Return to Transcripts main page
Showbiz Tonight
Who Should Replace Star Jones Reynolds on `The View`?; Affleck Suits Up as Superman
Aired July 07, 2006 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
A.J. HAMMER, CO-HOST: Regis Philbin`s surprising idea about who should replace Star Jones Reynolds on "The View." And Ben Affleck suits up as Superman. We have your very first look at the controversial role. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER (voice-over): On SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, stars overcoming scandals. Kate Moss and the cocaine scandal, Robert Downey Jr.`s battle with addiction, Charlie Sheen`s ugly divorce, yet all of them are more successful than ever. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT reveals how Teflon stars beat the bad press and come out on top.
The laughing church. A revival movement with thousands of followers, who say the way to god, is in giggles. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT investigates the controversial preacher, who says his religion is no joke.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Hello, I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Friday night has finally arrived. You may have noticed that the set looks a little but different, the set you`re used to seeing is getting a new look, so we`re hanging out here for now.
Well we begin tonight with celebrity scandals. It really is unbelievable when you think about it. How is it, we want to know, that some of Hollywood`s biggest stars get caught up in these incredible scandals, yet they manage to come up smelling like roses, even with their careers bigger than ever. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT decided to get to the bottom of this. And CNN`s Jason Carroll is here for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT to help us make sense of it all this.
Jas, this is really fascinating.
JASON CARROLL, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Well, I`m going to try, I`m going to try. You know, celebrities know there`s nothing like a scandal to provide a big jolt to one`s career. This week we`re seeing Kate Moss, Charlie Sheen, and Robert Downey Jr. Prove it is possible to survive a storm of controversy.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): Alleged drug abuse, prostitution, child pornography charges.
HOWARD BRAGMAN, FIFTEEN MINUTES P.R.: There is no end to the ability of celebrities to get into scandals.
CARROLL: But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you the ability of some celebrities to wiggle out of scandal never, ever ceases to amaze. Case in point, Kate Moss. It wasn`t that long ago that the supermodel was losing endorsement deals left and right after a photo that reportedly showed her using cocaine hit the cover of a British tabloid.
BROOKE ANDERSON, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Does supermodel Kate Moss deserve to lose her endorsements?
CARROLL: Everyone was writing her professional obituary. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT included. But that was then, this is now.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Don`t call it a comeback.
CARROLL: Oh, you can call it a comeback. Having dodged criminal charges, Kate Moss is back on top of the endorsement game, doing ads for virgin mobile, among others.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The more you put on, the sexier you are.
CARROLL: And Burberry is featuring her in a new ad campaign after temporarily keeping the supermodel off its runways during her scandal.
MARVET BRITTO, CELEBRITY PUBLICIST: We never heard any backlash whatsoever. So, it`s almost as if it didn`t happen. It`s almost as if the cocaine was candy and she was, you know, I mean, really.
CARROLL: Celebrity publicist Marvet Britto who once represented the once troubled Mariah Carey, says Kate Moss scandal shows that sometimes a little trouble can help a star.
BRITTO: If the advertisers had forgotten about beautiful Kate, you know, just thrusts her back in the forefront it puts her back on the covers of magazines.
CARROLL: And Kate`s not alone in miraculous celebrity recoveries. Actor Robert Downey Jr. spent most of the 1990s dealing with various drug and other charges.
ROBERT DOWNEY, JR., ACTOR: No contest, your honor.
CARROLL: Now the actor struck a deal to write his memoirs.
BRAGMAN: In Hollywood we understand what the kind of money and kind of pressure people surround their lives with we have the ability for excess and addiction, and forgive people who stepped outside the line as long as they come back into the line and do it well and do it with dignity.
DOWNEY: OK, OK. Or as the Germens would say, liza (ph) which translates to...
CARROLL: Meanwhile, Downey continues to work steadily in movies including his latest, "A Scanner Darkly." whose plot centers ironically centers around drug addiction. And get this, the movie also stars Winona Ryder, who`s doing a bit of scandal repair too following her 2002 shoplifting conviction.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And Charlie Sheen, "Two and a Half Men".
CARROLL: And Charlie Sheen has come along way. He just scored an Emmy nomination for his role in "Two and a Half Men," which is the highest rated sitcom on TV. A decade ago, he was making headlines for testifying at the Heidi Fleiss trial about the $50,000 he spent on prostitutes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What was that personal check for?
CHARLIE SHEEN, ACTOR: That check was written for sexual services.
CARROLL: From Charlie chaplain to R. Kelly and his sex tape trials, you literally can`t count how many trials dodged serious scandal to continue their careers. And the one question that keeps coming to mind is how do they do it?
BRITTO: Here`s someone we love and someone that we appreciate and respect, you know before you get in trouble. then chances are we`re going to be, you know, supportive of you throughout that, you know, difficult journey.
BRAGMAN: We have an amazing capacity in America to forgive. And I think if somebody makes a mistake, we want to give them the chance as long as they`re contrite and they handle it in the right way to come back and be part of society.
