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Showbiz Tonight
Wesley Snipes Sentenced for Three Years; 911 Calls; Hollywood`s Sexiest; The Richest Kids in the World; Celebrity Mugshot Art
Aired April 24, 2008 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BROOKE ANDERSON, HOST: Shocking news, Wesley Snipes sent to prison for not paying his taxes. Plus, news breaks that Star Jones is getting divorced. The boom, she announced that she`s coming back to TV. Do you think that`s a little fishy? I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
On SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, rescue 911. Tonight, the brand new dramatic 911 calls connected to even more dramatic stories. A deadly bear attack with a disturbing connection to Will Ferrel.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We think it`s an animal attack.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, a bear attack.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: One of the most famous sport stars flipped a date rape drug.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We`ve got a lady who thinks she had some medication slipped into her drink in a bar.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: A blind man fights off a robber. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the real-life gripping 911 tapes you have to hear to believe.
The fired up controversy over the women just named the sexiest in Hollywood. Is Hayden Panettiere really hotter than Angelina Jolie? Lindsay Lohan more luscious than Beyonce? Is Britney Spears really the least sexy? Plus, you won`t believe the foxy lady named the sexiest of them all.
Plus, who are the richest kids in Hollywood. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT reveals who makes $1 million dollars a week?
Hi there, everybody. I`m Brooke Anderson, coming to you from Hollywood. A.J. Hammer is off tonight. And tonight, something so ridiculous we could hardly believe it ourselves.
We learned today that no less than 85,000 people have officially applied to be Paris Hilton`s new best friend. But why? Are they nuts? That`s straight ahead.
But first, rescue 911. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is bringing you brand new and amazing star-related dramatic stories all caught on tape. 911 emergency calls that we just obtained from a deadly bear attack to a famous skating star allegedly drugged. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT brings you the stories and the tapes you won`t soon forget.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice over): A movie star bear that attacked its trainer. A gold medal- winning ice dancing star who`s drugged in a bar. And a blind man who managed to subdue a burglar who`d broke into his house.
ALAN KIETA, BLIND MAN WHO CAUGHT AN INTRUDER: If I let him go, he`s going to kill me.
ANDERSON: They are the most incredible, talked about stories of the week. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you each story of these stories is brought to life by the incredible 911 calls.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We think it`s an animal attack.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, a bear attack.
ANDERSON: It was a horrific attack at this exotic animal training center in California. It involved this 700-pound, 7-1/2 foot tall grisly who had tickled movie audiences by tangling with Will Farrell in the film, "Semi- Pro."
WILL FERRELL, ACTOR: You`re nothing but a dumb bear.
JO PIAZZA, "NEW YORK DAILY NEWS": The bear actor who starred with Will Ferrell in the movie, "Semi-Pro," actually turned on its trainer. It had at appeared to be licking its face, and then leaned over and bit him on the neck.
ANDERSON: The trainer was 39-year-old Stephan Miller who had reportedly been working with the bear for a commercial at the time of the attack. Listen to the desperate 911 call.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE CALLER: He`s bleeding heavily from his neck. We`re trying to get him into the car. We need someone here immediately.
911 OPERATOR: OK. Is he conscious and breathing right now?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE CALLER: Is he breathing? He`s breathing? (UNINTELLIGIBLE) I don`t think he`s breathing. No, he`s not conscious.
ANDERSON: The 911 operator talks the caller through first aid as they work together to try to save Stephan`s life.
911 OPERATOR: Is he doing OK?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE CALLER: No. He`s really still.
911 OPERATOR: OK.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE CALLER: Still has not regained consciousness.
911 OPERATOR: OK. As long as he`s breathing. We want to make sure he`s breathing.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE CALLER: Still breathing. Hang on man.
911 OPERATOR: Good. You guys are doing good. I need you to stay calm.
ANDERSON: Sadly, Miller died ton scene. But Jo Piazza of the "New York Daily News tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT the 911 tape showed that the effort to save him was nothing short of heroic.
PIAZZA: Everyone in the situation is amazing because they all stayed so calm. It`s a horrific situation, but the 911 operator manages to talk everyone there down and gets the friend the help that he needed that could have saved his life.
ANDERSON: One of the biggest stars of the ice dancing world faced another scary situation. Gold medalist Pasha Grishuk was allegedly drugged at a hotel bar in California.
KATIE DARYL, TMZ TV: Pasha had ordered a glass of wine. She took a couple sips and left it unattended, came back, took a few more sips and realized there was something floating at the bottom of the glass, that there had actually been a pill put into her drink. She`s feeling dizzy. She`s feeling lightheaded, and she`s feeling sleepy.
ANDERSON: TMZ obtained the tape of the 911 call placed by a hotel security employee.
