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Showbiz Tonight
Jennifer Hudson`s Heartbreak; The Hasselbeck Election Factor; Continuing Coverage of the Funniest Campaign Ever
Aired October 28, 2008 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
A.J. HAMMER, CO-HOST: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Jennifer Hudson`s heartache. Tonight, the painful, almost unimaginable story behind how Jennifer Hudson had to deal with the killings of her mother, brother, and seven-year-old nephew. And how will she be able to go on with her Oscar- winning, chart-topping career? Plus, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT in Chicago with late- breaking developments into the investigation into the murders.
The Elisabeth Hasselbeck election factor. Tonight, is "The View" co host helping or hurting Sarah Palin and John McCain by campaigning for them?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ELISABETH HASSELBECK, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": There is some who talk the talk and others who walk the walk.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: And could Elisabeth become as important for McCain-Palin as Oprah has become for Obama? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT investigates the controversial Hasselbeck election factor.
Plus, Britney Spears channeling Jane Fonda. Tonight, her eye-opening, brand-new workout video that reveals her body-shaping secret. TV`s most provocative news show starts right now.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Hello, I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
BROOKE ANDERSON, CO-HOST: Hi there, everyone. I`m Brooke Anderson, coming to you from Hollywood. And tonight, the incredible heartache of Jennifer Hudson.
HAMMER: Brooke, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is learning about what the almost unimaginable past few days have been like for Hudson. First, learning her mother and brother were shot to death, then having to identify the body of her seven-year-old nephew.
And late today, the Chicago medical examiner confirmed everyone`s worst fears - that he too was shot several times. From SHOWBIZ TONIGHT viewers to Hollywood`s biggest stars, Hudson is getting incredible support during this horrendous time. But how is she coping? And what will she face next? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT bringing you the latest breaking developments, making news right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice over): From regular people in Chicago to fellow superstars, people all over the country are moved by Jennifer Hudson`s family nightmare.
ALICIA QUARLES, ASSOCIATED PRESS: This is just absolutely tragic.
JO PIAZZA, "NEW YORK DAILY NEWS": This is a horrible story. Everything about this is awful.
HAMMER: Now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you, the death of Hudson`s seven- year-old nephew, Julian King, has officially been ruled a homicide. Medical examiner now confirming he died after being shot several times. His body was found in this SUV, Monday. He had been missing since Friday, when Hudson`s mother and brother were brutally gunned down in her mother`s home.
QUARLES: Who would kill a child?
HAMMER: The day Hudson was supposed to be in Los Angeles filming a music video for her new single, she instead was in her hometown of Chicago for a far more gruesome task.
PIAZZA: She had to go in and identify the body of her seven-year-old nephew, Julian.
HAMMER: In this brand-new video, we see umbrellas shielding Hudson as she and her loved ones went to the Cook County Medical Examiner`s Office to identify young Julian`s body. Hudson was there just days earlier to identify the bodies of her mother and brother.
QUARLES: Jennifer Hudson was surrounded by family members and close friends, seven in total, and they cried. They held hands. It was just really heartfelt moment.
HAMMER: New details now emerging about how Hudson is holding up.
SEAN HOWARD, COOK COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER`S OFFICE: She was just brilliant and strong. And her last words to me were, "Just tell the general public once again to respect my family`s privacy, and continue with the prayers and support."
HAMMER: Now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you, there`s a shocking new development regarding a potential suspect in Hudson`s family tragedy. The Associated Press reports her nephew`s stepfather, William Balfour, was arrested for drug possession in June. But for some reason, his parole was not revoked, a surprising development, given his criminal history.
PIAZZA: William Balfour has a record. He spent seven years in prison for attempted murder, vehicle hijacking and possession of a stolen vehicle.
HAMMER: Reports also now show that his troubled marriage to Jennifer Hudson`s sister Julia, the mother of the young homicide victim, was erupting into outright hostility between him and Hudson`s family.
QUARLES: There was tension between the Hudson family and this Balfour character. Reportedly, Jennifer Hudson`s mother had actually kicked him out of the house.
HAMMER: Now, Balfour is locked up on a parole violation while police investigate the killings which come at a pivotal moment in Hudson`s story book career. Four years after her debut on "American Idol" and a little more than a year after winning an Oscar for her first movie, "Dreamgirls" Hudson`s career appeared to be on another upswing. Her new movie, "Secret Life of Bees," has just begun a successful box office run.
JENNIFER HUDSON, SINGER AND ACTRESS (singing): I don`t like living under your spotlight.
HAMMER: And the new song, "Spotlight," hit number one on Billboard`s R & B hip-hop chart. Hudson`s personal life was looking up, too.
PIAZZA: Jennifer Hudson should be having the time of her life right now. She just got engaged. She`s planning a wedding and now she has to go through this horrible, horrible family tragedy.
HAMMER: But in this horrible time, Hudson is getting support from all over.