CARROLL: And it`s the public`s capacity to forgive that many stars are taking to the bank.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
And just how lucrative is Kate Moss` new, post scandal career? The "New York Post" estimates she will make about $18 million this year, as opposed to the $7 million she pulled down before the cocaine scandal -- A.J.
HAMMER: That is simply unbelievable. CNN`s Jason Carroll, thanks so very much.
Well, if there`s anyone who knows about celebrity scandal, not because she`s been involved herself, but Jane Velez-Mitchell has covered all kinds of celebrity scandal for many years and has been filling in for Nancy Grace this week right here on "CNN Headline Prime." She joins me now.
Nice to see you, Jane. It is amazing, although it would appear celebrities are coated with Teflon they are not really coated with Teflon. Yet you look at these textbook cases that we were just checking out like Kate Moss making all this money now, more than before her scandal.
JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, CNN NEWS ANCHOR: These stars have all the character defects you and I have. The difference is that when they go down this he go down very publicly, it`s especially humiliating. Kate Moss, drug problem. Very, very public, hitting bottom. But in the wake of that, she ultimately made all the right moves. She went into rehab, then she was very public about appearing, hey, here I am, sober look at me, my eyes are bright and shiny. Then she was even coaching other stars on how to stay sober, doing a little 12 stepping. Danger signals? Tell me who you walk with and I`ll tell you who you are. If you have a bad boy boyfriend, you could end up being with the wrong crowd. So she`s going to watch that. Also, it is early stage sobriety. She could slip, so she`s got to be vigilant, it is a very cunning disease. But she`s doing good right now. That`s why she`s making all those big bucks again.
HAMMER: You know, there are lessons to be learned from how the celebrities have handled their scandal because it doesn`t always work out, but right now we`re talking about the cases that have really worked out. Classic example, Robert Downey, Jr. Here`s a guy in and out of jail for probation violations, in and out of rehab several times now. Sometimes it seem like the studios wouldn`t go near him. Now he`s riding as high as ever in his career. What did he do right?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, first of all, he is a brilliant actor. And he is somebody who really puts his heart and soul into the roles. He did a lot wrong in the sense that he had a lot of slip ups, but it is a disease, so it`s not a character defect. It`s not a mater of having a bad personality. He had an illness. And a lot of times people don`t get it the first time around. A lot of times they don`t hear, light goes off, the bell goes off and suddenly they`re sober. That doesn`t mean he doesn`t ultimately get it, apparently he has ultimately gotten it and he may stay sober longer than the rest of the pack that got it the first time around. So, we can`t sit around judging people when we`re talking about a disease. You know, and I have to tell you, I speak from a little bit of personal experience, I`ve been sober more than 11 years and so it`s a daily struggle. You get a daily reprieve. It`s a spiritual work that you`ve got to do and you got to stay on target. So, we can`t sit around judging other people.
HAMMER: And presumably the people who are hiring are seeing it that way. A different case, though, somebody like R. Kelly. I mean, here`s a guy who`s still on trial for doing unspeakable things, allegedly, that were caught on tape with an underage teenage girl. Yet his album went straight to No. 1. What`s the deal with that?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, this is tricky because his case involving alleged child pornography has dragged on for years now. The girl is already 22 and she was underage at time of this alleged videotape. The tricky part is that this videotape may now be entered into evidence so the world may be able to see it. It`s, as you know, video is a hot medium. When people see it, their gut reaction may actually harm his career more than all the talk about what was on that video.
HAMMER: Yeah, because the talk certainly hasn`t harmed it and certainly enough people -- I mean the thing did get out and people did get a chance to see it.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Yeah, I`ve seen it.
HAMMER: Let`s talk about Hugh Grant for a moment, because here`s a guy who got caught with his pants down, literally, with a prostitute. He fessed up to it. And it seemed like he played the game exactly right and it did not harm his career at all. And in face we love Hugh more than ever.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: He played it perfectly. And it is all about honesty. He said, hey, I goofed, I made a mistake. He showed up on Leno, he was sheepish, he was humble. He said "I messed up. I goofed up." People love to hear a big star saying I made a mistake. I messed up. I goofed up. And the other component is you got to say, hey, I`m not going to do it anymore. You can`t say I messed up, I goofed up, but you`re going to catch me next weekend. You`ve got to say hey, I learned from this, I`m going to change, I`m going to grow, I`m going to become a better person.
HAMMER: Well, it`s going to be interesting to see, particularly with Hugh, if he does do it again, and if he does do it again, if we let him get away with it. Jane Velez-Mitchell, thank you as always for being with us, here.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Thank you, A.J.
HAMMER: Well, now we would like to hear from you on this very subject for our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT "Question of the Day" we`re asking: Stars Overcome Scandals: Are we too forgiving? Let us know what you think, cnn.com/showbiztonight is where you go to vote. If you got more to say, we want your e-mail too at showbiztonight@cnn.com.
