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Showbiz Tonight
Movie Banned?; Olivia Newton-John Mystery; Interview With Actor John Stamos
Aired October 06, 2006 - 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: What happened when Paris Hilton allegedly got smacked by another woman?
I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
TV`s most provocative TV news entertainment show starts right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER (voice-over): On SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, President Bush assassinated. Tonight, a dramatic revolt over the controversial new film that shows the president getting killed.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE, "DEATH OF A PRESIDENT": It`s not clear if the president himself has been hit, but...
HAMMER: Why you may not be able to see the movie even if you wanted to.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the backlash over the bullets flying at Bush.
Tonight, they`re famous for nothing. Nicole Richie, Kevin Federline, Paris Hilton...
PARIS HILTON, SOCIALITE: That`s hot.
HAMMER: No, it`s not. So just why are they famous, anyway? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT investigates why these celebs` 15 minutes of fame didn`t run out a long time ago.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Welcome to the weekend. I am A.J. Hammer in New York.
And the assassination of President Bush may not be coming a theater near you. In a dramatic revolt against a movie that many are calling downright revolting, some of the biggest theater chains in the country are banning the controversial film that shows what would happen if President Bush was murdered. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you it is a movie that is not only explosive, but even has the potential to influence the country`s upcoming crucial elections.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE, "DEATH OF A PRESIDENT": We`re just getting reports of a shooting incident.
HAMMER (voice-over): It`s sparking controversy on both sides of the Atlantic, a British docu-drama, "Death of a President," that shows the fictional assassination of President Bush and what happens after.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE, "DEATH OF A PRESIDENT": It`s not clear if the president himself has been hit, but apparently there are casualties.
HAMMER: The film`s makers and officials with the British TV station airing the film are urging Americans to se it.
PETER DALE, BRITISH DIGITAL CHANNEL `MORE4`: It`s a very intelligent and thought-provoking film.
HAMMER: Only problem is you may not be able to see this movie at a theater near you.
PAUL DERGARABEDIAN, EXHIBITOR RELATIONS CO.: Now a couple of the bigger theater chains across the country have decided not to program that film in their theaters.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can now report that also includes the nation`s largest theater chain, Regal Cinemas, which is saying "Death of a President" will not be they playing on any of its 6,300 screens. And it`s also banned by the third largest theater chain, Cinemark USA. Both chains say a movie showing President Bush`s assassination is something they just don`t want to touch.
Box office guru Paul Dergarabedian tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT this is something you do not see every day.
DERGARABEDIAN: It`s quite rare for theater chains really to sort of create a de facto censorship situation by not showing certain films in their theaters. This is pretty huge. And remember, this is right before the elections. So, there is certainly no coincidence in that timing.
HAMMER: That`s for sure. The movie`s U.S. distributor, New Market Films, is pushing to open "Death of a President" in the U.S. on 27th. A mere week and a half before Election Day on November 7th. A day that Congress is up for grabs.
And now SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is asking the tough questions. Could this movie have an affect on the current election season? Already super heated by the congressional page sex scandal involving congressman Mark Foley and, of course, the war in Iraq. And the big question is this: Is "Death of a President" being censored?
DERGARABEDIAN: By its very nature this brings up the whole notion of censorship.
HOWARD KURTZ, "THE WASHINGTON POST": Censorship means the government tells you you can`t show your movie. That`s not happening here.
HAMMER: Media critic and CNN host Howard Kurtz tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT he`s not surprised theater owners are skittish about this movie.
KURTZ: If you want to make a movie about George W. Bush being shot or any American president, real American president being shot, you are offending a large segment of the American people. And therefore, most businesses, most movie chains don`t want anything to do with this.
HAMMER: Neither do most politicians. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you even in this super divisive political season, Democrats and Republicans delivered a bipartisan slamming of "Death of a President". Even Hillary Clinton, who`s certainly had her issues with President Bush, is joining in. She tells "The New York Post", "I think it`s absolutely outrageous that anyone would even attempt to profit from such a horrible scenario. It really makes me sick."
Republicans agree.
REP. PETER KING (R), NEW YORK: If you have a film depicting the assassination of a sitting president, that just brings out the worst instincts in the homicidal people in society. Our country, our nation, the world is divided anyway.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE, "DEATH OF A PRESIDENT": When that motorcade stopped, that was an emergency situation. In fact, I had my agents in the backup car make their weapons ready.
HAMMER: Some are wondering if this movie could result in the unthinkable: influencing some psycho to actually assassinate President Bush. It`s not that farfetched.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE, "TAXI DRIVER": Here is someone who stood up.
HAMMER: The movie "Taxi Driver" was said to have influenced John Hinckley to shoot President Reagan in 1981. Sarah Brady, whose husband Jim Brady was wounded in the Reagan assassination attempt, told me how offended she is by "Death of a President".
SARAH BRADY, GUN CONTROL ADVOCATE: To use President -- I mean, President Bush, with whom Jim and I have vast disagreements, but to use him as the source of being a thriller just appalls me.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE, "DEATH OF A PRESIDENT": That was a major, major security breach.
HAMMER: Some are wondering if the outrage over this movie could be used as a rallying cry by Republican candidates this season.
