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Showbiz Tonight
Paula Abdul`s War With "Idol"; Jennifer Aniston Bares All; Tom Cruise Back on "Today" Show; Oprah`s Weight Confession
Aired December 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, Paula Abdul`s unbelievable war with "American Idol." Tonight, Paula`s brand-new and remarkable war of words over the obsessed fan found dead near her house. Did "Idol" producers really ignored her warnings about the woman she said was stalking her for 17 years?
Tonight, will Paula be fired? Will she quit? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT dares to ask, is it time for Paula to leave "American Idol?"
Jennifer Aniston literally bares all. Tonight, Aniston`s jaw-dropping nude photo shoot revealed. Plus, her brand-new jab at Angelina Jolie. Ouch. But what`s the deal with Jen now being so open?
Plus, Oprah`s weight confession. The remarkable reaction to Oprah revealing she weighs 200 pounds and she`s giving up on being thin. We have your fired-up phone calls into "Showbiz On Call."
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(MUSIC)
I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
BROOKE ANDERSON, CO-HOST: Hi there, everyone. I`m Brooke Anderson, coming to you from Hollywood with huge news about Tom Cruise. Cruise is going in for another round with Matt Lauer on the "Today" show. The news-breaking today about the next Tom-Matt showdown is coming up.
HAMMER: But first, Paula Abdul`s remarkable war with her own show, "American Idol." There is a brand-new firestorm over Paula`s incredible accusations against the producers of "Idol" over the obsessed Paula fan that was found dead near Paula`s home. This is just truly remarkable. And tonight, everyone is asking if Paula will be fired, maybe she`ll quit or will she sue her own bosses over her pain from the tragedy? I can tell you that the developments are fast-moving tonight and SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is keeping up with everything making news right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SIMON COWELL, JUDGE, "AMERICAN IDOL": Jason, forgettable. David Cook, just above average. Brooke, a nightmare.
BROOKE WHITE, FORMER "AMERICAN IDOL" CONTESTANT: No.
HAMMER (voice over): If you think Simon Cowell is the crankiest judge on "American Idol," get a load of the woman sitting next to him.
PAULA ABDUL, JUDGE, "AMERICAN IDOL": I`ve put up with so much B.S.
HAMMER: Paula Abdul is everywhere this week bashing "American Idol," on Barbara Walters radio show -
ABDUL: I don`t have to dignify it and stoop so low to that of what Simon said.
HAMMER: She even has David Letterman rallying to her side on his show.
DAVID LETTERMAN, HOST, "LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN": Sue these baboons.
HAMMER: As this "TMZ" article makes fun of Paula Abdul`s revolutionary war-style outfit, Abdul herself is definitely on the warpath. It all has SHOWBIZ TONIGHT wondering, is Paula`s rocky time on "American Idol" about to come to an end?
AMY PAFFRATH, "E! NEWS NOW": We`ll just have to wait and see after this coming season if Paula sticks around.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you Abdul is super-steamed at "American Idol" for its handling of the young woman who was found dead in a car in front of Abdul`s home last November. It was an apparent suicide.
ABDUL: She had been writing disturbing letters for 17 - almost 18 years.
HAMMER: On Barbara Walters` Sirius Satellite radio show, Abdul claimed that before her death, the woman had been stalking Paula for almost 18 years.
ABDUL: She said that the only way I will serve her purpose is when I`m up in heaven being her guardian angel.
HAMMER: But Abdul says that didn`t stop "American Idol`s" producers from having the woman audition for the show.
MIKE WALTERS, "TMZ": This young woman actually auditioned on "American Idol." And she went in front of the judges including Paula Abdul.
HAMMER: Abdul now makes a shocking claim that she begged "American Idol`s" producers not to let that woman on, but they didn`t listen.
ABDUL: I explained to them through shaking that I did not feel comfortable. Please do not let her come into the room. This is not a normal fan.
LETTERMAN: I know a little bit about this, and there`s nothing funny about this.
HAMMER: On the "Late Show with David Letterman," who in the 1980s was stalked by a fan who later killed herself, Dave told Paula she has every right to be ticked.
ABDUL: You`re going to get me in trouble.
LETTERMAN: No, no. Not so. They - potentially, they exposed you to great risk. I say sue them. I say bring them down. Not only the producers, but Fox - go after Fox as well.
HAMMER: As if that`s not bad enough, Paula is furious at "American Idol`s" producers, including Simon himself, whom she says tries to make her look ditsy on the show.
ABDUL: He claims to be that this is - what he`s creating is great television. And I said, "What you created is doubt in my character. You`ve created defamation in my character and you`ve lied."
HAMMER: All in all, Abdul doesn`t sound too excited about her future on "American Idol."
WALTERS: This is a show you will continue to be on, obviously, on Fox.
ABDUL: Well, I`m under contract.
HAMMER: For now, at least, Abdul`s current contract apparently ends next year. And after a year of Abdul`s headline-making gaffes and the new female judge "American Idol" is adding next season, Abdul`s own job security was a big question even before her recent public venting.
