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Showbiz Tonight
"King Kong" Premieres; Spielberg Film Explores Middle East Conflict
Aired December 05, 2005 - 19:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
A.J. HAMMER, CO-HOST: I`m A.J. Hammer.
BROOKE ANDERSON, CO-HOST: And I`m Brooke Anderson. TV`s only live entertainment news show starts right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER (voice-over): On SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, "King Kong Monday." Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT goes ape over Peter Jackson`s gorilla-sized movie.
We`re live at the world premiere as the guy that brought us "Lord of the Rings" brings the king to New York`s crossroads of the world. We`re there with the stars and SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is the only entertainment news show that will be there live.
ANDERSON (voice-over): Also, can a movie help end decades of war, death and hate? Tonight, a Steven Spielberg controversy. His new movie "Munich," is it one-sided? Will it kick-start the Middle East peace process? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT asks, "Can `Munich` make a difference?"
HAMMER: And, Victoria`s Secrets revealed. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT hits the catwalk and takes you behind the scenes at the Victoria`s Secret fashion show. We uncover the looks, the lingerie and, yes, those sexy models.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We`re all sexy little things.
HAMMER: We`re there as these lovely ladies get ready for the runway.
HEIDI KLUM, SUPERMODEL: Hi. I`m Heidi Klum. If it happened today, it`s on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: I`m A.J. Hammer, live in New York.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson.
A.J., it is "King Kong Monday," a giant night, the world premiere of the most anticipated movie of the year, and nobody has it covered like us.
HAMMER: That`s right. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is the only entertainment news show live at the premier. Our David Haffenreffer apparently doing some monkeying around on the red carpet right now in New York`s Times Square -- David.
DAVID HAFFENREFFER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: A lot of monkeying around, A.J., tonight, and we are live at the red carpet for the big premier of "King Kong" tonight. Very tight quarters along the media line here on the red carpet. Media outlets from around the world are all gathered here.
Naomi Watts just down the red carpet here. We`ll be talking to her in just a moment.
This film officially opens for the world on December 14, but the stars are certainly out tonight. We did have a chance to speak with Peter Jackson just a short time ago. We`ll be getting to that in just a moment.
Of course, the story. This is an age old story dating back -- all the way back to the 1930s, when the original film came out. It`s a remake. It`s a story, of course, about a gigantic guerilla that is captured and brought back to civilization, where it meets its fate.
In this particular film, Naomi Watts plays the legendary role of Ann Darrow. She`s, of course, the only human who can -- is able to soothe the temper of this 25-foot beast, in the process.
Peter Jackson putting a lot of his own money into this film. He put in money after going essentially over budget, we understand. We had a chance to catch up and talk to him a little bit about the film and what it meant to him.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAFFENREFFER: Who do you got with you there tonight?
PETER JACKSON, DIRECTOR: Well, he`s my date for the night. He`s actually the original King Kong from 1933. He`s 72 years old.
HAFFENREFFER: How much of use was the 1933 film in helping to create this new version?
JACKSON: Well, the 1933 film was the movie that made me want to become a film maker. I saw it on TV when I was 9 years old. And if I hadn`t seen that movie when I was 9, I probably wouldn`t have become a film maker. So it`s the beginning for me.
HAFFENREFFER: With all of the dependency on this green screen technology for the special effects now, what`s the filmmaking process like, versus what you saw on the screen the first time you saw it play back?
JACKSON: Well, it`s interesting because you -- you know, with all the green screens, with all the computer effects, the movie`s still about human beings and actors. And you`re relying on a great cast to sell the story. The movie is emotional because of the actors.
And the green screen is great to be able to show amazing things like gorillas and dinosaurs and New York in 1933 and all the great cool stuff in the movie. But you know, you`re always relying on the human beings at the end of the day.
HAFFENREFFER: You put a substantial amount of your own money into this film. Was it worth it? Would you do it all over gain?
JACKSON: For sure. I mean, I`ve been wanting to make this movie since I was a kid. It`s the culmination of many, many years.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAFFENREFFER: And again, as we mentioned, Naomi Watts there walking the red carpet here, talking to another media organization as we speak. We`ll be speaking to her in about two minutes time, I would imagine.
There have been events going on in New York City all week this week. Earlier today, over in Times Square, a lifesize model of King Kong, 25 feet tall, we understand, held a press conference, essentially, with the stars of this movie. And they all turned out after Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced this was King Kong Day in New York City.
Again, this film comes out December 14. We`ll be talking to Naomi Watts in just a short time. A.J., back to you in the studio.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s David Haffenreffer. Thanks very much for joining us live in Times Square. We`re going to check back with David just a little bit later in the show.
For more "King Kong Monday" coverage, plus something very cool, we`re going to take you on a little trip through time. It`s a time warp, so to speak, for a "King Kong" crash course. We`re going to do a revealing look at "King Kong`s" movie past. That`s coming up in a few minutes.
ANDERSON: Tonight, a stunning Beatles revelation. Today`s "New York Post" reports that Paul McCartney might have been laying the groundwork for a Beatles reunion.
In 1979, McCartney a new solo record deal and as part of this never before made public contract, he retained the right to record with John Lennon, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison as the Beatles. The Fab Four turned down numerous offers to get back together and never did completely reunite.