50 CENT, RAPPER: This is a tough time for her.
HAMMER: Rapper 50 Cent, whose own mother was murdered, tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT he knows the anguish of what Hudson is going through.
50 CENT: You know, losing her mom - she gave her life. I don`t care what circumstances, how your mom is, how she was - you still miss that when that`s not there, you know? So I feel for her.
PIAZZA: She has the support of America behind her. She has the support of her former "American Idol" judges, Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell. They`ve all sent her best wishes. All of her fans have been showing so much support online and holding vigils for her. So in this horrible time for Jennifer and for her family, she has a really strong base backing her and wishing her well. And she`s in everyone`s prayers.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: So while Jennifer is, indeed, in everyone`s prayers, obviously, her nightmare is far from over.
Joining me tonight in Chicago is Kathy Chaney who is a reporter for "The Chicago Defender." In Hollywood tonight, is Carlos Diaz who is a correspondent for "Extra."
Carlos, Kathy, I really appreciate you being here tonight. We have a lot of developments to talk about. I want to start off with Jennifer Hudson`s estranged brother-in-law, William Balfour. Now, the stepfather of her nephew who was killed is this guy William Balfour. He`s still in custody on a parole violation today.
Reports he was arrested in June for a drug violation and he missed a parole meeting the day Hudson`s brother and mother were found dead.
Kathy, let me start with you. Have police given any indication where they stand on their investigation tonight?
KATHY CHANEY, REPORTER, "THE CHICAGO DEFENDER": No. They just continue to say that this is an ongoing investigation. They`re going to follow up on every lead that they get. They`re going to look at surveillance cameras out throughout the city, especially in the area where the vehicle was found - and other areas. They`re just going to follow up on everything. They`re still looking for the weapon. They`re just - they`re not going to leave any stone unturned in trying to find out what happened.
HAMMER: And is I`m sure they`re taking great care with every, every inch of the whole process. Everybody, of course, very concerned for the well- being of Jennifer Hudson right now. We just heard the spokesperson from the Medical Examiner`s Office say that Jennifer was brilliantly strong, as he put it, as she went in to identify her nephew`s body. Again, unimaginable.
Carlos, she`s had to identify her mother, her brother, and now, her nephew. What do we know about how she has been holding up through all this?
CARLOS DIAZ, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": Well, you know, A.J., you can never compare what she is going through to what she has to go through in Hollywood. But let`s look at the last few years of her life where she had to walk on the set of "Dreamgirls" with some of the biggest stars in the world. And not only did she perform to their standards, she exceed them, you know, by winning this Oscar.
So she has the mental and emotional fortitude to be a leader in had situation and that`s exactly what she is being. And she really has no choice now, because she really - she has lost her mother and her brother. So now, she`s kind of being thrust into the role of leader.
And also monetarily, she has the money to get things done now, where, you know, she is planning funerals and this and that. So people are turning to her as a leader and as you just said, she is filling that role quite nicely.
HAMMER: And I think you make a good point with what she has been able to accomplish in her Hollywood life that gives us great insight into the depth and strength of her character.
Everybody has been struck by this story. Our "Showbiz On Call" phone lines have really been inundated with messages of support nonstop since the news broke for Jennifer Hudson. We`re going to be playing them throughout show. Right now, I want to play one from Derrick in Indiana, if we could roll that.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
DERRICK, CALLER FROM INDIANA: I really want to give out my condolences to Jennifer Hudson and the rest of her family. Crimes like that, you really don`t hear about happening to celebrities, especially in, you know, the Midwest. So my love goes out to you and your family.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Derrick bringing up an interesting point there about crime in the Midwest. Cathy, police say this was domestic-related. But at the same time, we hear that neighbors didn`t call the police when they heard gunshots. Is that not unusual in the neighborhood where Hudson`s mom lived?
CHENEY: No, that is not unusual. The neighborhood where the Hudson family lived is called Englewood. And although this is a domestic-related - apparently to the police, a domestic-related incident, it was isolated. The police said this was not a random-style homicide.
But in that neighborhood, you can hear gunshots going off at any time of the day, and people are used to it. So when neighbors said that they heard gunshots, they did not think that it was possibly, you know, their neighbors getting killed or anything like that. They just thought that it was regular gunshots they were hearing at any point in time, and they didn`t bother to call the police. But hours later, they found out those gunshots were actually their neighbors.
HAMMER: Wow. That`s unbelievable. Just hearing that adds to the tragedy of this whole thing. Now, Jennifer has told me in the past how close she was with her mom and what a grounding force her family is for her. I want you to watch what she told me.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JENNIFER HUDSON: I love that reality check when I get to go home and I have to stand in line like everybody else. And when I tell them, "So you don`t do this." And they look at me like, "Better get up and get it yourself." You know, that keeps me grounded. I love that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Now, Carlos, I know you`ve had similar conversations with Jennifer Hudson in the past. What kind of importance did her family have with her? What more insight can you give me into that? Because it seemed to be one of the biggest things in her life.
