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Showbiz Tonight

Top Five Hollywood Headlines; Hollywood A-Listers as Soap Stars; Eddie and Wolfie Van Halen`s Tour; Alec Baldwin`s Soap Star Past; Joan Rivers: The Hollywood Insider

Aired June 15, 2012 - 23:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


NISCHELLE TURNER, GUEST HOST: Tonight, who`s number one? Lance Armstrong, Chris Brown, Justin Bieber, Oprah? Hollywood heavy hitters spark big buzz tonight, but which star drama tops the top five SHOWBIZ countdown?

(MUSIC)

Hello, everybody. I`m Nischelle Turner. Tonight, who`s number one? There is a battle of epic proportions tonight. Stars are literally fighting it out. Five hot Hollywood headliners stole the spotlight this week and, in most cases, for all the wrong reasons. But who reigns supreme at the top of our SHOWBIZ countdown star drama?

Joining me to hash this all out, in New York, Amanda Seales, host of MTV`s "Hip Hop POV." And in Hollywood, Rachel Zalis, contributing editor of "Life and Style Weekly."

All right, ladies. Let`s begin with number five. Lance Armstrong. Now, Lance Armstrong may have won seven Tour de France titles, but he cannot escape the accusations that he used performance-enhancing drugs while doing so.

And now, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency is opening an investigation against him. Amanda, I will start with you. So far, the sponsors are saying, "Well, we`re going to stand by him," but how big of a deal would it be if Lance goes down for the charges which are very serious?

AMANDA SEALES, HOST, "HIP HOP POV": Oh, it would be a huge deal. I mean, let`s be real. People look at Lance Armstrong as this invincible guy. I mean, he survived cancer. He went on to win the Tour de France again.

You know, he has this big charity. I mean, he really is a representative of athleticism. So to find out - oh, my goodness - it was all due to performance enhancement drugs, that would be a big blow to not only his legacy, but to, you know, what it means to be a world class athlete of his stature.

TURNER: Absolutely, because sometimes - you know, most of the time, he has kind of been the Teflon guy as far as these performance-enhancing drug charges and accusations have gone.

We asked our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook users what they thought about Armstrong and if his latest doping allegations will permanently ruin his legacy.

Here`s what they said - 47 percent said yes, it`s going to ruin his legacy. But 53 percent said no, don`t think so.

Rachel, this was close, but most said, in the end, that they don`t think it will ruin his legacy. What do you think, agree or disagree?

RACHEL ZALIS, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, "LIFE AND STYLE WEEKLY": It actually shouldn`t. I mean, this is really crazy. It`s almost like a witch hunt. This guy has taken 500 tests and passed every single one of them.

And it just seems like - you know, he has been retired from professional cycling. All he wants to do is run triathlons and raise money for cancer. I just don`t quite get the zeal in going after him still today.

TURNER: But on the other side of the coin, people said if he did something, he needs to be held accountable for it. Let`s move on to number four in our SHOWBIZ countdown of hot Hollywood headlines.

This is the "House Hunters" situation. People are still buzzing the report that the enormously popular show is HGTV is a big old fake.

Now we all love watching this as the couple look at three homes. They ultimately choose to buy one. But now reports in "Entertainment Weekly" said this show was staged. One woman even said that she looked at houses that were her friends` houses that weren`t even for sale.

Amanda, you know, OK, we all know reality TV is not all real, but this report really has people outraged. What do you think? Do you think this outrage is enough to just drive viewers away?

SEALES: No, I don`t. But I think it`s really crazy because, exactly what you said, reality TV is staged. And I think that`s more so what people are having to come to terms with and what they are so frustrated with.

They want to believe that they are watching the fantasies that are just not real. It`s made for TV. And at the end of the day, it`s all going to wash over because they still want to believe the fantasy and they`re going to keep on giving it to them.

TURNER: I hear you. Let`s get to number three, though, in our SHOWBIZ countdown of hot Hollywood headlines. That`s Justin Bieber, the teen pop sensation, on this international tour, entertaining all the screaming fans from Norway to Brazil and everywhere else.

Now, in New York this morning, he performed on the "Today" show. Thousands of fans came out. Some people had been camped out since Tuesday to get this best view. Look at this.

(MUSIC)

Now, on top of this, he released this song that is like the modern day "Billy Jean" about the woman that accused him of having his baby. Amanda, are you surprised that he wanted to keep this story that`s so wild in the spotlight?

SEALES: You know what? I would have been, prior to seeing his recent moves. You know, he is hanging out with boxers. He`s beating up paparazzi. You know, he`s obviously trying to do something that we haven`t quite got the full story on, but to change his image.

And this story really did have an effect on, you know, probably him and his image and realizing, like, "I am really a target and I need to talk about these things," because they really do something to you.

He was accused of being somebody`s baby daddy. Justin Bieber? That`s crazy. He is going to grow a goatee next and will be a man.

TURNER: I know. I still can`t wrap my - I can`t wrap my brain around that. OK. So we are down to the final two of our top five hot Hollywood headlines this week.