KURTZ: Even if this movie pops up in a few theaters, I don`t see how it does the Republicans any good, because who are they going to blame it on? You can`t blame it on Democrats. You can`t blame it on the liberal movement in America. You can only blame it on a couple of exploitative filmmakers.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Well, even with the cold reception it`s getting from U.S. theater chains, "Death of a President`s" distributor says it still plans to have it on a few hundred American movie screens.
Well, we`d love to hear from you on the topic. For our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT "Question of the Day," here`s what we`re asking. President Bush assassination movie: Should "Death of a President" be banned from movie theaters?
Let us know what you think by going to CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. Got more to say? We want to hear that, too. You can e-mail us at ShowbizTonight@CNN.com.
Well, Olivia Newton-John is speaking out about her battle with cancer. The Australian singing star beat breast cancer back in the 1990s.
Olivia is making the rounds these days promoting her new album, "Grace and Gratitude." She sang her classic hit song "Magic" on the "Today" show this morning for a couple who got married on the show.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN, SINGER (SINGING): You have to believe we are magic...
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: She still sounds great.
Also this morning, Olivia told Soledad O`Brien on CNN`s "AMERICAN MORNING" the very special meaning behind her CD`s title.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SOLEDAD O`BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: I have to imagine as a breast cancer survivor the gratitude part is just being alive.
NEWTON-JOHN: Going through anything, I think -- you know, if you go through something difficult, something good comes out of it. And I think if you give thanks for what you have, it creates a feeling of well-being. And so this whole album is kind of an inner journey, my relationship with myself, with others, and with my higher self.
And I hope that it gives other people some peace. I think music is a wonderful way of calming the body and healing the spirit.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Olivia also admitted she may never find out what happened to her boyfriend, Patrick McDermott. Now, h disappeared last year after a fishing trip off the coast of California.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has been following the startling mystery of Olivia Newton-John`s missing boyfriend since the day the story broke back in July of 2005. And this remains, quite frankly, very puzzling. Fifteen years -- 15 months later, rather, it remains unsolved, as well.
Joining us tonight in Hollywood, investigative journalist Pat Lalama.
Happy Friday night, Pat.
PAT LALAMA, INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST: Oh, hey. How are you doing, A.J.?
HAMMER: I am well.
So, as I mentioned, Patrick McDermott vanished while he was on this overnight fishing trip. This is 15 months ago. His body was never found. Then these bizarre reports started surfacing that he was seen earlier this year.
LALAMA: Right.
HAMMER: Do we really think or, as people have speculated, that he may have faked his own disappearance?
LALAMA: Well, you know what? I`m going to sound a bit like a conspiracy theorist here, but, yes, I think all the elements -- it`s all circumstantial, of course. I have no personal knowledge. But yes, I think all the elements were there for him to get lost, essentially.
HAMMER: Well, speaking of those elements, one I`m assuming you`re alluding to is the fact that it had surfaced that apparently McDermott owed a lot of money, and apparently this is something that Olivia Newton-John didn`t know about. She wasn`t aware of this debt.
LALAMA: Well, you know what? I -- first of all, anything that I say about him, it is not relevant to her. I think she is the loveliest, most gracious woman, and I think she is doing the best to put a class act on the front of this very strange story. So, kudos to her. And she can do no wrong in my book.
But, A.J., come on. This guy had a lot of issues. He had a lot of problems.
He was deeply in debt. He had a major, major child support court case coming up.
He lived in a really, really bad part of Studio City. I mean, things were just not going well for him. I think there was some weirdness all the way around, and I`m only saying -- it`s just a little bit of a gut instinct here, just my opinion -- I think, yes. I think it could absolutely happen.
And I think those sightings were -- from the people that I read about who saw him in various -- or allegedly saw him in various places, those people had credibility. I don`t think they were looking for attention.
HAMMER: So too many elements kind of saying, where there`s smoke, there`s fire?
LALAMA: I think so, yes.
HAMMER: And to be clear, Olivia Newton-John and McDermott were actually on a break at the time.
LALAMA: They were. And A.J., you know, he was supposed to apparently show up for some sort of a family dinner. He didn`t show up, nobody called, nobody seemed -- I mean, it was very odd.
A couple of days went by before there was actually any contact made with the police. And I know that Olivia has said he wouldn`t do that. I think, you know, he`s got a son, of course. But A.J., you know, stranger things have happened to parents.
And look, Anna Nicole`s got a son. John Mark Karr has children. It doesn`t necessarily mean -- I`m sure, you know, he felt very much about his son, but I think his problems may have been so overwhelming he thought, I need to get out of Dodge.
HAMMER: But here`s the amazing thing to me. U.S. officials have dropped their investigation into his whole disappearance.
LALAMA: Right.
HAMMER: So do you think we`re ever actually going to know what happened, unless the guy, you know, just happens to show up strolling down the street one day?
LALAMA: Well, I don`t wish him any ill will, but frankly speaking, who cares? I mean, I think -- I think this guy, if he`s going to desert his child, desert his obligation to pay for his child, you know, I think, you know what? Good riddance.
HAMMER: Calling it like she sees it, investigative journalist Pat Lalama.
Nice to see you.
LALAMA: OK. Bye-bye.
