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Showbiz Tonight
Paparazzi Frenzy on the Obamas; Tropicana Trying to Squeeze Some Juice from the Obama Mania?; Patrick Swayze`s New Hospital Confessions; Ryan Seacrest Reacts to Brangelina Diss
Aired January 14, 2009 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
A.J. HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT at the paparazzi frenzy over the Obamas. Tonight, the brand new dramatic scramble to get personal and revealing pictures of the first family to be. But why are the paparazzi going after them?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Obama is the paparazzi president.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Should the Obama kids be off limits? Also in the "SHOWBIZ Obama Watch", why some people think Tropicana orange juice is trying to squeeze out some big cash from the Obamas.
Tonight, Patrick Swayze`s brand new emotional hospital confessions. For the first time, Swayze is setting the record straight after checking into the hospital with pneumonia. Is his life in danger? What`s the latest on his battle with pancreatic cancer? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with Patrick Swayze`s courageous fight in his own words.
And the Brangelina-Seacrest snub. Did Ryan Seacrest get dissed hard by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie?
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
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Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City. And tonight, the paparazzi frenzy over the Obamas. No, not Brad or Angelina or Britney - the Obamas.
Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is blowing the lid off the mad scramble to get the big money shot of the Obamas by the same photographers who normally chase the likes of Britney Spears, Brad Pitt and Lindsay Lohan. The Obamas wanted by the paparazzi? What in the world are they looking for? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can reveal the answer, and it is making big news right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice over): When Barack Obama was elected the 44th president of the United States, the world rejoiced. And so did the paparazzi.
GARY MORGAN, CEO, SPLASH NEWS AGENCY: Obama is the paparazzi president. So he is exciting the insatiable appetite for celebrity around the world.
HAMMER: The paparazzi are cashing in on that insatiable appetite, snapping pictures that make it into the major celebrity magazines. Like this one of Obama taking Michelle out for dinner in "People" magazine. Or this shot in "In Touch Weekly" of Obama on vacation. Or this touching photo in "Star" magazine of Obama and his daughter at an amusement park.
MORGAN: For us, the paparazzi, we want to find those extra moments, the more - the familiar ones or the off-guard ones, the beach ones - that kind of stuff. That`s the kind of material that will make widespread across the Web and to our magazine clients.
HAMMER: Celebrity magazines pay big bucks for photos like Obama shirtless on the beach in Hawaii that even newspapers can`t resist. The "New York Post" hailed him as "Buff Bam" on their cover. Why? Because Bam sells. We just can`t get enough.
BEN WIDDICOMBE, EDITOR-AT-LARGE, "STAR" MAGAZINE: It`s famously said the Americans will elect the president that they want to have a beer with. And Obama really does have that sense of someone you know. What we`ve seen happening with the paparazzi coverage of him is it`s been getting more informal.
HAMMER: More informal and, it turns out, more accessible. Gary Morgan, head of one of the biggest paparazzi agencies in the world, gave SHOWBIZ TONIGHT a rare look inside just how paparazzi get photos like the infamous beach shot.
MORGAN: Secret Service was very cool with us. They knew what we wanted to do. They told us if we stuck to certain areas, we would be fine. They got to know who we were and it was very pleasurable working with them.
HAMMER: Can`t say Barack Obama isn`t media savvy. Morgan tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Obama gets the need for the paparazzi to keep up his image.
MORGAN: He`s very canny that way. I think it`s going to bring a canny media team and they`re going to take full advantage of using people like us as well to get the message out.
HAMMER: But it could backfire. The paparazzi really want one photo above all. A photo Barack Obama would never want the world to see.
MORGAN: The best picture would be Barack Obama smoking. That picture alone will be worth well over $100,000.
WIDDICOMBE: The public, the editors want pictures of Obama smoking. They want pictures of Barack and Michelle in their personal moments. If they could get a picture of those two having a fight, that would be worth $200,000. And the girls are so attractive and so adorable - I think everyone wants to see them just in their day being kids in the White House.
HAMMER: Obama is trying hard to work with the demand. His transition team released photos last week of his daughters getting ready for the first day of school. They`re intimate, candid, natural - exactly what the paparazzi are looking for. But they want more.
MORGAN: We have doubled the number of people out there in Washington. We have - I think were the first paparazzi bureau with a full time Washington bureau there of four or five photographers. So we are ramping up for it.
HAMMER: They`re ramping up, and in the process, changing the way the official press corps covers the Obama family. The press corps had agreed not to shoot certain photos of Obama coming out of the gym for example. But after a few paparazzi broke the rules and snapped the photos, the press corps followed suit.
MORGAN: Indicative of the fact that they know we`re out there behind them wanting to get better pictures. So the pressure is on the pool. The pressure is on the president. And pressure is on the paparazzi.
HAMMER: And while a juicy Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie photo might still fetch more than an Obama photo, the first family is definitely at the top of the paparazzi list.
MORGAN: People want to see him. The American people are in love with their president. The world is in love with who this guy is. Camelot is back - that`s the feel around the world. And people want to see as much of him and his family as they can.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: It is a whole new day. So it really does look like the Obama family is in for a presidential paparazzi frenzy for the next four years. But can the Obamas shut down the shutterbugs? Or for that matter, should they?
