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Showbiz Tonight
Controlling Britney Spears; Too Much Oprah?; Sarah Palin Still in Demand; Richard Simmons Exclusive Exercise Advice for the Obamas
Aired November 25, 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, controlling Britney Spears. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the dramatic, brand-new look inside Britney Spears` very different life.
Tonight, are guards watching Britney around the clock? Are chaperones coming along her dates? Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the brand-new "Rolling Stone" Britney Spears interview making headlines around the world.
All Oprah, all the time. Tonight, the revealing inside story of Oprah Winfrey`s remarkable plan to start her own TV network. Will she take her daytime show off the air? And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT dares to ask, is there such a thing as too much Oprah?
Also, building Barack`s biceps. Tonight, Richard Simmons comes to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with exclusive exercise advice for Obama. .
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RICHARD SIMMONS, FITNESS GURU: President-elect Obama, don`t forget, I know you`re busy, cabinet members, ambassador of fitness, I come with my own wardrobe.
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.
BROOKE ANDERSON, CO-HOST: Hi there, everybody. I`m Brooke Anderson coming to you from Hollywood. And tonight, a brand-new incredible look inside Britney Spears` life.
HAMMER: That`s right, Brooke. Tonight, controlling Britney Spears. That probably best sums up the incredible look behind the Britney iron curtain that was just revealed today by "Rolling Stone" magazine. A "Rolling Stone" reporter has gotten an intimate, sometimes disturbing view of Britney even though she`s about to launch the comeback heard around the world. I`m going one-on-one with that reporter in just a moment right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT because what she found out - it is making big news right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice over): If the image you still have of Britney Spears consists of shaved heads, ill-advised two-pieces or highly questionable taste in men, get a load of her now. Britney Spears looking better than she has in ages in this photo shoot for "Rolling Stone" magazine.
JO PIAZZA, "NEW YORK DAILY NEWS": We have not seen this Britney in a long time. I think she`s even hotter than she was in the "Hit Me, Baby, One More Time" video.
HAMMER: In the new issue of "Rolling Stone," we get a glimpse into the life of the calmer, new and improved Britney. And one thing is clear, her days of freaking out on the paparazzi -
BRITNEY SPEARS, POP STAR: You stupid (EXPLETIVE DELETED), move!
HAMMER: Unsafe driving and constant partying appear gone for good. In "Rolling Stone," Britney suggests her formerly topsy-turvy life has become a bit boring, saying, quote, "I feel like an old person now. I got toe bed at, like, 9:30 every night, and I don`t go out or anything, you know what I mean? I just feel like an old fart."
PIAZZA: Seems like Britney Spears has actually gotten her life back together.
HAMMER: Jo Piazza of the "New York Daily News" tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that the Britney Spears we see in "Rolling Stone" is on a tight leash that`s held by her father, Jamie Spears, who`s been in control of Britney`s court- ordered conservatorship since last February.
PIAZZA: Everything Britney does is very tightly controlled. She can`t drive. She has security guards with her 24/7. They don`t even trust her to date by herself. In "Rolling Stone," we discover that she`s actually been out on group dates with her staff with her. That`s going to help her pick a good guy.
HAMMER: The results of the new, tightly controlled Britney? A career that`s getting hotter by the day.
She recently scored a number one hit with "Womanizer," the first single off her new album, "Circus" which drops on December 2nd, Britney`s 27th birthday. She appeared on a hit TV show, "How I Met Your Mother."
SPEARS: It`s Britney, (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
HAMMER: She even just sang a duet with Madonna at an L.A. concert. And Britney is now seeing more of her little boys with ex-husband Kevin Federline who has custody. It`s clear that Britney is better off than she was last year.
But the "Rolling Stone" piece, as well as her upcoming MTV documentary, has SHOWBIZ TONIGHT asking, what price is Britney paying for her new and improved life?
PIAZZA: She does not seem happy. She said in the documentary that she`s still very sad. She`s very angry. And I think that comes from not having control over her life.
COOPER LAWRENCE, SYNDICATED RADIO HOST AND PSYCHOLOGY EXPERT: How do you grow up if every aspect of your life is controlled they way it would be controlled as if you were a child.
HAMMER: Syndicated radio host and psychology expert Cooper Lawrence tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that she`s concerned this 20-something mother of two is being treated like a child herself with no end in sight.
LAWRENCE: You can`t just be controlled by your dad. You`ve also got to be in therapy. She has to also be moving towards becoming an adult rather than just having her life controlled.
HAMMER: Still, it`s hard to argue how far Britney Spears has come and that she`s gone from being totally out of control to being under control. The question now is whether Britney herself will ever be in control.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
The remarkable interview with Britney Spears was done by Jenny Eliscu who`s a contributor editor from "Rolling Stone." Jenny joins me right now in New York. I really appreciate you being here.
