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Showbiz Tonight
Is Tiger Woods in Sex Rehab?; Is Ryan Seacrest the New Simon?; Plus- Sized Debate; Two and a Half Men`s Outrageous Ratings; The Brand-New Hollywood Couple Battle
Aired January 14, 2010 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
A.J. HAMMER, HLN HOST: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, big brand-new Tiger Woods bombshells breaking today. Is Tiger Woods in sex rehab? Tonight, the unbelievable brand-new secret details of where Tiger may be.
Plus, breaking news about President Obama`s startling new take on Tiger`s cheating meltdown.
Tonight, will Ryan Seacrest be replacing Simon Cowell on "American Idol?" The brand-new explosive reports today that Ryan could be moving into Simon`s judging chair on "Idol." If not Ryan, why it could be Elton John. Yes, Elton John.
The shocking brand-new war over a fashion magazine featuring only plus-sized models. Tonight, the explosive claim that glamorizing overweight women is bad, a big mistake and health hazard. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the disturbing weight debate.
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
Tonight, the fast and furious, nonstop stream of Tiger Woods bombshells breaking today, including the startling report that Tiger may have gone into sex rehab.
But wait, there`s more. We also learned today that President Obama - yes, our nation`s president - is actually offering some encouraging words to Tiger on whether he can dig himself out of the hole he`s stuck in. And no, we`re not talking about a golf hole here. The SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom keeping up with all the news breaking today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER (voice-over): It`s the biggest celebrity missing persons case going right now. The entire country asks, where is Tiger Woods? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you, we`re getting word today of a possible shocking answer, Tiger Woods reportedly is in rehab for sex addiction.
JODI MILLER, COMEDIAN: I think he is setting up a lot of men with the perfect excuse for having an affair. To say, "Yes, I did have sex with that very hot bartender, but I have a problem."
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you the report unveiled an explosive debate. Is Tiger a sex addict?
DR. DREW PINSKY, HOST, "SEX REHAB WITH DR. DREW": These are all the sign of a sexual addiction.
HAMMER: Or is he, well, not?
MILLER: I think he`s just a guy that wants to cheat on his wife.
HAMMER: "People.com" quote sources who say Tiger is in Wickenburg, Arizona at the Meadows Clinic to get treatment for sex addiction. "People`s" sources report Woods showed up at the upscale clinic sometime around the holidays and will likely be out by Valentine`s Day.
MILLER: I think if he goes to a rehab clinic that specializes in sex and love addicts, it`s going to be like a buffet. Aren`t they all there for that? He could be having sex with the other patients.
HAMMER: The "People.com" report is one of the few concrete reports we`ve gotten on Tiger`s whereabouts after he crashed his car after a Thanksgiving confrontation with his wife, Elin.
Shortly after that crash, woman after woman started coming forward claiming to have had affairs with Tiger, leaving some to speculate about a possible sex addiction.
PINSKY: He wants to change. He is ashamed of it. It has destroyed his family.
HAMMER: Last night on HLN`s "The Joy Behar Show," Dr. Drew Pinsky, host "Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew," said he thinks Tiger Woods reported behavior displays all the signs of a sex addiction. Not only that, he thinks Elin should stay with him.
PINSKY: You want the partner involved; that can hasten the improvement. That can really get them to a great place together. The treatment outcomes can be quite good.
HAMMER: But it doesn`t look like that`s going to happen. Elin, reportedly, is spending time away from Tiger and weighing her options, including divorce.
And comedienne Jodi Miller tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT she doesn`t exactly agree with Dr. Drew`s recommendation that Elin go back to Tiger.
MILLER: He said that she should stand by her man. I think it`s kind of hard when he`s always in bed.
HAMMER: But with Tiger reportedly trying to fix himself, President Obama thinks he can make a comeback. In an interview in the new "People" magazine, the president said doesn`t want to comment on Tiger`s personal situation, but added, quote, "I`m a strong believer that anybody can look within themselves, find their flaws and fix them of the. I`m sure he feels terrible about what happened. And I suspect that he will try to put his life back together again."
But even with Tiger on a self-imposed exile from the public eye, people remain fascinated with his cheating scandal. Some of them may be a bit fascinated. A Colorado man has been arrested for allegedly taking dozens of Gatorade bottles and replacing the labels with a photo of Woods and his wife and the word "unfaithful."
Before the scandal Tiger often appeared in Gatorade ads. And comedienne Jodi Miller tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Gatorade should embrace the fake label as well as the Tiger scandal.
MILLER: Gatorade promises that you will have better performance and endurance. Tiger obviously has endurance, 18 and counting, and pretty good performance. I`m going to go out and buy Gatorade right now.
HAMMER: So no matter if Tiger really has escaped Arizona for sex rehab, it`s clear there`s no escaping the widespread attention his scandal still gets.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Well, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT reached out to Tiger Woods` representative to ask them about the reports he was in sex rehab. Now, we did not get a response by show time. And when we contacted the Meadows Clinic in Arizona, they told us they could neither confirm nor deny that Tiger Woods had checked in.