911 OPERATOR: What`s going on?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE CALLER: We got a lady who thinks she`s had some medication slipped into her drink in a bar. She didn`t drink it all but she has a pill and she wants someone to look at it.
911 OPERATOR: And she doesn`t need the paramedics?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE CALLER: No, I think just the assessment engine would do.
DARYL: They just wanted someone to come in and just kind of like do a check-over because they didn`t think it was that big of a concern. Well, later on, we found out it was GHB, that`s essentially the date rape drug.
ANDERSON: She was take to the hospital and later released. And police are investigating who tried to slip her a miky.
A 911 call made by this Indianapolis man made him a media star. Alan Kieta woke up to find a suspected burglar in his room. He did the only thing he could think of. He fought back.
KIETA: We fought for - I don`t know - 30, 40 minutes. I don`t know. It was a long time.
ANDERSON: Oh, did we mention Kieta`s blind? Amazingly, he was able to subdue the suspected burglar using moves from his days as a high school wrestler. Kieta dragged him into the kitchen, grabbed a knife and held it to the intruders throat as he called 911. The "Today" show ran the 911 tape. Listen to how calm Kieta sounds.
KIETA: I have an intruder and right now I have him with a knife.
911 OPERATOR: Is trying to fight with you at all right now?
KIETA: No, I`ve got the knife to his neck.
ANDERSON: The suspected burglar went to the hospital, and then to jail. Kieta went to the "Today" show.
MATT LAUER, CO-HOST, "TODAY" SHOW: Is it true that at some point he said, "Look, if you won`t kill me, I`ll actually dial the phone for you?"
KIETA: I think what it was I was getting frustrated, so my hand kept getting tighter and tighter on his neck.
ANDERSON: Stories of heroic effort, disgusting attack, and an amazing fight, all brought to life, incredibly on tape.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: All right, one of the biggest, most famous and best paid actors in Hollywood is going to prison because of what he didn`t pay - his federal income taxes. Late in the day, a judge hit Wesley Snipes harder than he`s ever been hit in the movies, sentencing Snipes to three years in prison and ordering him to pay a fine of up to $5 million.
With us tonight in New York, the host of "Hollywood Heat" on Tru TV, Ashleigh Banfield. Also in New York, CNN legal analyst Sunny Hostin.
All right, ladies. Two months ago, a Florida jury found Wesley Snipes guilty of failing to file federal tax returns from 1999 to 2001 and avoiding $15 million in taxes. Sunny Hostin, Snipes got the maximum he could get just as you`ve been predicting. Does the punishment here fit the crime?
SUNNY HOSTIN, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: It really, really does. And it was pretty easy to predict him in my view. If you look at the United States sentencing memorandum - the prosecutors` memorandum they sent to that judge, this judge followed it to the tee.
They asked for three years; they got three years. They asked for a $5 million fine; they got a $5 million fine. These actions by Wesley Snipes were brazen. They were meant to defraud the IRS and the community. And the prosecutors in this case asked the judge to send a message. And I think that`s what people have to take away from this. You cannot avoid paying your taxes. You can`t try to defraud the government. If you do it, you`re going to pay the price which is jail time, just like Al Capone, just like Richard Hatch and now, just like Wesley Snipes.
ANDERSON: Yes. Don`t mess with the IRS. Ashleigh Banfield, what do you think? Three years - one for each year he didn`t file. Do you think the punishment also fits the crime here?
ASHLEIGH BANFIELD, HOST, "HOLLYWOOD HEAT": Well, I agree wholeheartedly with Sonny and the reality here is that he may have been convicted of misdemeanors. But if anybody out there thinks that you don`t do jail for a misdemeanors, you do.
Typically, it`s up to a year for misdemeanor. These are three, all stacked on top of each other. And you know what else, Brooke? He could have faced 10 years if he had been convicted on the fraud and conspiracy charges. So you might consider Mr. Snipes kind of lucky at this point.
ANDERSON: Yes. He was acquitted of three identical counts and two felony charges of tax fraud and conspiracy. Now, his attorney just wanted probation for the misdemeanors. But we know that the prosecutors made it clear, as Sunny said, that they wanted to stick it to him big time. They called him, quote, "a truly notorious offender." Sunny, why were they so determined to make an example of him?
HOSTIN: Well, there`s been this big movement, this tax avoidance movement, where people are not filing their taxes. And I think the word out on the street in the community was the text that Wesley Snipes got off because, as Ashleigh said, he wasn`t convicted of these felony crimes. And that is the message that the judge sent, and that is the message that the prosecutors wanted to send. You did not get off. You got convicted of willfully failing to file your tax returns and those are crimes. Big crimes worth time.
ANDERSON: Ashleigh, does Wesley have any avenue of appeal to avoid prison?