Well, joining me tonight in New York, Ben Widdicombe, who is an editor-at-large for "Star" magazine. Also joining me tonight in Hollywood is Kim Serafin, senior editor of "In Touch Weekly."
And we showed you what happened when President-elect Barack Obama hit the beach in Hawaii. All of a sudden, you have the headlines screaming things like, "The Pectacular President" and "Fit for Office."
Ben, here we are, just days away from this historic inauguration. Is this just the beginning of the paparazzi frenzy, do you think? Or is it all going to settle down once he is in office?
WIDDICOMBE: Oh no, A.J. Absolutely. We have entered the era of the "polebrity." And we will see huge interest in Barack and his family for the duration of his term. And let`s not forget, we also have a celebrity secretary of state on the way. So really, people really want to see politicians as public figures.
HAMMER: And paparazzi say the Obama family right there at the top of their hit list. Kim, granted, the president, the first family - they`ve got the Secret Service to take care of the madness that surrounds them with the paparazzi. But what can they learn from how the top tabloid targets like Brad Pitt and Angelina have handled the paparazzi? Because certainly, there are some lessons.
KIM SERAFIN, SENIOR EDITOR, "IN TOUCH WEEKLY": Well, I think you mentioned this in that earlier piece, that Obama certainly is probably the most media savvy president that we will have to this date. I mean, he really understands the Internet. He used it so much during his campaign. So he knows that people are interested in him and his family as celebrities.
We`re going to be interested in what they`re wearing, and what the kids are eating at school, like we saw that menu that came out this week. So I think they can anticipate it like releasing those photos so we can at least get a taste of what they did right before the girls started school, so we can get a sort of behind-the-scenes look. Because that`s the world we live in now.
We are going to expect to see that. We see that with celebrities. We`re going to expect it of our politicians especially someone like Obama who is so accessible, who`s made that kind of a facet of his whole campaign. And it will be, I think, in his administration as well.
HAMMER: And the photos you speak of that the president released or the people around him released were of the Obama kids - Sasha, Malia on their first day of school. I mean, look at that. It`s a great picture. And it looks like a candid paparazzi shot. Pretty good preemptive strike, if you ask me.
So Ben, moving forward now, should the kids be off-limits to the paparazzi? Perhaps some magazines should rely on these distributed photos?
WIDDICOMBE: Well, you know, I think that the kids will be off-limits. I realize that there is a perception of it. Maybe the celebrity media has no limits. But generally speaking, children are respected.
And also, remember, the Obamas have something that even the most pushy Hollywood family don`t have, and that is the Secret Service on their side. I think that the press will be respectful of the girls. I think the only way that would change is maybe if the Obama family still in the White House when Malia is old enough to date. I think then we might see some interest in the private lives of the kids. But until then, I think they`re safe.
HAMMER: Yes. And I think the Secret Service is being involved is going to keep a lot of people at bay who might not otherwise stay at bay. And as we mentioned, this page that they have already taken from Brangelina`s playbook releasing those photos - you know, maybe a good idea.
But the question is, is something like that really going to work? Gary Morgan is the CEO of Splash. They`re one of the biggest paparazzi agencies out there. And Gary tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT the strategy actually could backfire. Take a look at what he said.
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MORGAN: When Barack Obama releases his own photographs, the idea is to take the sting out of the pictures of the family. But in fact, it only increases the appetite. It says we are amenable to pictures being taken. So it sends a double message. It`s an attempt to control the media. But all it does is increase what is already an insatiable appetite for more.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. So, Kim, if Gary`s got that right, it seems, you know, as if the Obamas are damned if they do or damned if they don`t hand out the pictures?
SERAFIN: Yes. But you know, I don`t know if I believe that it just fuels the fire. I mean, the fire is going to be fueled no matter what. This is the first time we`ve had young kids in the Oval Office or in White House rather for such a long time. So I think that is there, the fact that we are going to want to learn about the kids and learn about the family. It`s there. So whether they release pictures or not, it doesn`t matter. I think it is good that they get that out there so they can control the images. But again, people are going to be interested at young kids, as they get to be teenagers. It`s going to be out there.
HAMMER: No question. Well put. And of course, with the celebrities, there is always this give-and-take going on with the paparazzi. The celebrities need publicity. The paparazzi need to sell photos. Everybody wins in the end.
Quickly, Ben, though - is it the same for the president-elect? I mean, he`s a very media savvy guy. He has been through the process of getting elected. Does Obama need the paparazzi just as much as they need him?
WIDDICOMBE: Well, he doesn`t need them in the sense that Jennifer Aniston needs to stay popular in order to keep working. But a president has to sell tickets exactly twice in his career - once, when he runs for office, and then again, when he runs for reelection.
So I think some people in Washington believe that we live in the permanent campaign era.
HAMMER: Yes, absolutely.
WIDDICOMBE: If that is true, then, you know, it`s important to be in front of the media. But I think that we will see more interest in him in getting exposure when the next election cycle rolls around.