And I want to remind you that SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is now on seven nights a week. Just because it Friday doesn`t mean you can`t spend your weekend with us because we`re bringing TV`s most provocative entertainment news show to Saturday and Sunday night, as well. So, be sure to tune in to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on Saturday and Sunday 11:00 p.m. Eastern, that is 8:00 Pacific.
Johnny Depp, back as Captain Jack Sparrow. He`s going to tell us why the studio was panicked about the way he played the role, that`s coming up.
Plus, Ben Affleck and a cast of other Hollywood heavyweights team up for a controversial movie about the first Superman, we have your first look, that`s coming up in the "Showbiz Showcase."
We`ll also have this:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They`re laughing, they`re crying, they`re shaking, they`re falling out of their seats. I knew it had nothing to do with me. Because you cannot take a crowd and make them do that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Laughter may be the best medicine, but can it also help you find god? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT investigates a controversial preacher who`s leading thousands of people in a church based on belly laughs.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, TV`s most provocative entertainment news show. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Things looking a little different tonight while because the set you`re used to getting a new look.
It is time now for another story that made us say, "That`s Ridiculous." You can now look up "drama queen" in the dictionary. It is one of the 100 new words being added to the 2006 edition of the Merriam Webster dictionary, although I think that qualifies as two words. Others include "unibrow," "ringtone", "super Size" and "google," it`s in there as a verb, I google you, he, she it googles. But here`s the on that really got us, "mouse potato." You guys ever hear of mouse potato?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No.
HAMMER: No, we never heard of it either. It`s like couch potato except the mouse potato spends a lot of time, as you can guess, on the computer. Look, up in the dictionary, it is a mouse potato. Now, "That`s ridiculous."
In tonight`s "Showbiz Showcase," "Hollywood Land" it stars Ben Affleck, Diane Lane, and Adrien Brody. And it investigates the death of "Superman" star George Reeves. Brody play a 1950s private detective who goes searching for answers to the infamous mystery. He`s surprised when he begins to discover connections between Reeves, played by Affleck, and his own life. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has your very first look at the trailer.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That guy used to play Superman. He shot himself.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Someone thinks he didn`t.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. Reeves, why don`t you tell me about him.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A charming man.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I`m much too old for you, you know.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Your husband is the general manager of MGM.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Tell me what you want. You have it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Where he wound up, it should have been enough.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What are these, these marks? What`d he did beat himself up before he shot himself?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That detective, what`s he got?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Some questions.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Since when do suicide miss twice and start over? That`s unusual.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You ever been to a party where a man goes upstairs and shoots himself?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Then how do you know it`s unusual.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There`s more going on than you realize.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: George shot himself. He was shot.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You did that?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Have anything to tell me?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Anything? I need to have a story ready.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It`s murder. I think it may be true.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: True or false, really doesn`t matter. Embarrass the studio, if it stops one person from buying tickets, I have to fix it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is how they work it. It just gets buried.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Had a bullet put in Reeves head.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I`ll always take care of my boy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You could have got me something but you didn`t because you liked me when I was in a red suit, well that`s not who I am.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Who else is going to wipe the blood off your hands.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My hands? Prove it. I`m in the picture business.
ANNOUNCER: Based on the true story of Hollywood`s most notorious unsolved mystery.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I seen pieces, how they should fit, how I want them to fit.
ANNOUNCER: "Hollywood Land".
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: "Hollywood Land" arrives in theater on September 6. The question in theaters this weekend, can the man of steel keep Captain Jack Sparrow away from the No. 1 spot at the box office? Johnny Depp`s "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man`s Chest" just hit theaters. It could very well give "Superman" a run for its money over the weekend. The first "Pirate`s" film, of course, was a huge success, but believe it or not, Disney was actually hesitant to make it. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Sibila Vargas caught up with Johnny Depp, and talked to him all about that.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHNNY DEPP, ACTOR: They had a lot riding on it, you know, and then, you know, this -- they hired this weird actor to come in there and, you know, they can`t -- they can`t quite understand what I`m saying, you know, they feel like I`m slurring my words and they don`t know if the character was sort of drunk or is he gay or is he, you know, what is the guy? They couldn`t -- you know, they didn`t understand any of it. So they -- yeah, they were riddled with fear.
SIBILA VARGAS, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT: But you taught them a lesson.
DEPP: Well, you know, I had a very strong -- I really felt strongly about it, you know, that this was the guy that was -- there was nothing I could do. It was bigger than me. I had to go in the direction that I believed I needed to go.
VARGAS: Now, I know you two children and you`ve got a little girl. Has she -- does she know who Jack Sparrow is or do you keep her away from that?
DEPP: Oh, she`s used to it now, you know? Both of them. It`s sort of in big deal to them. They like Jack Sparrow. They do. I mean, they`ve come on the set and hung out with me in full sort of regalia and they enjoyed it. But, it`s kind of normal to them.
