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Showbiz Tonight
Tiger Woods and John Edwards: Who is the Bigger Skunk?; An Oprah Tell-All; Two and a Half Troubles; Scott Baio`s Not So Happy Day; The Most Provocative Celebrity of the Week
Aired January 22, 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, CO-HOST: Big news breaking right now on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - who`s the bigger skunk, John Edwards or Tiger Woods? Tonight, the wild nationwide debate today over which is worse, Edwards` affair, the denials, the love child or all of cheating Tiger did on his wife, including with alleged porn stars and prostitutes? Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT dares to ask, John Edwards or Tiger Woods - who do you think is the bigger skunk?
Tonight, breaking news about a new tell-all book about Oprah, an unauthorized biography from a famed celebrity biographer who really knows how to dish the dirt. But what will she dig up on Oprah? And what does Oprah have to say about all this? Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with a brand- new bombshell controversy over the Oprah tell-all.
Two and a half troubles. Is the FBI investigating whether "Two and a Half Men`s" John Cryer`s ex-wife hired a hit man to kill him?
And startling new allegations about Charlie Sheen allegedly beating his wife.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(MUSIC)
BROOKE ANDERSON, CO-HOST: Hi there, everyone. I`m Brooke Anderson coming to you tonight from the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.
HAMMER: I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City. And tonight, the burning question - who`s the bigger skunk, Tiger Woods or John Edwards?
Well, there were brand-new revelations today about John Edwards admitting that he is a big liar and that he is, indeed, the father of his mistress` child. But a great debate broke out today on air, online and in newspapers all over the country around - who is the bigger skunk, Edwards or Tiger Woods?
How do you compare Tiger`s serial cheating with alleged prostitutes and the strippers to Edwards having an affair and getting his mistress pregnant as his wife was fighting terminal cancer and he was running for the highest office in the land? (UNINTELLIGIBLE) for sure and it made for big news breaking today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): As far as major cheating scandals go, it`s buy one, get one free. The cheating scandals of John Edwards and Tiger Woods exploded into new heights of sleaziness this week.
ANDREW YOUNG, FORMER AIDE OF JOHN EDWARDS: This time, it made the full pitch.
HAMMER: This morning on ABC`s "Good Morning America," Andrew Young, a former aide to Edwards, claimed the ex-presidential candidate conspired to have Young claim to be the father of the baby girl born to Edwards` ex- mistress, Rielle Hunter. It took Edwards until this week to publicly admit the nearly 2-year-old girl was his.
YOUNG: He didn`t just have to convince me that I was going to take paternity. He also had to convince Rielle that she would publicly claim that I had been the father.
HAMMER: And then, there`s golf great Tiger Woods, who, it was reported this week, might be getting treatment for sex addiction in Mississippi.
John Edwards and Tiger Woods - both one-time media darlings, both married with children and both guilty of shockingly bad behavior.
JODI MILLER, COMEDIAN: It`s almost like they`re trying to outdo each other, like, "Oh, you did that? Watch this."
HAMMER: And now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT tackles a debate that`s sweeping this entire nation, who`s the bigger skunk? No offense to Pepe Le Pew.
MILLER: Pepe Le Pew had way more class. He only wanted one cat/skunk. These guys are greedy. They want several.
HAMMER: Who`s the bigger skunk? Strong arguments can be made for both candidates. We`ll start with John Edwards` skunk qualification. Number one, the love child.
MILLER: He created a life. Tiger Woods is just creating a lot of really dirty text messages.
HAMMER: Edwards second skunk qualification, all the lies. In the two years since the "National Enquirer" first reported this affair with Hunter, Edwards has been on a one-man lie-a-paloozza. First, he lied about never having had an affair with Hunter.
FMR. SEN. EDWARDS (D-NC), FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Tabloid trash - it`s full of lies.
HAMMER: Then, on ABC`s "Nightline," he lied about not being the father of the baby.
EDWARDS: I know that it`s not possible that this child could be mine.
HAMMER: There were also lies about the timeline of the affair and who knows where the lies stop.
MILLER: He`s looking in the mirror right now, thinking about how he can still get away with it, "I can say that I was abducted by aliens and I wasn`t even there - no, I`ve got it. Better yet, I just have really bad ADD."
HAMMER: And Edwards` third skunk qualification, he cheated while his wife Elizabeth was suffering from cancer.
MILLER: He`s sad. This was his grief, you know, acting out. And Tiger Woods - I mean, obviously, he has a lot to be sad about, too, a horrible career, ugly wife - wait, no.
HAMMER: That brings us to Tiger Woods. His biggest skunk qualification can be summed up in three words - volume, volume, volume. While Edwards was linked to only one mistress, Tiger Woods` alleged mistresses number into the teens. Which is worse, being with one woman or just going down an assembly line of women?
HAMMER: Tiger`s other big skunk qualification - his massive hypocrisy. Tiger earned millions in endorsements by creating an image of a clean-cut family man. It turns out that image was bogus.