HAMMER: I want to remind you now that SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is now on seven nights a week. Just because it`s Friday night, it doesn`t matter. We`re going to be with you all weekend long with TV`s most provocative entertainment news show. Make sure you join us for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Saturday and Sunday, and each and every night at 11:00 p.m. Eastern, 8:00 Pacific.
Well, coming up, we may have found some of Barbie`s long lost relatives, but we`re not sure if she`s going to invite this self-proclaimed trailer trash to the next family reunion.
That`s ridiculous and that`s coming up next.
And the Paris pummeling. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with an exclusive firsthand account of what really happened during the cat fight between Paris Hilton and Shanna Moakler.
We`ve also got this...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: These young starlets are really well known for being photographed, and they`re being photographed because they`re out all the time. So therefore, they`re famous just for being famous.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: They are famous for nothing. Nicole Richie, Kevin Federline, Paris Hilton, yes, they`re all part of the same club. Just why are they famous, anyway?
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT investigates why these celebs` 15 minutes of fame didn`t run out a long time ago.
First, here`s tonight`s "Entertainment Weekly" "Great American Pop Culture Quiz".
Ringo Starr sings lead vocals on which of these classic Beatles songs? Was it "A Day in the Life", "I am the Walrus", "Octopus`s Garden", or "Blackbird"?
Think about it. We`re coming right back with the answer.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: And once again, tonight`s "Entertainment Weekly" "Great American Pop Culture Quiz".
Ringo Starr sings lead vocals on which of these classic Beatles songs? Was it "A Day in the Life", "I am the Walrus", "Octopus`s Garden", or "Blackbird"?
Reveal the answer, please.
It is C, "Octopus`s Garden".
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT for Friday night. This is TV`s most provocative entertainment news show.
I`m A.J. Hammer in New York and it`s time now for a story that made us say, "That`s ridiculous!"
I`d like you to meet Barbie`s trailer trash cousin Turleen. Now, Turleen comes barefoot and pregnant with a cigarette in her mouth. And when you squeeze her belly, she`ll say, "Pour me a double. I`m drinking for two.
Then there`s Jerwayne Jr. This is Turleen`s "Ken," so to speak. He`s got a mullet, a dirty tank top and a beer.
You can find them, where else, but at trailertrashdoll.com for about $30 a pop, which works out roughly to be about two barrels of moonshine. These dolls are cotton pickin` crazy, and "That`s ridiculous!"
All right. Tonight SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has an exclusive firsthand account of the Paris Hilton-Shanna Moakler cat fight that went down at a hot Hollywood club earlier this week.
Now, incase you didn`t hear or tried to forget, like me, Paris Hilton says that Shanna punched her. Shanna says that Paris` boyfriend pushed her.
Well, it might have something to do with Paris allegedly hanging out with Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker. Travis is Shanna`s estranged and possibly soon-to-be-divorced husband.
Are you following along with all that? Well, we spoke with Matt Sorum. Matt is from the band Velvet Revolver. We caught up with him at last night`s City of Hope Gala in Hollywood. He was right there at the club when it all happened.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MATT SORUM, DRUMMER, VELVET REVOLVER: I was at the Hyde Club the other night when Travis Barker`s wife punched Paris. You know?
And I`m like, "Wow, it`s on CNN the next day." I`m like, "What do you got to do to get some press?" I mean, it`s like, you know, wow.
But hey, did they say Matt Sorum was standing right there and almost blocked the punch? No.
I don`t even -- I didn`t see her hit her personally. I think it was a little bit of a bitch slap. No pun intended.
It`s like, "She hit me!" You know? I mean, I was literally right there. I saw it all.
They should have asked me. Could have told them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: So for the record, Matt Sorum blocked the punch.
Seriously, why in the world are Paris, Shanna and a whole bunch of others famous in the first place? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`S special report "Famous for Nothing" coming up at 31 past the hour. About time we get to the bottom of this.
Well, you may remember John Stamos as Blackie from "General Hospital," maybe as Uncle Jesse from "Full House". Well, John Stamos is now taking his star power to one of the longest lasting shows in prime time, "ER".
John and I sat down and we talked about the paparazzi, dating and his manly new role.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: You really do have a manly man`s kind of character. Was that your doing?
JOHN STAMOS, ACTOR: Oh, thank you, A.J. Yes.
You know, I`d always meet with these writers before doing these shows, and they`re always kind of like, "How do we get guys to like you?" Make the guy -- make him a man, you know."
This character is a lot closer -- not that I`m Mr. Macho guy, but it`s a lot closer to me than I think any of these other characters I`ve played. You know?
I mean, I roll out of bed, I don`t wear makeup. You know? I go right in. And they have written a very layered, you know, complex, smart, adult character, which is, you know, new for me to be playing. But I think it`s closer to who I am. You know?
And being able to be on a show for a while -- I`m on there for a while. It`s such a great luxury to have the writers to have the time to really create a layered, you know, textured guy for me to play.
HAMMER: I`ve got to imagine because it always takes place in the workplace, even for people who are not on TV, you know, they are always trying to hook you up on dates and get you fixed up with people. Being the bachelor that you are, John, is that going on, on the set of "ER"?
STAMOS: That`s right. That`s the favorite pastime for the girls on the show. They`re like -- you know, everybody thinks you can just call these people. And every day it`s, like, you know, you should go out with so and so and you should go out with -- and I`m, like, "No. No."
