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Showbiz Tonight
"The Situation" in Rehab; Kiss` Rihanna Diss; "Jersey Shore" WWE Smack Down; Is Simon Axing the "X Factor"?
Aired March 21, 2012 - 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 tonight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - "The Situation" in rehab? Tonight, the ripped "Jersey Shore" star is reportedly getting treatment, but for what? Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT dares to ask, should "Jersey Shore" address "The Situation`s" situation on the show?
"Jersey Shore" WWE smackdown? Did wrestling superstar John Cena really threaten to take down the guys from "Jersey Shore"? Plus, the real deal with Cena`s explosive feud with Duane "The Rock" Johnson. John Cena is here tonight breaking big news in a SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.
The big Kiss kiss off. Gene Simmons takes no prisoners dissing Rihanna.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GENE SIMMONS, SINGER, KISS: No karaoke singers allowed. Leave that to the Rihanna, schmiana and everybody that ends her name with an A.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DIAZ: What`s up with one superstar picking a fight with another? And should Rihanna fire back or just let Gene talk that talk.
(MUSIC)
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show breaks news right now.
(MUSIC)
Hello. I`m Carlos Diaz, in for A.J. Hammer with big news breaking tonight, from "Shore" to rehab? There are explosive new reports that "Jersey Shore" star, Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino is in rehab tonight.
Fist-pumping parties are on pause. Gym, tan, laundry will have to wait. The Situation`s rep says the Sitch is simply resting from a grueling taping and appearance schedule.
But the big buzz tonight is it fueling questions there`s a lot more to this reality TV drama than meets the eye. So what is the real situation with "The Situation," and could this be the straw that ultimately breaks the "Jersey Shore" phenomena?
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MIKE "THE SITUATION" SORRENTINO, REALITY TV STAR, "JERSEY SHORE": "The Situation" got himself into a situation.
DIAZ (voice-over): Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino has certainly had his battles against Snooki.
NICOLE "SNOOKI" POLIZZI, REALITY TV STAR, "JERSEY SHORE": (EXPLETIVE DELETED) you.
DIAZ: Against Deena -
DEENA NICOLE CORTESE, REALITY TV STAR, "JERSEY SHORE": I`m really fricking pissed at Mike right now.
DIAZ: Against Ronnie -
RONNIE ORTIZ-MAGRO, REALITY TV STAR, "JERSEY SHORE": You want to hit me, tough guy?
DIAZ: And seconds later, against a wall.
POLIZZI: Stop!
DIAZ: But today, "The Situation" is going to battle over new reports he`s battling substance abuse.
DAX HOLT, PRODUCER, TMZ: Sources are telling us that Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino has checked himself into an inpatient rehab facility. He is there for substance abuse.
DIAZ: Dax Holt is a producer of TMZ which posted a story that "The Situation" is getting help for abuse of an unspecified substance.
HOLT: Our sources are telling us that he`s been showing signs of substance abuse for quite some time.
DIAZ: Sure, strange behavior isn`t exactly unheard of for "The Situation." See again the wall-bashing incident.
POLIZZI: Stop, stop!
HAMMER: But TMZ`s Dax Holt tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT a recent episode from the current season where we see the gang camping was a low point for Mike.
HOLT: He`s acting very erratic. He is very paranoid.
POLIZZI: Why are you being weird?
SORRENTINO: I don`t know. I feel like somebody is about to jump out of one of these tents.
HOLT: We`re hearing that this is kind of the downside of when he, you know, hit rock bottom.
DIAZ: Not many people are surprised if rehab befell any of the hard drinkers on "Jersey Shore."
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We just drunker and drunker.
DIAZ: Where the unofficial motto resembles something Homer Simpson once said.
HOMER SIMPSON, CARTOON CHARACTER: To alcohol, the cause of and solution to all of life`s problems.
DIAZ: But "The Situation" is unloading on the rehab reports. His Web site SitchNews.com, has a post titled, "Do Not Believe Everything You Hear, Especially from TMZ."
It says TMZ`s rehab story has ridiculous embellishments. It adds, quote, "This is just like the childhood game of telephone. Someone hears a small rumor and blows it out of proportion."
HOLT: Nowhere in his statement does he say he`s not in rehab.
HAMMER: Plus, those close "The Situation`s" situation are throwing water on the rehab reports. A rep for "The Situation" tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, quote, "`The Situation` has spent the last several weeks at an undisclosed location for a much-needed rest and recuperation after his extensive production and appearance schedule." Still, TMZ is standing by its story.
HOLT: We have 100 percent confirmation.
DIAZ: "The Situation" rehab reports are the second hard shot of reality we`ve gotten from this reality show lately. Snooki recently revealed that she`s pregnant. And MTV tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that will be part of the next season of the show.