And of course, the top five wouldn`t be complete without those darn Kardashians. Yes, the Kardashian clan is going head-to-head in an all-new interview with talk queen, Oprah Winfrey.

Tonight, SHOWBIZ has your first look when Oprah asked if their looks have driven their success.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KHLOE KARDASHIAN, REALITY TV STAR: To be honest, probably not. You have to have this bombshell Oprah here and this petite little bundle of joy.

KOURTNEY KARDASHIAN, REALITY TV STAR: I think we are all different. We have different, you know, body types.

KIM KARDASHIAN, REALITY TV STAR: But I don`t think it would have happened if we were all, like, skinny pretty models.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TURNER: Now, Oprah is getting a lot of push back for this interview, guys. Some people are saying that she jumped the shark, interviewing the Kardashians. Rachel, what say you?

ZALIS: Oh, Oprah is officially Fonzi on the water skis. I`m sorry. This is absolutely jumping the shark. I mean, clearly, OWN is a sinking ship. It`s her last desperate ditch effort to try and get some ratings.

But do we not already see enough of the Kardashians? There`s already like, what, 50 hours a week of them? Done. Come on, Oprah. You can do better.

SEALES: Thank you.

TURNER: You know, in our exclusive SHOWBIZ poll, we asked people - "Oprah Interviewing the Kardashians: Good move or big mistake?" And look at this - 77 percent said Oprah is making a big mistake. Amanda, did America get it right?

SEALES: Yes, America definitely got it right. I mean, I was really shocked to see this. You know, when Kim Kardashian was turned away from the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and went to the set, it was because she has not been a contributor.

She is being touted as everything for doing nothing. And I would have expected that Oprah, for all of her grandeur and just being such an entrepreneurial success, would also take that same stance because she`s had to do so much to get where she is.

By interviewing her, she`s giving credibility to the fact that you don`t have to do anything.

TURNER: But they are credible in the world of entertainment, so I do understand doing the interview. OK, guys. Number on our top five Hollywood headline hot list is week - you probably already guessed it, but here it is - Drake and Chris Brown, that bottle-throwing, bloody bar brawl.

The brawl reportedly stemmed from a feud over Rihanna although sources close to Chris Brown tell us that`s not true. But a lot of people were hurt. Clearly, this should have never happened.

Drake says he wasn`t involved. Chris claims he`s a victim in all this mess. Amanda, do you think that both Drake and Chris owe it to their fans to speak out against what happened, not even to point fingers, but just send a message that this is wrong?

SEALES: This is so beyond wrong for so many reasons, one of them being when did Drake become gangsta? Like I don`t know when that happened.

But you know, this situation where there are fans and there are these bystanders in the club and you are throwing bottles? Who does this? I just am flabbergasted that this would happen especially from two R & B singers at that.

TURNER: Absolutely. You know, Amanda, good point. We`re going to leave that there. Rachel Zalis, Amanda Seales, I thank you all both very, very much.

OK. Madonna, girl going wild or give me a break? Her onstage breast flash has everyone talking. But the queen reinvention may have had an epic fail this time.

Tonight, we are unleashing Joan Rivers on the Madonna drama. The legend is right here and she is not holding back.

Plus, celebrities before they were famous. Look at these Hollywood A- listers.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JULIANNE MOORE, ACTRESS: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) ugly sisters are bossing you around again.

MARISA TOMEI, ACTRESS: No. I`m going to hang on to my little glass slipper this time.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TURNER: That`s Julianne Moore and Marisa Tomei before they were stars. Tonight, we are revealing the Hollywood titans that got famous on the soaps.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: There won`t be (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and Christopher.

UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: That`s enough. Christopher!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TURNER: All right, now. That`s the reboot of the classic, Dallas. It was 21 years in the making and the Ewings, TV`s most famous feuding oil family - well, they`re still feuding.

Nearly seven million people tuned in to watch the premiere of the new "Dallas" on TNT. Now, the original show first hit the air in 1978 and had an amazing 14-year run with J.R. and Bobby Ewing throwing down that whole time.

Now, the show`s most famous battling brothers are passing on their beef to the next generation.

All right. Up next, celebrities before they were famous.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

TURNER: Have you ever wondered where Hollywood`s A-listers get their start? Well, I can tell you a lot of them do it on the small screen, on daytime TV.

Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio and Julianne Moore - they all got their big breaks on soap operas. Yes, even Hollywood`s titans started small.

So to see all of the future stars of Hollywood, make sure to watch the Daytime Emmys right here on June 23rd, yes, here on HLN.

But I am going to show you why the soaps are such a great launching pad for superstars.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice-over) Among the many hopefuls we will see at the daytime Emmy Awards maybe the next Leo, Brad, Eva. Each of them and many more got their starts on soap operas.

ALEC BALDWIN, ACTOR: It was a great training round and less about acting than about professionalism.

TURNER: "30 Rock" star, Alec Baldwin, recently shared with me the fond memories of the job that launched him to stardom, "The Doctors."

