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Showbiz Tonight
Miss USA`s Shocking Interview; Is a Prison Break in the Cards For a "Prison Break" Star
Aired February 01, 2007 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
A.J. HAMMER, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT ANCHOR: Is Courtney Love replacing Paula Abdul on "American Idol?" I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
BROOKE ANDERSON, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT ANCHOR: And the letter that Lindsay Lohan`s dad wrote her from jail. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
HAMMER: On SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Miss USA`s shocking new confessions. The drinking, the drugs, and another bombshell too. What Tara Conner is now revealing about abuse in her life.
Plus, the beauty queen who Donald Trump fired over racy photos, even though he let Miss USA keep her job. Tonight, a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive interview with former Miss Nevada Katie Rees. What does she think about Conner`s confessions? Katie Rees in the interview you do not want to miss, and that you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Tonight, explosive allegations about a young star of the hit TV show "Prison Break," behind the wheel in a car crash that killed a teenage passenger. Tonight, startling reports he was drunk and coked up at a party full of teenagers. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the unbelievable story and the late breaking details.
Hello, I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Tonight, yet another major star is facing possible jail time in connection with a deadly car accident. This time drugs and alcohol are involved. The latest breaking details coming up.
HAMMER: But first tonight, drugs, alcohol and abuse, and the startling confessions of a beauty queen. Miss USA Tara Conner dropped bombshell after bombshell today in her first TV interview after rehab, and after almost getting fired by Donald Trump. Plus a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive. Joining us tonight will be the beauty queen Donald Trump did fire, former Miss Nevada Katie Rees, who lost her title after racy photos of her, taken before she won the pageant, became public. So how come she got fired and Conner did not?
I`ll be speaking with Katie in just a few minutes. But first, the explosive interview with Miss USA Tara Conner that everybody is talking about.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TARA CONNER, MISS USA: I will not deny I have witnessed some abuse.
HAMMER (voice-over): Just when you thought you couldn`t hear another shocking story about Miss USA Tara Conner, are you ready for this whopper? The shocking suggestion that abuse is in Conner`s past. It was a riveting moment on "The Today Show" when Conner`s story of addiction set off alarm bells in Matt Lauer`s head.
MATT LAUER, NBC NEWS ANCHOR: To put it delicately -- maybe I`ve done too many of these interviews, but there is a sense I`ve got that there is more, that you`re not completely being honest about.
CONNER: You know, I`ve witnessed some things and I`ve had some experiences that have troubled me, but, you know, out of the respect of my family, again, I can`t -- I get to keep some of this for myself and I haven`t had a chance to sit down with my family at all. Everyone listening to this knows just as much about me as my family does.
LAUER: I guess, though, that my job is to try to get you to be honest. Has there been abuse of some kind in your background.
CONNER: I will not deny that I have witnessed some abuse, but out of the respect of my family, and I have not discussed it with them yet, you know, this is something that I need to take one day at a time. It`s too early in my recovery.
HAMMER: Try as he might, Lauer just wasn`t able to get anything out of her.
LAUER: Physical abuse? Sexual abuse? Can you clarify that?
CONNER: Again, it`s something that I would like to speak with my family about first.
HAMMER: A powerful moment in Conner`s first broadcast interview since stories of underage drinking in New York City almost cost her her crown. Now, fresh out of a 31-day stint at this Pennsylvania rehab facility, Conner went on "The Today Show" to address, one by one, all of the stories about her. About those stories of underaged drinking, Tara says, yes, I did it.
CONNER: I`ve never had a legal drink before.
HAMMER: That`s because she just turned 21 soon after the scandal forced her into sobriety. What about her reported use of cocaine?
CONNER: Because I have used cocaine before. I was an equal opportunity user. Nothing phased me. I would take what I could get.
HAMMER: And as for the reports of her active social life?
LAUER: You don`t have a sexual addiction?
CONNER: I do not have a sexual addiction, no.
HAMMER: This new frank and open Tara Conner was a far cry from the one we saw in December, after pageant co-owner Donald Trump announced he`d give Tara a second chance. Back then she couldn`t even say the word alcoholic.
CONNER: I wouldn`t say that I`m an alcoholic.
HAMMER: But what a difference 31 days in rehab makes.
JO PIAZZA, "NEW YORK DAILY NEWS": Tara really is speaking the language of someone in rehab. She has all the AA speak down pat.
HAMMER: And after booking herself on TV show after TV show, it looks like she`s doing everything to sway public opinion. It`s almost as if Tara had the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT post rehab checklist of talking points: admit she was in denial, check.
CONNER: I think at that point I was in denial.
HAMMER: Keep a running count of her sobriety, check.
LAUER: By the way, how many days have you been clean and sober now?
CONNER: Oh gosh, 52 or 53.
HAMMER: And check off the most enduring of rehab cliches.
CONNER: Nothing changes over night. You have to take it one day at a time.