CORTESE: I think this show could go on.
DIAZ: "Jersey Shore" cast members Deena and Vinny told our own A.J. Hammer last week Snooki`s pregnancy won`t change the show.
CORTESE: This show does not only revolve around one person. It`s revolved around all eight of us.
DIAZ: That may be true, but with Snooki being pregnant, which we know to be true, and "The Situation" possibly battling substance abuse, which we don`t know to be true, you could potentially have "Jersey Shore`s" two biggest stars off the party train next season.
That would be like the gang in "CIS" no longer solving crimes or the guys on "The Big Bang Theory" giving up nerdy stuff.
HOLT: So this could either make for some amazing television because this changes the whole dynamic in the house or a very boring season for "Jersey Shore."
DIAZ: So today fans of "Jersey Shore" are hoping that the rehab reports are not true, both for the sake of the show and more importantly for the sake of "The Situation."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
My, my, we do indeed have a situation here. So what`s really going on? Are you buying claims that "The Sitch" just needs a little R and R?
Joining me now from Seattle is Danny Bonaduce, who is a radio and talk show host for KZOK in Seattle and who battled his own demons on his reality show, "Breaking Bonaduce."
And with me now, from Hollywood, television personality and entrepreneur, Stephanie Pratt, who starred on the MTV reality series, "The Hills."
Now, "The Situation`s" rep says he`s been working too hard. But come on, Danny, the kids on "The Shore" - they`re partying. They`re drinking. That`s how the show goes. Are you buying this excuse?
DANNY BONADUCE, REALITY TV STAR, "BREAKING BONADUCE": Thanks for having me, Carlos. See, I`ll tell you this. I`ve been to rehab twice, and at no time was it from fatigue.
DIAZ: Yes.
BONADUCE: I really need a nap. Can I cut somebody a check for $30,000? It`s not just what you do. But the thing is what bothers me is the people from "Jersey Shore" saying, you know, these rumors have been embellished.
The whole show is a rumor that`s been embellished. This could be absolutely the most interesting thing that has happened on the show. I mean, they`re saying he`s there because he`s tired.
You know, you said battle my own demons, which is really a polite cover for, "Hey, Danny was a big coke head in the `80s." I will tell you, standing there at the woods and going, "I think something is going to jump out to me" screams to me - and I have no information from TMZ or the Headline News doesn`t have - when they call themselves a reality show, you should follow that.
That`s a broken guy. They showed young America, these guys living without a care, and one of them broke. And that could be some good TV.
DIAZ: Stephanie, you starred on "The Hills." I loved that show - a lot of partying, a lot of clubbing going on in that storyline. And you have battled with substance abuse yourself. Are you buying MTV`s claims that "The Sitch" just needed to rest and recoup.
STEPHANIE PRATT, REALITY TV STAR, "THE HILLS": Not 100 percent. But you know, our show - we were all so young and still are and it was kind of like our college years of partying.
But more often than not, we would show up to these clubs to film and view it as a job, so we wouldn`t drink, really. You know, we would go there for the storylines we had to hit, you know, bring the drama that the viewers expected and, you know, be in bed by 1:00 a.m.
So we really did not have this, you know, house where we were partying 24/7 like "Jersey Shore."
DIAZ: I love that, by the way, it was a reality show, but you had storylines that you had to hit. Now, I`ve got to refer back to the camping episode we showed you just a moment ago where "The Sitch" doesn`t seem right. Watch this.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Are you in your paranoid state, Mike?
SORRENTINO: Anything can happen in the woods. I definitely feel vulnerable. I mean, Jason could come out, anything.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What is your problem?
POLIZZI: Why are you being weird?
SORRENTINO: I don`t know. I feel like somebody`s about to jump out of one of these tents.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We`re all right here. Who told him that?
SORRENTINO: I keep hearing noises.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DIAZ: Danny, do you think there were some signs that there`s something wrong there?
BONADUCE: Well, I will tell you one surefire sign that you`re on drugs is that you show up and you are a cast member of the "Jersey Shore."
DIAZ: Wow, OK.
BONADUCE: But come on. I mean, literally, if you consider alcohol and tobacco, drugs and the United States government does, they`re all on drugs.
And you know, I don`t want to see they glorify it. They just - they`re young and they`re growing up and all youngsters think that they`re invulnerable and there`s not going to be a problem.
Like I said before, if, in fact, "The Situation" - I repeat again because it seems to make some feathers ruffle. This is Danny Bonaduce`s opinion solely.
DIAZ: Right.
BONADUCE: And no else`s. The guy is paranoid and sweating his guts out.
DIAZ: Right.