This Thursday, we`re bringing you a very special edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, "Lennon`s Legacy," an entire hour devoted to the memory of John Lennon on the 25th anniversary of his death. That`s live this Thursday, 7 p.m. Eastern.
HAMMER: Tonight, can Steven Spielberg`s new movie "Munich" help bring peace to the Middle East? That`s his startling suggestion. We`ve got the very first details of his shrouded in secrecy film about the terrorist attack that shocked the world at the 1972 Olympics in Munich.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Sibila Vargas is live tonight in Hollywood -- Sibila.
SIBILA VARGAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, A.J., well, Spielberg`s new movie focuses on the aftermath of the kidnapping and murder of the Israeli athletes at the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Germany. But the film is about much more than that. The director is tackling the daunting subject of unrest in the Middle East. And through this work, he says she`s trying to make a difference.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
VARGAS (voice-over): These are the devastating pictures of today`s brutal Palestinian suicide bombing outside an Israeli shopping mall. The violent blast left five dead, and could possibly threaten renewed hopes for peace in the region, hopes echoed across the globe, and here in Hollywood by one of the most powerful and renowned directors in the world.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I`m speaking to you live just outside the Olympic village in Munich, West Germany. At this moment, eight or nine athletes of the Israeli team are being held prisoner.
VARGAS: Spielberg is taking on terror in his most recent film, "Munich," which takes us back over 30 years to tell for the first time ever on film the story of the 1972 murder of 11 Israeli Olympic athletes by a Palestinian terror group, and the Israeli government`s war of revenge that followed.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have 11 Palestinian names. Each had a hand in planning Munich. You`re going to kill them. One by one.
VARGAS: Just like that secret mission, a veil of secrecy has surrounded the movie. "TIME" magazine got the first look, and "TIME`s" Richard Schickel got the only interview with Spielberg about the ambitious project. Can it make a difference?
RICHARD SCHICKEL, "TIME" MAGAZINE: Steven said to me he doesn`t feel that any film or book or any work of art can actually address the stalemate there. The only thing that`s going to solve that stalemate, again, Steven says, is just talking, talking, talking, talking, until he says you`re blue in the gills.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When he picks up the phone, we hit the remote.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hello. Hello.
VARGAS: Munich stars Eric Bana as a Mossad agent who tracks the Palestinian terrorists who assassinated the Israeli athletes. Spielberg said it`s not "Rambo" but a story about human beings and regret.
Spielberg said in the "TIME" article, quote, "You are assigned a mission, and you do it because you believe in the mission. But there is something about killing people at close range that is excruciating." And added that "it`s bound to try a man`s soul."
Aside from the movie, Spielberg has another plan to impact the Middle East. He told Schickel he admits it`s a small effort.
SCHICKEL: He wants to just give video cameras to about 125 Palestinian children and 125 Israeli children and just let them shoot their ordinary lives, as he says, what movies we go to, what we had for dinner last night, what my father is like, what my mother is like, and then they would exchange the videos. Because you know, at the level of childhood, there isn`t, or there should not be, any ideology. They`re just people who wish to live.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VARGAS: Now much rumor and speculation surrounds "Munich." Many wonder if Spielberg takes a pro-Israel stance. Again, "TIME`s" writer, Richard Schickel, one of the few people to see the movie at this point, says he thinks it`s both balanced and fair, giving both sides a human face.
"Munich" opens in theaters December 23, and you can bet there`s going to be a lot more discussion, A.J.
HAMMER: It will be interesting to see if it can make a difference, Sibila. Thanks very much. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Sibila Vargas, live in Hollywood.
Now we`d like to hear from you for our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. You`re sounding off on Steven Spielberg`s "Munich." Can the movie help the Middle East peace process? Vote by going to CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. Got more to say, the e-mail address is ShowbizTonight@CNN.com. We`re going to read some of your thoughts later on in the show.
And coming up next, we`re going to speak with an actress who was actually at Munich performing as a gymnast in the 1972 Olympics. It`s the interview you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, and that`s next.
ANDERSON: Plus, we`ve got some secrets to bare. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT goes behind the scenes of the super sexy Victoria`s Secret fashion show, a special preview, coming up.
HAMMER: And our "King Kong Monday" coverage continues. You have to say it like that, apparently.
ANDERSON: That`s great.
HAMMER: That`s what I was taught. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, the only entertainment news show live at the movie`s world premier. And "King Kong" crash course. We`ve got it coming up. A look at the amazing special effects in the new film, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. "King Kong Monday" is here tonight. And I am Brooke Anderson, live in New York. We`re the only entertainment news show bringing you live coverage of the world premier of "King Kong." It stars Jack Black, Naomi Watts and Adrian Brody.
Let`s go back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s David Haffenreffer, who joins us live right now from Times Square. Hey, David.
HAFFENREFFER: Hi, Brooke. Yes, busy night here on the red carpet on West 42nd Street in Manhattan, where the world premier of Peter Jackson`s rendition of "King Kong" is just now getting underway inside the theater, just behind us at this point.
This is the second remake of the 1933 film classic. And it comes about 30 years, even, after the last remake, which was 1976. If you look at how well the "King Kong" story has held up, it`s no wonder audiences keep coming back.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And lo, the beast looked upon the face of beauty.
