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Showbiz Tonight
Fox Fires Back; McCartney-Mills Divorce -- Could it Get Uglier?; Chevrolet`s New Commercial Causing Controversy;
Aired October 30, 2006 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BROOKE ANDERSON, CNN CO-HOST: Michael J. Fox says he won`t be bullied by Rush Limbaugh.
I`m Brooke Anderson in New York. A.J. Hammer has the night off.
SIBILA VARGAS, CNN CO-HOST: And the Paul McCartney-Heather Mills divorce gets even messier, if you can believe it.
I`m Sibila Vargas in Hollywood. TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
ANDERSON: Tonight, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Hollywood divorces that actually work. Demi and Bruce, Tom and Nicole.
Tonight, we take you inside the kissing and making up after the breakup. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, with a revealing look at why love on the rocks doesn`t have to be rocky.
Blowing the lid off the secret world of celebrity assistants. Tonight, the dirty secrets of catering to the stars, and we do mean dirty.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I was also asked to scrub dog poop out of soles of her shoes with a toothbrush.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Wait. Did she just say dog poop?
Tonight, the startling stories of the people who get paid to cater to the stars. The star assistants strike back on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
VARGAS: Hello everybody. I`m Sibila Vargas in Hollywood.
ANDERSON: Hi there. I`m Brooke Anderson in New York. A.J. Hammer has the night off.
All right, we have to tell you that we cannot believe the overwhelming response to the firestorm that Rush Limbaugh created when he accused Michael J. Fox of exaggerating his symptoms of Parkinson`s disease in a political ad.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has been hearing from you and speaking with Hollywood`s biggest stars on both sides of the issue.
Today, Fox hit the campaign trail and made it very clear, he won`t let anyone get in the way of his mission with a message.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON (voice-over): In this campaign season, where the fate of Congress and the direction of the nation hang in the balance, this man may be one of the most visible, controversial and divisive figures on the campaign trail.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It`s my -- my honor to bring forward Michael J. Fox. Thank you very much.
ANDERSON: It`s Actor Michael J. Fox, days after being attacked by Radio Host Rush Limbaugh for his campaign ad for a Democratic candidate who backs stem cell research.
RUSH LIMBAUGH, TALK SHOW HOST: This is really shameless of Michael J. Fox. Either he didn`t take his medication or he`s acting, one of the two.
ANDERSON: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can now tell you and show you the sitcom and movie star is ignoring Rush and has launched a new round of campaigning.
MICHAEL J. FOX, ACTOR: I guess I`m not supposed to speak with you until my symptoms go away. But I`m not going to go away. And the millions of Americans...
ANDERSON: Actor Dustin Hoffman is telling SHOWBIZ TONIGHT he was touched by Fox`s eye-opening interview with Katie Couric.
DUSTIN HOFFMAN, ACTOR: The interview he gave with Katie Couric is one of the most satisfying and fulfilling and you know, life, you know, affirming, you know, interviews I have ever seen in my life.
ANDERSON: So now SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is asking the burning question. Could Michael J. Fox actually affect the biggest election in a decade?
ANDERSON: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can show you Fox`s latest campaign stop in Columbus, Ohio, where he stumped for a Democratic Senate candidate. And get this. Columbus also happens to be the hometown of Fox`s most famous character, the money loving Republican Alex P. Keaton, from the hit `80s sitcom, "Family Ties."
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: ... be your best friend.
ALEX P. KEATON, "FAMILY TIES": Oh, that always works for me.
ANDERSON: Fox campaigning for a Democrat? What would Alex P. Keaton say?
FOX: I was recently asked what my character, Alex P. Keaton, would think of me campaigning for stem cell research.
(LAUGHTER)
FOX: I think first of all he`d be happy I`m wearing a tie. And I think he would tell me I`m doing the right thing.
ANDERSON: Fox has been appearing all over the country and all over the air waves, backing the mostly Democratic candidates who support federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, which they say could help lead to a cure for diseases, including Parkinson`s, which Fox has had for 15 years.
And on ABC this week, he tells George Stephanopoulos he doesn`t mind the criticism.
FOX: That`s fine. I`m a big boy. I know -- it was a (UNINTELLIGIBLE) my legs.
ANDERSON: But if politics is a popularity contest, Rush Limbaugh had better be careful. A new CNN poll says Michael J. Fox has a 75 percent approval rating, while Rush has a disapproval rating of 58 percent.
And another poll shows that public support for stem cell research has actually increased slightly since Fox started doing his campaign ads.
BILL SCHNEIDER, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: Fox is a deeply sympathetic figure.
ANDERSON: CNN`s Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that Fox is a formidable political spokesman for the cause.
SCHNEIDER: Americans look at Michael J. Fox the same they once looked at Christopher Reeve, and they say if it could happen to him, it could happen to anyone. It could happen to me. And I want to make sure that the cause he`s speaking for is a cause that I can support.
ANDERSON: It is true that Michael J. Fox`s star power will not affect the opinions of those who are against embryonic stem cell research, which they say is an unethical breach of human life. They have some star power on their side too. From "Everybody Loves Raymond" Star Patricia Heaton to Jesus, himself.