PAFFRATH: This could be the perfect opportunity for her to exit the show if she is that unhappy.
HAMMER: So when "American Idol" returns to the air next month, it looks like the biggest drama won`t be on the stage but behind the judges` table.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
Well, Fox tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that the network will not be commenting on the Paula Abdul-"American Idol" matter at this time. So what is going to happen next in this drama? Should Paula Abdul sue the producers of "American Idol" as Dave Letterman suggested? Will she get fired? Will she quit?
Joining me in New York tonight, Katrina Szish who`s a celebrity journalist. Also in New York, David Caplan, who`s a staff editor for "People" magazine.
As we just heard, guys, it all started when Paula Abdul claimed to Barbara Walters on her Sirius radio show that "Idol" producers ignored her pleas to not let the woman audition for "Idol." Let`s listen to this again.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
ABDUL: First of all, I said this girl is a stalker of mine, and please, do not let her in. And there were people - everyone knew. I mean, I was shaking. And they thought it would - for entertainment value.
WALTERS: Who is "they?"
ABDUL: Producers.
WALTERS: You mean they put you in peril because it would be fun?
ABDUL: Funny. Fun for them to cause me stress.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Once again, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT reached out to "American Idol" and Fox. They responded with a "no comment." Katrina, off to you first. Do you think that Paula`s job as an "American Idol" judge is in jeopardy at this time because she`s speaking out so much?
KATRINA SZISH, CELEBRITY JOURNALIST: I think at this point, she`s still safe. As we saw from her reaction to David Letterman`s sort of call for a big lawsuit on the show, she really sort of remained quiet. She didn`t say a word, and I thought the fact she was refraining from really letting loose on the producers and on the network showed that she`s trying to handle this as carefully as possible. So right now, I would say no, she`s not in jeopardy.
HAMMER: David Caplan, what do you think? As I mentioned, it looks like Paula does have a contract in place at least through this next season. But could you see her being either fired or quitting over this whole situation?
DAVID CAPLAN, STAFF EDITOR, "PEOPLE": I don`t see her getting fired because I think there`s a lot of sympathy actually towards her right now given that she`s obviously emotionally distraught over this person`s suicide. So it obviously won`t bode well for Fox and the producers of "American Idol" to fire her.
There`s just way too much sympathy and fan support for Paula. They would end up looking bad. As for her quitting, you know, a contract is a very viable thing. She has until next year. I can easily see deciding not to renew her contract next year.
Again, you know, it sort of takes two to tango, so to speak. And perhaps, by next year, they would have come to sort of a resolution where, OK, Simon won`t, you know, pick on her so much during the show. And a lot of the emotions that are going on right now will have calmed down a little bit.
HAMMER: You can hardly imagine Simon Cowell standing down on picking on Paula, if that is, in fact, what is going on. As you also heard, David Letterman has some of that sympathy for Paula, encouraging her to sue Fox and "American Idol" producers for allegedly putting her in harm`s way.
What do you think, Katrina? Should, perhaps, legal action be taken here by Paula, or do you think that would be a pretty bad idea for her?
SZISH: I think, right now, that is definitely a bad idea. Hopefully, this is something that can be handled quietly. If there is any overt kind of publicized legal action taken, it`s going to be a nightmare for everybody involved.
I think Paula realizes that, and I don`t think she`s going to try and handle this matter that way. I don`t think she`s sue-happy, even though this is a very sensitive situation.
HAMMER: I want to go back to the whole deal with the idea that Simon Cowell is making fun of her and trying to make her look ditsy while the show is going on, which is something that Paula also accused Simon of during her interview, trying to make her look bad on the show.
Well, here we come - the eighth season of "American Idol" about to fire up. David, you know, with all of this going on now, between what happened with the Paula fan dying and now, what`s going on with the Simon Cowell accusations, it`s hard to believe that people aren`t going to be able to watch the show without thinking about all of this.
CAPLAN: Definitely. It`s always great water cooler conversation the next day to see how, you know, Simon was treating Paula Abdul. So definitely, it generates interest in the show as well. But you know, perhaps eventually, you know, he`ll just sort of tweak the way, you know, their on- air rapport. It doesn`t mean they still won`t have sort of electricity between the two of them. But that electricity won`t be borne out of sort of negative comments against her.
Because, of course, everyone loves seeing the two of them interact. And without that sort of connection, it`s so much less interesting, the show.
HAMMER: Katrina, very quickly, do you think this publicity is going to help or hurt "Idol?"
SZISH: It`s going to help "Idol" 100 percent, especially in the first show like this. There`s no such thing as bad publicity and we`ve seen that happen in the past.
HAMMER: Yes, we have, over seven-long seasons. Here we go for number eight. Thank you very much, Katrina Szish and David Caplan.
And now, over to you for our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question the day - "Paula Abdul: Is it time for her to leave "American Idol?" Let us know what you think at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. You can also e-mail us at showbiztonight@cnn.com.
Moving on now, Brooke Anderson, Jennifer Aniston is baring all.
