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Showbiz Tonight
New Bombshells About Tiger Woods; Brangelina Breakup News Again; Rosie O`Donnell`s Unbelievable Love Confessions to Oprah; Heidi Montag`s Plastic Surgeon Speaks
Aired January 25, 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 - the shocking brand-new Tiger tale, revealed today for the very first time. The almost unbelievable story of how Tiger`s wife found out about his alleged affairs the night he crashed his SUV.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GERALD POSNER, WROTE TIGER WOODS` STORY FOR "THEDAILYBEAST.COM": She decided to text Rachel Uchitel to test her, to see if in fact she was Tiger`s lover.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The astounding trap Tiger`s wife reportedly set for one of his alleged mistresses. Is Tiger`s wife now comforting him in sex rehab?
A Brangelina bombshell. Brand-new explosive reports today that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are breaking up. But what`s the real story? As SHOWBIZ TONIGHT dares to ask, why are so many people rooting for them to break up?
Rosie`s unbelievable love confessions to Oprah today about her devastating break-up and her new girlfriend.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
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 Tiger tale - what really happened. Well, I`m going to tell you, today there were no shortage of absolutely astounding revelations about what might have really happened behind closed doors on that now infamous night that Tiger Woods crushed his SUV outside of his home.
An investigative report revealed today claims that Tiger Woods` wife set up a virtual sting operation on the cell phone to nab one of his mistresses and a literal blow-by-blow description of what happened next made for big news breaking today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): Here`s what we know for sure about that Thanksgiving weekend incident at Tiger Woods` house. One, it left his car smashed up. Two, it left his marriage in shambles. And three, left his image tainted by all the alleged affairs we all later found out about.
But now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you today, a riveting new story on "The Daily Beast" Web site has all the details on that mysterious night and the explosive fight that reportedly ensued when Tiger`s wife, Elin Nordegren, first learned about the cheating.
POSNER: You couldn`t make this up. It`s only in real life that it turns out to be this good.
HAMMER: This morning, "Daily Beast" investigative reporter Gerald Posner talked to the "Today" show about his article which he gleaned from conversations with two friends of Elin.
POSNER: Tiger Woods did not know his own wife. He greatly underestimated her.
HAMMER: Posner tells the "Today" show it all began on November 25th, just before "The National Enquirer" planned to run a story claiming Tiger had an affair with nightclub hostess, Rachel Uchitel.
Posner tells the "Today" show, a worried Tiger Woods convinced his wife to call Rachel, hoping Rachel could convince Elin the "Enquirer" story was false and that she and Tiger were just friends.
POSNER: To have the person you`re having an affair with call your wife and deny it to her, speak to her for half an hour, convince her it`s not true, you`re taking, the ultimate gamble in some ways. And for one day, at least, it paid off.
HAMMER: But the next night, "The Daily Beast" reports that Tiger got busted and everything exploded. After yet another argument about the "Enquirer" story, Tiger reportedly walked away from his wife and took an Ambien. Posner tells the "Today" show, after Tiger went to sleep, Elin went to work.
POSNER: She decided to text Rachel Uchitel to test her to see if in fact she really was Tiger`s lover or was just an innocent friend. Rachel, when receiving those texts, evidently sent text back, somewhat surprised that Tiger was awake, that immediately tells Elin that Tiger and Rachel had spoken earlier that night because Rachel knew that Tiger was going to sleep.
HAMMER: Then Posner tells the "Today" show, an enraged Elin woke up Tiger.
POSNER: He locks himself in the bathroom for a few minutes. When he comes out, Elin manages to grab his cell phone from him and he has actually sent in a text massage off to Rachel Uchitel saying in essence, you know, "She knows. I`m packing and a divorce could be imminent."
Well, at that point, Elin absolutely loses it and she starts pummeling him, as I understand it, with her fist both on his chest and his arms and then grabs the golf club. Tiger runs out of there in his bare feet into that car and she`s chasing him.
HAMMER: We all know what happened after that. Tiger, reportedly still woozy from the Ambien, crashed his Escalade into a nearby tree turning his private argument with his wife into a national story.