MILLER: Tiger really fooled a lot of people. I think people were far more shocked when they found out about Tiger than they did when they found out about John Edwards.
HAMMER: Two men, two displays of unbelievable skunkiness. And although one might be a bigger skunk than the other, it`s clear that what they each did really stinks.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
Tonight the great debate rages on. Who is the bigger skunk? Is it John? Is it Tiger? Joining me tonight from Hollywood, Leslie Marshall, host of the good-smelling "Leslie Marshall Radio Show." And in Hollywood, Wendy Walsh who is a TV journalist and doctor of psychology.
I mean, ladies, both the John Edwards and Tiger Woods` cheating scandals really, really reek from their skunkiness or maybe it`s skunkitude - I`m not sure. But look, I`m leaning towards John Edwards. He really seems to have maximum skunkiness in my mind. Leslie, who is your pick.
LESLIE MARSHALL, HOST, "THE LESLIE MARSHALL SHOW": I`m with you, A.J. This is a man who is married to a woman who was there from the beginning when he wasn`t rich, he wasn`t famous, he wasn`t a politician.
This guy fathered a child, didn`t even admit the child is his and knew that it was his. This guy cheated perhaps while his wife was suffering and going through cancer and an illness. And he and his wife lost a child. They buried a son together who died in a car accident.
And then add to it how many people like me that believed in a lot of what he stood for politically and we were really pinning our hopes on him. So absolutely, no question, John Edwards is the bigger skunk. He`s got the bigger smell.
HAMMER: Yes. What a huge disappointment. Wendy Walsh, on your skunk scale, which of these gentlemen is ranking higher? Is it Tiger or is it John Edwards?
DR. WENDY WALSH, PSYCHOLOGIST: No way. It`s Tiger all the way.
HAMMER: Really?
WALSH: And I`ll tell you why? You know, if we were in Europe, John Edwards` behavior wouldn`t make the news. It`s sort of a - every politician has a mistress and illegitimate child, don`t they?
But think about Tiger. Here`s my favorite study, A.J. A study of married women asked them, "Would you rather your husband have a platonic but intimate lunch every week with his secretary, or visit a prostitute?" Overwhelmingly, the women said visit a prostitute, because that qualifies and quantifies how much money is leaving the household.
But an intimate relationship with emotions means that money could go a long way. So now, they ask these wives, "If you would have a choice with your husband having a mistress and an illegitimate child or the potential to bring the germs of 16 women into your family that could fatally kill you, what would it be?"
HAMMER: Wendy, I hear what you`re saying. I want you to pay close attention now because I`m going to sway - I`m going to change your mind. Leslie and I are not agreeing completely. I definitely think you make a great case.
I have to tell you, it is not that cut and dry, though, when we asked SHOWBIZ TONIGHT viewers. Here`s what we asked in our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Who has disappointed you more? Was it John Edwards? Was it Tiger Woods?"
The results were just handed to me. Basically, as you see, we got an even split here. Forty-seven percent said Edwards and we have 53 percent saying Tiger Woods.
And the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines will not stop. So many people are calling in really fired up about this. We heard from Karen in Florida and Karen thinks that John Edwards let everybody down. Listen to her.
KAREN, CALLER FROM FLORIDA: John Edwards was a much larger disappointment than Tiger Woods. Never expected anything much from Tiger Woods who`s basically a narcissistic spoiled brat. Good golfer though.
John Edwards actually could have been a really good president. It`s a very serious disappointment that he threw his life and career away.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. Thanks, Karen, for your call. Leslie, I mean, that`s the thing for me. Tiger is an athlete - I don`t want to say just an athlete, but put that up against running for the highest office in the land. To me, that is really a game changer when it comes to skunkitude and skunkiness, isn`t it?
MARSHALL: Absolutely. I mean, John Edwards had the power to change lives, to save lives, to do so much for individual Americans. Tiger - yes, he`s a great golfer, but what does that do for you and for me?
And I have to tell you, I`d much rather my husband just have sex than fall in love and have a child. And I think a lot of women would agree with me on that. So definitely, John Edwards is much, much smellier. He is the bigger skunk.
HAMMER: Listen to this quote from today`s "New York Daily News." I think it says it all about Edwards. I totally agree with this, "He makes Tiger Woods look like an amateur." He was lying to the country for years. He cheated on his a cancer-stricken wife. He fathered a child who is going to have to deal with his initial denials as the child gets older. Quickly, Wendy, I mean, come on. Haven`t we changed your mind? Tiger Woods can top that.
WALSH: Not at all. This reminds me of Allan Greenspan`s famous quote, "If you have what it takes to be president, you probably don`t deserve to be president." Tiger Woods could have killed his wife and children with a virus he could pick up. I think death is worse than emotional hurt.