DIAZ: That`s a great sound bite you just played, where, you know, they keep her grounded. She is from the Midwest.
And I talked to her at "Show West"(ph) before "Dreamgirls" came out and I was struck by how real she was. And then I talked to her after she won the Oscar. She was the exact same person.
Mike Myers had a great quote when his dad passed away saying that everything he did in Hollywood wasn`t real until he could see his dad`s face and cash in those chips. And you really have to feel for Jennifer Hudson now because you have to wonder if she`s going to be able to cash in those chips with somebody else and take her success to somebody else because her mom`s no longer going to be there for her.
HAMMER: Well, we wish her all the world and our hearts just break for her tonight. Carlos Diaz, Kathy Chaney, I appreciate you being here tonight.
As I said, we have been getting a lot of very personal messages for Jennifer Hudson coming in to the "Showbiz On Call" phone lines, Brooke.
ANDERSON: We have, A.J. And I want to remind our viewers, our friends at home, you can leave a message for Jennifer and her family by calling "Showbiz On Call." The number is 1-888-SBT-BUZZ. That`s 1-888-728-2899. Leave a voicemail. We`ll play some more of your "Showbiz On Call" phone calls for Jennifer, straight ahead.
OK. Moving on, A.J., you know, we are just a week from the presidential election and a lot of people are saying "The View`s" of Elisabeth Hasselbeck could become a factor in the last few days.
HAMMER: Yes. Brooke, if you think about it, I mean, she stands up for John McCain and Sarah Palin, really, as the lone conservative on "The View." She`s even hit the campaign trail, you know, for McCain-Palin. But is she helping or hurting them? Well, we`ve got a fired-up debate over the Hasselbeck factor.
ANDERSON: And wow! A big-time Angelina Jolie surprise. You know, she`s been laying kind of low after the birth of her twins. But tonight, I can tell you that she showed up somewhere to surprise a big star. You don`t want to miss this.
HAMMER: And Britney Spears` body-shaping secrets. You have got to see her brand-new workout video. Yes, I said Britney Spears` workout video. That is coming up.
Now, have you checked out the free, ever-changing SHOWBIZ TONIGHT podcast? I encourage you to do so. Easy to find right there on our homepage. Just go on over to CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. You can also download it on iTunes by doing a little search for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT into that little search box. And playing right now, the inside story behind the Sarah Palin`s media blitz. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is coming right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RON HOWARD, ACTOR AND DIRECTOR (as Opie): When I`m a grown-up, I sure would like to vote for somebody as good as Mr. Obama.
ANDY GRIFFITH, ACTOR: Well, if you stay healthy and strong and avoid any felony and stay away from the butterflies. I`ll bet you`ll get a chance.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Ron Howard and Andy Griffith kicking it old school and heading back to Mayberry, playing their "Andy Griffith Show" roles as Opie and Andy to get out the vote for Barack Obama.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Well, The Opie and Andy "FunnyOrDie.com" video isn`t the only one Ron Howard is putting out there for Barack Obama. He also teamed up with his "Happy Days" costar Henry Winkler to play Ritchie Cunningham and the Fonz in a pro-Obama video.
Tonight, for the first time, Howard is speaking out about how he got Andy Griffith and Winkler together to play characters they haven`t done in years. Listen to what he told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT when we caught up with him at the Hollywood Film Festival.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOWARD: I had this idea that we could do a kind of reunion and humorously, you know, make this endorsement. We were all looking for a way to make an endorsement. It`s something I`ve never done before. I have never publicly endorsed a candidate and I honestly hope I never feel compelled to again. But I just believe there`s - such a possibility here for a - a great step toward a brighter future.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Yes, it`s a big step for him. And Ron Howard also says that he was concerned about doing a political video, but that he is very happy with how people are taking it.
HAMMER: Looks a lot different though, than what we just saw, Brooke. Those Ron Howard videos, by the way, just one of the many funny things happening during this election. And now, more of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s continuing coverage of this, the funniest campaign ever.
(LAUGHTER)
With this - all right, I get the picture. With only a week before the election, and the candidates just going nonstop, you know they`re going to be plenty of foul-ups and slip-ups on the campaign trail. So here now, a fresh new batch from CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Will the fake Sarah Palin please raise her pompom? There she was, chanting his name.
CROWD: John McCain! John McCain!
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R-AZ), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Thank you.
MOOS: Basking in his praise behind his back.
MOOS: She is a great reformer and a great person. Thank you for your support of Sarah Palin, as well. I`m very grateful for that.
MOOS: Mystery look-alike Sarah even chanted her name.
CROWD: Sarah, Sarah, Sarah!
MOOS: Sometimes folks don`t believe you are the real thing even when you are. For instance, when Barack Obama was styling for votes at an Obama rally, the microphone died, and at a McCain rally, the lights kept going on and off on Sen. Lindsey Graham.
SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM (R-SC): Will Joe the plumber -
MOOS: Joe, the electrician, they need.
MCCAIN: I think the lighting is brought to you courtesy of the Democratic National Committee.
SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D-IL), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Somebody from the McCain campaign kicked our plug out of its socket.
MOOS: The warm-up acts at these rallies seem to be getting wackier.
TITO MUNOZ, MCCAIN SUPPORTER: I am Tito Munoz, but you could call me Tito the Builder.
MOOS: For the Democrats, there was Cecil, the president of the United Mine Workers.
CECIL E. ROBERTS, PRESIDENT, UNITED MINE WORKERS OF AMERICA: Yes, a few more weary days and no more George Bush.
MOOS: Not to mention, Sen. Robert Byrd answering his own question wrong, so the crowd got it right.
SEN. ROBERT BYRD (D-WV): The next president - who is he?
CROWD: Barack Obama!
BYRD: Joe Biden!
MOOS: The rally chants also seemed to be getting odder from "I am Joe" -
CROWD: I am Joe! I am Joe!
MOOS: To "Bless your heart" -
CROWD: Bless your heart! Bless your heart!
MOOS: To "Vote McCain. Use your brain."
CROWD: Vote McCain, use your brain!
GOV. SARAH PALIN (R-AK), VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: You betcha, that`s good.
MOOS: Not so good was what happened to a hockey player on this carpet just before Sarah Palin dropped the puck for a St. Louis-Los Angeles game. Goalie Manny Legace slipped on the carpet, hurt his hip and had to leave the game.
Now, we`ve all heard that Sen. Biden is long-winded. Now, we have visual proof, thanks to a cub reporter with a tired arm. Fifth grader Damon Weaver asked Biden what a vice president does. The senator went on and on; Damon`s arm sagged.
SEN. JOE BIDEN (D-DE), VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: When the president comes up with an idea -
MOOS: Sometimes weighing a candidate`s words can be heavy lifting.
DAMON WEAVER, FIFTH GRADE CUB REPORTER: Sen. Biden is not my home boy.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: That was CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
All right, Brooke, moving on. I hear Britney Spears is really getting back in shape and I`m hearing she looks super-hot right now.
ANDERSON: Oh, really, A.J.? Well, you know that she is even sharing her body-shaping secrets. Brit`s got a brand-new video. She`s taking us inside her house to watch her workout. You`ve got to see that, coming up.
And also this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HASSELBECK: Instead of the issues, they are focused, fixated, on her word wardrobe. But let me tell you, this is deliberately sexiest.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Elisabeth Hasselbeck is not holding back one bit. She is standing up for Sarah Palin and John McCain on "The View" and she`s even hit the campaign trail with Palin. But is Hasselbeck`s campaigning helping or hurting the McCain-Palin ticket? We`ve got a fired-up debate over the Hasselbeck factor.
HAMMER: And Jennifer Hudson`s heartache. Just how is she possibly dealing with the horrific killings of her mom, her brother and nephew? How will Hudson be able to go on with her career?
Plus, more of your "Showbiz On Call" thoughts for Jennifer Hudson. If you want to add yours, please call us, 1-888-SBT-BUZZ. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is coming straight back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson with some more stories that are new right now.
HAMMER: Well, you know, it`s pretty hard to shock people in Hollywood. That is, unless of course, you`re Angelina Jolie. Now, Jolie is just back from a goodwill mission in Afghanistan. And she made a surprise appearance at last night`s at Hollywood`s film festival awards gala.
Now, Jolie was there to pay tribute to actor and director Clint Eastwood. The audience was reportedly so surprised she showed up, there was an audible gasp when she was introduced. But Jolie says she was the one left gasping when she first met Eastwood.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANGELINA JOLIE, ACTRESS: Well, some people in this business that are icons. And we often wonder if when we meet them they`ll live up to what we imagine them to be, and Clint Eastwood in person is better.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, as he accepted the honor, Eastwood said it was a great privilege to work with Jolie. And he called her a great talent. Kind of seems like they`re president of each other`s mutual admiration societies. Jolie stars in Eastwood`s latest film, "Changeling."
ANDERSON: First, Janet Jackson had to cancel tour dates because she was suffering from vertigo. Now, she`s got more tour drama. LL Cool J has dropped out as her opening act because of, quote, "unnamed scheduling conflicts."
I wonder what`s that all about. But the show must go on. Janet is back on stage in Michigan on Tuesday and heads to New York this weekend.
HAMMER: All right, Brooke, switching gears right now, the Jennifer Hudson story so tragic, so sad.
ANDERSON: It certainly is, A.J. Her mother, her brother, her seven-year- old nephew shot dead. So how is Jennifer dealing with this unimaginable tragedy? How will she be able to go on with her Oscar-winning, music chart-topping career? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with Jennifer Hudson`s heartache, next.