Jim Caviezel, who played Jesus in "Passion of the Christ," is joining Patricia Heaton and other big names in a new ad against a proposed Missouri state amendment that would guarantee federally allowed stem cell research in that state.
Still, Caviezel tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that he sympathizes with those who suffer from disease.
JIM CAVIEZEL, ACTOR: I lost a good friend this last year with Parkinson`s. I care very deeply for people who have Parkinson`s disease. Okay? And I would be through the moon if they found a cure for any of those diseases.
ANDERSON: So with big stars in the middle of the stem cell debate, we have to ask, could Fox actually affect the election?
SCHNEIDER: In this election, if he brings even a marginal number of votes -- additional voters out to vote in favor of his cause that could turn the tide in a number of close races.
ANDERSON: No matter what, the whole debate shows that nothing, not a big PR campaign or even an election can bring attention to a divisive issue like big stars can.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON (on camera): CNN`s Bill Schneider points out to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that in the past, Fox has backed Republicans who support embryonic stem cell research. But with much of the opposition coming from Republicans, including President Bush, Schneider thinks this issue and Fox`s involvement in it could become very partisan.
VARGAS: Now we want to hear from you. It`s our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. Michael J. Fox: Is it fair to criticize him? Go to cnn.com/showbiztonight, send us email at showbiztonight@cnn.com.
Now we have to tell you, we had an overwhelming number of responses to our question of the day Friday. We asked, Michael J. Fox: Is Rush Limbaugh wrong for criticizing him? 89 percent of you -- a whopping 89 percent said yes; 11 percent of you say no.
And remember, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is the only entertainment news show that lets you express your opinion on video.
Charles from Michigan sent us a video email. Here`s what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHARLES: I was really offended by what Rush Limbaugh said. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) this isn`t a new thing. He`s had this for 15 -- he`s had the disease for 15 years. And I -- it`s -- what angers me even more is that it`s people like him, who have a lot of power, who`s holding back genuine advances in medical science that could help millions of people. And it is just really disturbs me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VARGAS: Thanks for your response, Charles.
And if you want to send us an email, a video email, head to our Web site, cnn.com/showbiztonight. All you have to do is click, attach and send. It`s that easy. Remember, your videos have to be 30 seconds or less. Watch for your video emails only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. We`ll be reading some of your emails a little bit later on the show.
ANDERSON: It`s hard to believe, but tonight we can tell you that Paul McCartney`s divorce has gotten uglier than ever. Even though Paul and his estranged wife, Heather Mills, and McCartney, reportedly haven`t seen each other in two months, they agreed to a temporary truce this weekend for their daughter, Beatrice`s, third birthday party.
And now we are hearing about explosive new tapes that could blow this divorce out wide open.
With me tonight in New York, from the "Court TV" studios in New York, News Anchor Ashleigh Banfield. Also here with me in New York, Matrimonial Lawyer Nancy Shimtop (ph).
Welcome to you both.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hi.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you.
ANDERSON: All right, Ashleigh, I`m going to start with you. It really looks like this divorce now could get even more complicated, if we can all believe it. There are reports, as I mentioned, that audio tapes now exist that Paul`s former wife, Linda, made. And they reportedly portray Paul in a very unflattering light. What are we hearing is on these tapes?
ASHLEIGH BANFIELD, "COURT TV": Well, I`m hearing echoes of Lady Diana. That`s the first thing, because I remember when these explosive tapes came out from Diana to their Diane and Charles Saga.
But this time, these are tapes that apparently Linda McCartney made with her Co-author of a cookbook, dating as far back as 1988. Apparently, they were talking in her kitchen a lot.
ANDERSON: Casual talk.
BANFIELD: 20 hours worth of casual talk. But apparently, the conversations got very personal. And then the conversations got very private. And Linda would record some of her own thoughts and musings and just send them to Peter Cox. But she did have him agree in 1988 to keep them confidential.
And Paul is now asking, through his attorneys, that he sign this gag order to refresh that confidentiality, which he`s done.
ANDERSON: Now, Nancy, the British press are calling these tapes dynamite. Is that what they are? Could they truly have an effect on the outcome of the divorce proceedings maybe?
NANCY SHIMTOP (PH), MATRIMONIAL LAWYER: I think they are completely irrelevant in this divorce proceeding. They might be dynamite just as far as history goes because people speak about Paul and Linda having a fabulous marriage.
Every marriage, no matter how fabulous or however horrible, there`s always a point of upset in a marriage. However, this should just be completely disregarded. There should be a gag order. And this should be just omitted from any court proceedings here.
ANDERSON: You have your ups and downs in the marriage. But the hits just do seem to keep on coming here.
Now, Ashleigh, in divorces a lot of times, as nasty as they can be, people tend to sometimes forget there`s a child involved. Now, let`s not forget about 3-year-old Beatrice here. This past weekend, for the sake of her birthday, Paul and Heather came together to celebrate the whole thing.
Now, it`s not just about money here. It`s about the custody of this child. Could this get really nasty in terms of child custody?
BANFIELD: Well, as far as the tabloids go, they got a photo-op this weekend of them arriving sort of together, sort of not. I believe Paul had Beatrice under his arms and was walking under an under path to the play center where the birthday was hosted. And Heather and her team were on top of the overpass. So the photo had them together apart, so to speak.
