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Showbiz Tonight
Brand-New Buzz on Oprah`s Family Secret; Ted Williams` Rehab Shocker; Regis Philbin`s Pay Cut?; "Jersey Shore" Heading to Italy; Demi Moore`s Revelations to Brooke Anderson; Lindsay and Paris Duking It Out?
Aired January 25, 2011 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CARLOS DIAZ, GUEST HOST: Big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - brand-new buzz today over Oprah`s family secret. Oprah speaks out for the very first time since stunning the world revealing her long-lost half- sister.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OPRAH WINFREY, MEDIA MOGUL: My mother, Vernita, is also Patricia`s birth mother. That means Patricia is my half-sister who I never knew existed.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DIAZ: Are Oprah and her sister getting along?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WINFREY: We`re taking it slow. I think it`s about building a relationship.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DIAZ: A Ted Williams rehab shocker. The homeless man with the golden voice fails on rehab.
Regis` big pay cut? Hollywood still in shock today over Regis Philbin leaving "Live." And now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT investigates, did Reg quit over cash?
And breaking today, the "Jersey Shore" kids are heading to Italy? Oh, mama mia.
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(MUSIC)
Hi. I`m Carlos Diaz, in for A.J. Hammer. Brooke Anderson is at the Sundance Film Festival, and she goes one-on-one with Demi Moore for a SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview. That`s coming up.
But first, big news breaking today - the secrets behind Oprah`s secret. Oprah Winfrey spoke out today for the very first time since the bombshell revelation on her show that she has a secret sister, a sister she never knew and never knew she had.
It`s a discovery that Oprah says shook her to her core. Today, Oprah opened up to her best friend, Gayle King, about the story behind the story. And yes, that was on TV, too.
SHOWBIZ brings you the latest developments in this one-time secret family story that Oprah has just revealed to the world.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WINFREY: She`s a little angel baby sister.
GAYLE KING, OPRAH WINFREY`S BEST FRIEND: Yes.
WINFREY: I have a baby sister.
DIAZ (voice-over): Oprah Winfrey speaking out this morning on her friend Gayle King`s show about the bombshell Oprah dropped on her on show yesterday, that she recently discovered that she has a half-sister, a Milwaukee single mom named Patricia.
WINFREY: Yes, it is true. My mother, Vernita, is also Patricia`s birth mother. That means Patricia is my half-sister, who I never knew existed.
DIAZ: And this morning on her friend Gayle`s show, which airs on the new Oprah Winfrey Network, Oprah revealed even more details about her shocking announcement like why she`s going public now.
WINFREY: The thing that really irritates me is people saying that I did this for ratings.
DIAZ: And why she`s not quite ready to call her new sister her sister just yet.
WINFREY: Having been burned a lot of times in other relationships, I`m the kind of person that would like to take it slow.
ERICKA SOUTER, STAFF WRITER, "US WEEKLY": It`s understandable that Oprah is very cautious about this new relationship.
DIAZ: It`s been a busy time for Oprah. This is her final year on her talk show and she launched her OWN network earlier this month. And in the middle of all that, she was dealing with a family secret that had only recently come to light.
SOUTER: Forty-seven years ago, when Oprah was living in Tennessee with her father, unbeknownst to her, her mother gave birth to a daughter who she then gave away for adoption.
DIAZ: On her show yesterday, Oprah brought out her newly-discovered half- sister, Patricia, who had spent years looking for her birth mother, not knowing that her sister is the most powerful woman in media.
WINFREY: What has been the most - I don`t know - rewarding part of this for you?
PATRICIA, OPRAH WINFREY`S SISTER: Oh, getting my family.
WINFREY: Hello. There she is.
DIAZ: Oprah also aired home video footage of her and boyfriend Steadman Graham`s journey to meet Patricia for the first time this past November.
This morning, on Gayle King`s show, Oprah revealed for the first time the people closest to her, Gayle included, did not want her going public with the new family drama.
WINFREY: I will say neither Steadman nor you wanted me to (INAUDIBLE). Yet, Steadman kept saying - I kept saying, "Well, I don`t want the story to be ruled by the tabloids."
And he was saying, "So what? Nobody believes the tabloids." I go, "But it`s true." So then, I didn`t trust that it would be told in a truthful and fair way.
DIAZ: And now that everything`s out in the open, Oprah seems to be treating her new sister with a mix of openness and caution.
WINFREY: I`m open to having a sisterly relationship, but I don`t think you automatically have a sister relationship.
DIAZ: Why is Oprah so wary? Well, over the years, Oprah`s had her very own relatives sell secrets about her to the tabloids, but this new relative may be different.
On her show yesterday, Oprah was moved to tears but the fact that Patricia, who had known since 2007 that she was related to Oprah, did not sell her story.
WINFREY: What is so remarkable to me about this story - and it`s going to make me cry, so just be patient. Since I have been a person known in the public, there have been few times that I`ve been anywhere and not been sold out.