HAMMER: Also, the Elisabeth Hasselbeck election factor. I`ve got to hand it to Elisabeth. She really stands up for what she believes in and stands up for John McCain and Sarah Palin on "The View." In fact, she`s even hit the campaign trail for them. But will Elisabeth`s campaigning help or hurt the McCain-Palin ticket? We`ve got a fired-up debate next.
ANDERSON: And I think Britney Spears looks great in her new music video. But just how did she get her amazing body back? Tonight, Britney is revealing her body-shaking secrets in a brand-new workout video. Watch out, Jane Fonda.
(NEWS BREAK)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Jennifer Hudson`s heartache. Tonight, the latest on how Hudson is dealing with the horrific murders of her mother, her brother, and her seven-year-old nephew. How will Hudson be able to go on with her music chart-topping and Oscar-winning career? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with all of the new developments.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HASSELBECK: Instead of the issues, they are focused, fixated on her wardrobe. But let me tell you, this is deliberately sexist.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The Elisabeth Hasselbeck election factor. Tonight, is she helping or hurting Sarah Palin and John McCain by campaigning for them? Could Elisabeth become as important for McCain-Palin as Oprah has become for Obama?
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It is 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson, coming to you tonight from Hollywood.
HAMMER: Tonight, Jennifer Hudson`s heartache. Hollywood and the world are reaching out tonight to Jennifer Hudson, who is really dealing with unimaginable tragedy after the shooting deaths of her mother, her brother and her seven-year-old nephew. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT bringing you what`s making news right now.
Late today, police ruled that the death of Hudson`s nephew is a homicide. They say he died of multiple gunshot wounds. Also, newly released documents show tonight that William Balfour, Hudson`s estranged brother-in-law was arrested in June for drug possession and that he missed his parole date on Friday, the day of the shootings.
This on the heels of Jennifer Hudson`s emotional visit to the coroner to identify the body of her seven-year-old nephew. She and family members cried, prayed and held hands as they identified the body of the little boy. How is Jennifer Hudson possibly dealing with this overwhelming tragedy as she lives out her darkest hours in the public eye?
Joining me tonight in Hollywood, Carlos Diaz who is a correspondent for "Extra." Tonight, in New York is Janell Snowden who is a news anchor for VH1. Also tonight in New York, Dr. Judy Kuriansky who is a clinical psychologist.
Gang, I appreciate every one of you being here tonight. We`re taking a look right now at just an amazing outpouring of support right there in the Chicago south side. The entire community gathering together, just outside of Hudson`s childhood home. They`re all there together mourning. I don`t think anybody could quite believe the magnitude, the scale of this tragedy.
Dr. Judy, you have dealt with this and seen this before. How will Jennifer Hudson even be able to deal with all of this heartbreak? It`s unthinkable, losing her mother, her brother and her little nephew.
DR. JUDY KURIANSKY, CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST: Yes, you`re right. Indeed, A.J., it is unimaginable. And the word "trauma" is very appropriate. When this kind of loss happens - as for Jennifer, a multiple loss of loved ones - there is going to be the four stages of going through that difficulty.
There`s first shock that will last for a very long time for her, because there`s so many loved ones. Then there is depression and anger that sometimes flip-flop. That will also last for a very long time because the depression will be so strong, considering the fact that her career and her success was so much a part of the family`s encouragement, and it won`t mean very much.
It will be very difficult for her to think that it matters to have a chart-topping song when she has lost her loved ones.
HAMMER: Yes.
KURIANSKY: And the last stage will be acceptance. I think it`s going to be a very long road for her, A.J. - extremely long and it will have lots of bumps and take years.
HAMMER: And it goes without saying she is going to have to draw on every ounce of strength she has. Obviously, we have seen a very strong side of Jennifer in the past.
Carlos, let me go to you. We have both interviewed her many times. I know you have gotten a sense of her character over the last couple years. Where do you think she is getting the strength to carry on right now?
DIAZ: Well, I mean, she`s got a very strong family in her life. She has Midwestern values, and you know, it`s one of those things where her family has always been there for her. It`s a very unique situation because we basically watched Jennifer Hudson become a star on "American Idol." We watched her family be there with her as she became that star.
And you know, right now, it`s one thing for a star to have to hear about their family and loved ones passing away. It`s another thing to have to go and identify each one of those bodies. That`s got to be tough on her.
HAMMER: Yes, and you mentioning that we all watched her become this star really further amplifies why this has struck such a chord with so many people. Now, Janell, just before the tragedy, I know you had the opportunity to speak with Hudson. You sat down and talked with her about all of the successes - the massive successes in her life. I want to take a little look at what she told you.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JANELL SNOWDEN, ANCHOR, "VH1 NEWS" (on camera): Who then are your biggest supporters along the way?