BANFIELD: Well, I am imagining at this very moment that we are speaking his attorneys are combing over every single transcript from trial. Because, you know, you don`t just get an automatic appeal if you don`t t like the outcome of your trial. There has to be something during process that went awry. So you can bet that they are looking over everything that transpired during trial to see if any mistakes were made, if there is any appealable issue. And I would think that at this point, that`s exactly what he wants to do. Because this isn`t the kind of thing where he`s going to be put away pending the appeal. He`ll actually be free pending the appeal, most likely.
ANDERSON: You know, before today`s sentencing, nearly three dozen people wrote the judge asking for leniency, including some of Wesley`s powerful and most famous Hollywood buddies. Woody Harrelson praised Wesley for defusing a racial situation on the set of the first movie they did together some 20 years ago, writing, "Wes took the time to discuss and dissect the issue of racism. He strives for rightness in all his relations. And I realized early on what a true citizen of the world Wes is. It is an honor to call Wes my brother."
OK, with all due respect to Wesley`s ability to handle racial situations, Sunny, why would Woody think that something like that - this letter would persuade a judge, not to send Wesley to jail?
HOSTIN: Well, you know, sending letters to a judge prior to a sentencing and in consideration of the sentencing is very, very common. But the type of letters that you usually see and I saw one when I was a prosecutor, would be letters from an employer, saying, you know, we will maintain his employment and he can work for us should he not go to jail. Letters from someone`s pastor or minister or priest attesting to things like that. But that`s not what happened here. So the letter really meant nothing.
ANDERSON: He did have nearly three dozen letters from a variety of people. Again, Wesley Snipes sentenced to three years in prison, ordered to pay a fine of up to $5 million. Sunny Hostin, Ashleigh Banfield, thanks for your insight.
HOSTIN: You`re welcome.
BANFIELD: Thanks.
ANDERSON: Well, these young stars are paying a lot of taxes; that`s because they are so darn rich. You`ve got to stick around for this. I can`t believe what the world`s richest kids make. But can they really have a normal life with all this money?
Well, Paris Hilton was a rich kid and look how she turned out. Not exactly the best example. You know, she`s got this new reality show where she`s desperate to find a new best friend. More than 85,000 people have applied. Are you kidding me? That`s coming up.
Plus, the controversy over the just-named sexiest women of Hollywood. Is Hayden Panettiere really hotter than Angelina Jolie? Lindsay Lohan more luscious than Beyonce? That`s here, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, TV`s most provocative entertainment news show. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
Tonight, the fired-up controversy over "FHM Online`s Sexiest Women in Hollywood." A brand-new poll is just out and like so many others, we couldn`t believe the results.
Joining me in Hollywood, Shira Lazar, entertainment reporter and anchor for LX-TV. And Ken Baker, executive news director for E!
Ken, Shira, more than nine million votes were cast at "FHM Online." And once again with one that really boggled our minds. "Heroes" star Hayden Panettiere who is beautiful, no doubt, came in at 11. She beat out Angelina Jolie who came in at number 12.
Ken, I can`t count the number of times Angelina has been called the most beautiful woman in the world. Hayden, 18 years old, very pretty, very sweet. But how do you explain this ranking?
KEN BAKER, EXECUTIVE NEWS DIRECTOR, "E!": I think if you look at the list, I explain the ranking that it`s basically age discrimination. The top 10 list of - everyone on this top 10 list at least is in their 20s practically. And you don`t get people in their 30s including the really ancient Angelina Jolie until 12, 13, 14. So I think it clearly is - now, it might be the reflection of the younger men who, you know, like the younger women. But I just think it`s obviously very much an age discrimination situation. I think Angelina Jolie might want to consider filing an age discrimination lawsuit.
ANDERSON: You say it`s the younger men who like the younger women. It may be the older men who like the younger women as well, Ken. Shira, do you think it`s age discrimination here, too?
SHIRA LAZAR, ENTERTAINMENT REPORTER AND ANCHOR FOR LX-TV: All right. Maybe there`s some of that, but I mean a lot of guys like younger girls. That`s just the way it works in Hollywood. Hollywood is all about the youth factor. And Angelina had her time. She was number one in 2005. She`s got to make way for new chicks in Hollywood and that happens to be one of her look-alikes - Megyn Fox.
ANDERSON: That`s true and we will get to that in just a moment. Don`t spoil for us, Shira.
LAZAR: OK.
ANDERSON: But right now, I`ve got another one for you. Get this, Lindsay Lohan comes in at number 16, beating out bootilicious Beyonce who came in at number 20. Ken, why is Lindsay thought to be sexier than Beyonce? It can`t be age here.
BAKER: First of all, it`s highly subjective.
ANDERSON: Sure.
BAKER: I mean if you like party girls who are out all the time and sort of a little bit dangerous, I guess that`s going to be sexy to you. But for a lot of people, it`s not at all.