SOUTER: The fact that she kept this secret is very unusual. This is going to go a long way with her securing a very comfortable relationship with Oprah.
WINFREY: I see her as a blessing and as a gift.
DIAZ: And today, Oprah revealed this new discovery is mending her complicated relationship with her family.
WINFREY: She coming into the family at this time has been a great peace offering, a great symbol of peacemaking in this family, of relationships.
SOUTER: Oprah`s starting a new chapter of her life and this is another part of that new chapter. It has taken her life to a new direction. And lucky for Patricia and Oprah, they`ll be doing it together.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
DIAZ: All right. It`s really hard to believe Oprah discovered her long- lost sister, Patricia, after almost 50 years of not knowing her.
But the big question everyone wants to know today is, where do they go from here? Oprah has really embraced Patricia, but clearly, Oprah`s been taken advantage of in the past.
So let`s bring in "In Session" legal contributor, Sunny Hostin.
Sunny, does it surprise you how quickly Oprah has taken to her new sister given how she`s been burned by other past situations by her family?
SUNNY HOSTIN, LEGAL CONTRIBUTOR, "IN SESSION" ON TRU TV: It doesn`t surprise me. I mean, Oprah is all about living her truth. And you know, I call Oprah the oracle. I love Oprah.
And I think, you know, it`s proven. She knows that this is her sister. DNA tests have been taken, so it`s conclusive. And given that she`s living her truth, she`s entering this new phase in her life, I think, of course she`s embracing this experience.
What was shocking to me and we`re showing it on the screen - I was really offended by MAMA Winfrey. I don`t know.
DIAZ: Yes.
HOSTIN: There was just something about Vernita that was really off for me. And that, I think, was sort of the disappointing piece of this reunion.
DIAZ: Yes. Oprah has had a tough relationship with her mom in the past. You can kind of see that there in that interview.
And you have to wonder where does Oprah see this new sisterly relationship going? She answered that question with her friend, Gayle King, on her show on her Oprah Winfrey Network. Check this out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WINFREY: I had her to dinner at my house the night before we taped the show. We had conversations about her family and how I can be helpful. But you know, we`re taking it slow.
KING: Yes.
WINFREY: I think it`s about building a relationship, one conversation, one experience at a time.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DIAZ: All right. I think it`s a smart move for Oprah to take things slow for now. Let`s go to "Inside Edition" correspondent, Megan Alexander. Megan, how do you think Oprah is handling all this?
MEGAN ALEXANDER, CORRESPONDENT, "INSIDE EDITION": I think she`s handling it incredibly well. And you know, Carlos, we have heard the expression, "It`s lonely at the top," and Oprah knows this more than anyone else.
She has a hard time trusting people. You have to be so wary of your relationships. Patricia laid the groundwork for a great relationship by keeping quiet for three years.
And once she shared that she really want to know her family and to have that relationship, I think everyone thought, what a gift for Oprah, who has enriched so many people`s lives and helped so many other people.
You know, Carlos, it`s my prayer that Oprah will get that relationship with Patricia that she`s always wanted. I hope it`s there. I think they`re laying the groundwork for a great relationship. But we all know these things will take time. They will take time.
DIAZ: But Sunny, you mentioned - I mean, Megan, you mentioned a gift, you know, for Oprah. Sunny, let`s get real here. I mean, Patricia can`t get over the fact that she woke up one morning and was like, "I`m like Oprah`s sister. This is the best day of my life."
HOSTIN: Oh, man. Am I going to get a car? Yes. I mean, you know, Oprah`s so generous. She gives cars away. She gives trips to Australia away.
But Oprah has made it clear. Listen, we`ve talked about what I can do for her. We know - I mean, Oprah is a billionaire. She can do a lot for her sister and her sister`s children.
DIAZ: Right.
HOSTIN: But I think they`re going to take some time. This is by no means a gold digger. I mean, you know, she certainly has laid the groundwork. She didn`t sell her story to the tabloids.
ALEXANDER: Right.
HOSTIN: She`s not after money. And I think that goes a long way for Oprah in wanting probably to help her even more.
ALEXANDER: Yes.
DIAZ: Yes, Megan. How much does that play in, the fact she didn`t go to the tabloids? How important, quickly, is that for Oprah.
ALEXANDER: Oh, Carlos, you and I know in the day and age of everyone wanting to cash in, especially in the entertainment world, it is absolutely huge. It also speaks volumes about her children. They didn`t go as well. I think it`s very cool.
DIAZ: All right. Oprah also made some headlines recently when she offered to hire Ted Williams, you know, that homeless guy with the golden voice.
Well, there`s big breaking news today about Ted. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT just confirmed Williams has checked himself out of rehab after only 12 days. Dr. Phil was the one who convinced Williams to go to rehab because he was drinking again.
And today, here`s what Dr. Phil told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, "We`ve given Ted the chance to enter a rehab facility in order to deal with his dependency on drugs and alcohol. Ultimately, the decision to remain in treatment and to fully take advantage of this opportunity is his to make."
