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Showbiz Tonight
Charlie Sheen`s War; Whoopi Vs. The "New York Times"; Billy Ray Cyrus: "Hannah Montana" Destroyed My Family"
Aired February 15, 2011 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
A.J. HAMMER, HOST: Big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (voice-over): A Cyrus shocker. Miley`s dad`s unbelievable revelations today that Hannah Montana destroyed his relationship with Miley. Why he says Miley`s in danger right now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BROOKE ANDERSON, HOST: Saving Charlie Sheen? Brand new outrage today after Charlie`s shocking interview.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHARLIE SHEEN, ACTOR: I heal real quickly, but I also unravel pretty quickly.
ANDERSON (voice-over): Why Charlie`s in such a hurry to get back to work. The "Showbiz Flashpoint" today, could "Two and a Half Men" really save Charlie`s life?
HAMMER: The unbelievable Bieber backlash. Justin Bieber`s fans on a rampage today after the Biebs lost the Best New Artist Grammy. Are they totally out of line or is their outrage actually a good thing?
ANDERSON: Whoopi Goldberg`s all-out war with the "New York Times" today over an article about African-American Oscar winners.
WHOOPI GOLDBERG, HOST: This is the "New York Times," not some bozo newspaper from Huchi Kuchi land.
ANDERSON: Does the "Times" owe her an apology or did Whoopi overreact?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (on-camera): TV`s most provocative entertainment news show --
ANDERSON (on-camera): Starts right now.
HAMMER: Hello, I`m A.J. Hammer coming to you from New York City.
ANDERSON: Hi there, everyone. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with big news breaking today. Charlie Sheen`s war.
HAMMER: Yes, Brooke. Charlie is speaking and sparking a whole new battle today on the heels of his outrageously candid radio interview where he was joking about using crack and being bored with sobriety. Well, today, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you, Charlie Sheen is giving his bosses two and a half headaches. Charlie now claims he is ready to get back to work on his hit show, "Two and a Half Men," but CBS won`t let him. And today, CBS is striking back with a truly provocative message to Charlie and all of his fans.
My question is, is this now the beginning of an all-out war? And if Charlie doesn`t get back to work soon, is he just going to spiral out of control again? Joining me right now from Hollywood, Carlos Diaz. He`s a syndicated radio host, and right now in Hollywood, Shaunie O`Neil. Shaunie is a cast member and executive producer for VH1`s cool new hit show "Basketball Wives."
So, "Two and a Half Men" has been on this forced production hiatus now ever since Charlie`s last purported wild night. You got to check out this new message that the show`s co-created Chuck Lorre just revealed right on TV after the last original episode just aired. Brooke, what did this say?
ANDERSON: It said a lot, A.J. Look at this. "I exercise regularly. I eat moderate amounts of healthy food. I make sure to get plenty of rest. I see my doctor once a year, and my dentist twice a year. I floss every night. I`ve had chest x-rays, cardio stress tests, EKGs, and colonoscopy. I see a psychologist and have a variety of hobbies to reduce stress. I don`t drink. I don`t smoke. I don`t do drugs. I don`t have crazy, reckless sex with strangers. If Charlie outlives me, I`m going to be really pissed."
HAMMER: Wow! There is no hidden agenda about that, whatsoever. Carlos Diaz, out to you. It sounds to me like things between Charlie and his bosses are just incredibly rocky. Do you think this could turn into an all-out war that could wind up being the end of "Two and a Half Men"?
CARLOS DIAZ, SYNDICATED RADIO HOST: No, A.J. You know better than anybody, you`ve interviewed Charlie before, Charlie gets the joke. And he understands and appreciates a joke, and that`s what this is. It sound like a joke if you ask me because it`s really funny, and it`s really honest, and that`s what we strive for. We always want honesty in this business, and that`s what`s happening here.
The producers are being honest, and they`re saying, you know what, we`re as healthy as can be. We`re going to be mad if Charlie Sheen happens to outlive us. And Charlie, I think, is going to get this joke and will be fine with it.
HAMMER: I also think it`s a bit of tough love making sure that Charlie really knows that they know exactly what`s going on and that the audience knows exactly what`s going on, because I think that`s the loss on Charlie quite a bit, and obviously, there`s a lot of money at stake here. And last night`s show, hey, still number one, of course. Now, Shaunie , you know all about onset drama with your show, "Basketball Wives." What do you think? Could this kind of drama between the bosses and the star be the final unraveling of the biggest sitcom on TV?
SHAUNIE O`NEIL, "BASKETBALL WIVES": I don`t think so. I mean, although, I do think it`s funny, I think that they are dead serious. You know, production is about making the show happen ,and you have a lot of people on staff, and it`s all very scheduled. And, you know, one person not showing up, one person kind of messing up the flow does just create a monster. So, although, it was said in a funny way, I think that there was a message like let`s get our stuff together and get back going because the show must go on.