That`s all I can really tell you about the birthday, other than about the 15 partygoers said everything looked really normal, and Beatrice looked terribly happy, which is good to know.
As far as the other stuff goes, though, what I should tell you about those tapes is that no where at this point is anyone alleging that Linda said anything about abuse. Where, apparently it`s being characterized she said she was tarried, there were dark moments, he was very controlling, she had no money for groceries, her friend had to lend her five pounds every so often for groceries. There`s still no mention of abuse. And that`s something for his column.
ANDERSON: Absolutely.
Now, Nancy, this has turned into a major PR battle. And we all know that Heather has not come out smelling like roses in the media. She`s been portrayed as a witch, really. Do you think she`s doing all of this, going to the birthday party, playing nice, for her image?
SHIMTOP (ph): Actually I think the reason that she went to the birthday party, I hope is for her daughter`s best interest.
(CROSSTALK)
SHIMTOP (ph): And actually, I believe it was reported last week that the birthday party had been canceled. And it`s good to know that both parents have rallied together, and that`s a very hopeful sign that perhaps there can be joint custody here.
I think that it`s been a PR nightmare for her. She`s being looked as somebody who`s going after millions and millions of dollars that she`s not entitled to, and she`s alleging abuse to retaliate. But what I think needs to be looked at here, is she entitled to the millions and millions of dollars? And if she is, it should just be offered to her. And everybody should go on with their lives. And they have to stop this media blitz.
ANDERSON: Quite an acrimonious divorce. We will be following it.
Nancy Shimtop (ph)...
SHIMTOP (ph): Thank you.
ANDERSON: ... and Ashleigh Banfield. Thank you both so much for your insight, and we appreciate it.
(CROSSTALK)
ANDERSON: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you, divorce doesn`t have to be messy though. Coming up, we take a revealing look at how some star couples are able to split up successfully. From Demi and Bruce, to Tom and Nicole, Hollywood divorces that work. That`s just ahead at 31 past the hour.
VARGAS: And just when you thought you found the one star couple who could defy all the odds, it`s happened. A truly shocking Hollywood breakup. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) star split that had our news room gasping, huh?
ANDERSON: Whitney wows them. All eyes are on Whitney Houston, and this time it`s for all the right reasons. Coming up, it looks like this diva is ready for a comeback.
We`ll also have this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I was also asked to scrub dog poop out of soles of her shoes with a toothbrush. So, it sort of goes from the ridiculous to the sublime.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Tonight, the startling stories from the people who get paid to cater to celebrities. The star assistants strike back on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, TV`s most provocative entertainment news show. I`m Brooke Anderson in New York.
Time now for a story that made us say, "that`s ridiculous!" All right, these days you can get a Web site for just about anything, right? Some people are even cashing in with crazy web domains like sex.com, which earned someone a cool $12 million. Hell.com wasn`t quite as hot. The man who owns it, tried to auction it off for a minimum of $1 million bucks, but he got no takers.
Now, there`s even a site called nwordspace.com, which is supposed to be like myspace.com. The owner says he`s not a racist, he`s just trying to change the connotation of the N word.
Out of control Web site names, now that`s ridiculous.
OK, tonight, outrage and controversy over the use of images like Hurricane Katrina and 9/11 in a television commercial. You`ve probably seen a new ad from Chevrolet, using images that some consider sacred in order to sell the Chevy Silverado.
Joining me here in New York, Advertising Legend Jerry Della Femina, the chairman and CEO of -- and Jerry, I want to make sure that I get this right -- Della Femina, Rothschild Jeary & Partners for advertising (UNINTELLIGIBLE) I got it?
JERRY DELLA FEMINA, CHAIRMAN AND CEO OF DELLA FEMINA, ROTHSCHILD JEARY & PARTNERS: Perfect. Perfect.
ANDERSON: All right, fantastic. First, I want to take a look at the ad.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(SINGING)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: OK, patriotic images, feel good images first. Then images of war, images of Hurricane Katrina. You think this is a terrible idea. Why?
DELLA FEMINA: It`s a terrible commercial. Nice music.
ANDERSON: Really nice, catchy music...
(CROSSTALK)
DELLA FEMINA: Catchy music. And the images themselves are very important. That`s when they end with their truck. I mean, first of all, how dare they use 9/11 or the tower of lights going up to sell a truck. How dare they show pictures of Katrina to sell a truck.
ANDERSON: Yes.
DELLA FEMINA: It`s just out of, out of order. They should just pull it.
ANDERSON: It is a bit jolting. It feels like it comes out of the blue a little bit at the end.
And we contacted Chevy for a response, and as of show time, we had not heard back from them. But however, in a "New York Times" article, a Chevy spokesperson said this. The idea was that the pickup consumer is honest, hard working, authentic and real. In order to be real and honest, we needed to show the scars and bruises, as well as the triumphs of this country in order to be true.
I`ve got to ask you, do you think that while they were sitting in a pitch meeting in a conference room somewhere, do you think that no one could have spoken up and said, hey, some people might find this offensive?