HAMMER: All right. Well, no doubt these two guys have to be nominated for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s most provocative celebrity of the week. Included in that list, reality TV train wreck, Heidi Montag who is swarming in controversy now over her 10 plastic surgery procedures in one day. Who do you think the winner is going to be - John Edwards, Heidi Montag, Tiger Woods, maybe? Leslie, Wendy, don`t answer yet and don`t go anywhere. We`ll get to that fired-up debate in just a moment.
But now, over to you, here`s our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Who do you think is worse? Is it Tiger Woods? Is it John Edwards?" Please vote by going to CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. E-mail us more of your thoughts by E-mail a note to showbiztonight@cnn.com.
Tonight, big news about a brand-new tell-all book about Oprah Winfrey. Yes, a famed celebrity writer who really knows how to dish the dirt has set her sights on Oprah. But the question is, what is she going to dig up and what does Oprah have to say about all of this?
And a not exactly happy day for Scott Baio. He`s actually getting death threats over something that he wrote about First Lady Michelle Obama on Twitter. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Oprah Winfrey to interview Jay Leno in Los Angeles. Will air Thursday. Tents put up around clinic where Tiger Woods is reportedly being treated.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERT REDFORD, ACTOR: The outpouring of concern and feelings by America - that`s one of the great things about America. We do step up. We are compassionate people when things like this happen.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Did you see this? A dramatic rescue today of a dog stuck in the flooded L.A. river channel. I want to assure you, this has a happy ending. Firefighters and rescue teams worked tirelessly to help this poor dog, and they finally pulled the dog out of the water with the help of a rescue tech and a helicopter. An amazing rescue and a happy ending for the dog.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson coming to you tonight from the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. Tonight, SHOWBIZ at Sundance.
One of the most provocative films here at Sundance this year is about a 13-year-old paparazzo. That`s right. You heard me - a 13-year-old boy snaps a picture of HBO`s entourage star, Adrian Grenier and then he gets the camera turned on him.
Now, it`s for a new documentary from Grenier called teenage paparazzo. And as Grenier was filming him, he developed a really close relationship with this celebrity-obsessed kid. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ADRIAN GRENIER, ACTOR: I got what paparazzi call - sprayed by a 10 or 15- flash shots by the kid. And I was completely shocked, of course. And he started running away. I said, "Hey, wait. Come back. What was that all about? What are you doing?" He said, "Paparazzi, dude."
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You realize I can`t see anything. He just crashed into a tree then blame them.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Come on, Gabriel, get off the car.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That was awesome.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Now, Brooke, I see that Paris Hilton appears in the movie, too, which always, you know, makes me smile. Now, if that 13-year-old paparazzo was there at Sundance, I`ve gotten the sense there`s at least one person he would be chasing right after on the streets there.
ANDERSON: Yes, you know who showed up here in Park City, A.J.? Jon Gosselin. Jon Gosselin and his new gal pal, Morgan Christie tearing up Park City, I`ve heard. And you know what? They both like snowboarding so maybe they are here to hit the slopes. But A.J., what do think? Do you think they are also here maybe to hit the swag-gifting suites?
HAMMER: Oh, the ones on Main Street? Yes. I`m thinking they are there for that. Those gifting suite should be kicking out Jon Gosselin and whoever he is with. They don`t deserve it.
I am betting however that the head of Sundance, of course, Robert Redford, could care less if Jon Gosselin is in his midst.
ANDERSON: Oh, certainly. Certainly. His focus is on independent filmmaking. And he kicked off that festival with a press conference. He was talking about the importance of fostering independent filmmaking. But also top of mind for him is the suffering in Haiti.
Tonight, of course, was that big George Clooney-led telethon to benefit the relief fund. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was there as Robert Redford shared his thoughts on the tragedy. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REDFORD: The outpouring of concern and feelings by America - that`s one of the great things about America. We do step up. The sad thing, the tragic thing, the dilemma, obviously, is that all the aid is pouring in, there`s not enough space to accommodate the aid that`s coming in. And that is really quite tragic. So I`m happy about the world opening itself up to this country. They need it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: A.J., so Robert Redford, of course, is telling everyone, yes, it`s OK to have fun. And he wants everybody to focus on film. But also keep your thoughts, you`re your prayers with those victims in Haiti.
And A.J., there are more events and more efforts scheduled here to help the victims. They`re really stepping up. It is nice to see.
HAMMER: Is it dampening the spirit though at all, Brooke? Because, obviously, it`s a hard thing to celebrate when we know what`s going on in another part of the world.
ANDERSON: Of course it is. You know, it is a hard thing to celebrate when there is such incomprehensible suffering. But I think that everyone is putting it into perspective, putting this festival into perspective. That being said, there is a lot of money on the line and a lot of people are here to buy and to sell and to do business.
HAMMER: Yes.
ANDERSON: They have to get through that as well. But, of course, their thoughts and prayers are with those who are having such a tough time.
HAMMER: All right, Brooke. We`ll definitely check back with you from Park City in just a bit at the Sundance Film Festival. Great job out there.
The "Showbiz on Call" phone lines have been going crazy. So many people calling in about whose cheating scandal is worse - John Edwards or Tiger Woods?