BONADUCE: That screams an amphetamine of some kind, and that is, again, my opinion. But now, you take Snooki, who is pregnant. You`ve got two fascinating storylines - the detective story of finding out who the dad is -
DIAZ: Right.
BONADUCE: And watching this girl come off drugs and alcohol and cigarettes. MTV cannot film a pregnant woman consume - no, they can`t and they won`t. So this should be interesting to see if she can do it. It`s, by the way, difficult.
DIAZ: Danny, we`ve got to wrap up. Stephanie, I apologize. Whatever Danny Bonaduce`s on, a person on with him doesn`t get to talk that much. So I appreciate it, Stephanie Pratt. I want to have you back on. Danny Bonaduce, you are my man. I love you. I`ll talk to you soon.
Late today, Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino posted this statement on his official Web site, "I want to set the record straight. I have voluntarily taken steps to get control of a prescription medication problem I had due to exhaustion."
"I have spent the past several weeks getting treatment for this problem and recuperating from my work and appearance schedule. I appreciate my fans` support and love you guys."
What`s this I hear about a "Jersey Shore" WWE smackdown? Did wrestling superstar, John Cena, really threaten to take down the guys from the "Shore"? We`re going to answer that burning question with John Cena himself. Danny and Stephanie, you guys are awesome.
All right. One and done for Simon Cowell`s "X Factor"? There are reports that the caustic former "American Idol" judge might cancel "X Factor" after it didn`t live up to the hype, his hype.
The big Kiss kiss-off. Gene Simmons caught on tape taking a minor swipe at Rihanna.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SIMMONS: What you`re going to hear on stage is live music. No karaoke singers allowed. No fake (EXPLETIVE DELETED). Leave that to the Rihanna, schmiana, and anybody who ends their name with an A.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DIAZ: Hello. Is Gene really saying that Rihanna can`t sing? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: Prince William home after seven-week deployment with the Royal Air Force. SHOWBIZ first look: "Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TAYLOR LAUTNER, ACTOR: I didn`t expect you to seem so you.
ROBERT PATTINSON, ACTOR: I`m the same temperature now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) The Rock`s confidence. The Rock has never, ever, ever been more confident about anything in his life.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DIAZ: That`s John Cena and The Rock getting into it. The WWE legends are in a big-time feud tonight, and are getting ready to face-off for an epic battle at "Wrestlemania 28."
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Carlos Diaz, in for A.J. Hammer. We are just days away from one of the most anticipated matches in the history of wrestling.
John Cena and The Rock have been feuding big-time for a year. We`ve heard colossal smack-talk. We`ve seen tense standoffs. And on April 1st, John Cena and The Rock are finally getting inside the ring for an epic "Wrestlemania" smackdown.
But just like the WWE, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was born to be provocative. And tonight, we dare to ask just how real is this monster feud?
John Cena is in our house. The SHOWBIZ studio is in New York right now. I don`t think you`re ready for it, pal. Let`s do this.
JOHN CENA, PROFESSIONAL WRESTLER: You don`t think I`m ready for it? I`m ready for it. Be as provocative as you want.
DIAZ: All right. Here we go. All right. This legendary battle which I cannot wait to see between you and The Rock was announced a year ago. And ever since then, it`s been trash talk mania. I want you to watch some of your war of words with The Rock. Check this out.
THE ROCK, PROFESSIONAL WRESTLER: Understand this. You strip away "Wrestlemania." You strip away the glitz, the glamour, the lights. You strip away Hollywood, the movies, the fame.
You strip away the catchphrases. You strip away trending worldwide. You strip it all away. Look at me. You strip it all the way at The Rock`s core -
CENA: What have you got?
THE ROCK: The Rock is 6`4" and 260 pounds of man that will rip your throat out!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DIAZ: All right. First off, John, don`t come after me since that was all the rock in that sound bite going after one of our producers.
But John, I know that that kind of a drama fuels wrestling. So I`ve got to ask, just how real is your monster feud with The Rock when the cameras are off?
I mean, do you guys - do you seriously have a beef with the dude? Or are you guys grabbing a beer after the match?
CENA: No. I`ve made it in public in any media forum that I can that we don`t see eye to eye. It`s moments like that, moments that the casual and experienced WWE fan can see the realism with The Rock`s anger with me.
Nobody has ever really stood up to The Rock. He`s made a career out of running people down with rather remedial and high school humor. And I don`t really think there`s a lot of merit behind his trash talk.
And I had a major problem with him fleeing off to Hollywood and really forgetting about all of us in the WWE universe.
And I`ve been WWE for 10 years now through a lot of good times and a lot of bad times. And I`ve been trying to get this match in the ring for the past six years.
DIAZ: Wow.