HAMMER: Yes. A lot of seriousness behind it, even if it was a bit of a joke. There`s another reason to worry about Charlie today. You got to listen to this part of Charlie Sheen`s outrageous radio interview of the "Dan Patrick Show." He says he is sober now, but he`s suggesting, hey, that may not last. Listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHEEN: I know. (INAUDIBLE) I`m not in AA. I don`t believe in it, you know? It`s off and on. You know, I was sober for five years a long time ago and just bored out of my tree and decided, you know, this is inauthentic. This is not who I am and like that. You know, I didn`t drink for 12 years and, man that, first one, Dan, wow!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. So, Charlie is saying CBS won`t let him back to work until the end of the month, but from the sound of it, I`m thinking, you know what, maybe they should for his own good, even though that sound like a dumb idea. That brings us to our "Showbiz Flashpoint," could Charlie`s work actually save him? Carlos, what do you think?
DIAZ: If it does save him, and he did say, you know, I`m here. I`m ready to work, but I can be derailed really quickly, that sounds really interesting thing as far as the ratings go, because CBS can go if you don`t watch, Charlie could die. So, it`s going to like keep watching `Two and a Half Men," if not, the consequences could be dire. By the way, are we actually quoting Charlie Sheen from a sports talk show? Are we actually living "Two and a Half Men" right now? We`re in a sitcom right now.
HAMMER: And that`s a good idea. You know, Carlos, if they put the onus on the audience to save Charlie Sheen. I don`t feel that at all. Shaunie, what do you think? I mean, he clearly needs time to rehab, but could his work actually wind up being the thing that saves him in your mind?
O`NEIL: I could very well see that. I mean, I couldn`t see how it would hurt him to be actually working every day. It might cut out some, you know, extracurricular activities. And I think you guys are totally right. We are like in the midst of a sitcom right now, because, now, I want to see what the work is like when he gets back.
HAMMER: Well, the ladies of "The View" certainly had a lot to say about this today. Watch what they were saying.
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JOY BEHAR, HOST: He says he`s bored when he`s not high. Well, who isn`t?
GOLDBERG: I think it`s probably safer when he`s working. I think it`s probably easier for him if he has a focus. You know, weekends are rough if you`re -- if you start, you know, walking around the house, you just think, OK, I`m going to stay straight. I`m going to stay straight. OK. It`s after 10, I was straight. For seven minutes, I`m out and I`m high.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: It seems like a whole bad excuse to me, and I struggle with the idea of Charlie getting back to work so soon, and perhaps, too soon. But, Brooke, he says, you know, he uses when he gets too bored. Do you think it makes sense for him to get back to work ASAP?
ANDERSON: Possibly, but I really think his issues are deeper and more complicated than let me just go back to work, problem solve, everything`s good, because the interview he did, the worst that he said, the tone that he used, the guy needs help. He sounds like he is in a very unstable, precarious situation right here.
HAMMER: Denial.
ANDERSON: A.J., I really hope I`m wrong. I really do. And, you know, Whoopi Goldberg, we just heard from her, and she may be all fired up about Charlie Sheen, but she`s got another fish to fry today. Whoopi is steaming mad at the "New York Times." She says they left her out of an important article this weekend about African-American actors who have won Oscars. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOLDBERG: It`s very hard not to take it personally. You know, there`s a lot of stuff that, you know, people say and do, but this is sloppy journalism. Everybody kind of knows, people in Somalia know. I know it`s hard to believe, I`m a worldwide person who is known. It was 70 years between Hattie McDaniel, the first black woman to win and me. 70.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: OK. But the "New York Times" tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that it`s not their fault. It`s the way Whoopi read the article. They say, quote, "The error lies with those who are reading the story incorrectly. The point of the piece was not to name every black actor or actress who`s been awarded in Oscar, it was a draw a comparison between the number who won prior to 2002, the year Halle Berry and Denzel Washington won, and those who have won since. And the story states very quickly that in 73 years prior to 2002, only seven black actors, actresses won Oscars."
Carlos, I read the article and it is accurate in the way it was written. The actors they mention by name specifically mainly are after 2002, and she won in 1991, but I understand how her feelings got hurt here.
DIAZ: Yes. You know, not being black, not ever having won an Oscar, I can`t relate in those two ways, but I can tell you this, I applaud Whoopi Goldberg for being honest, because a lot of times, behind the scenes, people will read something and they`ll be offended and they won`t bring it out to the set, but she brought it to the set. She was honest about it. I applaud her for that.
ANDERSON: Yes. I applaud her, as well. She, obviously, felt very strongly about it as she should. She won an Oscar. It`s a big deal. Carlos Diaz, Shaunie O`Neil, thank you both.