POSNER: The only honorable thing Tiger Woods did that night was lie to the police about what happened. He clearly told them that Elin was trying to pull him out of the car. That wasn`t the case. I mean, he wanted to make sure that she was not subject to any type of, you know, battery charge, that they weren`t going to charge her. So he did stand up for her at that point.
HAMMER: Now, Tiger Woods is reportedly in Hattiesburg, Mississippi getting treated for sex addiction. And "People.com" reports locals say that I have seen Elin around town, too. But even if Elin is supporting Tiger during this time, "The Daily Beast`s" Posner tells the "Today" show, the couple appears headed for a split.
POSNER: She`s going to wait for him to go through this rehab that he`s going through, whatever he is. She`s going to give it a little bit of time. If she stays, it could only be for the children. But otherwise, I expect her to leave.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Well, whether or not Tiger and Elin do wind up in splitsville remains to be seen. But these brand-new claims really give us some dramatic insight into the spectacle that continues to dog Tiger Woods.
Joining me tonight in New York, Megan Alexander who is a correspondent for "Inside Edition." Also in New York tonight, Ben Widdicombe, who is a celebrity entertainment journalist.
All right. I`ve got to start with this brand-new report that Tiger actually put his wife Elin on the phone with his alleged mistress, Rachel Uchitel. Now, Tiger really wanted Uchitel to convince Elin - we`re just friends.
Megan, if this really did happen, does this not show us how desperate he was causing him to make such really dumb moves at this point?
MEGAN ALEXANDER, CORRESPONDENT, "INSIDE EDITION": If you already weren`t fired up about this whole Tiger Woods situation, the level of deceit to put your wife on the phone and try to convince her, it makes me furious, A.J.
And it shows you that he really thought he was invincible, that he could really do all of this. And he was so far removed from his wife, from his family, from reality, that he could pull this off. It`s disgusting if it really happened.
HAMMER: Yes. And it fits into so much of what we already know, just like a perfect puzzle piece. Well, this morning on the "Today" show, Gerald Posner, who is the investigative journalist who broke this story, said that Tiger made it all too easy for Elin to trap his mistress in a text message sting. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
POSNER: He thought he was able to take a pill and go to sleep, leave his cell phone out with Rachel Uchitel`s number listed in his cell phone under her real name and that this wife would not check or try to do something about it. Boy, did he not understand who Elin was.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. And Posner`s sources claim that Tiger really underestimated his wife there. Ben, are you with me that not only did he underestimate Elin, but it really seems pretty apparent now Tiger thought he would actually get caught?
BEN WIDDICOMBE, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: Oh, I think Tiger`s problem is that he wasn`t devious enough to carry off the deceit that he was doing.
He made three huge mistakes. He called a mistress and left his own name on her voicemail. That voicemail came out very quickly. I think "Us" magazine ran that. He had the women under their own names in his phone so Elin could find them.
And then he went to sleep and left the smoking gun, the phone, where Elin had access to it. If he`s going to do this stuff, you know, he didn`t bother to cover his tracks.
HAMMER: Yes. And then, of course, we can`t forget that alleged voicemail that Tiger left for Ms. Uchitel. Well, we also heard today what may have been the real reason police didn`t actually get to talk to Tiger at his house right after the crash. Apparently, Elin didn`t want him to come home. Now, here`s what Gerald Posner said about that this morning on the "Today" show.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
POSNER: Instead of returning to his house, she said, "I don`t want you here." He actually went to an undisclosed location. I can`t find out where, but he did not go home. So when the Florida Highway Patrol wanted to interview him in the coming days - and she said, by the way, he`s not available. One time, she told them he was asleep. I don`t believe he was even at the house.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
Hmm Now, I find that very interesting considering the fact that today we`re learning that Elin apparently is taking part in Tiger`s treatment in Mississippi. Megan, I know you just got back from Mississippi where you`re looking into all of this.
But given the lockout from the home, given all of these reports that seem to be dominating all reports about what`s going to happen with them, that they will in fact get divorced, does it surprise you Elin may be there in Mississippi helping Tiger with his reported sex addiction?
ALEXANDER: Wow. The level of respect for this woman, if she is still hanging onto her marriage is pretty incredible. They say this clinic, A.J., is one of the best in the country. It was very, very quiet. It was in a peaceful setting, a lot of security when I was down there. Lots of reports that she was in the neighborhood.