HAMMER: I agree with you 100 percent. Ben Widdicombe, Kim Serafin, I appreciate you being here tonight.
And I`ve got to let you know, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is right there in Washington for Barack Obama`s presidential inauguration, expected to be the most star-studded one ever. SHOWBIZ at the Inauguration, right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
And right now like to turn it over to you for our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. What do you think - "The Obama Kids: Should they be off-limits to the paparazzi?"
You can sound off at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. You can also E-mail, showbiztonight@cnn.com.
Much more of the "SHOWBIZ Obama Watch" is coming up. A controversial question for you - "Are the Obamas bigger celebrities than Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie?" You definitely do not want to miss the stunning results of our brand-new SHOWBIZ TONIGHT poll. Who will come out on top in a very fired-up debate?
HAMMER: Also, Paula Abdul`s dramatic about-face. You know, first, Paula rips into "American Idol" producers saying they let an obsessed fan audition for the show even though she had warned them about her.
Well now, Paula is saying, "Well, you know, I`m not really mad at `Idol.`" Paula, which is it?
Also tonight, Patrick Swayze`s brand new emotional hospital confessions for the first time. Swayze setting the record straight after checking into the hospital with pneumonia. Is his life in danger?
And now, the SHOWBIZ News Ticker - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: "L.A. Times": Samuel L. Jackson says he may not play Nick Fury in "Iron Man 2." Roman Polanski says he has no plans to return to the U.S. Polanski pleaded guilty to having sex with a 13-year-old girl and fled U.S. in 1977.)
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PATRICK SWAYZE, ACTOR: I have the meanness and the passion to say, "To hell with you." Watch me. You watch what I pull off.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: A defiant Patrick Swayze snarls at tabloid reports that he`s at death`s door. As he told Barbara Walters, he may have cancer, but don`t count him out just yet.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Tonight, Patrick`s pain. Just days after his heart-wrenching interview with Barbara Walters, Swayze suffered a set back in his battle with terminal pancreatic cancer.
Swayze has been hospitalized with pneumonia. But it sounds like Swayze`s strength is not letting up one bit. He is now telling "People" magazine all about his latest challenges.
And joining me tonight in Hollywood is Mike Fleeman who is the west coast editor for "People.com." Appreciate you being here, Mike.
We`re told Swayze has pneumonia. Obviously, in his condition, that can be very serious. Now "People" magazine has spoken directly with Patrick Swayze in the hospital. Mike, what did he tell you about his health?
MIKE FLEEMAN, WEST COAST EDITOR, "PEOPLE.COM": Well that he did have a very nasty cough and he took care of it right away. Went into the hospital. He was treated with antibiotics and he says he`s nearly in the clear. He`s almost ready to get out.
HAMMER: And keeping a really positive attitude. I love that he told "People", quote, "I don`t plan on being in the hospital for long." Mike, are you just amazed by his strength and courage going through all this? Or is it really exactly what we have come to expect from Patrick Swayze?
FLEEMAN: Patrick Swayze is one of those guys whose off camera is very much the same on camera. That swagger, that man of action, and that sense of humor all translate into his real life and have served him well.
HAMMER: Yes, and you know what? I only had the opportunity to interview Patrick once right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. And I found him as down to earth as they come when you are working in that crazy Hollywood town.
And Swayze credits his wife Lisa. They have been together for 33 years which is incredible in its own right. And she has really helped him get through this, according to Patrick. But Mike, how is Lisa dealing with this latest setback and him being hospitalized?
FLEEMAN: Right now, she is wearing two hats. They`re trying to remain husband and wife and keep a sense of romance alive. They renewed their vows recently. But at the same time, she is very much playing nurse. And she makes sure that he gets to bed on time, makes sure he takes his medication, and really, makes sure he doesn`t push it too much.
HAMMER: Well, hopefully she has good people around her looking after her, which is something she certainly needs in a pretty tough time all around.
And let`s not forget, even through the worst of Patrick Swayze`s cancer treatment, he was regularly putting in these 12-hour days for the new show - it`s called "The Beast." And the show is making its premiere tomorrow.
By all accounts, this is the performance of his career. I know that he was even showing up on set and doing some of his own stunts. Mike, what did he tell "People" magazine about why he is not slowing down?
FLEEMAN: Well, there is two sides of Patrick Swayze. And there`s the side that you saw in the interview with the swagger, that "I`m going to beat this thing." But you know, he is very practical too. And this is probably the key to his success so far.
He says, "Look, I get up in the morning. I have a goal. Whatever that goal may be, I put one foot in front of the other and that`s how I proceed."
HAMMER: I want to read something that appears in "People" magazine, something very telling that one of the producers of Swayze`s new show told you guys. He said, quote, "He didn`t want to anyone to pamper him. The only time he would get upset is if he felt the scripts were making it easy on him."
Patrick`s work ethic clearly has been just unaffected by his illness, huh?
FLEEMAN: Well, look, he committed to this project knowing what his health situation was. He wasn`t going to take the easy way out. And you know, when he came into the set on Mondays, after undergoing chemo the weekends, the worst day of the week. And he said, "Look let`s just do it. Let`s get through this day."