HAFFENREFFER: We`ve all heard the beauty and the beast story of "King Kong." But how many of us really know the classic movie monster? Jack Black, who plays over ambitious film maker Carl Denham in the new "King Kong" remake, tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that he wasn`t all that cool with Kong.
JACK BLACK, ACTOR: I never saw the original until -- until I got the part.
DEVIN GORDON, "NEWSWEEK": You consider most of the movie goers these days are teenagers and 20-somethings. There`s never been a "King Kong" in their lifetime.
HAFFENREFFER: So allow SHOWBIZ TONIGHT to take you on a "King Kong Krash Kourse."
The original black and white "King Kong" was made in 1933 on a then astronomical budget of $672,000. It was an immediate smash. At a time when movie tickets cost under a quarter, "King Kong" made more than $1 million in its initial release. Its intense action scenes, done with revolutionary stop motion special effects, were so shocking some movie goers reportedly were fainting in the aisles.
GORDON: "King Kong" in 1933 was something audiences really hadn`t seen before. I mean, the notion of special effects were very, very new. Even the notion of sound in movies was only a couple of years old.
HAFFENREFFER: The original "King Kong" also featured one of movie`s all-time damsels in distress, Fay Wray as Ann Darrow.
Naomi Watts, who plays Darrow in the remake, tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT she got to meet Fay Wray before the 96-year-old actress died last year.
NAOMI WATTS, ACTRESS: She gave me her blessing. At the end of the night, we said our good-byes, and she whispered in my ear, "Ann Darrow`s in good hands."
HAFFENREFFER: "King Kong" was brought into the 1970s in a 1976 remake starring future Oscar winner Jessica Lang. It was a hit, but people didn`t exactly go ape over it.
GORDON: The 1976 version of "King Kong" was not especially well received for a lot of reasons. It wasn`t an especially good movie. But the most important thing is that Kong just looked silly. It was a guy running around in a monkey suit, and it just didn`t look very good.
HAFFENREFFER: Kong is not a guy in a monkey suit in the new remake by "The Lord of the Rings" Oscar winning director Peter Jackson. This time, Kong is computer generated. His movements are provided by actor Andy Serkis, who did the same job in "The Lord of the Rings" for the digitally created creature, Gollum.
ANDY SERKIS, ACTOR: Nobody likes you.
HAFFENREFFER: Serkis tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that Kong is a totally different animal.
SERKIS: I spent a lot of time at the London Zoo, and then worked with Dian Fossey group in Rwanda at their research center and then brought all that back and brought that to it.
HAFFENREFFER: And while director Peter Jackson painstakingly re- created the 24-foot ape, he tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT he had to do the same for 1930s New York.
JACKSON: We were looking at, you know, architectural plans of New York City and going through these street plans and figuring out what was there in 1933 and what wasn`t and finding photographs of all the buildings and plans. And you know, we built a very, very accurate computer copy of Manhattan.
HAFFENREFFER: While "Kong" has been adapted for 1933, for 1976, and now for 2005, one thing remains the same. The same beauty and the beast story that audiences first experienced more than 70 years ago, continues to captivate today.
GORDON: This was just an innovative story, and it`s still fun. Having an ape climb up the Empire State Building and having airplanes shoot at him, it cool; it`s fun. It still looks great, and it still works on screen.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAFFENREFFER: 1933, 1976, and now of course, 2005, but there have been other King Kong movies. Remember "Son of Kong"? What about "King Kong Lives"? And don`t forget about that Saturday afternoon monster movie classic, "King Kong versus Godzilla," of course. Maybe one day somebody will try to remake that movie.
And by the way, Donald Trump just walked by, another VIP on the red carpet -- Brooke.
ANDERSON: Absolutely. David, that was very interesting and informative. Thank you so much. David Haffenreffer, live in Times Square.
And we`re going to go back to David a little later in the show for more live coverage of "King Kong Monday." He`ll bring us his interviews with the stars and the excited fans who have gathered here in New York for this very big night.
HAMMER: It`s time now for a "SHOWBIZ Sitdown" with Cathy Rigby. She has been flying into our hearts in the classic tale of "Peter Pan" on stage for 30 years now. Get this. She has done over 2,600 performances. Rigby prepares to hang up her green tights and flying cables after one last nationwide farewell tour as "Peter Pan."
Cathy Rigby, joining us here live at SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
CATHY RIGBY, ACTRESS: What cables?
HAMMER: I`m sorry.
RIGBY: It`s fairy dust.
HAMMER: I`m sorry. There`s no cables. It`s just magic and you make it all happen.
I have to ask you, a few moments ago, I hope you were watching, we were talking about the controversy swilling around "Munich."
RIGBY: Yes, yes.
HAMMER: And here you are. 1972, Munich Olympics, you were there when the Israeli athletes were kidnapped and killed. What do you remember from that experience?
RIGBY: You know, I was very, very young at the time, I mean, as far as the world is concerned. I think it was a loss of innocence for a lot of folks. And I was actually out of -- we had finished our competition. I was out of the village for awhile. And but when we came back, it was a completely different feel, obviously.