VARGAS: Do they affect the roles you take now? Because I know you said your daughter was actually a catalyst to how -- it sort of changed you in how you perceive your role as an actor.
DEPP: You want your kids to be, hopefully, you know, proud of what you were able to accomplish in your life, you know. You want to look back and be able to say, you know, for a certain period there was no compromise, for a certain period I didn`t do what was expected or the conventional route, you know, I did what I believed in.
VARGAS: And you`ve been able to do so much with your career, I mean, here you are, you know, this giant box office success, but at the same time you`ve done independents and with critical praise and you`ve gotten, you know, numerous awards and nominations for your work. That must be a nice place for you. I mean, you have not settled and like you say, you not compromised.
DEPP: I was never upset or angry or frustrated or bitter all those years when I was well aware that in the eyes of the industry or Hollywood that I was considered box office poison. It never crossed my mind, didn`t bother me in the slightest, you know?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: That was SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Sibila Vargas with Johnny Depp.
Well, the first fan reaction is coming in for Depp`s "Pirates" sequel, so we hit the streets to talk to some moviegoers today. We wanted to find out exactly what they thought about "Dead Man`s Chest" and here is some of what audiences had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I thought it was awesome. I can`t wait for No. 3. You know?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (INAUDIBLE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The ending was perfect, you know, but the whole thing was good. Everything I expected, you know? I mean, you got Johnny Depp in there, how can you ask fog anything more, you know?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Major cliffhanger at the end too, it makes you want, like, the third one to come out tomorrow. Yeah, it`s real serious. Literally, I`m going tell everybody to see this. You know, we should probably see it again too.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yeah, I think I might harm my friends if I don`t see it. It`s that good.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It has more special effects with the.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The new evil characters are awesome, yeah.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We stayed awake until -- what time is it? I don`t even know. All right.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (INAUDIBLE) and now it is daylight. It`s kind of depressing. I`m going to go sleep for eight hours now and then go see it maybe -- give me 24 hours and I`ll see it again.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: All right. Well, that`s what the fans have to say, but coming up later in tonight`s show, we`ll get an expert opinion. We have "People" magazine`s Leah Rozen stopping by to tell us exactly what she thought about "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man`s Chest," don`t know if she`ll be as kind, that`s coming up in "Picks and Pans."
And we want to remind you that SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is now on seven nights a week. That is correct, you heard me right. We`re bringing TV`s most provocative entertainment news show to your weekends. So please join, us won`t you? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 p.m. Eastern, 8:00 pacific as well.
There`s some celebrity baby news to tell you about tonight. We`re going to tell you which famous actor`s family is growing, that`s coming up next.
Plus, Regis Philbin has a suggestion on who should replace Star Jones Reynolds on "The View," it`s a bit of a surprise. We`ll tell you his idea, who he`s talking about, coming up.
We`ll also have this:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He`s coming back. King of kings and lord of lords.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Laughter may be the best medicine, but can it also help you find god? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT investigates a controversial preacher who is leading thousands of people in a church based on belly laughs.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Coming up Monday, Michael Bolton stops by. He`s got a new album singing Sinatra songs. We`ll also talk to him about his engagement to "Desperate Housewives" star, Nicolette Sheridan. She even does a duet with him. Michael Bolton, Monday in the interview you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Well, Russell Crowe is a daddy once again. His wife, Danielle Spencer, gave birth to a baby boy, they named him Tennyson Spencer Crowe in happened in Sydney, Australia. He weighed in at eight pounds. The couple also has a 2-year-old, Charles Spencer. Everyone is doing just fine. Crowe and Spencer got married in 2003, big star-studded wedding. He previously said he was going to be in the delivery room with a video camera to tape the birth. Let`s just hope it doesn`t wind up floating around on the internet.
Well, Regis Philbin has a suggestion on who should replace Star Jones Reynolds on "The View," it`s a bit of a surprise. We`ll tell you who he`s talking about, coming up.
Plus, "Playboy" magazine makes its debut in Indonesia. Not exactly a hit with the police over there. We`re going to tell you what the controversy is all about, coming up.
We`ll also have this:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They`re laughing, they`re crying they`re shaking, they`re falling out of their seats. I knew it had nothing to do with me because you cannot take a crowd and make them do that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Laughter may be the best medicine, but can it also help you find god? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT investigates a controversial preacher who`s leading thousands of people in a church based on belly laughs. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT for Friday night, coming right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT for a Friday night. This is TV`s most provocative entertainment news show.
It is 30 minutes past the hour. I am A.J. Hammer in New York, albeit on a different set than you might be used to seeing. Our other one is getting a little nip here, a little tuck there. A bit of a makeover is under way.
And coming up tonight, who does Regis Philbin think would be an excellent choice to replace Star Jones Reynolds on "The View"? Obviously, Regis has experience in the area. He`s got his ideas, and if you actually think about it, you might be able to figure out. We`ll tell you who he`s thinking about coming up in just a bit.