HAMMER: So he missed the TCA Television Critics Association press event where he was supposed to be promoting new show, "The Beast." But he`s planning on getting back to work. How soon can we count on that happening, Mike?
FLEEMAN: You know, I wouldn`t be surprised if we got out of the hospital any day now.
HAMMER: All right. Well, we continue to wish him all the best. And we appreciate your insight. Mike Fleeman from "People" magazine.
And for more, you can pick up a copy of the new issue of "People" magazine on newsstands everywhere this Friday. Well, the "Showbiz On Call" phone lines just keep on ringing with a lot of people calling in about Ann Coulter and ladies of the "The View" going at it. I want you to listen to what Annette from Illinois had to tell us when she called in to "Showbiz On Call."
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ANNETTE, CALLER FROM ILLINOIS: I`d just like to say that Ann on "The View" was a horrible nightmare. Is she deliberately trying to show that she is a racist and ignorant? Or was she just out of time in trying to squeeze everything in, in one statement. I wish they would let Whoopi Goldberg loose a little bit more on these outrageous guests.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Wow. Well, we appreciate your call. We also heard from Christina in North Carolina. She called in to "Showbiz On Call" and she is on team Ann.
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CHRISTINA, CALLER FROM NORTH CAROLINA: I love Ann Coulter. I think she is fabulous. Yes, she is rude. But the reason why the world is the way it is, is because everybody is used to being coddled and spoken to nicely. We need a harsh speaker like Coulter to bring us back to reality.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thank you very much for your call, Christina. We would like you to call us at "Showbiz On Call." That`s how you let us know what you think about this and really anything else at all. And that is why we leave the "Showbiz On Call" phone lines open 24 hours a day at 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888- 728-2899. Leave a voicemail so we can play your call right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
And your calls to "Showbiz On Call" are also now online on our homepage which is CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
All right, so some people are dissing Ann Coulter. Some people passionately defending her. So how about this - did Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie diss Ryan Seacrest? Ryan is a nice guy, good at what he does. I don`t know why they would do something like that. So I`m looking into it, coming up.
All right. You know whether you like Sarah Palin or not, I think a lot of people can agree that she should just lay low for a while, right? Well, she is not. Tonight, she is speaking out in a brand new interview. You will not believe what she is saying about all those jokes. You know, the ones about being able to see Russia from her house.
And no joke here. Tonight, Paul McCartney reveals something a lot of people have been wondering whether he would actually be up for a Ringo reunion. Could it be? Is it possible? Will these former Beatle buds, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr play together again?
And now, showbiz at Sundance. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT will be right there at the Sundance Film Festival. From Robert Redford to Chris Rock to Amy Poehler - stars coming out in full force over the next two weeks in Park City, Utah, the site of the annual Sundance Film Festival.
Sundance now hosts films from 37 countries. A total of 218 films will be screened this year - 42 of those films are coming from first-time filmmakers; 62 are from female filmmakers. And this year`s elite group of films were selected from more than 10,000 total submissions.
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HAMMER: We have late-breaking sad news. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you Ricardo Montalban has died in his home in Los Angeles. Of course, we all loved Ricardo for his roles in TV`s "Fantasy Island" as Mr. Roarke. And he was also the evil Khan in the 1982 "Star Trek" movie "The Wrath of Khan." Ricardo Montalban was 88.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer with some more stories that are making news right now.
Oscar winning actress and singer Jennifer Hudson is going to make her first public appearance since her mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew were murdered. Hudson is going to be singing our national anthem at this year`s Super Bowl.
I`ve got to tell you I think this is a huge courageous move for her. You know she`s going to get a big warm welcome - maybe just what she needs. This year`s big game is going to be in Tampa Florida, on Sunday, February 1st. And Hudson is also scheduled to sing at a Grammy Awards event a few days later. She`s actually up for four Grammies this year. Hudson`s estranged brother-in-law has been charged in those killings.
And some big news on "The View" today. Paul McCartney was one of the guests and revealed a reunion with Beatles` buddy Ringo Starr is not totally out of the question.
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ELISABETH HASSELBECK, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": I was wondering - I know a lot of people who adore you and your performances wonder, is there a chance that you will perform with Ringo again, do you think?
SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY, FORMER BEATLE: Well, you know, that`s a -
HASSELBECK: A big fan in the audience, I know, was wondering in our break.
MCCARTNEY: Yes, I would love to. We do things from time to time together. It doesn`t normally come up. You know, sometimes, he`ll be on tour when I`m not. We can`t do it. But we don`t rule it out. Yes, it would be great. He is a great drummer, you know. And we are used to each other. Let`s hear it for Ringo!
HASSELBECK: This woman right here. You made her day.
JOY BEHAR, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": Ringo has been on "The View." Yes. He`s fantastic.
MCCARTNEY: Why doesn`t he sign his autographs anymore?
BEHAR: Well, I don`t know.
MCCARTNEY: I love him. I think that is so (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: What Paul was referring to there is Ringo came out publicly and he said he`s not going to not sign or autograph anything that fans send him anymore. Obviously, it would be a huge deal if these two got together. And as you know, the other Beatles, John Lennon, and George Harrison are no longer with us.