Nothing confirmed however. But they said if he, indeed, is participating in this intensive six weeks of sex therapy treatment, that the spouse does need to join in on the therapy at some point. So if she joins in, it will be interesting to see. Now, that just shows she may still want to make it work.
(CROSSTALK)
HAMMER: And make it work, or at least, she wants to do something for the benefit of the kids to show that she`s helping her dad. Who really knows? I guess we`ll learn at some point perhaps.
Ben, hard to imagine Tiger`s rep could be hit any harder. But do you think these new reports just damaged him that much more?
WIDDICOMBE: Well, you know, I don`t think that you really have to be in rehab just because you cheat on your wife. I kind of smell a PR cover up here. I think that he is trying to demonstrate that he`s doing something. He`s addressing his problems.
He admitted wrongdoing, you know, on his own Web site. He said he was trying to address it with his family. So I think the whole rehab thing - just because you`re cheating on your wife doesn`t mean you`re a sex addict.
HAMMER: All right. We`ve got to talk about another big breaking story new tonight. Absolute frenzy tonight over reports that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are breaking up. I mean, say it ain`t so. So now, I want to know, do Brad and Angie need to come out, once and for all, to set the record straight?
Megan Alexander, Ben Widdicombe, stay right where you are. We will get to the Brangelina breakup hysteria in just a bit.
But as we move on tonight, we do know that Rosie O`Donnell and her longtime partner, Kelli Carpenter, broke up for some time now. I`ll tell you, it was very hard for Rosie. Today, she`s speaking out about dealing with that split. It`s Rosie`s unbelievable new love confessions to Oprah. You`ve got to hear what Rosie tells Oprah about the breakup and her new girlfriend.
And speaking of Oprah, did Oprah really diss Sarah Palin`s hair.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OPRAH WINFREY, HOST, "THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW": And my first guest today is always making news. She`s just - look at your hair!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Talk about awkward - capital A. Oprah, Sarah Palin and a hairy new situation. 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: Conan O`Brien`s last "Tonight Show" draws eight million viewers. Charlie Sheen skips SAG Awards to spend time with his wife who is in the hospital.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SANDRA BULLOCK, ACTRESS: No matter what people want to say about Hollywood, Hollywood always steps up, so does the United States. Any time something bad happens, we always lend a hand every single time, even when we`re in dire straits ourselves.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Tonight, the shocking arrest of the TV has-beens. Unbelievable new confessions from the Balloon Boy parents caught on tape. And an incredible outcome for the star-studded "Hope for Haiti" telethon. It`s all in the SHOWBIZ buzz today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): The arrest of the TV sitcom has-beens. Former "Different Strokes" star, Gary Coleman, has just been arrested on domestic violence charges in Utah. Police investigating a domestic disturbance at the home of Coleman and his wife found nothing, but arrested him for an outstanding warrant in a previous similar case.
And former news radio star, Andy Dick, has been arrested in West Virginia for allegedly groping the genitals of two people at a comedy club.
Shocking confession videos in the Balloon Boy case. Police interrogation tapes just released show the Balloon Boy mom`s admitting to police she and her planned the hoax claiming their young son was in a runaway balloon.
MAYUMI HEENE, MOTHER OF THE "BALLOON BOY": It eventually fell into Thursday. The kids were out of school so it was perfect.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK. Because the kids were out of school, you thought that would be a good day to run this.
HAMMER: The interrogation videos also show Richard Heene trying to see his wife as she was being interrogated.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You`re not going to talk with her. You`re not going to talk with her until she`s done with the interview.
HAMMER: Heene is serving 30 days for the hoax. "The Hope for Haiti" telethon breaks records. The George Clooney-led telethon raised more than $58 million, making it the most successful disaster relief telethon ever with donations are still coming in.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Well, the stars at the telethon were not the only ones talking about helping Haiti. The tragedy has also been the talk of the Sundance Film Festival out there in Park City, Utah. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Brooke Anderson has been right there since the whole thing kicked off last week. Brooke, what are you hearing?