We got a call into "Showbiz on Call" from Denice in New York. Denice says Edwards is the bigger disappointment.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
DENICE, CALLER FROM NEW YORK: Sen. Edwards lied and lied and lied and lied. Tiger Woods has a problem but he`s a golfer. And it`s time to back off and let him resume his life and fix his problem. He will always be the best golfer in the world. And nothing anybody says is going to change that.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thanks, Denice. We also heard from Shonda calling into "Showbiz on Call" from South Carolina who says there`s another hat that should be thrown into the ring here.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
SHONDA, CALLER FROM SOUTH CAROLINA: I think Gov. Mark Sanford should be right in that vote along with Tiger Woods and John Edwards because Mark Sanford is just as guilty as the other two.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thank you, Shonda. Remember, the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are always open at 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; the number again - 1-888-728-2899. Leave us a voicemail. We`re playing your calls here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Tonight, breaking news about a tell-all book about Oprah Winfrey. It is brand-new. It is an unauthorized biography from a famed celebrity writer who really knows how to dish the dirt. Question - what is she going to dig up on Oprah? And what does Oprah have to say about this?
Rosie`s new roommate? Tonight, are Rosie O`Donnell and her new girlfriend really moving in together? Now, Rosie has four kids. The girlfriend has six kids of her own and she lives in Texas. So I`m wondering, how is that going to work? Rosie speaks out.
And Levi Johnston, man about town, "Play Girl" model - dead beat dad? Yes, tonight, why Bristol Palin is taking Levi to court. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Rob Lowe is leaving the ABC series, "Brothers and Sisters." Jessica Simpson creates denim line to "make a girl`s booty look good."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Miley Cyrus popped in on Joaquin Phoenix for a new public service announcement. It`s for an organization called "To Write Love on Her Arm." It`s for people struggling with depression. In the PSA Miley teaches Joaquin how to help.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOAQUIN PHOENIX, ACTOR: I don`t have any friends anymore.
MILEY CYRUS, ACTRESS AND SINGER: No!
(CROSSTALK)
Miley Cyrus! Oh, you`re telling him how - OK.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Great seeing you.
CYRUS: I`ll teach you how to vote. All right. We`re going to go to the Web site and vote, because they are going to get $1 million -
PHOENIX: Did you start?
CYRUS: (UNINTELLIGIBLE). We`re going to get - we have $1 million (UNINTELLIGIBLE). You`ve got to go to "Twloha.com." That`s a Web site. Now, you just have to push "click here to vote" OK?
PHOENIX: OK.
CYRUS: OK. Click here.
PHOENIX: That`s easy.
(CROSSTALK)
CYRUS: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and you just push click here and you`re done.
PHOENIX: Guess who I voted?
CYRUS: Yes?
PHOENIX: You just voted for me.
CYRUS: I voted for you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: As you heard Miley say, for more info, go to "Twloha.com."
So Rosie is getting a new roomie. Listen to this. Rosie O`Donnell says she and her new girlfriend are going to move in together.
After 12 years with Kelli Carpenter, Rosie is now dating an artist in Texas named Tracy. And in an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Rosie says they are going to live together as soon as they can work out the kid thing.
Now, Rosie has four children. Tracy has six. And Rosie says they are going to blend the family. That episode of Oprah airs on Monday.
Well, the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook page is just blowing up - blowing up, I tell you. A lot of comments about cheaters today. I just checked our page. The debate is just raging over whose cheating scandal is worse - John Edwards or Tiger Woods.
Here`s what Michelle O. writes, "The biggest disappoint would have to be from Tiger. After all, he truly seemed like a good man until the scandals."
Carrie D. writes, "Both of them disgust me. There`s no excuse for either one of them. What happened to family values and morals?"
I`d love to hear from you on Facebook. Also follow us on Twitter for breaking entertainment news alerts. You can sign up for our Facebook and Twitter pages at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
Here comes the SHOWBIZ lineup. This is what we have lined up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Breaking news - a new tell-all about Oprah, an unauthorized biography from a famed celebrity biographer who really knows how to dish the dirt. But what is she going to dig up on Oprah?
Not exactly happy days for Scott Baio, who is getting death threats and it`s all because of something he tweeted about First Lady Michelle Obama.
And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT names the most provocative celebrity of the week - John Edwards for his love child bombshell; Tiger Woods, who is reportedly in rehab for sex addiction; or Heidi Montag for her plastic surgery madness. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: "Miracle on Hudson" plane is up for auction. "Night at the Museum 3" is in the works.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, the shocking Oprah tell-all. A famous celebrity biographer is all set to dish the dirt on Oprah. But what will she find? And should Oprah be worried?
And the death threats against Chachi. "Happy Days" star Scott Baio and his big no-no involving Michelle Obama. What people are so furious they want him dead.
And it`s time for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT to name the most provocative celebrity of the week. Will it be John Edwards for fathering the child of his former mistress? Will it be Tiger Woods for his reported sex addiction? Or will it be Heidi Montag for her plastic surgery madness. Plus, more stories breaking from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker."