All right. So whose autograph would you rather have, Barack and Michelle Obama`s or Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie`s? I`ve got to tell you, I can`t believe the shocking results of our brand-new SHOWBIZ TONIGHT poll about who the bigger celebrities are - the Obamas or Brangelina? Well, wait until you hear my fired-up debate and your "Showbiz On Call" calls on this, coming up.
Also, Paula Abdul`s stunning about-face. You know, first, Paula rips into her bosses, "American Idol" producers, about letting an obsessed fan try out for the show even though she warned them about her. And now, Paula says "No, I`m not really mad. It`s no big deal." All right, Paula. Which is it? You bite the hand that feeds you and then you take it all back? I have got to look into this. I will, coming up.
And Sarah Palin is speaking out for the very first time about all those jokes. You know, the ones about Palin being able to see Russia from her house. Plus, Sarah Palin reveals what she really thinks about "Saturday Night Live." It is a brand new interview, and it is coming up. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is coming straight back.
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HAMMER: Now on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - the "SHOWBIZ Obama Watch." SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is counting down to the big inauguration. And we`re asking, are Barack and Michelle Obama bigger stars than Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie? We have your E-mails coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Cashing in on Obama - wait until you see an ad for Tropicana orange juice that`s squeezing some mileage out of Obama-mania. But is it really Obama in the ad? You have to concentrate on this one to see what is going on. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has the juicy details.
TVs most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
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Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It is 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
Tonight the "SHOWBIZ Obama Watch." And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT dares to ask, are Michelle and Barack Obama bigger celebrities than Hollywood`s number one "it" couple.
Tonight, new right now, we have got the amazing results of a brand-new SHOWBIZ TONIGHT poll that pits the Obamas against Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. This is a face-off for world celebrity domination. I`ve got to tell you you`ve got to watch this because you`re not going to believe who came out on top.
Also new tonight, the Obama superstar friends getting together for the inauguration and what is sure to be the biggest concert and party of the year. From Beyonce to Aretha Franklin, Miley Cyrus. So what do the star picks say about Barack Obama?
And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has obtained a brand new and emotional magazine tribute from Barack Obama to his two young daughters.
With me tonight from Hollywood, Ken Baker. He is the executive news editor for "E!" Also in Hollywood tonight - it`s Kim Serafin. She`s a senior editor for "In Touch Weekly."
So there is no doubt that you can call Barack and Michelle Obama celebrities. But are Barack-ichelle bigger than Brangelina? You guys have to see what happened when we asked in the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. We asked it on air and online - "Barack and Michelle Obama: Are they bigger stars than Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie?"
Look at these results. I`ve got to tell you. I was surprised with 51 percent of the voters voting yes; 49 percent of the viewers voting no. Basically, split down the middle, Ken. Are you surprised it was so close?
KEN BAKER, EXECUTIVE NEWS EDITOR, "E!": I can`t be surprised. We know we are a partisan nation. We know that the 50 percent who said that they are celebrities are as big. We`re Democrats, OK? And the rest were Republicans. They`re pro-Brangelina.
But seriously, though, I just take issue with the whole idea of Barack Obama and Michelle being stars. They`re famous. They`re not stars. "Star" evokes sort of this idea of glamour and you`re an entertainer. Whereas just famous could be anyone, really, including a politician.
HAMMER: I disagree with you, Ken. I think they transcend all that for using the very word you just used - glamour. I mean, that is one of the reasons that this couple really transcends the idea of simply being famous politicians, no?
BAKER: Well, I think that when you look at the fame that they have, OK, there is a huge recognition factor. Of course, they`re just as famous as Brangelina. But Brangelina - they`re stars. This is their job - is to just be famous.
Barack Obama and Michelle Obama - they actually have real jobs serving their country now. And it`s a lot more of a higher calling no matter what Brangelina are doing to help save the world and do their humanitarian efforts.
HAMMER: All right. Well, Ken, let me assure you. You are not alone. We do realize that the question we asked is quite provocative. We got a ton of E-mails from people saying basically, "How could you even ask that, guys? Are you kidding me?"
But Kim, let me ask you this - and maybe if people want to be upset at anything, it`s the fact that I said ""Barack-ichelle." But separate from that, the fact that this vote was so close, and we got a ton of votes - I mean, it was a highlight of all voting going on, doesn`t that really show that people do see the Obamas as huge celebrities?
SERAFIN: Yes, I`m going to disagree with Ken as well because I do think that is part of their appeal. That is why they appeal to so many young people, because they have this young family, because they have that star quality to them.
I mean, you can`t watch a speech from Obama and deny that he has that sort of movie star appeal in the way he speaks, in the way he connects with people and the way people identify with him and they want to hear more of him.
I mean, his policies, obviously, is what helped get him elected. But also, the way people can relate to him because he does have that star quality. And I mean that in a positive sense.
HAMMER: Yes, absolutely.
SERAFIN: I think that`s what you`re looking at. In politics today, you need to have that TV persona. You need to have that star quality to get elected. I think we`re going to see this in future elections as well, and that`s part of the deal now.