Quite an eye-opener, this article. And I know you have interviewed Britney Spears many times in the past. I remember when you were hanging out with her in her hotel room while she was watching "American Idol." But this time, a much different Britney. And I want to read a bit of what you wrote about her this time, quote, "She is shyer, more guarded, remote - like old Britney but with the volume turned way down."
Can you explain exactly what you meant by that?
JENNY ELISCU, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, "ROLLING STONE": Essentially, she was less effervescent. And you know, my previous experiences with Britney have been - she`s been very accessible and she`s very likable and down to earth and very easy to talk to because she strives to be accommodating and to answer the questions in the best way she can.
Unfortunately, in this situation we were both hemmed in by the fact that there were all these restrictions placed on us, which I talked about in the story. And so it wasn`t - you know, the experience overall was so different from what I`m used to with her.
HAMMER: Yes. You talked about how you actually had to get approval of the questions you were going to be asking. You were told you could only ask questions about the album or about her boys. And you know, it seems everything she`s doing right now is controlled. Why do you think this is happening and did you find it disturbing?
ELISCU: I did find it somewhat disturbing, yes. You know, in my personal opinion, it was somewhat disturbing, yes. From a reporting standpoint, it`s hard to say exactly why they are exercising so much control. I think some credible, you know, theorists would say that they think it`s for her best, that they`re protecting her from impulses that clearly were not good for her last year around the same time.
And you know, another school of thought would be that, you know, a lot of people stand to gain a lot if this album, "Circus" is a success and nobody wants to risk it not being a success.
HAMMER: And I know her manager, Larry Rudolph, who is a big part of watching every move she makes right now, was right there in the room while you were asking these questions. And you write about the fact that you asked what I think is a pretty natural question to ask about her dad, Jamie Spears. And Larry said, "Whoa, that is way off limits."
So what sense, through talking with Britney, did you get about her current relationship with her dad, Jamie, who of course - they were once estranged, and now he`s her conservator?
ELISCU: Well, you know, I didn`t get any sense directly from Britney about working with her dad because that`s a topic that was not allowed. So you know, again, it was exceedingly difficult to get a sense from her of what she really feels about what her life is like now.
And is she really happier now versus before? A lot of people will say, "She`s doing great. She looks so great. I`m sure she`s doing so much better." Sure, we`ve all heard people say this about Britney, just seeing the stories that are out there.
And the question is, is she really doing better? Unfortunately, you know, I couldn`t ask her, "Are you happier now than you were when everyone thought you were miserable or not?"
HAMMER: And that`s what people would like to know because they want to hear it from Britney`s mouth herself. Man, that must have been frustrating ...
ELISCU: Very frustrating.
HAMMER: ... just doing what we do. Now, you did get a little insight into some things going on in her personal life.
ELISCU: Yes.
HAMMER: You got to ask a few questions and a little insight into the fact that she has now begun dating. I found this fascinating, this one particular quote in the article, quote - this is about one of Britney`s date. She said, "Right when we got there, we just knew it was bad. He looked like an older version Harry Potter, but skinnier."
Now, Britney used the word "we" because she was there with an associate of Larry Rudolph`s and her assistant was there. And I`m sitting here thinking, OK, first of all she went on a blind date. Second of all, she has all these chaperones. It just seemed weird.
ELISCU: Yes, it seemed weird. And again, that was something that I was surprised because she brought it up. You know, I was - that would have been a topic that was considered off limits. But she brought it up.
And I think, you know, maybe in her own way, she was trying to give me and us and the reader a little bit of insight into what her day-to-day life is like. Because, you know, knowing Britney in my previous experiences with her, she`s not the kind of girl who brings an entourage on a date, you know. She`s not diva-ish at all. She`s very, like I said, down to earth. And I can`t imagine she would have done something like that prior to being under this conservatorship and having this, you know, control exercised over her.
HAMMER: I can`t even understand Britney going on a blind date. Did she give you any insight into what that was all about?
ELISCU: No, she really wouldn`t really say more than she said, but it is -
HAMMER: I mean, think about that for a moment, "Britney Spears, here`s your blind date." I wonder if he knew ahead of time.
ELISCU: Yes. I know - where did he come from. There`s the martial arts guy she talks about. I was dying to know more, but you know -
HAMMER: You got a little bit out of her about Kevin Federline.
ELISCU: Yes.
HAMMER: Actually, she opened up with this one particular quote. I thought it was pretty telling, quote, "I didn`t think my husband was going to leave me, otherwise I`d be with my babies 24/7. But since they`re almost like twins, they both take care of each other."
Did you get the impression Britney was sad that the marriage ended or perhaps relieved?
ELISCU: Well, it was strange because I asked her - she said that in response to me asking her how motherhood differs from what she expected. And I didn`t expect her to answer that way, you know. And I think a lot of people would be surprised by that answer in part because we view it as, "Oh, Britney finally got rid of Kevin Federline." And for her to say, "I didn`t expect my husband to leave me," it`s sad. It`s sad to think that that`s how she views it.