DELLA FEMINA: In think the way these ideas go, people got so caught up in the think of it, we`ll show Mohammad Ali, we`ll show Martin Luther King, we`ll show Rosa Parks. Wouldn`t that be great? And then we`ll show our truck. And these people so loved their truck that they couldn`t see past the fact that they were absolutely stepping on icons and should never have done the commercial. It`s there. I have no idea how they got the right to use these pictures. I mean...
ANDERSON: Right.
DELLA FEMINA: ... of all these people. I mean, Mohammad Ali? They have no right. So, somehow, some way they have managed to take some very important icons that really mean something to this country, and then they`re just throwing in their truck.
(CROSSTALK)
ANDERSON: And let me ask you this, do you ever think it will be OK to use images of war, of Hurricane Katrina? The song in the ad is, "Our Country." These are things that happened, you know, in our country, with our country. What is wrong with that?
DELLA FEMINA: What`s wrong with that is that they can use those images, but they can`t use those images to sell products. I think those images really mean too much to all of us, and to just throw them in and then at the end sell a truck. They might have been able to take the first part -- take the last part and put it first.
ANDERSON: Flip the order.
DELLA FEMINA: Show the truck. Say this is our truck, and then say this is our country. You`re not then taking over and saying that the truck is really...
ANDERSON: Affective, do you think? Will it be affective or will people say, heck no, I`m not buying that truck.
DELLA FEMINA: I don`t know if this is very effective. I don`t know if people are looking at that and saying, wow. Now I know why I want to run out and get a Chevy truck, because it`s part of all of these, these images. And it`s wrong.
ANDERSON: All right, Jerry Della Femina, thanks so much for joining us and talking to us about this controversy over the Chevrolet ad. We appreciate it. Take care.
VARGAS: Well now, time for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s "Prescription for Rehab," where we take a look at stars who have tough times, and we examine what it will take for them to make a comeback.
Whitney Houston is one of the greatest singers of all time. That`s for sure. But after a tumultuous marriage to Bobby Brown and her rumored drug use, Houston seemed like she hit a downward spiral.
Now Houston`s changing her tune. She`s unveiled a dramatic new look at the Carousel of Hope ball over the weekend. Houston looks fabulous as she walked the red carpet for legendary Record Producer Clive Davis. It was Houston`s first public appearance since going through rehab and splitting with her husband, Bobby Brown.
To look at the before and after pictures, wow, Whitney`s prescription for rehab looks like it`s just what the doctor ordered. The staff at SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can`t wait to hear the new album -- Brooke.
ANDERSON: They were one celebrity couple who we all thought would make it. Tonight, a truly shocking Hollywood breakup ahead. Details on the latest star breakup that left us with our heads shaking.
VARGAS: Also ahead in Hollywood, divorces that actually work. Demi and Bruce, Tom and Nicole. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with a revealing look at why love on the rocks doesn`t have to be rocky.
We`ll also have this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I had to go search all of the cemeteries throughout Los Angeles, looking for Dad. And in the meantime, I`m carrying Mom in a jar in the back seat.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: What? The strange and shocking stories from celebrity assistants. Ahead, former assistants come clean with some dirty secrets of catering to the stars.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
VARGAS: Oprah Winfrey is well known for her lavish audience gifts. In fact, I wish I was part of the audience some times. Well, this time she calls it her favorite giveaway ever. Winfrey gave more than 300 audience members $1,000 each to donate to charitable causes. She told her audience that every gift she`s ever given has brought her at least as much happiness as it has to the person that she`d given it to. Quote, "That`s a feeling I want to pass on to you." People can give the entire sum to one person. Relatives are not eligible. Or they can split it among charitable causes. Audience members also received a DVD recorder to report back to Oprah on how they spent the money.
Well, just when you thought a star couple could defy the odds, it happens. A truly shocking Hollywood breakup and the details on the star split that had our newsroom gasping.
We`ll also have this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I was also asked to scrub dog poop out of soles of her shoes with a toothbrush. So, it sort of goes from the ridiculous to the sublime.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Startling stories from the people who get paid to cater to celebrities. Star assistants strike back, coming up.
(NEWSBREAK)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It is 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. This is TV`s most provocative entertainment news show.
HAMMER: Well, Brooke, we talk about it all the time: how difficult it is to be married in Hollywood. Seems like it`s never easy, particularly when both spouses are in the spotlight, as is the case in Sandra Bullock`s marriage. But she`s figured it out; she knows how to make it work. We`re going to let everybody in on our secrets, coming up in just a few.
ANDERSON: Good for Sandra. And - and (INAUDIBLE) celebrity marriages, A.J., to explosive, bitter celebrity feuds. I`m talking Paris versus Nicole, Tom versus Brooke and numerous others. Coming up, we have the biggest and the best celebrity feuds ever.
HAMMER: Of which there have been quite a few.
ANDERSON: Yes, there have.
HAMMER: But first tonight, for the very first time since we got the news that Farrah Fawcett has cancer, we`re now learning what kind of cancer she has and the dramatic, behind-the-scenes story of her brave battle. The startling details are in this, the new issue of "People" magazine, which will hit newsstands on Friday.
Joining me tonight in New York, "People" magazine`s J.D. Heyman.
Nice to see you, J.D.