So if Tiger Woods really is in sex rehab, would that actually help rehabilitate his tarnished image?
Joining me tonight in New York, Cooper Lawrence, who is a psychologist and author of "The Cult Of Celebrity." Also in New York, Jane Velez- Mitchell, host of "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL" - of course it`s right here on HLN every night. She is also the author of "I Want: My Journey from Addiction and Overconsumption to a Simpler, Honest Life."
Well, you just heard the brand-new "People.com" report that Tiger Woods apparently checked himself into sex rehab. Cooper, I`m thinking at least this is part of the equation. Do you think this is exactly what Tiger needs?
COOPER LAWRENCE, PSYCHOLOGIST AND AUTHOR: Yes, he needs it if he wants to get his sponsors back. I feel like that he doesn`t care about the wife. It`s like, all of a sudden, he`s gone to sex rehab to help him with his marriage? No, come on. He wants his sponsors back. He wants his career back.
So he needs to do some sort of mea culpa. That is a behavioral thing. Rather than saying I`m sorry, you know, you`ve got to go to rehab. If you read, like, PR 101, this is number four on the list.
HAMMER: Yes. I want to get to that in just a moment. But if this report is true, then Tiger did check himself into the clinic right around the holidays. He`ll be there until February.
We`ve seen this kind of thing before with other celebrities. As Cooper mentions, you get into trouble, you claim addiction. Jane, can you understand why some people might look at this report and think, if it`s true, Tiger is making up an excuse to save face?
JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, HOST, "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL": Hey, we accept that people can be addicted to drugs and to alcohol and food and gambling. But somehow, we have a real problem accepting sex addiction because it`s such a complex, multilayered behavior.
We find it hard to get our heads around the idea that somebody could be powerless over a craving for sex. And it`s even more complicated than that, A.J., because there are those who have pointed out he might be a love addict because he allegedly had long-term relationships with some of these women, which means, was he just craving the sex or was craving something else - attention, understanding, companionship, adoration?
And also, what was he trying to escape from? I maintain that his childhood was a lot more traumatic than we want to believe because he was fast-tracked into this professional golf and never had a chance to experience his childhood ...
HAMMER: Yes.
LAWRENCE: That`s not an excuse though.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: ... and never got a chance to choose his life.
LAWRENCE: That is absolutely not an excuse. He`s an adult. You know, there`s so much blame on your childhood you can do. And the thing about sex addiction is that it`s not an acceptable addiction to psychologists. It`s not a disease.
And until it`s a disease, it`s hard to say, you know, well, you need to go do this. We don`t really have a pattern of how we handle it because it isn`t really a recognized disease or problem.
HAMMER: Yes. Well, the truth is, you know, regardless of his situation, there are people coming out saying, you know, it`s all about excuses right now. And then, you have a lot of people who are out on his side, some people, including Charles Barkley, the basketball star, are saying, you know, "I`m with Tiger." In fact Charles told George Lopez on "Lopez Tonight" that he`s got Tiger`s back no matter what. Take a look at what he said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHARLES BARKLEY, BASKETBALL STAR: (INAUDIBLE) when you`re famous and you do something bad, everybody trashes you. But I want him to know - I don`t to give him any advice. What I want him to know - he`s got friends. And when he shows his face in public, he`s going to have my friendship. I don`t judge my friends.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. The thing is, you know, as good as it is that Charles has Tiger`s back, I`ve got to wonder, Cooper, how many other stars are going to be willing to perhaps risk standing by Tiger if and when the dust settles.
LAWRENCE: Right. He`s such a good friend. Where were you when he was really in trouble? Where were you when he was on woman number four, five, 12? You know, step in then. Don`t step in afterwards.
HAMMER: Yes.
LAWRENCE: You know, it`s sort of too late the hero.
HAMMER: Good point. Now, Tiger`s mess, even so huge now. "People" magazine asked President Obama about it. I love it. Here`s what the president said, "I`m a strong believer that anybody can look within themselves, find their flaws and fix them. I`m sure he feels terrible about what happened and I suspect he will try to put his life back together again."
Now, the president did make the point that he didn`t want to comment specifically on Tiger`s personal life. But Jane, do you think that finding flaws and fixing them - I mean, certainly, I believe it`s going to take a lot more than just sex rehab?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, as part of the recovery process, one often engages in individual therapy, and that`s what he needs. He needs to sit on the couch and experience the talking cure and peel back the onion and find out who he really is.
HAMMER: Yes.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: I maintain he really never created a true identity beyond this golf persona and that`s why he`s so robotic. He needs to find out who Tiger Woods is, aside from golf.
HAMMER: Well, no question about it. The issue has been forced. Another big story breaking today, who might be replacing Simon Cowell on "American Idol?" SHOWBIZ TONIGHT producer Kristin Martin in the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom right now, checking it all out. Kristin, what have you got?
