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Showbiz Tonight
The Obamas: The New Camelot?; Michael J. Fox Powerful Message to Obama; Same-Sex Couples` Heartache; Did Oprah Really Get Votes for Obama?; CNN`s Hologram
Aired November 06, 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, the new Camelot? Tonight will Barack and Michelle Obama become just as big stars as John and Jackie Kennedy? Barack`s historic spotlight. Michelle`s style, their photogenic young daughters and even the dog they`re planning to get. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with a brand-new biggest stars in America, the Obamas.
Also, Michael J. Fox`s powerful message to Barack Obama.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAEL J. FOX, ACTOR: He`s the man for the moment.
HAMMER: Tonight, Fox tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT what he wants Obama to do right away, a personal wish that could dramatically affect his fight with Parkinson`s Disease.
Ellen`s marriage heartache. Tonight, Ellen DeGeneres speaks out about a shocking vote banning gay marriage in California. What does it mean for Ellen`s marriage to Portia de Rossi? "Star Trek" star George Takei is right here. Could his same-sex marriage be in trouble, too?
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(MUSIC)
Hello, I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
ANDERSON: Hi there, everyone. I`m Brooke Anderson, coming to you from Hollywood. And tonight, the remarkable power of Oprah Winfrey. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with brand-new information about how much Oprah`s endorsement of Barack Obama helped him get elected as America`s first black president. That is coming up.
HAMMER: But first, is this the new Camelot? Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can reveal that Michelle and Barack Obama`s styles from how they look, to how they act and dress are already sweeping the country and bringing back memories of another time, a time when the John F. and Jacqueline Kennedy also led the country, influencing everything from fashion to entertainment.
Well, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you here we go again. And it`s making big news right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice over): They`re stylish, glamorous and picture-perfect. No doubt about it. The future first family is all everyone is talking about.
DAVID CAPLAN, "PEOPLE" MAGAZINE: The Obamas are essentially the most talked about celebrities right now.
HAMMER: Even the celebrities at a benefit from Michael J. Fox`s foundation`s Parkinson`s research in New York City tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT they`re excited about President-elect Obama as well.
FOX: He`s really the man for the moment. I think he`s going to be great.
RACHEL RAY, HOST, "RACHEL RAY": I`m just feeling so blessed that it could happen in my lifetime. I think there is potential for everything to change - across the board.
DEREK JETER, TEAM CAPTAIN, NEW YORK YANKEES: I think a lot is going to change. But I think it`s all going to change for the better.
HAMMER: But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you it`s not just President-elect Obama who has attained super-celebrity status, it`s his family as well.
JO PIAZZA, "NEW YORK DAILY NEWS": They`re getting all this attention bought, first of all, this is the first black president of the United States. Second of all, they`re a young couple. They`re a young family. They`re very telegenic. They look great on TV. Everyone is saying it`s just like the Kennedy years all over again.
HAMMER: Indeed, with a youngish 40-something president, a stylish wife and adorable young children -
SASHA OBAMA, DAUGHTER OF BARACK OBAMA: Daddy, what city are you in?
HAMMER: Some are saying we`re witnessing a 21st century version of John F. Kennedy`s Camelot. They "New York Post" dubs it "Bamelot" sparking comparisons of Michelle Obama to Kennedy`s first lady, Jackie O.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Long and lean, just like Jackie O. was. And she really kind of brought that Camelot back.
CAPLAN: Like Jackie O., Everyone is turning to Michelle Obama for style and inspiration, what she`s wearing, which designer she`s wearing.
PIAZZA: Michelle Obama has a great sense of style, and just like Jackie Kennedy, her style is being scrutinized. Women across the globe want to dress like Michelle.
HAMMER: Jo Piazza at the "New York Daily News" tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that the Obamas have something else in common with the stylish Kennedys. They, too, will be raising young children, 10-year-old Malia and seven-year-old Sasha in the intense White House spotlight.
PIAZZA: This is the first time in a long time that you`ve had such young kids in the White House. They`re completely unscripted all the time.
BARACK OBAMA, UNITED STATES PRESIDENT-ELECT: I`m here with the Gerardo family.
S. OBAMA: Hi, Gerardo Family.
PIAZZA: We`re actually watching little girls behave the way little girls do. These girls are just going to be thrust into the media spotlight.
HAMMER: "People" features the Obamas in their new issue. "People`s" David Caplan tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that Michelle Obama is determined to make sure her girls thrive amid the super-celebrity glare.
CAPLAN: Michelle Obama plans to maintain normalcy in Sasha and Malia`s lives once they get to the White House by really having to do everything they did beforehand such as they`re going to have to pick up their toys that they`re leaving around. They`re still going to have to make their beds.
Her main goal here is to really maintain the normalcy of Sasha and Malia`s lives right now and when they do get into the White House.