J.D. HEYMAN, "PEOPLE" MAGAZINE: Nice to see you.
HAMMER: So you guys at "People" have learned after a lot of speculation that`s been out there specifically what type of cancer Farrah`s detailing with.
HEYMAN: That`s right.
HAMMER: What - what did you learn?
HEYMAN: Farrah Fawcett has anal cancer. She`s been upfront about what it is. She gave a statement to that effect, and she`s fighting it tooth and nail.
So it`s a very, very traumatic time for her, and for people around her, who are rallying around her. But she`s determined to fight this.
HAMMER: And this is a fairly rare kind of cancer, if I understand correctly. Less than 5,000 people a year are diagnosed with it.
HEYMAN: Right. It - it`s not the most common form of cancer. It is a cancer that, if it`s caught, early can be - can be treated and can be dealt with. And she`s very optimistic about - about her outcomes. And we certainly that that, you know, is the case.
HAMMER: You know, one of the last times we saw Farrah out in public was at the end of August, when she was appearing at the Emmy Awards. She was reunited with her "Charlie`s Angels" co-stars, Kate Jackson and Jaclyn Smith. And everybody said how terrific she looked, appearing on stage.
It was shortly after that that she actually was diagnosed. Isn`t that right?
HEYMAN: Well, that`s absolutely right. I mean, she appeared at this "Angel`s" reunion to sort of pay respect to Aaron Spelling. And then right after that, within days, she was complaining about feeling sore. She`s a very athletic person; she`s always been very active. And she certainly felt she was - she was not at - at her best. And she went to a doctor. And after many tests, she find out this diagnosis, and was completely, you know, undone by it for a little bit, and then rallied.
But it was very sudden, as many cancer diagnoses are. She was not, you know, suffering or feeling ill for a long period before she got this diagnosis.
HAMMER: Well, she clearly has a tremendous support system around her, as is well-needed in any situation like this.
And I understand it was shortly after her diagnosis that she called Ryan O`Neal. Of course, she and Ryan had a relationship for 17 years.
HEYMAN: Right.
HAMMER: They were together until 1997. But he`s not just back hanging out; he`s firmly back in her life now.
HEYMAN: Well, that`s exactly right. And a lot of people maybe not remember this, but Ryan O`Neal battled cancer. And - and this was after he and - and Farrah had - had split. And she had come back and helped him through his treatments for a form of leukemia that he was diagnosed with.
So Ryan did the same thing for Farrah. He, you know, basically moved her back into his home. She`s been dividing her time between his home and her home. He`s been really looking after her and has - you know, he told "People" this week, you know, he - he loves her. He`s profoundly, you know, distressed about what`s going on. But he`s standing by her.
This is a real love affair between these two people.
HAMMER: Yes.
HEYMAN: I mean.
HAMMER: It`s obviously a bond that - that they`ll have for the rest of - of their lives.
HEYMAN: Sure.
HAMMER: And a bond that she remains to have to this day with Kate Jackson, Jaclyn Smith, who I mentioned that she reunited with at the Emmy Awards. And this has really brought all of them closer, and not just in some superficial way.
HEYMAN: Right. I mean - well, you know, all three of these women, amazingly - I mean, have had cancer.
HAMMER: Wow.
HEYMAN: Kate Jackson had cancer - breast cancer. Jaclyn Smith also battled cancer. So they know firsthand what - what Farrah`s going through. And Kate Jackson and Farrah has spent some time together since this diagnosis. Kate told "People" that, you know, this - this is a woman that people shouldn`t think is lying in bed and, you know, wallowing in her misery. She`s determined to fight this. The two of them went out together incognito and went for a brisk walk together.
So they`ve really rallied to her side. And she - Kate has also offered (ph) to pray for Farrah if - you know, if they do pray, to put her in their prayers.
So this is an amazing, you know, show of strength by these three women.
HAMMER: Well, Farrah is truly an iconic woman, and I know she has a tremendous of support, and we all wish her the best.
J.D., I appreciate you joining us tonight.
HEYMAN: Thanks for having me.
HAMMER: And you can read the full story on Farrah`s cancer battle in the latest issue of "People" magazine. You`ll find it on newsstands this Friday.
ANDERSON: For the first time, Mel Gibson is speaking out about his anti-Semitic rant and drunk-driving arrest this past July. In an interview with ABC`s Diane Sawyer, Gibson says it was - quote - "the stupid ramblings of a drunkard."
We got a preview on today`s "GMA." In his own words, Mel talks about his battle with alcoholism.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MEL GIBSON, ACTOR: You live in fear (ph) - the risk of everything: life, limb, family is not enough to keep you from it. That`s the - that`s the hell of it. You are indefensible against it.
(CROSSTALK)
DIANE SAWYER, ABC ANCHOR.you will sacrifice.
GIBSON: Anything. So you must keep that under arrest, in a sense. But you cannot do it of yourself.
And people can help, yes. But it`s God. You got to go there. You got to do it, and - or you won`t survive.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: You can catch more of Gibson`s interview with Diane Sawyer tomorrow and Friday on "Good Morning America."
HAMMER: Well, when you think about marriages in Hollywood, "long lasting" are probably not the first words that come to mind.