HAMMER: Yes, I walk away from this whole thing a little sad. And I have to say, Jenny, despite the fact that you had your hands tied, we do learn a lot, and it`s a great read. Thank you very much being here.
ELISCU: Thank you.
HAMMER: Jenny Eliscu from "Rolling Stone" magazine. And you can pick up the new issue of "Rolling Stone." It`s got Britney right there on the cover. And it will be on newsstands everywhere this Friday.
All right. What do you think? Here`s our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Britney Spears` Comeback: Will she be bigger than ever?" Let us know what`s on your mind at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. You can also E-mail us at showbiztonight@cnn.com.
ANDERSON: Well, A.J., I don`t think Oprah can get much bigger.
HAMMER: That is probably true, Brooke. She is so amazingly successful. But tonight, I can tell you, Oprah is aiming even higher.
ANDERSON: Could it be Oprah all the time? We`ve got the revealing inside story of Oprah`s remarkable plan to start her very own television network. But we are daring to ask, is there such a thing as too much Oprah?
Also, Richard Simmons exclusive exercise advice for Barack Obama.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SIMMONS: President-elect Obama, don`t forget, I know you`re busy, cabinet members, ambassador of fitness. I come with my own wardrobe.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: That`s right. I`m going one-on-one with Richard Simmons. He comes to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with his amazing advice to pump Barack up. It is the interview you will see only right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
HAMMER: Yes. We need a little sparkle from Richard. All right, Brooke. Maybe Richard can get Obama dancing to the "Copacabana," a little Barry Manilow. Coming up next, sentenced to Manilow. The teens forced to listen to Manilow songs over and over as punishment.
HAMMER: And now, the SHOWBIZ news ticker, more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: MTV`s "The Hills" stars Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt elope. Amy Winehouse hospitalized after reacting badly to medication.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson. Did you see this? Shrimp on a treadmill. This little guy was on the "Today" show Tuesday. That`s because ever since the Pacific University of Oregon posted this video, it`s become one of the hottest things on the Web. It`s actually a serious experiment, though, to see how bacterial infections affect a shrimp`s endurance. And all I have to add to that story is, "Pass cocktail sauce."
All right. Did you see this, too? I know there are a ton of Barry Manilow fans out there. You`ve got your "Copacabana," "I Write the Songs," "Can`t Smile Without You."
But let me tell you there are some teens out there who are definitely not smiling tonight. As punishment for playing their music too loud, they were sentenced to listen to music that`s a whole lot softer. Everything from Barney - yes, as in the purple dinosaur, to Barry Manilow. Here`s KUSA`s Chris Vanderveen for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PAUL W. SACCO, MUNICIPAL JUDGE: This is a way, I think, now that I look back, of teaching manners to people.
CHRIS VANDERVEEN, REPORTER, KUSA: Why the teenage members of Revolving Reverence got into trouble recently is pretty obvious.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
We`ll let them tell you how it happened part.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What happened is that -
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was my dad`s birthday and he asked us to play there.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We didn`t keep check of time, we kept playing music.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And the cop station is like two blocks away.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So, yes, that`s that.
SACCO: All right.
VANDERVEEN: Judge Sacco says ...
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, this is very serious.
VANDERVEEN: ... he had no other choice.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is a punishment.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
SACCO: These people should have to listen to some music that they don`t like.
VANDERVEEN: From Barney to Barry.
SACCO: Particularly Barry Manilow, I think that`s - is hard on the kids.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
SACCO: I actually like the Barry Manilow stuff.
VANDERVEEN: Should you violate the noise ordinance in Fort Lupton, you will get one hour, one really, really long hour of this. Those who run the town say it`s really cut down on the number of repeat offenders.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I want to choose my own music in my own house, not listen to my neighbor`s music in my house.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
VANDERVEEN: As for the members of Revolving Reverence -
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK, that ends our class.
VANDERVEEN: Who knows, if they`ll be back.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, all of us are into rock.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
Those kids looked pretty miserable. That was KUSA`s Chris Vanderveen for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. And A.J., I think everybody`s being a little too harsh on Barry Manilow.
HAMMER: Yes.
ANDERSON: What if they made them listen to Paris Hilton`s album?
HAMMER: I`ll take Barry over Paris any day. A little "Weekend in New England," you`re doing just fine.
All right. Maybe Rosie O`Donnell and Barbara Walters can sit down and listen to a little Barry and stop fighting already.