ANDERSON: Well, A.J., the victims of the tragedy in Haiti are still on the top of everybody`s minds here at the Sundance Film Festival. Rock icon Joan Jett, who is here to promote the film, "The Runaways" told me that she hopes people don`t forget about those suffering and that the rebuilding efforts should be on everybody`s minds and hearts for a long time to come.
Phillip Seymour Hoffman, who is here with his directorial debut, "Jack Goes Boating," told us that he`s amazed by the tremendous effort to help those who are suffering so far, particularly by the American efforts.
And as you just said in that piece, A.J., that George Clooney-led telethon has raised nearly $60 million so far. And I want to mention people can continue to donate at the Web site, "HopeForHaitiNow.org."
Also, Oliver Platt, who is here at Sundance to promote his film, "Please Give." He costars with Catherine Keener. Platt told us that it`s been difficult here at Sundance to enjoy all the luxuries that the festival has to offer while there is such terrible, terrible suffering in Haiti.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OLIVER PLATT, ACTOR: Why do we get to be here, you know, in our fancy clothes, you know, staying warm and talking about movies and having, you know, nice hot dinners at nice and sleeping in fancy beds? Why? Why are we so lucky?
You know - what, I guess, we do is we try and you know - do what you can to help. To me, that`s one of things that I think is - when us creative types tend to be - and I mean, everybody in the creative community, we tend to have an excess of empathy and sometimes that`s to our detriment. But in cases like this, it`s a real strong point, I think.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Now, A.J., Oliver, of course is very impressed by Hollywood`s efforts so far to help Haiti. But as a lot of people feel, much, much more does need to be done.
HAMMER: Yes. No question about it, but great seeing all of the efforts that are going on. And despite what is sometimes a celebration out there at Sundance and obviously a lot of partying going on, it is the thing, first and foremost, in people`s minds. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Brooke Anderson at the Sundance Film Festival.
Well, as we move on tonight, I can tell you, there is a nasty smell coming from the "Showbiz on Call" telephone room. We`re getting so many fire-up calls. We asked you. who is the bigger skunk, John Edwards, admitting to be the father of his mistress` daughter, or Tiger Woods for all of those alleged affairs?
In fact, we had to buy our "Showbiz on Call" operators clothes pins to plug their noses. It broke the budget. We got a call into "Showbiz on Call" from Howard in Georgia. And Howard thinks Edwards is stinking up the joint so much worse than Tiger.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
HOWARD, CALLER FROM GEORGIA: John Edwards is the biggest skunk. I mean, you know, all of us men have done some things, but I don`t know if we would do as bad as he did it to his wife. And then, to lie and continue to lie - that`s the problem. And to think this guy was going to be president of the United States. That`s really sad.
Tiger is just a young boy who just didn`t know any better. And I guess when you got that kind of money, you do stupid things.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thank you, Howard. Patricia from Michigan thinks the women that got involved with Tiger and John Edwards are the ones that smell and it`s not their perfume.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
PATRICIA, CALLER FROM MICHIGAN: Personally, I think the women are the skunks, because I don`t understand how a woman gets involved with a married man, let alone having a child.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thanks a lot, Patricia. The "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are open all the time. Here`s the number - 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899. If you leave us a voicemail, that gives us a chance to play your call here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Tonight, a Brangelina bombshell. Brand-new explosive reports today that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are breaking up. Now, we`ve heard stories like this before, so what is the deal this time? And here`s something else I`m asking, why does it seem so many people are actually rooting for them to break up?
All right. Did Oprah really slam Sarah Palin`s hair? Now, Sarah is a guest on her show and Oprah disses her do? Did this really happen? Was this supposed to be an Oprah teaching moment?
And I remember these guys - the Michael Jackson dancing Filipino inmates. I love these videos. Well, tonight, I can`t wait to show you their new one.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
And that`s not all. The inmates have got a huge surprise from a couple people who knew Michael really well. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Britney Spears donates dress she wore to 2008 MTV VMAs for Haiti relief. Simon Cowell to produce remake of REM son, "Everybody Hurts," for Haiti relief.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Those Michael Jackson dancing Filipino inmates are back with a brand-new video. You`ve probably seen them before. Let`s look.