JENNIFER HUDSON: God, there`s so many people. I think that`s the most overwhelming part. Out of everything, my proud family, my brother who then had the CD, lord knows, before anybody. He`s doing his self promotion right around this time, "Make sure you go check out Jennifer Hudson."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: We`ve heard that before from Hudson, making it very clear, Janell that her mother and brother were her everything. It`s almost as if they are success was directly linked with her family, wasn`t it?
SNOWDEN: Absolutely. I mean, they were such a tight-knit family. She lost her father in 1999. And it was really just her mother, her brother, her sister and her nephew. her sister, her brother and her nephew and her mother all lived in the same house. That`s the house that Jennifer would go back and visit.
There were reports that she would ask them to try to move and that they just didn`t want to. That`s where they grew up. That`s where they wanted to remain. And I mean, every time I saw Jennifer, she was always beaming about her family, whether it`s her nephew, whether it was something that her sister had said to her - I mean, there were so many award shows where she was seen with her mother or you know, seen talking to her sister moments after having gotten the awards. I just can`t imagine what she is going through right now.
HAMMER: Yes, and all of us who have interviewed her in the past always - we can tell the same story because it was always something that she would bring up even if we didn`t bring it up. Everybody really now in this very difficult time looking for a way to express how they`re feeling.
We have begun getting tons of calls just pouring into the "Showbiz On Call" phone lines, a lot of sympathy and support for Jennifer Hudson and her family. Listen to what Ashley from Alabama had to say to Jennifer.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
ASHLEY, CALLER FROM ALABAMA: Jennifer, I`m one of your biggest fans. I`m praying for you. Always you know, just keep your head up high. Keep God first, stay positive, keep your head up high. And congratulations on your engagement.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. Just one of so many fans out there with well-wishes for Jennifer Hudson at this time.
Dr. Judy, I have to ask you though, the fact that Jennifer has to go through this with the whole world watching and really wanting to know all of the details, that has to make it that much more difficult, doesn`t it?
KURIANSKY: It does make it more difficult, because she has asked for privacy, A.J. But on the other hand, it`s actually very good for her. I think it`s extremely important that the fans who really do care, not those who are just curiosity-seekers, but the ones who care do send messages, do set up those memorials with the balloons and teddy bears and go on the blog that she has, and send their well-wishes and their love because that is what is going to help.
Every person who is watching now knows that the support of others and knowing that other people care really does help you when you`re mourning. Keep a little bit of distance, but still be there and send your love.
HAMMER: Yes, and to that point, let me play another call that we got through the "Showbiz On Call" phone lines. This one from Keyana in Minnesota. Roll that, Charles.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
KEYANA, CALLER FROM MINNESOTA: I recently moved from Chicago, Illinois two months ago because of the gang violence. And I would like to send my condolences to Jennifer Hudson because I know how she feels.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. And we know that Hudson grew up in what was really a rough part of Chicago. We also know that she tried to convince her mom to move the heck out of there. Carlos, I have to imagine that has to make this even more difficult for Jennifer right now.
DIAZ: Yes. Can you imagine that? I mean, she is living the high life out here in Hollywood, and she wants her mom to be part of that. It`s not that easy. You see that time and time again in Hollywood, where you want your parents or your family members to come out and experience it with you, yet they want to keep their roots. That`s got to be tough.
Now, the only thing I can say is, you know, if she can immerse herself back in her career - if there`s one career out there where your emotions can benefit you, it is acting. And maybe she can draw upon this. But as the doctor has said many times, we`re in the preliminary stages of that right now.
HAMMER: Yes, and I have to imagine, she is probably not even thinking about that at all. But really, look at the contrast - such a stark contrast of her life right now to her career and her life as it was just a week ago. She`s got her new movie; "The Secret Life of Bees" had a great opening just released in theaters. She also just released her debut album. First single, "Spotlight," number one on the R & B chart.
And not only that, as we`ve mentioned, she is newly engaged, planning a wedding. So Janell, let me ask you this, when the time comes to resume her career, if she chooses and we all hope she does - to do that. How will she do that?
SNOWDEN: I have no idea how she`ll do that. I mean, thankfully, she has a new fiance that seems to be very supportive of her. He is also a reality star. And you know, they both have - sort of had to live their recent lives in the public eye.
And I just - I can`t even imagine. She just released her album. She just released "The Secret Life of Bees." She was so excited the promotions for that. She had to come off of promoting that movie to go and identify the bodies of her family. I mean, there are no words that you could express for what she`s going through.
HAMMER: No. I have to end it there. But again, it`s just unfathomable. Thank you guys for being here tonight - Janell Snowden, Carlos Diaz, Dr. Judy Kuriansky.
ANDERSON: All right. Just a week to go before the presidential election. And the McCain campaign, A.J., may have a secret celebrity weapon, the "The View" co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck. Or do they?
HAMMER: That`s a good question, Brooke. Because tonight, there is a fired-up debate over whether Hasselbeck out campaigning for them is really such a good idea.