HAMMER: All right. Got to move on to the Miley Cyrus shocker today.
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HAMMER (voice-over): Unbelievable revelations today from Billy Ray Cyrus, Miley`s dad. His stunning claim that Hannah Montana destroyed his relationship with Miley. I feel pretty badly for Billy Ray about all this.
ANDERSON (voice-over): The Gaga-Madonna copycat controversy heats up today. Gaga even says she has proof that Madonna doesn`t think she`s copying her at all. But we`re asking, do you think Gaga is ripping off Madonna? And check this out, the Snooki dog.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What`s the hair style called?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Snooki.
JEANNE MOOS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): "Jersey Shore" meets hoity toity Westminster show dog.
Can I touch the Snooki?
HAMMER: Could the dog with the "Jersey Shore" hairdo actually take home best in show? Get ready for some paw pumping coming up. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN, news and views.
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HAMMER (on-camera): Time for the "Showbiz News Ticker," more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom, making news today.
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(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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DWAYNE "THE ROCK" JOHNSON, ACTOR/WRESTLER: After seven long years, finally, finally The Rock has come back!
ANDERSON: The Rock is coming back to the ring. Did you see this today? Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson says he`s returning to wrestling in a very big way. The Rock will host WrestleMania 27 on April 3rd in Atlanta. The Rock left wrestling about seven years ago to do movies. He says, this time, he`s not going anywhere.
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ANDERSON (on-camera): Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood, A.J. Hammer in New York.
HAMMER: And Brooke, lots of big news in the buzz today. We got Taylor Swift`s secret crush revealed today.
Tiger Woods is serving up a big I`m sorry today. What the heck is he apologizing for now?
And you would think this somehow defies logic, but Johnny Depp is a huge Justin Bieber fan.
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HAMMER (voice-over): Johnny Depp, Bieber fever. Depp has just revealed exclusively to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that he is a gigantic Justin Bieber fan. A premiere for his brand new movie, "Rango," Johnny explained why he`s got the fever.
JOHNNY DEPP, ACTOR: The kid`s, he`s a very, very important talent, and the couple of times that I`ve met him, I was truly impressed because he`s got a real solid head on his shoulders. He seems very sweet, real grounded, real down to earth, you know? Seem like he`s going to handle it well. My daughter worships him
HAMMER: Tiger`s spitting mad mess. Tiger Woods is begging forgiveness after unleashing huge etiquette outrage by spitting on the 12th green of the golf tournament in Dubai. Tiger just tweeted his apology saying, "The Euro Tour is right. It was inconsiderate to spit like that and I know better. Just wasn`t thinking. I want to say I`m sorry." Woods will also pay an unspecified fine.
Taylor`s enchanted Valentine. Taylor Swift`s secret crush has been exposed. Adam Young from the band "Owl City" is gushing about Taylor on the band`s blog after figuring out her song "Enchanted" is likely about him. "I was lost for words and utterly smitten. I couldn`t stop smiling."
He also revealed lyrics for a song he wrote back to her. "You`re a true princess from a dreamy fairy tale, a modern Cinderella. I`m terribly sorry it`s taken me such a long time to reply, but I figured Valentine `s Day was the perfect time to write this note to you and simply say I was enchanted to meet you too."
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ANDERSON: Modern Cinderella. Talk about a sweet Valentine`s Day note. Sounds like Taylor squirm and like forgetting personal through her music is paying off in more than just record sales. Oh, I hear cupid calling.
I want to bring in "Inside Edition" correspondent, Megan Alexander. Megan, I think that Taylor has got to be flattered by that really romantic Valentine. Are you predicting this guy will give Taylor inspiration for another hit love song? Because on the one hand that could be dangerous, Megan, if he ever dumped her, if they ever broke up because look at what happened with John Mayer.
MEGAN ALEXANDER, "INSIDE EDITION" CORRESPONDENT: Exactly. Her pen is a dangerous weapon, but, Brooke, here we are once again dazzled by the marketing genius of Taylor Swift incorporated. We`re talking about another one of her songs, and who it`s written about, and this time, it may just score (ph) her a date, I guess. It`s fun to have a positive story instead of her bashing one of her former crushes --
ANDERSON: It certainly is. We`re not just talking about Taylor, but now, Adam Young from Owl City gets some publicity, too. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT reached out to Taylor Swift, who is currently touring in Asia. As of show time, we have not heard back from her.
All right. Another big story just in today. Johnny Depp doesn`t want his kids to follow in his footsteps. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT caught up with Johnny while he was out promoting his new animated film "Rango." Johnny is proud papa to 11-year-old Lily Rose, eight-year-old Jack, so we had it know what he thought about them potentially becoming actors someday. Watch.