But I do think it is sort of strange that, you know, she would be up high on that list. And then I was looking here and you have someone as beautiful as Jennifer Love Hewitt is number 57.
ANDERSON: Yes.
BAKER: I mean she`s sheer lovely woman. She`s buried down in 57. I mean she`s (UNINTELLIGIBLE) an utter travesty.
ANDERSON: Jennifer Love should be in the top ten, no doubt. And you know, speaking of Lindsay Lohan, recently she did a nude spread for "New York" magazine, posing as Marilyn Monroe. Shira, do you think that maybe influenced the online voters, worked in her favor here?
LAZAR: You know, just for publicity, she hasn`t been partying as much. So she`s been getting maybe this publicity from the Marilyn Monroe shoot she did. And people like Hollywood actresses who reveal it all. And she didn`t leave a lot to imagination in shoot that she did. So that definitely could have helped her skyrocket to more on the top of that list definitely.
ANDERSON: Well, another one that blew our minds - Tara Reid, number 56; Madonna, number 87. Ken, is there even any kind of competition here? Tara Reid sexier than Madonna, what?
BAKER: I`m demanding a recount, all right? There has got to be some dangling chads(ph) somewhere that have to account for this. Then, I have to say that strangest thing I`m looking at the list here. You have - Tara Reid and Kate Hudson are practically tied.
Kate Hudson is so much more beautiful. I`m being objective here. So much more beautiful and natural looking. And I just think that it`s a very strange thing. But you know, it just goes to show you really can`t trust what you read on the Internet.
ANDERSON: Well, next time, you need to weigh in with your votes on "FHM Online" well, Ken.
And we`ve been saving the best comparison for last. Charles, can you hit the drum roll please.
(DRUM ROLL)
ANDERSON: Thank you. Coming in at number one, transformer star, the striking Megan Fox. But then, all the way at the bottom, number 100 is Britney Spears. Shira, is Britney really the least sexy on this list?
LAZAR: I guess you have to look back at her shaved head photos, maybe those photos of her coming out of a car without any underwear. I don`t know how sexy that is now. She was sexy back in the day when she really worked out and kept herself in shape, and hopefully she`s getting that way. But this year was definitely not Britney`s year.
ANDERSON: Yes, hopefully, she can get back to that point where she once was. We will leave it there for now. Shira Lazar, Ken Baker, a lot of fun. Thanks for joining us.
LAZAR: Thank you.
BAKER: Thanks.
ANDERSON: OK. So the shocking news about Star Jones filing for divorce just came out. But now, I just learned that she`s coming back to TV. Totally random coincidence, or is something else up here? She did say she wanted to be left alone for a while. I`m just saying.
And we want to hear from you. It is our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Star Jones Divorce: Does she deserve privacy?" Vote CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. Send us an e-mail, here`s the address: showbiztonight@cnn.com.
Paris Hilton, somebody who doesn`t seem to want any privacy. Remember, unfortunately, she bared all in that sex tape. And now, she wants a new best friend in her life. Nicole Richie must not be cutting it anymore. Get this, more than 85,000 people have applied for this reality show Paris is doing to be her best friend.
That`s pretty ludicrous to me. Well, if you are going to be Paris` best friend, you better be able to strike a mugshot pose. I think this is a really clever idea. You`ve got to see these celebrity mugshots turned into art. I`m talking Paris, Lindsay, Nick Nolte, Michael Jackson. That is straight ahead.
And now, you can watch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT anytime by downloading our podcast. Best part of all, it`s totally free. You can find the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT podcast on our Web site, CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. Or just download it on iTunes. Type "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" in the search box. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson. And here are some more stories that are new right now.
Well, she`s got a hip TV show, a huge singing career. Now, Miley Cyrus may have her law. Minnesota is close to passing a bill that would make it illegal to use computer software to snatch up hard to find tickets. It`s named after Miley because lawmakers were flooded with complaints after scalpers use the programs to buy big blocks of "Hannah Montana" concert tickets and resell them for huge profits. (UNINTELLIGIBLE)
OK. What`s in the water Alicia Keys and Jordin Sparks are drinking? Just days after Key`s touring partner Sparks had to pull out of the tour because she has vocal cord problems, now, Alicia has just cancelled two shows. That`s because her vocal cords are swollen. Keys hope to get better in time for Saturday`s show.
And a terrible accident on the set of the new James Bond movie, "Quantum of Solace" in Italy. You`re actually looking at the last Bond film, "Casino Royale." A stunt driver was seriously injured in a car crash. This, while filming an action scene on a winding road. He suffered serious head injuries. Star Daniel Craig wasn`t on set when this happened.
OK. So Star Jones hits us with a blockbuster that she is getting divorced and that she also wants privacy. But now there`s word she`s coming back to TV. I don`t know. I`ve got to ask, coincidence or something else?