But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is going to tell you the secrets to a happy Hollywood marriage, courtesy of Sandra Bullock. Her husband is "Monster Garage" TV host Jesse James. Sandra is currently starring as author Harper Lee in "Infamous." It`s a movie about the life of Truman Capote.
And Truman revealed the secret to a successful marriage to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT producer Jenny D`attoma.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JENNY D`ATTOMA, CNN SHOWBIZ TONIGHT PRODUCER: When you first started off with this role, did you just think, Oh, this is a plum role for me?
SANDRA BULLOCK, ACTRESS: Well, I questioned Doug, why he wanted me to do it.
D`ATTOMA: Really?
BULLOCK: I didn`t - I - I wanted to make sure that - because I knew how hard it was going to be me for me, the work that was required for me. I wanted to make sure that he wasn`t - I was like, Do you need financing for this? What`s the reason?
And we had long talks. And finding out that he spent, you know, a good four years of his life researching and writing this. You know, this is an actor - I think most actors will tell you, if you get this chance just once in a lifetime, it`s - it`s a blessing. And if you get it more than once, you just - it`s pretty great.
D`ATTOMA: As big of a star as you are, you maintain a privacy that few celebrities do.
How do you do that?
BULLOCK: The key is just don`t go where the cameras going. It`s not that hard to figure out.
D`ATTOMA: Really?
BULLOCK: And I`m sure there`s a - a level of interest that is really low in my life. Because, you know, if I`m going to get in trouble, I`m certainly not going to do it in area where someone`s going to tell someone else to call a camera.
But you know what? You just get as far away from it as possible. You just - you spend a lot of time trying to figure out how to protect it, if it`s valuable to you. And it`s really valuable to me.
You know, when I go home at the end of the day, I don`t go to them. I go home to my life, and - and if - if it`s not solid, it`s - I have - you know, I`m at fault for that, so.
D`ATTOMA: What is the secret ingredient to a successful marriage, as far as.
BULLOCK: I have no idea.
D`ATTOMA: No?
BULLOCK: No clue. And anyone who talks about is shooting themselves in the foot.
D`ATTOMA: Marital foot.
BULLOCK: I have no idea. And what`s good for one is definitely not the same recipe for someone else.
Just do your life. Don`t do what, you know, magazine, you know, with the - those - what are they like, the page - you know, the three-page tests on how - you know, (INAUDIBLE) you know what. It`s just - just do what feels right. If you go with your own rhythm; I think once you try to make it look like something that it`s not, and you try to be the perfect couple - no one`s the perfect couple. The world isn`t perfect. Don`t - don`t - it`s not going to work. You know, just - I think people forget that we`re supposed to enjoy this lifetime.
D`ATTOMA: I know.
BULLOCK: You know, and that seems the last on your list. I don`t want to be 80, going, If I only had just relaxed and had more fun, you know? Life is hard enough. You know, it`s going to get bad when it gets bad. Did you enjoy the moments when things were calm? And a lot of us say no, you know, because you just stress out.
I think in the end, when you really look at it, people`s aspirations for money and fame and - and success are all to be - to feel loved and to feel validated and to feel a sense of accomplishment. And I think that if someone can say, I had - I loved, and I loved good - you know, and it`s politically correct, you can`t any more pure than that. That is the ultimate accomplishment in life.
And it`s the hardest thing to do, because there`s no rote system, you know? You - you can figure out to get through business school, study, you know? And - and be diligent, and hopefully, you pay your tuition and you can get your business degree. It doesn`t work that way in life (INAUDIBLE).
D`ATTOMA: Yes. You`re on - on your own.
BULLOCK: Yes. I - I think that`s what - what is hard to allow yourself to do, because you have society and people just saying, This is the way to do it. This is the way to (INAUDIBLE) (ph), you know?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: I love a star with their feet firmly planted in the ground. Sandra Bullock there.
That is - the film "Infamous" is her new movie, and it`s opening in theaters this weekend.
ANDERSON: Well, if you can`t stand those long waits in the ER, you may want to head the hospital during big sporting events. We`re going to tell you why "That`s Ridiculous!" next.
HAMMER: Also, from Paris to Nicole to Madonna and Elton John, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has the most outrageous, nastiest celebrity feuds ever. Why can`t stars just get along and play nice?
We`ve also got this:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALISA FLISS, JOINED MILITARY TO LOSE WEIGHT: It`s going to help me lose weight. I`ll be forced to lose weight. I`ll be forced to get out there and run each day. What more motivation could you ask for?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: People do all kinds of extreme things to lose weight. Tonight, the shocking choice one woman made in her struggle to shed pounds: she signed up for the military. That amazing story, coming up next.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A.J.`s going to desk with tracking (ph) for the next block.
Effect black.
(COMMMERCIAL BREAK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: .music under, stand by, A.J. Open his mike, dissolve 1, Go.
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT for Wednesday night. This is TV`s most provocative entertainment news show.
It`s time now for another story that made us say "That`s Ridiculous!"