That leads us to our SHOWBIZ Flashpoint - will Ted Williams wind up back on the streets? Megan, what do you think?
ALEXANDER: Look, we all know that it`s a journey and it`s a process. Many people have entered rehab and then left, because it`s not a quick fix. You also need a support system.
Ted Williams just got reunited with his family, so that support system is still a work in progress. Dr. Phil has said that he`ll stay in touch with him. I hope he does just that and continues to work with him.
But I think that a lot of us saw this happening very, very fast, within a couple of days for Ted. Every homeless person has a story.
DIAZ: Yes.
ALEXANDER: My friend, Mike Yankoski, wrote a great book called "Under the Overpass." There`s a story of how they got there and there`s going to be a journey of how they finally get back into regular life. It`s a process.
DIAZ: Well, it is a process and we`re all hoping and praying for him. Sunny Hostin, Megan Alexander, thank you so much for joining us.
All right. How do you say grenade in Italian? Well, we`re all about to learn because the "Jersey Shore" is packing up and heading to Italy.
New details today about the show`s new season. You know, Italy gives us great food and fashion. We`ll give you Snooki. You`re welcome.
TV pastor Joel Osteen slams Elton John. Elton just revealed his baby joy to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. And he`s poured millions of dollars into charities. But the minister says Elton`s still a sinner for being gay.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOEL OSTEEN, TV PASTOR: I don`t believe his homosexuality is God`s best for a person`s life. I mean, sin means to miss the mark.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DIAZ: It`s the dramatic new war of words today. And Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton - are they getting millions of bucks to punch each other in the face? The SHOWBIZ truth squad is on the case today. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more news from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Best actress nominee Natalie Portman says she`s "grateful" for the Oscar nod. Best supporting actress nominee Amy Adams feels "emotional" about honor.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AMY ADAMS, ACTRESS: This is the first time that I`m going short with the film. The film is nominated and that`s so exciting because that really validates everybody who worked on the film and the town where we shot it. It`s a totally different emotional experience for me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Annette Bening for "The Kids are All Right," Nicole Kidman in "Rabbit Hole," Jennifer Lawrence in "Winter`s Bone," Natalie Portman in "The Black Swan" and Michelle Williams in "Blue Valentine."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DIAZ: The Academy Award nominations were announced early this morning in Beverly Hills. Actress Oscar nominee, Natalie Portman has already taken home a Golden Globe for her mesmerizing performance in "Black Swan," but will she dance off with an Oscar, too?
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Carlos Diaz, in for A.J. Hammer. Brooke Anderson is on assignment at the Sundance Film Festival.
Just in today, the secret story behind Natalie`s transformation into the "Black Swan." It`s a SHOWBIZ special report. Grueling hours, sweat, blood and blisters, Natalie Portman went through it all, thanks to one woman. Here`s SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KAREEN WYNTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A professional ballerina like the one played by Natalie Portman in "Black Swan" trains most of her life. Just ask Mary Helen Bowers. She`s been dancing since she was three.
(on camera) You really look like you`re moving through water.
(voice-over) The 10-year veteran of the New York City Ballet and founder of Ballet Beautiful began working a Golden Globe winner a full year before production began on the film.
(on camera) So when they came to you, and you got this gig. You`re working with amazing actress, Natalie Portman. What went through your mind?
MARY HELEN BOWERS, FOUNDER, BALLET BEAUTIFUL: I was so excited. And she was such a pleasure - she was so committed. And we trained so intensively that we caught her up and then pushed her forward and really made her into this professional ballerina.
WYNTER (voice-over): The transition was no easy feat.
BOWERS: It was really strenuous, five hours a day, six days a week. And some days, when she wasn`t on set, we would take it to, you know, five plus eight hours. There`s been a lot of tears shed, though, throughout this process.
WYNTER (on camera): I didn`t know that there were tears shed, but certainly a lot of sweat, blood -
BOWERS: Blisters.
(MUSIC)
WYNTER: You look like someone who has been doing for decades.
NATALIE PORTMAN, ACTRESS: Thank you. Well, Mary Helen was very instrumental in that.
WYNTER: Did you ever think, "I can`t do this. Let`s move on"?
PORTMAN: No. I really - I have to say I loved it. I mean, I`m a little bit, like, military. I mean, I really like - I have, like, discipline and hard-working and pretty geeky.
But I really loved the experience taking ballet. It`s so beautiful. And it was such an opportunity to work with these experts.
WYNTER (voice-over): Now, it was my opportunity to work with the expert.
BOWERS: Two - and we`ll just lift up to first position and stand up. Every ballet class begins with plies.
WYNTER (on camera): Did I do better than Natalie on her first time?
BOWERS: You did really well.
WYNTER: It was hard.
(voice-over) For the record, acclaimed actors and lucky news reporters aren`t the only ones who can learn from this pro.