HAMMER: You are not kidding, A.J. She`s got a brand-new photo shoot - nude, that is. And she`s also baring her soul, including a new dig at Angelina Jolie. That`s straight ahead.
HAMMER: Also, Oprah Winfrey`s weight confessions. She says she`s up to 200 pounds, and she`s through with trying to be thin. There is major reaction to this one, and we have your fired-up phone calls, coming up.
ANDERSON: And remember Tom Cruise`s interview on the "Today" show where he and Matt Lauer got into it over psychiatry? Well, Tom is getting ready to return to the scene of the crime. That`s right. He`s going back to the "Today" show. So will it be different this time? You don`t want to miss that, coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
HAMMER: And now, the SHOWBIZ news ticker. These are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: Bon Jovi named top touring band of 2008, grossing $210.6 million. Jerry Lewis to receive humanitarian award at the Oscars in February.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRAD PITT, ACTOR: Queenie, it`s a funny thing coming home. You realize what`s changed, and it`s you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Tonight the power of Pitt. The Golden Globe nominations are out and brad Pitt gets one for his role in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button."
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Tonight, the curious case of the golden globe nominations. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie both picked up nods, so did Tom Cruise. And Heath Ledger also got a posthumous nod for "The Dark Knight."
With us tonight is film critic, Leah Rosen from "People" magazine to analyze these nominations. Leah, great to see.
And I want to start, of course, with the golden couple, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.
LEAH ROSEN, FILM CRITIC, "PEOPLE" MAGAZINE: You make it sound like it`s so serious, Brooke.
ANDERSON: But it is. It`s serious business.
ROSEN: Analyze - let`s analyze them.
ANDERSON: Brad Pitt nominated as well as Angelina. Brad for best actor in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" which got a total of five nominations, the most of any film this year. Leah, is this Brad`s year for not just Golden Globe but dare I say it, Oscar?
ROSEN: He now has a one-in-two shot, because, of course, with the Golden Globes, there are 10 total nominations, five in dramatic, five in comedy musical. With the Oscars, there are only five.
But what the Golden Globes function as it is essentially - it`s like you`ve opened the whole refrigerator of movies and it tells us which shelf to look on. So this certainly gives Brad Pitt a good chance at an Oscar nomination. But there is some tough competition this year.
ANDERSON: There certainly is. And of course, his movie, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" also nominated in the biggie category, Best Motion Picture Drama. And I do want to talk about his partner in crime, Angelina Jolie, in "Changeling," a very powerful performance. Now, she has already won three Golden Globes and Oscar. Leah, what are her chances here?
ROSEN: I don`t think this is her year to win unless the Golden Globe folks just decide we love her. We love her. We want to see her make a speech. But the reality is, there is some very strong competition, and she`s not getting any mentions in any of the other kinds of awards.
The New York Film Critics Circle, which voted yesterday - I`m a member. No mention of Jolie. L.A. Film critics - none of the other critic groups are giving her awards.
So I think this maybe honor to be nominated. I would be surprised if her name is called when the awards come out. But hey, the Golden Globes - they are always known for being occasionally wacky.
ANDERSON: Right. You never know. There could be a surprise and you mentioned the stiff competition she`s up against, Meryl Streep and Kate Winslet among others.
All right. This next nomination -
ROSEN: Two nominations - Meryl Streep is both in the dramatic and the comedy category.
ANDERSON: Yes, she does for "Revolutionary Road" and also for "Mama Mia," making her, Leah, the most nominated actor in the history of the nominations of the Golden Globes with 23 nominations. It is a record. It is pretty remarkable.
ROSEN: That would be "Doubt," not "Revolutionary Road." Meryl Streep is "Doubt."
ANDERSON: You`re right. Winslet was "Revolutionary Road" and Streep was "Doubt." Sorry about that.
ROSEN: It`s OK.
ANDERSON: My mistake. I do want to move to this next nomination, because it may seem bizarre, Leah. Tom Cruise, who is about to release a very serious "Valkyrie," gets a nod for his over-the-top comedic performance of a bald, overweight film executive in "Tropic Thunder." What`s this all about?
ROSEN: I think it`s great. He was hilarious in "Tropic Thunder." I think they`re recognizing this. It was exactly what you want in a supporting role. I mean, it was showy. It was funny. You`ve got to say he stretched. You don`t normally think of Tom Cruise as a medallion-wearing, overweight fat guy doing, you know - rapping away. So he showed he can act.
ANDERSON: Yes. He was the scene-stealer. And very quickly - a lot of people predicted this next one. Heath Ledger for his role in "The Dark Knight" as the Joker. He was brilliant. He got nominated for best supporting actor. Leah, is there going to be a sympathy vote here, a sort of tribute to him? Ten seconds -
ROSEN: Yes. I think there will be a lot of sympathy. The question is whether they will be feeling sympathetic enough to actually give him the award. Again, tough competition he`s facing.
ANDERSON: Absolutely. Golden Globes handed out, January 11th. Leah Rosen, always good to see you. Thanks.