ANDERSON: Sounds like a really good plan, A.J. And you know, our "Showbiz On Call" phone lines have been ringing nonstop about their new war of words. Kimberly likes Rosie speaking out and is looking forward to her variety show Wednesday night -
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
KIMBERLY, CALLER: I think that it`s great that Rosie O`Donnell should do a show because I think she`s just great and she says what`s on her mind. And I think that`s important. Respect her 100 percent. And - go, Rosie.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: I appreciate your call, Kimberly. But John from Alabama wants Rosie to just be quiet.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
JOHN CALLER FROM ALABAMA: I think the Rosie and Barbara issue is just childish. And Rosie O`Donnell should grow up. I mean, she just wants attention. That`s all.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: And John, we appreciate your call. You can call us as "Showbiz On Call." Let us know what you think about this or anything else that`s on your mind. The "Showbiz On Call" phone lines are open 24 hours a day at 1- 888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899. Leave us a voicemail. We want to play your calls right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
And we want to put your call to "Showbiz On Call" online on our homepage, CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
All right, Brooke. Oprah Winfrey, obviously, one of the most powerful and one of the most influential people in Hollywood.
ANDERSON: Very true, A.J. And tonight, she is taking dramatic new steps that could make her even more powerful. We`ve got the remarkable inside story of her plans to start her own TV channel. But we`ve also got to ask, is there such a thing as too much Oprah? That`s coming up.
HAMMER: Well, is there such a thing as to much Sarah Palin? I can tell you, Oprah is one of the 200 people requesting an interview with Palin. But would it be better for Palin if she just laid low? That is coming up.
Also, the great Richard Simmons` exclusive exercise advice for Barack Obama.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SIMMONS: President-elect Obama, don`t forget, I know you`re busy - cabinet members, ambassador of fitness. I come with my own wardrobe.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: You have got to stick around for this. Richard Simmons is going to build up Barack`s biceps. It`s the interview you will see only right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
And hey, be sure to check out the free, ever-changing SHOWBIZ TONIGHT podcast. You can find it on our Web site, CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. Or download it on iTunes. Type "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" in the search box. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is coming back right after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Thanks, Charles. Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson. Well, all of us at CNN are extremely excited for CNN heroes. That`s our jam-packed all-star tribute to everyday people doing extraordinary things.
Big stars Alicia Keys, John Legend, Christina Aguilera were at the event. I spoke with Christina and she really opened up about what inspires her and what roles celebrities should have in making a difference.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON (on camera): Why was it important for you to be a part of this event?
CHRISTINA AGUILERA, POP STAR: How could I say no to honor the everyday sort of heroes that truly make a difference.
ANDERSON: You sang the song "Beautiful" -
AGUILERA (singing "Beautiful"): Every day is so wonderful
(speaking to Brooke Anderson): I just couldn`t think of a better song to sort of honor all the CNN heroes tonight with a song that truly, I think, represents them and all their beauty for doing what they do.
ANDERSON: Who has inspired you over the course of your life, over the course of your career?
AGUILERA: My mom for her courage. You know, my everyday hero is my husband, just because he just is my rock and my soul, not to be too corny. But you know, he is my teammate and my partner.
ANDERSON: I love corny, that`s so sweet to hear.
AGUILERA: Sometimes, it`s just the truth, corny or not.
ANDERSON: That`s right.
AGUILERA (singing "Beautiful"): We are beautiful, no matter what they say -
ANDERSON: What issues are important to you?
AGUILERA: The cause of domestic violence, child abuse, you know, helping out shelters where I can, really lending my voice to speak out.
ANDERSON: Do you feel that celebrities have a sense of responsibility in a way to speak out?
AGUILERA: I think it`s important for me. I can`t speak, you know, for everyone. I made a promise to myself that if I was ever in the position that I was able to help other people and be the voice that was heard be many around the world, that I was going to do my part.
(singing "Beautiful"): Don`t you bring me down today
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: What a voice. And remember, you don`t want to miss "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute." Find out who you voted as CNN`s hero of the year, learn all their amazing stories, dare to be inspired. Anderson Cooper hosts "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute," Thanksgiving night, 9:00 p.m. Eastern only on CNN.
HAMMER: And Brooke, I will be locked in.
All right. Moving on, Oprah Winfrey`s brand-new dramatic new move that could make her ever more powerful.
ANDERSON: That`s right, A.J. We`ve got the details of her remarkable plan to launch her own TV network. But could there end up being too much Oprah?
HAMMER: How much too much Sarah Palin? Oprah, one of 200 people requesting an interview with her. But could it turn into northern overexposure? Should Sarah lay low? That is new right now and next.
ANDERSON: And now Sarah Jessica Parker opens up about whether she thinks there`s going to be a "Sex and the City" sequel. We`ve got those details coming up right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Hang tight.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, all Oprah, all the time. The inside story of Oprah`s plan to start her own network. But what will that mean for her daytime show? Plus, is there such a thing as too much Oprah?