Also, Robert Downey Jr. arriving on the big screen today in "A Scanner Darkly." He`s also just signed a deal to write his memoirs. The question everybody around here is wondering, Exactly how candid will he be about all the highs, which have been very high, and about all the lows, which have been very lows of his career. We`re going to ask him coming up in the interview you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
But first tonight, you`re about to meet a guy who insists religion is and should be a laughing matter. He has turned a personal tragedy into a huge funny business. But do these holy ha-has help?
Here`s CNN`s Tom Forman for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): On a warm night in Tampa, young people are out looking for laughs. But hundreds are bypassing comedy clubs to get their chuckles at church.
(LAUGHTER)
FOREMAN: And guffaws.
(LAUGHTER)
FOREMAN: .roars.
(LAUGHTER)
FOREMAN: .screams.
(SCREAMING)
FOREMAN: .all standard fare at The Laughing Church.
(LAUGHTER)
FOREMAN: For Dr. Rodney Howard-Browne says the Holy Spirit is making folks (INAUDIBLE).
PASTOR RODNEY HOWARD-BROWNE, REVIVAL MINISTRIES: They`re laughing. They`re crying. They`re shaking. They`re (INAUDIBLE).
I knew it had nothing to do with me, because you cannot take a crowd and make them do that.
FOREMAN (on camera): You don`t buy the fact that you`re a funny guy?
HOWARD-BROWNE: Well, I use a lot of humor because - because I do use humor. But that`s just the way I am.
Because I`ve got news for you: he awoke. He ascended on high.
FOREMAN (voice-over): This is worship for Reverend Howard-Browne and his thousands of followers.
HOWARD-BROWNE: Hold me back! He is coming back! King of kings and lord of lords!
FOREMAN: Unlike other Pentecostal Christians who speak in tongues, these people say the joy of salvation makes them laugh uncontrollably.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It`s the most amazing experience. I can`t explain it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Flying high. Flying high.
FOREMAN: What is it?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It`s the Holy Spirit.
FOREMAN (on camera): Oh, look at this. Oh my.
HOWARD-BROWNE: This is my little piece of Africa.
FOREMAN (voice-over): Howard-Browne was once a little-known South African preacher and part-time big game hunter. But he and his wife, Adonnica (ph), have fostered a global outreach program based in America and staffed by 70 people, all enthralled with holy laughter.
The preacher says believers overcome with laughter have been recorded since ancient times in Biblical passages about unrestrained joy. Yet it remains controversial, almost unknown in most other churches.
HOWARD-BROWNE: Because religion always wants to beat you down and make you dependent on it. It`s like a drug. If I can make you feel guilty, then you`ll come back next week. And I`ll keep you in that place of guilt.
FOREMAN (on camera): That`s a very cynical view of religion.
HOWARD-BROWNE: Well, maybe I have a hard time with religion because I see what it`s doing around the world.
Religion feels its job is to condemn. Jesus didn`t come to condemn.
(SINGING)
FOREMAN (voice-over): Howard-Browne himself has suffered great sorrow. On Christmas morning 2002, his 18-year-old daughter, Kelly (ph), died in his arms of cystic fibrosis. A loss he lays at the devil`s doorstep.
(on camera): Is this about revenge?
HOWARD-BROWNE: For me, it probably is. The only way I can hurt him is by seeing people touched and set free.
Live! Live! Live!
FOREMAN (voice-over): Many people say they are touched. Some laugh for minutes, some for hours. Howard-Browne blesses them all, the saved and the skeptics alike.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I thought, God, you`ve got to be kidding me if you want me to go to this church.
HOWARD-BROWNE: Church should be the happiest place on the earth. People - people that love Jesus should be happy.
FOREMAN: And they certainly seem to be, here where Rodney Howard- Browne sends the devil on the run. And God always gets the last laugh.
(LAUGHTER)
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: To that I say, ha-hallelujah. That was CNN`s Tom Foreman for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Well, Robert Downey Jr. certainly no stranger to scandal, with widely publicized drug and alcohol problems. But how much will he reveal about it? The Oscar-nominated actor has just signed on a deal with Harper Collins to write his memoirs.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT producer Jenny D`Attoma got the chance to speak with him about his new movie, "A Scanner Darkly," and just what deep, dark secrets we can expect to find in his book.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: First off, congratulations on your new movie. And now I`m hearing something about a memoir. You`re writing your memoirs.
ROBERT DOWNEY JR., ACTOR: I definitely a lot of life experiences and I`ve worked with some great people. And, you know, there`s some obvious stuff I may touch on a bit.
But I had an opportunity to kind of see what it`s like. I`m - I`m going to write it myself and I`m really looking for to it.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Wow. So why do it now? What made you decide that you wanted to do it now?
DOWNEY: Well, you know, I`d always thought - you know, nobody really has anything to say about their life per se until they`re 50. But I`ve crammed a lot of years in, and I am starting to write on a - on a bunch of other projects and ideas. And - and it just seemed like a - a fitting way to get my chops up.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Will you be as candid as we`re hearing about your life experiences?