PIAZZA: Maybe I`m too involved in this story, but I`m staying pretty cynical about Tara Conner.
HAMMER: Jo Piazza of the "New York Daily News" has covered the Tara Conner story from the beginning.
PIAZZA: People don`t completely change in two months, rehab or not. So I just think a lot of it is an act. She comes out, does this huge media blitz. If we look at all the pictures of her, they are a little over the top. She gets these bangs. She`s always photographed carrying a Teddy bear. Now we are supposed to look at her as this innocent, almost pubescent girl, who would never be out partying and doing drugs.
HAMMER: Still, Tara Conner is insisting that all she`s doing now is trying to stay sober. As she said in her response to an e-mail question from a "Today Show" viewer.
LAUER: Where do you see yourself in ten years?
CONNER: God willing, I see a clean and sober Tara.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: And now tonight, a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive interview with the beauty pageant winner who was not given a second chance by Donald Trump. Former Miss Nevada, Katie Rees, lost her crown and the chance to compete for the Miss USA title in late December after the whole Tara Conner story had already broken and racy pictures of her appeared on the Internet.
Katie Rees, I appreciate you joining me from Las Vegas tonight.
KATIE REES, FORMER MISS NEVADA USA: Thank you for having me.
HAMMER: It`s my pleasure.
So Tara Conner, as we saw, admitted that she used coke, she drank underage and all this was going on while she was Miss USA. Donald Trump, as we all know, gave her a second chance.
Racy photos of you, which were taken before you were even Miss Nevada, got leaked out to the Internet. You got fired and you lose your crown.
On the one hand we have the coke and the underage drinking, on the other hand we have racy photos. It seems way out of balance to me. How do you feel about it?
REES: I agree.
HAMMER: You agree and do you feel it was completely unfair that while she was given this second chance you were let loose?
REES: I do.
HAMMER: As I mentioned, you lost your crown in December after these pictures of you, and it was a female friend, we`re showing one of the shots right there. One that we can show.
These pictures showed up online, The pictures were taken when you were 19 years old. Now that`s three years before you were even crowned Miss Nevada. How did you find out that these pictures had leaked out onto the Internet?
REES: I heard about a couple of them from my state pageant director and next thing I knew I saw the pictures on the Internet.
HAMMER: And Tara Conner, as we know, had a one on one sit-down with Donald Trump about what she had gone through -- backing up a second. You must have been completely shocked when you learned that these pictures had gotten out there, because I am assuming when they were taken you didn`t imagine anybody would ever see them or they would see the light of day.
REES: Well, not only that, but I didn`t recall the pictures. I`m such a ham for the camera that when my girlfriends and I get -- egg each other on, I just don`t remember every picture that`s been taken.
HAMMER: I mean was it -- it appeared to be -- and as I said, I have seen more pictures than actually we`re able to see on the show. Was it like a wild, racy night? Clearly from the photographs it looked that way. Was there drinking going on when these photos were being taken?
REES: Oh, it was just a bunch of girl having fun. It wasn`t a wild, racy night whatsoever. It was just girls in a bar celebrating.
HAMMER: Girls in a bar and you would have been underage at the time.
REES: Well, you can go to a bar when you`re 18 in Florida.
HAMMER: OK.
REES: So it wasn`t underage, no.
HAMMER: So you`re at least allowed to be there. Were you drinking at the time?
REES: Everybody was drinking. We were at a bar.
HAMMER: OK. So that`s the story with that.
So Donald Trump sat down one on one with Tara Conner and he gave her a chance to plead her case and she basically begged for her opportunity to save her job and keep the title. What about you? How did you find out? Did the Donald call you and tell you, you are fired?
REES: No, not at all. In fact it was pretty unfair just because I didn`t even get to meet Donald Trump. I didn`t get to speak with him on the phone, I didn`t get to plea my case. He doesn`t know me or the person I am and so therefore made a hasty decision.
HAMMER: So are you completely incensed about how out of balance this is and the fact that Miss USA Tara Conner was able to get this second chance? I mean, I want to get the sense of that, because I just have to imagine you are pretty angry about the whole thing.
REES: I was angry but now I`ve moved on, but yes, I was very upset.
HAMMER: To learn that she got the second chance where you didn`t.
REES: Of course.
HAMMER: So Donald Trump happens to be a big-time viewer of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. He could be watching right now. If he is, what do you have to say to him at this point, with all you`ve been through and also seeing the break that he seems to have cut Miss USA that he didn`t cut you?
REES: I`d like to say that it`s just a shame that I never got to sit down and meet him and if sometime he would like to meet me, I definitely would love to and I still do think he`s a great businessman and it`s just a shame that he didn`t get to know me before he made his decision.
HAMMER: Would you accept your crown back if he offered it to you?
REES: I don`t think at this point I would. I`m just moving forward.