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DEPP: I`d be horrified. Once you`ve been on the, you know, campus grounds for as long as any of us have, you know, you have a great understanding of the amount of rejection that is involved, you know, initially and, you know, right on through, you know. There`s also just -- you know, you would hope that they`d want to do something a little more, I don`t know, you know, it`s like anything.
You want your kid to be Picasso. You want your kid to be like a great painter or a great poet or something like that. You don`t want them to have to have a boss.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: All right. I Think Johnny Depp is a caring, wise father. He`s certainly seen a lot of fellow actors lead miserable lives. It`s not always like that. Many of them are very successful, very happy, very responsible, but, Megan, what do you think? As talented an actor as Johnny Depp is, I would think his kids may have acting in the genes. So, do you think that Johnny needs to prepare himself possibly for the inevitable? That they could be destined for showbiz? And would that be a bad thing?
ALEXANDER: Yes, exactly. He`s arguably one of the most successful actors of our time. So, while, he has seen a lot rejection, he`s also seen a lot of success. He knows it`s a long hard road to climb, though, Brooke, and he may not want that for his kids. However, Picasso, Van Gogh, they struggled with depression. I mean, an undisturbed (ph) poet. They go through a lot --
ANDERSON: Rocky times for them as well. Good point. Megan Alexander, thanks.
HAMMER: Moving on to a Cyrus shocker. Miley`s dad`s unbelievable revelations today.
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HAMMER (voice-over): Billy Ray Cyrus claims Hannah Montana destroyed his relationship with Miley. Now, Billy Ray says Miley is in danger.
ANDERSON (voice-over): The unbelievable Bieber backlash. Justin Bieber`s fans on a rampage today after the Biebs lost the Best New Artist Grammy. Are they totally out of line or is their outrage actually good thing?
HAMMER: And Kim Kardashian, Paris Hilton, have they finally, finally stopped fighting today? Maybe there`s hope for world peace after all.
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN, news and view.
Now, the "Showbiz News Ticker," more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom, making news today.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I just wanted to see who the dragon warrior was.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How interesting.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Master, are you pointing at me?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Him.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Who?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Me?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The universe has brought us the dragon warrior.
HAMMER: Jack Black is the voice of Po in "Kung Fu Panda." And now, today, I can tell you he`s got a real panda named after him.
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HAMMER (on-camera): Get ready for some serious cuteness today and get ready to say aw. Jack Black was at the Zoo Atlanta for the naming ceremony for a newborn panda, and the little fella got the name Po.
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HAMMER (voice-over): Now, Po is the name of the panda Black voice in "Kung Fu Panda." So, when we caught up with Jack at the premiere of "Kung Fu Panda 2," we just had to ask him. What did he learn from meeting Po?
JACK BLACK, ACTOR: I learned that pandas are real bears. They`re not like a sweet little -- like a baby dog`s puppies. Bears when they`re born, and they`re little, they`ve still got sharp, powerful talons. Very cute, but also to be dealt with carefully.
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HAMMER (on-camera): Po is the only giant panda born in the U.S. in 2010 now. According to the zoo, Brooke, Po means precious or treasure, which certainly applies, but I think we should all heed Jack Black`s advice should we have run into a panda bear.
ANDERSON (on-camera): I think so, too. Po is definitely a precious treasure, but maybe a little too young to enjoy a party. He was squirming and making his presence known like real babies --
HAMMER: Spoken like a true mother.
ANDERSON: All right. Let`s move now to Simon Cowell. We got to talk about this because there`s a lot of talk that he`s mad at Jennifer Lopez. Well, "People" magazine reports that Simon is not upset with J.Lo for signing on as "American Idol" judge instead of coming to work for his new show, "X-Factor."
Lopez reportedly really wanted to do Simon`s show, but when Simon fond out J.Lo was talking to "Idol," he dropped the offer out of respect to the "Idol" folks. So, "X- Factor" debuts this fall. J.Lo may be off the market, but we`ve said this before, A.J., look at Paula. Simon and Paula could reunite. Bring the drama.
HAMMER: Man, I think that would be the greatest move he could possibly make.
We`ve got to move on now, though, to the showbiz line-up. Here`s what`s coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
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HAMMER (voice-over): We`ve got a Cyrus shocker to deal with Billy Ray Cyrus, Miley`s dad, and his incredible claims that Hannah Montana actually destroyed his relationship with Miley, and that Miley is now in danger.
The Gaga-Madonna copycat controversy is heating up today. Gaga even says she has proof that Madonna doesn`t think she`s copying her at all, but we`re asking, do you think Gaga is ripping off Madonna?
And a shocking Rihanna lawsuit. She`s being sued over her S&M video. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN, news and views.
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HAMMER (on-camera): Time for the "Showbiz News Ticker," more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom, making news today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
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(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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HAMMER (voice-over): Big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. A Cyrus shocker. Miley`s dad`s unbelievable revelations today that Hannah Montana destroyed his relationship with Miley.