Then they`ll go to lunch and they`ll come back. "We got it. You and..." so and so. Like, I would call up and go, "Hey, this is John Stamos. We should..."
HAMMER: So it doesn`t ever actually happen?
STAMOS: Never. You know, it`s like -- you know.
HAMMER: We talk a lot on this show about the pressures in Hollywood to be thin, and mostly it falls upon the women. But we hear it from the guys, too.
I get the impression you`ve always been a guy who`s taken care of himself. But look, you are on TV. I`m on TV. We know what it`s like. And is it something that has actually affected you?
STAMOS: I actually saw it on your show last week. You were doing a big thing on the girls and stuff.
You know, I don`t -- I`m pretty lucky. My -- well, I could get -- I watch it.
I like -- unfortunately, I like good food. I like fish and chicken, and I take care of myself. But I get it. I get the psychology behind it.
I`m not, you know, a doctor. Well, I guess I am a doctor now. Wait a minute.
HAMMER: You`re on your way. Just an intern right now. Don`t get ahead of yourself.
STAMOS: That`s true. But I get it, because, you know, you probably go through this. When you feel a little heavier and you -- I mean, people think they look better thinner.
I think, you know, they get to a point and then they just go too far. And it`s really sad. And sociologically, I think it`s awful. I mean, I think other girls and boys, young kids are watching us. And, you know -- I mean, I think that most important thing that I can do is just try to be healthy and show them that I, you know, eat healthy and work out and take care of myself, I guess.
HAMMER: And you`ve had to see some of your co-stars go through it, some of your old co-stars. Seeing Mary-Kate and Ashley splashed all over the tabloids. Did you react to that when you saw that? Did you get a little worried for them?
STAMOS: You know, we`ve all been there for each other. That show, you know, is such a -- I`ve been talking about it a lot because it`s such a crazy place right now, where it`s like this phenomenon again, this "Full House". You know?
HAMMER: Yes.
STAMOS: But, you know, we have all been through a lot of stuff over the years, and we`ve all kind of gathered around each other and helped each other. I mean, yes, we were around during that time where, you know, I think Mary-Kate was going through a thing. She`s doing great now.
HAMMER: It just has to be hard when people that you work with and were so close with and remain close with, to a degree, to see them going through something very personal and it being plastered everywhere.
STAMOS: Yes, but it`s hard for all of us. I mean, you know, I went through stuff and they were all there for me and Bob. You know, his sister died and it was a big public thing. And, you know, it`s just part of -- luckily we have that family and I have a good family around me, too.
Yes, it`s terrible. But you know what I realized? Now this -- my friend just split up with his wife. This MySpace thing is a good thing, because he was -- he was complaining because he saw his wife dating -- you know, ex-wife dating some dude on there.
I said, "Now you know how it feels, what we have to go through." You`ve got to read -- you know, see everybody. So thank god for MySpace.
HAMMER: MySpace is leveling the playing field.
STAMOS: Right. I like it. See how it feels, people?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: John is great in his new role, and you can catch John Stamos on "ER," Thursday nights, on NBC.
And as John Stamos knows, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is now on seven nights a week. John will be watching. You should, too.
TV`s most provocative entertainment TV news show has arrived on your weekends. So join us for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Saturday and Sunday, and every single night at 11:00 p.m. Eastern, 8:00 Pacific.
A record-setting Oscar nominee is pregnant and she is still a kid herself. We`re going to tell you who it is coming up next.
And they`re famous for nothing. Talking about people like Nicole Richie, Kevin Federline, Paris Hilton. Why are they famous anyway?
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT investigates why these celebs` 15 minutes of fame didn`t run out a long time ago.
We`ve also got this...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDY DICK, ACTOR: I tell you what, I personally think that at least in our country it`s a national epidemic.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I go one on one with Andy Dick. He opens up about his seven, count them, seven, trips in and out of rehab. Plus, I find out which super-hot star he might have a thing for.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT for Friday night is coming right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Coming up this weekend, love on the set. Why is it that so many celebrities mix pleasure with business? Why does filming a movie seem to mean falling in love?
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT looks at why co-stars just can`t keep their hands off each other. We`ll get into that tomorrow and Sunday.
Well, she was the youngest best actress Oscar nominee, and she`s still pretty young, but now she`s pregnant. Sixteen-year-old "Whale Rider" star Keisha Castle-Hughes and her 19-year-old boyfriend are expecting their first baby. The child is due in the spring. Australian-born Keisha was 13 when she was nominated for the role of a young girl who challenges the ancient traditions of her people.
Well, if you think all those fantasy sports leagues are just for the boys, think again, because women are hitting the fantasy fields, too. We`ve got that coming up.
Also, the controversial new movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Connelly, all about the dangerous diamond trade. We`ve got your first look in tonight`s "Showbiz Showcase".
We`ve also got this...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: These young starlets are really well known for being photographed, and they`re being photographed because they`re out all the time. So therefore, they`re famous just for being famous.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: They`re famous for nothing. Nicole Richie, Kevin Federline, Paris Hilton, why are they famous anyway?