DOWNEY: Right now it kind of remains to be seen. I`m not interested in tell-all books where people, for the sake of trying to do something commercial, you know, load their - their stories with sordid details. And basically, you could just, you know, watch newsreels from 10 years ago and you`d get a - more than a fair share.
So I know that I`m - I`m interested in being a writer. And that`s kind of all I know right now.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You have an interesting story to tell. I mean, your peers as well as your fans, have such respect for you.
What has been your secret to your success along the way? Who do you credit it to?
DOWNEY: I don`t credit it to anyone or anything. I just know that life is - is messy and it`s magical and we all get to be individuals. And, you know, there - there`s a lot of support and a lot of wisdom out there. You just have to oftentimes look outside yourself or inside yourself and you`ll figure it out.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I`m curious: do people come to you for advice?
DOWNEY: Well, I have become Papa Bear a little bit in the passing years. And it`s - it`s funny; you know, maybe it`s a role I`ve - I`ve earned from having, you know, been through the ringer a little bit. But everyone leans on everyone. That`s the great thing about having a community of friends and family.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You`ve been a busy boy this year. Seven films coming out?
DOWNEY: OK.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And this one is a new look for you. I mean, what did you think when you first saw your - your animated version of yourself, when you first saw it on the screen?
DOWNEY: Susan, also known as Mrs. Downey, said it`s so weird because you`re so animated, and, you know, she gets to see me, like, doing bits in the kitchen just for my own personal pleasure or to try to crack her up if she`s having a tough day or if she`s having a great day. And - and she says that me animated is a lot more like me than she would have thought.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Exactly.
Now you`re - you`re coming up on your year anniversary. We`re right here, right? We`re right about the year?
DOWNEY: August 27, dear.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Alrighty. So - well, it`s around the corner. So you`re still a newlywed.
DOWNEY: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Are you able to walk down the street without getting harassed by paparazzi? Do you live a fairly normal life as a celebrity?
DOWNEY: To me, life is normal if you choose to make it so. And if you want to stir up drama and - and blame outside influences for why you`re uncomfortable, one thing. You just have to have boundaries, you know? Some paparazzi aren`t really creepy at all. That being said, you know, as long as no one really gets up in my face or in my space, there`s not going to be a problem.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do you feel like this is the best time of your life right now? Would you say that?
DOWNEY: I`ve had a lot of great times in my life, and sometimes the great times were when I was struggling the most, you know? Life is great. Life is not tidy. But, you know, it`s - it`s living worth living, even in the toughest times.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: We`ll get some of those down-and-dirty details in that memoir.
Robert Downey Jr. also said that after wrapping up his shoot in Toronto, he`s going to be taking a break. His son Indio is starting middle school and he`s looking forward to being his - quote - "point man."
Well, we`ve been asking you to vote online on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT "Question of the Day," which certainly can apply to Robert Downey Jr.: "Stars overcome scandals: Are we too forgiving?"
Keep voting at cnn.com/showbiztonight. You can also write to us at showbiztonight@cnn.com. We`ll get into some of your e-mails on Monday.
And we want to remind you that SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is now on seven nights a week. That`s right, we are bringing TV`s most provocative entertainment news show to your weekends as well. Spend some time with us. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is right here on Saturday and Sunday at 11 p.m. Eastern, 8 Pacific.
Well coming up, Regis Philbin says he knows of a great replacement for Star Jones on "The View." We will have his shocking final answer coming up next.
We`ll also have this:
(BEGIN VDIEO CLIP)
KARTIKA GUNAWAN, PLAYBOY MODEL (through translator): I didn`t anticipate the case would reach this level. When the police told me I was a suspect, I was so shocked.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The outrage over "Playboy." Coming up, how a controversy may not only hurt one model`s career - it could land her behind bars.
Also, Keanu Reeves chases down a notorious drug dealer in the future. And Johnny Depp sails into theaters with "The Pirates of the Caribbean" sequel. Reviews of both coming up in the SHOWBIZ guide to new movies.
Right now, time for a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT "Birthday Shoutout." This is where we give the fans a chance to wish their favorite stars a happy birthday. And tonight, we`re shipping one out to former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr. He`s celebrating his 66th birthday today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How`s it going? My name is Tom Moore (ph) from Baltimore, Maryland. Ringo Starr, we love you. You`re my favorite Beatle. Happy birthday.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Friday night and SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is coming right back with a lot more.
Master, roll your break. Effect black.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Go Camera 3, fade up. Stand by, A.J. Pre-set 4. Go, 4. Open his mic, dissolve, go.
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT for a Friday night as we get into the weekend on TV`s most provocative entertainment news show. I am A.J. Hammer in New York.
We are looking a little bit different, you may have noticed. The set that you`re used to seeing is getting a bit of a makeover. But we`re settling in here. We`re starting to feel comfortable.
