Return to Transcripts main page
Showbiz Tonight
The Sarah Palin Show; The Huxtable Effect; The Obama Kids and Miley Cyrus; Jennifer Aniston on Her Men
Aired November 11, 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, it`s "The Sarah Palin Show." Tonight, Palin`s remarkable TV counterattack. It`s Sarah, Sarah everywhere, even cooking on the "Today" show.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KIM SERAFIN, SENIOR EDITOR, "IN TOUCH WEEKLY": I think what we`re seeing now really is the Sarah Palin going rogue.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: So what`s the real story behind those expensive clothes? And will Palin get her own talk show? Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with Sarah`s all-out TV war.
The remarkable connection between the Obamas and "The Cosby Show." Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT reveals the amazing link between the future first family and the former first family of sitcoms. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the "The Huxtable Effect."
HAMMER: Plus, the connection between the Obama kids and Miley Cyrus. Are they really going to be guest starring on "Hannah Montana?"
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: 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, for the very first time, Jennifer Aniston is speaking out about how she really felt when she split up with Brad Pitt and he wound up in the arms of Angelina Jolie. It`s Jennifer Aniston unplugged, coming up.
HAMMER: But first, Sarah unplugged. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT brings you "The Sarah Palin Show." It`s Sarah, Sarah everywhere. She`s speaking out in a nonstop media blitz about her wild ride as John McCain`s running mate. And I can tell you that Palin is not holding back one bit, which is why "The Sarah Palin Show" is making big news right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TINA FEY, ACTRESS (as Sarah Palin): OK. Listen up, everybody. I`m going rogue right now, so keep your voices down.
HAMMER (voice over): If you thought Tina Fey`s Sarah Palin went rogue on "Saturday Night Live," get a load of the real Palin.
GOV. SARAH PALIN (R-AK), FORMER VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Those guys are jerks.
HAMMER: A week after the election, Sarah Palin now has the spotlight and the microphone to herself and she`s not holding back.
PALIN: There was such a desire for change across the nation.
HAMMER: Going off on the Bush administration while speaking to the "Anchorage Daily News."
PALIN: The Americans were kind of shaking their heads and going, "Wait a minute. How did we run up a $10 trillion debt in a Republican administration?"
HAMMER: Responding to all those nasty rumors about her with CNN`s Gary Tuchman.
PALIN: They were talking about my shoes and belts and skirts, and this is ridiculous.
HAMMER: And going on FOX NEWS with some choice words for her feminist critics.
PALIN: I would like to see more of these feminist women open their minds.
HAMMER: Is Palin saving her reputation, laying the groundwork for her own presidential run in 2012, auditioning to be the next Rachael Ray? Either way, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you the election may be over, but online and on TV, "The Sarah Palin Show" is now featuring more episodes than a TV soap opera.
SERAFIN: It`s funny because when she was on the campaign, a lot of people were saying, "Why isn`t she talking to the press?" She wasn`t doing a whole lot of interviews. But now, she is just unleashed. She is everywhere.
HAMMER: The "Today" show`s Matt Lauer spoke with Palin at her governor`s office in Anchorage, Alaska.
MATT LAUER, CO-HOST, "THE TODAY SHOW": Can I bring up the wardrobe, Governor?
HAMMER: The big topic? That $150,000 clothing bill some McCain campaign staffers say she rang up during the campaign.
PALIN: They say that it was $150,000 worth of clothes. I haven`t seen $150,000 worth of clothes.
HAMMER: And what about the reports of tension with the former presidential candidate?
PALIN: Sen. McCain and I - we have a great relationship.
HAMMER: In another interview with "The Anchorage Daily News," Palin reveals what she really thinks about Tina Fey who spoofed her so mercilessly on "Saturday Night Live."
FEY: Are we not doing the talent portion?
PALIN: I really liked her. Her in-laws came to one of our rallies. I met them backstage. They`re pretty hard-core Republicans - the in-laws. And she told me that. She was like, "Believe it or not, I`m from a family of Republicans."
HAMMER: Of course, the Sarah Palin media tour isn`t without its quirky touches.
PALIN: There`s no way it could have been $150,000 worth of clothes.
HAMMER: During her interview with FOX NEWS` Greta Van Susteren, it was hard not to think about the 300-pound bear in the room, literally. There was a big stuffed dead bear in the room sitting right behind Greta.
SERAFIN: Everything that we hear and everything that happens to Sarah Palin just adds to the fascination. During the interviews, bears show up.
HAMMER: You can`t help but notice how many of those interviews took place in her kitchen. Could she be gunning for a cooking show someday? Perhaps, "Cooking With Sarah."
SERAFIN: People have been talking about kind of putting her out there in a syndicated talk show, putting her out there hosting a show on maybe a cable news network.
HAMMER: "In Touch Weekly`s" Kim Serafin tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that Palin definitely has her eyes on the future, whether it involves Hollywood or Washington.
SERAFIN: You cannot deny that some sort of political future is out there for her. And she is definitely thinking about that, along with the book deals and the TV shows.