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT investigates these celebs and why their 15 minutes of fame didn`t run out a long time ago.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT for a Friday night. It is 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. This is TV`s most provocative entertainment news show.
So Leonardo DiCaprio`s new movie with Martin Scorcese, "The Departed," opened up in theaters. But wait till you see his next big movie that`s coming out. It`s all about the very controversial diamond-dealing business -- something that even has ties to terrorists. We`re going to give you your very first look coming up in a few. You will not want to miss it.
Also tonight, Fantasy Football, not just for the guys anymore. We are going to show you how women are now getting into the game, too -- and in a very big way.
But first tonight, back in 1965, artist Andy Warhol said, "In the future, everyone will be famous for 15 minutes." Well, you know what? He really wasn`t all that far off.
Tonight, famous for just being famous. And Paris Hilton, let me tell you, just the tip of the iceberg here. Because nowadays, it seems you can get famous for doing absolutely nothing.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER (voice-over): From Nicole Richie to Paris Hilton to Kevin Federline to "Laguna Beach" reality star Kristin Cavalleri ...
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Ooh!
HAMMER: ...it`s a whole new fame game out there, and it`s redefining the very definition of who we call a celebrity.
(LAUGHTER)
HAMMER: The paparazzi take their pictures.
(SHOUTING)
HAMMER: We know their names. They`re famous. But for what?
DEBORAH SCHOENEMAN, AUTHOR, "4% FAMOUS": These young starlets are really well-known for being photographed. And they`re being photographed because they`re out all the time. So therefore, they`re famous just for being famous.
HAMMER: Famous just for being famous.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So what are you wearing tonight?
NICOLE RICHIE, ENTERTAINER: (INAUDIBLE).
LLOYD GRIVE, GOSSIP COLUMNIST, "N.Y. DAILY NEWS": Nicole Richie is the poster girl of this phenomenon. She doesn`t really do anything; she doesn`t even eat. Yet we write about her incessantly.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you, one reason Nicole and the others are famous: they provide desperately needed content to all those tabloid magazines and celebrity blogs.
SCHOENEMAN: I think we have this renewed interest in these people because with such competition for the real stars, there aren`t enough to go around. There aren`t enough paparazzi pictures of Sean Penn and Madonna. So therefore, we keep seeing Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton.
GROVE: They`re famous because we need them to be famous. We need material to write about; we can`t keep writing about the same old people everyday.
HAMMER: With this need for new faces, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is here to reveal how even you can get famous for -- well, nothing.
First, get involved in a juicy, public scandal -- a la Paris Hilton.
SCHOENEMAN: Paris Hilton and her sex tapes -- that was such a huge, hot scandal, that now people are still always want to know what she`s doing.
HAMMER: If that doesn`t work, you can always try reality TV.
JESSICA SIMPSON, ENTERTAINER: Thank you very much.
HAMMER: Do you think Jessica Simpson would be making movies, or millions for that matter, if it weren`t for her reality show that started it all, MTV`s "Newlyweds"?
SIMPSON: Is this chicken what I have, or is this fish?
GROVE: Before "Newlyweds," Jessica Simpson was just another mediocre singer. I think that without reality TV, she`d be nowhere.
HAMMER: Former Miss USA Shanna Moakler also starred in an MTV reality show, "Meet the Barkers." And we got to tell you, she`s getting pretty good at milking her 15 minutes of fame.
Need some attention? Well, do what she did: get into a very public nightclub fight with Paris Hilton.
GROVE: That was such a smart PR move on her part, to punch out Paris Hilton. Before she did that, who cared?
HAMMER: But it`s not just a catfight and a reality show that`s gotten Shanna noticed. Another ingredient in the recipe for fame: Hook up with someone more famous than you, as she did when she married rock star Travis Barker.
SCHOENEMAN: The greatest way for these celebrities to get famous for being famous is dating another celebrity. You know, the power of numbers. She was better than one.
HAMMER: Kevin Federline can certainly attest to that. He married big, and it`s paying off big. The former backup dancer is now Mr. Britney Spears. In addition to a rap career -- and we might be using that word a little loosely -- he also now gets paid -- yes, paid -- to go to parties.
GROVE: K-Fed does get paid, occasionally, when -- and it`s nice to see him earning money, instead of just sponging off his wife.
HAMMER: K-Fed isn`t the only one. Paris just earned a spot in "The Guinness Book of World Records" for being the most overrated celebrity. Oh, and did we mention she`s overpaid, too?
PARIS HILTON, ENTERTAINER: I don`t really want to talk about it.
HAMMER: Paris told "British GQ" that she earns up to half a million dollars just for showing up to parties, walking a carpet -- and yes, waving.
SCHOENEMAN: This attention can become very lucrative. She has a major career built on being a party girl. She`s not making money off being an actress or a singer; she`s making money off of her name and her image as being famous for being famous.
HAMMER: Sure, Paris is famous now. But what about 10, 20 years from now? We got to wonder: what`s going to happen to all these people?
GROVE: They`re going to get old. And the people who are consuming them now are going to want something younger and fresher.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Well, you know, we can make fun of Paris all we want -- and it`s just so easy to do -- but the girl is making serious bucks, and not just for going to parties. In addition to her album, called "Paris"; her perfume called "Paris"; she also now has her own line of nightclubs, called "Club Paris." There are already two in Florida, and there could be several more across the country soon. And to that I say, Oh goody.