CENA: The WWE universe has been anticipating it for a year. On April 1st, it all goes down. But I`ve been ready for this my entire life. And he can try to talk all the trash he wants, but I can see the fear in his eyes.
DIAZ: And by the way, I`m fearful right now as well. So the beef is 100 percent real. And also 100 percent real is the car accident you were in on Monday. I can tell everybody it wasn`t a major accident. You`ve already been back in the ring this week.
But I`ve got to wonder, is there any chance that that car accident - a lot of wrestling fans want to know this - could that car accident postpone the big battle with The Rock?
CENA: This is the media making a big deal out of something that`s small. I go through 300 matches a year. In that same very night, I competed against the world`s strongest man who weighs 440 pounds and managed to lift and press him over my head.
I also had a "last man standing" match that night. I had a cage match the next night. I`m fully functional, fully ready to go. And it`s going to take more than a car wreck for me not to be in the ring on April 1st. I need this match.
DIAZ: All right. John Cena, you know what? You`ve got my vote. Any friendly bet that I have is going your way, my friend. Great work.
CENA: Thank you.
DIAZ: And don`t forget, John`s epic match with The Rock goes down April 1st. You can catch "Wrestlemania 28" live on pay-per-view from Sun Life stadium in Miami. It`s so cool.
Gyrating on the floor, shirtless guys, pulsing beats. No, not John Cena. It`s Madonna. She`s going back to the future with her new video.
(MUSIC)
Is Madonna`s sexy video formula in dire need of a remix? Perfect sensation. The biggest star on TV doesn`t make a sound.
We`re uncovering some shocking secrets about Cee Lo`s kitty companion on "The Voice." This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: John Brolin hosts, Gotye is musical guest on "Saturday Night Live" on April 14. SHOWBIZ first look: New pictures of the cast of "The Avengers."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CEE LO GREEN, SINGER: Jeff is definitely the most soulful, the more organic, more involved performer. He has soul, a soul brother. Isn`t that right? Yes, he did.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DIAZ: The breakout star of "The Voice" doesn`t make a sound. It`s Purrfect. The cat that pops up on Cee Lo Green`s lap at random moments during the show. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that Purrfect the cat is a bona fide sensation. But who is this frisky feline?
Tonight, the perfect true reality story. So we all love the whole Dr. Evil vibe that Cee Lo Green has got going on with Purrfect. Actually, it`s a James Bond thing, if you`re going way back.
But we`re blowing the lid off of "The Voice`s" big charade. Joining me from Hollywood is Maggie Furlong of "The Huffington Post."
Now, Maggie, Cee Lo actually came up with the idea for Purrfect as a joke. Cee Lo`s fellow judge, Adam Levine, explains to Anderson Cooper how this brilliant idea came about.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ADAM LEVINE, SINGER: We had this funny talk, I think, the first season, like the first episode, we were all kind of thinking, what are we doing? This is so out of our league. You know, we don`t really know this world.
So we have to make it fun, and Cee Lo just kind of started riffing. And he said, "I want to have a cat." The thing that came out of this man is astonishing. And he`s like, "I want to have a cat and I want to stroke the cat. I want to call him Purrfect".
And I`m like - I have no cat. I just kind of liked it. And I`m like, "Cool, man. Do it."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DIAZ: That is totally wild, and as is the case with every big star, Purrfect has her own Twitter page with 40,000 followers. It`s a cat, people. Maggie, if you were a contestant on the show, would you be worried that this cat is stealing the spotlight?
MAGGIE FURLONG, WEST COAST EDITOR, HUFFPOST TV: You know, luckily Purrfect only comes out in between the singers. If Purrfect wasn`t Cee Lo`s lap while I was singing, I think I`d have a huge problem.
I actually feel like I should have brought a prop with me today, just to sit and pet it. He`s right. It feels right. I don`t know what it is. But there`s something about a cat having so many Twitter followers that just makes you smile. Come on, people.
DIAZ: OK. I`ll blow the lid off of that though. Purrpfect is not his cat. Purrfect is an actor cat, who makes $350 a day, all right?
So Purrfect - it`s central casting for Purrfect. Maggie Furlong, thank you so much. Thank you for letting me go off on my little tentative - obviously, I`m a dog person.
And now, the SHOWBIZ lineup - here`s what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Is Simon Cowell giving "X Factor" the ax just after one season? Plus, does Madonna`s sexy video formula need a remake?
(MUSIC)
DIAZ: There`s something very 1990s about Madonna`s latest video. Is this a hit or a miss? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, always a hit, on HLN news and views.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: Jessica Biel to star in remake of Alfred Hitchcock`s classic, "Psycho." Kendra Wilkinson and Cyndi Lauper get reality show on We Network.