HAMMER: OK. Well, if it makes you feel any better, it`s not the first time that a beauty pageant winner has lost a crown. We all remember Vanessa Williams, Miss America. She was booted out of that title. She seems to have done all right for herself. So best of luck to you, former Miss Nevada, Katie Rees. I appreciate you being with us.
REES: Thank you so much.
HAMMER: You`re welcome.
ANDERSON: Now we want to hear from you. It`s our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day, Miss USA`s cocaine confession, should she have lost the crown? Vote at CNN.com/SHOWBIZTONIGHT. Send us an e-mail, SHOWBIZTONIGHT@CNN.com. And You can also vote on the question of the day by sending a text to 45688. To vote yes, write SHOWBIZ Yes. To vote no, write SHOWBIZ No. Once again, that text if 45688.
HAMMER: Coming up, explosive allegations about a young star of the TV show "Prison Break." Startling reports he was drunk and coked up, before a car accident that killed his teenage passenger. We`ll also have this --
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TYRA BANKS, MODEL: I have one thing to say to you --
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: You have to stick around to hear what Tyra Banks had to say about all the mean headlines calling her fat. It`s absolutely amazing. And that is next in the SHOWBIZ Weight Watch.
HAMMER: And the SHOWBIZ Video of the Day. Guess how much this newborn weighs? It`s a little story about a very big baby, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, TV`s most provocative entertainment news show. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Time now for the SHOWBIZ Video of the Day. It`s a little bundle of joy that`s not so little. In Cancun, Mexico, a woman has given birth to a bouncing baby boy, weighing in at, get this, 14 1/2 pounds. And yes, the mom did have a c- section. That poor, poor mother. Super-Tonio is twice the size of the average newborn, but even at 14 1/2 pounds, he`s not the biggest baby on record. Get this, back in 1955, a woman in Italy gave birth to a baby boy who weighed 22 pounds, 8 ounces.
HAMMER: Time now for the SHOWBIZ Weight Watch, where we cover issues of body image in Hollywood like nobody else. Tonight, Tyra Banks is fighting back. Tyra is taking on the tabloids and the blog sites that published this photo of her with some very mean headlines like, "America`s Next Top Waddle." On her talk show, Tyra wore the same swimsuit from the tabloid photo. She said she weighs 160, well within the healthy range for her height, and that the paparazzi do their best to catch the worst possible angles.
She said something isn`t right about the photo, but in the end, what`s the difference? Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BANKS: I`m not saying this is horrible. Like, I look at this picture and I think it`s curvy. I think it`s beautiful. I think it is hot. I think it is sexy. I do. I do. But it`s just not me, not right now, but the way that I`m eating, one day I will be like this, and that is OK. Who cares?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Good for her. In the most emotional part of the show, Tyra took issue with what she is allowed to look like as a former supermodel, and stood up against the pressure that`s on all women.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BANKS: The bottom line is that people are used to seeing me looking like this, and like this, and all that. And everyone seems to be pretty OK with that, but for some reason, people have a serious problem when I look like that. All right? When I look like that. But luckily, I`m strong enough, and I have a good support system. I love my mama. She has helped me to be a strong woman, so I can overcome these kind of attacks. But if I had lower self-esteem, I would probably be starving myself right now.
That`s exactly what is happening to other women all over this country. So I have something to say to all of you that have something nasty to say about me or other women that are built like me, women that sometimes or all the time look like this, women whose names you know, women whose names you don`t, women who have been picked on, women whose husbands put them down, women at work, or girls in school, I have one thing to say to you. Kiss my fat ass!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I hope people are paying attention. Nice going, Tyra.
ANDERSON: It may now be prison for Lane Garrison, the star of Fox`s hit show, "Prison Break." Beverly Hills Police now say Garrison was drunk and on drugs when the vehicle he was driving crashed into a tree, killing a 17-year-old boy, and injuring two other teens on December 2nd. Police are recommending that Garrison be charged with gross vehicular manslaughter, a felony.
I spoke with Harvey Levin, managing editor of the entertainment website TMZ.com, who has exclusive information about exactly what Garrison was doing right before the fatal crash.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Harvey, you`ve got witnesses. And these witnesses say they were with Garrison at a high school party. Now, what did they tell you that they saw Garrison doing at that party right before the accident?
HARVEY LEVIN, TMZ.COM: Well, they say that it was a two-story house, and Garrison went upstairs with seven or eight other people, and what they are telling me is that he was doing cocaine. And that he also had about six or seven shots of Gray Goose, big shots. And then the bottle was empty, and left the house.
ANDERSON: Oh, it`s just awful that this guy would get behind the wheel of a car after something like that. And police do confirm that he had been drinking and he was on drugs. But Harvey, we`re talking about a 26-year-old guy here, star of a major television show. What the heck was he doing at a party with kids anyway?
LEVIN: Well, you know, depending on which story you believe here, he kind of ran into them, and they invited him to this party. I mean, he`s 26 years old. The majority of people at this party were 16 and 17. I can`t tell you what was going through his head, but he did it.