ROSEN: Thanks, Brooke.
ANDERSON: And for more, you can pick up a copy of "People" on newsstands Friday.
HAMMER: All right, Brooke. So the "Showbiz On Call" phone lines are keeping busy with people calling in quite a bit about Oprah Winfrey`s weight confession.
ANDERSON: You`re right, A.J. Oprah says she weighs 200 pounds after falling of the weight loss wagon. And a lot admire her candor. We got a call from Betty in Georgia who says Oprah`s honesty is refreshing.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
BETTY, CALLER FROM GEORGIA: I think Oprah is a beautiful woman if she weighs 400 pounds. She`s woman enough to admit her weight problem while everybody else is denying their weight. That`s why I love and admire this woman, because she`s straight up and straight out and pulls no punches. Thank you.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: And thank you for your call, Betty.
HAMMER: Well, we also heard from Adrianne in Ohio. And Adrian says weight doesn`t mean anything.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
ADRIANNE, CALLER FROM OHIO: Oprah is a beautiful, black woman. So what if she`s 10 or 20 pounds overweight? So what? You have to die with something. I`m 51 and I`m overweight. Guess what? I`m both fat and happy and black. Thank you. Oprah, we love you as you are.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thank you, Adrianne, for your call. You, too, can call "Showbiz On Call" to let us know what you think about Oprah`s weight confession, or really anything else that`s on your mind.
ANDERSON: The "Showbiz On Call" phone lines are open 24/7. Give us a ring, 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899. Leave a voicemail. We will play some of your calls right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. And your calls are also now online, CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. Check them out. And we`ve got much more coming up on Oprah`s weight confession.
HAMMER: That`s right, Brooke. The reaction - it is just pouring in. We want to know, was this the right move for Oprah, and why is it that her weight confession has struck such a chord with so many people? That is still to come.
ANDERSON: Plus, Tom Cruise returns to the "Today" show. The last time around ended with Tom calling Matt Lauer glib. Remember that? So what`s in store for Tom this time around? That`s straight ahead.
HAMMER: Also, Jennifer Aniston bares all. She takes off her clothes for a brand-new photo shoot and takes off the gloves with a brand-new jab at Angelina Jolie. That is coming your way on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
ANDERSON: And now, on the SHOWBIZ news ticker, more news about today`s Golden Globe nominees.
(CAPTION READS: Best picture, drama: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "Frost/Nixon," "The Reader," "Revolutionary Road," "Slumdog Millionaire.")
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson with some more stories that are making news right now.
HAMMER: Well, actor Mark Ruffalo dropped out of a movie just days after the tragic death of his brother. Scott Ruffalo died from a gunshot wound this week. Mark released a statement saying only that he and his family deeply appreciate the outpouring the prayers and support during this difficult time.
The "Hollywood Reporter" says Ben Stiller will likely replace Mark Ruffalo in the indy drama, "Greenberg."
ANDERSON: Macaulay Culkin`s sister has died after being hit by a car. Twenty-nine-year-old Dakota Culkin was walking in Los Angeles, Tuesday when she stepped off a curb and was hit by a car. She died yesterday at UCLA Medical Center. The Los Angeles Police Department tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT the driver stopped, tried to help Dakota and identified himself to police. They say he wasn`t under the influence of drugs or alcohol and no crime was committed.
In a statement to "TMZ," Macaulay`s rep calls it a terrible, tragic accident and says they will have no further comment at this time.
HAMMER: And Jennifer Hudson is getting back to work after the tragic killings of her mother, brother and nephew. Hudson`s record label says Hudson will begin filming a video next week for her single, "If This Isn`t Love."
Hudson`s nominated for four Grammys including best R & B album for a self-titled debut. She, of course, has been in seclusion since the killings, but released a statement last week saying it is a blessing to receive the Grammy nominations.
Her estranged brother-in-law, William Balfour, has been charged with the murders. Prosecutors say he was upset that his wife, Jennifer`s sister, has been dating another man.
ANDERSON: Switching gears now, A.J., Jennifer Aniston is baring all.
HAMMER: You are not kidding, Brooke. Jen has a brand-new photo shoot sans clothes. I mean, look at her. And she`s also baring her soul including a new dig at Angelina Jolie. That is on the way.
ANDERSON: And look out, "Today" show, Tom Cruise is coming back. The last time he and Matt Lauer got into it. Tom even called Matt glib. Remember that? So what`s in store this time around? That is still to come.
HAMMER: Also, Oprah`s weight confession. This has been amazing. Now, she says she fell off the weight loss wagon, is up to 200 pounds and she`s finished with trying to be thin.
You know, this is really struck such a chord with so many people. The "Showbiz On Call" phone lines are burning up. We`ve got your reaction and your fired-up phone calls to "Showbiz On Call," coming up.
But first, stay on top of the most provocative entertainment news by being a subscriber to our daily SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsletter. If you want this thing, and I know you do, head to CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. You click on that "sign up for newsletter" link at the bottom of the page so we know where to send it. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is coming straight back.