HAMMER: So even though Barack Obama won the presidency, Sarah Palin has a consolation prize - a household name. And like Tina Fey`s Palin warned us on "Saturday Night Live" -
FEY: I`m not going anywhere.
HAMMER: Neither is this Palin.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
And you can get ready for even more episodes of "The Sarah Palin Show." She is scheduled to be interviewed Wednesday by CNN`s Wolf Blitzer in "The Situation Room." And she will also appear on CNN`s "LARRY KING LIVE."
So is Palin on the prowl to clear her name? Joining me tonight in Washington, D.C. is Amy Holmes who is a CNN political analyst. Also in New York is Jami Floyd who is an anchor for "In Session."
So Sarah Palin was really kept on a short leash during the campaign. That was no secret. She only did a few interviews. It was very controlled. But now it seems she`s everywhere and there are more interviews to come. So Amy, report card. How is she doing?
AMY HOLMES, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: So far, so good. Look, Sarah Palin has a right to control her public image. She said she was really frustrated by the McCain strategy of keeping her under wraps. And I think that they wrong to do that. Let her talk to local press. You know, get her feet under her to be able to that.
And let`s face, Sarah has been the biggest thing for TV political news since, well, Barack Obama. We just can`t stop talking about her. She`s the defeated vice presidential nominee and we`re still talking about her.
HAMMER: Yes. Jami, she really is making progress, isn`t she, in showing us who she really is?
JAMI FLOYD, ANCHOR, "IN SESSION": No, she`s showing who she really is. Whether she`s making progress is another question.
HAMMER: For better or worse.
FLOYD: It`s Palin unleashed, and I think it is great for the media, but it is not so good for Gov. Palin. I think that what needs to do is take a step back from that media spotlight.
It`s hard to do. A little taste of celebrity is hard to let go of. But take a step back and think it through for the long term. Start to get your strategy together, if you`re serious about being a serious contender. If you just want to be a celebrity for celebrity sake, then that`s fine, get out there. But I have two words of warning - overexposure.
HAMMER: Yes. Sometimes, less is more as some of my favorite celebrity publicists will tell you. I have to say, though, and this is going back to the point Amy was making a moment ago, she does look relieved that she`s finally getting to speak her mind, right? She is getting to do it in as many places as she wants, even if that`s not a great idea by our standards - on the "Today" show with Matt Lauer, among others. And on the "Today" show, Matt asked Palin if she did want to speak out more while she was campaigning. Let`s watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PALIN: You have to be able to do that. I mean, you can`t just assume that the voters are going to be able to just guess what is going on and just be able to guess and assume what a candidate`s positions are or what their plans are. You have to be able to speak with them. And you do that through the media.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: So, Amy, back to a point you were making a moment ago - I mean, obviously you listen to that, she was frustrated by being kept on such a short leash, wasn`t she?
HOLMES: She was. And let`s also remember, for Sarah Palin, she`s being hit with so much smear right now. I mean, is she supposed to sit there silently while she hears things being said about herself that just aren`t true. She has an opportunity and -
FLOYD: Yes.
HOLMES: No, no, I wouldn`t sit for it, if people were saying things that were untrue and nasty about me. She has an opportunity and a responsibility to correct the record, reintroduce herself to the American people. And I agree, like, when the partisan - the heat of the partisan light has finally subsided, she can go and do some of the softer, gentler, "I`m Sarah Palin. I`m, you know, the moose hunting hockey mom," reintroduce herself to the American people.
But let me tell you, this is a position that a lot of politicians would like to be in. We`re not talking about any other vice presidential nominee. We`re talking about Sarah Palin.
HAMMER: Yes. But Amy, she is showing that hockey mom side of her right now. And I`d like to say this next part, with all due respect to Rachel Ray and Martha Stewart, what`s with all the cooking on TV? She did it on the "Today" show. She did it with Greta. There was an Alaskan newspaper videotaping her in the kitchen while they interviewed her for their Web site.
Jami, what do you think is cooking here?
FLOYD: I like a lot of cooking. That`s the one thing we all share in common whatever party. Everybody loves to cook and everybody loves to eat.
HOLMES: I don`t.
FLOYD: I love to cook. But here`s the thing. I think what she wants to do is show, as Amy suggests, the real Sarah Palin - "This is who I am. I`m a real woman. I`m a real mom. I`m a real person." But I, again, think it showed a rather endearing naivete about how the process works.
You`re not auditioning for a cooking show. You`re a contender for a possible seat in the Oval Office should something happen to the top of the ticket. And those are two very, very different things. And she`s seems to fundamentally -
(CROSS TALK)
HOLMES: Oh, this (UNINTELLIGIBLE) dance with Ellen. Give me a break.
FLOYD: She seems to fundamentally misunderstand the process.
HOLMES: No.
FLOYD: You don`t get out there to defend yourself. You get your surrogates to do it for you.
HAMMER: Jami, I`ve got to cut in and end it there. Maybe she is auditioning for a cooking show. I think a nice soup of (UNINTELLIGIBLE) would work though. Amy Holmes, Jami Floyd, thank you both.