Plus, Sarah Palin`s star power, what will Sarah`s next move be as she fields hundreds of offers from all over the world?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SIMMONS: President-elect Obama, don`t forget, I know you`re busy - cabinet members, ambassador of fitness. I come with my own wardrobe.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: He`s back. Richard Simmons bursts on to the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT set in Hollywood and it will never be the same. Tonight, Richard Simmons` fitness advice for Barack Obama in the high-energy interview you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
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: And I`m Brooke Anderson coming to you tonight from Hollywood.
HAMMER: Well, tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is taking you inside Oprah Winfrey`s remarkable plan to start her own Oprah cable TV network. What will the Oprah Winfrey network mean for her daily show as we know it now? Could it spell disaster for the queen of all media if there`s just too much Oprah, too much of the time?
And from Oprah to Barbara Walters and even foreign countries, it seems everybody is clamoring for Sarah. New right now, brand-new revelations about the star power of Sarah Palin. She is back in Alaska, but wait until you hear about the demand for Sarah the star still. It`s amazing.
Joining me tonight in New York, an amazing panel, Jami Floyd, an "In Session" anchor. Also in New York tonight is Janell Snowden, host of "VH1 News." And Dawn Yanek, who`s the editor-at-large for "Life and Style Weekly."
All right. Gang, let us begin with Oprah`s new network, set to debut later next year. No schedule of shows announced yet but there`s word that Oprah`s show will actually move there when her contract is up in three years.
Jami, let me begin with you. Does Oprah Winfrey need to be careful that there`s enough variety on this cable network so it`s not all Oprah all the time?
JAMI FLOYD, ANCHOR, "IN SESSION": Sure. Listen, if she needs to fill a time slot, I`ll be available. She can give a call.
Look, here`s the thing, this is a media opportunity for Oprah. But it doesn`t need to be Oprah 24/7. And she knows that. This is a woman who has incredible good sense and judgment and actual - you know, I guess I`d call it the Midas touch, when she touches anything having to do with media.
So what I think will happen is she will use this as a platform to launch good ideas, good people, things that she sees as possible media ventures. She`s done it with Dr. Phil, Rachael Ray, Gayle King, on and on. She has these brilliant ideas. This gives her a place to put these people, not the ones who have already launched their own careers.
HAMMER: Sure.
FLOYD: But every time she spots talent, she can place it there. She doesn`t have to be even a part of the show. But she has an eye for what works for the American people and on television. I think it`s going to be terrific.
HAMMER: Well, you point out her good sense and her good judgment. And that has led to her having adoring fans all over the world.
Dawn, what do you think? You know, with so many people just loving everything Oprah, is there such a thing as too much Oprah?
DAWN YANEK, EDITOR-AT-LARGE, "LIFE AND STYLE WEEKLY": You know, I agree. It can`t be all Oprah all the time. What she has to do is build on her brand. So I think what we need to see here are things that are inspirational, things that will get people buzzing, talking at the water cooler. And ideally, even things that cross the gender divide. We don`t want just all women flocking to this network. I really want some shows that are going to attract men. That`s going to boost ratings.
I mean, let`s face it. We`re in a pretty bad economy right now. People are staying home. They need new entertainment. This is a heck of a lot less expensive than going out to a fancy dinner or going on vacation. So they need options.
HAMMER: And maybe our crappy economy really needs the golden Midas touch that Jami refers to. You know, she`s had it with everything she`s done, which is the magazine, the movies, launching talk shows like Dr. Phil and Rachael Ray.
Janell, are you confident that that Midas touch will continue to work with Oprah`s own network?
JANELL SNOWDEN, HOST, "VH1 NEWS": How could it not? I mean, she truly does have the Midas touch like Jami said. I don`t think she`s ever failed at anything, besides maybe some TV movies. But then, they weren`t even failures because they made it to TV. I mean, failure is relative, you know what I mean?
And so, Oprah has such amazing business acumen. I mean, you think of all the successful TV talking head or TV hosts. I mean, very few - none have reached the level of success that Oprah has. And it`s not just because of sheer talent. It`s because she has incredible business judgment. I mean, she is a self-made billionaire.
So I don`t think that she has anything to worry about in the economy. Everything that she does is a calculated risk. I mean, look at Rachael Ray. She won the Emmy for outstanding daytime talk show, I believe it was. Then Dr. Phil, his show is on for six seasons. She definitely knows what she`s doing. And I trust that this is a well-thought out plan.
HAMMER: Yes. I think that`s definitely what everybody is feeling right now. You guys have made some suggestions for what we`re actually hearing is going to be a part of the network. The trades are reporting that we can expect things like inspirational programming, motivational shows, lifestyle shows. And Oprah, as I mentioned, may move her daily show, the one we see for one hour every day, to her cable network when that current contract ends in three years.
Jami, if she does move "The Oprah Winfrey Show" over to the cable network, do you think she could be at risk of losing a big chunk of her audience?
