end. She recently made headlines over this altered photo of her size 10 frame. It has been digitally squeezed to a size two. Renn blasted the touch-up on the "Today" show.
CRYSTAL RENN, PLUS-SIZE MODEL: When I first saw the pictures, I have to say, I was absolutely shocked. I think I sat in silence for a good five minutes. But to change my model completely, and I think that - that`s not what I`m about. That`s not my message.
WYNTER: Another skinny model scandal involved Filippa Hamilton, whose story hit the "New York Daily News." She claims her photos for a Ralph Lauren ad were retouched and that she was subsequently fired for being fat.
Polo Ralph Lauren said the doctored photos were mistakenly released. The company said it parted ways with Renn (sic), quote, "as a result of her inability to meet the obligations under a contract with us."
But whether it`s altered pictures or insensitive promos, self-esteem excerpt Jess Weiner says these messages are damaging.
WEINER: The promo was cut to really shock viewers and to focus on this young woman`s tiny waist. And that`s why I think that`s where consumers have to pay attention, because that`s another message sending to us and to our children that thin is the one way to be and kind of glamorizing thinness.
WYNTER: Weiner tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, the upside of the downsizing trend is that people are once again talking about this wavy issue.
WEINER: Obviously, because it was Tyra, we paid attention, because, you know, she talks about body image so much. That 20-second blip was a good wake-up call.
WYNTER: For those in the fashion industry and beyond. But make no bones about it, skinny sells.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: So the backlash over Tyra`s super-skinny model controversy continues. But is it enough for her to be named SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s most provocative celebrity of the week?
Right now, in New York is Megan Alexander, who is a correspondent for "Inside Edition." And in Hollywood, it`s Hyla, who is an entertainment journalist for "5DollarPrep.com."
OK. Megan, Hyla, Tyra suggested in her apology that she wasn`t aware of the offensive skinny model ad before it aired on TV.
But today, former top model judge, Janice Dickinson, says that`s a bunch of bull. She tells "Access Hollywood," Everything they shoot is intentional. Don`t tell me different. I did it for five seasons. Tyra is the executive producer of that show. It`s her show. She is very controlling. She has her finger on that pulse. Trust me."
Whew! By the sound of that, I bet Janice would choose Tyra to be named SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s most provocative celebrity of the week. But Megan, does she make the cut for you?
ALEXANDER: She is a good nominee. She`s not my choice. But we heard the expression, "It happened on my watch." As the CEO and boss of "Top Model," which she is, she needs to take responsibility for everything that happens on that show and she did.
HAMMER: I`m glad that Tyra Banks at least apologized for the super- skinny top model promo, but she could be named SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s most provocative celebrity of the week.
Maybe it will be her. Maybe it will be "Jersey Shore`s" Snooki, charged for real with being annoying. Maybe Jen Aniston - she`s a nominee this week for her R-word controversy. Who will it be? Drum roll, please.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT names Jen Aniston the most provocative celebrity of the week. Hyla, did we get it right?
HYLA: No, you didn`t. It`s Snooki, just based on the paparazzi photos of J-Woww trying to pull her off the beach alone. You guys messed up.
ALEXANDER: Snooki, Snooki, Snooki, Snooki.
HAMMER: Well, I actually - well, obviously, you`re a Snooki there, too. And I`ve got to say, who gets charged for being annoying? The fact that it is Snooki, perfect, right?
ALEXANDER: Exactly, and I hope that she takes all the reality stars with her. They`re all guilty.
HAMMER: All right. But Jen Aniston all the same and to the point of the R-word, it is not just a word no more than the N-word is just a word. And I don`t care if it`s Jennifer Aniston that said it, nobody should say it. Megan Alexander, Hyla, thank you, both.
ANDERSON: You know, A.J. If we had the most provocative thing of the week, I think we might have a winner here that might be unanimous. Check this out, the Snazzy Napper.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS: Wearing the Snazzy Napper in a New York subway provoked both smiles and the cold shoulder.
Could I even ask your opinion about this?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Something tells me you aren`t going to be seeing this thing in the fall fashion magazine. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
HAMMER: It is time now to roll out the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - these are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Michael J. Fox returning to TV, will guest star on CBS` "The Good Wife." Orlando Bloom and Miranda Kerr expecting their first child.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: All right. Let see - you know, in our world of wonder, we`ve got the Snuggie, the Slanket. And now, ladies and gentlemen, I want to introduce you to the Snazzy Napper. Need a little shut-eye but just can`t shut your eyes? Check this out. Here`s CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Are you tired of napping using a cap or a sleeve to block out the light?
ANNOUNCER: The snazzy way to sleep while you travel.
MOOS: Move over Snuggie.
ANNOUNCER: The blanket that has sleeves.
MOOS: The Snazzy Napper is the new blanket on the block.
ANNOUNCER: Where do you snazzy nap? In the car? On a plane? Snazzy Napper is here.
MARGARET WILSON, DESIGNED PRODUCT: You put it here.
MOOS: It`s the brain child of Atlanta physician Margaret Wilson after she had to resort to putting a jacket over her head to sleep on a flight to London. She designed the Snazzy Napper.
WILSON: They don`t have to look at you with your mouth open while you sleep or -
MOOS: No, now they have to look at you wondering what is that thing on your head, as we discovered when we tested the Snazzy Napper and got giggles on a Central Park bench.
(on camera): You strap it on with Velcro.
(voice-over): There`s a hole for your nose with a metal strip.
WILSON: So that it would crimp to your nose.
ANNOUNCER: It`s like privacy in a bag.
MOOS: It comes in two sizes - small and large enough to wrap yourself up in.
(on camera): We think it`s the next Snuggie.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It looks ridiculous.
MOOS (voice-over): Wearing the Snazzy Napper in the New York subway provoked both smiles and the cold shoulder.
(on camera): Would I be able to ask your opinion about this?
(voice-over): My neighbors on the platform didn`t know what to make of me. Strange looks sometimes turned into outright stares.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What is that? A big bib?
MOOS: Someone tweeted, "If you wear this thing on a plane they`ll arrest you for terrorism." The Napper`s creator said she tried to make it look friendly by putting Z`s and a sheep logo on it. And there`s that non- threatening name.
WILSON: Snazzy, snazzy, Snazzy Napper!
MOOS: Down in the subway, the nappers soon have rappers, serenading you. It`s jazzy rather than snazzy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Snazzy Napper. Jazzy Napper.
MOOS: There`s even a contest. Win $100 by sending in your funniest photos.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Be sure to tell us time, date and location of the napping.
MOOS (on camera): This, by the way, is a no-no. The packaging explicitly says no smoking.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Where do you snazzy nap?
MOOS (voice-over): At the office, but only when I`m covering a Snazzy Napper. Or it`s covering me.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Jazzy Napper.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: The woman before those guys was CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. All right. Can we bring in Brooke Anderson here? Brooke, what do you think? I`m not going to put this over my face.
ANDERSON: Are you trying to take a nap there?
HAMMER: No. Well, I pretty much nap through my day as it is. I`m not going to put it over my face, but I`m thinking a cape, right? Yes, it`s pretty good.
ANDERSON: Trying to be the next superhero? That thing, when you put it on, it looks like an apron for your head. It`s hilarious.
HAMMER: It is. Here is your parting gift, Dave. That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is now live at 5:00 - 5:00 p.m. Eastern, Monday through Friday.
HAMMER: And TV`s most provocative entertainment news show seven days a week at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific.
END