BOWERS: You don`t have to be a professional ballerina to look like one.
WYNTER: Bowers` company, Ballet Beautiful, offers ballet-inspired exercise classes to anyone with a computer, turning ducklings into swans everywhere she goes.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
DIAZ: And here`s what Natalie tells us about her Oscar nomination today, "I am so honored and grateful to the academy for this recognition. Making `Black Swan` is already the most meaningful experience of my career."
"And the passion shown for the film has completed the process of communication between artists and audience."
MTV`s controversial new series, "Skins," is still getting under the skin of so many people. There is report today another major sponsor has pulled its ads from the show that features teen sex and drug use.
Our "Showbiz on Call" phone lines have been blowing up with people calling in to sound off on both sides of the debate.
We got a call in to the "Showbiz on Call" from Carmen in Ohio who thinks "Skins" can offer teachable moments.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CARMEN, CALLER FROM OHIO: I believe that it is a true portrayal of the kids these days. And I don`t think they should pull it.
I think it should be something that parents look at and see what their kids are getting into these days so we can be prepared and teach our kids that that`s not the way to be and not the road to go, be different, learn from this.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
DIAZ: All right, Carmen. Thanks for your opinion. Faith from Georgia dialed up to "Showbiz on Call" to say she disagrees.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
FAITH, CALLER FROM GEORGIA: I`m concerned that we`ve gotten to a point in this country where we don`t aspire for anything more for our kids. Even though it may be happening in the high schools, why should we allow it to be portrayed on the television in such a way that our children aspire to nothing more than sex, drugs and rock `n roll.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
Good point, faith. Thanks so much for your opinion.
All right. Now Regis Philbin`s big pay cut. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT investigates, did Reg quit "Live" over cash?
And new details about Bristol Palin`s new man. Who is this guy? And does mama grizzly approve? 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: Oscar nominations today - best supporting actor nominee Jeremy Renner. Best supporting actress nominee Jacki Weaver.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JACKI WEAVER, ACTRESS: I couldn`t sleep. I tossed and turned for a night. And just before my nomination was announced, I fell asleep so I missed it. And I found out because my phone started going crazy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The 2010 nominees for best performance by an actress in a supporting role are Amy Adams in "The Fighter", Helena Bonham Carter in "The King`s Speech," Melissa Leo in "The Fighter," Hailee Steinfeld in "True Grit," and Jacki Weaver in "The Animal Kingdom."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DIAZ: Fourteen-year-old Hailee Steinfeld, who stars alongside Oscar nominee, Jeff Bridges, in the movie "True Grit," received the big news today she`ll be competing in the race for best supporting actress on Hollywood`s biggest night.
I`ve got to imagine that Hailee is still pinching herself, asking herself, "Is this really happening?" And Hailee joins me right now on the phone from Beverly Hills for a SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview. Hailee, first off, congratulations.
HAILEE STEINFELD, ACTRESS (through telephone): Thank you so much.
DIAZ: So tell me, how does it feel to officially be known as an Oscar nominee?
STEINFELD: It`s - I`m still in shock.
DIAZ: Well, of course your movie, "True Grit," received a whopping 10 nominations today. I`ve got to say the critics have been raving about you and your co-star, Jeff Bridges. I want to take a look at you in action right now.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEINFELD: Can we depart this afternoon?
JEFF BRIDGES, ACTOR: We? You`re not going. That is no part of it.
STEINFELD: You have misjudged me if you think I`m silly enough to give you $50 and watch you simply ride off.
BRIDGES: I`m a bony U.S. marshal.
STEINFELD: That weighs but little with me. I will see the thing done.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DIAZ: All right. I`ve got to imagine that working alongside Jeff Bridges, who won the Oscar last year for his starring role in "Crazy Heart," was an absolute thrill. Hailee, did Jeff give you any advice?
STEINFELD: Yes, he did. I think the best advice that he`s given me overall is to not take anything too seriously, to have fun with it. And he`s given me the perfect example of that.
But throughout this whole process, he`s just, you know, been encouraging me every step of the way and I`m so thankful for that.
DIAZ: Hailee, we can talk about, you know, acting all day long, but I`ve got to ask you the most important question of all. What about the dress? Any idea of what designer you`re going to wear or what color or what you`re going to be wearing to the Oscars?
STEINFELD: I have no idea. I actually, like - I guess I can`t say I haven`t even thought about it because I have. But I don`t really have, like, an idea yet. I`m not sure. I`m really bad at making decisions so I`m just looking forward to, you know, seeing my options first.
DIAZ: Keep your options open, Hailee. Great job and congratulations on your best supporting actress nomination.
STEINFELD: Thank you so much.
DIAZ: All right. Thanks so much. All right. Now the showbiz lineup - here`s what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
The "Jersey Shore" kids - they`re heading to Italy? They gave us wine. We give them Snooki. Really?
Demi Moore is one hot mama. She`s revealing to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT how she keeps things steamy for hubby Ashton Kutcher.
Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton - are they getting $1 million to punch each other in the face? Thank you. Yes, that would be awesome. The SHOWBIZ truth squad is on the case today. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
DIAZ: Big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - the "Jersey Shore" kids are heading to Italy. Oh, mama mia!
Regis` big pay cut? Hollywood is still in shock over Regis Philbin leaving "Live." SHOWBIZ TONIGHT investigates - did Regis quit over cash?
Sir Elton John slammed for being gay. Did mega-church Pastor Joel Osteen call Elton a sinner?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OSTEEN: I don`t believe his homosexuality is God`s best for a person`s life. I mean, sin means to miss the mark.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DIAZ: More of that explosive interview coming up right here.
Plus, breaking news today from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - Jeff Bridges talks to us about his Oscar nomination. And why his Oscar host and nominee James Franco is so darn nervous?
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC)
DIAZ: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It`s 30 minutes past the hour. I`m Carlos Diaz, in for A.J. Hammer. Brooke Anderson is on assignment at the Sundance Film Festival. She`s going to be joining us in a few minutes with a great interview.
But first, the big news breaking, the big ruckus over Reg. The brand-new mystery today about why Regis Philbin suddenly announced he was leaving "Live with Regis and Kelly."
Did he quit over money? Or it was time just to ride off into the sunset? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has brand-new information today about why Regis really decided to leave the show.
Right now with me in New York, Megan Alexander, who is a correspondent for "Inside Edition." And right now, in Hollywood, it`s been scientifically proven that Ken Baker knows everything there is to know about entertainment news. He is the chief correspondent for E! Entertainment.
All right. There are rampant reports today that Regis leaving "Live with Regis and Kelly" because during contract negotiations, ABC wanted to cut his salary.
It was pretty big, an astounding $18 million to $20 million a year. So what does Regis have to say about all these reports? He`s just spoken out for the first time. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REGIS PHILBIN, CO-HOST, "LIVE WITH REGIS AND KELLY": You know, we never reached an agreement on the contract, but I made up my mind a long time ago that I - you know, 28 years, in the same studio. Am I right or am I wrong? Am I right or am I wrong? I`m right.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DIAZ: All right. Regis pretty evasive about the real reason he left. Megan, do you think money played a role?
ALEXANDER: I really don`t. I`ve got to tell you, the guy is 79 years old. He`s had an incredible career in this business, 28 years on the show.
I just don`t believe it, Carlos. I think he was already thinking it was time to try something new. And you`ve just got to wonder at what point, you know - he has enough money, $18 million to $20 million. I mean, how much is too much? I really think there are other factors here.
DIAZ: All right. But there`s a brand-new interview that`s revealed today, Regis pointblank says all those reports about contract negotiations were rumors. Watch what Regis said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know, the fact that they were going to pay you less (INAUDIBLE).
PHILBIN: I don`t know what they were going to pay me or what it would have wound up being, but I`m done.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DIAZ: OK. I`m confused here and, Ken, help me out. If Regis had already decided he was retiring, why would he be negotiating a new contract?
Ken, that doesn`t make any sense. Does it point to money? It does to me.
KEN BAKER, CHIEF CORRESPONDENT, E! ENTERTAINMENT: Well, you never really know what`s going on behind closed doors with these negotiations. One thing to keep in mind is that he has said very clearly he`s not retiring. He`s going away for one hour, five days a week.
There`s a lot of hours in the day. Regis is tireless. I`ve work with him. You probably have. Everybody in this business has basically worked with Regis. We know how much loves to work, how much he loves to be on camera.
He just told David Letterman last week he`s not going anywhere. So we don`t know if the terms of the negotiation maybe are about other things that he wanted to do and they wanted to just keep him on the show.
It`s clear - he`s made it clear he`s sort of done. And was pointed out, I mean, he`s going to be turning 80. I`m sure he wants to do everything he loves to do and more while he still can have a really great career.
DIAZ: Yes. I hope to see him soon. I`m a big fan of Reg. And I have a feeling he`s going to be gone about a week and he`s going to say, "OK, you got me right now."
ALEXANDER: Right.
DIAZ: He`s got that kind of energy. All right. If you`re looking for more outrage today, I`ve got it for you right here. Are you ready for this?
This just in to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - "Jersey Shore" is going to Italy. Yes. MTV revealed today season four of the show will be set in Italy.
I`m talking spaghetti and real Italian people, the moon hitting your eye like a big pizza pie and all other things.
Megan, I`m thinking real Italians are going to be mortified once these characters show up on their turf especially Snooki.
ALEXANDER: Well, if you follow the antics and scandals of current Italian president, Silvio Berlusconi, I think he has more in common with "Jersey Shore" than he probably wants to admit.
DIAZ: Touche.
ALEXANDER: But I think - yes, the Italian culture is beautiful. I think it would do this cast very well to be there and I hope they soak it up.