And then there`s Paris Hilton. You know, she`s desperately trying to find a new best friend. She`s doing a TV show to pick one. Why anyone would want to do this - why anybody would want to do this is so beyond me. But so far, 85,000 people are signed up. Wow.
Well, whoever wins better make sure they can look good in a mugshot. I interviewed this really clever woman who is making money off celebrity mugshots. She`s turning them into art. You`ve got to stick around for that.
And the richest kids stars. No $20 a week allowance here. Try an unbelievable $1 million a week for one of them. Coming up, you will be blown away with what some of these young stars make. Stay with us.
(NEWS BREAK)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: On SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, catch a falling star. Star Jones is coming back to TV. A big announcement on the same day Star said she`s getting a divorce. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has Star`s new she wants you to watch and the break up she doesn`t want you to watch.
Kids cashing in. At the age they should be getting an allowance for mowing the lawns, these kids are pulling down big bucks, big time. In one case, $1 million a week. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT presents the world`s richest kids.
(MUSIC)
ANDERSON: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It is 30 minutes past the hour. I`m Brooke Anderson coming to you tonight from Hollywood. A.J. Hammer is off. This is TV`s most provocative entertainment news show.
Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has brand-new details on two Hollywood reality shows. First, on the very same day Star Jones went public about her divorce and pleads for privacy, she announces that she`s going to host the "Bad Girls Club" reunion show on the Oxygen Network.
And someone who`s no stranger to TV, Paris Hilton. As you know, she`s got a new reality show and she`s looking for a new best friend. But what we just found out is that 85,000 people have applied to be her best friend. Sorry, something is wrong in this world.
With me, in New York tonight, Ben Widdecombe who writes the "Gate Crasher" column for the "NEW YORK DAILY News." And in Hollywood, investigative journalist and author of "Secrets Can Be Murder," Jane Velez-Mitchell.
Ben, Jane, I want to begin with Star Jones, because here`s what confused a lot of us today. When Star Jones dropped a bombshell on Wednesday that she was getting divorced, she basically said she was going to disappear for a while to keep things private. But on the very same day, it`s announced that she`s going to be hosting the "Bad Girls Club" reunion show. It`s a hit show in the Oxygen Network featuring Bad Girls. Ben, how do you reconcile this? She`s asking for privacy, but there`s the announcement of a new show?
BEN WIDDECOMBE, COLUMNIST, "GATE CRASHER": Well, it`s true that the "Bad Girls Club" is not exactly a high water market in standards of television. But I can`t criticize Star too badly for this because she is a television personality. She makes her living by being in front of the camera. He book didn`t sell that well. People didn`t believe her. That`s part of the whole trouble with Al and was she honest about her gastric bypass surgery. So I say that although she wants her privacy, she has to earn a living. So I can`t criticize her for doing this.
ANDERSON: Yes. You know what? It does make sense to me in that way as well. She needs a job. She needs to work. Jane, what do you think?
JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST: I don`t criticize her for being on "Bad Girls," Brooke, but I think that it`s ironic that she`s going to be providing a moral compass for these girls who have apparently made errors in judgment in their lives.
Maybe she should be one of the bad girls on "Bad Girls" and somebody should be ministering to her. Because I believe she has made some errors in judgment. And either it`s wild coincidence that first she begs for privacy during her divorce and five minutes later, announces a new reality show. Or, in fact, she is seeking the exact opposite of what she claims to be seeking. She says she`s seeking privacy, but in fact, it`s likely that she`s seeking publicity. And that`s a rather cynical approach, isn`t it? It`s an upside down world here in Hollywood.
ANDERSON: It certainly is. And so you have no problem with her hosting the show. You just have a problem with the premise and her role in it from what I understand.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Yes, I think she should be one of the bad girls. She should be one of the girls who gets her what for.
ANDERSON: A role reversal. Well, maybe who knows? Maybe that could happen as well. Oxygen is owned by NBC. What do you think? Is she angling for a new reality show, maybe something to do with her as a svelte single girl? Ben, it`s not that farfetched.
WIDDECOMBE: I think a Star Jones reality show would be fantastic. We can follow her search for love in a (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and west Hollywood and Chelsea here in New York. Maybe the west village. I think everyone would watch that.
But seriously, Star did acknowledge in her statement about the divorce that she made an error in judgment when she invited the media into her private life. That was about the whole bride-zilla thing. About her wanting to get too much free stuff in the marriage. So a reality show would be a step too far at this point.
ANDERSON: Well, we will see what happens next. Hopefully, this is a brand-new fresh start for a brand-new Star Jones.
And now, I do want to move to woman who never saw a camera she doesn`t like - Paris Hilton. Paris is searching for a new best friend using - what else - a new MTV reality show. It`s called "I Want to be Paris` New Best Friend."