ANDERSON (voice-over): Stunning Justin Bieber backlash today. Bieber fans outraged the Bieb lost the Best New Artist Grammy. Are Bieber fans out of line or is their fury justified?
HAMMER: The brand new pint-sized star, rocking Snooki`s signature style today.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What`s hairstyle called?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Snooki.
MOOS: "Jersey Shore" meets hoity toity Westminster show dog.
Can I touch the Snooki?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Touch it.
HAMMER: A Snooki dog. Oh, believe it.
Plus, breaking today from the "Showbiz News Ticker," Roseanne returns to TV and "Jersey Shore`s Ronnie`s dramatic court showdown.
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
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HAMMER (on-camera): 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 (on-camera): And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with big news breaking today. Mad over Miley.
HAMMER: Yes, this is wild. In a brand new interview with "GQ" magazine, Miley Cyrus` dad, Billy Ray, he`s making some unbelievable revelations today about his daughter`s missteps. In the bombshell interview, Billy Ray tackles all of Miley`s blunders. So, let`s go to the showbiz news line right now to see exactly what Billy Ray is talking about.
Take you back to April 2008, Miley`s naked photo scandal, when she posed in Vanity Fair, remember that? She was wrapped in a sheet. And then, we move on to August 2009, it was Miley Cyrus`s pole dancing scandal that took place at the Teen Choice Awards. Flash forward to November 2010. The underage drinking scandal. Miley was in Spain. She`s out on the town and seen cradling a beer. And then, December 2010, Miley`s birthday bong scandal.
Now, Billy Ray addresses all of this in a brand new interview just revealed today. Listen to what he`s saying. He`s saying every time the train went off the track, Vanity Fair, pole dancing, whatever scandal it was, her people, every time, they put me, somebody`s shooting at Miley, put the old man up there. Well, I took it because I`m her daddy and that`s what daddies do. OK, nail me to the cross, I`ll take it.
And I think what Billy Ray was saying he was happy to take the heat because, yes, as her father, that was his responsibility. I really believe -- and he said other things that implied this in the article, he was also acknowledging he deserved the heat. Let me bring it to Carlos Diaz. Carlos is a syndicated radio host joining me from Hollywood.
Carlos, I think Billy Ray was relieved to acknowledge his part in Miley`s missteps, but some people are saying it actually sounds like a bunch of warning saying he was being used as a scapegoat. What do you think?
DIAZ: Well, you know, I mean, if he`s talking about Hannah Montana, you know, bringing his family down and tearing his family apart, well, then, you know, I agree with that. And as soon as he gives back all the money he made of Hannah Montana, I`d agree with it more. I mean, here`s the bottom line. Miley Cyrus has turned 18. He can no longer control her.
So, now, he`s kind of like lashing out saying, these things kind of in a past tense kind of way because he doesn`t control what she does anymore. This is him reaching out to her saying, you know what, I don`t want to you make these mistakes as you get older kind of a thing.
HAMMER: Yes. Another case, I think, of tough love being played out in public. Let me throw this to Megan Alexander, correspondent for "Inside Edition." Megan, even if Billy Ray was being used as a scapegoat, didn`t you get the sense from what he said that he really did feel a sense of responsibility for Miley`s bad behavior?
ALEXANDER: I think he`s a good guy who is feeling a lot of regret right now, A.J. What did Billy Ray say in all of those interviews for so many years? He would say I tried to be Miley`s friend. I want her to have a good time and enjoy the ride. Billy Ray is learning what so many parents have learned the hard way. You can`t be a friend to your child, you need to be a parents.
As what Carlos said, now, he said in that article that he didn`t make a dime off of Hannah Montana. It`s interesting, though. He certainly participated. He was right there. It helped his country music career be somewhat resurrected. He also was on "Dancing with the Stars." He wasn`t passive. I mean, he was right there in the mix.
He should have put his foot down, and this is a great conversation for all parents watching that want to get their kids into showbiz, you have to be a parent. You can`t look the other way. You`re the one that needs to put your foot down and say, hey, it stops here.
HAMMER: Yes. And if you read the article, you do get the sense that he acknowledges that now. What are his motivations? I don`t know. I don`t know if it`s just because he`s come to the realization or now that that show`s behind him, he can say whatever he wants to say, but also in the interview (ph) that was revealed today, Billy Ray blames Miley`s handler for that whole birthday bong scandal.
You remember, Miley was caught on camera apparently smoking that legal (ph) herb, salvia, he claims that the reason he stayed away from bash, the birthday bash while all that took place was he didn`t want anybody to think he liked the idea. Billy saying, it was wrong. It was for 21 years old and up. Once again, all them people. They all wanted me to fly out. So, that then, when all the bad press came, they could say daddy endorsed this stuff.