And the thing that amazed me the most was the fact that these athletes decided that they wouldn`t let terrorism win, that they would go on and they would do their event. But it certainly put life and things in perspective that time.
HAMMER: And certainly now, with this movie coming out from Steven Spielberg, you`re going to be perhaps reliving that story and that time a little bit.
RIGBY: Sure.
HAMMER: Will you run out to see it?
RIGBY: Absolutely. In fact, it`s ironic, because I met Steven Spielberg when he was shooting "Hook," way back when. And just the fact that we`re here with "Peter Pan," and he`s now shooting something that is so close to my heart, with "Munich," it`s really kind of amazing.
HAMMER: On two counts, you have things going on with Steven.
RIGBY: Yes, yes.
HAMMER: And speaking of "Hook," it was only a couple of years after that when you played "Peter Pan" for the first time. As I mentioned, you`ve been doing it on and off for the last 30 years. "Peter Pan" has existed now for 100 years.
RIGBY: Yes.
HAMMER: What is so enduring about the little boy who could fly that people just keep wanting to go back?
RIGBY: You know what? I think it`s a traditional thing. These families go and the grandmoms have seen Mary Martin. And they have their kids who have grown up and they`ve seen "Peter Pan," somebody`s production of it. And now they`re bringing these little kids.
And you know, it`s magical, and they relive it through the eyes of their children. And their children are just, when they watch the show, and you say, you know, "Do you believe? Clap if you believe in Tinkerbell." To see the faces of these kids with all of the technology, and you`re holding a little blinking light. And they are riveted to it.
They`re just -- and the whole idea of flying, and the idea -- there`s a line at the end of the show that Wendy says -- Wendy is grown up and Jane is going with Peter to Neverland. And Wendy says, "If only I can go with you."
And Peter, says, "You can`t, Wendy. You`re too grown up." And there`s this collective sigh, I think, from members of the audience who look at their own children who go, if only I could go with you and I could protect you and I could take you on adventures. But I can`t. I have to let you do that yourself. And that`s part of the magic.
HAMMER: And is it still magical to you all these years later?
RIGBY: It gets more magical, I think because the more you do the role, the more you just become the character. And it`s like reliving your childhood. And if nothing else, it`s great therapy, because we all need to find our inner child.
But no, it`s magical every night. It`s a great big workout. And it`s a lot of effort every night. But I tell you, there`s just something about being mischievous and silly and passionate about life.
HAMMER: Who doesn`t love that? And no cables involved, by the way.
RIGBY: No, it`s fairy dust.
HAMMER: Cathy, very good. It`s a pleasure to have you. Thanks for joining us on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
RIGBY: Thank you.
HAMMER: And you can catch Cathy Rigby in a city near you as she tours the country one last time as Peter Pan.
ANDERSON: A big announcement from ABC. Tonight, who`s taking over for the late Peter Jennings. It`s a move that`s been tried twice before and flopped. Will the third time be a charm? Find out, coming up.
HAMMER: Plus, Jessica Simpson`s very first public appearance since her very public break up with Nick Lachey. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was right there and knows who she took as a date. You will, too, if you stick around.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (singing): Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer...
KIRSTIE ALLEY, ACTRESS: That`s a reindeer with a big red nose.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: And the story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer as you`ve never heard it before, courtesy of the Church of Scientology and Kirstie Alley and stars of "That 70`s Show." That`s coming up, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Tonight, a story about celebs and Scientology that doesn`t involve any controversy, if you can believe it. Stars from "That 70s Show," Laura Prepon, Mila Kunis, Danny Masterson, came out for the 13th annual Police Activities League fundraiser held at the Church of Scientology`s Celebrity Center this weekend.
Kirstie Alley also performed a rather unique version of "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (singing): ... and if you ever saw it, you would even say, "It glows."
ALLEY: If you opened your eyes, you`d see it. You`d go, "Wow, spectacular."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: The Christmas story fundraiser has pulled in more than $170,000 since 1993.
HAMMER: It is time now for the best of today`s talk shows in "Talk of the Day." And on "Live with Regis and Kelly," Regis infuriates executive producer Michael Gelman, because as Regis and Kelly were going on and on about Christmas card sales, Gelman discovers a little problem.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REGIS PHILBIN, CO-HOST, ABC`S "LIVE WITH REGIS AND KELLY": Maybe that`s why the Christmas card -- I always thought deliveries were down from previous years. But no, Christmas cards, believe it or not, are making a tremendous comeback.
Now listen to this. Card sales in 2001, $4 billion. 2005 estimated, $19 billion.
KELLY RIPA, CO-HOST, ABC`S "LIVE WITH REGIS AND KELLY": I don`t think they`ve ever been down. I think it`s just steady growth over the years.
PHILBIN: Excuse me. I can see by Gelman`s face...
RIPA: No, no, no. He started like -- he started like...
PHILBIN: What is it? I can`t take that face any more?
MICHAEL GELMAN, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: The item that you`re reading from is about gift cards, not Christmas cards.
PHILBIN: Honest to God...
RIP: I swear to God, we are idiots.
PHILBIN: Yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Get it right, Rege.
Calling all Dave Chappelle fans. He`s back, sort of. Big news about the comedian coming up.