ANDERSON: Beverly Hills Police Department recommending he be charged with vehicular manslaughter, and as we know, singer Brandy also facing vehicular manslaughter charges, but the severity of those charges very, very different. Explain that to us.
LEVIN: Well, Brandy`s vehicular manslaughter, if the city decides to file would be a misdemeanor. And it basically means she was simply negligent. It wasn`t that she tried to do anything reckless or malicious or anything like that. The maximum penalty she could face is a year in jail. Even if she got convicted, she would get probation, I`m sure.
In Lane Garrison`s case, what the police are recommending is that the D.A. file felony charges against Lane Garrison, because they believe that his conduct was reckless, allegedly because of the cocaine, allegedly because of the large quantity of alcohol, and the charges there could bring ten years in prison, if he`s convicted.
ANDERSON: Yes, at this time, like you say, the charges are just recommended, haven`t been filed. Brandy, you say, probably won`t go to jail, if she does face charges, is convicted. But do you think Lane Garrison could face time behind bars, could go to jail for possibly ten years?
LEVIN: Yes, I don`t think ten years, but I think that prison is a definite possibility in a case like this. You just never know. There are going to be all sorts of factors. I spoke with somebody. One of the interesting things about this case is that they have to prove he did something other than drive under the influence, that he was speeding, and it will be interesting to see how they prove that.
ANDERSON: It certainly will. Harvey Levin, managing editor of TMZ.com. As always, thanks for your insight.
LEVIN: Sure Brooke.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Brooke, you know that Lindsay Lohan has been going to AA and to rehab. And tonight she`s getting some words of encouragement from her dad, in his jail cell.
ANDERSON: He wrote quite a moving letter, A.J. and we`re going to tell you what he says in it, coming up.
Plus, is Courtney Love going to join Simon, Randy and Paula at the "American Idol" judges` table? The SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Truth Squad is on the case, straight ahead. We`ll also have this --
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(SINGING)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Federline! Fries!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Here we are just three days away from the Super Bowl. Is everybody excited about the Super Bowl. But we have your first look at the star-studded commercials, including, yes, K-Fed. That`s coming up when SHOWBIZ TONIGHT comes back in just a minute.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Things are going great for Jennifer Hudson lately, but she says it`s no thanks to "American Idol." After winning Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild awards for her role in "Dreamgirls," Hudson is now up for an Oscar. She first came onto the scene during season three of "American Idol," something she calls an abusive experience. Hudson says she became known as the girl in the turkey wrapping, because of an unflattering outfit she wore. And she had to sing her way out of it and not look back.
She tells "Essence Magazine," quote, on "American idol," you go through this mental thing. You`ve got to get yourself back together. You`ve been abused, misled and brainwashed to believe whatever they want you to think. For more with Jennifer Hudson, pick up a copy of "Essence Magazine," on newsstands February 12th.
HAMMER: Now it is time to call in the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Truth Squad. This is where our crack team of celebrity investigators sets the record straight on Hollywood`s biggest mysteries. Tonight, we`re opening the case file on Courtney Love. Now the tabloids have been reporting that Love was talking to an "American Idol" producer about possibly being a judge on the show.
So, the question is, is Courtney Love going to be joining Simon, Paula and Randy at the judges` table? Nope, on her blog, Love says the whole thing was a misunderstanding. She said she got a call form somebody who was pretending to be an Idol producer, a prank call basically, and that she would never, ever be a judge. In fact, she doesn`t think she could even get on the show.
ANDERSON: Well, one man, A.J., who did get on "American Idol," this guy brought us all the tears with his audition. It was so touching. And straight ahead, we`re going to show you this man`s really emotional audition. And why even Simon had to shake his hand afterward.
HAMMER: Yes, it was something to see. Plus, did Sienna Miller (ph) and Hayden Christensen (ph) really have sex while they were shooting steamy scenes for the movie "Factory Girl?" That`s the rumor. The SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Truth Squad is on the case, coming up.
ANDERSON: And every dog has his date -- We`re going to tell you why Barney, President Bush`s dog, may have a hot date in the near future, coming up. Stay with us.
(NEWS BREAK)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It`s 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. You are watching TV`s most provocative entertainment news show.
HAMMER: All right, Brooke. I got to ask the crew: who`s going to win the Super Bowl guys?
(CROSSTALK)
ANDERSON: The Colts? Is that what they`re saying?
HAMMER: We`ll see about that. (INAUDIBLE) I don`t even know what they`re saying.
Who - who really cares about the Super Bowl, right? Well, that`s what some people say. They just want to watch for the ads.
But why is K-Fed in a Super Bowl that millions and millions of people are going to see? What`s up with that? It`s actually I guess a - a small pleasure in watching him in this particular ad.
Is it a good move? Is it not? We`re going to show you some of the best ads from the Super Bowl, and decide if they`re really making a smart decision (INAUDIBLE).