Well, actor and comedian Andy Dick doesn`t fall into the famous-for- nothing category, because you may remember him from "The Ben Stiller Show" and "Newsradio," among the other things he`s done in his career. And now he`s starring with Jessica Simpson and Dane Cook in "Employee of the Month." It`s in theaters today.
I sat down with Andy, and I found out he actually has a soft spot for one of his co-stars in that film.
Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Jessica Simpson, starring alongside you...
ANDY DICK, ENTERTAINER: My girlfriend.
HAMMER: Is she your girlfriend? I mean, do you get people`s obsession with her and why everybody goes nuts?
DICK: Well, yes. She is just absolutely beautiful, first of all. And she`s so sweet. She`s -- she`s from Texas, and my blood is from Texas. And she`s beautiful, as am I.
HAMMER: So it`s simpatico?
DICK: I -- it`s going to happen. It`s just a matter of time. What`s the hold up, Jessie?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK.
We also got to talking about Andy`s well-publicized battles with the bottle. He has been in and out of rehab a number of times over the years. And he says being open about it is a positive thing.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DICK: For the record, I`m not drinking.
HAMMER: You`re not drinking these days?
DICK: Not smoking the old Mary Jane.
HAMMER: Because you`ve been very public about the fact that you`ve been in and out of rehab -- what is it -- seven times now?
DICK: Well, let`s round it.
HAMMER: Let`s say seven.
DICK: Round it off to seven. That`s fine.
HAMMER: So -- but is that your life? I mean, you say you`re not drinking now. Is -- I mean, do you...
DICK: Did I tell you they put a revolving door in my...
(CROSSTALK)
HAMMER: You didn`t mention that one, no.
DICK: I said that on Letterman.
HAMMER: Is it -- yes, I know.
DICK: One of my funny-funnies.
HAMMER: It was good.
(CROSSTALK)
HAMMER: That was a good moment.
DICK: But what were you saying about me?
HAMMER: I`m basically saying....
(CROSSTALK)
DICK: I`m very open about it, because I`ll tell you what: I personally think, at least in our country, it`s a national epidemic. There are a lot of them -- you know, the diet thing and, you know, the eating, whether it`s overeating, undereating. And alcoholism and drug addiction, it -- it`s kind of an epidemic that we don`t -- oh, you know, Uncle Larry has a little (WHISTLING). But nobody talks about it, you know?
It needs to be talked about, because it -- people just -- they`re dropping like flies.
HAMMER: Well...
DICK: And you know that -- yes.
HAMMER: Well, speaking of which, and...
DICK: I`ve had people die on me.
HAMMER: You`ve had people die in your life as a result of their addictions.
DICK: Literally on me.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Well, if nothing else, Andy Dick is a one-of-a-kind. He also told me that it helped him stay sober when his 18-year-old son moved in with him.
Andy`s new movie is "Employee of the Month." It`s in theaters right now.
Well tonight, in our "SHOWBIZ Showcase," "Blood Diamond." The controversial movie stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Connelly and Djimon Hounsou. It is set in war-ravaged Sierra Leone, in one of a number of African countries where war is financed by diamonds that are mined there and sold here in America.
And here is your first look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANNOUNCER: It came from the heart of the Earth, a stone so red men will do anything to possess it. And all who touch it are left with blood on their hands.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That diamond is my ticket out of this God-forsaken continent.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So what are you?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A smuggler.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So a journalist? Don`t tell me you`re here to make a difference, huh?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And you`re here to make a buck.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No in America, it`s bling-bling, but out here, it`s bling-bang.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Where did you bury it?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The only reason you`re still alive is because you haven`t told anyone where it is.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You will find it for me.
(SCREAMING)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What if I helped you find your family?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That makes us partners!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I am not your partner!
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You`re using him.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I`m using him, and you are using me, and this is how it works.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Are you going to steal his diamond?
(SCREAMING)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You show us where to?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That diamond is the only chance he has of getting his family back.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What if I wanted to go with you?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hold on!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don`t give a damn who`s down there. Kill them all.
(SCREAMING)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My family! My home!
(SCREAMING)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I will find you if it takes my life.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: "Blood Diamond" opens on December 19.
I want to remind you that SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can now be seen seven nights a week. That`s right; TV`s most provocative entertainment news show has arrived on your weekends. So don`t be bummed out because it`s Friday night. We`ll be here Saturday and Sunday and each and every night at 11 p.m. Eastern, 8 Pacific.
Well certainly, one of the biggest stars of TV and film is Rosanna Arquette. She is back on TV, and there is the lovely Rosanna. We got a lot of ground to cover with her. We`re going to talk about her new show, "What About Brian?" We`ve got to talk about the roles for older actresses in Hollywood, plus the pressure to be thin. The lovely Rosanna joins us in the interview you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Plus, the full-figured model who raises eyebrows on the runway. Would you believe that`s got Rosie O`Donnell coming to the defense of skinny models? You heard me right. You`ll hear for yourself from Rosie, coming up next.
And some Halloween costumes that are sure to give you "paws." Trick- or-treat, Halloween costumes for dogs, coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT for Friday night. This is TV`s most provocative entertainment news show.