HAMMER: Yes. And as we discussed during the presidential campaign, the word "celebrity" does not necessarily have to have a negative connotation.
SERAFIN: Exactly.
HAMMER: I want to move on, because also new right now - of course, the anticipation is building for what will be the biggest party of the year, the presidential inauguration. And as SHOWBIZ TONIGHT first reported, a huge free concert is going on in Washington on Sunday night for Barack Obama. What an amazing lineup of performers.
Let me read off some of the list here - Will.I.Am is in this thing, James Taylor, Beyonce, Bruce Springsteen, Shakira, Garth Brooks, Stevie Wonder. Ken, we even have teen idols, Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers performing here. What does this diverse lineup say about Barack Obama?
BAKER: I think it clearly says that he`s going to have to get an extra iPod because he has so many songs on his play list. I mean, he has a really wide breadth of interests in all kinds of music. And it is really reflective of what he represents symbolically to the nation which is this spectrum of rainbow of colors.
And I think it is really going to be an interesting event. I know I am going to bee there. I think we all have to be there - those of us who cover celebrity. Because it seems like everyone in Hollywood is going to be in D.C. next week.
HAMMER: Yes.
BAKER: And we would have nothing to do if we didn`t go there.
HAMMER: And of course, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT will be there. And just looking at this list, I have every single one of these artists on my iPod. It`s true.
All right. Last November, right after the election, I had the chance to sit down with Seal. He is not performing at the inauguration, but he did get to perform for Obama during the campaign. Seal got the call to sing the Sam Cook classic "A Change is Going to Come." And you have to hear what Seal told me about his emotional reaction to performing for Obama. Watch Seal.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEAL, SINGER: It was without a doubt the single greatest moment of my professional career.
HAMMER: No kidding?
SEAL: Better than any Grammies. Better than any award, any accolades that I may have won. That was the defining moment in my professional career.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Kim, does Seal basically sum up the emotions that all these great performers are going to be feeling, that, you know, this is bigger than the Grammies or the Oscars or really anything?
SERAFIN: Oh, sure. This is bigger than anything. And I think everyone is thinking that way. You know, of course, for any president performing would be a major thing. But for someone like Obama who really does reach out to all walks of life, to so many different people, when you`re just feeling this good spirit in the nation all of a sudden, I think this really does mean a lot more than any awards show could mean for sure.
HAMMER: Well, also new right now, Barack Obama`s emotional open letter to his daughters. This is pretty incredible. In the brand new issue of "Parade" magazine, Barack Obama writes to 7-year-old Sasha and 10-year-old Malia about why he ran for president.
Let me read to you what Barack Obama wrote, quote, "When I was a young man, I thought life was all about me, about how I`d make my way in the world. But then, the two of you came into my world and I realized that my own life wouldn`t count for much unless I was able to ensure that you had every opportunity for happiness and fulfillment in yours. In the end, girls, that`s why I ran for president: because of what I want for you and for every child in this nation."
I actually get a little emotional myself just reading it. Ken, Obama writing something like this in "Parade" magazine. I mean, this is pretty incredible. Is he going to continue to be the most emotionally accessible president we have ever seen? Because it sure seems that way.
BAKER: Well, this just in. He is going to be on "Oprah" once a week throughout his presidency. No, he really is sort of the Oprah president because he is so open and emotionally available. But I think at a certain point, he is going to dial that back.
And frankly, he`s just going to get too busy. He is going to get too busy writing actual speeches, dealing with major national security issues and he`s not going to have time to write "Parade" magazine. That being said, it is really touching, it`s really great. And puts to shame that whole Bill Clinton cliche of, you know, "I feel your pain."
HAMMER: Yes, sure does. What do you think, Kim? I mean, this is truly unprecedented. I think everybody, when they open up their "Parade" magazine, is going to have a smile on their face taking a look at this thing.
SERAFIN: Absolutely. And again, that`s one of the reasons we love the Obamas, because they have this young family. It sort of represents that new era of hope and change - represented in his daughters.
But yes, I think there will come a point when it is going to get busy and there`s going to be harder things going on in the nation. But again, I think that people identify with that part of Obama, and that`s what we are always going to look forward to - seeing the relationship that he has with his daughters and with his wife, seeing that sort of younger demographic. And that`s why we are all kind of attracted to him.
HAMMER: Yes. And I think it`s really important for us to just stop at this moment. What an incredible moment in our history and to reflect on what is going on and how different things have become. How wonderful for all of us. Ken Baker, Kim Serafin, thank you very much.
And I do want to remind you, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, as I mentioned, right there in Washington for Barack Obama`s presidential inauguration. As I said, this is going to be the most star-studded one ever. SHOWBIZ at the Inauguration, right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
All right. Well, earlier this week we told you that President-elect Barack Obama`s mother-in-law will be moving into the White House with the first family. Michelle Obama`s mother will be helping to take care of the Obama daughters.