And what really goes on behind the scenes at the Victoria`s Secret fashion show? We`re going to take you back there, coming up in just a few, as well.
And, "King Kong Monday" continues. We`re the only entertainment news show live at the carpet. We return next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN HEADLINE NEWS ANCHOR: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT continues in a minute. I`m Catherine Callaway with your "Headline Prime Newsbreak."
This afternoon, a Texas judge threw out conspiracy charges against Congressman Tom DeLay. The judge is refusing to dismiss Monday laundering charges against the Texas Republican. And that spoils DeLay`s hopes of immediately reclaiming his job as House majority leader.
The case of a severely brain-damaged 11-year-old will be heard at the Massachusetts Supreme Court tomorrow. The right to life case centers on whether she should be taken off life support. Her step-father`s accused of beating her into a vegetative state. He could be tried for murder if she dies.
And it`s beginning to look a lot like winter in some parts of the country. Forecasters expect significant accumulations of snow from Virginia and North Carolina into New England. Snowfall should especially be intense around Washington, D.C. Five inches could fall south of Philadelphia.
I`m Catherine Callaway. Back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It is "King Kong" Monday on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. And you`re looking at a live picture from the "King Kong" premiere. That`s the red carpet right here in New York City. We`re going to go back live to the red carpet with David Haffenreffer in just a moment. It is 31 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson. You`re watching TV`s only live entertainment news show.
A.J., we finally know who will fill the shoes of the late ABC News anchor Peter Jennings.
HAMMER: Big news.
ANDERSON: Big news. And I will tell you who that is, coming up. I actually spoke with this person, or these people, earlier today. And we`ll hear how they feel about their new jobs and also the legacy of Peter Jennings. It is really big news today.
HAMMER: A huge announcement. Also huge for some people, what goes on behind the scenes with all those supermodels at the Victoria`s Secret fashion show backstage? We`re going to take you there in a just few moments.
ANDERSON: You might be surprised.
(LAUGHTER)
HAMMER: But first, we`ve got to get to tonight`s "Hot Headlines" with Sibila Vargas, who`s joining us live once again from Hollywood.
Hi, Sibila.
VARGAS: Hi, guys. Well, get ready for more "Chappelle`s Show." Today, Comedy Central announced that Dave Chappelle will be back on the network in four never-before-seen episodes, which he filmed before leaving the show. Now, Chappelle walked off last spring to go on what he calls a spiritual retreat. You might remember that. The new episodes air next spring.
Professional wrestlers are adding a new maneuver to their repertoire: taking a drug test. World Wrestling Entertainment says it`s starting random testing for steroids, prescription drug abuse, and illegal drugs. The policy follows the death of wrestler Eddie Guerrero, whose widow says he abused drugs and alcohol.
And director Steven Spielberg says his new movie, "Munich," is a prayer for peace. The movie tells the story of Israel`s revenge for the killing of its athletes by Palestinian guerillas at the 1972 Olympics. In the only interview Spielberg is giving before the film opens later this month, he told "Time" magazine that he doesn`t think that any film can solve the stalemate in the Middle East, but that, quote, "it`s certainly worth a try."
And that leads us, again, to the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT "Question of the Day." Steven Spielberg`s Munich: Can the movie help the Middle East peace process? Keep voting at CNN.com/showbiztonight or write us at showbiztonight@CNN.com. Your e-mails are coming up at 55 past the hour.
And those are tonight`s "Hot Headlines." A.J., back to you.
HAMMER: Thanks very much, Sibila. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Sibila Vargas live in Hollywood.
ANDERSON: Well, it is "King Kong" Monday here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. How did I do, A.J.?
HAMMER: Nice.
ANDERSON: Nice, all right. And Peter Jackson joined the cast of "King Kong" today in Manhattan for the world premiere of the movie. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is the only live entertainment news show on the red carpet. David Haffenreffer has been speaking with the cast and joins us now live from Times Square -- David?
HAFFENREFFER: Hi, Brooke.
You know, most of the people in the film, Peter Jackson, and Naomi Watts, Jack Black, Adrian Brody, are already in the film itself. But down the carpet, we understand, just walking onto the red carpet, we understand, is Lindsay Lohan, just arriving. A tad late for the screening, actually, but here nonetheless.
And so we`ve set off another media frenzy here. It`s been very tight quarters along this red carpet all evening this evening, as media organizations from around the globe -- much of the film shot, of course, in New Zealand -- have come here to talk to the various representatives of the film itself.
Of course, it`s an age-old story. The original film came out in 1933, all about the capturing of a 25-foot gorilla that is brought back to civilization. And, of course, it meets its fate. But it is wooed and brought into a very calm mode by one Naomi Watts, in this particular film. We caught up with Naomi Watts and Jack Black just a short time ago to talk to them about the film.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAFFENREFFER: Tell me about what it was like being a part of this movie, because it is so big, and it`s such a big budget film. And it was all done with all those special effects out there. What was it like going through the process?
NAOMI WATTS, ACTRESS, "KING KONG": It was wonderful. I mean, we spent seven months in New Zealand. And they were -- I mean, I learned so much. There were things that, certainly, I had never done before on film sets or, you know, things I didn`t understand, like the whole effects world is completely foreign to me.