ANDERSON: And now, on the SHOWBIZ news ticker, more news about today`s Golden Globe nominees.
(CAPTION READS: Golden Globe best actor nominees: Leonardo DiCaprio, Frank Langella, Sean Penn, Brad Pitt, Mickey Rourke. Best actress nominees: Anne Hathaway, Angelina Jolie, Meryl Streep, Kristin Scott Thomas, Kate Winslet)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Jennifer Aniston sheds her clothes and bares her soul. Tonight, Aniston`s jaw-dropping photo shoot. Plus, she is dissing Angelina Jolie again. It`s Jennifer unplugged in a brand-new interview.
Oprah`s weight confession. Her emotional revelation about weighing 200 pounds has sparked a passionate debate. Are women cheering or jeering Oprah? We have your fired-up phone calls into the "Showbiz On Call" phone lines.
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, from Jennifer Aniston to Tom Cruise, Hollywood`s biggest stars are baring all. I`ve got to say, in Aniston`s case, we mean that literally. Startling new photos released today of Aniston naked, but wearing a tie in the January issue of "GQ" magazine.
But if you think the photos are provocative, just wait until you hear what she says this time about Angelina Jolie.
Also new tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT learned today that Tom Cruise will be sitting down with his old buddy, Matt Lauer, their first interview since they went head-to-head in 2006 over prescription meds. Will there be fireworks?
Plus, Tom keeps on talking about his couch-jumping days. Why?
Joining me tonight in Hollywood is Carlos Diaz who is a correspondent for "Extra." And tonight, in New York, is Kim Serafin who is the editor- at-large for "In Touch Weekly" magazine.
And we have got to start by talking about these photos of Jennifer Aniston. Look at that. She is literally baring every inch of, may I say her incredible 39-year-old self in "GQ" magazine. Now, this is certainly one way to promote her new movie called "Marley and Me."
Carlos Diaz, if you`re listening, what do you think of the photo shoot? Hollywood hottie, you know, doing her thing, or is it shameless, over-the-top self-promotion?
CARLOS DIAZ, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": A.J., come on now, we`re buds. You know what I`m going to say. You know what I`m going to say.
HAMMER: Well, Carlos, I`m surprised you didn`t say, "I`m sorry. Repeat the question?"
DIAZ: Can we just - don`t even show me that. Just put the full screen of Jen up the entire time that I`m talking. It is brilliant on her part. She looks beautiful at 39. She looks like she`s 23. I applaud her for doing this, and I pray that she does it more often.
HAMMER: Yes, I think it actually came out very nice. Aniston didn`t just bare all physically as we`ve shown you. She`s also bared her feelings and again, she`s talking about Angelina Jolie. Of course, this is coming just weeks after he called Jolie un-cool in "Vogue."
She`s also telling "GQ" what she thinks of Angelina Jolie, saying basically she can`t wait to show her kids Mr. & Mrs. Smith because, quote, "not a lot of people see a movie where their parents fell in love."
Well, Aniston tells "GQ," quote, "Well, you know, that was definitely a confirmation for me of something that wasn`t quite confirmed at the time. But listen. You sit there and you - no. No daggers through the heart. I laugh. Am I surprised?"
What do you think, Kim? In the past, Aniston would never, ever talk about this stuff. Why now?
KIM SERAFIN, EDITOR-AT-LARGE, "IN TOUCH WEEKLY": You know, she`s got a movie to promote. Of course, "Marley and Me" opens opposite Brad Pitt`s movie, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." So she`s got to push her movie.
But I think, partially, she`s probably sick of people saying, "Poor Jen. Jen must be sitting home watching TV and crying and getting fat." I think she wants to really get out there and show that she looks amazing. I mean, she looks better than ever. She is in this relationship. She`s got a movie coming out.
And I think that she should just go for it. You know, if I was her, I`d be posing with a tie on in the cover of every magazine out there, you know. And plus, she dates John Mayer, of course, who is very open when he talks to the press. So maybe some of that is rubbing off on her.
HAMMER: Yes. I`ve got to say, I applaud her for speaking out like this. I think it shows a great deal of self-confidence. And I want to show you something now that I really feel dramatically illustrates just how much Aniston has changed in the last couple of years.
Now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Brooke Anderson interviewed Jennifer at Sundance. This was back in 2006. She was out promoting her movie "Friends with Money." And this was right around the time there was speculation that Jen and Vince Vaughn were an item. Well, you have to watch what happened as her co-star and director were just shielding Aniston from literally every question. This got very awkward. Watch. You`ll understand.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Jennifer, with all the scrutiny, were you apprehensive about coming here and doing media?
JENNIFER ANISTON, ACTRESS: No, because we`re doing it all together.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Good segue for that. Anywhere, whatever you said.
ANDERSON: No, no, no. I hear you. I want to include Jennifer as well. OK. Well, congratulations to all of you. I wanted to include you in the conversation as well.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I still get uncomfortable when I watch how awkward that was. Carlos, how can one woman go from being so really, you know, intensely private to literally an open book in a relatively short amount of time? Explain this to me.