KRISTIN MARTIN, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT PRODUCER: A.J., I`ve been working all day to get to the bottom of the latest "American Idol" mystery - who`s going to replace Simon Cowell? Well, word on the street is it could be Ryan Seacrest. We`ve got their frank conversation caught on tape, and that`s next.
HAMMER: All right. Kristin, thanks so much. And you look lovely. Cooper Lawrence, Jane Velez-Mitchell, don`t move. Stay right where you are.
Wow. There is remarkable news today about Charlie Sheen`s hit CBS show "Two and a Half Men." This is incredible. You know, Charlie, of course, was arrested on domestic violence charges. He was even accused of holding a knife up to his wife`s throat. Well, you`ve got to hear what has just happened to his hit show.
And you`ve got to get ready for this. There`s a shocking, brand-new war today over a fashion magazine featuring only plus-sized models. Tonight, the explosive claim that glamorizing overweight women is bad, a huge mistake, even a health hazard. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has the disturbing weight debate. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Tom Hanks joins Twitter and tweets, "Testing ... testing. Is this thing on?" Oprah Winfrey`s interview with Adam Lambert to air Tuesday.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Cellulite, stretch marks, saggy boobs - well, they`re no big deal to Jessica Alba. In a brand-new interview in the new issue of "Self" magazine, Alba is embracing all of the things that came with her pregnancy, saying this, "Pregnancy was the most incredible experience I`ve ever had. So I`ll take the stretch marks. I`ll take the sagging boobs. I`ll take the cellulite. I can never get rid of it. If you walk around with your head held high and you`re happy and positive, then all that other stuff is irrelevant."
And I say, good for you, Jessica. Her daughter, Honor, with hubby Cash Warren is 19 months old. You can read more in the February issue on newsstands, January 21st.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Tonight, Carnie Wilson`s weight war. The world watched in awe as Carnie got gastric bypass surgery live on the Internet back in 1999.
Well, a decade later, she`s letting it all hang out on once again on a brand-new show, "Carnie Wilson Unstapled" on GSN. Now, Carnie admits her public weight battle has been excruciating.
And tonight, Carnie also reveals why Oprah`s public weight struggles have actually helped her. But first, Carnie tells me about how her realty show is going to go where no show has gone before, onto her bathroom scale.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CARNIE WILSON, SINGER: The first thing I do is step on the scale. In the first episode, we show you, you know, what the general feeling of the show is. And then you see me get on that scale and meeting with my trainer, you know, where I haven`t seen him since I gave birth because I`m so nervous he`s going to wring my neck, because I`m still 50 pounds up - or 40 pounds up from the baby weight.
And you know, it doesn`t get more real than that. I mean, I went through a financial thing. I talk about my sobriety. But the weight is a thread to the whole show. And whether I lose this weight or not in this season, we`ll see. We`ll see what happens. But whatever it`s going to be, it`s going to be the truth.
HAMMER (on camera): Yes.
WILSON: It`s going to be real.
HAMMER: But you used it - it sounds like almost sort of as a tool - well, if I`m putting myself out there. And now, you`re saying, and I love hearing you say this, if I lose the weight, we`ll see.
WILSON: Yes.
HAMMER: But...
WILSON: I`m curious to know what you`re going to say here.
HAMMER: Well, that you put yourself out there almost so - "Wow, I have to live up to something as a result." Let me give you an example. We`ve seen Kirstie Alley deal with this very publicly. You know she lost all that weight with Jenny Craig. And then, you know, I think that put an enormous amount of pressure on her. And then, when she put it on, it was really devastating for her.
WILSON: You know, I think the truth is that you have the Hollywood and you have thin people, overweight people, somewhere in between, people that fluctuate. You know, we don`t know who we are unless we`re in our lives. We`re in our homes.
The people that know me in my life know who I am. And this show, people are going to know exactly who I am because I`m not afraid to show it. Kirstie, you know, is just like me. We`re food addicts. If I can label her as that, she probably would agree with me, that we`re food addicts. You know, if I was addicted to exercise, I would not be overweight. I`m going to tell you that right now - I wouldn`t.
HAMMER: When a female star gains some weight, it is front page news on the celebrity magazines. But guys, a couple of pounds, a little beer gut - it`s nothing.
WILSON: Right.
HAMMER: Does the double standard tick you off? Or...
WILSON: Do women have it harder?
HAMMER: Oh, the women definitely have it harder. But does it tick you off that they do, that there is that double-standard?
WILSON: Yes. You know, I don`t really pay attention to that. I don`t. No, it doesn`t bother me. It doesn`t bother me. I just think, you know, we gravitate towards certain people and we - it`s odd because we sort of accept people - certain people the way they are and we don`t accept other people the way they are.
We have accepted Oprah because she goes up and down and she`s public about it. I respect her. I respect her weaknesses. I respect her strengths. You know, I don`t analyze - I don`t get that deep.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, Carnie does go deep when it comes this controversial plus-sized model spread in "V" magazine. Carnie just goes off on the explosive claim that this glamorizes an unhealthy lifestyle. You`re not going to believe who she is calling out when she weighs in a little later on in the show.