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC)
ANDERSON: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It is 30 minutes past the hour. I`m Brooke Anderson, coming to you tonight from the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.
HAMMER: And I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Tonight, the Oprah Winfrey tell- all. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is learning new details today about the new book that will take us inside Oprah`s orbit. The unauthorized biography is by legendary Kitty Kelley who has blown the lid off the lives of frank Sinatra and the Bush family. So Oprah be worried?
Tonight, "Two and a Half Men" madness. The stars of the biggest sitcom on TV are now knee-deep in drama today. In a new interview, the stepfather of Charlie Sheen`s wife claims that Charlie definitely attacked her.
We also learn today the FBI is reportedly investigating the ex-wife of Sheen`s co-star John Cryer in an alleged murder-for-hire plot.
Joining me tonight from Hollywood, Leslie Marshall, host of the fantastic syndicated radio program, "The Leslie Marshall Show." Also in Hollywood, Rachel Zalis - she is a contributing editor of "Life and Style."
OK, guys. Let`s begin with this big Oprah tell-all. Leslie, it is Kitty Kelley`s who is writing this thing and calling it a well-rounded biography. But should Oprah be worried?
MARSHALL: No, I don`t think Oprah ever has to worry, A.J. But you know, I`m really surprised at this one. I used to live in Chicago. I had a friend who will remain nameless who worked for Oprah, and she told me that a lot of them had to sign documents so that they wouldn`t write books like this.
Now, obviously, Kitty Kelley didn`t work for Oprah so she wouldn`t have to sign that. But I don`t think Oprah has to worry. I don`t know how much dirt that Kitty could dig up on her. And if she has any, I think Oprah`s a smart woman and can hide it pretty well.
HAMMER: Yes. But when you look at Kitty Kelley`s previous books, you can kind of understand why maybe Oprah or her people might be a little bit nervous. I mean, back in 2004, Kelley wrote the book, "The Family: The Real Story of the Bush Dynasty."
And she claimed George W. Bush did drugs at Camp David while his dad was president. In the Nancy Reagan - the unauthorized biography, the world learned about the former first lady`s obsession with astrology, and that wasn`t so great for her PR.
So Rachel, I`m thinking that maybe Oprah might have to brace herself for some kind of a big bombshell revelation here. Are you with me at all on that?
RACHEL ZALIS, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, "LIFE AND STYLE": Well, I mean, it is true. Kitty Kelley is known for scandal and salacious story telling. I mean, Frank Sinatra was going to sue her before she even put pen to paper.
So clearly, you know, we`re bracing ourselves for some sort of crazy bombshell. But truthfully, other than the rumors about Oprah`s relationship with Gail, I don`t think there`s much that she has to hide. She`s been in our living rooms for 25 years.
And the fact there really isn`t even one tidbit coming out or being leaked about what kind of crazy secret she has, makes me think that maybe there isn`t a crazy secret.
HAMMER: Yes. My theory on that though is, you know, you are dealing with really one of the most powerful people in media and in the world, so you really don`t want to set yourself up too far in advance of this book getting released. You heard what Leslie said about Frank Sinatra.
Now, here is some of what we did learn about the book today. Kitty Kelley says she interviewed 850 people over the past three years, so I guess they didn`t have confidentiality agreements. She says she is "full of admiration for her accomplishments and fascinated by her complexity."
Now, Brooke, I want to go back to you at Sundance. We`ve been following this stuff for a long time. Do you kind of get the sense that maybe the use of the word "complexity" is some kind of code for - I don`t know - perhaps some juicy, never-before-heard revelations?
ANDERSON: Maybe, A.J. But Oprah has been very open about her life and about struggles she`s faced in the past. If Kitty Kelley revealed maybe like (UNINTELLIGIBLE) authority that Oprah beat Stedman or something - which I`m sure that would never be the case.
But it would have to be something really extreme to impact Oprah. Who cares if she finds out that she has a fascination with clowns? It doesn`t really matter. Oprah is going to remain a beloved charitable person who is very influential. That is not going to change.
HAMMER: Yes. That would be a fun fact right there. Oprah has a fascination with clowns. We`ll have to see if that actually winds up in the book.
Well, did reach out to Oprah about the book. This is what her spokeswoman told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT just today, "Oprah hasn`t participated in or read Kitty Kelley`s book, so she is unable to comment."
All right. Let`s move onto the "Two and a Half Men" madness. Now, the ratings for TV`s most popular sitcom continue to go through the roof. But tonight, Charlie Sheen and John Cryer - they really have nothing to laugh about in their private lives at all. As we know, Sheen was arrested after allegedly attacking his wife, Brooke Mueller, on Christmas Day.
Just this week, they were both doing court when Brooke was suddenly rushed to intensive care after getting sick from a tooth infection.