Now, we know a lot of guys love the sports, right? During Sunday football, you can`t get the guys away from the TV set, right, ladies? Well, there`s a new study out there from the University of Maryland that says there`s a drop in the number of men heading to the emergency room when sports are on. That`s right. When the game`s over, then there`s a surge in "ER" visits. So apparently guys who are hurting, in pain and not feeling so good, and they wait until the game is done to get checked out.
It would seem to me, Brooke - it would be most prudent - if you have chest pains, if you are bleeding profusely, you should not wait until the game is over. Maybe have the ambulance turn on the radio and the sports score will come up.
ANDERSON: Yes, have them turn on the radio.
You know, some of these fans might not be watching too many more football games or sporting events if they ignore these serious ailments. It`s ridiculous.
HAMMER: But even stranger is that somebody went out and did a study about this.
Still, we have to say, hitting the "ER" after that last whistle, "That`s Ridiculous!"
ANDERSON: "That`s Ridiculous!"
OK, now SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the greatest celebrity feuds ever, with the drag-out - knockdown, drag-out, nastiest celebrity feuds. I`m sure we`re all resting a little easier now that Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie are friends again. The two had been in a big fight since last year, but have decided to bury the hatchet.
But Paris and Nicole aren`t the only ones to duke it out publicly.
With us tonight, investigative journalist Pat Lalama.
Hey, Pat.
PAT LALAMA, INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST: All is well with the world now that we know they`re OK, huh?
ANDERSON: We all feel much better.
But to give a little bit of perspective here, Paris and Nicole were childhood friends, teenaged friends. And then about a year ago, suddenly they became bitter enemies. TMZ.com`s cameras actually caught them the other night having dinner together at a very popular restaurant here in L.A.
But Pat, what caused this whole feud in the first place?
LALAMA: Well, that`s the big secret. I mean, I am telling you, what is the nuclear code is is only - is second only to, you know, what is the secret between the two.
But you know what? I mean, the bottom line is, as I`ve mentioned on a couple of occasions, relationships in Hollywood, particularly with the young, spoiled crowd, are very fleeting. They love you one day, hate you the next. But I also think, in this case, they might have been forced to get along because they`ve got a new season of television coming up.
So let`s just bury the hatchet, make some money and still be Hollywood stars.
ANDERSON: So maybe not a genuine friendship. We`ll just have to see how that one plays out.
But next I want to talk about Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney. An interesting duo. These guys were good friends at one point; they made hit songs together: "The Girl Is Mine"; "Say Say Say."
But then, Pat, a feud begins over a Beatles catalogue of music.
LALAMA: Well, how would you feel if you sat down with Michael Jackson and wrote beautiful music, and then he outbid you on your own catalogue, which of course is probably, you know, a gold mine. And we know it`s a gold mine.
And I think it caused a bitter dispute. And as far as I know, the two have not come together to the negotiation table to talk.
ANDERSON: Yes, I wouldn`t feel too good about that. So they may keep their friendship estranged, you think? No - no chance of mending her?
LALAMA: I`m going to go out on a limb here and say that Paul probably wants to pick his friends quite carefully. And given the allegations that have been thrust upon Michael Jackson, maybe it`s just best to, you know, wave and keep it at there.
ANDERSON: Keep your distance. Keep your distance.
LALAMA: Exactly.
ANDERSON: All right. Tom Cruise and Brooke Shields; we all know what happened with this one.
LALAMA: Oh yes.
ANDERSON: .when Tom erupted on national television during the now- infamous interview on the "Today" show, basically attacking Brooke Shields.
LALAMA: Right.
ANDERSON: .for her use of antidepressants for postpartum depression, to treat it.
Why is this one of the greatest celebrity feuds ever? And you know it is.
LALAMA: Well, the reason why is because these are two big stars; these are two relatively respected people.
But you have to add that Scientology element. I mean, Tom is so strong in his convictions that a lot of people have said he`s kind of gone off the deep end in terms of keep perspective about other people`s feelings.
Now we do understand that he has gone and apologized. I`m not going to accuse him of being insincere, but I will say now that he`s dumped his sister as is - you know, his PR guru and had someone else, that someone else probably said, Listen, Tom, if you want to start cleaning - cleaning up a little bit of a mess that`s been made, go knock on some doors and say you`re sorry and let`s move on.
So, you know, maybe there`s a little sincerity in there. I`m not so sure, because he does believe very strongly in what he says. But he just may have had some second thoughts about how he said it, and how he made her feel and his audience.
ANDERSON: Great. My mother always told me, If you can`t say something nice, don`t say anything at all.
LALAMA: That never stopped me though.
(LAUGHTER)
ANDERSON: Denise - let`s go to Denise Richards and Heather Locklear. They`re definitely not friends anymore. Things got very hectic when a man became involved her - Richie Sambora got between these two, right?
LALAMA: Well, this is what I have to say about that: (INAUDIBLE). You know, I mean what.
ANDERSON: The claws came out, Pat.
LALAMA: You know, I mean, seriously, this is so insane. And this as a - you know, the raging feminist I like to say that I am - I mean, you know who to me is the real dog in all this is Richie Sambora. I mean, Oh, I got to trade my wife in for the younger model and all that junk.
But, I mean, really, where is the loyalty? I thought these two were really good friends. And you know what? That is just forbidden fruit. I - you know, come on, Brooke, I`m sure this kind of classy woman, too. You don`t - you just stay away from another man`s wife - you know, another woman`s - ah!