I hope that they`re allowed in the country. I`m not sure if all the red tape has indeed been cleared away. So Carlos, we`ll see.
I think the show had to do something. You can only have so many catfights and drunken brawls, guys with no shirts on for so long.
DIAZ: Well, that video right there I don`t think is going to fly in Italy. Now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that already today, Italian-American groups were pretty riled up over this situation.
One group called Unicos issued this statement saying today to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, "That old expression -`The Ugly American` - will have new meaning from what the cast of "Jersey Shore" will foist on the people of Italy."
"We will all be painted by the outrageous, violent, law-breaking, insulting, inebriated, sex-wild bimbos and buffoons that inhabit the world of the "Jersey Shore"." Ken, do they have a point?
BAKER: You know what? I think they`ve been to New Jersey. They`ve been to Miami. You know, we`ve seen them all around the country. They`re running out of places to go and maybe they think if they go to Italy, they can get away with more because everyone else is on to them.
They`ve been seemingly arrested in every city in this country already. So you know, they`re going to take it abroad and see what they can do.
ALEXANDER: Hoping they`ll do something for Italy`s economy.
DIAZ: This is like a Borat moment, though. This is not going to turn out well. All right. Just for fun, let`s hear a word from our favorite "Jersey Shore" girl, Snooki. Let`s hear this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NICOLE "SNOOKI" POLIZZI: Oh, my god. This is, like, what I`ve been waiting for my entire life. He`s gorgeous, but he`s Irish. I kind of like all-Italian but, you know, we`ll mix it up.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DIAZ: Oh, my gosh.
ALEXANDER: Wow.
DIAZ: Megan, any chance real Italian men are going to say, "Grazie," and say, "We like Snooki. Yes, please. Come. Come for some more."
ALEXANDER: Oh, as someone who has been to Italy, the people are so charming. The Italian language is absolutely gorgeous.
I`m telling you, I hope that that culture rubs off on the "Jersey Shore" because they could really use it. They could really use the Italian charm.
All right. I want to move on now to more outrage and controversy today. You know, it is Oscar time. The nominations were announced today and everybody`s talking about Natalie Portman.
She got a best actress nomination for her role in "Black Swan." She`s already won a Golden Globe for her performance.
But the big difference this time is that she`s now going up against Annette Bening and she also won, of course, at the Golden Globes. She was nominated for best actress at the Oscars for "The Kids are All Right."
I`ve got to ask, Ken, are you on team Portman or team Bening?
BAKER: Well, I think it`s clear this is Natalie Portman`s year. And I think that she won the Globe. She`s been nominated for every major award. She`s been winning them.
And it just seems like she has the momentum and there is sort of group- think in Hollywood when everyone sort of gets on the bandwagon it ends up sort of going to the same destination, and that destination right now is landing for best actress into Natalie Portman.
BECK: Well, I`ve got to tell you, I was really surprised that top 10 movies nominated for best picture. Yes, and two movies surprised me, "Toy Story 3," a mass appeal movie. Then there`s "Winter`s Bone," a movie that very few people have seen or even heard of.
I`ve got to ask you guys both, real quick. First off with Megan, Which surprised you more? Was it the fact that "Toy Story 3" was nominated or that "Winter`s Bone" was nominated?
ALEXANDER: Actually, both of them. And I`ve got to say, Carlos - I`ve said this before - I don`t think "The Social Network" should get best film. I know they got it from Golden Globes.
DIAZ: OK. I`m cutting you off right there.
ALEXANDER: OK.
DIAZ: That is the best film of the year.
ALEXANDER: "Inception" should get it. "Inception."
DIAZ: All right. Ken, she`s talking crazy. What do you think? "Winter`s Bone" or "Toy Story 3" - which one surprised you more?
BAKER: Well, I think people who are students of the Oscars over the years, the animated feature category alone is just a new category. And the fact they`re putting it into - or nominate it for best film is really remarkable.
DIAZ: What`s the best film, Ken, real quick?
BAKER: "King`s Speech," come on. Let`s be real.
DIAZ: All right. Megan Alexander, Ken Baker, thank you so much. I love you, guys. You guys are awesome.
All right. Moving on now, popular TV pastor, Joel Osteen, slams Elton John. Get this - he says Elton is a sinner for being gay.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OSTEEN: I don`t believe his homosexuality is God`s best for a person`s life. I mean, sin means to miss the mark.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DIAZ: More of the incredible headline-making interview coming up.
Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton - are they being paid $1 million to duke it out in a ring? I think I need to get the SHOWBIZ truth squad on this one.
And revealed today, has Bristol Palin finally moved on from her last boyfriend? What was his name? Oh, yes, Levi. You know, the one who posed for "Playgirl"? The one Sarah Palin definitely did not care for? All right. 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: Oscar nominations today - Jeff Bridges up for best actor for "True Grit." Colin Firth gets second best actor Oscar nod in a row.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
COLIN FIRTH, ACTOR: What I felt last year, you know, your head spins when you hear the news. And what I felt last year was - it doesn`t even have to get any better than this, really.