All right. Let`s turn it over to you for our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. We`re asking - "Sarah Palin: Should she get her own TV show?" You can vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight, or E-mail, showbiztonight@cnn.com.
ANDERSON: A.J., maybe if Palin does get her own show, she can have Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie as her first guests.
HAMMER: That would be a serious talk show smackdown, Brooke. I know that because tonight, Aniston is speaking out for the first time about Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie and what Angelina did that was so un-cool. I`m talking explosive stuff. Jennifer going after Angelina, coming up.
ANDERSON: And a surprising connection between Barack Obama`s daughters and Miley Cyrus. Will Malia and Sasha actually guest star on "Hannah Montana?" That`s next.
HAMMER: And more fireworks on "The View." It never ends. Joy Behar and Elisabeth Hasselbeck going at it over the war in Iraq and Veterans Day. You definitely don`t want to miss this and it is coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Tonight, will the future first daughters, Sasha and Malia Obama, be guest starring on Miley Cyrus` hit Disney TV show, "Hannah Montana?"
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Tonight, Barack Obama`s daughters have the invitation of a lifetime. Miley Cyrus and her father Billy Ray Cyrus tell "Access Hollywood" the first daughters are more than welcome to join them on the set of "Hannah Montana."
With us tonight from Hollywood, Laura Saltman, correspondent for "AccessHollywood.com." Also in Hollywood, Ashlan Gorse, a news correspondent for "E!"
Welcome, Laura and Ashlan. And you know, in an interview with "Access Hollywood`s" Nancy O`Dell, Billy Ray Cyrus talked about the possibility of Sasha and Malia appearing on "Hannah Montana." Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BILL RAY CYRUS, FATHER OF MILEY CYRUS: You know the "Hannah Montana" film comes out in April.
NANCY O`DELL, ANCHOR, "ACCESS HOLLYWOOD": Right.
CYRUS: Maybe something might happen around that time period - maybe not. I don`t know.
O`DELL: Spill the beans, Billy Ray. Come on.
CYRUS: OK. Well, no - I can`t. I can`t. I`ve got to keep a secret.
O`DELL: They should have guest spots on the show, too.
CYRUS: They probably will.
O`DELL: Do you think so?
CYRUS: They probably will. The invitation is there.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: And today, on top of that, Disney confirmed to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that Malia and Sasha are welcome anytime. Laura, will they do it? Should they do it?
LAURA SALTMAN, CORRESPONDENT, "ACCESS HOLLYWOOD": Should they do it? Of course they should do it. Brooke, that`s like in the `80s if they asked you and I to go on tour with Madonna for her "Like a Virgin" tour. We will totally do it.
` Will they do it? I don`t think so. You know, I really don`t see them going on there. Maybe going to the set and visiting and meeting everybody behind the scenes. But I`d be really, really surprised if we saw them in an episode.
ANDERSON: Well, and to that end, it is worth noting that Barack and Michelle Obama have been very careful about shielding their young daughters from the spotlight.
Ashlan, do you think the kids are going to have to cleverly convince their parents that this is a good idea? Because we know that kids can do that.
ASHLAN GORSE, NEWS CORRESPONDENT, "E!": One hundred percent. They`d have to give back the puppy, I think, if they were going to be able to go on "Hannah Montana." I mean, you have to look at, you know, Chelsea Clinton and think of all the things - kind of the mean things people said about her when they would talk about her hair and her weight.
And when, you know, the bush twins were around, once they got into trouble, it`s all everybody could talk about. And these girls are really young. They`re pre-puberty. They`re at this, you know, very specific age where you can get a lot of influences in your life. And I think that Obama and Michelle were great at shielding them and they should keep shielding them, keep them safe.
ANDERSON: They certainly are at an impressionable age. And nobody knows better than Miley Cyrus about having to deal with fame at an early age. You`ve got to listen to the advice she has for the future first daughters, telling "Access Hollywood," quote, "I think, more than anything, it would be to find your own identity. Something that makes you stand out where you can be like, `This is Miley and she does this.` I think that is a cool way to be if you can have your identity away from your parents, away from a friend or brother or sister."
Laura, what do you think? Can you see Miley maybe becoming a mentor to Sasha and Malia? Perhaps Obama should create a special cabinet position for her.
SALTMAN: I think the White House would be surrounded by preteens and teenagers, though. If Miley`s around, forget it. You`d never get to the front door of the White House. Whether she`s a good role model for them - you know, I don`t know. I think she`s still kind of young and we have yet to see what Miley will be.
There`s definite possibility that she could mess up in the future. So I`m not sure if I want Malia and Sasha taking advice from her just yet.
ANDERSON: Well, you know, that "Vanity Fair" photo shoot aside, the Cyruses do seem like really grounded, really stable ...
SALTMAN: Yes, they do.
ANDERSON: ... good, good people. And I want to mention that something else Miley has in common with Sasha and Malia - a famous parent. Billy Ray Cyrus was famous long before Miley, thanks to his "Achy Breaky Heart."