Well, Simon says bye-bye and the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines go ring, ring. Now, our "Showbiz on Call" operators - they`ve been getting so many calls on Simon leaving "American Idol" that they are feeling a little pitchy, dog.
We`ve got a call into "Showbiz on Call" from Helen in Nebraska. Helen is pretty upset that Simon is leaving "Idol."
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
HELEN, CALLER FROM NEBRASKA: I think it`s horrible that Simon Cowell is leaving the show. I think it`s probably going to be "Idol`s" downfall. He made the show as far as I`m concerned. It was bad enough that Paula left. And I don`t like the fact that Ellen is going to be on the show at all.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right, Helen. Thank you for your call. Now, Cathey from Arkansas is happy to see Simon go.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CATHEY, CALLER FROM ARKANSAS: I definitely think "Idol" is going to survive without Simon. I don`t watch it because of him. He is so rude. He takes personal shots at people, even not so much about their singing. And I think Ellen will just do great.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thanks, Cathey. I`d like for you to call us at "Showbiz on Call" to let us know what you think about this or anything else. The "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are open all the time at this very number - 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899. That`s where you leave us a voicemail so we can play your call right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
All right. So people are fighting over whether "Idol" will be the same without Simon. The other enormous "Idol" debate today is, who should replace Simon Cowell? Will it be Ryan Seacrest? There`s a brand-new explosive report that it could be, but how about Elton John? Yes, Elton.
Or maybe Simon`s chair should just stay empty. Nobody should replace him. I like Elton in that chair. I think that`s a good idea.
Also tonight, the big battle other Hollywood`s hottest couple. Check this out. I will reveal how Beyonce and Jay-Z are now bigger than Brad and Angelina - bigger than Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Anne Hathaway named woman of the year by Harvard`s Hasty Pudding Group. Nineteen-year-old woman charged in burglaries of Paris and Lindsay Lohan`s homes.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Tonight, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and her husband are pulling the old switcheroo. Yes, Elisabeth and Tim are going to be swapping jobs for a day. Tim is a former NFL quarterback and is an analyst on ESPN`s "NFL Live." Elisabeth, of course, is on "The View" as a co-host. I`m thinking Tim is going to have a tougher time. Those ladies are pretty tough. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHERRI SHEPHERD, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": We have a huge announcement about to make "View" history. Elisabeth Hasselbeck and her husband, Tim, are swapping jobs. This Tuesday, Elisabeth will be sitting in for Tim as a commentator on "NFL Live" on ESPN. And on January 28th, Tim Hasselbeck is hosting "The View."
JOY BEHAR, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": Poor Tim.
(LAUGHTER)
SHEPHERD: This is so great. We have got cameras following them every step of the way. And you can see it all right here, January 28th. Tim, Elisabeth on ESPN.
ELISABETH HASSELBECK, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": This is scary. Just be nice.
WHOOPI GOLDBERG, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": Are you ready - (INAUDIBLE).
(CROSSTALK)
HASSELBECK: He`s - you`ll see.
SHEPHERD: Can we bring back with Tim the G-spot conversation?
HASSELBECK: No, Tim is so thankful that we did that already and please don`t bring it back up.
GOLDBERG: It would be very awkward to say and what do you - OK, never mind, Tim. Let`s move on so we don`t embarrass him anymore.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. I think I`m going to leave that one alone and move on as well.
And I can tell you the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook fans are still very fired up over the judge switcheroo on "American Idol." Look at this wall, raging debate going on over whether Ellen DeGeneres is being set up to fail.
Let`s go to Carrie H. who loves Ellen but doesn`t think she can save the show, "I cannot wait to see Ellen on `Idol.` I think Ellen was a great pick for judge. But I believe this will be the last year for `idol.`"
Nicole G. doesn`t like the idea of Simon leaving one bit. "Who cares what Ellen gets, raw deal or not. `American Idol` made a dumb move by bringing her, of all people, on board. But without Simon, `Idol` is not the same."
We`d love to hear from you on Facebook. You can also follow us on Twitter. That`s where you get our breaking entertainment news alerts. Sign up for our Facebook and Twitter pages at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
It is time now for the SHOWBIZ lineup. This is what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
So will Ryan Seacrest perhaps be replacing Simon Cowell on "American Idol?" We`ve got the brand-new explosive reports today that Ryan could actually be moving into Simon`s judging chair on "Idol." And if not Ryan, could it be Elton John? Really, Elton?
Also, remarkable news today about Charlie Sheen`s hit CBS show, "Two and a Half Men." You know, Charlie was arrested on domestic violence charges. Now, you have got to hear what`s happened to his hit show.