You remember these guys? The guys are from the Cebu maximum security prison in the Philippines. They`ve been all over YouTube with their Michael Jackson videos. Their biggest hit being a full-on "Thriller" tribute.
Well, now, I can tell you they got a huge surprise when Michael`s long-time choreographer and dancers showed up to teach them some new moves from what would have been Michael`s "This Is It" tour. Take a look.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
HAMMER: You might remember in the movie that was done with all digital effects to make that many people. Well, this new number is tied into the release of "This Is It," now out on DVD.
Well, there is certainly no dancing around this. Our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook fans are going at it over our pick of former presidential candidate John Edwards as the most provocative celebrity of the week.
Look at this. These posts are all on our wall right now including from Samantha B. who is furious that Edwards is now admitting that he is the father of the mistress` child. "He is a public figure who blatantly lied and then comes out a year later with the truth. If we can`t trust the people who help run our country, we`re in some serious trouble."
But Deborah B. thinks Heidi Montag and all of her plastic surgery is more provocative. "We can send the message to all the young girls out there to love themselves without changing the way you look. If every girl looked like Barbie, how boring would this world be?"
We`d love for you to sign up to be a Facebook fan. You can follow us on Twitter at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
All right. It`s time now for the SHOWBIZ lineup. This is what`s coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Brand-new reports today that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are breaking up. Why does it seem people are actually rooting for them to split?
Also new today, Rosie O`Donnell`s love confessions to Oprah. Rosie on her dramatic break-up and how she found new love.
And Heidi Montag`s doctor speaks out about Heidi`s 10 - 10 plastic surgeries. So does this guy really say that "The Hills" star is the new Marilyn Monroe? Come on man. 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: Judge rules that Roman Polanski must return to the U.S. to be sentenced. Barbara Walters to fill in on ABC`s "This Week;" new host to be named soon.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BETTY WHITE, ACTRESS: I think something like this makes people look around and stop complaining about an ingrown toe nail or something like that and think how lucky we are and what can we do to help those who are not so lucky.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, a Brangelina bombshell. Brand-new reports today that Brad and Angelina are over. But are they really splitting up? And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT dares to ask, why are so many people rooting for Brangelina to split?
Rosie`s romantic confessions to Oprah. Her new girlfriend, their future and Rosie`s explosive new details about what really happened when she left "The View." Plus, did Oprah diss Sarah Palin`s hair?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WINFREY: And my first guest today is always making news. She`s just - look at your hair!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, Oprah, in shock over Sarah Palin`s hair. It`s the Oprah hairdo diss heard around the world.
Plus, more stories breaking from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker."
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
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.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson coming to you tonight from the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.
HAMMER: Well, tonight, a possible Brangelina bombshell. Well, everyone braced themselves today for the announcement that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are calling it quits. Now, we`ve been trying for months to months to ignore all the rampant buzz that they are done, finis, kaput.
But tonight, I`ve got to tell you, we can`t ignore it anymore. There were brand-new revelations today about what`s really going on behind the scenes in Brad and Angelina`s relationship after an explosive report that they are splitting.
Also breaking today, Rosie`s big confessions, Rosie O`Donnell opened up today to Oprah for the very first time since she and her wife, Kelli, split. Nothing was off-limits with Oprah. She talked about her split and her new girlfriend.
And joining me tonight in New York is Megan Alexander, who is a correspondent for "Inside Edition." Also tonight, in New York, Ben Widdicombe, who is a celebrity journalist.
All right. We know the deal guys. Day after day, week after week, it`s been going on and we have been turning a blind eye to all the outrageous reports claiming that Brad and Angie may be splitting up.
But today, it reached a critical mass, I tell you, after a London newspaper reported what are explicit details of this supposed break-up, right down to who gets custody of their six kids. And the mainstream media were all over this story today which was wild for me to see and I think what gave it some credence. Are you buying any of the hype, Megan?
ALEXANDER: Not yet. I am holding on until the end. Look, I think this is the most lucrative story that a magazine can run.
HAMMER: Sure.
ALEXANDER: And as recently as January 13th, Brad and Angelina released a statement that they were helping Haiti. So instead of releasing a statement about themselves, I think their energy is in the right direction. And I`m holding out with them. I don`t think the split rumors are true.