Listen to what Miley told "Access Hollywood," quote, "They are kind of like me before I started my own career. You are kind of put in it because their dad and because of my dad. So I would want it to be normal and they could come hang out on the set with normal girls. I think that would be fun for them."
Ashlan, very quickly, good advice, hang out on the set with Miley to see the show, to see that she does try to remain grounded?
GORSE: It would be totally fun but Miley Cyrus is not normal. She is like a triple threat. Her last movie was $65 million just here in the U.S. So I wouldn`t say she is normal, but she is definitely trying to keep herself grounded.
ANDERSON: Yes, she`s given it a good effort. Laura Saltman and Ashlan Gorse, good to see you. Thanks.
HAMMER: Well, Brooke, I`ve got to tell you, I think the Obama daughters should definitely go on "Hannah Montana" if their parents are cool with it. Why not, right?
ANDERSON: Well, that`s the key phrase there. If their parents are cool with it. And I think it would be a major highlight for those girls.
HAMMER: Well, Brooke, I can tell you we are still being flooded with calls into the "Showbiz On Call" phone lines about whether Sarah Palin should go on "Oprah." Listen to this call. This is from a viewer in Oklahoma.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
ANONYMOUS CALLER FROM OKLAHOMA: I don`t think Oprah needs Sarah Palin at all. I don`t think that we, the United States, need to continue hearing about Sarah Palin. She lost. We need to get on and look at our new president and our new vice president. She needs to go back to Alaska and run her state and quit running her mouth.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Whew! A.J., here`s an anonymous call. This viewer thinks Palin should stay far away from Oprah, too, but for a completely different reason.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
ANONYMOUS CALLER: Sarah Palin should not give Oprah Winfrey the time of day. Oprah didn`t have time for her. Sarah doesn`t have time for her.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: We thank you for your calls. And remember the "Showbiz On Call" phone lines are always open. Let us know what you think about Sarah Palin on "Oprah" or anything else that may be on your mind. The number to call is 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899. That`s where you leave us a voicemail so we can play your calls right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
And your calls to "Showbiz On Call" now on our homepage as well at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
ANDERSON: Hey, A.J., if Jennifer Aniston ever happened to call in to our "Showbiz On Call" phone lines, I hear she`d have a lot to say about Angelina Jolie.
HAMMER: I think you`re probably right, Brooke, because I can`t believe what she`s saying now. You know, for the very first time, Aniston is speaking out about Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie and what Angelina did that was so un-cool. I tell you, Jennifer is not holding back one bit.
We`ll also have this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AMERICA FERRERA, ACTRESS: To be in a country that`s still basking in the glow of this historic election and this amazing year where all sorts of glass ceilings were broken.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: "Ugly Betty`s" America Ferrera has got a great point. She`s talking about Barack Obama appealing to all races and backgrounds. And that`s why there`s all this talk about a connection between the Obamas and one of the most beloved TV families of all time - the Huxtables from "The Cosby Show." Stick around for this amazing story.
HAMMER: And get this, Tina Fey`s relatives, big-time Sarah Palin supporters? Are you kidding me? You`ve got to hear this, coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Thanks, Charles. Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson. Hey, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was right there in Washington Monday night as the stars came out to pay tribute to comedy legend George Carlin. Carlin, who was probably most famous for his "Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television" was posthumously awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American humor. Carlin died of heart failure in June.
HAMMER: And some of the biggest names in political comedy also came out to honor Carlin. And we just had to ask, because Barack Obama is so well- liked by Hollywood, so well-spoken, will it be hard for comedians to make fun of him as president? Are they going to have any material?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JON STEWART, COMEDIAN: Well, as long as the country continues to dissolve like it is, I think there will be plenty of material there. It`s hard to say. I mean, the beautiful thing about comedy is we`re just reactive, so there`s no - the good thing about this business is there`s no long-range planning. We don`t sketch out, like, OK, Barack Obama presidency. Let`s look at a four-year arc comedically. I just want to see what kind of tape we`ve got for Monday.
ANDERSON: So will the late-night shows and "SNL" be able to do Obama comedy? The Obamas - will the joke be on them? You don`t want to miss this Wednesday right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
A.J., no comedy here, Jennifer Aniston is finally revealing what she really thinks of Angelina Jolie.
HAMMER: And this is pretty astonishing. Tonight, for the very first time, Aniston is speaking out about Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. And what Angelina did that was so, in her words, "un-cool." Let me tell you, this isn`t pretty. You have got to hear Jen going off on Angelina, and you will, coming up.
Plus this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FERRERA: To be in the country that`s still basking in the glow of this historic election and this amazing year where all sort of glass ceilings broken.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well said. And Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said it well, too, about Barack Obama. He really has appealed to all races and backgrounds. And that`s why tonight, we can reveal the amazing link between the Obamas and "The Cosby Show" which everybody loved. This is really fascinating, coming up.
HAMMER: And more fireworks on "The View" with Joy and Elisabeth going at it over the Iraq War and Veterans Day. Their explosive words on the way.