HAMMER: So as the Obamas prepare to move into the White House, they`re also preparing to be America`s next celebrity obsession.
PIAZZA: Everyone is really into scrutinizing every little detail about this new exciting first family.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: So is it too farfetched to believe that Barack Obama and his family will usher in a new era of Camelot? Tonight, in New York, Janell Snowden, who is the news anchor for VH1. And also in New York, Katrina Szish who is a national correspondent for "In Style" magazine.
Welcome, Janell. Welcome Katrina. And you know, I think for many people, when they saw the new first family take the stage on election night - people saw that same glimmer of hope and great things that could come as they did with the Kennedys. Janell, is that what you see? A new Camelot, possibly?
JANELL SNOWDEN, HOST, "VH1 NEWS": What I see is a striking picture of a beautiful American family which happens to be black. Of course, because President-elect Obama is extremely handsome and because of his young age, there are going to be comparisons to former President Kennedy.
But at the same time, I think that he and Michelle Obama are going to create their own legacy. I mean, I just only hope that part of what they do is help inspire the image of the traditional American family that has kind of left us.
I mean, there`s so many examples now of broken families and children born out of the wedlock. And not to say the products of those families cannot be incredibly successful individuals. But I think the image that they are going to give us over the next four years is going to be tremendous. And I cannot wait to see the impact of it.
ANDERSON: Yes. To see the warmth and the love between Michelle and Barack and between them and their children is really heart-warming. And there are definite striking cosmetic similarities between the Obamas and the Kennedys. Like JFK, Barack is in his 40`s with a family that looks like, you know, they were made for TV - their good look, their style. Katrina, is it a fair comparison?
KATRINA SZISH, CORRESPONDENT, "IN STYLE" MAGAZINE: Brooke, it is a fair comparison. And I think, really, what the most striking resemblance is - besides the fact that they are a picture-perfect family - is the fact that they have a similar quality of infectious energy and excitement that really transcends just what they look like.
I think they really, as a family unit, inspire hope. And I think that`s really what we seeing. And I agree with Janell that they really are going to make their own mark. This is not a carbon copy of something that`s gone before, but I think the energy that they inspire is similar and that`s exciting.
ANDERSON: Well - and you know, the Kennedy comparison doesn`t stop there. As we said, people are raving about Michelle`s fashion sense as they did with Jackie O. Janell, do you see the fashion similarities?
SNOWDEN: In the sense they`re both extremely stylish women, absolutely. But I think part of what attracts us so much to Michelle Obama is that she has a more attainable sense of style. With Jackie O., I mean, she was always looking like she was walking out of the pages of "Vogue" with very expensive attire.
ANDERSON: Right.
SNOWDEN: And then, you have Michelle Obama who is on "David Letterman" saying, "Guess what? I got this off J. Crew online, you know." So, I mean, I think that she`s - when you have style, it doesn`t matter what you pay for it. There`s just - you can pull off almost anything. And I think she`s showing us that, and I can`t wait to see some of those outfits. I can`t wait for her inaugural dress.
ANDERSON: Right. And Michelle - you`re right - is very relatable, has said she does shop at J. Crew and also at Target. Katrina, what do you think about the comparison between Michelle and Jackie O.?
SZISH: When we first met Michelle, she hadn`t figured out her personal style yet which is normal for someone who is suddenly thrust in the spotlight. So she did often opt for Jackie O. accessories, perhaps the pearls, the sheath dress, even the hair flip.
But as she got comfortable with herself, we saw her style really develop. I really don`t think that the comparison - the style comparison between two of them is relevant anymore. Michelle now has her own style, whereas Jackie`s style was really rooted in the Paris couture. Michelle is someone who`s really embracing young American designers. She mixes high and low, like Janell pointed out.
But she certainly has a wardrobe that would make any fashionista sort of green with envy. She has Azzedine Alaia belts. She has custom-made dresses by Narciso Rodriguez and Thakoon.
But she also then wears dresses from White House black market and from H and M. And so we`re going to see her setting a new standard of fashion. She`s someone who mixes, someone who has modern style and it`s going to be exciting to see how her style further evolves.
ANDERSON: Absolutely. Yes, she changes it up. And you know, in addition to the style, of course, with the new Camelot era that people are saying, will also come unprecedented attention on the White House first family, including the Obamas` two young children, 10-year-old Malia, seven-year-old Sasha.
Janell, this is really another challenge for the Obamas, isn`t it? Trying to maintain that sense of normalcy.
SNOWDEN: It certainly going to be a challenge. I mean, this is, you know, the biggest stage that could be placed upon. But at the same time, I think that we`re already seeing the effects of their parenting on them. I mean, throughout the campaign their girls were so gracious and just so poised, and I think that speaks a lot to their parenting.