BALDWIN: I am going to blow your entire future sky high with Luke.

TURNER: Alec said it was a great gig for him and his fellow struggling New York actors.

BALDWIN: They were very devoted to it and they were grateful to have the job.

TURNER: Hollywood is filled with A-listers like Baldwin whose first big job was on a soap. As a teenager, Leonardo DiCaprio had one of his early roles in 1990 on the old soap opera, Santa Barbara. Brad Pitt also did his soap opera time appearing on another world when he was a fresh-faced 20- something in 1987.

MAGGIE FURLONG, "HUFFINGTON POST": I wonder if Angie makes fun of him for that.

TURNER: Before Oscar winner Tommy Lee Jones was policing aliens on "Men in Black," he spent the early 70s on the ABC soap, "One Life to Live."

Where did Eva Longoria learn the deception and seduction techniques she displayed on "Desperate Housewives"?

That`s right. As a deceitful seductress on "Young and the Restless" in 2001. And see if you recognize these two.

MOORE: Ugly stepsisters are bossing you around again.

TOMEI: No, I`m going to hang on to my little glass slipper this time.

TURNER: Yes, they`re Oscar winner Marisa and four-time Oscar nominee, Julianne Moore appearing together on "As the World Turns." Julianne Moore won a Daytime Emmy for her work on the show in 1988.

JUDITH LIGHT, ACTRESS: I love daytime television.

TURNER: Recent Tony Award winner, Judith Light, who is best known for her 1980s sitcom, "Who`s the Boss," got her first taste of fame in the early `80s on the old soap, "One Life to Live." Light won Daytime Emmys for that role and she tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT it launched her career.

LIGHT: I was not going to ever do daytime television, but it was what came my way and I decided to do it and it really literally changed my life.

KELLY RIPA, HOST, "LIVE WITH KELLY": It was a training ground that is second to none.

TURNER: "Live with Kelly" host, Kelly Ripa, spent 10 years on the recently canceled soap, "All My Children." Kelly tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT doing time on a soap can do a lot of young actors a lot of good.

RIPA: When you hear about, like, young Hollywood and, you know, if they are not showing up on time or whatever, I would say make them work on a soap.

TURNER: So soaps are more than great entertainment. They can lead to Daytime Emmy awards and Hollywood superstardom.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

And yes, you can see all of the stars of the future at the 39th Annual Daytime Emmys. We`re going to air it live on HLN, June 23rd, 8:00 p.m. Eastern.

And this Monday, join the Daytime Emmy conversation with "The Young and The Restless" mega star, Victor Newman. Yes, the incomparable Eric Braeden will be joining our very own A.J. Hammer there for a live Facebook chat. Can you tell I`m excited?

Send your questions to Facebook.com/ShowbizTonightHLN and join our conversation.

And you can also join me in the middle of all the action. If you enter the HLN red carpet sweepstakes at HLNTV.com/DaytimeEmmySweeps, you`ll win a trip to the Daytime Emmys, get a red carpet makeover and go to the Daytime Emmys show and appear with me and A.J. that night on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

And don`t for get to watch the Daytime Emmy Awards live, Saturday, June 23rd at 8:00 p.m. Eastern right here on HLN.

And here`s what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Madonna drops her top and raises eyebrows. But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT dares to ask, is Madonna trying too hard to stay relevant?

We put that question to the incomparable Joan Rivers. Yes, I`m laughing because you know she is right here for a hilarious SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview. Joan on Madonna. I cannot wait to hear this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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TURNER: Like father, like son. That`s Eddie Van Halen and his son, Wolfie, rehearsing for their triumphant hometown gig in Los Angeles at the Staples Center.

So besides their awesome guitar skills, how much do father and son really have in common? Well, you are about to find out. A real-life rock star dad. Father`s Day is fast approaching and SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is about to give you a very special inside look at Eddie Van Halen as dad to his son, Wolfgang - Wolfie, as Eddie calls him.

He also has a famous mom, Valerie Bertinelli. As part of this exclusive interview, Eddie also cleared up the reports about why he decided to postpone 31 tour dates. Here`s CNN`s Brooke Baldwin for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: When Van Halen recently postponed 31 tour dates without an explanation, there was fear that guitarist Eddie Van Halen might be experiencing issues with his health.

EDDIE VAN HALEN, MUSICIAN: No cancer. Am I OK? That`s a more difficult question - I`m kidding.

WOLFGANG VAN HALEN, MUSICIAN: We bit off a little more than we can chew, you know. Dad`s perfectly fine.

B. BALDWIN: On June 27th, Van Halen will be taking a break from touring after 50 shows, supporting their new album "A Different Kind of Truth." They insist it has nothing to do with any tensions between themselves and off-again-on-again front man, David Lee Roth.

W. VAN HALEN: He`s hilarious. Watch him on stage. He makes us crack up all the time.

B. BALDWIN: In Los Angeles for a two-day layover, we caught up with Eddie at his home studio.

E. VAN HALEN: This is the infamous 5150s recording studio. We are standing in the drum room. That`s stage storage and piano room and this is guitar room and, obviously, that`s the console on the other side of the glass there.