And the big, brand-new Hollywood couple battle. How Beyonce and Jay-Z are now bigger than Brad and Angelina. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Soul singer Teddy Pendergrass dies at 59, was suffering from colon cancer. Wyclef Jean`s charity for Haiti, Yele.org, crashes under flood of donations.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, a big shake-up at "American Idol." Startling news about who could be taking Simon`s place at the judge`s table. You are not going to believe this one. Could Ryan Seacrest be replacing Simon?
Remarkable news today about Charlie Sheen`s show "Two and a Half Men" after his arrest on domestic violence charges. You`ve got to hear what has happened.
The shocking brand-new war over a fashion magazine featuring only plus-sized models. The explosive claim that glamorizing overweight women is bad, a big mistake and a health hazard. Tonight, the disturbing weight debate.
Plus, more stories breaking from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker."
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: 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.
Tonight, startling news about who could be taking over for Simon Cowell on "American Idol." And big Charlie Sheen news. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Brooke Anderson with all the buzz today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BROOKE ANDERSON, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT CO-HOST (voice-over): Simon out, Seacrest in? Brand-new drama in the "American Idol" shakeup today after Simon Cowell dropped a hint about who could fill his shoes. Could Ryan Seacrest be the next Simon? Check out what Cowell said on Seacrest`s radio show.
SIMON COWELL, "AMERICAN IDOL" JUDGE: Well, you just (INAUDIBLE) from your face onto the judging chair and that way, you can get the job.
ANDERSON: Still, Seacrest may not have a lock on the gig. TMZ is now reporting that Elton John is also in the Simon shuffle. The singer was a guest judge on season three. So far, Elton`s rep is not confirming the report.
Charlie Sheen moves out. Less than a month after his arrest on domestic violence charges, Charlie Sheen has reportedly moved out of his Los Angeles home so his wife could move back in.
"People" magazine is reporting that Sheen moved so he wouldn`t be violating the restraining order filed against him after he was accused of attacking his wife on Christmas Day. The publicity doesn`t seem to be hurting Sheen`s career. His hit sitcom, "Two and a Half Men," reached a ratings high Monday with more than 17 million viewers.
Beyonce and Jay-Z eclipse Brangelina? The hip-hop power couple now rank number one on "Forbes" magazine`s list of highest earning celebrity couples. Together, Beyonce and Jay-Z reportedly earned a whopping $122 million from 2008 to 2009. That`s $53 million more than the second place couple, Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart and $67 million more than third place mega-star couple, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: The biggest buzz of all today - could Ryan Seacrest really be the next Simon Cowell? Joining me tonight right here with me in New York is Cooper Lawrence who is a psychologist and author of "The Cult of Celebrity." Also in New York tonight, Carolina Bermudez who is the senior editor for "In Touch Weekly" and co-host of the "Elvis Duran and the Morning Show," one of my favorites.
All right. So Ryan Seacrest to replace Simon Cowell. That`s the revelation that`s flying around today. Just astonishing. And Simon was actually the one who dropped that bomb on Ryan`s radio show. Take a listen.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
COWELL: You know the rumor doing the rounds at the moment.
SEACREST: Who?
COWELL: You`re going to replace me.
SEACREST: Oh, I heard this in the press ...
COWELL: Yes.
SEACREST: ... that you suggested that I come over and sit at the table.
COWELL: Well, you just literally jumped from your stage onto the judging chair and that way you get an extra job.
SEACREST: Thank god.
COWELL: Yes. I`ve been thinking of you.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: There was a report today that it could actually be Elton John. Now, Cooper, I`ve got to tell you, I love the idea of Elton John. Can`t imagine him doing it. Which name is floating your boat more?
LAWRENCE: Ryan Seacrest is too nice. I mean, the role of the last judge is a person who`s honest., who`s brutal. He`s too nice. He`s got a radio show. He`s a sweet host. He can`t be brutal enough. Elton John - as he`s gotten older, doesn`t care about his image. He`s much bitchier. He`s perfect.
HAMMER: Yes. Well, I don`t think he`s much bitchier. I mean, it`s all relative, I guess. Late today, Elton rep did tell SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, no truth to all the buzz that he`ll replace Simon Cowell. Having said that, it is out there. Carolina, what do you think? Elton, Ryan - who do you think would be best to replace Simon?
CAROLINA BERMUDEZ, SENIOR EDITOR, "IN TOUCH WEEKLY": I couldn`t think of a better replacement for Simon than Ryan Seacrest. I mean, the guy has grown up with radio. He knows his stuff. He knows the structure of the show, timing of it.
And you know, you need somebody like Ryan Seacrest on there because he really knows the grassroots of the operation. Just because Elton John is British doesn`t mean he`s going to have the charisma or pizzazz that Simon adds to this show.
HAMMER: Yes. But there are those who would argue Ryan, great host, not so much of a big TV personality?
BERMUDEZ: Well, you know what? I think the panel does need a little bit of crazy on there, maybe like Courtney Love or - you know, the Hoff doesn`t have a job now. You can put him on there. You need someone to really spice it up. But Ryan Seacrest, I think, would be the best person.