I remember an interview that Michelle Obama did before Obama was elected. And she was saying that, you know, if he were to get elected, the very next day, they would act as if it were business as usual.
ANDERSON: Right.
SNOWDEN: He would go work out and the girls would go to school, not because he would make them, but because they wanted to. And so I think that speaks volumes as to what they have set in place as far as priorities with their family. It`s going to be a challenge, but think they`re up for it.
ANDERSON: It certainly is going to be a challenge, and she has said being a mama is priority number one. I can`t wait to see how it all plays out. Janell Snowden, Katrina Szish, thank you both.
And the newest issue of "In Style" magazine featuring Beyonce - there she is on the cover - is on newsstands right now.
HAMMER: You know, Brooke, so many stars came out in support of Barack Obama.
ANDERSON: They did, A.J. Hollywood really got behind him including Michael J. Fox. Tonight, Fox gives SHOWBIZ TONIGHT a very powerful, very personal message for Obama. He tells us what he wants Obama to do right away, and it`s something that could dramatically affect Fox`s fight with Parkinson`s Disease. That is coming up/
And also this -
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
OPRAH WINFREY, HOST, "THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW": I knew this was the moment for me to stand up regardless of, you know, whatever kind of heat I had to take or what people`s responses would be.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: You know, Oprah was a big Obama supporter right from the start, campaigning for him. But did she really influence the vote? Coming up, we`ve got a revealing look - not to be missed - at the power of Oprah.
ANDERSON: And Ellen`s marriage heartache. Tonight, Ellen speaks out about a shocking vote banning gay marriage in California. What does it mean for her marriage to Portia de Rossi?
Plus, "Star Trek`s" George Takei is right here. Could his same-sex marriage be in trouble, too? It`s the interview you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
B. OBAMA: Tonight, we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth but from the enduring power of our ideals, democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: What a moment. Barack Obama delivering his victory speech in Chicago Tuesday night as the first ever African-American president-elect.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Tonight, Samuel L. Jackson is speaking out about electing the first African-American president of the United States.
Jackson is starring in the new movie, "Soul Men," and he campaigned long and hard to get Obama elected. Well, when I spoke with Jackson today, he told me what went through his mind when the race was called for Obama. "Soul Men" stars the late Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes. They both died before the release of the movie. Jackson shared with me his thoughts on the movie being a celebration of their lives.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SAMUEL L. JACKSON, ACTOR: It`s a real celebration, but a shame that neither of them got to see it. And if I had to pick a perfect last movie for Bernie, this would be it. We get the Bernie that came to our houses every week and we get the Bernie who was the profane king of comedy. And we get a new Bernie singing and dancing.
So it`s a perfect tribute to him. And we also had an opportunity to actually do an Isaac Hayes song in the film, and he was there watching it. So he kind of put his stamp on it by being the representative of stats(ph) and being a legitimate soul man who has given us respect as legitimate soul men, too.
HAMMER (on camera): From everything I new about Bernie, I know he also would have really liked to have been around to have seen what happened this week.
JACKSON: Yes.
HAMMER: And I know you haven`t just been working on films over this past year, you`ve been very politically active yourself. You`ve been very vocal in your support for Barack Obama.
Can you take me back, Sam, to the moment when he was declared our next president? Where were you, first of all?
JACKSON: At work, actually. I`m shooting a film here in Los Angeles. It was quite moving seeing all the people on set, you know, people that are kind of crying, people with wet eyes and people smiling, you know, large. But it was overall a joyous moment for us all. And still for me sort of surreal and unbelievable, because, you know, I grew up in the segregated south. I saw whites-only signs and I was part of sit-ins and marches and all this other stuff.
So it never occurred to me that in my lifetime, we would have an African-American president. But the really wonderful thing is that Barack is not just an African-American president or a president for African- Americans. He is a president for the United States. And he`s going to represent us and hopefully bring us back into the world community in terms of our lost respect and making us part of something that will bring hopefully peace and prosperity back to this country.
HAMMER: So how unbelievable. You now among the many people that have said you never thought you would see this day if your lifetime. And I know your daughter was also very active. She was, you know, working on the ground level, making phone calls.
JACKSON: Oh, yes.
HAMMER: So it must be really a special thing for that as well with your family.
JACKSON: It`s incredible that my wife manned the phone bank and my daughter was on the phone. She was out beating on doors. We did benefits for the DNC and all this other stuff.
But I was most impressed with the fact that the youth of this country stood up the way we used to stand up in the late `60s and `70s and made themselves heard. And not only did they make themselves heard, they used action. They got out. They stood in line. They waited it out. They voted. They are making the difference now. And hopefully they understand that their votes count and their voices mean something and they can hold people accountable for what they want done.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, you can catch Samuel L. Jackson, the late Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes in "Soul Men." It will be in theaters everywhere on Friday.