DIAZ: Big news breaking tonight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - "The Situation" in rehab, or is this absolutely outrageous? Tonight, the great debate, should "Jersey Shore" expose "The Situation`s" situation on the show?
WWE star John Cena is right here to answer that question and more in a must-see SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.
Kiss` big Rihanna diss. Tonight, legendary rocker, Gene Simmons, slams Rihanna, calling her fake.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SIMMONS: What you`re going to hear on stage is live music. No karaoke singers allowed. No fake (EXPLETIVE DELETED). Leave that to the Rihanna and schmiana and anybody who ends their name with an A.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DIAZ: Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT dares to ask, should Rihanna fire back at Gene`s big diss off?
Simon Cowell`s "Ax Factor"? Tonight, the shocking reports that Simon wants to end the "X Factor." Is it true?
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 with big news breaking tonight, "Shore" showdown.
The bombshells keep coming for MTV`s "Jersey Shore." Tonight, there are stunning new reports that "Jersey Shore`s" breakout star, Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino, is now in rehab.
And this "Jersey Shore" shocker comes right on the heels of Snooki`s big announcement that she`s having a baby. "The Sitch" reportedly in rehab, Snooki with child - the "Jersey Shore" that fans have come to know and love will never be the same.
But MTV says the show must and will go on. So we have to ask, is "Jersey Shore" getting too real for reality TV success?
Who better to do a reality check than wrestling legend John Cena. John is set to face off in one of the most anticipated wrestling showdowns of all time, finally taking place on April 1st. He`s taking on The Rock at "Wrestlemania 28." John is with me in New York.
And From Hollywood, Stephanie Pratt, a former cast member of MTV`s "The Hills." And she is looking lovely.
All right. Let`s go right now to the big question, guys. Fans have been loyal to "Jersey Shore" because they love the wild parties. They love the craziness of what happens at the beach house.
But now, if the reports prove to be true and "The Situation" is in rehab, John, do you think fans really want to see all this hard core, real-life drama playing out on the show?
CENA: You could see something like this coming from a mile away. All those guys do on the show is party, drink, have outrageously good times. I get it.
But repeat it over and over again, it`s a Pinocchio syndrome. You become a jackass and need to go to rehab. After "Wrestlemania 28" on April 1st in Miami, "Wrestlemania 29" is coming to Jersey. And aside from Pauly D - I like him. He`s my boy. If any of the other cast wants to step up to wreck "Jersey Shore Wrestlemania 29," I`d like to meet them for a little reality check.
DIAZ: OK. I want to get to that in just a second. By the way, John Cena is officially my favorite guest ever on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Put that down right now.
CENA: And I thank you, sir.
PRATT: It is the teenagers and even tweens watching the show that has made it so popular. Stephanie, given who watches, does MTV owe it to their fans to set the record straight and use the show as a good lesson to its young fans?
PRATT: Absolutely. I mean, they glamourize this lifestyle of partying 24/7, and it`s their responsibility to show the repercussions, that you really cannot live like that. And I think it would be great if -
DIAZ: Go ahead.
PRATT: If the cast, you know, did some kind of a PSA that could air after the episode encouraging people to seek help who, you know, are traveling down that same road as The Situation.
DIAZ: That`s a great point. That`s a very, very good point. All right, John. I`ve got to get the record straight now, because you just said it and there`s also a report that`s still getting buzz online.
Are you really threatening to take down the guys from "Jersey Shore." I know you love Pauly D.
CENA: That`s not a threat. That`s a promise. Ronnie, Vinny, Mike - Situation, you all got a situation right now. I`m coming to your backyard April 7th next year for "Wrestlemania 29, and we`re going to be in Met Life Stadium in New Jersey. And the only reason for you all to not show up to face me - fear and common sense.
DIAZ: That is possibly the best smack talk ever on HLN as a network. All right. I`ve got to move on to another big story in Hollywood tonight. Madonna has just released a brand-new video for her tune, "Girl Gone Wild."
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can show you the first look at this sultry video. Watch this with me.
(MUSIC)
DIAZ: All right. This is the sad thing. There are young people watching this video going, "Oh, she`s copying off Lady Gaga." So Madonna has reached into her old bag of tricks - gyrating dance moves, chains, a slew of shirtless guys, the black and white video. It worked for her 30 years ago. But Stephanie, does it still work today?
PRATT: Absolutely. This is what made her the famous icon that she is. And she has a great body. You know, she`s a talented dancer and more power to her. I love it.
DIAZ: All right. I want to bring John in on this one. John, she`s competing against the likes of Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and Nicki Minaj. Does an established superstar like Madonna still need the gimmicks to take stay relevant and sell music?