ANDERSON: It is pretty funny. Self-deprecating on K-Fed`s part.
Also, A.J., you know Lindsay Lohan. She`s been going to AA meetings, also going to rehab. Well now her father, who is in jail, has written her a very encouraging letter. And we`re going to have that letter coming up.
And while we`re on the subject of rehab, here`s a controversial question for you: Is it possible for rehab to cure homophobia? Tonight - what is that? - is what`s being asked about Isaiah Washington, who is back at work on "Grey`s Anatomy" after going into therapy - rehab following his shocking gay slurs.
Wait - rehab for making gay slurs? "The Hollywood Reporter"`s Ray Richmond writes, "Can a man have the homophobe portion of his brain cleansed by going through a rehabilitation process? And what might that look like? Does he sit in a room while speakers pump in `Gay people are really cool. Gay people are really cool. Gay men are just like you and me. Gay men are just like you and me. All men are created equal, even men who like other men.`"
With us tonight in Hollywood is Ray Richmond from "The Hollywood Reporter."
Ray, great to talk to you again.
RAY RICHMOND, "THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER": Hey, good to be here. Thanks.
ANDERSON: OK, let`s get right to it.
Obviously, you just basically think Isaiah going into rehab following this whole debacle is a big joke, right? Why?
RICHMOND: Oh, totally.
Well, I mean, it`s just ridiculous. Here - you know, clearly the guy`s job was on the line. And so, you know, immediately he`s seen the light and he`s going into rehab to -what? - what is - what is - what is homophobia reprogramming even mean? And it only takes four days of in-person - in - of in-house rehab?
I mean, you got to figure, anti-Semitism would take a least a week, 10 days. You know? It`s like - I don`t even know what this process is about. It - it`s - it`s just - we have rehab for everything now. And - and - it`s just - it`s become a joke. And I think the public acknowledges that it`s a joke at this point, because we - we somehow need to know that they`re healed - it - to make us - to allow us to move on.
ANDERSON: Well, I want to read something else that you wrote, Ray. And it was this: "When your discriminatory behavior and ill-chosen words placed the television job that made you a star into severe jeopardy, it`s remarkable how quickly you`re inspired to want to join hands with your gay brothers and sisters and sing `Kumbaya.`"
RICHMOND: Well, that`s exactly right.
ANDERSON: Yes. Yes, you`re saying he basically was trying to save his butt, right?
RICHMOND: Oh, it`s awful. But that`s the whole thing, you know? This has nothing to do with seeing the light. Anybody who thinks that, you know, that it`s about seeing the light just isn`t paying attention to Hollywood.
ANDERSON: Because the reported incident originally happened awhile ago.
RICHMOND: Right. The reported incident was in October, originally. And then it was just - he actually denied calling him an - well let`s just - let`s call it the other f-word - the other f-word. This is basic cable, so I`ll say the other f-word anyway.
He.
ANDERSON: Keep it clean.
RICHMOND: Yes, he - so basically he denied saying it. But it was the fact that he just shouted it out. Almost - I - I think actually maybe he should have gone through rehab almost for Tourette Syndrome. That almost seemed like what he was - what he was suffering from more than anything.
But it`s - it`s - it`s just ridiculous that we expect that you can go into rehab, come out somehow a cleansed human being, and that you can do it.
ANDERSON: Yes.
RICHMOND: .at the end of a gun. That somehow the end of a gun is going to be what inspires you.
ANDERSON: Well - well let`s talk about the whole rehab thing. Because besides Isaiah Washington - you know, you mentioned Tara Conner in your piece, and we heard her today talking about her rehab for drinking. It also mentioned Lindsay Lohan, who also went to rehab.
And you call rehab a - quote - "quick-fix illusion in the age of impatience."
What do you mean?
RICHMOND: Oh, I mean that - that we - this is what we demand of our icons and our celebrities now. We demand that they have penance, and that they somehow go through the cleansing process in order for us to be able to move on. We need the illusion of - of healing, and we need it - and it almost seems like it feeds into the whole Hollywood-illusion mentality. That we need.
(CROSSTALK)
RICHMOND: We - we need - we need to have the illusion of healing, more than the genuine healing itself.
ANDERSON: Ten seconds, anything redeeming whatsoever about Isaiah going to rehab?
RICHMOND: It`s - you know what? It`s nice that he was honest, he was able to get in touch with his inner-homophobe and - and actually - and actually share it with it the world. And - and at least there was honesty behind it.
Now there`s just nothing but dishonesty.
ANDERSON: We will end on that positive note.
Ray Richmond from "The Hollywood Reporter," thank you.
RICHMOND: My pleasure.
HAMMER: Lindsay Lohan`s dad says he`s proud of the steps that she`s taking to clean up her life. In a letter that was written to his daughter that "In Touch" Weekly got a hold of, Michael Lohan, who is serving time in prison for assault, writes that it`s time for Lindsay to - quote - "start anew" and "find God."