B. BALDWIN: His son, Wolfgang, spent a lot of time in this studio as a child. At age 16, he joined Van Halen as its bass player. His first gig was the band`s reunion tour with Roth in 2007.

W. VAN HALEN: Dad taught me like how to do some power chords when I was like 13.

E. VAN HALEN: Yes. Just simple. Just move your hand around. That`s all I ever showed him.

W. VAN HALEN: He taught me the early stuff and I kind of took it in my own direction.

B. BALDWIN: "Wolfie" was just a toddler when Eddie noticed his son`s passion for music.

E. VAN HALEN: We were in the kitchen and the commercial "I feel like chicken tonight" and I saw him boogey to it and he had rhythm and I went, "Yes, God. Thank you. He`s got rhythm."

B. BALDWIN: And the two share another common trait.

W. VAN HALEN: We both get so nervous. Oakland.

E. VAN HALEN: Oakland, before we went on, I hurled. You know, I blew lunch before we went out. That`s how nervous I get. Still.

B. BALDWIN: They say Van Halen may return to the road by the end of the year.

E. VAN HALEN: I know that there`s been talk of Australia and Japan in October and November. Don`t quote me on that because that`s management that takes care of that and they call us and say, you`re going here now, but I heard talk about that.

B. BALDWIN: Despite releasing their new album in February, they are planning to work on some new music and maybe listen to some old tunes in their tape vault for inspiration.

W. VAN HALEN: This is actually where we drew a lot of the demos out.

E. VAN HALEN: There`s a lot of music up there. One of these days - you know, you have to bake them to make the adhesive go back into the tape. I always kind thought it was easier to write a new song than do that.

But there`s a lot of music up there that`s waiting to be heard.

W. VAN HALEN: It`s endless, but there`s a lot of music in here that`s endless, too.

E. VAN HALEN: And here. I`m just the luckiest father on the planet. I mean, for what he`s grown up in. He doesn`t smoke. He doesn`t drink. He doesn`t do drugs.

W. VAN HALEN: You`re not so bad either.

E. VAN HALEN: Anymore.

B. BALDWIN: Van Halen will be on tour this weekend. Business as usual despite a special holiday on Sunday.

W. VAN HALEN: Happy Father`s Day.

E. VAN HALEN: When are you going to be a father?

B. BALDWIN: Enough already.

W. VAN HALEN: Let`s wait for that.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TURNER: I love that. It`s so great to see such a close father and son relationship like the one Eddie and his son obviously share. Guess what, Eddie Van Halen, Happy Father`s Day to you.

And wait until you hear about Alec`s dirty soap star past. Yes, look at that dashing young guy. Alec Baldwin got his big break on daytime TV. Now, he`s reminiscing with SHOWBIZ TONIGHT about drama on and off camera.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

A. BALDWIN: My character was killed off and I was shot by two men, simultaneously who were unaware of each other`s presence.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TURNER: Plus, find out the identity of Alec`s all-time favorite soap star.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HAMMER: Oh, the drama. Is Lindsay Lohan allegedly lying about her latest car accident? The Biebs causes concert mayhem in Mexico.

I tell you, Hollywood is going off the rails tonight. And one of my favorite comediennes of all time, the great Joan Rivers, is right here to talk about all of the madness.

ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.

(MUSIC)

HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. And tonight, a real Hollywood insider. No one knows Hollywood like Joan Rivers.

And tonight, the always funny comedienne blows the lid off the biggest stories making news in Hollywood tonight. I am so eager to get Joan`s take on everything from Lindsay Lohan lying to Madonna`s intentional nip slip.

And Joan also has a new book out, "I Hate Everyone starting With Me." With me in New York for a newsmaker interview, the very funny, always entertaining, and based on her new book, perhaps a little angry, Joan Rivers.

JOAN RIVERS, COMEDIENNE: Nice to see you.

HAMMER: It`s always nice to see you.

RIVERS: Great to be here. I love your shirt.

HAMMER: Well, thank you very much. I wore it just for you.

RIVERS: Fashion police -

HAMMER: Approval. That`s very important. It`s always a little nerve-racking when you and Melissa come in. But the book, a big deal on the "New York Times" must-read this summer list, which is a fantastic thing.

RIVERS: Yes.

HAMMER: And I didn`t realize you hated so many things. You really run it down for us.

RIVERS: Doesn`t everybody?

HAMMER: Yes.

RIVERS: You go through the day. I hate taxi drivers. I hate people that spit on the subway. I hate old people that smack their lips when they eat. A lot of things.

HAMMER: And looking into your book, it made me want to write down the list of things that I hate. I read among the many things here you hate child stars.

And I have to get your take on the latest Lindsay Lohan news. Explosive reports, Joan, that she actually lied to police possibly.

She may have lied to police after she got into this car accident. And she slammed a Porsche into the back of an 18-wheeler.