All right, Brooke. You know, we`ve been getting just a ton of phone calls coming into the "Showbiz On Call" phone lines all about Barack Obama getting elected.
ANDERSON: We have, A.J. And a lot of the calls have mentioned Hollywood`s influence on the election. Take a listen to Pat calling from Oregon.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
PAT, CALLER FROM OREGON: I first saw Obama when Oprah had him on, and I was blown away from listening to what he had to say. It`s a great thing what has happened to this country.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: I also want you to listen to Crystal. She` calling in from Arizona, and she is very excited.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CRYSTAL, CALLER FROM ARIZONA: I am so excited about the president-elect, Barack Obama, starting his duties January 20th. And I`m just so excited to see my kids in this time where they can see this happening. It`s exciting and very hopeful.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thank you so much for calling in. What do you think about Hollywood`s influence on the election? Well, give us a buzz. Let us know what you think about this or anything else that`s on your mind.
ANDERSON: That`s right, A.J. The "Showbiz On Call" phone lines are always open. Just give us a ring at 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899. Leave us a voicemail and we will play some of your calls right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
And your calls to "Showbiz On Call" are also now online on our homepage at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
So, A.J., obviously, a lot of stars are pretty excited for Barack Obama.
HAMMER: Yes, Brooke. Michael J. Fox, definitely one of them.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FOX: This is great, isn`t it? He`s really the man for the moment. I think it`s going to be great.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, Michael has got a very special, personal request for Barack Obama. You have got to hear what tells us. It could really affect his battle with Parkinson`s Disease. That`s on the way.
ANDERSON: And it was really something to see Oprah Winfrey crying at Obama`s election night victory party. She`s been a tremendous fan of his. But here`s the controversial question - did all her campaigning for him really get Obama any votes? You don`t want to miss this, straight ahead.
HAMMER: Wow. This Hulk Hogan divorce really getting nasty. Tonight, Linda Hogan says the real reason for the break-up - Hulk hooking up with their daughter`s best friend. That`s next.
Right now, we`d like to hear from you. This is our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Tina Fey: Will you miss her Sarah Palin impersonations?" Vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight, or E-mail us at showbiztonight@cnn.com.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson with some more stories making news right now. Linda Hogan has got some blistering new words about her estranged husband, Hulk Hogan. In a shocking statement to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Linda, through her publicist, says her impending divorce from Hulk was caused by his constant cheating with their daughter Brooke`s best friend, not from the pressures of their VH1 reality show. We reached out to Hulk`s rep who has no comment.
Tom Arnold is dropping a sex abuse bombshell. Arnold tells "People" magazine that while growing up in Iowa from ages four to seven, he was abused by a 19-year-old male baby-sitter. Arnold adds that he didn`t tell anyone about the abuse because he was scared that the guy would hurt his dad.
HAMMER: All right. Get ready to dust off those Manolo Blahnik shoes one more time. That is because tonight, I can tell you there is, in fact, another "Sex and The City" movie in the works. Yes, the New Line Cinema spokesperson says negotiations are underway with the cast.
Kim Cattrall, who plays Samantha, revealed on Britain`s "Paul O`Grady Show" that they will be shooting the sequel next summer.
So Brooke, that is the good news because a lot of people have been wishing and hoping for another "Sex and The City" movie.
ANDERSON: Myself included, A.J. I`m really excited about that. And also tonight, Michael J. Fox has a very special wish that he hopes Barack Obama can grant. You`ve got to hear what Michael tells us. It could have a dramatic impact on his battle with Parkinson`s Disease.
And also this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WINFREY: I knew that this was the moment for me to stand up regardless of, you know, whatever kind of heat I had to take or what people`s responses would be.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Oprah Winfrey has been one of Barack Obama`s biggest supporters but did all of Oprah`s campaigning for him really get Obama votes?
ANDERSON: And tonight, Ellen speaks out about a shocking vote banning gay marriage in California. What does it mean for her marriage to Portia de Rossi?
Plus, "Star Trek" star George Takei right here in the interview you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Could his same-sex marriage be in trouble, too?
HAMMER: Stay on top of the most provocative entertainment news by subscribing to our daily SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsletter. Get it right here - CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is coming straight back.
(NEWS BREAK)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FOX: It was a great night. He`s really the man for the moment. I think it`s going to be great.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Michael J. Fox`s powerful message to President-elect Barack Obama. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT went one-on-one with Michael with his message for what Obama should do to help the fight against Parkinson`s Disease.
Hollywood`s gay marriage heartbreak. Ellen DeGeneres speaks out, now that Californians have voted to ban her marriage to Portia de Rossi and all gay marriages.
And a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive - George Takei from "Star Trek" and his husband are right here to tell us what`s next for their marriage now that the ban has been approved.