(NEWS BREAK)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Jennifer Aniston speaks out about Angelina Jolie. For the first time ever, Jen does not hold back about the break-up of her marriage and how Brad and Angie`s relationship started. Jennifer even uses the words "very un-cool." Plus, she opens up about Brad, Vince Vaughn and John Mayer. Tonight, the explosive Jennifer Aniston interview you have got to see for yourself.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: For this country to now elect an African-American, it`s very exciting and it shows that this country is just an extraordinary place.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
Extraordinary, for sure. And now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is investigating the Obamas` connection to "The Cosby Show," an amazing link between the Obamas and the Huxtables. And even Bill Cosby himself is speaking out about it.
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, Hollywood`s biggest stars are riding the wave of Obama mania as SHOWBIZ TONIGHT uncovers a brand-new Barack Obama Hollywood connection. New right now, the amazing connection between the Obamas and the groundbreaking 1980s hit sitcom "The Cosby Show." So did the Huxtables actually pave the way for the Obamas to be in the White House? You know, even Bill Cosby himself is weighing in on what`s being called "The Huxtable Effect."
Also new tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, one-on-one with the most glamorous women in the world, from Fergie to Natalie Portman, America Ferrera to Kate Bosworth, all gushing to us about the newest glamour couple, Barack and Michelle Obama.
With me tonight from Washington, D.C. is Amy Holmes. She`s a political analyst for CNN. And in New York with me tonight is Jami Floyd, an anchor for "In Session."
We`ve to begin with this Huxtable effect, guys. This is fascinating to me. It`s now been 25 years, just about, since "The Cosby Show" first went on the air. And now, Bill Cosby himself saying his show may, in fact, have had an influence on Obama making history. I want to read you some of what he told the "L.A. Times," quote, "I can`t negate the theory that the Huxtables on `The Cosby Show` may have helped pave the way for the Obama family. For all those people who said they didn`t know any black folks like the Huxtables, I wonder if they will watch the show now."
Amy Holmes, over to you first, do you see the connection?
HOLMES: Well, A.J., I can tell you that "The Cosby Show" was must-see TV in the Holmes family. We got together Thursday nights at 8:00 - I think it was - and got together and watched it. And I respect Bill Cosby so much for presenting such a positive role model for African-Americans and for all of America.
But as far as a "New York Times" piece trying to make this connection, I thought that was unworthy of even junior social science paper. It was a shallow analysis. And I think America was ready for a black president back in 1996 with Colin Powell. What they weren`t ready for a black liberal.
And the two things that really paved the way for Barack Obama was, you know, plain old politics, welfare reform and the decline of the crack epidemic in the urban community that was driving urban crime. That took those issues off the table and allowed Barack Obama to run for all of America.
HAMMER: OK. So you`re saying, you know, maybe the Huxtables not so much responsible for the fact the Obamas are in the office. I can definitely see that. But you really can`t ignore the fact - a few things, among which so many young voters in this election came of age in the `80s when "The Cosby Show" was on the air. We were watching it.
Jami, you were probably watching it. Do you think that it all plays into this Huxtable effect?
FLOYD: I absolutely do. I`m appalled that how many years of - I can`t believe it. And I certainly was watching and it was must-see TV. And you know, I don`t know if it`s worthy of the old gray lady, the "New York Times."
But I wouldn`t make light of it either. I think Barack Obama and his family stand on the shoulders of so many great leaders like Martin Luther King, but also leaders in entertainment who shifted the paradigm of what we think of black entertainers to be. And Bill Cosby presented an image of black America that had not been seen before on American television. I remember very well, it was considered revolutionary at the time.
HAMMER: Oh, yes.
FLOYD: People did say there aren`t black families like that. And we black Americans know that of course there were. But the real significance, I think, in terms of the "Times" piece and this conversation we`re having is white Americans for the first time became entirely comfortable with black Americans and the black middle class.
And you`ll remember, there was an explosion in the sale of black cabbage patch dolls that coincided. And I think a comfort level came to be that we hadn`t seen with soap operas that we certainly had been with shows like "The Jeffersons," other presentations of black America. I think we shouldn`t make too much of it. But I certainly think it has an impact.
HOLMES: But there`s a caveat there. If Hollywood wants to take credit for Barack Obama through this television show, they need to take responsibility for all of the negative images in between, from gangsta rap to the Bratz dolls to Britney Spears, to all of this vulgarity that`s being heaped on young people. You can`t have it both ways.
FLOYD: It`s not possible -
HOLMES: If you can`t say you`re responsible for one thing in terms of purveying positive images and Bill Cosby deserves that. But you can`t then say, "We`re Hollywood. We`re behind Barack Obama. But you know, we`re not responsible for all this." The other stuff has been denigrating our public sphere.
FLOYD: A.J., I don`t think you can lump Hollywood together. I mean, I think you give credit to Bill Cosby and to the network that he ultimately persuaded to put that show on the air. He pitched that show in previous years.