Sharon in Tennessee called in to "Showbiz On Call" with her thoughts.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
SHARON, CALLER FROM TENNESSEE: Cheers to the Obamas. Very proud of the mother-in-law, Michelle`s mother, for being the nanny. She knows the girls and she knows how to take care of them and knows how to meet their needs. Best wishes to the Obamas. We pray for you, Mr. President.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, thank you, Sharon, for your call. You too can call us any time at "Showbiz On Call," 1-888-SBT-BUZZ. That`s 1-888-728-2899.
Tonight, cashing in on Obama. Ever since Barack Obama got elected president, you know, everything from Obama bobbleheads to commemorative coins to even snow globes have been huge business. And now, even Tropicana orange juice is cashing in unintentionally. It has a squeeze campaign that shows various pictures of moms, dads and kids like this. You notice anything familiar about this one?
Well, some people think it looks a lot like Obama and his daughter, but it isn`t them. Look at these two side by side. Well, Tropicana tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT it wasn`t their intention to evoke the new first family in the ad. All right.
Paula Abdul doing a stunning about-face after dissing "American Idol" producers. Paula now changing her tune big time. But is it ringing true? I`ve got the great "Idol" debate coming up.
Plus, the big Brangelina snub. Did Ryan Seacrest get royally dissed by Hollywood`s royal couple, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie?
And Sarah Palin strikes back again. It`s Sarah`s new outrage.
And now, the SHOWBIZ News Ticker - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: Susan Sarandon to star in "Exit the King" on Broadway, opening in March. CBS announces "Swingtown" has been canceled.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
RYAN SEACREST, RADIO HOST: I don`t think that Angelina thinks I`m that important or that I - I don`t believe I`m that top of mind to Brad and Angelina.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Ryan Seacrest talking on his radio show about being dissed by Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. And tonight, two brand new controversies surrounding the big stars of "American Idol." First, "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest and the big question tonight - did Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie diss Seacrest on the Golden Globes red carpet? Well, we have got the videotape and Ryan`s take on it.
Also new right now, Paula Abdul pulls off a stunning about-face after accusing "American Idol" producers of intentionally letting her obsessive fan audition for the show. This is a fan who was found dead outside Paula`s house.
Joining me tonight in Hollywood to get to the bottom of all this - there he is, Howard Bragman, the founder of Fifteen Minutes Public Relations and the author of this fascinating brand new book, "Where`s My Fifteen Minutes?" Always a pleasure to have you here, Howard.
BRAGMAN: Thanks, A.J.
HAMMER: I want to take a look now at what happened at the Golden Globes when Ryan Seacrest tried - tried he did - to get an interview with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie on the red carpet. Now, watch this - they totally ignored him although they saw him trying to get the interview.
Howard what do you think? Did Brad and Angelina actually diss Ryan here?
HOWARD BRAGMAN, FOUNDER, FIFTEEN MINUTES PUBLIC RELATIONS: Boy, I think they need a publicist, A.J. You know, they`re sort of legendary in town for not having a publicist. And I think it was a mistake. I think - I don`t think it was an intentional diss. I think that they have this great skill that many big celebrities have of sort of pretending they don`t hear what people are screaming at them.
But Ryan Seacrest is one of the good guys in town. He`s one of the really fair journalists. And he happens to be a pretty powerful guy besides being the host of the biggest show on TV. He`s got a huge radio show, network special. So Ryan is not the guy you want to upset.
And although Angelina Jolie, in my book. is one of my PR heroes, they made a mistake there, A.J.
HAMMER: Yes. There are more eloquent ways of getting out of doing a full interview. And everybody has been wondering what does Ryan have to say about all this. Well, during his Kiss-FM radio show on Monday morning after the Globes, he talked about the incident. He had his guest on, gossip blogger Perez Hilton. They spoke about it. I want you to listen what Ryan had to say when Perez asked if he thought he was dissed. Roll it.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
SEACREST: I don`t think that Angelina thinks I`m that important or that I`m - I don`t believe that top of mind for Angelina.
PEREZ HILTON, GOSSIP BLOGGER: Actually, they did diss Ryan. They told me when I spoke to Billy Bush.
SEACREST: Well -
HILTON: It was a bit of a diss.
SEACREST: I think that there is an NBC deal there, by the way, if we are being honest. Anyway, I also learned and I honestly don`t believe that they even would know who I am if I walked down there.
HILTON: They know who you are - you`re Ryan Seacrest.
SEACREST: I don`t believe that they do.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is like air hockey with you two.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Howard Bragman, in your new book, "Where`s My Fifteen Minutes," you show people how to get the recognition they deserve. Ryan, as you said, a recognizable face. Now, he probably could have made a big stink about this whole thing, but he didn`t. He just talked about it. Do you think he handled it the right way?
BRAGMAN: Ryan handled it beautifully. He`s a class act. He laughed at himself. He sort of undermined his power by saying, "I don`t even think they know who I am." I think that Brad and Angelina know who he is. You have to live under a pretty big rock not to know who Ryan Seacrest is no matter where you live in the world.
Maybe Osama Bin Laden doesn`t know who Ryan is. But beyond that, most of the free world knows who he was. But he handled it with his usual grace and his usual style.
HAMMER: Yes.