We have just learned - listen to this - that 85,000 people have signed up to battle for the 20 slots on the show. Jane, does it just boggle your mind that 85,000 people would sign up to compete to be Paris` new best friend?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, nothing surprises me, Brooke, when it comes to Paris Hilton. And you know, it just boggles my mind that first, she`s made a complete travesty of the notion of charity and public service by promising on "LARRY KING LIVE" to do all these good deeds and then doing absolutely none of them.
And now she`s moving forward to pollute and I dare say prostitute the whole notion of friendship by having this contest for best friends. And if you look up friendship in the dictionary, it`s a mutual affection regard, a mutual regard that has nothing to do with her criteria for these BFFs. They`ve got to "not screw her over," quote, unquote.
And they`ve got to look good on television. So she is really the one thing we have in life when we already polluted the notion of marriage on reality television - this friendship, and now, they are turning that into a fraud too.
ANDERSON: We here at SHOWBIZ TONIGHT got a glimpse of some of the folks just praying to be Paris` new BFF. Take a look at some of the videos they posted online.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: If I was to hang out with Paris Hilton, she probably wouldn`t end up in jail, anytime soon, anyway.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If I was best friends with Paris, I would talk to her about how to be more prophetic and how to make the biggest difference in advocating social justice.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Wait a minute. Isn`t that the infamous "Chocolate Rain" guy from YouTube? Ben, this seems to be all about getting 15 minutes of fame. Do you really believe that these people truly, genuinely want to be her new best friend or just want their 15 minutes?
WIDDECOMBE: Well, I think we have to guess with the kids who are auditioning for this show and not skipping med school classes to do that. I think young people these days are very savvy about reality TV.
And no disrespect to Paris, this is not about Paris. This is about them. I think when you go on a reality show in 2008, you know exactly what the game is. You`re going on to be a star yourself. And people want to be on TV. They would go on with Paris` dog, if that would be the option.
ANDERSON: Jane, ten seconds. Is this just a train wreck waiting to happen?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, I have to do my "Chocolate Rain." Chocolate rain, I do not want to be Paris` friend.
ANDERSON: You`re good, actually. Well, production begins next month. We`ll keep you update on Paris` new search for a best friend. Ben Widdecombe, Jane Velez-Mitchell, thank you both.
And we`ve been asking you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. Star Jones` Divorce: Does she deserve privacy?" Keep voting at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. E-mail us at showbiztonight@cnn.com.
Tonight, the celebrity mugshots you`ve got to see to believe, because I`m telling you, they are a work of art. We all love to see celebrity mugshots. They range from the ridiculous to the sublime.
And an artist in California saw something else, the potential to turn them into works of art. I went to see her work and how she does it. And I think it`s safe to say that with the way celebrities have been behaving, she`ll have no shortage in material to work with.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice over): Smiling, frowning, bedraggled, composed. The celebrity mugshot comes in all varieties, but they don`t normally with a frame, until now. This exhibit at the Art Life(ph) Theater north of Los Angeles showcases work by Rachel Schmeidler who transforms celebrity mugshots into art.
RACHEL SCHMEIDLER, ARTIST: This is Elvis, Marilyn Manson, Sid Vicious.
ANDERSON: There`s Lindsay Lohan, nabbed for DUI and Michael Jackson, child molestation for which he was later acquitted. Nicole Richie, arrested for DUI.
SCHMEIDLER: People really like her image. And it`s one of my bestsellers.
ANDERSON: Mel Gibson, also arrested for DUI.
(on camera): How does the Mel Gibson sell?
SCHMEIDLER: Nobody bought him.
ANDERSON: Does it surprise you how many celebrities have their mugshot taken at some point?
SCHMEIDLER: No, it doesn`t. It think they think that`s part of becoming more famous.
ANDERSON (voice over): Paris Hilton, nabbed for DUI.
SCHMEIDLER: Her mugshot is so hilarious. She`s funny and entertains me while I work.
ANDERSON: Schmeidler took us through the artistic process at her west Hollywood studio. It begins on the computer where she digitally manipulates the mugshot and prints it in a large scale format. From there, it`s silkscreened.
SCHMEIDLER: You can see the goo and it`s really bad thing to have on there, but it`s going to make the image more unique, then I apply the paint. Then I`m done.
ANDERSON (on camera): Oh, wow.
(voice over): Afterwards, the screens are cleaned in a blood bath of ink. Schmeidler sees her work as a commentary on our celebrity-saturated culture.
SCHMEIDLER: People are obsessed with celebrities. And sometimes I question myself. What`s the point? Why are we obsessed with these people?
ANDERSON: An easier question may be who she plans to silkscreen next. Celebrities keep getting arrested or Schmeidler may expand the palette.