CENA: You know, I watched this video a lot. It runs parallels to my opponent, April 1st at "Wrestlemania." Madonna is just the same as The Rock. They`ve been relying on the same material for years and years and years.
And yes, they`re nice to look out, but these young bucks are about to come up and knock them out of the box.
DIAZ: See, that`s beautiful, John, because whatever topic I bring up, you can bring it back to April 1st, "Wrestlemania 28." That`s what I love about you.
CENA: That`s why it`s the biggest event in the world.
DIAZ: OK. Are you comparing The Rock to Madonna? Is that what you`re doing right now?
CENA: I just compared The Rock to Madonna. They`ve both been doing the same shtick for years. And yes, it`s nice to look at. But I`m begging The Rock to come up with a new material, and if he doesn`t by April 1st, well, he`s going to get the whooping he deserves.
DIAZ: All right. On the record right now, Madonna and The Rock in the ring. Who wins?
CENA: The Rock is tough. Madonna has been holding it down for a while. That`s a coin flip. That`s a coin flip. I know John Cena beats them both, though.
DIAZ: All right. I think I`m reading your mind. I think you`re going to pick Madonna in that one. I`m just saying. Stephanie, real quick. Does Madonna still have the "it" factor? Honestly, Stephanie, does she still have the "it" factor?
PRATT: I think she does. And you know, she was the original expert at using her creativity to promote herself in a shocking way. And you know, you have Lady Gaga pushing the creativity envelope right now. And you know, she`s got to stay up there.
DIAZ: All right. So John, you know all about -
PRATT: I think it`s a friendly competition.
DIAZ: OK. All right. John does not think it`s a friendly competition by the way. Now, John, you know all about sportsmanship and getting raw. So I want to ask about a brand-new report that another tough guy, Mike Tyson, is about to launch a one-man show in Vegas called "Raw."
Now, I know you`ve given The Rock a hard time about going to Hollywood. What do you think about Iron Mike`s next big move on the stage?
CENA: I think it`s a great move for Mike Tyson, one of the most interesting figures in all of sports, certainly with a story to tell. I think we all want to hear his perspective on how this meteoric rise to boxing fame and his unbelievable story needs to be told.
I think the show is going to be a must-see at least for everybody. I wish Mike the best of luck. He`s getting inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, the night before April 1st, "Wrestlemania."
See how I did that? Brought it back around April 1st. But I wish him the best of luck. And certainly, I saw his documentary, and it made me even want to see this more. I think the show is going to be great.
DIAZ: All right. So John, in all honesty, we`re about 40 seconds light right now. You`ve got 40 seconds just to talk smack against The Rock. All right. Go ahead.
CENA: You will pay for the whole seat, but only the edge. April 1st, the two biggest stars in WWE history square off at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Florida. It`s The Rock`s backyard, but I`m renting it out for the day.
He can`t see me, and he ain`t got a chance. I will see you on pay-per-view on April 1st as I give The Rock the beating of his life.
DIAZ: That is the best. Thank you so much, John. Stephanie Pratt, you`re awesome as well. You guys are great. Thank you.
And remember, if you didn`t hear it before, you`re hearing it right now. Check out "Wrestlemania 28" on April 1st for John`s big showdown with The Rock.
All right. Moving on, now. Tonight, Kiss` big Rihanna diss. In a brand- new interview legendary Kiss rocker, Gene Simmons, slams the R & B princess calling her singing fake.
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SIMMONS: What you`re going to hear on stage is live music. No karaoke singers allowed. No fake (EXPLETIVE DELETED). Leave it to Rihanna and schmiana or anybody that ends their name with an A.
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DIAZ: Wow, Gene, it`s kind of a low-blow, don`t you think? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT dares to ask, should Rihanna fire back at Gene`s big kiss-off?
Simon Cowell`s "Ax Factor." Does Simon Cowell really want to pull the plug on "The X Factor"? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: "Real Housewives" star Kim Kolciak expecting second child with her new husband. Tim Tebow spoof, "Tebowie" returns to "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon"!
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SIMMONS: Both Motley and Kiss, you and I, have one crusade. We`re sick and tired of girls getting up there with dancers and karaoke tape on back of them.
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DIAZ: What`s wrong with dancers and karaoke? Well, Kiss` Gene Simmons thinks there`s a whole lot wrong with them. And he`s even taken his comments further by dissing superstar Rihanna in a big way.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Carlos Diaz, in for A.J. Hammer. Tonight, it`s a big kiss off. Rihanna dissed by Kiss. Kiss legend, Gene Simmons, blasting Rihanna and basically called her fake, this coming from a 62-year-old man wearing full makeup. I`m just saying. Take a look.