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC)
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It`s 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
ANDERSON: I`m Brooke Anderson coming to you tonight from Hollywood.
HAMMER: Tonight, Michael J. Fox`s powerful message to Barack Obama as SHOWBIZ TONIGHT goes one-on-one with Hollywood`s biggest stars about the historic election of Obama as America`s first black president.
Michael J. Fox tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT he has a powerful and an urgent message for Obama in his battle to find a cure for Parkinson`s Disease which Fox suffers from.
Ryan Reynolds, Rachel Ray, Derek Jeter and Elizabeth Berkeley were just a few of the stars who came out to support Michael, and they are revealing to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exactly what they were doing the very moment they heard the news that Obama would be our next president.
And stars are also talking to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT about Sarah Palin, the TV star. Wait until you hear what they told us about her chances in Hollywood.
Here tonight with me in New York is Janell Snowden, host of "VH1 News." And in Hollywood tonight, Carlos Diaz who is a correspondent for "Extra."
All right, guys. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was right there on the red carpet last night, right here in New York City where I am for the "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson`s" fundraiser to raise money for the Michael J. Fox foundation. As you know, Michael suffers from Parkinson`s Disease. He`s always been extremely vocal about government research trying to find a cure.
And Michael told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT he has a passionate message for Barack Obama. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FOX: One of the things that the senator wants to take care of right away is to, you know, pass the Stem-Cell Research Enhancement Act that the president vetoed a couple years ago. So we reiterate that to be one of the first orders of business (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Carlos, let me begin with you. Given how close Obama has been to the Hollywood community throughout this election time, it is understandable that Michael J. Fox has a new hope, isn`t it?
CARLOS DIAZ, "EXTRA" CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know what? Michael J. Fox`s fight is a very important one. But the thing that you have to look at what he said was, "That should be his first order of business." And I think that`s where you run into a lot of stars going to Barack Obama and saying, "Hey, I supported you. Now I should be your first order of business."
And they have to realize that there are a lot of first orders of business there. A lot of people would say the economy is the first order of business. So he`s going to run into a lot of this, a lot of promises made and a lot of first orders of business.
HAMMER: Yes. I don`t think it`s just the stars that are going to be barking up that particular tree. One of the questions, of course, that kept coming up throughout the campaign was the celebrity factor and how much influence they had.
In fact, we got an overwhelming response to this new SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day when we asked this question - "Obama Elected: Did celebrities influence the election?" As you see, only 29 percent said yes, 71 percent said no. Janell, are you at all surprised that?
SNOWDEN: I`m actually not surprised by that. As much as I joke about Oprah`s power over me, just because she tells me to vote for a candidate doesn`t necessarily mean I`m going to jump and do that. Instead it`s going to heighten my awareness of that candidate, making me pay attention to his issues and then decide if I want to indeed vote for him or her.
And so I think that`s what a lot of American voters did. I think that those numbers speak to the effectiveness of President-elect Obama`s campaign.
HAMMER: Yes. Then there`s a difference, of course, between influence and information. Fortunately, there were a lot of stars who are well-liked, giving really important and vital information about whoever their candidate might happen to have been, most of them were supporting Obama, of course, as we know.
And as we know, there was huge support by stars for Obama all over the place. When we were at the Michael J. Fox event last night, the stars couldn`t stop talking about the election and what they did at the exact moment Obama won. You`ve got to watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RYAN REYNOLDS, ACTOR: I was at home watching on television like everybody else, you know. And we were absolutely thrilled. You know, I`m amazed they still have a voice. I was screaming so loud last night.
RAY: Wow. It was magnificent to see - just everyone in New York pile into the streets, shout, run around. We saw streakers.
JETER: I was in a hotel lobby watching on television. It was pretty interesting to see all the people glued to the TV set like they`re watching a sporting event or something. So I was extremely happy. Like I said before, I think America got it right.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: What was Rachel Ray saying about the streakers? I must have been in a different spot in town. I didn`t see any of that going on.
But Carlos, I mean, just watching those guys, as one of our favorite celebrity magazines always says, "The stars are just like us," aren`t they?
DIAZ: Yes. In the voting booth, everyone is just like us. Everyone is the same. It doesn`t matter if you make $20,000 a year or $20 million a movie, your one vote counts the same as everyone across the board.
And I think they need to change it like Democrats are just like us, because a lot of stars you`re hearing that are so happy, of course, in Hollywood are leaning towards the blue, leaning toward the Democratic Party. So that`s why Hollywood is so happy yesterday and this morning.
HAMMER: Well, I`ve got to point out that the stars aren`t just looking to Obama`s future. They`re also telling SHOWBIZ TONIGHT what they think Sarah Palin should be doing next. I think she may have some time on her hands, depending on if she chooses to go back to the governorship or not.