ANDERSON: I agree.
(CROSSTALK)
ANDERSON: And that is why these are the best and biggest celebrity feuds ever.
LALAMA: Absolutely.
ANDERSON: Pat Lalama, as always, great talking to you.
LALAMA: My pleasure.
ANDERSON: Thanks so much.
LALAMA: Bye bye.
ANDERSON: Bye.
HAMMER: And now more on "The Hollywood Weight Watch," SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s ongoing coverage of celebrities and their struggle to stay thin.
Now we`ve been showing you these absolutely disturbing pictures of skinny model on the catwalk at Paris` Fashion Week. Whether or not this woman from an eating disorder, images like this definitely give off a terrible message.
Tonight, there are brand-new, star-studded public service announcements to raise awareness about dangerous eating disorders. Celebrities like Paula Abdul sharing their battles with bulimia and anorexia.
Listen to this.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
PAULA ABDUL, "AMERICAN IDOL": Hi, this is Paula Abdul. And before I was a judge on "American Idol," and before I was a singer, even before I was a dancer, before I was ever famous, I was just a girl with a secret. I had an eating disorder.
Recovering from an eating disorder is possible. I`m living proof. But you need to take the first step. Go visit nationaleatingdisorders.org.
I`ve shared my secret. It`s time to share yours. Visit nationaleatingdisorders.org.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Other stars doing the National Eating Disorders Association radio spots: country stars Wynonna Judd and Sarah Evans. Also actress Scarlett Palmers (ph).
Well, the struggle with weight is a scary and often dangerous battle. And some people will do almost anything to keep the pounds off: binging, purging - and now, here`s the story of a woman who joined the military to lose weight. Incredibly, she`s not alone.
Here`s CNN`s Alina Cho for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT, AMERICAN MORNING (voice-over): Alisa Fliss is a 32-year-old mother of two, currently healthy and fit.
But for most of her life, she battled eating disorders. At age 18, she surprised everyone. Instead of going to college, she joined the military, enlisted in the Air Force.
FLISS: It`s going to help me lose weight. I`ll be forced to lose weight. I`ll be forced to get out there and run each day. What more motivation could you ask for?
CHO (on camera): It seems so extreme.
FLISS: It does, but I think I had tried everything else.
CHO (voice-over): The rigorous exercise, the routine weigh-ins, she believes all of it would help her stay slim. It wasn`t enough. So Alisa when a step further.
FLISS: Just a lot of overexercising, a lot of dieting, restricting what I ate and purging whatever I did eat.
CHO: Alisa is not alone. At least two government studies say women in the military are three times more likely to suffer eating disorders than female civilians.
DR. JILL HRANICKA, RENFEW CLINIC: Any time you have an environment that emphasizes that much focus on weight and appearance and physical fitness, just like elite athletes, you`re going to see a higher incidence of eating disorders.
CHO: The military does not disclose how many women are actually affected. Major Stewart Upton, a U.S. military spokesman says he`s aware that some join just to lose weight, and that eating disorders exist in the military.
But he says the military offers counseling programming for these disorders in every division.
At first ,Alisa found success in the military. She excelled in the classroom, held leadership positions, and she lost so much weight she was kicked out.
FLISS: My job in the military was a police officer. I don`t think that anybody in that frame of mind should be carrying a weapon or guarding nuclear missiles.
CHO: Alisa has recovered now, but still thinks about her weight every day and still wonders whether she would have enlisted, had it not been for the lure of losing weight.
FLISS: I think the difference is that the eating disorder, it was a loud voice before. And I never talked back. And now I do every single day.
CHO: A battle she may be fighting for the rest of her life.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: That is stunning. That was CNN`s Alina Cho for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Alina also tells us that Alisa wanted to be sent into a war zone where she actually wouldn`t have any access to food. But she is doing better now, and she has put on 45 pounds.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is coming right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: You`ve just got to take a look at these pictures that we`ve been showing you throughout the show: an outrageously, super-skinny model that strutted her stuff at a major Paris fashion show, sparking outrage. Take a look at it.
So we`ve been asking you to vote on tonight`s SHOWBIZ TONIGHT "Question of the Day." And it is this: "Eating Disorders: Is the fashion industry to blame?"
We appreciate your e-mails. Keep on sending them, showbiztonight@cnn.com. And keep voting, cnn.com/showbiztonight.
HAMMER: And welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Time to find out what`s coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Tomorrow, Mel Gibson speaking out for the very time about the disgusting, anti-Semitic rant he went on, and his drunk-driving arrest. What made Mel do it? His struggle with alcohol --what`s going to happen to his career? You`ll find out all about tomorrow, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Also tomorrow, Jesus and jokes. Tomorrow, you`ll meet someone who`s becoming one of the biggest stars out there doing it religious comedy. She`s also not shy about talking about the controversy of mixing religion and controversy. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s ongoing coverage of "Holy Hollywood," tomorrow.
That`s it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thanks for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Have a great night, everyone.
Glenn Beck is coming up next. Stay tuned. That`s right after the latest headlines from CNN Headline News.
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