But Peter, who`s obviously been doing it so well for seven years, was able to create all kinds of fantastic tools to facilitate the performances and things like that.
HAFFENREFFER: Was this, physically speaking, the most rigorous role you`ve done?
WATTS: Without question. Yes, I never thought of myself as an action heroine in any way. But that`s kind of what I had to be. I mean, on a daily basis, there was lots of running, and jumping, and kicking, and, you know, all that kind of stuff. And the aches and pains and bruises, and god knows what, were eventually taking its toll.
HAFFENREFFER: We just spoke to Peter Jackson a moment ago, and he was telling us about how this was the film, 1933 film, that made him want to become a filmmaker. Now, he`s obviously a legend. Did that add to the meaning for you, as an actress, to be a part of that?
WATTS: Absolutely. When I first met with him -- because I wasn`t sure at first. I mean, it sounded like a great idea, but I really wanted to hear what he had to say.
And when I first met with him, he talked about that passion and his connection to the "King Kong" story, and how he tried to make the film twice before with no success. And I just thought, "Wow, he`s dedicated to this story for a reason. And he`s obviously got a clear, clear vision of what he wants to do. And why not? This sounds like a great thing to be a part of."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAFFENREFFER: Of course, it bears repeating that Peter Jackson -- this is the film, the original 1933 film, that made him want to become a filmmaker. So a big night for him, as well. He also threw in millions of dollars of his own money to help bring this film and make it a reality.
Lindsay Lohan, as we mentioned, was down there earlier, just walked by. In all the excitement -- I got so excited -- I forgot that I was wearing my "King Kong" mitt, which they handed out here just a short time ago.
So, back to you, Brooke.
(LAUGHTER)
ANDERSON: Looks nice, David. Thank you so much. David Haffenreffer live in Times Square.
Tonight, replacements have been named to step into the role left vacant by legendary news anchor Peter Jennings. Jennings, the longtime anchor for "ABC World News Tonight" died August 7th, just a few months after announcing he had lung cancer.
Replacing Jennings, a two-anchor team, Elizabeth Vargas and Bob Woodruff, both of whom have been filling in on "World News Tonight" for months now.
And another change. "World News Tonight" will be the first nightly network news cast to broadcast live in all three time zones. Today, I spoke with the new anchor team about how they feel about their new jobs.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ELIZABETH VARGAS, CO-HOST, "WORLD NEWS TONIGHT": Thrilled, honored, overwhelmed, but mostly honored. This is a great honor. And I`m thrilled to be working with Bob and with this incredibly talented, devoted, really crack smart staff at "World News Tonight."
ANDERSON: Peter Jennings was loved by so many for so many years. How do you feel about stepping into those really big shoes?
VARGAS: Well, he does leave an amazing legacy behind. And we are both committed to fulfilling that legacy. And, you know, the audience has been absolutely wonderful in sticking with us these eight long months, and we hope to continue to develop our own relationship with them, and keep, you know, Peter`s legend and legacy in mind at all times.
BOB WOODRUFF, CO-HOST, "WORLD NEWS TONIGHT": The content of it is going to remain much like what people have seen before and what, you know, Peter has left behind, too, in terms of legacy. You know, this is going to be a broadcast that is going to be as serious and as interesting as it has ever been.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: And joining me now live to discuss this changing of the guard at "World News Tonight," Bart Feder, CEO of The Feed Room, which manages online news for TV stations around the country.
Bart, great to see you.
BART FEDER, CEO, THE FEED ROOM: Great to be here.
ANDERSON: All right. One of the biggest surprises here: Charlie Gibson, co-host of "Good Morning America," many thought he might get this job, but he didn`t. Why do you think he wasn`t hired?
FEDER: Well, I think Charlie Gibson is still the number-one male anchor at ABC. And the world has changed. The morning shows are the growth area for network news. They`re the shows that bring in the most money.
He and Diane Sawyer have the great thing going. They`ve been battling the "Today" show pretty much neck and neck now for a few years. And now, with the potential prospect that Katie Couric might leave...
ANDERSON: To CBS, possibly.
FEDER: ... the "Today" show when her contract expires, they had a position that they didn`t want to relinquish, which was poised to take over that number-one spot should Katie leave and the "Today" show, not being able to stay in that one position.
ANDERSON: So maybe not take two risks here?
FEDER: Well, yes, they were able to do something bold, which is do something in the evening, and still not take a huge risk. Bob Woodruff and Elizabeth Vargas have been accepted by Peter Jennings` audience, by the loyal "World News Tonight" audience.
They spread it among two people, so they`re spreading their risk even further. And they know that that audience isn`t going to abandon them, because they haven`t already, and they`re still in a position to do something in the morning.
ANDERSON: Well, let me ask you about this: The two-anchor format, when Dan Rather and Connie Chung tried it in the `90s, it didn`t work. When Barbara Walters tried it with Harry Reasoner in the `70s, it didn`t work. Why do they think it will work now?
FEDER: Well, The world has changed, and the evening news has changed. When Connie joined Dan and when Barbara joined Harry, it was a case where both of those broadcasts were in third place when they tried to do that. And they were trying to differentiate themselves just with that cosmetic, and I don`t think that`s what ABC is trying to do.