Well, she reportedly told the cops she wasn`t the one driving the car at the time of the accident. Do you really think that Lindsay would lie to the cops about something like this, Joan?

RIVERS: I know Lindsay very, very well and I was on the phone with her. And she had swerved to avoid hitting a pink elephant.

HAMMER: That`s what happened?

RIVERS: That`s what happened. Both she and the other car were smashed. So it`s even-Steven.

HAMMER: Even-Steven. And she was on the phone with you, not hands-free, apparently, also.

RIVERS: No, she`s in cuffs now.

HAMMER: Not answering at all.

RIVERS: But she stole me this for my birthday, isn`t that nice?

HAMMER: How kind of her.

RIVERS: Hi, Lindsay. I love it. Whoever you got it from, I love it, baby.

HAMMER: And it matches the outfit and your eyes as well.

RIVERS: Yes.

HAMMER: It sparkles.

RIVERS: It had a couple of tags on it still but I got rid of them.

HAMMER: That sounds easy to do. And the thing about this for us, Joan, is we`re all sitting here for a time thinking, oh, Lindsay, you`re finally back to work as an actress.

RIVERS: Yes.

HAMMER: And we`re thinking maybe she should get a driver. I don`t know.

RIVERS: I think every star - every woman star in Hollywood should get a driver because they also service you. God bless the driver.

HAMMER: And what you mean by that is -

RIVERS: Drivers and occasional busboys have kept me very happy throughout the years.

HAMMER: That`s exactly how you got through and kept that smile on your face.

RIVERS: Yes. I`m like a female John Travolta.

HAMMER: Well, OK. I`m not going to dig deep into that. I don`t want to get in trouble. There`s another huge child star who`s making big news.

RIVERS: Yes, I heard.

HAMMER: That`s Justin Bieber.

RIVERS: Yes. Yes.

HAMMER: Oh, my god. The thousands of screaming fans. Justin was putting on a concert for 300,000 fans last night. It`s unbelievable what was going on in Mexico City.

We have the crowd`s reaction, Joan, for you to watch at the mere mention of the Biebs name. Charles, please roll that for Ms. Rivers.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Justin Bieber. Justin -

(SCREAMS)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: Now, Joan, you watch that. Can you give us a sense - clue us into the mania there. What`s going on? What`s the fascination? Why are people going crazy?

RIVERS: It`s prepubescent girls. I mean, I went through the same thing with Genghis Khan, and I went nuts. I used to run around trying to just do anything that he did.

I tried to kill Mongolians. You know, I was just so excited. I get it. Look how happy those little prepubescent girls.

HAMMER: They`re very happy, really happy.

RIVERS: Little do they know he`s really a little lesbian. He really looks like a lesbian.

HAMMER: The haircut, some people have said and suggested.

RIVERS: Yes. And he looks like a friend of Ellen DeGeneres`. I mean, he`s just amazing.

HAMMER: Is there somebody, Genghis Khan excepted, that has made you react? Because Justin Bieber may perhaps -

RIVERS: Lately?

HAMMER: Yes. I mean like, right around now, who`s going to make you scream like a prepubescent girl?

RIVERS: No one. No one. At this age, are you out of your mind?

HAMMER: Not possible.

RIVERS: Not possible.

HAMMER: There might be a pill you can take for it. I don`t know.

RIVERS: Yes. But no. For me, I like older men, so maybe Gandhi.

HAMMER: Gandhi?

RIVERS: He turns me on.

HAMMER: OK.

RIVERS: He`s naked to the waist.

HAMMER: Well, listen, you can`t be a good child star if you don`t have a good stage mom. And I was so pleased to see, you made mention of one of our favorites in here, Kris Jenner, of course, the great mommager.

Here`s what you write if I may read your own words, "Most mothers would be horrified if one of their daughters made a sex tape, but not Kris." Would you say, Joan, that Kris Jenner is the ultimate stage mom?

RIVERS: I think she`s brilliant. I think she`s absolutely brilliant. She took three girls that all they do is have sex. And these girls are known to have vaginas with food courts.

I mean, they are just busy. Busy, busy, busy. And she has turned them into major stars, moneymaking brands. She`s amazing.

HAMMER: And are you fascinated with not only the fact that that has happened, but with these girls` lives themselves?

RIVERS: I love to watch who they`re making out with. Aren`t you?

HAMMER: Well -

RIVERS: I`m thrilled to see who they`re going - because like once, in all of our years, Melissa brought home a black man - once. And I was so angry because she didn`t bring one for me.

I think Kris is a genius at making sure these girls are always doing something. A genius.

HAMMER: Kim Kardashian and Kanye West?

RIVERS: Yes, two crazy kids. Yes.

HAMMER: I mean, when you heard that news -

RIVERS: I just said he`s got a big shot there for at least 79 days.

HAMMER: Yes, that seems to be going well.

RIVERS: You hope these girls somewhere will find true love standing up, don`t you?

HAMMER: I think that would be a proper way to go in life, but they seem to go by the beat of their own drum.