FLOYD: You know, even if - she gets about seven million viewers a day. In daytime, we know that`s huge, that`s huge in daytime, even on network and a syndicated world. Even if she takes half those people, that`s a big number in cable - primetime cable. You`re talking a million or two viewers for some of the top shows. That is just a completely different calculus.
Plus, I think she`ll take her viewers with her. The question is, she needs to expand that base, expand that brand as my colleagues have said. She wants to reach beyond just that daily viewership and maybe bring in some men and bring in younger people and begin thinking about expanding the audience. But she can certainly start with her base of seven million a day.
HAMMER: Yes. And it`s going to be really interesting. All eyes will be watching whether or not that show moves over and I think some of the programmers on those broadcast stations are quaking in their boots a little bit on the chance that may happen.
One big star Oprah and many others are trying to get on their shows is Sarah Palin. And tonight, we have brand-new information about how in demand Sarah Palin remains. And I`ve got to tell you, this is just amazing. Look at some of these examples. She has gotten an astonishing 800 requests for paid appearances around the world. More than 200 requests for interviews, even a request to appear at a 5-year-old`s birthday party. Haven`t heard a thing about any bar mitzvahs, but maybe that, too.
Dawn what do you think? She lost the election. It`s over. Why are people still so obsessed with everything Sarah Palin?
YANEK: Well, simply put, she`s a really interesting figure. She was a political phenomenon. She was a pop culture phenomenon. That was certainly helped along I think by Tina Fey`s portrayal on "SNL." Everybody was talking about it.
And no matter which side of the party line you fall on, you want to hear what she has to say next. So everybody wants her on their show. It`s an instant ratings boost. But let me tell you, not everybody has her best intentions at heart. So she`s got to be careful.
HAMMER: Yes. She definitely does have her detractors. But you know, she`s got an awful lot of people who love her and are even willing to pay to show their love. I want you to take a look at a new commercial which was paid for by Sarah Palin supporters, thanking her for all of her hard work representing regular folks, don`t you know. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you, Gov. Palin.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you, Gov. Palin.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We thank you for fighting for everyday working families.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You`ve given us hope. We just wanted to say -
CROWD: Thank you, Sarah Palin.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What were those ingredients again for the moose chili?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Ah, the old moose chili. I don`t even know what to say about that. I feel like watching that again. Janell, it seems like even if Sarah Palin wanted to fade into obscurity, which we know she does, her supporters definitely do not want to let her go. Why do you suppose that is?
SNOWDEN: I am speechless. I mean, could you play it just one more time for me, just for my own person enjoyment? That was almost like an "SNL" skit or something. You know, I think she`s definitely made her mark. I was just listening to - I think it was an interview that Katie Couric was doing the other day where she made note that, you know, she`s a rock star among the Republican set.
I mean, you know, she drew crowds in massive numbers. And I think she`s just an interesting figure, like Dawn said. I mean I think that we`re all going to be glued to finding out what she does next. She has so many options.
HAMMER: Yes.
SNOWDEN: You know, I wish her the best.
HAMMER: Well, you know, there`s been buzz really before the election was even over that she might want to run in 2012.
Jami, let me ask you this quickly. Do you think that she could actually sustain interest for the next four years, especially if she continues to do all these interviews in magazines?
FLOYD: No. Not if she continues. I think there are a couple of really tough questions that need to be asked. The Republican Party has to ask itself, what is this party about? Is it the party of Sarah Palin or is it the party of, say, Colin Powell and others that are more traditional Republicans?
That`s the big question for their next time around. But Sarah Palin also needs to ask herself some questions.
HAMMER: Sure.
FLOYD: Is she a substantive person who wants to be taken seriously in the political arena, or is she a silly celebrity? Now, listen, I`m happy that we have lots of silly celebrities. They make the world go around. But she has to really question what her purpose is.
HAMMER: Substance -
FLOYD: Does she study up and get ready for the White House? Or does she keep gallivanting around the airwaves?
HAMMER: Got to end it there. Substance over silly and a round of moose chili for all of you. Jami Floyd, Janell Snowden, Dawn Yanek, I thank you.
All right. You have to call us at "Showbiz On Call" to let us know what you think Sarah Palin`s next move should be or you can tell us anything else that you`re thinking about.
ANDERSON: That`s right. The "Showbiz On Call" phone lines are always open. Give us a ring, 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899. Simply leave a voicemail. 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 home page, CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
HAMMER: All right. Brooke, time for the SHOWBIZ Obama watch. Two big stories to talk about tonight. First, you had a very special guest in Hollywood today, one of my favorite people.
ANDERSON: I did, A.J. We love having this guy on. And this time around, he has a message for the president-elect.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SIMMONS: President-elect Obama, don`t forget, I know you`re busy - cabinet members, ambassador of fitness. I come with my own wardrobe.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Straight ahead, the one and only Richard Simmons tells me his advice for President-elect Obama. Buckle your seat belts. You don`t want to miss this.