And of course, the negative images of black America were there and still are there. And Barack Obama wins despite those. And the problems that we have as a community continue. But that doesn`t mean it`s entirely irrelevant in shaping perception. I think TV`s incredibly powerful.
HAMMER: Now, these are all good points. And let`s at least lighten it up and stay with what is tangible because one of the striking "Cosby Show" parallels - you have to see this between Michelle Obama and Clair Huxtable. We have two very stylish women. We have loving moms, both attorneys, incredible role models.
FLOYD: Beautiful.
HAMMER: You know - beautiful women. Amy, I mean, these are amazing parallels, regardless of what you think of the influence it may have had. It`s interesting.
HOLMES: Well, I think that Bill Cosby was a very powerful, influential man in bringing these images forward and that parallel with Michelle Obama. But I think that we know that the first black president was always going to be someone from a very high achieving family with a high achieving wife. I mean, that`s what it takes to get to the White House. So I`m not necessarily surprised. I`m tickled and I`m happy by those comparisons.
HAMMER: Yes.
HOLMES: But I don`t think I`d put too much into it.
HAMMER: That`s what it takes to get to the White House no matter the color, let`s be clear about that. And also, let`s be thankful that at least Barack Obama does not wear the same colorful sweaters that Bill Cosby wore on the show, which were great in the `80s, by the way.
Let`s move on. Also new right now, Hollywood`s Obama mania. Nowhere was it more obvious than last night in New York City at "Glamour" magazine`s big event, the Woman of the Year awards. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT right there along with Nicole Kidman, Fergie - Debra Messing was there - Kate Bosworth. A lot of young stars, too - America Ferrara, Natalie Portman, all talking about the impact that the election had on them and other young people. Let`s watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NATALIE PORTMAN, ACTRESS: It`s so incredible and it`s exciting for a generation to have a leader that is someone - that`s a role model for us as well as, you know, being just in charge of our - everything that`s important to us and to the world.
FERRERA: To be in the country that`s still basking in the glow of this historic election and this amazing year where all sort of glass ceilings were broken. And I think that my generation has been awoken to a new passion, to be aware, to know what`s going on.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Jami, I mean, it`s hard not to be struck by how passionate these stars are about Obama, isn`t it?
FLOYD: Yes, it is. I was there, actually, A.J. And I have to tell you it was an incredible event, in part because of the nonpartisan spirit of it. Hillary Clinton was honored but so was Condoleezza Rice. And these two beautiful women that you just had on, America and Natalie, were only two of many who mentioned the historic events of the week before.
In fact, the editor-in-chief, Cindy Levy, spoke of it as well in her welcoming remarks. So the spirit in the room was incredible. And again, really not about partisanship, which is what I think we`re about going forward in America. It`s about all of us coming together to make this the best country that it can be.
Getting back to the earlier conversation - black or white, male or female, whatever your political persuasion, we all have to come together and it really came together last night at those awards. It was an incredible celebration.
HAMMER: Yes. And I think the enthusiasm from Hollywood can go a long way to helping bridge the divides that exist now. Amy Holmes, Jami Floyd, thanks for being here, guys. I really appreciate it.
ANDERSON: So call us at "Showbiz On Call" and let us know what you think about Hollywood`s Obama mania or anything else that`s on your mind.
HAMMER: Yes. The "Showbiz On Call" phone lines are always open. I`ll be manning them tonight - well, maybe not. But you can call us at 1-888-SBT- BUZZ. That is 1-888-728-2899. Leave us a voicemail. We know the voicemail will be working. We want to play your calls here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Also keep in mind, your calls to "Showbiz On Call" are now on our homepage, online at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
All right, Brooke, I have a feeling we are going to get a lot of calls about a story that we have coming up.
ANDERSON: I think you`re right, A.J., because finally Jennifer Aniston is speaking out about Angelina Jolie. Jen actually uses words "very un-cool" to describe something very specific that Angelina did. And that`s not all. Jennifer is also opening up about how she feels about Brad Pitt, Vince Vaughn and John Mayer. You definitely don`t want to miss this, coming up.
HAMMER: Also, what the heck happened here? Brad Pitt roughed up. I`m not talking about Jennifer Aniston roughing him up here. This is a really bizarre incident where one of the guys who was actually hired to protect Brad ended up giving him the strong arm. Well, I`m going to fill you in on exactly what happened. And I`ll tell you what Brad is saying about all of it. That is still to come.
ANDERSON: And the fireworks fly on "The View." This time, it was Joy and Elisabeth getting into it over Veterans Day and the war in Iraq. It got very heated and I`ll show you, coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
And we want you to know that you can check out the free, ever-changing SHOWBIZ TONIGHT podcast, and you can find it very easily on our Web site CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. Or just download it on iTunes. Simply type "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" in the search box. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is coming back right after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Beyonce says she was amazed at the amount of money the celebrity magazines offered her for pictures of her wedding to Jay-Z. Beyonce and Jay-Z were married in a private, intimate ceremony in April. She says the crazy money she was offered was absolutely ridiculous, but in the end, it`s so not worth it. Beyonce says if anything, people should put pictures out there because they want to, not for the money.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
Tonight, Jen on her men. Jennifer Aniston dishes big-time in a jaw- dropping interview with "Vogue" magazine on her relationships with Brad Pitt, Vince Vaughn, John Mayer and what she really thinks of Angelina Jolie.