Listen to what he writes. Quote - "Turning to God is the most important part of turning it all around. Make that searching moral inventory and clean house. Then fill it with love, forgiveness and all that you know is right. People, places and things are huge factors, Lindsay. Remember that. Believe me. I know."
Michael Lohan has been estranged from Lindsay for awhile. She`s been in Wonderland, a rehab clinic in L.A., for alcohol issues, since last month.
HAMMER: Miss USA Tara Conner just got out of alcohol rehab, admitting to using drugs, and even hinting that she was the victim of child abuse.
So we`ve been asking you to vote in our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT "Question of the Day," which is this: "Miss USA`s Cocaine Confession: Should she have lost the crown?"
Keep voting, cnn.com/showbiztonight. Send us an e-mail, showbiztonight@cnn.com. We`re going to read some of your thoughts tomorrow.
And you can also vote on the "Question of the Day" by sending a cell phone text to 45688. It`s easy. To vote "yes," write "SHOWBIZ Yes." To vote "no," write "SHOWBIZ No." Once again, send that text to 45688.
HAMMER: Well, despite all the talk about "American Idol" being really nasty this season, last night was truly a tearjerker. Sixty-four-year-old Sherman Pore (ph) is too old to qualify as an idol contestant. But Sherman didn`t show up to compete; he was there to sing the praises of his girlfriend of 20 years, who only two days his L.A. audition, died of cancer.
Sherman`s touching rendition of "You Belong to Me" was enough to warm even Simon`s heart.
Take a listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (SINGING)
And I think it just smoothed (ph) her passing and made it a little softer. It made it a little softer.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you very much.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That was from the heart.
SIMON COWELL, "AMERICAN IDOL" JUDGE: You`re a class act, Sherman. Thank you very much.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you, gentlemen.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you.
COWELL: Let me shake your hand. Come here. Very nice to meet you.
RYAN SEACREST, "AMERICAN IDOL" HOST (voice-over): And with that accomplished, Sherman had just one more message.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I won. I am a winner.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: You know, from a show that gives us a lot of cruel moments, that was a really great moment. And as you might guess, "American Idol" judges weren`t the only ones who were moved by Sherman Pore`s sentimental tribute. Viewers are demanding that they see more of him. They`re now circulating a petition urging the show`s producers to bring Sherman back for an encore.
I think that is a great idea, don`t you?
ANDERSON: Yes, he should come back, A.J. We love him.
All right. Did you hear this crazy story, A.J., that`s been flying around that Sienna Miller and a co-star actually had sex during a sex scene in a film?
HAMMER: Yes, what is - what is going on there?
ANDERSON: Well, the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT "Truth Squad" uncovers what really went on under the covers.
HAMMER: Good.
ANDERSON: That`s straight ahead.
And we`ve also got this:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KEVIN FEDERLINE, ENTERTAINER: (RAPPER)
FEDERLINE: More VP. What? Rolling VP.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Federline!
FEDERLINE: What?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Fries!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Is he still around? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has your first look at some of the biggest Super Bowl featuring the biggest stars, and even bigger ones than Kevin Federline. Well, that`s not too tough.
ANDERSON: And the woman going to extreme lengths for a date with someone in the White House. But I got to tell you, she`s a real dog. In this case, though, that`s a good thing.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, TV`s most provocative entertainment news show.
It is time now for another SHOWBIZ TONIGHT "Video of the Day." Now, we all have that dream date, don`t we? Maybe it`s Brad Pitt, supermodel Gisele Bundchen, Halle Berry.
But take a look at this YouTube video that everybody`s talking about. Meet Kenzie (ph), the Seattle Scottish terrier who really is aiming high. Doggone it, she wants to doggie date Barney, President Bush`s dog.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(DOG BARKING AND GROWLING)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: A well-rounded dog Barney would be lucky to have. So will this be a match made in doggie heaven?
Well, Kenzie`s owners will head to Washington, D.C., in the spring to score a date with Barney. And, you know, since they say the way to a man`s heart is through his stomach, we suggest bringing along some gourmet bones and maybe a six-pack of that doggie beer.
HAMMER: Barney might also like a big-screen TV to watch the Super Bowl. About 100 million are expected to tune into the Super Bowl, Super Bowl XLI when it airs on Sunday.
You know, a lot of people don`t even care if the Colts or the Bears win. They`re watching for the commercials. They`re so big, they`re so huge, and when 30 seconds of airtime can cost about $2.5 million, you know advertisers are pulling out all the stops, and of course bringing along the big stars.
With me tonight in New York, Linda Kaplan Thaler, CEO and chief creative officer of the ad agency the Kaplan Thaler Group.
Always to good to have you here, Linda.
LINDA KAPLAN THALER, THE KAPLAN THALER GROUP LTD.: Great to be here. I`m glad you told me who was playing, because I - I only watch the ads.