And it`s time now for another story that made us say, "That`s Ridiculous."
Of course, Halloween -- my birthday -- is just around the corner. And really, why should the kids be the ones having all the fun? What about dogs? We know they like treats, right?
So here we go. A company called buycostumes.com is selling get-ups for dogs. Here we see the Elvis dog, kind of an ain`t-nothin-but-a-hound- dog look. Or you could always go with the fireman dog -- just keep him away from the fire hydrants. How about the racecar driver pooch? And then let`s show them the Tiki Boy dog. This grass skirt really is a nice touch, isn`t it?
I got to say thought, Halloween costumes for dogs, now "That`s Ridiculous!" And if I happen to be walking down the street, and I see you walking a dog in a costume, I will yell at you.
Well, as you heard right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, fashion designer Jean-Paul Gaultier raised a lot of eyebrows by featuring a plus-sized fashion model in his show. It seemed to be in response to the ban on skinny models that took place in Madrid. You may remember models there weren`t allowed to get on the runway if they were too thin, because officials thought it sent the wrong message to young girls.
Well, this morning on "The View," Rosie O`Donnell had a point that you might not have considered.
Take a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROSIE O`DONNELL, "THE VIEW": But it seems unfair, because that`s sort of been the standard for models for so long, you kind of know that if you want to be a model, you have to start yourself.
JOY BEHAR, "THE VIEW": So what? It`s starting to change.
O`DONNELL: Yes, but, I mean, all those poor models -- like, you know, they`re growing up, going, OK, I want to be a model, I`m going to have to get anorexic. And then they get there, and then all of a sudden they`re not -- they`re not big enough.
BEHAR: It`s like all the models are fat -- going to be fatter than the audience for a change. And the audience people are like, Gee, I wonder if they have that in a Size 0?
(CROSSTALK)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Feeling sorry for the Size 0`s? That`s not something you hear everyday.
Well, pressure on women in Hollywood to look good is something Rosanna Arquette can tell you about. Rosanna once directed a film called "Searching for Debra Winger," that focused on how older women cope with the pressures of the business.
These days, we love seeing Rosanna in her hot TV show on ABC, "What About Brian?," which is heading into its second season on Monday.
Rosanna Arquette joining me from Hollywood.
Nice to see you.
ROSANNA ARQUETTE, ACTRESS: Nice to see you. How are you?
HAMMER: And -- and I understand, as your lovely parting gift tonight, you would -- you would like one of the dog costumes, the Elvis dog costume?
ARQUETTE: Yes, I have a dog named Elvis. So that would be great.
HAMMER: You can`t dress up the dog, Rosanna. I`m sorry. I`m -- I`m opposed to that.
ARQUETTE: That`s pretty funny.
HAMMER: As I mentioned, when you made "Searching for Debra Winger," there were so few lead roles for women over 40. And I know that was your motivation for getting that film done.
But now if you look around, we got the "Desperate Housewives."
ARQUETTE: Yes.
HAMMER: We have Felicity Huffman, who I know is a friend of yours, who did the "Transamerica" movie and was so amazing in it.
Has it gotten better?
ARQUETTE: I think it has gotten better. And I was really proud of somebody like Felicity Huffman, who I don`t really know really well; I just met her a few times. But I think she`s an amazing actor, and so it was exciting for her. And, you know, you see Diane Lane out there and so many people are working a lot. And it`s exciting.
I made that movie five years ago, and it`s changed a lot in society.
HAMMER: Yes. I think you can take some credit. You started, you know, pushing the bar on that.
ARQUETTE: Oh, well maybe opening a dialogue, which -- it would be nice.
HAMMER: And that`s something we have to do about a lot of issues that face Hollywood. And while ageism may be diminishing, the pressure to be thin is running rampant in Hollywood. Pressures not just on actresses, but of course, young women who look up to them, see their pictures and want to be just like them. And it really seems like it`s getting worse.
What do you think needs to be done to reverse this trend? Because it`s out of hand, as far as I think.
ARQUETTE: Oh, gosh, I don`t know what other people -- I have a 12- year-old daughter, and I don`t -- you know, and I know that I struggled with my -- you know, does my butt look too big? I -- you know, but I think it`s all about healthy choices, and, you know, girls having their self- esteem and being proud of who they are, no matter what shape or size they are. So, you know, I...
HAMMER: Is this something that you talk to your daughter about? Are you concerned...
ARQUETTE: Yes, I do.
HAMMER: ...that she`s seeing these images, and -- and may get the wrong idea of what she`s supposed to be like, and how she should feel about herself?
ARQUETTE: Yes. I mean, the magazines and the -- you see their heroes are getting tinier and tinier. So -- but I -- she`s got a great head on her shoulders, and she has said to me, Oh, that`s gross. You know, she doesn`t like it. So, you know -- and she`s healthy.
So I`m happy about that.
HAMMER: Well, she clearly has a good role model.
And I want to congratulate you on "What About Brian?," now getting into its second season. And on that show...
ARQUETTE: Yes. We`re excited. We have a great show this season. It`s changed a lot, and have a lot of surprises. And J.J. Abrams has been very involved; Dana Stevens, who created it -- we`re all really excited about what`s happening this year.