SCHMEIDLER: I think my next major series will probably be the mobsters.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
Other celebrity mugshots that Rachel has turned into artwork - Al Pacino, Anna Nicole Smith, Jane Fonda and Kiefer Sutherland. The prices range from $825 to $1,400. You can see her work at HollywoodMostWanted.com.
All right, I know the economy is not so great right now. But I can tell you one segment of the population that is doing very well - a handful of famous kids. You`re not going to believe what these kids are making. I`m talking $1 million in a week in one case. It`s really outrageous. We are crunching the numbers on the richest kids in the world, straight ahead.
And Jenna Bush is getting married in just a few weeks. But here`s what I wanted to know. Why isn`t she getting married at the White House? Seems like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, right? Jenna opens up about why she decided against the White House. Coming up.
And Eddie Murphy does double duty in his new movie. He`s playing two characters and one of them lives inside the other. I know, I know. It sounds bizarre but trust me, it will all become clear with your first look at "Meet Dave." Coming up. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
And right now, Hollywood`s richest kids. Having trouble paying your bills? Well, your head will spin when you hear how much money the youngest stars in Hollywood are now making. All of the incredible details are in the brand new issue of "People" magazine that hits newsstands on Friday.
With us to chat about it from New York, David Caplan, staff editor for "People" magazine. In Hollywood tonight, Dana Devon, host of "Extra."
Dana, David, welcome. And there is no doubt who Hollywood`s richest kid is right now. Miley Cyrus. The "Hannah Montana" star`s concert film alone brought in $65 million. "People" magazine writes her sold out tour made $17.5 million. And before this year is out, she could wind up bringing in nearly $1 billion.
David Caplan, this is mind boggling. What does she do with all of this money?
DAVID CAPLAN, STAFF EDITOR, "PEOPLE" MAGAZINE: Well, her mom actually says that she doesn`t splurge that much. A lot of the money is going to investment fund. But Miley does have a few things she likes to spend. In fact, she said that she collects electra bikes. She likes their retro look. That`s one of her sort of hobbies, as well as she did say that when she comes of age and she learns how to drive that she wants to buy a vintage Corvette. So she puts it away for now.
ANDERSON: OK. And it sounds like her parents are really encouraging her to be responsible and to save that money. And amazingly enough, Miley could make "Harry Potter" star, 18-year-old Daniel Radcliffe look poor by comparison.
But don`t shed any tears for him. He`s reportedly getting paid $50 million for the two final "Harry Potter" films. But while Miley Cyrus` money is going into an investment, trust funds, since Daniel is now 18, he can touch his money. Dana, is there any way to be so young and so filthy rich and not to have a warped view of life?
DANA DEVON, HOST, "EXTRA": Well, Brooke, in a word, no. I mean Abigail Breslin is a very successful child actor. She gets an allowance of $11 a week. But come on. They all know they`re earning millions of dollars.
And I think that really distorts the family dynamic. I mean how are you going to ground or discipline Dakota Fanning when she`s supporting the entire family? But you know, there success stories. Director Ron Howard is a success story. Our very own Mario Lopez, who works here at "Extra." He`s now on Broadway. He`s a very normal guy, hard working. So there are some happy endings in Hollywood, but not all that often.
ANDERSON: Yes, you`re right. There is a legitimate concern I think that so much money, especially at such a young age could cause some people to be out of touch with reality.
And you know, there is more. I want you to take a look at what "People" reports some other young stars make. Fourteen-year-old Dakota Fanning, $4 million a movie; 12-year-old Abigail Breslin, whom Dana mentioned, she`s bringing in $2 million a movie, just getting $11 a week in allowance. And the teen rock band, the Jonas brothers making $12 million a year.
David Caplan, did you find a common thread as to how these young stars react to and deal with such fame and money?
DAVID CAPLAN, STAFF EDITOR, "PEOPLE" MAGAZINE: Absolutely, a lot of these celebrities who have been profiled in this story - they are actually pretty good at their spending. They don`t oversplurge. They`re not blowing their money away.
And entails - that`s sort of different from a lot of these other young celebrities who are sort of, you know, a flash in the pan. They blow their money within a matter of months. So I think with these stars with these ongoing projects, their money is managed so much better than these other stars who say, have, you know, one hit TV show and their money is gone in a matter of weeks or months.
ANDERSON: Well, I have to say, of course, they are not the first young stars to be rich and famous. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s A.J. Hammer asked `80s pop icon Debra Gibson what it was like for her to be young and to find herself making millions of dollars.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DEBBIE GIBSON, `80S POP ICON: I always had a respect for money. Like I remember calling my mom at one point. I was like 18 and yes, I was making millions of dollars. And still have this concept that a $200 outfit was a lot. And I called her and I`m like, "Do you think I should get it at $200?" She was like, "Deb, it`s your money."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Dana, Debra Gibson consulted her mother. If these kids don`t get a regular parental reality check, are they setting themselves up for trouble?