HAMMER: And Barbara Walters` Obama connection. Tonight, the Obama-related reason why Barbara didn`t show up to work this morning. That is coming up.
ANDERSON: And will there be a "Sex and the City" sequel? Carrie Bradshaw herself, Sarah Jessica Parker, is dishing the juicy details. That`s still to come on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
And now, the SHOWBIZ news ticker, more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now -
(CAPTION READS: First Lady Laura Bush plans memoir; meets with publishers. Paul McCartney says talks to put the Beatles on iTunes have stalled.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Tonight, Richard Simmons` fitness advice for Barack Obama. From Obama`s love of basketball to his 90-minute workouts, there`s no doubt that the president-elect is a fitness fanatic. But can he keep his fitness in check once he`s the president?
Who better to ask than America`s favorite fitness guru Richard Simmons? Richard has a brand-new workout DVD, super-sweating "Party Off the Pounds," hitting stores in December. And when I sat down with Richard, he talked about his fitness advice for the first family. But first, I had to ask about his reaction to Obama`s big win.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SIMMONS: I was very happy. I love this family. I would say this is the first family that I pray for at night. I think our world is right now going through a lot of horrible things. But one thing that the president and the new first lady have taught us is that they both have stress in their life and they exercise.
They do cardio, they do strength training and they do stretching. And both their daughters are active in gymnastics and soccer.
ANDERSON (on camera): And tennis -
SIMMONS: This is a very (popping sounds) - this is a very exciting time because they will be a role model for what we want and that is fit families in America.
ANDERSON: Yes. They`ll set a great example for everyone. And I do want to look at his exercise routine right now. He hits the gym six days a week for 45 minutes to 90 minutes at a time. He loves to play basketball or run on the treadmill for cardio. He rides a bike, even swims. He`s known to sleep for a workout.
SIMMONS: I`m getting tired already.
ANDERSON: I know. What do you think about that? It`s pretty impressive.
SIMMONS: Well, remember, if you notice his whole demeanor, it`s calm and peaceful. And that`s what exercise does. The cardio keeps you - the fat- burning, the stretching and the cardio and the toning keeps the body alert and sound. And that`s what he needs because he has more pressures than anyone can imagine.
And I`ve said this for years, for 35 years, exercise not only relieves stress, but it also gives you some self-worth when you`re doing it.
ANDERSON: Absolutely. And his schedule, though, is going to get more and more busy. We all complain that, "Oh, we don`t have enough time to work out."
SIMMONS: But he`s going to make time. I believe this first family is going to make time to work out.
ANDERSON: What is your advice to them if they fall into the trap, though, of, "I`m too busy, I can`t?"
SIMMONS: They will fall into the trap and they will say, "I am stressed out and I need to find a way to alleviate." A lot of people alleviate their stress by being angry or by being alone or by drinking or eating and all those things. But if you can get up in the morning and thank God for this day, "I`m going to really work out." You know, that`s what I`ve done all my life and it really pays off and it makes you feel that self-worth that only exercise can give you.
ANDERSON: So your advice is keep on doing what you`re doing, Barack Obama and Michelle -
SIMMONS: Keep on doing and keep on doing it. And while we`re on that subject, it`s very important - for the last two years, I`ve been trying to get physical education back in our school systems.
ANDERSON: Yes.
SIMMONS: And you know that Barack has chosen a school for his daughters to go to that has physical education - physical activity. So what I`m begging people to do is - I`m doing another letter-writing campaign to our Senate, to our Congress. I have a bill right now in Congress, called -
ANDERSON: The Fit Kids Bill.
SIMMONS: The Fit Kids Bill, and you can go to RichardSimmons.com, and right there you press the button where it says "P.E. in schools." You send an E-mail to Barack Obama, to Michelle, to all your congressmen and senators.
You have to have the kids move. A kid that moves is a kid that learns. Do you know 60 percent of the United States - our school system has no recess? Can you believe that?
ANDERSON: I know. And let me ask you this, President-elect Obama is busy putting his cabinet together right now and I`m surprised you haven`t been named but you have an announcement -
SIMMONS: Well, I want to be - I`m asking President-elect Obama and First Lady Michelle, I would like to offer my services to be the ambassador of fitness or the ambassador of health. And get everyone, families, all these people exercising, so we can be a fit America.
ANDERSON: Create a new cabinet position.
SIMMONS: That`s it.
ANDERSON: I love it. What would you advise President-elect Obama to do in that position? Let`s say you have been appointed.
SIMMONS: I think we have to look at the country and see how we can teach children, adults and seniors how to take better care of themselves physically and mentally. Because if you take care of yourself physically, mentally it helps, too. So I`m offering my services to him and I hope that he takes advantage on this because this is the first family that I can remember that ever put in a newspaper their fitness regimen. And I congratulate them for that.