HAMMER: Certainly would get some publicity if the Hoff joins the program. Well, the big Simon news is only helping "Idol`s" ratings. The show debuted Tuesday with nearly 30 million viewers.
And it`s not the only show that`s embroiled in controversy making big ratings. We learned today - this is incredible. Monday night, Charlie Sheen`s hit sitcom, "Two and a Half Men," had its highest ratings in over a year.
Listen to this - more than 17 million viewers tuning in. Now, remember, this is coming weeks after his arrest on domestic violence charges and him being accused of holding a knife to his wife`s throat.
Cooper, I`ve got to tell you, I find it a little disturbing that all the publicity over an ugly situation is making Charlie Sheen and his show even more popular because, you know, it`s no coincidence.
LAWRENCE: Yes. But he`s not the guy that holds himself out there like this wonderful role model. We knew about him and Heidi Fleiss and all the women and the strippers. He`s a bad guy.
HAMMER: Yes. We got that stuff -
LAWRENCE: And his job on the show is to be like, you know, laugh, clown, laugh. We have different expectations of him than we would of like Tiger Woods. Tiger Woods - it was just to buy his products. Charlie Sheen has no products.
HAMMER: All right. Fair enough. Also brand-new tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has learned Charlie Sheen wants his entire assault hearing kept under wraps. His lawyer did file a letter with the court today asking that the hearing be conducted in private, in the judge`s chamber, not in the courtroom.
Sheen`s lawyer said they quote, "do not wish this to become a media circus and would, as much as possible, like to have their privacy respected." Carolina, the obvious question to me is, if he didn`t do anything wrong, what`s he worried about protecting?
BERMUDEZ: Oh, I think it`s protecting the image. You know, he does have a very successful show. He is one of highest paid actors in all of television. So I think that in order to preserve what may be left of his marriage and what they`re working on and also his public image, he wants to keep it under wraps, and also for those two little guys that they have.
HAMMER: Let me ask you, Carolina, though. Is it crazy to you that all this obvious publicity from, as I mentioned, a really ugly situation - isn`t it crazy that that`s driving more viewers to his show? I really find that troubling.
BERMUDEZ: It is very troubling. I mean, you would hope that people would kind of have a higher standard of the people they want to support and appreciate. And I don`t think that that`s the case here now.
I mean, really, people don`t look at the moral fabric of a person that they are watching on television. They just enjoy the show. They are fans. That`s what they -
HAMMER: See his name in the news, I guess, "OH, look, he`s on TV -
(CROSSTALK)
Yes. Well, to see if it has any impact. And of course, if, you know, it`s a scripted show, it`s not going to show at all one way or the other.
LAWRENCE: Let`s see how they do next week. I mean, it is a curiosity factor that one week. Next week, I`m sure people are going to be like, "I saw it. It wasn`t that funny."
HAMMER: All right. Another big story breaking today. "Forbes" magazine has just named the lovely Beyonce and the lovely Jay-Z Hollywood`s top-earning couple, making a whopping $122 million between 2008 and 2009. Second place, Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart, $69 million there. Brad and Angelina coming in third, $55 million. Oh, the indignity. Cooper, does it surprise you that Jay-Z and Beyonce beat Brad and Angelina?
LAWRENCE: Well, no. Not really. Because you know, Jay-Z produces everybody. And this was the year of Sasha Fierce. And Beyonce was on tour - I have to say, it surprised me a little bit. But I don`t know how many movies Brad did last year. "Inglorious Basterds" - that`s one.
HAMMER: Well, that`s true. They also do have a production company. And it`s nice to see also they are spending some money now in the wake of the Haiti disaster, sending $1 million over there.
Carolina, what do you think? Were you at all surprised by this list? I mean, look, Beyonce, Jay-Z - they`re out there. They`re making it happen. But I was surprised to see them at the top of this list having no idea what everybody is making.
BERMUDEZ: Oh, no. Beyonce and Jay-Z - they`re hip hop royalties now. I mean, they`re rubbing elbows with the Obamas and Oprah all the time now, so it`s no surprise to me. And also Beyonce has the sickest work ethic. The girl works so hard. So she deserves this. It`s a much deserved hiatus that she`s going to take now for about six months.
But she`s been doing her thing. And you know, it reflects in the "Forbes" magazine now, I guess.
HAMMER: $122 million and, of course, a lot of the jewelry provided for show by the people who make it. But you know what? She`s got to spend her money on some of it, I`m sure. Carolina Bermudez, Cooper Lawrence, thank you both.
Now, let me put it over to you for our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Who should replace Simon on `American Idol`? Ryan Seacrest, Elton John or no one?" Here`s where you vote - CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. E-mail us at showbiztonight@cnn.com.
Tonight, Kate Gosselin minus Jon plus her own show. Remarkable new reports today about Kate Gosselin new reality show is going to be. We`re going to have that. Plus, what TLC is saying about all this.