They have two good journalists who have been accepted. And they`re trying to take the evening newscast away from just being that 6:30 broadcast and bringing it onto the Web, and bringing it in multiple time zones, and really looking at that as spreading it from, when Charlie and Diane hand off, they`re going to hand off in the middle of the day to two other people who are then going to take it through, really, to "Nightline."
ANDERSON: Right.
FEDER: So ABC`s looking at, really, a 24-hour wheel that competes with the cable networks.
ANDERSON: And do you think it`s because of the Internet, because of the changing ways that people are getting their news, that news casts have to keep up, they have to adapt?
FEDER: Right. We`re at every -- if you hear the networks all talk, they`re all talking about their digital strategy, being digital media companies, which means being available 24 hours a day. And that`s what David Westin also emphasized in his announcement today. He emphasized all the things they were doing to be available in multiple platforms on the Web, cell phones, PDAs, and everything like that.
ANDERSON: We will see how it works.
FEDER: Absolutely.
ANDERSON: It kicks off January 3rd. Bart Feder from The Feed Room, thank you so much for joining us tonight. We appreciate it.
FEDER: Thanks for having me. Great to be here.
ANDERSON: And, as I said, the news "World News Tonight" begins January 3rd.
HAMMER: Jessica Simpson`s first public appearance since announcing her separation from Nick Lachey. Now, this was a big deal in more ways than one. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was right there. That`s coming your way, next.
ANDERSON: Plus, it has been called the sexiest night on television, and we have at ticket backstage. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is behind the scenes at the Victoria`s Secret fashion show, coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer.
Well, from TomKat to Kanye to Brad and Angelina, the year of 2005 has certainly seen some big moments and some big people on the move. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on the move, too, taking you to the place where VH-1 paid tribute to all of them, with the "VH-1 Big in `05 Awards." CNN Headline News`s Adrianna Costa was right there for all of the action. Adrianna joins us now from Hollywood.
Hello.
ADRIANNA COSTA, CNN HEADLINE NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Hello, A.J. Yes, and after a star-studded weekend, it`s good to be here with you. Some of the hottest stars and performers, and faces, of the year hit the carpet for the year-end celebration and were seen big and heard big.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT cameras were there as Jessica Simpson arrived with her mom as her date. Now, this marks her first public appearance since her very public break-up with husband, Nick Lachey. She grabbed the award for "Big Stylin` in 2005" and came to the ceremony in stylish purple.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JESSICA SIMPSONS, POP STAR: ... who actually deserves this. And first and foremost, it is my mother, because she taught me how to match my scrunchies with my socks when I was a kid.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTA: OK, well, at least she can have a sense of humor about it.
From fashion to free-styling, young gun Nick Cannon, who you`ll know from "Roll Bounce" and from MTV`s "Wild `N Out," had a huge year. And I got a first-hand taste of how Nick and buddies do it on the MTV show.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NICK CANNON, MTV HOST: Where do I begin? It`s your man, NCICK on CNN. And the way we play is real ill today. It`s kind of cold out. She`s got a scarf, OK. With the beat box, the heat rock. We keep it going all night. This is how we do it. Nick Cannon. I`m out of sight.
COSTA: Yes, that was awesome.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTA: OK, I promise you, A.J., I will never attempt beat boxing again. It will never happen.
Another young star with a huge year, teen queen Lindsay Lohan. The ever-changing beauty took the stage to accept the "Big It Girl" award. No surprises there, of course, but she did surprise the audience when she thanked the paparazzi for her win. Let`s take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LINDSAY LOHAN, ACTRESS: I`m giving this award, dedicating it to the paparazzi, because being big in `05 means getting in three car crashes in one year, people.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTA: OK, she jokes about it now, but it was a big thing at the beginning.
Hip-hop sensation Kanye West won two prizes for "Big Entertainer" and "Big Quote." And, as you know, in past events, you never know what`s going to come out of the superstar`s mouth.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KANYE WEST, MUSICIAN: And I finally got an award I can put in my bathroom. Thank you.
(LAUGHTER)
(APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTA: OK, you might remember, West and Myers were standing next to each other at a Katrina fundraiser when Kanye blurted out that President Bush doesn`t care about black people. It was that same statement that won him VH-1`s award for the big quote of the year.
And, of course, no VH-1 show would be complete without some special musical performances. With new front-man J.D. Fortune leading the way, the rockers of INXS picked up the "Big Old School Triumph" award. They reached back to the archives for a crowd favorite, the classic and properly named, "New Sensation." The Aussie group said they owe their big year to their new Canadian lead singer.
And, A.J., are you there with me?
HAMMER: I am here. And that was a lovely job you did on the beat boxing, but never say never, because that`s what comes back to haunt you.
I have to ask you, you mentioned that was the first time that we`re seeing Jessica Simpson out on a red carpet since she and Nick Lachey called it quits. So I assume everybody was asking her about that.
COSTA: Oh, nobody -- she would not stop for the press line. She didn`t talk to anybody. She did take a few pictures with her mom, Tina Simpson, but it was a huge shock that she even made it to the event, because she was slated to be there but everybody was saying, "There`s no Jessica Simpson going to be coming tonight." She happened to show up, no ring on her finger.