We also learned today the FBI is reportedly investigating John Cryer`s ex-wife - I mean, this is mess to me - in an alleged plot to have a hit man kill him. She denies any connection there. But even with all of this going on, more people than ever are watching the show "Two and a Half Men." Rachel, why in the world hasn`t any of this drama hurt their show?
ZALIS: I don`t think America cares about their personal problems. But there`s maybe five comedies on TV right now that are actually funny. So people don`t want to have not watch something.
So as long as we can keep it and the truth is, it was so high. It`s the sixth highest-rated show last week. It beat the Golden Globes.
HAMMER: It`s wild, though, to me that this is actually obviously serving as some sort of publicity if more people are tuning in even though none of the news surrounding these guys is good news.
In the Charlie Sheen drama, his wife`s stepfather claimed today in a brand-new interview that Charlie did attack her on Christmas Day. His name is John Fiore and he tells "Radar Online," "It was true she was definitely attacked. That is not made up. There was no reason for any of that to be made up."
Now, he does admit he wasn`t there and he didn`t witness anything. But Leslie, given how Charlie Sheen seems immune to scandal, does it really even matter what this guy says?
MARSHALL: Well, unfortunately. No, it doesn`t, A.J., because this isn`t the first time these allegations have been brought forth about Charlie Sheen. He`s had relationships whether he`s been married to the women or not where the women have alleged that he`s been violent and he`s been abusive. And he continues to be very successful as an actor.
So I think people do like the scandal and I think the scandal is actually helping the show in addition to the fact that it`s a good comedy right there.
HAMMER: Yes. I usually take issue with the suggestion that any publicity is good publicity. But I mean, it`s really wild, these two pretty horrific stories are turning into good publicity for their program.
All right. Well, also breaking tonight, not so happy days for former "Happy Days" star, Scott Baio, who did something that I`ve got to say is stupid.
Baio is now getting death threats after posting this picture of Michelle Obama on his Twitter page and writing, "Wow. He (referring to President Obama) wakes up to this every morning."
I mean, come on. Rachel, he says he was just making a joke here. But are you with me that this was just a stupid, stupid thing to do?
ZALIS: Stupid or not, though, I mean that`s what Twitter is. It`s people giving their opinions. I just think it`s kind of crazy that the same people saying they don`t think it`s OK for him to make a comment about her photograph, are saying it`s OK to make a death threat against him. It`s just a little bit ironic.
HAMMER: Yes. I think there`s some hypocrisy there to be sure. But you know, it`s a different stratosphere you`re working in when you start talking about the president`s wife.
Now, a lot of people threatened Baio so much so he even called the FBI. And today, his Twitter was burning up with a whole bunch comments.
Let me read a couple, "A grand wizard like you, Scott Baio, should be put down and someone will put you down, your wife and kid." I mean, that`s terrible.
But another person writing, "Easy to find your house, Scottie Boy, and finish you. I am a Republican and love Mrs. O." Again, terrible to be threatening any violence at all. Scott Baio did apologize. But Leslie, I`m thinking time for Scott Baio to perhaps step away from the keyboard.
MARSHALL: Yes, definitely. Look, this was stupid. And even if he meant it as a joke, I don`t understand the threats against him. I mean, this is a photo, not an attractive photo of the first lady.
We should have respect, I believe, for the president and the first lady regardless of our political ideology. And you know what? Although he meant it as a joke - very stupid, very bad taste. But I don`t think it necessarily does make him a racist and I certainly know it doesn`t warrant the threats against him.
HAMMER: Certainly not going to help him back to the C List. Leslie Marshall, Rachel Zalis, I thank you both.
All right. As we move on tonight, I`ve got to tell you. There is so much outrage over Heidi Montag and her 10 surgeries. But hell has no fury the parents she never told.
Yes, Heidi`s parents are reportedly horrified. So the question is, where were they before Heidi went under the knife? And if she does it again, can her parents save her from herself?
Well, it is Friday, so that means it`s time for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT to name the most provocative celebrity of the week. Will it be John Edwards for revealing that he fathered his former mistress`s child? Is it going to be Tiger Woods for trying to rehab his sex scandal? Or maybe Heidi Montag for her plastic surgery madness.
And a brand-new Bristol Palin-Levi Johnston smackdown. We`re going to tell you why Bristol wants a cut of Levi`s seminude "Playgirl" photos. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Here comes the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker." These are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Jackson estate opposes stipend for Joe Jackson. Leonardo DiCaprio donates $1 million for Haiti relief.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHARLES S. DUTTON, ACTOR: The thing is that we, as Americans, have to really take a long haul, long stretch commitment to this disaster because this is going to be 10 years. You know, we can`t have a short attention span. They are going to have to rebuild that country.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT names the most provocative celebrity of the week. Is it John Edwards for his astounding admission that he is in fact the father of an illegitimate child after lying to America repeatedly for years?
How about Tiger Woods, after the "National Enquirer" printed shocking photos supposedly of Tiger at a sex rehab clinic in Mississippi?