Also, the shocking brand-new war today over a fashion magazine featuring only plus-sized models. The explosive claim that glamorizing overweight women is bad, a big mistake and it`s a health hazard. Carnie Wilson also weighs in on that as well.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WILSON: Every day, we see women - their bones are sticking out. Is that healthy? The average model is too thin.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, you`ve got to stay right where you are for the plus- sized controversy, the provocative weight debate happening right here.
And you`ve got to hear the stunning details about the remarkable news about Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie that I mentioned. It is just incredible. What they are doing to help with the horrible Haiti earthquake tragedy. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Here comes the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: "Dexter" star Michael C. Hall diagnosed with cancer, in remission. Casey Johnson`s death certificate released, cause of death "deferred."
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HAMMER: Tonight, the brand-new, absolutely explosive firestorm over a fashion magazine featuring only plus-sized models. The magazine "Size Issue" just hit newsstands today and a writer from a major newspaper is claiming that this is all wrong - glamorizing overweight women is a major mistake.
Here`s what he writes, quote, "Tolerance is the enemy of shame. With more and more fat acceptance like that encouraged by "V," there will be more and more fat people.
Well, the man who wrote that is with me right now in New York. His name is Kyle smith. He is a columnist for the "New York Post." Also tonight with me in New York is Emme, who is the founder of "EmmeStyle.com."
And Kyle, I`ve got to tell you, what you wrote has ignited an unbelievable reaction. You also wrote in your article for the "New York Post," nobody is born 300 pounds. Nobody suffers from obesity. She chooses it one milkshake at a time." Emme, off to you first. What do you say to that?
EMME, FOUNDER, "EMMESTYLE.COM": Why are you so angry, I think the images that we saw in "V" magazine are beautiful. These women are size 12, at the top of their game, looking fierce and fabulous.
And it`s not the only magazine that`s actually taking a stand, like "Glamour" magazine made a big, big point of taking the step in the right direction with saying, "We`re not going to talk about size. We`re going to have the top in the industry, whether straight size or full-figured models grace our magazine every single month. Why shouldn`t we see who we are reflected in the magazines?
HAMMER: Kyle?
EMME: Beautiful images.
HAMMER: Kyle, why shouldn`t we see that?
KYLE SMITH, COLUMNIST, "NEW YORK POST": Well, the thing that worries me is sort of the sliding scale of standards. I mean, if size 12 -
EMME: But the standard right now is clearly prepubescent style. It is absolutely unattainable. We need to have something a little bit more realistic, be it women who are size four, six, eight, 10, 12, 14. I mean, that`s who we are.
SMITH: I think there`s a pretty big difference between four and 14.
EMME: I agree.
SMITH: If size 12 is the new 6, then size 18 becomes the new size 12.
EMME: No, no, on. It`s about inclusion. It`s about including all of who we are, the best that we are. We all could never be the same.
HAMMER: Go ahead, Kyle. I want to hear what you have to say about this, because, you know, it`s got a lot of people very fired up.
SMITH: There`s a huge industry that exists that is encouraging people, "Hey, you know, love your body the way it is. Love your size. Don`t worry about, you know, what your pants say, let your belt out. It`s all good." Well, no -
EMME: Who`s saying that?
SMITH: It`s not all good. It`s quite bad, really. Sixty-eight percent of us are overweight now in this country. A third of us are obese. This is an epidemic, and I think to that extent, we are encouraging people to be OK with whatever size you might be. That`s wrong.
HAMMER: Here`s the point that you make in your article and I think this has also got a lot people pretty confused, Kyle. You say that the overweight women that we see in magazines are worse role models somehow than the super-skinny models we`ve been seeing in magazines for years. How is that?
SMITH: Well, I`m no fan of the super-skinny models. And I`ll tell you no guy I know looks at fashion magazine is a fan of size zero, you know, praying mantis-style models. I think the fashion world is ridiculous all the way through. You`ll see the women in "Maxim," a guy magazine, are a lot curvier than the women in these women`s magazines, which women, for some reason, buy.
HAMMER: OK. But why are you saying that the overweight images we`re seeing are worse than the super-skinny images?
SMITH: Well, I mean, there`s this fantasy image of - OK, this is how I`m supposed to look and maybe I won`t have that third milkshake.
EMME: Well, no. Wait a minute. I have to jump in for a second. I do yoga. I do triathlons. I work out very, very hard on a very regular basis. I`ve got (INAUDIBLE) a scholarship to Syracuse for rowing.
And I cannot change the way I am. I know that my size - my size alone represents a majority of American women in this country. I am not representing the higher, higher super-size, but I am at least giving the realistic image of who we are and giving them the top of the brand.
The women you see in the magazines are the top in their business, not just women who are shooting back milkshakes. They are women that work out regularly. They have full lives and there`s no pun intended on that one.
HAMMER: Let me tell you something. Today, I was talking with Carnie Wilson. Certainly, we have seen her struggle with her weight very publicly, her ups and her downs. I`ve got to tell you, Kyle, she thinks her claim - this particular claim is ridiculous, that glamorizing overweight women is worse than glamorizing super-skinny women. I want you to watch what she told me today. Roll that, Charles.