ANDERSON: There has been explosive reaction, A.J., to Hasselbeck bringing up Palin`s wardrobe at a campaign rally. Is she doing Palin and McCain any favors? The fireworks are flying over this one.
HAMMER: And the guys who had everyone saying, "What`s up?" eight years ago - well, they`re back. I can tell you, they`re not trying to get you to drink Bud. Wait until you see what`s up now.
ANDERSON: And Britney`s body secrets, an absolutely amazing video that Britney Spears wants the whole world to see. Let`s just say, it will make you say, "Give me more."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Hey, do you remember those Budweiser commercials about eight years ago that had everyone saying -
CREW: What`s up?
HAMMER: You know what I`m talking about. All right. Those guys are back. They`ve got a parody of their old ads. Did you see this? It`s a brand-new viral video taking a huge slice at the Bush administration, everything from the Iraq War to Katrina. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Yo, pick up the phone!
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Yo, forget the phone. I need pain killers. You`ve got money for painkillers?
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Just pick up the phone!
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Hello?
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: What`s up!
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: What`s up!
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Where`s Duky(ph)?
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Hey, yo, Duky(ph)! Pick up the phone! Duky(ph)! Pick up the phone!
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: What`s up!
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Hello?
(scream)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
Funny, yet sad at the same time. No surprise, the video has gotten more than two million hits on YouTube.
ANDERSON: Well, there is no doubt that the "what`s up" boys are endorsing Barack Obama and we`re betting everyone knows by now who "View" co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck is voting for. Tonight, the Hasselbeck election factor. With just a week to go before the presidential election, Hasselbeck has become a lightning rod for John McCain and Sarah Palin`s campaign.
Hasselbeck just hit the road for Palin. And because of what she said, there is an explosive debate tonight over whether Elisabeth is helping or hurting the campaign.
Joining me tonight from Washington, Leslie Sanchez, who is a CNN contributor and Republican analyst. And from New York, Jami Floyd, who is an "In Session" anchor and Obama supporter.
Ladies, welcome. Jami, I`ll begin with you. Elisabeth Hasselbeck, helping or hurting the campaign? What`s your take?
JAMI FLOYD, ANCHOR, "IN SESSION": Hurting, no doubt about it. It is not helping to keep Sarah Palin on the front page, and it`s not helping to have Elisabeth Hasselbeck there with her. In these last few days, the top of the ticket needs to be the top of the story.
And Sarah Palin helped to energize McCain`s base, there is no doubt about that. But the base is on board. And now it`s about that big, wide middle, and the big, wide middle is uncertain about the substantive abilities of the number two pick.
Having Elisabeth by her side isn`t helpful. We know that Sarah Palin is pretty. She is camera-ready. She looks terrific. What she lacks is substance. And she needs by her side a very deep policy thinker, not another pretty face.
ANDERSON: Leslie, have at it?
LESLIE SANCHEZ, REPUBLICAN ANALYST: All right. We`ve got to remember we vote for the top of the ticket not the bottom of the ticket. The Elisabeth factor is fascinating for two reasons. One, right now, the final stages of the game, it`s about get out the vote - mobilization. She is doing that.
If you like Elisabeth Hasselbeck`s flavor and her values, her conservative comments and values, you`re going to be excited about her out there, because she is talking about fairness. She is saying, "You`re not treating this woman fairly. There are hints of sexism."
That`s exactly the type of thing that mobilized women in New Hampshire for Hillary Clinton. It`s exactly the type of thing that mobilized Geraldine Ferraro, the VP candidate in 1984 to come out in this election and say there is pervasive sexism out there.
People want fairness and (UNINTELLIGIBLE) women are those swing voters. If they see somebody like her who goes out there and talks about this fairness issue, it could tilt to three points her way.
ANDERSON: Well, one of the reasons this debate erupted again today is because of Elisabeth`s speech at that Palin rally in Florida where she mentioned the controversy over Palin`s $150,000 wardrobe.
On "The View" Hasselbeck defended Palin and went on to describe what she says is Palin`s sense of style. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HASSELBECK: She calls Jimmy Choos, "Johnnie Choos." This is not a fashionista by any means. She is not a clothes horse. This isn`t even her property.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Okay, Jami, to be clear. Elisabeth has talked passionately, as well, about McCain`s policies. But is it due to comments like this, that now people are questioning whether she is helping or hurting?
Well, it`s about the comments, and it`s about the timing. We know that there have been celebrities very much involved in this campaign for the last two years on both sides. But we`re in the final stretch. And to keep this issue that now is five, six days old of the $150,000 bill on the table, that`s not helpful for McCain and Palin.
ANDERSON: So you`re saying she just needs to let it go just ...
FLOYD: She needs to let it go. They need to let it go. And I think the campaign really wants to be focused on John McCain, not on Sarah Palin and her young friend from "The View" who can say whatever she wants on her show. And I admire her political commitment as I admire that in any celebrity. I think it takes real courage to get out there on either side of the political equation when you have nothing to lose but loss as a celebrity when you speak out. But the question is, for the campaign, is it a good thing? And, again, I say no.