And it`s time now for another story that just made us say "That`s Ridiculous!" Now here is how to not commit a robbery. Pay close attention. So a guy walks into a fast food restaurant in California, as you`re seeing, wearing sunglasses and a ski mask. But he starts to do the alleged crime, off comes the disguise, of course giving security cameras a good solid look at him. And then before he runs away, he leaves the knife he`s using. Well, this one`s basically a lay up for cops. They pick him a short time later. Stupid stick-up? "That`s Ridiculous!"
Now on to a model who might be robbed of a career. There`s actually outrage over "Playboy"`s very first Indonesian issue. And that could land her and others behind bars.
Here`s CNN`s Angelie Rowe for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the controversy.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANGELIE ROWE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Until a few weeks ago, Kartika Gunawan was a relatively unknown model trying to get back in an often ruthless industry.
Then finally, her big break, as the underwear-clad centerfold in the debut issue of "Playboy" magazine`s Indonesia version.
GUNAWAN (through translator): When I first appeared in front of the camera I was speechless. I was incredibly excited because I was the first person to be photographed by "Playboy" magazine.
ROWE: But Kartika`s delight quickly vanished after the magazine appeared on newsstands. It was a hit with many, but not with the (INAUDIBLE). They told Kartika and Indonesian "Playboy"`s editor in chief they were suspected of violating anti-indecency laws.
GUNAWAN (through translator): I didn`t anticipate the case would reach this level. When the police told me I was a suspect, I was so shocked.
ROWE: Readers of such magazines can`t understand what all the fuss is about.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They all look the same. They discuss men`s perfume and stereos and (INAUDIBLE) and pretty girls (INAUDIBLE). Some people don`t like "Playboy" in Indonesia.
They are very annoying. Very annoying. And it sounds like they`re - they`re winning (ph).
ROWE: Indonesia is home to the world`s largest Muslim population. The country has long prided itself on retaining conservative Islamic mores, and traditionalists just doesn`t fit with those values.
ASAD YUSUF, INDONESIAN ISLAMIC DEFENDER`S FRONT: (INAUDIBLE) for the whole world. People knows about the "Playboy" magazine. In Indonesia, the - say, 80 percent of the population is Muslim. You cannot accept that. And I think most of the Muslims cannot accept something that is different from the (INAUDIBLE) is the law of the (INAUDIBLE).
ROWE: The topic of pornography in Indonesia is a hot one, sparking riots between hard-line Islamists and more liberal elements.
Magazines and DVDs showing images that could be classed as obscene are readily here. But some are sick of it.
Parliament is considering a bill banning pornographic images. Even traditional Indonesian art could find itself on the wrong side of the law.
Critics of such views say other local editions of Western publications feature more revealing content than "Playboy" with impunity. Kartika though she has no regrets.
GUNAWAN (through translator): During the photo session, I enjoyed it and I felt proud. Why? Because "Playboy" is an international magazine. It came to Indonesia and chose me as their Playmate. That means huge personal pride for me and my family.
ROWE: Still, in a country which can impose jail terms for flashing the flesh, Kartika may not be the last model whose career path falls foul of the moralists.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: That was CNN`s Angelie Rowe for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
All right. There`s been an awful lot of chatter about whose going to replace Star Jones Reynolds on "The View." Since her controversial departure last week, the show has turned to some guest hosts. R&B star Brandy has already filled in. Next week, "General Hospital" star Kelly Monaco is going to hop into the chair. Even some reports of Susan Lucci and "American Idol" runner-up Katharine McPhee giving it a go.
But Regis Philbin thinks he has the final answer.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KATHIE LEE GIFFORD, TV HOST: Courage, because you know they only shoot it equal (ph), right? If you lay it down, nobody - you`re not a target.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE)
GIFFORD: Well, I think.
REGIS PHILBIN, TV HOST: I`ve got an idea for "The View." To - to make it perfect symmetry and harmony among "The View," I think - and I`m not kidding about this, I think it`s a good idea. How about Kathie Lee?
KELLY RIPA, TV HOST: Oh, that`s a great.
PHILBIN: What do you think?
RIPA: Yes, that`s a good idea.
PHILBIN: Kathie Lee right in the mix there, just to stir things up a little bit.
RIPA: That`s a good idea.
PHILBIN: Oh - you heard the applause.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: It happened this morning on "Live With Regis & Kelly."
Yes, there was a little bit of awkwardness, the silence after he made his announcement of who he thinks would be the right person. From the audience of course, they didn`t know if old Reege was being serious. Probably because Kathie Lee Gifford, of course, used to be Regis` co-host on "Live." And there were always these rumors floating around that they used to have, shall we say, a strained relationship.
It`s time for now for the SHOWBIZ Guide. Tonight in "People"`s "Picks & Pans," new movies "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man`s Chest" starring Johnny Depp is finally in theaters. Then, an all-star cast in a movie unlike any you`ve seen before in "A Scanner Darkly." Also a new comedy starring Amy Sedaris and Stephen Colbert, "Strangers With Candy."