BRAGMAN: And I commend him. He`s got a lot of class.
HAMMER: I`m right there with you. All right. I want to move on to this other story that is new right now. Paula Abdul`s about-face over her initial claim to Barbara Walters about an obsessive fan who was found dead outside her house, an apparent suicide. Now, during a press tour on Tuesday, Paula was singing a new tune.
Listen to what she said, quote, "First of all, I did not have any confrontation with any of the producers at all. I mean not one thing. I was not quoted as saying anything disparaging about "American Idol" at all. If people to the transcript that Barbara Walters did, you would hear that I didn`t say anything disparaging at all. I`m a big fan of the show. I am blessed to be the show. It`s the greatest show on television all around the world."
Howard, I`ve got a whiplash there. Paula, I know, was a client of yours. You have said some great things about her. But why is she now saying she never had a problem when clearly in the past it did sound like she did?
BRAGMAN: Well, I think she was trying to make it go away. But the question is not why she is saying that. Why is she saying that two months or six weeks later is the question. After the controversy is pretty much come and gone, she is actually reigniting the controversy.
But the question is - which Paula was doing that interview? Because as we all know, there is many Paulas that show up to do interviews.
HAMMER: No question about it. Howard Bragman, first of all, I appreciate you being here. Second of all, congratulations on the release of your book "Where is My Fifteen Minutes."
BRAGMAN: Thank you, A.J.
HAMMER: I appreciate you being here tonight.
All right. It is time now for "Making It Work." This is where we take a look at famous couples who manage to build strong relationships in the spotlight, and that is tough.
Tonight, Will Smith. Will and Jada Pinkett Smith have been married for 11 years, truly an eternity in Hollywood. But throw in three kids and two movie careers - well, it makes it almost unbelievable. Will has famously said divorce will never be an option for him. And now, he is coming down hard or marriage counseling. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: I guess the biggest thing that I would say is that marriage is between two people but it is really going to win or fail based on you. Right, you are the only thing that you have control over. If you`re better, if you`re smarter, if you`re stronger, if you`re a better communicator, if you`re more focused, if you`re a harder worker on yourself that is the only thing, the only tool that you have to make your relationship work.
Marriage counseling is a cheat. Like, you don`t need marriage counseling, if both people take care of themselves. And if both people make themselves happy and deliver themselves, they`ll come better and two smart people can always make it work.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Got to give him credit for believing what he says. Will and Jada doing something right, obviously. They celebrated their 11th wedding anniversary on New Year`s Eve.
Well, coming up, Sarah Palin strikes back. You of course know Tina Fey`s famous impersonation where she said, "I can see Russia from my house." The question is, can Sarah Palin see the humor in it? She is speaking out about what she really thinks about all of those jokes.
And now, the SHOWBIZ News Ticker - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: "American Idol" attracts 30.1 million viewers, 10 percent fewer than last year`s season opener. Mambo dancer Pedro "Cuban Pete" Aguilar dies at the age of 81.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AMY POEHLER, ACTRESS (as Hillary Clinton): I believe that diplomacy should be the cornerstone of any foreign policy.
TINA FEY, ACTRESS (as Sarah Palin): And I can see Russia from my house.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: They`re having a good time. Tina Fey as Sarah Palin with that infamous and very funny line.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. And tonight, Sarah Palin strikes back. The governor of Alaska is speaking out about all of those jokes about being able to see Russia from her house. All of it started back in September when ABC`s Charlie Gibson interviewed Palin and asked her insights about the invasion of Georgia in Russia. Take a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. SARAH PALIN (R-AK), FORMER VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: They are next door neighbors and you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska, from an island in Alaska.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. As you remember, "SNL" and Tina Fey just ran with that. And now, in an interview with "Esquire" magazine, Palin is talking about how she really felt about all of the jokes.
Let me read it to you, quote, "You have to let it go. Even hard news sources, credible news sources - the comment about, you can see Russia from Alaska. You can! You can see Russia from Alaska. Something like that - a factual statement that was taken out of context and mocked - what you have to do is let that go."
But Palin also says that she`s has a sense of humor about the whole thing. She, of course did appear on "Saturday Night Live" after all. And she tells "Esquire," quote, "I`ve been a fan of `SNL` for decades, and I have a lot of respect for the present talent. I knew it would be a good thing to be a part of and also, of course, to let Americans know that I can laugh at myself, too."
Well, on Tuesday, we asked to you vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Barack and Michelle Obama: Are they bigger stars than Brad and Angelina? And if you look at this, it`s hard to believe a pretty even split. Close as it comes, almost - 51 percent saying yes and 49 percent saying no.
Let me read a few of the E-mails we got. We heard from Jean in Kentucky, Jean writing, "I think Obama and Michelle are the biggest stars because of the interest of the world in the election."
Linda from Vermont writes, "The Obamas are not stars. They are more important than stars. They are leading our country to a better time than we have had recently. I wish success for them and their family."
And we appreciate all of your E-mails. And thank you for watching SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. And keep in mind you can always catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN on the 11:00s. We make it easy - 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific. We`re also on in the morning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern.
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