Or is it the boom princess, Heidi Montag? She gets 10 plastic surgeries in one day and then tells all her fans that beauty comes from within.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson coming to you tonight from the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. And before we tell you if Heidi is our most provocative celebrity of the week, we begin with Heidi`s newest plastic problems.
HAMMER: That`s right, Brooke. We learned today that the 23-year-old reality star never told her own mother that she was going to have so much plastic surgery. No surprise, her mom just went through the roof when she found out what her daughter had done. How is Heidi going to get herself out of this huge mess?
Joining me in New York, Countess LuAnn de Lesseps, the star of "The Real Housewives of New York City" and author of the book, "Class with the Countess: How to live with Elegance and Flair." Tonight, in Hollywood, Wendy Walsh, who is a doctor of psychology and relationship expert.
I`ve got to tell you, I was pretty shocked to learn today that Heidi Montag never even told her own mother she was going under the knife to dramatically change her entire body. Yes, minor omission there, right?
"People" magazine is reporting that Heidi`s mom is just horrified. We can certainly understand why. She`s having a breakdown over this whole ordeal. Wendy, are you surprised as I am that Heidi wouldn`t share such a major life decision with her own mom?
WALSH: You know what, A.J.? I guess I`m a little jaded and I`ve been out here in L.A. too long. I`m surprised that we even care about this because the truth is, this was all done for the show.
Not that - even the hiding it from mom was done for the show. Because guess what? When they have the reunion to talk about together, the TV cameras are going to be there. This is all reality television.
COUNTESS LUANN DE LESSEPS, STAR OF "THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF NEW YORK": Who cares?
HAMMER: It`s starting to feel like the apocalypse, seriously. Yes, Countess, I mean, you wrote the book on living with elegance and flair.
DE LESSEPS: Right.
HAMMER: How would you counsel Heidi after all this outrageous behavior?
DE LESSEPS: Well, you know, I would say that confidence is key and a little discretion goes a long way. I mean, she should listen to her mother. You know, her mother has a lot of experience.
HAMMER: Yes. Here`s a little piece of advice - seek counseling, and then maybe just go away.
DE LESSEPS: Self confidence. Self confidence.
HAMMER: All of this, of course, did put Heidi on the hot list of nominees for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s most provocative celebrity of the week. The question everybody now wonder - will we choose Heidi for her outrageous plastic surgery capers? Will it perhaps be Tiger Woods for his sex-habbing, his way out of a real pickle? Or will it be the father of all pickles, John Edwards for his love child escapades?
Wendy, let me go to you. Tell me how you`re voting on this.
WALSH: I have not changed. I`m sorry. A man with a mistress isn`t a problem for me especially a politician because I almost expect it, A.J. But any man who brings the germs of 16 or maybe more women to his family, germ that could carry a deadly virus, no. He loses.
HAMMER: All right. Well, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has tens of thousands of Facebook fans. And I`ve got to tell you. When I was looking at our Facebook page today, it felt like everybody was weighing in.
Let me read some of what people write here. Kaylene F. made her vote for the most provocative celebrity of the week, saying, "Heidi Montag. She is provocative and just plain stupid."
All right. Countess, off to you. Do you agree with our viewer there, Kaylene? Should we name Heidi the most provocative celebrity of the week?
DE LESSEPS: Absolutely not. Like I said before, who cares? I think the Tiger Woods story is much more provocative. Seeing him in a hoodie in rehab trying to be anonymous is compelling.
HAMMER: OK. After much debating, a whole lot of drama and, quite frankly, all around newsroom shenanigans going on in SHOWBIZ TONIGHT today, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is naming - John Edwards as the most provocative celebrity of the week. That`s what got my vote. Brooke, I know John got your vote, too. But why?
ANDERSON: Why? Because he makes my skin crawl, A.J. He`s been lying for years about having a love child. I think it`s despicable that he denied that this beautiful child was his. I cannot imagine what he put his family through, what he`s put his cancer-stricken wife through. He`s dredged up a lot of hurt, a lot of anger that people feel. He should have come clean when the scandal first broke.
DE LESSEPS: I think they are both despicable in this instance.
(CROSSTALK)
HAMMER: Here`s what I`m thinking and hoping, Brooke, seeing you out there at Sundance is that maybe it`s so cold out there your skin will crawl a little less.
Let me get a couple of other Facebook comments. This is Tookie R. who was raging on our Facebook page - totally agrees our choice. Here`s what Tookie writes, "John Edwards hands down. The way he handled this whole thing tells you a lot about what kind of a person he is."
Wendy, I know that he`s not your top pick, but are you putting - picking up at all what Tookie is putting down here? Or is there no way of bending you from Tiger Woods being the champ here? I know you expect this from politicians, but come on, he was going to be president.
WALSH: Yes, come on. I do expect it from politicians and he`s just acting very European. But let me really say -
DE LESSEPS: I feel the same way.