Joining me tonight in Hollywood, Laura Saltman who is a correspondent for "AccessHollywood.com." Also tonight in Hollywood, Carlos Diaz who is a correspondent for "Extra."
Laura, Carlos, as we know, until now, Aniston has never spoken publicly about Brad and Angelina. Last year, Angelina told "Vogue" in detail how her relationship with Brad developed on the set of "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" while Jennifer was still living with Brad.
Now, listen to what Aniston is telling "Vogue," quote, "There was stuff printed there that was definitely from a time when I was unaware that it was happening. I felt those details were a little inappropriate to discuss. That stuff about how she couldn`t wait to get to work every day? That was really un-cool."
Laura, why do you think Aniston has chosen now to speak out?
SALTMAN: I think it`s really twofold, because she actually was given the article, the "Vogue" article that Angelina Jolie did back in January of `07, so she had read it. And the other point is - and I think Carlos knows and you know - when we do these big celebrity interviews, we get maybe 20 minutes with them. There`s not a lot of bonding time.
But these magazine interviews - they`ll go to their homes. They`ll spend hours with them. So there`s a very tight bond that they have with writers. And I think that`s why sometimes they`ll open up a lot more than we could ever get them to.
ANDERSON: Yes, this was a two-parter. The writer spent time at Jennifer`s new home in Los Angeles, also spent time with Jennifer in New York as well - good point. And the guy who interviewed Aniston is "Vogue" writer Jonathan Van Meter (ph).
And listen to what she told him about her divorce from Brad Pitt. She said that she doesn`t remember the difficult parts, saying, quote, "I`ve got to tell you, it`s so vague at this point, it`s so faraway in my mind. I can`t even remember the darkness. I mean, in the end, we really had an amicable split. The marriage didn`t work out. And pretty soon after we separated, we got on the phone and we had a long, long conversation with each other and said a lot of things, and ever since, we`ve been unbelievably warm and respectful of each other."
Carlos, this is fantastic to hear. Are you surprised, though, to hear that Jennifer still has what sounds like a really healthy relationship with Brad?
CARLOS DIAZ, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": Not at all. I mean, it doesn`t make any sense for Brad Pitt to be so loved by so many people and for Jennifer Aniston to be so loved by so many people and for them to be jerks in real life.
I mean, they`re two great people and you know, that`s why we all love them. So it would only make sense they`re two great people together. You know, there`s so much that people want to say in the media about, oh, he said, she said. When it comes down to it, they were married and they spent a great deal of time together. So it makes sense that they would have that conversation and want to remain friends.
ANDERSON: Yes. And Jennifer has definitely kept her dignity throughout the entire ordeal. Now, you guys, I want to talk about John Mayer. For the first time, Aniston is also speaking out about Mayer blabbing to the paparazzi that he had made the decision to break up with Aniston.
In "Vogue" Aniston was surprisingly cool about the whole thing, saying, quote, "He had to put that out there that he broke up with me. And especially because it`s me. It`s not just some girl he`s dating. I get it. We`re human. But I feel seriously protective of him and us. Trust me, you`ll never see that happen again from that man."
She went on to say that they still really love each other. Laura, how forgiving can one woman be between this and Brad Pitt? It is pretty incredible, don`t you think?
SALTMAN: I think it`s amazing that she actually even acknowledged the relationship with John Mayer. You know, they`ve been dodging the paparazzi as much as they can. And just to hear her talk about him was kind of shocking. All around the office, we were talking about that today.
But you know, look, she`s in a relationship. And as we all know, it`s two people in this relationship. And what everybody else sees is only what they see. We don`t really know what`s going on with her. So you know, she`s just going to do what she`s going to do and say what she`s going to say based on her feelings, not what the tabloids say or what the public have to say about her.
ANDERSON: Yes, you`re right about that. And John and Jennifer do seem to genuinely care about each other. And Jennifer also spoke openly about her relationship with Vince Vaughn, saying, quote - I love this - "I call Vince my defibrillator. He literally brought me back to life. My first gasp of air was a big laugh! It was great. I love him. He`s a bull in a china shop. He was lovely and fun and perfect for the time we had time together. And I needed that. And it sort of ran its course."
Carlos, whether it`s Vince, John, Brad, I`m really struck by the fact that Jennifer remains friends with all her exes. She`s really mature about it, isn`t she?
DIAZ: She is really mature about it. You know, the whole Vince Vaughn thing - I mean, when we look back on Vince Vaughn, let`s be honest. He was the rebound guy. People don`t remember, but they didn`t together like at a club or a restaurant. They were shooting a film together called "The Break-Up."