I mean, if you wait 50 years for something, you know, and you hit a moment like this, you know, it`s celebration enough. So I`m just thrilled to be at the party.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
DIAZ: Let`s get ready for a Hollywood showdown. An outrageous report today, Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton have been offered $1 million to box. That`s right - to box.
I had to get to the SHOWBIZ truth squad on this one. And Paris` rep just told us, no, it`s not going to happen. But just for fun, let`s look at this match-up. Lindsay is 5`5", 105. Paris is 5`8" and weighs about 115 pounds.
Lindsay wears a size seven heel. Paris is an 11. Now, the tale of the tape might say Paris because of her reach, but my money would be on Lindsay. I`ll bet she has a killer right hook. Just saying.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Carlos Diaz, in for A.J. Hammer. Brooke Anderson is at the Sundance Film Festival and goes one-on-one with Demi Moore in a SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview in just a second.
But first, the Material Girl`s big decision. Why Madonna dumped "Gossip Girl`s" Taylor Momsen as the face of her kid`s clothing line. And does Bristol Palin have a boyfriend? She sets the record straight today. Plus, Bret Michaels has heart surgery. Let`s get to the big news right now in "The Buzz Today."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANNOUNCER (voice-over): Bret bounces back again. We`ve just learned that Bret Michaels had surgery in Arizona to fix a hole in his heart.
Doctors put a device in the 47-year-old rocker`s heart to keep him from having a stroke. Michaels, who won "Celebrity Apprentice" last year, previously suffered a so-called mini-stroke but docs say he`s just doing fine now.
Hey, it`s Kelly, the Material Girl. Madonna has just revealed that Kelly Osbourne will become the new face of her Material Girl fashion line.
Madonna designed the line with her teenage daughter, Lourdes. Osbourne replaces controversial "Gossip Girl" star, Taylor Momsen.
Madonna says, "We`ve had a long-time crush on Kelly and featured her as one of our cool `peeps.` The spring line is fabulous and Kelly O rocks it." OK. If you say so.
Bristol Palin`s got a new man? Bristol has just confirmed she`s in a new relationship, but wouldn`t say who the new guy is.
Palin made the revelation in a radio interview and talked about her custody issues with the father of her child, Levi Johnston. Bristol denies reports she was changing her son`s last name from Johnston to Palin.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
DIAZ: Now, an exclusive SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview with Demi Moore. Demi Moore is at the Sundance Film Festival promoting two new films. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s very own Brooke Anderson was the only person who got to go one-on-one with Demi.
BROOKE ANDERSON, HOST: The Sundance Film Festival attracts celebrities by the truckload. And I got a chance to sit down with one of the most talked about stars here, actress Demi Moore.
Demi has two films in the festival, a financial thriller, "Margin Call" with Kevin Spacey, and a dysfunctional family drama, "Another Happy Day," co-starring the terrific Ellen Barkin and Kate Bosworth.
I spoke with Demi about those two films and about why Sundance is particularly exciting for her this year.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DEMI MOORE, ACTRESS: This is my first time having a film here.
ANDERSON (on camera): Really?
MOORE: And so last night - I`ve been here when my husband`s had a film. But this is my first time. And I had seen the film and knew it was good, but I was really blown away by the experience.
ANDERSON: And then you have a second movie here, "Margin Call" -
MOORE: Right.
ANDERSON: That people can identify with that as well because of the financial collapse of 2008 and everything that happened. Talk to me a little bit about what that movie is.
MOORE: I have to say I stepped into that film with a two-day notice. The actress that was going to play my role had a conflict when the dates changed. And as a friend and we share the same manager, and so the -
ANDERSON: Who was the actress?
MOORE: Carla Regina.
ANDERSON: OK. Yes.
MOORE: And she said, "I love Demi." And so they asked me and they said, "But we would need you here in two days."
ANDERSON: Wow.
MOORE: And I really felt like it was an amazing script, but a world I have not a clue.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: "Margin Call" has already been bought by Lions Gate so you`ll probably see it in theaters later this year. Now, our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook fans submitted questions they wanted me to ask Demi, so she happily talked about her secret to looking great, what her career aspirations would be if she weren`t an actress and how she keeps her romance with husband Ashton Kutcher alive and fresh.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(on camera) OK. Tina asks, "I just want to know how cool is it to have a man like Ashton and how you keep the romance alive? Love you guys."
MOORE: He`s an incredible human being. And I think you keep romance alive by never taking anything for granted. And I think you look at each day as the first day.
Then you see it always as what might be as opposed to what it already is. And I think, you know, we really believe that, you know, it`s important to work on the relationship when it`s good.
ANDERSON: Any more kids in your future?
MOORE: You know, I`m totally open to it.
ANDERSON: Sally, "How do you always look so amazing? What`s your diet?"