A lot of buzz about Sarah the star, and from Rachel Ray to Michael J. Fox. They were telling SHOWBIZ TONIGHT SHOWBIZ TONIGHT they think Sarah could be huge. Watch.
RAY: I`m a waitress from upstate New York, and they gave me four shows. So I guess anybody could if I could.
FOX: I think she`s going to be the Alaskan Oprah. And she`s got a big future. I mean, she`s not my candidate, but I think that definitely, it struck a chord with people. And I think she`ll probably do well. She can ride on her own ticket.
JIM CRAMER, HOST, "MAD MONEY": Anybody can get a job in television, which is why I have a TV show.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Janell, if Sarah were smart, what do you think? Should she really ditch that Alaska governor gig and load up all the Palins and head to Beverly Hills, that is?
SNOWDEN: I think that she should stick to what she knows best, which, at this moment, is apparently governing Alaskans. And I think she should concentrate on being a mom. She has a pregnant daughter. She has son who is fighting in the war. I think she needs to focus her energy there first and then decide what her next career move is going to be.
HAMMER: This has gotten so much buzz. There were articles in the "Hollywood Reporter" and "Variety" about this. What do you think, Carlos? You know, we have certainly joked about this a lot, but let`s have a reality check. Do you see this really happening? As Michael J. Fox told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, she could become the Alaskan Oprah.
HAMMER: I think that`s where she needs to be. Everyone is talking about Sarah Palin and politics. I think the one thing we learned from this election was that she was great with the people. She was great on camera when she was just being herself.
The one part that she was weak in was the political aspect of it. I think she needs to really seriously take Michael J. Fox`s advice and think about becoming the next white Oprah.
HAMMER: Well, I don`t think she`s going to be at Barack Obama`s inaugural ball. But we saw what happened at the Democratic convention, so star- studded. Everybody came out for that.
Janell, what do you think? A few seconds to answer - will there be a tougher ticket than getting into that inaugural ball? It`s going to be harder than getting a seat at the Oscars, I imagine.
SNOWDEN: It`s going to be harder than getting a seat to the Oscars. It`s harder than getting an entry to a puppy party. It`s going to be one of the hottest tickets in town, probably this century. I can`t imagine anything else that it`s going to get harder to get into.
HAMMER: Unbelievable. Unbelievable. All right, guys. Thanks so much for being here tonight. Janelle Snowden, Carlos Diaz, we appreciate it.
So Brooke, one of the greatest moments on election night was Oprah Winfrey and her reaction to Barack Obama winning.
ANDERSON: Yes, A.J. And you know, she really took some heat when she endorsed him publicly, but she says it was all worth it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WINFREY: I knew that this was the moment for me to stand up regardless of, you know, whatever heat I had to take or what people`s responses would be.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: So did Oprah actually help Obama get elected? How much influence does she really have? We are investigating the power of Oprah, straight ahead.
HAMMER: Also Hollywood`s gay marriage heartbreak. Ellen DeGeneres is speaking out after Californians voted to ban gay marriage.
And it`s a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive. "Star Trek`s" George Takei and his husband are right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. We`re going to ask them what`s next for their marriage now that the voters have spoken.
ANDERSON: Plus, check it out - the CNN hologram. Everybody still talking about this. Will.I.am beamed into the "CNN Election Center" via hologram. We are going behind the scenes to hear how it all came together, still to come right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
HAMMER: First, we`ve been asking you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of day, which is - "Tina Fey: Will you miss her Sarah Palin impersonation." You can vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight or E-mail showbiztonight@cnn.com. And let us know exactly what you think. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is coming right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ELLEN DEGENERES, HOST, "THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW": So I would like to say right now, for the first time, I am announcing, I am getting married.
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Tonight, could Ellen`s same-sex marriage to Portia de Rossi be in trouble? The shocking vote in California to ban gay marriage.
And tonight, another newlywed star, "Star Trek`s" George Takei is here in a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
Tonight, absolute outrage in Hollywood over a California ban on gay marriage. Thousands of protestors filled the streets after California voters passed a ballot initiative to ban same-sex marriage. This after the state Supreme Court made gay marriage legal back in May and everyone from Ellen to "Star Trek" star George Takei got married in the months since then.
Joining me tonight in Hollywood in a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive, George Takei and his partner Brad Altman. George, Brad, always a pleasure to see you.
BRAD ALTMAN, GEORGE`S TAKEI`S HUSBAND: Correction. I`m his husband.
ANDERSON: Right. You are his husband now. Got married in September. Congratulations.
GEORGE TAKEI, ACTOR: That`s right.
ALTMAN: We spent a lot of money on our wedding, thousands of dollars, lots of effort to be his lawfully wedded husband. So I don`t want to be called his partner anymore.