DIAZ: OK. Two things, two things to remember here, OK? First and foremost, Brad and Angelina are really coming out now and being very open about their relationship. Not only did Angelina say she fell in love with brad in "Mr. & Mrs. Smith," Brad is on the cover of "Rolling Stone" saying, you know - in the new "Rolling Stone" saying he fell in love with Angie on "Mr. & Mrs. Smith.
Number two, whatever Jen is doing is working. She`s so much happier now. So if it means that she needs to be open to be this happy, so be it, because she is so much more incredibly at ease with herself now than she was back then in my opinion.
HAMMER: Yes. And it really shows. All right. We have to move on to Mr. Tom Cruise. Now, Tom has surprisingly been baring his soul quite a bit lately. Of course, he just told Barbara Walters regretted the whole Oprah couch-jumping thing. He opens up to "People" magazine this week all about his family.
And the icing on the cake here - well, on Monday, he`s sitting down with his old buddy, Matt Lauer. Now, this is the first interview he`s done on the "Today" show since the infamous, "You`re glib, Matt. You`re glib," interview. Let me refresh your memory about that particular sit-down.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TOM CRUISE, ACTOR: Do you know that Adderall is? Do you know Ritalin? Do you know now that Ritalin is a street drug? Do you understand that?
MATT LAUER, HOST, THE "TODAY" SHOW: The difference is, this wasn`t against her will, though.
CRUISE: Matt, I`m asking you a question. Matt, I`m asking a question.
LAUER: I understand there`s abuse of all of these things.
CRUISE: No. You see, here`s the problem. You don`t know the history of the psychiatry. I do.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. And maybe Tom will get better lighting this time around. Kim, fair to assume, we`re going to see a softer side of Tom when he appears on the "Today" show with Matt Lauer?
SERAFIN: Yes. I might, like Carlos, ask you to show the photos of Jennifer Aniston again. You might have to show that interview once again because I never get tired of watching that.
HAMMER: Don`t be glib.
SERAFIN: You know, I think - yes, we`re going to - I`m sorry. I won`t be glib. You`re right. Yes, I think we`re going to definitely see a different side. I mean, that`s what we`re seeing in that Barbara Walters interview. I mean, he was a much more subdued, more mature Tom Cruise.
And remember, Tom Cruise did show up to Matt Lauer`s roast recently. They kind of glossed over everything and said they`re friends. Apparently, they travel together now, he jokes.
But yes, I think we`re seeing a different side of him, because he`s promoting this movie that is showing a much more serious side of him. So he has to make that transition. He hasn`t had a movie out in a while. He lost a bit of his fan-base. He has to totally re-image himself and put himself out there. So it`s going to be a different kind of interview.
HAMMER: Yes. I think they`re going to have some fun talking about that particular incident.
All right. Now, in the new issue of "People" magazine, Tom is really opening up. It`s the cover story as you see here, called "The Truth About My Family." And he shared a bunch of private, never-before-seen photos relaxing with his family inside.
"People" asked him about rumors that he`s a controlling husband to his wife Katie Holmes. He called that "hilarious" saying, quote, "Anyone with that perception doesn`t know who I am and doesn`t know who Kate is at all."
Carlos, is Tom obviously just trying to show - he`s obviously trying to show a more human side of himself. Is it working, do you think?
DIAZ: Human side? Human - do you know what human side is, A.J.? You`re glib. All right. You`re glib. No, but in all honesty, he`s showing a softer side of himself. I think he`s learning a lesson maybe from "Jerry Maguire," one of his most popular movies. In that movie, he showed a vulnerable side of himself ...
HAMMER: Yes.
DIAZ: ... and he`s doing that now in the press. And we`re saying, "OK. This is the Tom Cruise that we love now."
HAMMER: I think it`s working. I think people like it. And I do know about the human side. I do know, Carlos. Carlos Diaz and Kim Serafin. OK, cut him off.
ANDERSON: OK. Right now, our "Showbiz On Call" phone lines ringing off the hook with calls about Oprah`s weight confession, A.J.
HAMMER: Brooke, Oprah`s revelation that she has totally given up on getting thin has just struck such a chord with so many people. But here`s the deal. Is it empowering women, or are they totally bummed out that she`s making "fat" a dirty, three-letter word. This has sparked a heated debate. We`ve got your fired-up phone calls from our "Showbiz On Call" phone lines coming up next.
ANDERSON: And it`s official. Britney is back on top with a brand-new album, "Circus." Straight ahead, Britney`s brand-new video message to her fans and the surprising interruption that you will not want to miss.
And we`ve also got this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Michael, give your left arm.
FEMALE ROBOT: No problem.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, from "Austin Powers" to real life, the Fem Bot lives. But can this life-like robot really replace womankind and lead to world domination by robots? That`s right. I said it. You will meet her next on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
And now, on the SHOWBIZ news ticker, more news about today`s Golden Globe nominees.