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SIMMONS: What you`re going to hear on stage is live music. All the bombs are real. All the music is real. The guys you see on stage playing their instruments are playing their instruments.
No karaoke singers allowed. No fake (EXPLETIVE DELETED). Leave that to Rihanna and schmiana and anybody who ends their name with an A.
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DIAZ: By the way, somebody asked me earlier, who is Shirmana? And I`m like, that`s what you say like car schmar. That`s what older people say. I had to explain that.
So why did Gene Simmons go after Rihanna during a press conference announcing a Kiss/Motley Crue tour publicly?
Joining me right now in Hollywood, Maggie Furlong, from "Huffington Post." And Michael Maloney, reality TV personality and interior designer who you recognize from "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."
Now, full disclosure. If you offered me two tickets to a Rihanna concert or two tickets to a Kiss/Motley Crue concert, I`m probably going to the Kiss/Motley Crue concert because I love these guys.
FURLONG: Really?
DIAZ: But does Gene Simmons have a point? Oh, yes. Come on. It`s Kiss, Motley Crue. But does he have a point about concerts and lip-syncing? Or do you think he`s just taking a swipe at Rihanna to get some publicity on his big tour, Maggie?
FURLONG: Ding, ding, ding. Rihanna gets headlines. Kiss, Gene Simmons - I think her only reaction to this should be Gene who?
DIAZ: Wow.
FURLONG: Honestly. Try getting headlines yourself. Don`t go to Rihanna for your news. Come on, Gene.
DIAZ: You don`t say, "Gene who?" He`s a legend.
FURLONG: Gene who? Rihanna doesn`t know him.
DIAZ: You`re probably right. All right. That leads me to our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT flashpoint, Michael, should Rihanna fire back at Gene`s kiss off or not waste her time?
MICHAEL MALONEY, REALITY TV PERSONALITY AND INTERIOR DESIGNER: I don`t think she should waste her time. I mean, he is 62 years old. He`s not comparing apples and apples here. She`s clearly so talented.
Listen, none of us want to go to a concert and watch somebody who is, you know, lip-syncing the whole time. She`s not doing that. And let`s face it, who would you rather look at? Would you rather look at Rihanna or him?
DIAZ: Well, if you throw Paul Stanley in, I`d go for Paul Stanley. Are they making a point, though, Maggie, that it`s good old-fashioned rock `n roll rather than, you know, the techno kind of, you know, futuristic sounds of today?
FURLONG: He is, but I think he just went about it in the wrong way. You know, Gene is all about being shocking and making headlines and this is his way of doing it.
But Michael is right, Rihanna sings. It`s not all auto-tuned, it`s not all background karaoke music. Rihanna`s an amazing singer, and Gene should recognize.
DIAZ: All right. You better recognize. Well, Rihanna`s BFF, Katy Perry, is also catching some heat for allegedly dissing Beyonce. Katy Perry denies the slam, but you decide.
Here`s what Katy Perry said during an interview with BBC Radio One while talking about a possible duet with Rihanna, "I want it to be like the Eurythmics and Aretha Franklin song, "Sisters are Doing It for Themselves," not "Beautiful Liar."
"Beautiful Liar" just happens to be Beyonce`s 2007 duet with Shakira. So you look at what Katy said, and now, you look at what she says on Twitter.
She says she wasn`t dissing Beyonce`s "Beautiful Liar." Let me read you her tweet. It`s very eloquent. (EXPLETIVE DELETED) you all press that thinks I dissed anyone. Please, are you having a slow news day or what? Get a life because it`s not mine."
It`s not really a slow news day, but Katy says there`s no diss. Sounds like it is a diss to me. Michael, what do you think? Did Katy diss Beyonce?
MALONEY: I don`t think she did and I don`t think she`s going to be foolish to diss Beyonce. Beyonce right now is mecca in the pop world. And Katy is a classy girl. She`s smart girl. She`s smart enough to get rid of Russell Brand. She`s not going to say anything bad about Beyonce. I think it`s all taken out of context.
DIAZ: Yes. But if I say, "I like beef and not broccoli," I`m dissing broccoli. She said she liked the Eurythmics and Aretha Franklin, not Beyonce. Maggie, your thoughts, quickly.
FURLONG: I think she said her song would be more like Aretha Franklin and the Eurythmics and less like "Beautiful Liar." I don`t think it was a diss. I just think it was a comparison and I think she`s fine.
DIAZ: I think I`m trying to start stuff and you guys aren`t joining in. All right. Maggie Furlong, Michael Maloney, I love you, guys. Thanks so much. Talk to you soon.