ANDERSON: I apologize. I will no longer call you the partner.
ALTMAN: He`s an ex-partner.
ANDERSON: It`s the husband, the spouse. Congratulations to you two. And I want to know, George, when you heard the results of this vote, what did you feel? Were you furious? Were you frustrated? Were you outraged? What was going through your head?
TAKEI: Well, I was at the ABC studios waiting to be interviewed to talk with Sam Donaldson, and before he came on, I was listening to Barack Obama`s victory speech. It was stirring and it moved me. In America, this was happening in our time now. He talked about renewing the promise of America. And I had to listen to it on two levels. I was stirred by the fact that -
ANDERSON: It was very inspirational.
TAKEI: Inspiring, stirring.
ANDERSON: And then you knew what was happening with the vote on same-sex marriage in California.
TAKEI: I knew what was happening with Proposition 8. And if anything, his speech galvanized me, because I know the history of the civil rights movement. You know - and going back to the Jim Crow years and to slavery and this happened. And for us, you know, it`s been a long road, a steep road. And he talked about the challenges for America. A long road and a steep road.
So it happened with the civil rights movement. An African-American became the president of the - president-elect of the United States.
ANDERSON: Right.
TAKEI: And we have this road ahead of us. But we are making advances. There was a ballot measure in the year 2000 where 61 percent of the people voted against us. This year -
ANDERSON: The difference is much smaller.
TAKEI: It was 52 percent. And it`s interesting to study the demographics of it.
ANDERSON: Right.
TAKEI: The older people voted against us, the younger people - people under 30 - were overwhelmingly with us.
ANDERSON: Well, it`s good that you can be optimistic about it, George. And you speak about President-elect Barack Obama.
And Brad, I want to ask you this. Did the irony strike you that California, the state that overwhelmingly voted to put Barack Obama in office to make him the first African-American president of the United States, but also, it was the state that voted to ban same-sex marriage?
ALTMAN: I think in California, there`s just so much passion about same- gender relationships. And I don`t really understand why yes on vote was approved by the voters on Tuesday. Because George and I - we`ve been together for 21 years. We were married in mid-September. And we want to support the institution of marriage.
We love each other. We`ve been committed to each other. We will strengthen the institution of marriage. The Yes on 8 people said our side is going to just - we`re destroying marriage. And it`s such a myth.
I think there`s a lot of people that don`t understand that marriage is about love. And George and I, we`re about love. It`s just disappointing that we lost on Tuesday.
ANDERSON: And of course, it`s not just you two who have gotten married recently. As I mentioned, Ellen DeGeneres and her partner Portia de Rossi were also married in the last two months -
TAKEI: 18,000 couples.
ANDERSON: That`s right, in the last five months since the state Supreme Court declared same-sex marriage legal in May. Portia de Rossi and Ellen DeGeneres` marriage made the cover of "People" magazine even.
And let me tell you what Ellen told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT in a statement today, quote, "This morning, when it was clear that Proposition 8 had passed in California, I can`t explain the feeling I had. I was saddened beyond belief. Here, we had a giant step toward equality and then on the very next, we took a giant step away."
So George, how do you see all of this playing out in terms of Ellen`s marriage, in terms of your marriage, and everyone else, the thousands that did get married recently?
TAKEI: Well, our marriages will remain valid. There`s nothing in the proposition that says it`s retroactive. What is more important is the future - the other people, the people that didn`t get married and the younger people who will eventually want to get married. This is discriminating against them. So we`re going to continue the struggle, because we`re married, but we`re thinking of the larger issue.
ANDERSON: Everyone else who hasn`t been able to get married.
TAKEI: Equality.
ANDERSON: And obviously, there are legal challenges on the horizon.
TAKEI: Right.
ANDERSON: Brad, quickly - what now?
ALTMAN: Well, when we got married in mid-September, George put this turquoise and silver ring on my finger, and I told him I would wear this ring the rest of my life. So, yes, there`s going to be a lot of potential legal stuff going on in the future weeks and months.
It`s too bad millions and millions of dollars are being spent on the no - or yes on 8, all these campaigns when that money could be going to social services or good community causes. But George and I - our relationship will live long and prosper.
ANDERSON: Well said, and we will leave it there. Always a pleasure to speak to you both. Thank you, friends, Brad Altman and George Takei.
HAMMER: One of the enduring images from election night will certainly be Oprah Winfrey`s very emotional reaction to Obama winning and to his speech. Oprah, of course, went on the campaign trail for Obama. It was the first time she ever publicly endorsed a candidate. Now, we know when Oprah talks, people listen. But did she actually help Obama get elected? Here`s CNN`s Alina Cho for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WINFREY: It brought tears to my eyes, because I thought, "Yes. That is it." It feels like America did the right thing.
ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): No doubt Oprah Winfrey has the proverbial Midas touch, but can she? Did she actually persuade Americans to vote Obama?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think anything and everything Oprah does affects America. Really, the world.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She gave him an audience. That helped get him off the ground.
CHO: It was May of 2007 that Oprah officially helped Obama get off the ground. By the end of the year -
WINFREY: There`s only one choice we get for president of the United States. And if you`re going to chose, that choice ought to be Barack Obama.
CHO: Her first foray into politics. But not everyone was happy about it. The blogs went crazy calling her a traitor, accusing of her of choosing race over gender, "hypocrisy at its finest."
WINFREY: I knew that this was the moment for me to stand up regardless of, you know, whatever kind of heat I had to take or what people`s responses would be.
CHO: Two Maryland graduate students even came up with a formula looking at subscriptions to "O" magazine and sells of Oprah`s Book Club. They compared the data with votes cast for Obama and surmised Oprah`s endorsement was worth more than a million votes. A million votes?
ERIC OLIVER, UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO: Whether or not she gave him a half million or a million or two million votes, it`s just impossible to say.
CHO: Others call Oprah the queen of king makers.
REP. JESSE JACKSON, JR. (D-IL): Oprah, in her own way, is not only part of the culture of America. She is also part of the body politic of America.
CHO: So the question - with President-elect Obama heading to Washington, will the queen of talk follow him?
(on camera): You`ve got this little thing called "The Oprah Show."
WINFREY: Yes.
CHO: Would you consider an ambassadorship?
WINFREY: Would I consider an ambassadorship? Not as I have "The Oprah Show."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: That was CNN`s Alina Cho for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
ANDERSON: It was an election night moment that would make George Lucas really proud. Everybody still talking about the CNN hologram. Will.I.Am beamed into the studio by a hologram. This was so cool. We are going behind the scenes to see how the magic happened, next on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. You do not want to miss that.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: All right. We must get to the election night story everyone is talking about. I am, of course, referring to the CNN hologram. This is so incredibly cool. Of course, on election night, singer Will.I.Am, right there as you see, beamed into the "CNN Election Center" from Chicago via hologram. Not since Princess Leia`s plea to Obi Wan Kenobi have we seen such incredible technology.
Well, last night on "AC 360," Anderson Cooper and the lovely Erica Hill talked about CNN`s latest and greatest toy.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON COOPER, HOST, "ANDERSON COOPER, 360": Help me, Will.I.Am. You`re my only hope. That`s Will.I.Am being interviewed via hologram. He was in Chicago. I was in New York talking to the 3D image of him. We used the hologram for the first time last night.
Technology was not easy - 44 cameras, 20 computers involved, a team of smart folks made it possible. I frankly don`t understand a word of how it was done. Inside a tent, there you see, Will.I.Am stood in front of a green screen while the camera zoomed in and the computer chips relayed information back here. I don`t know how that works. Here`s actually one of the cameras, this tiny little things.
ERICA HILL CO-HOST, "ANDERSON COOPER 360": Set up all around it, huh?
COOPER: We actually even have a view finder - I don`t know. Some sort of a computerized - what am I going to call it?
HILL: Those are fancy cameras you got there. I`m not saying that it wasn`t saying that it wasn`t cool last night. I`m just saying that it`s not the only technology we have up our sleeve. In fact, I can do this.
(IMAGE OF ERICA HILL DISAPPEARS)
COOPER: Wow.
HILL: That`s right. I have disappeared. Perhaps it`s your dream come true - I don`t know.
COOPER: You are like Frodo Baggins. He disappeared.
HILLS: Kind of. Not really. I wear shoes.
COOPER: You don`t have big, furry feet.
HILL: I`d like to think (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
COOPER: Can you come back?
HILL: I can.
(ERICA HILL`S IMAGE REAPPEARS)
COOPER: Yay! All right.
HILL: Thank you. Thank you.
COOPER: That`s cool. All right.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: A few people around here I`d love to try that with. Can`t wait to see what CNN comes up with the next election maybe - I don`t know in 2012. We`ll have R2D2 giving the returns alongside Wolf. That would be good.
ANDERSON: Maybe so.
On Wednesday, we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. It was this - "Obama Elected: Did celebrity influence the election." Twenty-nine percent of you say yes. A whopping 71 percent of you say no.
Here are some of the E-mails we got. Kim from California writes, "Obama didn`t need `stars` to be elected. His aura emits a greatness all on its own."
Ed from Pennsylvania writes, "No, celebrities didn`t influence the election. They had nothing to do with it."
HAMMER: It`s not working. I`ve been trying it. No. That`s SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Thanks for watching.
And remember, you can always catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on the 11:00s, 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific, and in the morning, 11:00 a.m. Eastern. The latest from "CNN HEADLINE NEWS" is next.
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