ANDERSON: Right. And they are very dedicated. And Richard, did you know that Ellen DeGeneres brought you up, mentioned you on her show today. She was talking to Beyonce about Beyonce`s alter-ego on stage, Sasha Fierce. Listen to what they said -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BEYONCE KNOWLES, POP STAR: Before, I was like, "I don`t understand this Sasha Fierce thing. It`s for fun. It`s fun and it gives me an excuse to blame anything really bad on Sasha Fierce.
ELLEN DEGENERES, HOST, "THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW": I have an alter-ego also. My name is Richard Simmons. And I -
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: What do you think about that? Are you impressed?
SIMMONS: Well, you know, I`ve always been one to be silly, to be crazy, to make people laugh, whether they`re laughing with me or at me. But my point has always been so strong and that is, love yourself, move your body, watch your portions and just do the best you can do with what God gave you, and that`s your body and your mind.
ANDERSON: Richard Simmons, you are an incredible inspiration. Always a pleasure to speak to you.
SIMMONS: President-elect Obama, don`t forget, I know you`re busy - cabinet members, ambassador of fitness. I come with my own wardrobe.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Oh, he is so much fun, such a pleasure to speak with. And you can catch Richard in his shorts and tank top in New York at Macy`s Herald Square, Friday morning, pumping up the shopping crowd. And his new workout DVD, "Super Sweat and Party Off the Pounds" hits stores in December.
HAMMER: The man is a walking party and everyone is invited.
All right. Tonight, Barbara Walters-Barack Obama connection. Barbara Walters was not on "The View" today. And Whoopi Goldberg explained why in an announcement that really got the audience excited. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WHOOPI GOLDBERG, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": You will notice there are just four of us here today. There is a reason for that. Barbara, as you can tell, is not here.
Do you know why? No you don`t. Because she is now in Chicago and you know she is - she has probably interviewed every president since Lincoln, OK?
JOY BEHAR, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": Right. Even the ones -
ELISABETH HASSELBECK, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": She said so herself. She said that.
(CROSS TALK)
GOLDBERG: She has interviewed every president that she - that most of us can remember. Well, she is now in Chicago to interview President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle. And they`re going to talk about everything. You know, from the economy to Hillary to the dog to the war in Iraq to the kids and everything.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: You can se Barbara Walters` interview with the Barack and Michelle Obama Wednesday night on ABC.
ANDERSON: There is a big question that is on the minds of every fan of Carrie Bradshaw and company - will there be a sequel to the "Sex and the City" movie? Sarah Jessica Parker herself is speaking out about that. And it`s coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. And it looks like there could be a sequel to the "Sex and the City" movie. And Sarah Jessica Parker herself is dishing the details.
Parker tells MTV`s movie blog that she and writer-director Michael Patrick King have found a story they agree on. She says the movie would have to start shooting next summer to be out in 2010. But Parker also says she constantly questions whether a sequel is right. And they really need to figure that out in the next couple months.
ANDERSON: Beyonce opening up about married life. She and Jay-Z good night married in a very private ceremony earlier this year. On Ellen, Beyonce said, marriage feels really good. And Ellen asked the next logical question?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DEGENERES: You know, are you all going to - do you think you are going to have lots of babies? Or just one?
KNOWLES: Well, one day maybe. One day. I have my nephew and I was there in the delivery room. And it kind of traumatized me.
DEGENERES: I was going to say - that`s enough. You shouldn`t be there to see that.
KNOWLES: I told my sister that. I said, "Please, I`m telling you, don`t have me in the room.
DEGENERES: Yes.
KNOWLES: She`s like, "You have to. I`m your sister. Stop being so silly." Well, I was right. I`m traumatized.
DEGENERES: Yes, now you`re not going to have a baby.
KNOWLES: But I will. I will have one. A couple maybe.
DEGENERES: You all would have some pretty and talented babies. That would be good.
KNOWLES: Thank you.
DEGENERES: I encourage that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: And Beyonce says there is one part of traditional domestic life that isn`t going so smoothly. She says she cooked a few times and Jay-Z asked her to stop.
HAMMER: Was she wearing earrings there? I didn`t notice.
All right. Monday, we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Rosie O`Donnell Slams "The View" Again: Is it time for her to let it go?" This was totally lopsided. Look at that. Look at that lopsided result with 93 percent of you saying yes, seven percent said no.
A lot of E-mail came in, too. I want to read a few. Joyce from New Jersey writing, "Rosie needs to get a life. It is over, done, fini, and guess what, no one cares any more."
We also heard from Steve in Utah. Steve writes, "I think Rosie has moved on. It is the media that keeps bringing it up. They are the ones who won`t let it die."
Well, that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. We thank you for watching. 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 coming up next. Take care.
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