Joining me in New York, "People" magazine film critic Leah Rozen.
Leah, three years have passed now since the original "Pirates of the Caribbean." Certainly one of the most highly anticipated movies, as we say, of the summertime.
Is it worth our while?
LEAH ROZEN, "PEOPLE" MAGZINE: Kind of a disappointment, A.J. And two and a half hours long. So this is what we call a fanny tester.
The movie is just - it`s sort of more of the same. This is the middle one. They`ve already shot the one; it`s coming out next year. So they`re kind of treading water and it`s sort of familiar. A whole lot is going on in this movie, but none of it matters.
HAMMER: (INAUDIBLE) too bad.
ROZEN: You kind of have that sense of, Huh? What`s this plot? I know the 10-year-old boy next to me could tell me, but I don`t care enough.
Johnny Deep, again, is the most fun. But we`ve seen this act before. So I have to say, a little disappointing and if it were - if it were, I`d be much more generous.
HAMMER: Well, that`s too bad. I think that`s going to be disappointing, as you say to a lot of people.
All right. "A Scanner Darkly." Now I got to run down this cast: Robert Downey Jr., Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder, Woody Harrelson; George Clooney and Stephen Soderbergh produced it. And it is a bizarre but cool film treatment.
Is it a cool film?
ROZEN: Well, it`s all these articles but it`s the cartoon version of the film. They all - they shot it, and then they sort of drew over them in this form of animation.
HAMMER: Frame by frame, from what I understand.
ROZEN: It`s essentially a futuristic thing. (INAUDIBLE) Keanu Reeves plays an undercover cop who gets involved as sort of a drug dealer, and the drugs start to take over.
You know, it`s one of those movies I - I don`t know how I say this nicely. But you sort of go, Would being stoned help? Would it make more sense, or would it just be so much more complicated?
HAMMER: All right.
ROZEN: So I`m kind of mixed on it. I was fascinated by it, but at the same time I - I did look at my watch several times.
HAMMER: Never heard - never heard you review a movie quite like that.
All right. Finally, "Strangers With Candy," Stephen Colbert and Amy Sedaris.
ROZEN: Amy Sedaris - this is the prequel to her Comedy Central series that was on awhile ago, a sitcom, very funny, very odd.
She`s - you know, Amy Sedaris is sort of an acquired taste. But if you have it, she`s funny. It`s a very much like "Napoleon Dynamite." Those who were on the vibe will like it; those who don`t won`t get it.
HAMMER: A quirky film then.
ROZEN: You got it.
HAMMER: Thank you as always, Leah. We appreciate it.
And as always, for your copy of "People" magazine, go to your favorite newsstand now for more "Picks & Pans."
Well, last night we asked you to vote online on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT "Question of the Day," asking, "Primetime Emmy nominations: Was your favorite show snubbed?" Sixty-three percent of you say yes; 37 percent of you say no.
Some of the e-mails we got included one from Sydney in California who says, "I am so glad `Grey`s Anatomy` got its due along with Chandra Wilson and Sandra Oh."
But Claire from Missouri thinks they got it all wrong: "Do I need to lend my `Deadwood` DVDs to the Emmy committee? Not even a not for Ian McShane? Shame on them!"
Barb from Arkansas thinks, "Leaving `Lost` out of the nominations is like the Grammys giving Jethro Tull the heavy metal award over Metallica."
I wouldn`t have thought of that myself. Nice going, Barb.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s coming right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Time now for the "Entertainment Weekly `Must` List," five things "EW" says you got to check out this week.
First, they want you to see Meryl Steep in "The Devil Wears Prada." She plays a high-powered, take-no-prisoners fashion editor.
Next, pop in Chuck Berry`s four-disc DVD "Hail, Hail Rock `n` Roll." This "Jonny B. Goode" singer`s 1987 rockumentary is very good, according to "EW."
And then pick up a copy of the book, "They`ll Never Put That on the Air." It`s a really cool inside look at the history of taboo-breaking sitcoms.
"EW" also says to watch Gerald McRainey in HBO`s highly praised Western series "Deadwood."
And finally, they would like you to take a listen to Christina Aguilera`s new single called "Ain`t No Other Man." The super-catchy tune might get you singing in the shower.
For more on the "Must" list, pick up your copy of "Entertainment Weekly," on newsstands now.
It is time now to see what`s coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Here is your "SHOWBIZ Marquee."
On Monday, comedian Jeff Ross travels to Iraq to entertain the troops. How making soldiers laugh in a dangerous place turned into a life-changing experience. Jeff Ross` patriot act Monday on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Also on Monday, Michael Bolton. He`s got a new album and he`s singing Sinatra songs. We`ll also talk about his engagement to "Desperate Housewives" star Nicolette Sheridan. She even does a duet with him. Michael Bolton: how are we supposed to live without him? Monday on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I am A.J. Hammer in New York. We`ll see you back here all weekend long. Stay tuned for the latest from CNN Headline News.
END