I started realizing, I`m being used. If I would have went out there, I would have been right in the middle of this stuff that`s going on right now with the bong. They`d be hanging it in my blank. I had the common sense to not do that is basically what he said. I say smart move. He obviously didn`t have the power to stop it, but it sounds like, at least, he made it clear he thought it was a bad idea and proved it by staying away. Carlos, are you with me?
DIAZ: I`m with you on that one. I mean, if he`s at that party, forget about it. You`re going to come down, Billy Ray Cyrus, like a ton of bricks. So, he was wise to stay away from that party with now moving forward, I`m wondering if we`re going to have a disconnect between Billy Ray Cyrus and Miley Cyrus. Are we going down the Britney Spears or Lindsay Lohan route of the 18-year-old rebelling now against the father?
HAMMER: Setting up for a sharp divide here. Listen to what Billy Ray said about Miley`s hit show Hannah Montana.
"The damn show destroyed my family, and I sit there and go, yes, you know what? Some gave all. It is motto, and guess what? I have to eat that one. I some-gave-all`d it all right, and I some-gave-all`d it while everybody else was going to the bank. It`s all sad."
I thought it was big of him to say that actually. This is the show that changed his life, change his family`s life for the better for a time, but became part of the expression, this cautionary tale, and it`s very sad to me. Megan, do you think people are going to feel any sympathy for Billy Ray right now?
ALEXANDER: Well, I think he maybe will get a little bit, but I think many parents will say, look, it`s time for you to do what you can right now. And I actually disagree with both of you, guys. I think he should have gone to that party, pulled her out, and said, we`re going home. You`re 18. This is a 21 in that club. We`re leaving. I mean, why didn`t he try to --
(LAUGHTER)
ALEXANDER: I know we all laugh, but, you know what, you never stop being a parent. Yes, she`s 18, and yes, she`s making a lot of decisions on her own, but he can still be involved in her life. I think, you know, you feel sorry for yourself for so long, and then, you say, OK, hey, what can I do from here forward?
HAMMER: Brooke Anderson, I got to tell you, I like Billy Ray Cyrus. I don`t know that he`ll get a lot of sympathy when people believe --
ANDERSON: Yes. Some people are not going to have sympathy for him, A.J., because this is the life they chose with the career path that they pursued and with allowing Miley to get involved with this sort of thing so young, but at the same time, he is clearly very anguished. He has a lot of regrets. He wants to turn back time. He wishes he could do things differently. So, A.J., like you say, it is all a cautionary tale, and it all is pretty heart wrenching, pretty sad to me.
I do have to move now, though, to even more big breaking news today. The unbelievable Bieber backlash. Fans of cute little Justin Bieber are on a rampage since the Biebs lost the Best New Artist Grammy Award to Esperanza Spalding. Now, Bieber fans have been attacking the poor jazz singer and musician on her Twitter page. Some even hijacked her Wikipedia page. Carlos, as crazy as this sounds, do you think all this negative attention could actually help Esperanza?
DIAZ: I`m going to try do this without being emotional because --
ANDERSON: I can see the tears forming in your eyes.
DIAZ: Because my Biebs, my Biebs was robbed, all right? And I won`t have this kind of robbing going on. That`s all I`m saying. But, you know, I mean, come on. I mean, Justin Bieber is going to win so many different awards coming up in the future. Kudos to Esperanza Spalding, a household (ph) name, but kudos to her. I`m glad she got the award.
You know, she shouldn`t be hacked online. Bieber fans shouldn`t come down on her. It`s not her fault. Blame the Grammy people. Don`t blame this beautiful person, this amazing artist, but in all honesty, and this is a grown man saying this, the Biebs was robbed. He was robbed.
ANDERSON: I could see the tears in your eyes. But, you know, I think congratulations to Esperanza. Bieber fans, simmer done. He`s got plenty of time to win a Grammy. He`s still crying over here. Carlos Diaz, Megan Alexander, thanks.
HAMMER: You know, Carlos was crying after the Grammys on Sunday night.
All right. Let`s move on now to the stunning Gaga-Madonna copycat controversy.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (voice-over): Now, Gaga says she`s got cold heart prove today that Madonna doesn`t think she`s copying her style and sound.
ANDERSON (voice-over): Kim Kardashian set the record straight today about her monumental feud with Paris Hilton. Are the former BFFs, BFFs once again?
HAMMER: Plus, a new pint-sized stars, rocking Snooki`s signature hair poof. We are introducing you to Snook-dog. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN, news and views.