RIVERS: The beat - good for - you know what I mean? Good for them. They have had more men land on them than we`ve had in Afghanistan.

HAMMER: Yes. I mean, that`s their own thing.

RIVERS: But that`s their thing and people love that. People want that.

HAMMER: Now, there`s buzz that perhaps Kim and Kanye West might actually forgo getting married first and just go straight to having a baby. Would you approve of the Kimye baby?

RIVERS: The Kimye baby? Well, it would be good-looking if it looks like her. Sometimes, like, you know, Billy Joel`s daughter - got her mama`s brains and the father`s looks. Some of these things get mixed up there. Absolutely, have a baby.

HAMMER: All right.

RIVERS: Have a baby.

HAMMER: I was a little surprised looking through your book that you didn`t have anything about wardrobe malfunctions because they become very trendy, and particularly right now with Madonna making some big headlines for an international wardrobe malfunction.

Now, she recently exposed her breast on stage, Joan, during a concert in Turkey. And she revealed a message on her back that read, "No Fear."

My question to you is, is Madonna fearless, or is this really, in your mind, a desperate cry for attention?

RIVERS: First of all, she wasn`t showing her nipple. She was showing her ankle bracelet. At this age - you think it`s a cry for attention?

No fear, the second half is on her ass, and it says "Just Flab." So you don`t see the whole thing. But she`s got a great body.

HAMMER: She does have a great body.

RIVERS: I know the doctor that did it - Irving Schwartz.

HAMMER: Irving Schwartz`s fine work on display again.

RIVERS: He did her and Kathy Bates.

HAMMER: They have the same doctor.

RIVER: The same doctor. For her age, she`s amazing. I love Madonna. What I find fascinating is that Lady Gaga. She keeps saying, "Lady Gaga stole everything of mine." Don`t say that. You`re Madonna. Shut up.

HAMMER: Right. It seems beneath her, so we would think. And that, to me, seems like a cry for attention.

RIVERS: OK. Lady Gaga stole - how can you steal a rash? You can`t steal certain things.

HAMMER: No, you really can`t take that.

RIVERS: I find that - you`re Madonna. Act like Madonna.

HAMMER: Yes.

RIVERS: Yes.

HAMMER: Queen of the world.

RIVERS: Queen of the world and queen of the Jews.

HAMMER: Well, yes, she is.

RIVERS: She`s Jewish these days.

HAMMER: Then - you know what? I`m proud to have her as a part of my people as well.

RIVERS: Madonna. You`ve got to say it differently. Madonna. Oy, Madonna.

HAMMER: Now, listen, I know there`s some reality stars that make you say "oy." We`re going to get to that because I`ve got to get your take on "Jersey Shore`s" Snooki pregnant and making her transformation from party life to expectant motherhood. Hang on to your thoughts. We`re talking Snooki in a moment.

We move on now to Alec Baldwin unplugged. He is telling all about his wild days on the soaps where he got his start.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

A. BALDWIN: My character was killed off the show. And I was shot by two men simultaneously who were unaware of each other`s presence.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: Well, tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s going one on one with Alec and his outrageous world of backstage world soap opera stories. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

A. BALDWIN: You have until tomorrow night after which I`m going to blow your entire future sky high with Luke.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: Love the music. If you don`t recognize that face, I know you recognize his voice. That`s a 20-something Alec Baldwin all the way back in 1982 scheming away on his first TV job playing Billy Aldrich on the old NBC soap opera, "The Doctors."

It`s Baldwin unplugged. Alec Baldwin, who, of course, stars in the new movie "Rock of Ages" reminisces with SHOWBIZ TONIGHT about his wild days on a soap opera where, like a lot of stars, he got his first big break.

And it so happens that on June 23rd right here on HLN, the very best soap operas and the rest of daytime TV will be honored. We air the 39th Annual Daytime Emmys live.

And to mark the occasion, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Nischelle Turner got Baldwin to look back at his soap days, and boy, did he ever.

He talked about all the backstage shenanigans. He even told us the hilarious story about how his unlikable character was killed off.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TURNER (on camera): This year on CNN and HLN, we are airing the Daytime Emmy Awards.

A. BALDWIN: Right.

TURNER: And I know you got your one of your first starts on a soap.

A. BALDWIN: I was on a soap.

TURNER: "The Doctors."

A. BALDWIN: Right.

TURNER: Do you remember -

A. BALDWIN: I remember all of it.

TURNER: What`s your craziest storyline from there? Do you remember that?

A. BALDWIN: Well, I have a lot of - oh, craziest storyline of a character. Well, probably how I died.

TURNER: You can tell about some crazy live stories.

A. BALDWIN: Yes. There was a lot of crazy stuff going on. We had a lot of - yes. It was a big soap opera on and off camera. That`s true.

But the craziest story line - the ending for me where I was shot. My character was killed off the show and I was shot by two men simultaneously who were unaware of each other`s presence.

A guy came to shoot me in the door doorway, and another guy was shooting me through the window at the same time.