DEVON: Well, of course. So are kids everywhere. I mean the silver bullet to raising well-adjusted kids, I think, is strong parents. And the one thing, I think, parents have to remember in Hollywood is they can`t be living vicariously through their kids. They can`t be feeding their egos through their kids. They have to really, really care and keep in mind what`s best for your kids. And a lot of times - most of the time, I would say - it`s not living your adolescence in the glare of Hollywood.
ANDERSON: Absolutely. David, 10 seconds, it`s really hard for a lot of people to comprehend. It`s hard for me to fathom this amount of money especially in today`s economic - tough economic times.
CAPLAN: Yes, I know, definitely. It`s a huge amount of money. You know what? There`s a demand for this. You know, Miley Cyrus, for example, they have billion dollars with the "Hannah Montana" merchandise. So obviously, she`s going to make a lot of money because she gets a cut out of that.
ANDERSON: David Caplan, Dana Devon, thank you both. I appreciate it.
And remember, you can read more about Hollywood`s richest kids in the new "People" magazine on newsstands, Friday.
Jenna Bush is speaking out about her wedding plans. The first daughter will marry her fiance, Henry Hager(ph), May 10. The guest list is pretty modest at 200 people. And Jenna has decided to get married in a private ceremony at the Bush family ranch in Crawford, Texas.
On "LARRY KING LIVE," Larry asked her the question that`s on everybody`s mind.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LARRY KING, HOST, "LARRY KING LIVE": Why did you decide not to get married in the White House?
JENNA BUSH, DAUGHTER OF GEORGE W. BUSH: Well, I`ve never really lived in the White House. I was 18 when my dad was elected president. So I living in Austin Texas and I lived in Texas my whole life. And so, really what feels like home is Texas.
And you know, I think it`s an honor and I think the White House is a historical, beautiful building, of course, and place. But I wanted to have something more private and something that fit my personality a little bit more which is as unglamorous as it is.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Good for her. Congratulations, Jenna. And her twin sister, Barbara, will be the maid of honor. As for her dress, Jenna says it`s a simple and casual gown by Oscar dela Renta
So Eddie Murphy is used to playing more than one character in a film. Remember "Norbitt?" Well, for his new movie, Eddie is playing two characters again, and one of them lives inside the other. I know. I know. It sounds bizarre, but trust me, it will all become clear with your first look at "Meet Dave." Next on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
It`s time now for a look at what`s new at the movies brought to you by Yoplait.
First, I found this one really cute and funny. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler star in "Baby Momma." Amy plays the woman who agrees to be a surrogate for Tina`s baby. That`s in theaters on Friday.
Also Friday, Harold and Kumar are back. Now, instead of going to White Castle, this time, they are escaping from Guantanamo Bay.
And switching gears completely, we also have "Deception." It`s an erotic thriller starring Hugh Jackman, Ewan McGregor and Michelle Williams. That`s opening on Friday. And that`s what`s new at the movies brought to you by Yoplait. Yoplait is so good. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is coming right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: And we welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, TV`s most provocative entertainment news show. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
Tonight, in the showbiz first look, Eddie Murphy`s new film, "Meet Dave." Eddie Murphy stars as - stay with me here - an alien spaceship that looks human. And he also stars as the spaceship`s tiny little captain. It will all make sense when you see it for yourself. Here`s your first look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
VOICE OVER: Meet Dave.
It`s not how he looks on the outside. It`s what`s inside that counts.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: Hello, sir. Hi, are you all right?
EDDIE MURPHY, ACTOR: Contact everyone. Our first verbal encounter. Thank you for your concern.
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD ACTOR: How hard can you hit this guy?
VOICE OVER: This summer.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: Oh, that`s our cat, Boris(ph).
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: Cat. Here we go.
MURPHY: We`re under attack.
VOICE OVER: From 20th Century Fox and Regency Enterprises -
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: Let the music take you.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: We are on the brink of anarchy.
MURPHY: Not now. I`m trying to let the music take me.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Hi.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: Probably best to imitate him.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Hi, lefty. Right.
MURPHY: Right.
VOICE OVER: Eddie Murphy.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: If you`re trying to freak me out, it`s not going to work. All right, it`s going to freak me out a little.
VOICE OVER: In Eddie Murphy.
MURPHY: Blown out of my own nose.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: You look very serious.
MURPHY: I really think I can do this. Incoming.
VOICE OVER: Meet Dave.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Are you with Dave?
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: No, no. I come free with a Venti latte.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: And "Meet Dave" is in theaters July 11. That is a wrap for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thank you so much for watching. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Remember, you can always catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on 11:00s - 11:00 p.m. Eastern, 11:00 p.m. Pacific and in the morning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern. The latest from "CNN HEADLINE NEWS" is coming up next. Take care.
END