HAMMER: And your character on the show, Rosanna, is -- has dealt with an issue in particular that I know so many women can relate to: infertility. And I imagine you learned quite a bit in playing this role, about something that women face everyday.
ARQUETTE: Yes. I have many, many friends that have dealt with this, and not being able to conceive and go through the hormonal thing. And I`m -- so she does do that. And she`s -- we come -- I am, when we see my character six months pregnant. So basically I am pregnant through the whole season. So it`s pretty funny.
HAMMER: And I can tell you`re really excited about the show, and can -- in general, and feeling really...
(CROSSTALK)
ARQUETTE: ...we have new characters. And...
HAMMER: What is it about the show especially that makes you feel so passionate about it?
ARQUETTE: Well, I really love our cast, and we really do get along. And it`s a just great energy. But it`s dealing with relationships. The man -- Rick Gomez`s character, their marriage, you know, going through their ups and downs is very interesting, fascinating to watch. And they`re great actors together. And, you know, just Brian trying to find his way. Sarah Lancaster and Matt Davis, their -- their challenge about, you know, their impending marriage.
There`s just a lot of stuff going -- my husband is away while I`m pregnant, so I`m dealing with that. We have new -- new actors have joined. And it`s just neat.
HAMMER: Well, relationships, the show proves, can absolutely be tough.
But you`ve been in your relationship, from what I understand, now for around three years. And -- and your show takes up certainly a lot of your time. And maintaining a relationship in Hollywood can`t be easy.
So what`s your secret for keeping that all together?
ARQUETTE: I really believe that you have to go to a lot of therapy. We do. We have a great therapist -- both of us have a therapist. And we just constantly have open communication and talk about our stuff, and if there`s any issues, that come up.
And there`s always going to be issues. I think every couple has their stuff. And they -- you have to work through it, and be willing to work through it. And that`s not always a honeymoon.
HAMMER: And everybody always says, Communication is the number one issue that you have to tackle.
ARQUETTE: It really is. And that`s not to say that you always like the other person. You know, you have to plow through the hard times together, and that`s always a challenge. It`s always been a challenge for me to stick in there. And I`m -- but, you know ...
(CROSSTALK)
HAMMER: Well, continued success with that, Rosanna.
ARQUETTE: Oh, thank you.
HAMMER: And have a great season with "What About Brian?." We appreciate you joining us tonight.
ARQUETTE: Thank you.
HAMMER: You can catch "What About Brian?" Monday nights on ABC.
Well, you`ve probably heard of Fantasy Football leagues. Millions of people are in them, tracking scores and stats. And not just the guys we`re talking about; more and more women are taking up the game.
Here comes CNN`s Soledad O`Brien for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KATHY VELASCO, FANTASY FOOTBALL PLAYER: Hi. I`m looking for the Fantasy Football draft group.
SOLEDAD O`BRIEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Kathy Velasco can walk the walk.
VELASCO: The Raiders, because they have the one of the league`s lesser offensive lines.
O`BRIEN: And she can certainly talk the talk.
VELASCO: Zack (ph) is taking Corey Dillon (ph).
O`BRIEN: After all, this ad executive has been playing Fantasy Football for14 years.
VELASCO: A friend of mine at -- that I worked with, years ago, was in a league. And I had never heard of it. And he was just talking about it at work one day, and so I said, You know, what`s that all about?
O`BRIEN: Fantasy Football brings together fans who draft their own fantasy team of NFL players and compete against other teams. Each player is awarded points based on their performance.
VELASCO: I`ve got Minnesota wide receiver Travis Taylor.
O`BRIEN: When Kathy first started playing, she hoped the experience would be something she could share with her husband, Al.
VELASCO: Unfortunately, it`s gotten to the point now where, you know, I`m the one that`s studying for hours in front of the TV. And he`ll watch the Bears play. And then what that game is over, you know, he -- he`s off mowing the lawn or doing something else.
O`BRIEN: An estimated 13 million play some form of Fantasy Football. And more than a million are now women.
VELASCO: I`m going to with Peyton Manning.
WILLIAM GRANT, FOOTBALLGUYS.COM: I think a couple years ago, there would have been -- there might have been a little bit of fear, or a little bit of, you know, razzing a woman for being -- participating in there. But now it`s -- women are just as equal as men in this case.
VELASCO: It never, ever crossed my mind that it would be unusual or odd to be in the Fantasy Football league just because I was a woman.
O`BRIEN: Last year, Kathy beat her mostly male competition.
VELASCO: I won $420. I won the whole league last year, for the first time of -- after 13 years.
O`BRIEN: So how did that go over with the guys?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Not bad until I found out how she spent her winnings.
VELASCO: I went to New York City and got my hair cut. I`m guessing I`m probably one of the only people in the United States who took their winnings from Fantasy Football and went and got a haircut.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: That was CNN`s Soledad O`Brien for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is coming right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Let`s see what`s coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT this weekend.
Love on the set. Why do so many celebrities mix business with pleasure? Why does filming a movie seem to mean falling in love? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT looks at why co-stars just can`t keep their hands off each other. We`ll get into that tomorrow and Sunday.
That`s it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Have an excellent weekend. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
Glenn Beck is coming up next, right after the very latest from CNN Headline News.
END