(CAPTION READS: Golden Globe nominees for best TV series comedy or musical: "30 Rock," "Californication," "Entourage," "The Office," "Weeds."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OPRAH WINFREY, HOST, "THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW": Why don`t we just tell the truth? Why don`t we just put my fat butt on the cover and shoot that and shoot my thinner self looking at my overweight self.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Oprah Winfrey opens up about why she decided to tell the world in her magazine "O" that she now weighs 200 pounds and has given up on becoming thin. But that clip of her show that aired on "Good Morning America" is only the tip of iceberg.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Tonight, Oprah Winfrey`s 200-pound weight confession. Oprah shocked the world when she revealed in the new issue of "O" magazine that she`s hit 200 pounds once again, that she`s embarrassed and that she`s no longer going to fight to get thin.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you Oprah is not the only person speaking out. Tonight, the brand-new reaction and fallout.
Joining me from New York is Katrina Szish, who`s a celebrity journalist. And from Hollywood tonight, Nancy Redd. Nancy is the author of the terrific book, "Body Drama." Katrina, Nancy, welcome to you both.
And tonight, we are getting our very first look at part of an upcoming episode of the Oprah show devoted to her recent revelations. Some of it aired on "Good Morning, America." Oprah saying that she has come to terms with weighing 200 pounds. Take a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WINFREY: I`ve gained 40 pounds in the past year. It`s really OK with me, because part of the issue of being able to get yourself back on track is you have to accept where you are. You have to accept where you are right now in order to be able to move forward.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: OK. This could not have been an easy thing for Oprah, to get on her show, look straight into the camera and make such a statement. Nancy, why do you think there`s been such a powerful reaction to Oprah`s confession?
NANCY REDD, AUTHOR, "BODY DRAMA": Well, because, you know, weight is a weighty issue. To have somebody like Oprah to acknowledge that she`s got a weakness - I mean, this is one of the most powerful people in the world. And to, on the cover of her magazine, use words like "embarrassed" and "ashamed," it strikes a nerve with a lot of people whether they`re dealing with issues or they know someone dealing with issues with their weight, and to emotionally acknowledge her issues with exercise and eating really makes people think a lot about what`s going on with them and themselves and that brings outs a lot of positive and negative energy.
ANDERSON: Yes. She`s admitting she`s imperfect. She`s just like the rest of us. And as she always is, Oprah is on the cover of her magazine, this time standing next to a slim Oprah from 2005.
Now, for the very first time, we are finding out why she did it. Oprah`s best friend Gayle King is the editor-at-large for "O" magazine and she revealed the reason on "Good Morning, America." Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GAYLE KING, EDITOR-AT-LARGE, "O" MAGAZINE: You`re aware that there`s a difference between the two bodies, and you`re not looking so great and you`re OK with showing that. She goes, "Yes, I am. I really am, because you know, I have eyes. Everybody else has eyes. Everybody can see what has happened to me. And I feel that I`ve been, you know, talking the talk but I haven`t really walked the walk."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: So in a way, it seems Gayle might have been suggesting maybe this wasn`t such a great idea for Oprah to make these revelations. Katrina, what do you think? Did Oprah make the right decision by putting herself out there?
SZISH: Oprah definitely made the right decision by putting herself out there. Because if Oprah didn`t do it first - Oprah is the first person to say she hates tabloid gossip. And so we would have seen a very similar juxtaposition of photos, I`m sure, in a much more unflattering way on the cover of a tabloid if we hadn`t seen Oprah do it first.
So she was really beating everyone to the punch and really kind of making sure there could be no speculation. Because Oprah wanted to tell you the real story herself first.
ANDERSON: Yes. I wanted it to come from her.
SZISH: Come straight from the source.
ANDERSON: Well, many - yes, many people have called Oprah`s choice to make this very personal struggle public again a brave decision. Gayle King told "Good Morning, America" that she agreed that this decision was incredibly courageous. But Oprah did not look at it that way. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KING: Diane, I was the one - (UNINTELLIGIBLE) "That is so brave of you to do." She goes, "This isn`t brave." Brave - she had a woman who had lost two arms and two legs. She goes, "That is brave. This not brave. This is not brave. This is my reality."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Nancy, don`t you think there are a lot of women out there thinking Oprah did do something very brave here?
REDD: Absolutely brave and rare. Because she`s Oprah, she could have totally ignored the situation and I think the rest of the world would have followed. Or she could have gone on a really unhealthy crash diet and you know, talk about how great that was.
Instead she decided to take one for the team, acknowledge her denial of her issues with her body and use it as a call to action. If there`s anyone out there who has fallen off the wagon or you know, can`t seem to get it together when it comes to her health, she acknowledges a health issue with her thyroid that she`s before not talked about. It`s just an amazing opportunity. Absolutely, it`s brave because no one (UNINTELLIGIBLE) to do it.
ANDERSON: Yes. And speaking about that thyroid - quickly, Nancy, I want to get to this because the "Showbiz On Call" phone lines have been ringing off the hook.