All right. There is more big breaking news today. Kathy Bates reveals an incredibly personal secret about her health. Plus, Rosie O`Donnell parties it up with her birthday, for her birthday and in her birthday, despite the shocking end to her talk show. That story tops "The Buzz Today."
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(voice-over) Kathy`s cancer secret. Oscar-winning actress Katy Bates just revealed that she`s battled ovarian cancer in secret. In a new interview with Anderson Cooper airing Thursday on his talk show, "Anderson," Kathy reveals one reason she stayed mum about her illness was because of work.
KATHY BATES, ACTRESS: I was advised to. I was contracted to go into a movie at that time, "Little Black Book," with Brittany Murphy, who I miss very much. And my doctors at that time, you know, they had to get insurance approval and all of that. So I was very quiet about it and had to go back to work right away.
Rosie`s birthday bash. Rosie O`Donnell didn`t let the cancellation of her talk show ruin her 50th birthday. According to People.com, Rosie threw a huge party in Chicago and partied the night away with her fiancee, Michelle Rounds, her "Rosie Show" staff and even Mike Tyson.
After taping an episode of "The Rosie Show," Tyson reportedly switched his flight to surprise Rosie and lead the crowd in singing "Happy Birthday."
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Simon Cowell`s "Ax Factor"? Is Simon about to pull the plug on his beloved "X Factor"? Fired judges. No host. What`s Simon going to do? The big "X Factor" dilemma next. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: Report: Adam Levine of Maroon 5 to star in the new season of "American Horror Story." "American Idol" contestants reveal to SHOWBIZ who they would like to perform with.
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JESSICA SANCHEZ, "AMERICAN IDOL" CONTESTANT: Beyonce. I love Beyonce, like you can tell by the way I sing that I love Beyonce.
SKYLAR LANE, "AMERICAN IDOL" CONTESTANT: I want to sing with Miranda Lambert. She is my idol, been my idol since day one. I`ve told everybody. I talk about her 24/7, and that`s who I would want to sing with.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
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DIAZ: That`s the hot new British boy band, One Direction, and they are going in one direction, and that`s up. These five guys discovered by Simon Cowell just hit number one on the Billboard 200 in the U.S. with their album "Up All Night."
So another mega-success for Simon Cowell. But what`s with these pesky reports that Simon is planning a whole new direction for "the X Factor"?
Tonight, is Simon Cowell about to ax the "X Factor" worldwide. Brand-new reports say Simon is so over the "X Factor" that he`s already working on a whole new talent show. But is it true and was it inevitable?
Right now from Hollywood is Maggie Furlong, who is the west coast editor of HuffPost TV.
Things have not been looking good for Simon`s "X Factor" here in the U.S. He dumped judges Nicole Scherzinger and Paula Abdul. He even got rid of the host, Steve Jones.
And "X Factor UK" has been on for like a decade, longer than that. Maggie, would you surprised if he abandoned the whole thing worldwide?
FURLONG: I would be shocked. I think we`re blowing it out of proportion. Simon loves "The X Factor." This is his baby. Yes, season one was kind of a mess and not as big of a success as he wanted it to be.
But they`re already in talks for season two trying to get things changed, trying to make changes, not just with the host and the judges, just trying to shake things up a little bit and compete with "The Voice." So I would be really shocked if he cancelled it now.
And to your point, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT reached out to Cowell and his rep tells us the reports are all wrong. He`s not canceling the U.S. show, but he`s making sweeping changes to the "X Factor UK."
He thinks these shows can survive decades if you`re brave enough to make the changes. Maggie, do you think he`s right?
FURLONG: I absolutely think he`s right, and I think he learned from his time on "American Idol." You know, the format works and people keep tuning in, but less and less each year.
I feel like if you can continue to innovate and continue to change, maybe add a new feature every season, people will still be excited to tune in and you could stay on for a decade if you wanted to, like he said.
DIAZ: Yes, exactly. All right. Now, there is a report that George Clooney`s girlfriend, Stacy Keibler, is in talks to host the show. Would that be a good choice, Maggie?
FURLONG: Oh, absolutely. I think she`s adorable. George could be in the crowd. Who wouldn`t watch for that? I think Stacy would be a very interesting choice. You know, she got her start in wrestling. She`s done "Dancing with the Stars."
She`s a really, really funny girl and she`s really down to earth. We know Simon is only targeting non-Brits so she fits that mold. And right now, it`s only Simon and L.A. Reid left standing. So I think they`re going to need some women to fill those empty slots.
DIAZ: There you go. And having met Stacy Keibler on several occasions, I can tell you that she is very entertaining and she would be perfect for that. Maggie Furlong, thank you so much. Talk to you soon.
All right. That`s SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Carlos Diaz. Remember, you can catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusively weeknights at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific right here on HLN.
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