WALSH: Tiger Woods in a hoodie in sex rehab - squeaky clean, Tiger Woods this weekend in a hoodie and in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, come on. That`s provocative.
HAMMER: All right. Well, countess, I mean, I keep hearing you sort of siding with what Wendy is saying. But I do want to get your take on the fact that this man not only cheated on his wife who is stricken with cancer. He was basically cheating on the country as he was asking us to put him in the highest office in the land.
DE LESSEPS: Well, you know, Tiger Woods has such a squeaky clean image, so I think it`s more shocking to have this come from Tiger Woods. Little children look up to him. Again, John Edwards, I think - being a politician, you expect it.
You know, unfortunately, it happens more commonly amongst politicians. And so I think it`s more shocking to have what happened to Tiger Woods and -
WALSH: Politicians are power hungry.
HAMMER: Well, what a jaded nation we have all become. Wendy Walsh, Countess LuAnn De Lesseps, I thank you both for being here tonight. Appreciate it.
OK. Well, we`ve been asking to you vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. Think about it and then go online to vote on this - "Who do you think is worse: Tiger Woods or John Edwards." Vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. E-mail us at showbiztonight@cnn.com.
Tonight, Bristol Palin`s brand-new outrage over Levi Johnston. You remember, of course, or maybe you`re trying to wash it away from your mind, Levi`s seminude for "Playgirl." Well, Bristol must have seen those pictures, because, now, she wants a cut of the profits. We`re talking thousands of bucks. Will Levi share the wealth or shot her down? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Kim Kardashian obtains restraining order against stalker. Lady Gaga`s "Poker Face" is top download of 2009 with 9.8 million copies sold.
HAMMER: It is time now for "Making It Work." This is where we take a look at how famous couples stay strong in the spotlight.
Tonight, it`s Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck. Ben and Jen have two kids and successful movie careers. So how do they find time for each other?
Well, Jen tells "Parade," quote, "You steal the time. You steal a date, you steal a kiss, you steal a whisper. You sit next to each other on the couch with computers on your laps. After the kids are asleep you - well, you know. Whatever it is. You slip away for a night."
For more of Jennifer`s secrets, pick up a copy of "Parade" magazine on Sunday.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Tonight, a brand-new smackdown between Sarah Palin`s daughter and Levi Johnston. Bristol Palin is demanding her ex pay child support. According to court documents filed in Alaska on Thursday, Bristol wants Levi to pay $1,750 a month for every month since their son was born.
Looks like she want a cut of Levi`s semi-nude photo shoot that he did for "Playgirl." And wait until she hears this. A brand-new report says that Levi plans to write his tell-all book about the Palins.
Yes, Levi`s attorney tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that Levi has tried to meet with Bristol to pay the child support in the past, but she was a no-show. And today, just as the Bristol-Levi smackdown heated up, Bristol and her mom, Sarah Palin were on "Oprah."
And Oprah challenged Bristol on her public pledge not to have sex again until she gets married.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRISTOL PALIN, SARAH PALIN`S DAUGHTER: I just think it`s a goal to have. And I think other young women should have that goal.
OPRAH WINFREY, HOST, "THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW": OK. But it`s a goal, but when you make the statement that, "I`m absolutely, positively not going to have sex and I guarantee it," you don`t think you`re setting yourself up?
B. PALIN: No, I don`t.
WINFREY: So you`re going to hold to that?
FMR. GOV. SARAH PALIN (R-AK): Does that mean that you`re going to marry pretty young?
(LAUGHTER)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: A little awkward there. Sarah told Oprah she stands behind Bristol`s pledge.
ANDERSON: Tonight, a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is teaming up with the recording academy to debate who will take home the biggest prizes at the Grammy Awards which are just a little more than a week away.
In an exclusive four-part Grammy round table, I sat down with industry experts to debate what would win in the big four categories - album of the year, record of the year, song of the year, and best new artist.
Some of the big names that you will hear over and over again - Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga. I`ve got to say the competition is tight. But who will win? You can watch the four-part debate every day leading up to the Grammys on January 31st. They`ll be posted on CNN.com as well as "Grammy.com," so be sure to check them out.
HAMMER: Thursday, we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. Just moments ago, we got the final results. It was pretty close when we asked - "Who has disappointed you more?" Look at this - 47 percent say John Edwards. Fifty-three percent Tiger Woods. Kind of an even split here.
Some of he E-mails we got included one from Lucy in New York who writes, "Not only did John Edwards lie, but he took the money that all of donated. I want my money back."
Pamela from Texas writes, "I think Tiger Woods is much more of a disappointment than John Edwards, because Tiger is a role model for many ages."
And Llyvona from Oklahoma writes, "Tiger Woods? John Edwards? Who? I have completely written these jokers out of my vocabulary. There aren`t men in my opinion."
That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson, coming to you tonight from the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. Thank you so much for watching. We want you to know you can catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT every night on the 11:00s - 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific, and in the morning, 11:00 a.m. Eastern on HLN.
HAMMER: We love you, Faith(ph).
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