WILSON: I don`t think that that`s a bad message. I think that`s an equal message to an anorexic-looking woman we see in the magazines every day. We see women that - their bones are sticking out. Is that healthy? The average model is too thin. So what the hell is that message? That is an absolute contradiction. That is 100 percent contradiction.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Kyle says that you`re contradicting yourself. What do you say to her.
SMITH: The average model is too thin. But Emme says the majority of us are this size. Well, just because it`s the majority doesn`t mean it`s right. I can remember a time when majority of Americans smoked.
Smoking was a public health epidemic and we, as Americans, learned not to tolerate it. Now, it`s illegal in a lot of places and it`s frowned on in many other places. And obesity is now a bigger health threat than tobacco is.
EMME: But we`re not showing the women who come from Florida, Wilhelmina or the top agencies. The women that are being chosen to be representative the full-figured industry are toned, in shape, looking great.
Yes they have more curves. Our eye is not trained to see women with some kind of substance on their body. I think we need to see more regularity in the fashion magazines and billboards, mass media, movies - all that type of things, so we can actually be maybe less brainwashed with one standard of beauty that`s highly unrealistic and very damaging.
HAMMER: Real quickly, I want to get to some more of what Kyle wrote in the "New York Post" about this, "In fashion magazines staffed by upper middle class white women, the death of millions from obesity-related causes don`t count. What sets off their alarms is the death of coked-up rice- cake-eating model who starves herself to the grave."
Quickly, Emme, what do you say to that?
EMME: Eating disorder clinics are completely overflowing right now. That`s never reported. We have an epidemic - a bipolar epidemic - obesity on one side and anorexia nervosa and bulimia on the other. We as a nation need to shake ourselves and say, "How do I get healthy, mentally, physically, and spiritually?"
HAMMER: And we`ve got to leave it there. Kyle Smith and Emme, thanks so much. I appreciate it, guys.
TEXT: On Twitter, Katy Perry says rumors that she is pregnant are not true. Kesha ends Susan Boyle six-week reign at the top of the album charts.
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As we roll on, what everybody wants to know - what will Kate Gosselin`s new reality show be like minus Jon? There are remarkable new reports today about what Kate`s show`s going to look like. And I have got the stunning details. Plus, what TLC is saying about it. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Tonight, Heidi Montag is speaking out about her radical plastic surgery. Heidi is nearly unrecognizable after getting 10 procedures in one day. Yes, I said ten - breast enlargement, nose job, chin reduction, even more. The works, I tell you.
Before she went under the knife, Heidi did let the cameras roll, and she tried to explain her thinking on this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HEIDI MONTAG, REALITY TV STAR: It sound crazy, but once you get a certain size boob, you always want bigger. It`s my body. I need to feel comfortable as a woman, as a person. You know, and it`s - your inner beauty is always there. And I think that`s what I`m most concerned with, is always my inner beauty.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, for more about Heidi`s inner beauty and 10 plastic surgeries in one day, grab a copy of "People" magazine. It will be on newsstands, Friday.
We have brand-new reports today about Kate Gosselin`s new reality show. Now, "TheWrap.com" says that Kate`s new reality series for TLC will show her trying out different jobs and show how she reacts to different environments.
The Web site says according to a production source, the show will be interactive with the audience determining some of the professions and the challenges that Kate`s going to take on. Kind of more like Kate Gosselin firefighter for a day instead of Kate Gosselin homemaker.
Well, the source also says the show won`t feature her ex-husband, Jon, or any of her children. So is all this dish on the reality show real?
Here`s a statement we got from TLC today. They say, "This is just the latest speculation from supposed sources. We are still in development and looking at a number of ideas. When we have determined what the show will be, you will hear directly from us."
Tonight, Hollywood helping Haiti. The help is pouring in from the stars after Haiti`s absolutely devastating earthquake. Today, Doctors Without Borders announced that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have donated $1 million to the emergency medical operation that is responding to the catastrophe.
In a statement, Brad Pitt had this to say, quote, "We understand the first response is critical to serve the immediate needs of countless people who are now displaced from their homes, are suffering from trauma, and most require urgent care."
Brad`s buddy, George Clooney, is reportedly going to host a telethon to help the people of Haiti. "The Hollywood Reporter" says Clooney is reaching out to his famous friends to be part of the telethon next Friday. And it will air on MTV and on VH1. All doing a very good job there.
On Wednesday we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. Just moments ago, we got the final results in. The question - "Ellen DeGeneres: Is she `American Idol`s` last hope." Results - pretty close here. Forty-six percent say yes; 54 percent say no.
A few of the E-mails came in, including one from Amanda in Mississippi writing, "I think the show will do great! Ellen is so funny, and if she adds her comedy into the show, it will do better!"
Linda from Illinois writing, "`Idol` just isn`t the same without Paula. They should ask Paula to come back and pay her double what she earned before."
That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thanks for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Keep in mind 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 here on HLN.
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