Christine from Pennsylvania says she doesn`t think Oprah is being truthful about what caused her weight gain. Listen.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CHRISTINE, CALLER FROM PENNSYLVANIA: Nobody wants to say anything bad about Oprah because they`re afraid because she`s so powerful. But the fact of the matter is, it`s an emotional - eating problem with Oprah. She`s still got emotional issues and she was never blaming it on the thyroid before. Now, all of a sudden, it`s a thyroid problem.
I think she needs to take full responsibility and say it`s an emotional problem and deal with it and admit she`s human like everybody else.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Katrina, do you think that other women may be upset as well that she has chosen to deal with this publicly in this way, or can a lot of people relate to the specific issues she has dealt with?
SZISH: I think most people can relate to the specific issues. And I think the cynics and critics will be few and far between. Because whether it is a thyroid condition, whether it is emotional, whatever it is, it`s a reality and it`s a reality that many women face.
ANDERSON: Absolutely. Katrina Szish, Nancy Redd, we`ll leave it there for now. Thank you both. Good to see you.
HAMMER: All right. Here`s another big Hollywood story making news right now.
Britney Spears is back on top of the charts and she is breaking all kinds of records. Britney`s new album, "Circus," the number one selling album in the country. And get this, "Circus," which released just last week on Britney`s birthday, is the seventh biggest selling album of the entire year. That is truly amazing, especially considering the wild year that Britney has had.
And now, Britney has a special message to all of her dedicated and loyal fans. Take a look at this message. She just posted it on her Web site. And make sure you check out Britney`s special guest.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRITNEY SPEARS, POP STAR: I wish everybody out there a merry Christmas and happy New Year. And I want to thank all of my fans for making my album, "Circus," number one. Thank you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I mean, does it get more adorable than that? Britney is taking her "Circus" on the road, too. Her brand-new tour kicks off on March 3rd in her home state of Louisiana.
Well, it appears the Fem Bot is science-fiction no more. Did you see this? A Canadian inventor has created an incredibly realistic female robot. Look at her. Now, Aiko(ph) is not just a pretty face. Oh no, she can read, solve math equations and she can identify objects like soda, water, even a hamburger.
And if you think you can get a little frisky with Aiko, well, forget about it. She has got a mind of her own and left hook to match. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AIKO, FEMALE ROBOT: Please stop touching my breast, you pervert.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Nice. Seems Aiko can do anything except walk, that is. Her creator is said to be work on that. But it could be a while, because after a year of nonstop work and spending more than $20,000 to create Aiko, the inventor says he is broke but at least he has a new friend.
ANDERSON: All right. The long wait to catch up with Harry Potter and fellow young wizards is almost over. And tonight, we`ve got your showbiz first look at the highly anticipated "Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince." Don`t move a muscle. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is coming right back.
But first, the SHOWBIZ news ticker, more news about today`s Golden Globe nominees.
(CAPTION READS: Golden Globe nominees for best motion picture comedy or musical: "Burn After Reading," "Happy-Go-Lucky," "In Bruges," "Mama Mia!" "Vicky Cristina Barcelona."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
Time for the SHOWBIZ first look, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince." This is the sixth film adapted from the, of course, wildly popular book series.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: You are of course wondering why I brought you here tonight?
DANIEL RADCLIFFE, ACTOR (as Harry Potter): Actually, Sir, all these years, I`ve looked over this.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Take my arm. Harry, I would look you to meet Professor Horace Slughorn.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: What you see before you is a curious potion. It does cause powerful infatuation or obsession.
RUPERT GRINT, ACTOR (as Ron Weasley): I`m in love with her.
RADCLIFFE: All right, fine. Have you ever met her?
GRINT: No. Can you introduce me?
VOICE OVER: This year, the past holds a dark secret.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: What you are looking at are memories. This is the most important memory I have collected.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Now get out of here at once.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: It is also a lie.
VOICE OVER: And only he -
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: You`re the chosen one, Harry.
VOICE OVER: Can unlock the truth.
EMMA WATSON, ACTRESS (as Hermione Granger): Hey, she has interest in you because she thinks you are the chosen one.
RADCLIFFE: But I am the chosen one. Sorry. Kidding.
VOICE OVER: From Warner Brothers pictures.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Without this memory, we leave the fate of our world to chance. You must not fail.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: You need us, Harry.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Fight back, you coward!
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Harry!
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince" opens next July 17th to be exact.
ANDERSON: Hey, on Wednesday, we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Oprah`s Weight Gain Confession: Do you identify with her?" Sixty-seven percent of you say yes. Only 33 percent of you say no.
Some of the E-mails we received. Dee from Texas, "God bless Oprah! Most stars make weight maintenance look so easy. Nice to see that she struggles like the rest of us.
And Henrietta from North Carolina writes, "I am disappointed with Oprah`s comments. Many who look to Oprah as a role model are now in a funk because she said that she is ashamed of being fat."
We do appreciate your E-mails.
HAMMER: And we do thank you for watching. That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. 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, 11:00 a.m. Eastern.
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