TURNER: Who did it? Who killed you?

A. BALDWIN: Both. They both shot me at the same time. Two men both came to kill me at the same time. That`s how -

TURNER: That was the end of you.

A. BALDWIN: That`s how screwed up my character was. Two people wanted him dead. They killed me at the same moment. I loved that idea.

TURNER: One of the things that, when I was researching this, that I didn`t realize is how many people really got their start on soaps.

A. BALDWIN: There were a lot back then.

TURNER: That it was really kind of this training ground.

A. BALDWIN: Especially back then in New York. And you know, there were soaps - I remember when we did the soap, there were a lot of people on our show. Ours was a half-hour who were on Broadway.

So on Wednesdays, for example, we would come in very early and pre-tape their scenes to get them out so they could do the matinee on a Wednesday.

We had people doing "Amadeus" and people on the cast have really - we had great actors. And the soap was a thing they did to have a job with medical benefits and, ux. be in the union.

And they were people who the soap might not have been the greatest stretch for them as actors, but they were very devoted to it and were grateful to have the job. And they went out and did like Shakespeare in the park and it was kind of thrilling.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HAMMER: Great way to start. Alec also revealed to us that he still watches soaps and even has a soap opera idol. Now, Nischelle must have been caught up in the moment because she responded by revealing to Alec Baldwin one of her secret desires. I wonder what that is.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HAMMER: Alec Baldwin unplugged, part two. The "Rock of Ages" star clearly had a very good reminiscing with SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Nischelle Turner all about his time on an early soap opera back in the early 1980s.

They really touched on so much stuff, the wild backstage shenanigans that he remembers from his time on the soap, what he thinks really went on between daytime TV host Kelly Ripa and her now-husband, Mark Consuelos, back when the couple were co-stars on "All My Children." And he even gets our own Nischelle Turner to reveal a secret fantasy. Here it is.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(on camera) On the fly, do you ever still flip through and watch soap operas?

A. BALDWIN: Oh, yes. It was on - when I was in the gym recently. And I`m always in the gym and I flicked through the TV and I was watching a handful.

It`s actually dwindling somewhat because some of the shows have been canceled. But on some of the shows, guys that were on soaps when I was on are still on.

TURNER: Yes.

A. BALDWIN: Yes.

TURNER: I am a soap opera fan.

A. BALDWIN: Eric Braeden.

TURNER: Yes.

A. BALDWIN: Eric Braeden. Look at him. The guy`s, like, the Mt. Rushmore. He still looks great. He`s like, "Let me tell you something, Jake. Jake, I want you to know something." And I`m, like, look at this guy. He`s like the Clark Gable. He`s so good-looking, tough -

TURNER: Yes.

A. BALDWIN: Good actor.

TURNER: Never ages.

A. BALDWIN: Really good actor. They`re good actors. And they get a gig and it`s like - people don`t realize how much lifestyle has to do with jobs people take.

Not everybody wants to jump on a plane and go to Australia twice a year and make a film. They`ve got kids. They go to school. They`ve got marriages.

And soaps have been, I think, for a lot of people, a great way to have a family.

TURNER: Yes.

A. BALDWIN: Have a real life. But I still turn on the soaps, and there they are, "I love you, Jill. You know how I feel about you."

TURNER: You`re making me jealous because I`ve always wanted to do a soap scene.

A. BALDWIN: You did?

TURNER: I`ve always wanted to do soaps.

A. BALDWIN: You have? Why don`t you do a segment? I`m going to give this to you for free.

TURNER: OK, OK.

A. BALDWIN: I`m giving you this for free. I don`t want to fear any credit. Have the network have you go on and play a character on the show for a week.

TURNER: I would love it.

A. BALDWIN: And report what it was like, being on a soap.

TURNER: I would love it. I might not come back to journalism.

A. BALDWIN: Are you sure? It`s for free.

TURNER: I might not come back to journalism.

A. BALDWIN: Well, are you married?

TURNER: I`m not.

A. BALDWIN: In real life?

TURNER: No.

A. BALDWIN: You could have a lot of fun backstage on the show. There`s a lot of action going on there. Ask Kelly.

TURNER: Exactly.

(CROSS TALK)

A. BALDWIN: You think I`m kidding. She met Mark there. What do you think was going on there? You think they were going to have ice cream together?

TURNER: Obviously, not.

A. BALDWIN: Obviously not.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HAMMER: I`d love to see Nischelle on a soap, but we wouldn`t let you go, Nischelle. And speaking of which, soap operas and the best of daytime TV are being honored right here on HLN.

We are airing the 39th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards. It`s going to happen live, June 23rd, 8:00 p.m. Eastern. I`m going to be right there on the red carpet hanging with all your favorite daytime stars.

We have a special edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT you must see beginning at 7:00 Eastern right here on HLN. You can actually join me in the middle of it all.

You have to enter the HLN red carpet sweepstakes at HLNTV.com/DaytimeEmmySweeps. You will win a trip to the Daytime Emmys. We`ll give you a whole red carpet makeover.