MOORE: Well, thank you.
ANDERSON: Which you do -
MOORE: You know, I eat really healthy. And I would say clean diet. I don`t do anything really extreme, but I would say a lot of green vegetables. A lot of green vegetables.
ANDERSON: Great. Great. OK. Rich asks what career would you have chosen if you had not gone into acting?
MOORE: I`m not sure, but I would say I think that areas I would have been interested in would probably have something to do with homicide and forensics.
ANDERSON: Why did I think you were about to say that, or psychology, maybe?
MOORE: That could be in there because I think they all come together. But I`m really captivated, yes, by psychology and actually spent some time at the FBI Academy with a profiler.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Demi and Ashton are also very passionate about their foundation, DNA. They are working to help fight human-trafficking. Back to you.
DIAZ: All right. Brooke, thanks so much. Moving on now, I think this next story is awful. Elton John slammed today for being gay by bestselling author and Pastor Joe Osteen. Joel says he thinks Elton John is a sinner. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OSTEEN: I don`t believe his homosexuality is God`s best for a person`s life. I mean, sin means to miss the mark.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DIAZ: More of Osteen`s startling interview, coming up next. Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Oscar nominations today, "Toy Story 3" gets nod for best picture. Host James Franco up for best actor "127 Hours."
DIAZ: Time now for the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT buzz list. Here`s what the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT staff is buzzing about this week.
"Going for Gold." Discovery Channel`s Alaska gold rush is awesome. Season two of "Archer" starts this week on FX. We love super cool spy Sterling.
Vook is very cool. It`s the iPhone app that lets you read a book, watch videos and more. Vook!
Talk show host, Wendy Williams, has a new game show. "Love Triangles" debuts this spring on the Game Show Network.
Debi Mazar`s "Extra Virgin" on the Cooking Channel is deliciously good. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I would wait until the moment the guest arrives to use the club soda.
DEBI MAZAR, HOST, "EXTRA VIRGIN": Yes. OK.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Always wait until the last minute. If you mix the club soda with the wine too much in advance, the sparkle will go away.
MAZAR: Since when does sangria have club soda?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Since always.
MAZAR: Oh I didn`t know. That`s what was wrong with mine.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ELTON JOHN, MUSICIAN: Kids only say what their parents say. The kids aren`t making those decisions. They`re parroting what their parents are telling them.
And so, as parents, we have duty to try and change the way we tell our children we have to be more compassionate, have to be more understanding of different people in this world.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DIAZ: Sir Elton John admitting to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that his newborn son, Zachary, may face teasing growing up because of having two dads. Elton wants all parents to teach their kids to be more tolerant.
But there`s shocking lack of tolerance today. Elton is being called a sinner for being gay. Of course, Elton John and his partner, David Furnish, are the proud parents of a baby boy born via surrogate on Christmas Day.
David and Elton tied the knot back in 2005. The couple makes no bones about how their lives are their lives. But are they sinners?
Mega church pastor, Joel Osteen, seems to think so and he`s revealed to CNN`s Piers Morgan.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PIERS MORGAN, HOST, "PIERS MORGAN TONIGHT": If I have - say, a friend of mine like Elton John -
OSTEEN: Yes.
MORGAN: Watching this at home who, with his partner, civil partner, David Furnish, has just had a surrogate child which was born on Christmas Day. They are going to be pretty angry with what they hear. They`re going to think, who are you to call them a sinner?
OSTEEN: Yes.
MORGAN: Why are they sinners in your eyes?
OSTEEN: It`s strictly back to what the scripture says. I mean, can`t grab one part and say, "God wants you to be blest and live an abundant life," and not grab the other part that says - you know what? You know, live that kind of life.
I just - you know, it comes back to the scripture. I`m not the judge. You know, God didn`t tell me to go around judging everybody.
MORGAN: I`m not show sure, though, you see. I think you are a kind of judge.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DIAZ: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT reached out to Elton John to get his response on Osteen`s comments. His reps say he`s traveling and will not be commenting at this time.
Check out the entire interview with Pastors Joel and Victoria Osteen on "PIERS MORGAN TONIGHT," Wednesday at 9:00 Eastern on CNN.
All right. Monday, we asked you to vote in our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive poll. And I just received the final results. We asked, "Jennifer Aniston, nominated for worst actress in the Razzie awards. Does she deserve it?"
Forty-eight percent of you say, oh, yes, she does. Fifty-two percent think that Jen does not deserve it because she is a terrific actress.
Here are some of the E-mails we got. Jorge from Texas thinks Jen deserves a Razzie saying, "She tends to play the same girl next door role all the time. She is not willing to take risks."
And Jamie from Kansas thinks Jen is a fabulous actress, "I think Jen Aniston is a terrific actress. She has been making all of us laugh for years."
That`s SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Carlos Diaz. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is live at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Monday through Friday. And don`t forget, we`re still TV`s most provocative entertainment news show seven days a week at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific.
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