Time for the "Showbiz News Ticker," more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom, making news today.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The guy like, I guess, security (ph) and thought he was like bad ass tough guy and came back at us and that`s when Ronnie just like ran.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That`s one shot. That`s one shot
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(SINGING)
HAMMER (voice-over): Just in today, Rihanna`s brand new S&M stunner. Photographer, the great David LaChapelle is suing Ri-Ri for unspecified damages. Now, LaChapelle claims Rihanna`s music video for her new song S&M rips off LaChapelle`s, quote, "feel, tone, mood, setting, wardrobe and more." Basically, he`s accusing Rihanna of stealing his style.
Now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT reached out to Rihanna and LaChapelle`s comment. David LaChapelle says this is not personal, strictly business. No word from Rihanna.
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HAMMER (on-camera): Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York, Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. And Brooke, I hear Madonna is speaking out today about that old big Gaga copycat controversy.
ANDERSON: Yes, A.J. Madonna goes Gaga. There`s been nonstop speculation over Gaga`s just released latest single "Born This Way" and how much it sounds like one of Madonna`s biggest hits "Express Yourself." Well, today, Gaga is facing the music head on. Is Gaga a copycat? In a brand new interview this morning on the AMP Radio Morning Show with Carson Daly, Gaga answers the question once and for all.
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VOICE OF LADY GAGA, SINGER: The two are not related in the slightest. The good news is that I adore Madonna, and I`ve worked with her a few times and spent time with her. She`s wonderful and amazing, and she sent her complete love and support for the record.
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ANDERSON: All right. I want to bring in my good friend, Hyla, who is the co-host of nationally syndicated radio show, "The Hollywood Five Countdown." Hyla, I think there is some Madonna flavor here in "Born This Way," but I believe Gaga that she is not intentionally copying anybody, but I think she is influenced, of course. What do you think? Is Gaga a copycat?
HYLA, CO-HOST, "THE HOLLYWOOD FIVE COUNTDOWN": Well, first of all, what big pop artist isn`t influenced by Madonna? If you have a little Madonna flavor in your song, that sounds pretty delicious to me. That`s not a bad thing. I know Gaga was also on my buddy`s show, JTU, in New York that airs tomorrow, and she takes it as a compliment. So, here, we have Madonna endorsing it. I think Lady Gaga`s creativity speaks for itself over her body of work the last couple of years. This is something that people in the press, I think, are drumming up. It`s a little ridiculous.
ANDERSON: Well, Gaga also mentioned in another brand new interview that Madonna did actually endorse it, did e-mail her sending her support. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT reached out to Madonna`s spokesperson who says she`s not aware that Madonna sent Gaga an e-mail. So, she did not deny that Madonna did do that. I want to bring in Shaunie O`Neil right now, cast member and the executive producer of VH1s great hit show "Basketball Wife."
Shaunie, to Hyla`s point there is always some imitation between artists, especially, Madonna. And even Madonna was compared to other artists back in the day. So, why are people making themselves crazy over this?
O`NEIL: I have no idea because I think that that`s a good thing. You know what I mean? If someone`s copying you, you must be doing something right. So, I mean, although, Lady Gaga is extremely creative and original in her own way, so what if she took a little something from Madonna and many other artists I`m sure. She kind of scrambled a bunch of people out and made her own idea.
ANDERSON: I agree. That`s why I think --
O`NEIL: Absolutely.
ANDERSON: All right. Now, we want to hear from you. Vote in the "Showbiz Exclusive Poll," Lady Gaga accused of copying Madonna. What do you think? She is or she isn`t? Head over to our website, CNN.com/showbiztonight.
Now, there`s more big news breaking today about Kim Kardashian and Paris Hilton. A.J., what is that all about?
HAMMER: All right, Brooke. Well, this is really something. In a brand new interview today with Harper`s Bazaar, Kim reveals she and Paris Hilton have fallen out of touch, even after years of traveling and partying together. She says we don`t really talk. As I always say, everyone comes into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime, and she was in my life for a long time. There comes a point in life where you just grow apart, and you realize, you`re not as similar as you thought.
Now, Kim K. did not say why she and Paris stopped talking, but Hyla, a lot of people do think it`s because Paris is jealous of how famous Kim has become, and I got to tell you, I wouldn`t be surprised. What about you?
HYLA: No, not at all. I mean, they were little tiny kid friends back in the day, pre-school. And the way Kim Kardashian playing this right now is fantastic. Listen, Kim Kardashian, she is a smart business woman. You don`t see her unlike Paris in the clubs, getting out of limousines inappropriately, getting drunk, getting in trouble. That`s not her MO. She wants to be successful at what she`s doing.
And the way that she kind of rekindled this relationship with Paris, hanging out with her at interschool party, it was Kim that approached Paris. So, she owns this story. She controls it. She put it into motion. It`s just part of the big Kardashian master plan, and I love it.