So here, she is getting all this cathartic energy out on the set after her break-up with Brad Pitt and who`s right there? Vince Vaughn. So everyone knew - I mean, he`s a great dude that everybody wants to hang out with. Everyone knew they would hook up and then they would break up.
ANDERSON: And you know, it seems that Jennifer really appreciated her time with him. This revealing interview so out of character for Jen. She`s usually so private and reserved. It`s incredible.
We`ll leave it there. Carlos Diaz, Laura Saltman, thank you both. Good to see you.
And you can read more of this fascinating tell-all interview with Jennifer Aniston in the December issue of "Vogue" magazine on newsstands November 19th.
HAMMER: Tonight, fireworks on "The View" over Veterans Day and the war in Iraq. Joy Behar brought up the cost of the war both in lives lost and financially. And Elisabeth Hasselbeck said today is not the day to talk about those kinds of issues. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOY BEHAR, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": Today is the day.
(CROSS TALK)
Walter Reed hospital is still a mess. Things like that have not been corrected.
ELISABETH HASSELBECK, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": I don`t think we should talk about improvement. I just think -
(CROSS TALK)
BEHAR: But when are we going to talk about this if not on Veteran`s Day?
HASSELBECK: I think we should talk about it every day in our conversation. But today is a day of honor. These are men and women who courageously and silently have been fighting for us to even have our discussions here that we have, that all Americans can talk freely, that we can walk in the streets and proclaim our like or dislike for certain things in this country. This is their day. It`s not our day to gripe about the cost of war in terms of money.
BEHAR: I totally disagree with that.
HASSELBECK: It`s not - this is our day to honor them.
BEHAR: We are honoring them by discussing the difficulties.
WHOOPI GOLDBERG, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": Yes.
SHERRI SHEPHERD, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": Do you know anyone fighting in this war?
GOLDBERG: Yes.
HASSELBECK: Personally, yes, I do.
GOLDBERG: Yes.
HASSELBECK: And they would not want us to be talking about how much money it is costing the country.
(CROSS TALK)
GOLDBERG: Here`s the deal. Today is Veterans Day. And we are celebrating Veterans Day and now, we`re moving on.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: It never ends. They didn`t quite move on right then. But Whoopi did lighten the mood a bit by talking about seeing a picture of a squirrel next to a mini-American flag. She said she liked to see that even the squirrels are honoring veterans.
ANDERSON: OK. It is a bizarre incident involving Brad Pitt. So why did one of the guys hired to protect Brad actually ended up roughing him up? Hear what Brad has to say about that, coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: And welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with some more stories that are new right now.
First, a bizarre incident involving Brad Pitt when one of the guards hired to protect him from the paparazzi actually kind of roughed him up a little.
This happened at the Los Angeles screening of his new movie, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." A pack of paparazzi showed up and one of the photographers says security tried to push them all out of the theater when one of the guards accidentally grabbed Brad by the arm, really hard.
Brad talked about the paparazzi to "People" magazine saying, quote, "Though they were exceptionally more aggressive than usual, breaking through a security barrier and into a private holding area, ultimately it was just another day in the life."
HAMMER: Well, Donald Trump has been letting Jennifer Hudson and some of her relatives stay at the Trump International Hotel and Tower for free. As you know, of course, Hudson suffered a terrible tragedy when her mother, brother and nephew were killed in Chicago. She has been staying at the Trump Hotel since then.
Donald Trump tells "People" magazine, quote, "She is a great girl and we are protecting them well."
Sarah Palin is speaking out about meeting Tina Fey`s in-laws on the campaign trail. In a video interview with KTUU and "The Anchorage Daily News," Gov. Palin says she really likes the woman who did such a great job lampooning her. And as it turns out, Fey`s in-laws were supporters of the McCain-Palin ticket. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PALIN: I really liked her. Her in-laws came to one of our rallies and met us backstage. And they`re pretty hard core Republicans - the in-laws were. She told me that. She was like, "Believe it or not, I am from a family of Republicans."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: And yes, that is moose chili that she`s stirring in the crock pot. Palin said it wasn`t not a prop. The family really does eat it all the time.
HAMMER: Moose chili. All right. On Monday, we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Sarah Palin: Is it time for her to go on Oprah?" Pretty decisive here - 36 percent of you said yes; 64 percent of you said no Oprah.
Here are some of the E-mails we got, one from Daniel who writes, "Why should she go on Oprah? She doesn`t need Oprah any more than Oprah needs her."
We also got one from Carol who writes, "I wish Sarah well but truly believe her time is over, unless she can host a show like Nancy Grace."
Well, Brooke, I have to check with Nancy Grace and see what she feels about that.
ANDERSON: Yes.
HAMMER: And by the way, I don`t think I would ever eat moose chili. I am a vegetarian anyway.
ANDERSON: Oh, then you wouldn`t try it?
HAMMER: Not so much for me. That is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. We thank you for watching even if you are eating the moose chili. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Don`t forget you can always catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on the 11:00s - 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific, and in the morning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern. The latest from "CNN HEADLINE NEWS" is next.
END