HAMMER: You only watch the ads.
So let`s get right into with an ad that hasn`t even aired yet, but is already stirring up a whole bunch of controversy. I thought I was done talking about Britney`s ex Kevin Federline. Apparently not. Nationwide Insurance decided to hire him for this ad.
Let`s take a look at him having some fun with fast-food workers.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FEDERLINE: (RAPPER)
FEDERLINE: More VP. What? Rolling VP.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Federline!
FEDERLINE: What?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Fries!
ANNOUNCER: Life comes at you fast.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you!
ANNOUNCER: A Nationwide annuity could guarantee you income for life.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Obviously, Kevin Federline is spoofing himself. I don`t really see him as having much choice of doing anything else.
He`s not exactly a beloved figure, so it kind of makes me wonder: could this actually backfire on Nationwide Insurance, or is this really just a brilliant move?
THALER: I think it`s a brilliant move. I think it`s a lot of fun.
I mean, it - it aroused some controversy about, you know, are we making fun of that position? But for Kevin, I think it`s the most expensive job interview he`ll ever have in his life. Because he might end up with - you know, he should be so lucky to get a job like this.
HAMMER: I shudder - I shudder to think what they paid him to be a part of that ad. And you know he`s happy, because he needs the money right now.
THALER: He does. And you know what? People like when they`re self- deprecating. I think he`s going to get a lot of admirers for this one.
HAMMER: As I said, how can he be anything other than self- deprecating?
THALER: That`s right.
HAMMER: He is Kevin Federline.
Let`s move on. Now SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is absolutely loving the use of women over 40, both as actresses and in advertisements. It seems to make so much sense.
And we love in particular this Revlon ad with Sheryl Crow. Let`s take a look at this for Super Bowl Sunday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(MUSIC)
SHERYL CROW, MUSIC: OK, so.
(SINGING)
CROW: That good?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I love Sheryl Crow; love her in the ad.
THALER: Yes.
HAMMER: Everybody`s always thought of Super Bowl really as being a guy thing. I don`t even mean that in a sexist way, but more men than women do watch the Super Bowl.
THALER: Well, you know, not as many as you think. I mean, there are - - almost half the people who are watching the Super Bowl, of those 90 people - 90 million people watching, almost half of them are women. And a good deal of them are there to watch the commercials.
I think it`s a great bio break for the guys, away from the beer commercials. And gives gals something to, you know, really pay attention to.
(CROSSTALK)
HAMMER: Yes, and - and the guys love seeing Sheryl anyway.
THALER: Yes, who doesn`t .
(CROSSTALK)
THALER: I think it is, yes.
HAMMER: Well, we - we all know that over the years, the advertisers have always looked to the "it" girls, the young starlets in Hollywood. We`ve seen Jessica Simpson having great success for - for Pizza Hut in their commercials.
But I`m wondering why this year we`re not seeing any of the Lindsays or the Parises. Is it - is it because they really have this rotten reputation right now, and nobody wants to come near them?
THALER: Well, Lindsay might be in rehab, and Paris might be in London. So I don`t know if they`re even available.
But I think, you know, this is - this is wholesome TV show-watching. This is for a whole family. And so you want to make sure that you don`t have Janet Jackson, you know, problem again. And you want to make sure you`re having good, clean fun.
So I think you want to have good, you know, healthy images. And I think that Jessica Simpson is just a great American, you know, image for people.
HAMMER: So using one of these starlets who`s been associated with some kind of trouble could be too polarizing for an advertiser, particularly when the stakes are so high. I mean, as I mentioned, 100 million people are expected to tune in for the Super Bowl this weekend.
THALER: And it`s not just tuning in before it. It`s tuning in, you know, after it. There`s going to - they`re going to be online, the commercials. There`s - already the buzz is going non-stop.
So that two - $2.6 million that you`re putting in for that ad, you`re getting a lot more with the pre-buzz and the post-buzz. So.
HAMMER: Well, one of the trends that we`re noticing happening this year - and it`s not really a huge surprise - is use-generated content, showing up on television.
THALER: Oh, dear.
HAMMER: .in these ads. As I said, these cost a couple million bucks to produce. And, you know, YouTube has - has really created quite the frenzy with user-generated content.
Let`s take a look at this particular Doritos ad. This was regular people being able to submit what they wanted to submit to Doritos. Take a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(MUSIC)
(SINGING)
(HORNS HONKING)
(SINGING)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. It`s kind of cute. It`s - it`s kind of funny. But you kind of shuddered when I mentioned the idea of user-generated content on the Super Bowl.
THALER: Well, I hope Super Bowl ad doesn`t turn into "Super Bowl bad," or what I call "Super Bowl fad." Because every year, it`s something new.
And I`m not sure if this user-generated and this, you know, consumer- generated content is really going to far well when you look at the great production, some of the brilliant advertising that we`re going to see from Budweiser and Pepsi.