But, moving on to another couple, Tori Spelling did have a ring on her finger. And she was with her new love, her new man, Dean McDermott. Now, people are saying that he is the cause of her split-up from her husband. So they were together, canoodling, and literally kissing and making-out for the paparazzi. And she did have a mystery ring on her left finger, on the left ring finger.
So we`ll have to stay tuned to find out all the juice on that. And we will definitely keep you guys posted.
HAMMER: Well, I`m glad you got to see some good canoodling, Adrianna. That`s CNN Headline News` Adrianna Costa, live from Hollywood. And, of course, you can catch Adrianna`s entertainment reports every morning on "ROBIN AND COMPANY" on CNN Headline News. And VH-1`s "Big in `05 Awards" replay tonight on VH-1.
ANDERSON: Well, tonight, eye candy like no other. Victoria`s Secret models decked out in their holiday finest, including dressed head to toe in real candy. But how do those supermodels look so incredible when they step out on the catwalk? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT went behind the scenes to find out.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON (voice-over): There`s a reason why they call this the most wonderful time of the year: the sexiest night on television, the Victoria`s Secret Fashion Show.
HEIDI KLUM, VICTORIA`S SECRET ANGEL: This year, it`s called "Sexy Little Things," so we`re all sexy little things. And we have all very sexy little things on. So something to unpack for Christmas.
KAROLINA KURKOVA, VICTORIA`S SECRET ANGEL: It`s really about holidays and teddy bears and snow.
ANDERSON: And angels, hot angels, the kind that might make Santa blush. The models are gorgeous, no doubt. But to get here, they have to start here, backstage. It`s hot, and the place is jammed full of press. But the models are making the most of it. Also backstage, some of the world`s top hairstylists and make-up artists.
LINDA HAY, VICTORIA`S SECRET MAKE-UP ARTIST: Beautiful, maybe a little bit more. More mascara. You know, like, bring them out. But otherwise, beautiful.
ANDERSON: Linda Hay is here to make these models look their absolute best.
HAY: The overall look for this show is very, very sexy. It`s very feminine and just a little bit of glamour.
ANDERSON: She`s in charge of make-up. And she`s the woman all the top models seek out.
HAY: Well, actually, the faces are all beautiful, so that`s sort of half the battle, really, isn`t it? And then it`s actually the heat and, you know, the atmosphere is what fires you up and makes you work faster, basically. It`s just, you know, an adrenaline rush. It`s fantastic.
ANDERSON: Amidst the interviews and preparations, Victoria`s Secret models get top treatment, including full manicures and pedicures.
And they may be angels, but their skin doesn`t glow like that naturally. They get the look with body paint and shimmer, a special station every model hits to give their skin that ethereal sheen.
And then there`s the hair, that bouncy, voluminous hair.
ITALO GREGORIO, VICTORIA`S SECRET HAIRSTYLIST: I want to feel very touchable feeling, very sexy.
ANDERSON: So how did they get that look? These hair extensions. And having a top hairstylist work on your hair doesn`t hurt, either.
GREGORIO: The girls, obviously, they`re gorgeous. They`re in the 99 percent of platform there to start with. So I just do that 1 percent.
ANDERSON: And if you`re going to strut your stuff down the runway, you got to make sure everything is plucked, pruned, and preened, even your eyebrows.
ANASTASIA, EYEBROW EXPERT: And we are doing everybody`s eyebrows.
ANDERSON: Anastasia is the queen of eyebrows, one of the top pluckers in the world. Her secret?
ANASTASIA: I was in art school. I studied so much the bone structure and the muscles and, specifically, the muscles around the eye area. I think that`s the secret of the way I do eyebrows.
ANDERSON: So, if you want to look like this, these top stylists have a few words of wisdom for you.
GREGORIO: Don`t wash your hair too often. Wash your hair every other day.
HAY: The one beauty tip, I think, is take care of your skin. Your skin is your best accessory. If you have beautiful skin, then that`s half the battle. And, of course, mascara helps.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: The Victoria`s Secret Fashion Show airs on CBS tomorrow. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT will be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: We`ve been asking you to vote online on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT "Question of the Day." Steven Spielberg`s "Munich": Can the movie help the Middle East peace process?
A pretty one-sided vote tonight: 9 percent of you say yes; 91 percent of you say no.
One of the e-mails we received was from Matthew in North Carolina who writes, "It will make a difference, if it spreads peace and tolerance. People forget the power of movies."
ANDERSON: And now it`s time to see what`s playing on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT tomorrow. Marquee Guy, take it away.
MARQUEE GUY: Tomorrow, from "Animal House" to the "Blues Brothers" to "SNL," it`s the inside story of John Belushi. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the stories you have not heard yet, from two people who knew him best, including Dan fellow "Blues Brother" Aykroyd, tomorrow.
Also tomorrow, "The Producers." Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane produced rave reviews on Broadway. Now they`re coming to a theater near you. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, with Broderick and Lane, tomorrow.
This is the Marquee Guy. And let me share that one of my favorite producers is Tammy Weiss (ph).
HAMMER: Of course. Ours, too.
That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson. Please stay tuned for the latest from CNN Headline News.
END