You go to the Daytime Emmys show and you appear with me that night on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Make sure you catch the Daytime Emmy Awards live Saturday, June 23rd, 8:00 p.m. Eastern here on HLN.

We move now to the secrets of Snooki`s pregnancy. Has Snooks picked out a baby name? Is there going to be fist-pumping house music in the delivery room?

Well, the legendary Joan Rivers is right here tonight for a SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview with her take on some very surprising things you didn`t know about Snooki`s pregnancy.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HAMMER: The spotlight is on "Jersey Shore" star, Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi. She`s on a hit reality show. She`s expecting her first child.

And now, it looks like Snooki`s baby news is really paying off for her. Even ABC News is interested in how the party girl is reforming her ways and getting ready for diaper duty. Watch Snooki making news today on "Good Morning America." Amazing.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do you plan to breastfeed?

NICOLE "SNOOKI" POLIZZI, REALITY TV STAR: It just looks so painful.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What`s your alcohol policy during pregnancy?

POLIZZI: Obviously no drinking. None whatsoever, like I`m scared to even have caffeine. All my friends are, like, "You can have a glass of wine." I`m, like, no, I refuse.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Right.

POLIZZI: Because I`m going to be that person that has a glass of wine and it comes out with three legs. Hi! Yes, can`t wait.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HAMMER: Back with me now, the legendary Joan Rivers. Joan`s new book is "I Hate Everyone Starting With Me." And in this fine book, Joan, you say that you hate reality stars who act like they have talent.

RIVERS: Yes.

HAMMER: I can`t imagine you`re talking about Snooki.

RIVERS: No and I take it back so ha, ha, ha. I just went to see the new "Show White and the Huntsman" movie, and she plays the eighth dwarf.

HAMMER: Oh, is that right?

RIVERS: Easy.

HAMMER: I wasn`t aware of that. This reality star can really launch into a whole movie career.

RIVERS: I just love to watch the twisting and turning that she`s now going to make a wonderful mother. She`s going to make a mobile for the baby`s crib out of empties. Yes, she`s really getting to it.

HAMMER: Yes. She does have empties. She has a few of them, although she says she`s not going to breastfeed because it`s going to hurt. It looks painful.

RIVERS: And you know, try to - she can`t hold a baby. But good for her. In the beginning we all made jokes. Even Mitt Romney said, abortion. But now, we`re all happy. Now, we`re all happy for her.

HAMMER: I don`t think Mitt actually said that.

RIVERS: Yes, he told me.

HAMMER: Listen, the thing that`s really surprising that came from this the fact that she was on ABC News which was surprising enough.

But she revealed eight surprising things we didn`t know about Snooki`s pregnancy, among which she wants house music in the delivery room.

She wants four kids and as I mentioned, she`s afraid to breastfeed. What surprises you the most about Snooki`s revelations, Joan?

RIVERS: That she also added that she`s going to have a side job and she`s going to keep bees in her hair.

HAMMER: Is that the part -

RIVERS: And I think that`s going to be great.

HAMMER: That would be strange.

(CROSS TALK)

RIVERS: God bless her, our little Snooki.

HAMMER: Now, the thing is, with this book, Joan, aptly titled "I Hate Everything Starting With Me," you go off on yourself at the beginning of the book. We love you so much it`s hard for me to believe that you really are so self-loathing.

RIVERS: Everyone that thinks they`re terrific are not interesting. Look at me. I was on - my thighs are so big, I was on the treadmill today. I was on an hour too long and my thighs fused together.

HAMMER: I`m sorry to hear that.

(CROSS TALK)

Thank you for still coming in here, nonetheless. I did really appreciate the back of the book. And I love you`ve got great quotes from some of your big fans, Wilt Chamberlain, Dr. Kevorkian and your grandson.

RIVERS: My grandson.

HAMMER: Cooper writes, "After reading this book, I hate my Nana more than ever."

RIVERS: Yes. Isn`t that nice?

HAMMER: Did that make you cry?

RIVERS: No, not at all. He used to call me "Nana New Face." He`s cut that down.

HAMMER: OK. Well, that`s good. You have your supporters. May I read the - I can`t read the Wilt Chamberlain one. You`ll have to get the book yourself to read it.

RIVERS: "New York Times" must-read summer reading. Isn`t that great?

HAMMER: It is terrific and it`s always great to see you.

RIVERS: I love you so much.

HAMMER: And I got approval on the shirt from Joan Rivers. The fashion police said it`s OK. Make sure you check out Joan`s very funny new book. It is called "I Hate Everyone Starting With Me."

And again, the "New York Times" has just named it a must summer read.

TURNER: Moving on to a shocking student sex case. Jane Velez-Mitchell investigating the case of the 32-year-old teacher charged with having sex with her 14-year-old student.

Why does it seem like no one can stop these teacher predators from abusing kids? Is there any way to weed bad teachers before the horrific harm is done? Jane Velez-Mitchell starts right now.

END