ANDERSON: Leslie, what do you say? You want to pipe in there.
SANCHEZ: Yes. Bottom line, you know, people talked about this $150,000 wardrobe. That was the trigger issue. We know that those were clothes she didn`t buy herself, that it was a misstep by the Republican Party people. There are women probably in the finance department that need to learn to shop at JC Penney as opposed to that and look for more value.
I think what it was saying - look, here is an issue when they went out and the media savaged this woman when they shouldn`t have. Nobody looked at Joe Biden as critically. Nobody looked at Michelle Obama and her shoes and her entourage. Nobody looked at, you know, these other issues.
They did look at Hillary Clinton`s pantsuits. Why are they spending so much time trying to denounce the second part of this ticket? And I tell you, this is the first time in modern political history you have seen such an effort to really tap that down and that is to discourage Republican voters to say, "You know what, it`s not going to be close." She mobilizes the base of many (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
(CROSS TALK)
ANDERSON: And we`ve been asking you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Elisabeth Hasselbeck: Is she helping the McCain- Palin ticket? Keep voting at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. E-mail us, showbiztonight@cnn.com.
HAMMER: Speaking of well-dressed, have you seen this? We have been hearing how Britney Spears has got her killer body back. Tonight, she is letting us in on her body-shaping secrets. You`ve got to watch this brand- new video posted on Brit`s Web site.
(VIDEO CLIP OF BRITNEY SPEARS WORKING OUT)
HAMMER: I`m pretty sure I have seen something like this before. I`m not positive.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JANE FONDA, ACTRESS: Ready, down, exhale up. Knees over your toes and squeeze. Your heels stay down and squeeze. Reach back with your buttocks as though you were sitting in a chair. Just arch a little bit as you do. Inhale. Exhale. Now get a very deliberate controlled movement.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I`m thinking, Brit popped an `80s era videotape from Jane Fonda into her VCR. Actually, no. I know where Britney got her inspiration. It`s got to be this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OLIVIA NEWTON JOHN (singing): Let`s get physical, physical. I want to get physical. Let`s get into physical. Let me hear your body talk, your body talk. Let me hear your body talk
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: There you go, Olivia Newton John getting physical for your evening enjoyment. All right. I do hear that Britney Spears is working with a trainer, four, five times a week. And she`s working her butt off in dance rehearsals. So stay tuned for more of Brit`s bod.
ANDERSON: All right. Coming up, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT viewers calling in to the "Showbiz On Call" phone lines on something that has really touched everyone, the tragedy that happened to Jennifer Hudson`s family.
Up next you will hear the emotional messages coming into our "Showbiz On Call" phone lines. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Well, Jennifer Hudson and her family have been receiving an outpouring of sympathy from the Hollywood community. But we are also hearing from SHOWBIZ TONIGHT viewers who have been leaving their heartfelt messages on our "Showbiz On Call" phone line. And the calls keep coming one after the other with messages of support and love for Jennifer and the entire Hudson family.
We heard from Keisha who called in to say she is not only a big fan but a fellow Chicagoan as well.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
KEISHA, CALLER FROM ILLINOIS: I love you very much. You are very beautiful, very wonderful. And I am so sorry to hear about your family. That is very sad. I just want to give you all my prayers to you and your family. I`m from Chicago, and I understand what you are going through. I love you very, very much.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: And Lisa`s call to the "Showbiz On Call" phone line echoes what we have been hearing from just about everyone since this tragic story broke.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
LISA, CALLER: The tragedy was just awful that happened to Jennifer Hudson`s family. And my heart and prayers go out to her. May God bless her.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: So many people have been thinking of Jennifer Hudson and her family at this difficult time. And we would like to hear from you. You can leave a message for Jennifer and her family by calling "Showbiz On Call." The number, 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; that`s 1-888-728-2899. Leave us a voicemail, and we will play some of your calls for Jennifer right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
OK. On Monday, we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. It was this - "Tina Fey: Is her Sarah Palin impersonation too mean?" Only 15 percent of you say yes. A whopping 85 percent of you say, no way.
Here are some of the E-mails we received. Sherry from Alabama writes, "I believe enough is enough! It really saddens me to see how this lady has been the brunt of so many jokes when she is only trying to make a positive difference in our country."
And Monica from Ontario, Canada, writes, "Tina Fey`s impersonation is not too mean at all. She pretty much says exactly what Sarah Palin says. Thank god for Tina."
And we thank you for your E-mails. Keep them coming.
HAMMER: And we thank you for watching as well. That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Remember, you can always catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on the 11:00s - 11:00 p.m. Eastern, 11:00 p.m. Pacific, and in the morning, that`s at 11:00 a.m. Eastern. The latest from "CNN HEADLINE NEWS" is coming up next. Take care.
END