So the jury`s out on that one.
HAMMER: But - but it`s at the same time kind of not surprising that they launched on to what is such a trend.
Linda Kaplan Thaler, I appreciate you being with us.
THALER: Thank you.
HAMMER: And have a happy Super Bowl Sunday.
THALER: You, too.
ANDERSON: Time again to call out the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT "Truth Squad." Now this is where we get down to the bottom of Hollywood`s biggest mysteries.
So were Sienna Miller and her co-star Hayden Christensen really having sex while filming a love scene for their new movie, "Factory Girl"? "The New York Daily News" reports that the stars, who were reportedly dating during the making of the film, actually were doing it - yes - while shooting an explicit scene.
Well, according to Sienna`s publicist it`s - quote - "totally ridiculous and untrue."
I mean, how could you do that with so many people hanging around the set, the lights, the best boy, key grip, interns - you get the idea.
So case closed. No real Sienna sex on set. It`s just simulated.
And coming up in just a couple of minutes, your first look at that movie, "Factory Girl," "The SHOWBIZ Showcase."
HAMMER: From sex on the big screen to nudity on the stage, 17-year- old actor Daniel Radcliffe is preparing to let it all hang out live in a London play. So we just had to ask you to vote in our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT "Question of the Day": "`Harry Potter` Star`s Nude Role: Is it inappropriate?"
Thirty-five percent of you say `Yes, it is inappropriate`; 65 percent of you say, `No, it`s OK.`
Here are some of the e-mails we got:
We heard from Michelle in Alabama. She supports the young star`s right to bare arms, legs and everything else. She writes, "I feel Daniel Radcliffe has every right to do with his career as he chooses. Radcliffe is an actor, not a role model."
We also hear from Shae, also from Alabama. Now Shae disagrees, saying, "I think it is very inappropriate, because kids are his main viewers. But that`s Hollywood for you."
ANDERSON: OK, so we just told you about the steamy sex scenes in Sienna Miller`s new movie. And yep, with the sex, there`s drugs and rock and roll, too. Your first look at "Factory Girl," in "The SHOWBIZ Showcase," coming up next.
All right. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is coming right back for a Thursday. So stay right where you are.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ready your move on 3. And Go 3. Dissolve.
Master, stand by to your break. In 5, 4, 3, 2 - roll your break and effect.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: It`s time now for "The SHOWBIZ Showcase."
You know, we told you that Sienna Miller and Hayden Christensen were not really having sex in "Factory Girl." But there`s plenty of other provocative stuff in this story about `60s "it" girl Edie Segdwick and Andy Warhol.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I had this friend Rock (ph), who - and Norman Mailer walked up and punched him in the stomach. And all I could think was, Will Norman Mailer ever punch me?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE), why do you come to confession?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don`t know. I mean, it just seems like there`s something always missing.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Old money. Very old. That`s Edie Sedgwick.
SIENNA MILLER, ACTRESS: Hi.
ANNOUNCER: In a time of transformation.
MILLER: No one is doing anything like you right now, and - well, that`s a sign of brilliance, don`t you think?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, you`re the boss (INAUDIBLE).
ANNOUNCER: She would become his greatest work of art.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ah, it`s a (INAUDIBLE) to work with her. I`ve never seen a girl with so many problems.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I`m just going to (ph) a quick painting, and make Edie a big star.
Going to be late!
MILLER: Darling, the party doesn`t star until I arrive.
(MUSIC)
ANNOUNCER: She inspired him.
MILLER: What would I have to do in one of your movies?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just be yourself.
ANNOUNCER: He immortalized her.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You are the real thing. America`s next "it" girl!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE) Edie Sedgwick.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE)
MILLER: It`s amazing to meet you.
ANNOUNCER: But behind the face every one knew.
MILLER: Are you trying to woo me or what?
ANNOUNCER: .is the story no one knows.
MILLER: Don`t be (INAUDIBLE). He`s nothing like you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE)
Some say your work is pornographic.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Isn`t that (INAUDIBLE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You`re corrupting him. Your - your (INAUDIBLE)
Baby, he`s going to kill you.
(SCREAMING)
(MUSIC)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE)
(MUSIC)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My movie just made a fool out of me.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Every teenage girl wants to look like you.
(SINGING)
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: "Factory Girl" opens in limited release tomorrow.
HAMMER: Here`s what coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT tomorrow:
"Caught on Tape": the stars shine before the camera, but watch what happens when they are trapped in the spotlight. The most embarrassing celebrity interviews ever, tomorrow.
Also tomorrow, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s right there with red-hot celebs at New York`s fashion week. Will skinny models be banned from the runway? We`ll get into that tomorrow.
And that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thanks a lot for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: Have a great night, everybody. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
Coming up next is "GLENN BECK." That`s right after the latest headlines from CNN Headline News. Keep it right here.
END