HAMMER: And of course, to further the story, there was a report, Radar Online saying that at a Grammy`s after party over the weekend, Paris reportedly liked what Kim said in that article so much that the two kissed and made up. I actually think Kim is just fine without Paris Hilton in her life. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT did reach out to Kim and Paris to find out if they have, in fact, made up because we need to know, but we have not heard back as of show time today. Hyla, Shaunie O`Neil, thanks, guys.
ANDERSON: All right. A brand new twist today in the explosive, and I do mean explosive battle between Star Jones and "Real Housewives of Atlanta" star, Nene Leakes. Star Jones who is one of the original of "View" co-host breaks her silence in the pages of "Life and Style" magazine responding to Nene`s big diss. These two also star on "Celebrity Apprentice."
Now, just a few days ago, Nene told talk show host, Wendy Williams, she would not, quote, "spit on star if she were on fire." Ouch. Now, check out what Star is saying about the whole thing today. Star said, "I did "Celebrity Apprentice" to raise money and awareness for a charity, the American Heart Association. That has been instrumental in my life, not to see it reduced to a cliche where black women attack one another for publicity sake. I haven`t commented in hopes that she would remember that. I was clearly wrong and I decided to finally respond."
Star Jones had heart surgery last year. And I`m telling you, this is probably not the last time we hear about Star versus Nene.
HAMMER: Oh, goody. Moving on to barking photographers. Pooches (INAUDIBLE) including one that looks like Snooki?
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MOOS: What`s the hair style called?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Snooki.
MOOS: "Jersey Shore meets hoity toity Westminster show dog.
Can I touch the Snooki?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Go ahead, touch it.
HAMMER (voice-over): This is perfect to me. A pint-sized pup with the "Jersey Shore" star`s famous hair poof. We have got the nitty-gritty doggy details coming up next.
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN, news and views.
Time to roll out the "Showbiz News Ticker," here come more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom, making news today.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I know we`ve had our battles in the past, but I want to offer my assistance to you and Kathy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That`s funny, Jack. You see, the only thing that Kathy and I need assistance with is deciding which John Mayer song to do it to.
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HAMMER: "Jersey Shore" has gone to the dog, literally. Did you see this? There`s a pint-sized pooch prancing around the prestigious Westminster dog show today with Snooki`s signature hair poof. So, the question is, will it win best in shore -- I mean show? Here`s CNNs Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
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MOOS: Fans of Kelly (ph) cool her off with the fans as if she`s a super model.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She just stuck her tongue in my mouth.
MOOS: It`s Westminster, the show where poodles show up with ears wrapped and sheepdog walk around wearing waders.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It`s poop (ph) so he don`t get dirty.
MOOS: The show where humans pre-moisten the dog treats in their own mouths and pick up their pooches by their privates, the show where your Great Danes pins you to the wall. This year, there are six new breeds at Westminster and many are a mouthful.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The boy can --
MOOS: South Carolina`s state dog, there`s the red bone coonhound and a blue tip coonhound.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He`s our dog today.
MOOS: And there`s our favorite name.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The leonberger.
MOOS: Better known at the dog show snack bar.
Did I serve leonberger?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, it is.
MOOS: Is that a leonburger?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, it is.
MOOS: This is a leonberger?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don`t know. What`s a leonberger?
MOOS: It`s a breed of dog.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It`s a wild dog.
MOOS: Such a sweet face. And guess what Annie, the leonberger likes?
UNIDENTIFIED KID: She loves hamburgers.
MOOS: Leonberg is actually the town in Germany where the breed was established. Among those newly admitted Westminster, the red bone coonhound has a special quirk.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The red bone coonhound has been recorded at 125 sparks in a minute.
MOOS: That`s only when chasing a raccoons up a tree. Can I get one little bark out of thunder?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don`t think thunder can bark for you.
MOOS: We know who will. Nellie Bloom is considered the dean of Westminster photographers. She`ll do anything. To make dogs look at her lens, and they do. But if a show dog needs to attract attention, a hairdo might help.
What`s the hairstyle called?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Snooki.
MOOS: "Jersey Shore" meets hoity toity Westminster show dog.
Can I touch the Snooki?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sure. Touch it. Snooki let`s anyone touch, so go for it.
MOOS: It only took an hour here to get stormy here all dolled up.
I take an hour and I don`t look anywhere near that good.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, she`s a little younger than you are.
MOOS: Go ahead, treat me like dog (ph) meat.
Excuse me, do you guys serve leonberger?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Thanks to CNNs Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
ANDERSON: A.J., that dog`s poof does look a lot like Snooki`s. What do you think?
HAMMER: The poof did, yes, but the dog needs a tan. And that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thanks for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is live at 05:00 p.m. eastern, Monday through Friday.
HAMMER: And don`t forget, we are still TV`s most provocative entertainment news show seven days a week at 11:00 p.m. eastern and pacific here on HLN.
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