HAMMER: It`s not the "where there`s smoke, there`s fire" situation. But here`s what`s adding a lot of fuel to the fire, the fact that Brangelina were MIA at the SAG Awards over the weekend. Brad showed up solo for George Clooney`s telethon.
Now, Ben, people are saying this is simply more proof that they are splitting up. I`m saying, you know what? Look at these two. They`re pretty busy people. What about you?
WIDDICOMBE: Well, I think this is a story that might be true if we wait long enough. But I don`t think it`s true now.
And reading between the lines with my experience in celebrity journalism, the way that Angelina and Brad`s proxies are talking to the media. Because remember, neither of them has an actual rep that you can call. They have decided not to play the celebrity game that way.
HAMMER: Right. They have a bunch of unnamed sources speaking out.
WIDDICOMBE: Right. So friends are telling the media things. And judging from how this story is playing out, I don`t think it`s true. You know, there are a number of stories that celebrity magazines have decided the public already believe.
They believe the public thinks Katie is unhappy in her marriage to Tom. They think that everyone believe that Jennifer Aniston desperately wants to get Brad back. And they also think that Brad and Angie always are about to split. So I think that they feed these stories because they assume they`re going to believe them.
HAMMER: I wish people weren`t so cynical. Honestly, there are a lot of other places to put your energy. And the thing just kept snowballing today, even as the ladies of "The View" were talking about a Brangelina split with a divorce lawyer. Take a look at what happened.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHERRI SHEPHERD, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": They sign legal documents dividing their fortune and dealing with custody issues. So now, between them both, they have six children and they are not married. So what - do the same rules apply?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They are Brangelina, so I don`t think the same rules ever really apply to Brad and Angelina. But in terms of the fact whether they`re married or not, that doesn`t affect custody of the kids. They are looking at what`s in the best interest of these children.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT did reach out to Brad and Angelina`s camps today for comment. We haven`t heard back as of show time. And we don`t have confirmation that any of what`s being said is true.
But I`m thinking that, obviously, if they wanted to, Brad and Angelina could, you know, put out a statement, come forward and say to everybody in the world, "We assure you everything is fine."
But Brooke Anderson, back out there at Sundance, do you think that would be a good idea for them to do that?
ANDERSON: I don`t know, A.J. Listen, if they are having problems, that`s very painful and very private. They don`t have to answer to anyone about the status of their relationship.
Now, that said, if the reports do reach a point where they are annoying or they are distracting, then maybe it would be a good idea for them to clear the air.
But I think they are just so removed from it all. They should not have to feel any pressure whatsoever to step forward one way or the other.
HAMMER: Yes. But here`s what I don`t get. It`s one thing that it`s a story that could potentially sell magazines, Megan. But when you look at this intense scrutiny and wild rampant speculation, it almost seems as if people are rooting for this marriage to fail. Why do you think that is?
ALEXANDER: I don`t think it`s that people want them to fail. I think that people are simply so fascinated with their life and their lifestyle. Look, they are a gorgeous couple. They have this global family - not just biological children but adopted children from all around the world. And doing so much good in the world.
They seem as if they have indeed escaped the Hollywood lifestyle. They volunteer. They donate to numerous charities. That is what is fascinating. I think sometimes people just simply want to be in the know.
HAMMER: Yes.
ALEXANDER: Not so much to have them fail.
(CROSSTALK)
HAMMER: But you agree that there are some people who get a certain pleasure out of seeing people who seem to have it all (INAUDIBLE).
ALEXANDER: Guess what? They`re jealous. That`s what they are.
HAMMER: You know, I think there`s a lot to that. All right. Well, that is not the only controversial and explosive revelations making big news today.
Rosie`s confessions on "Oprah" today were raw, shocking and downright emotional. This is her first big TV interview since news broke that she and her longtime partner and wife, Kelli, split. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROSIE O`DONNELL, TV PERSONALITY: I think that what you want and need at 30, which was when I met Kelli and I was 35, is very different than what you want and need at 40 and 45. And.
WINFREY: Did you grow apart? Did you.
O`DONNELL: I think in some ways, we both came back to our authentic selves and who we were authentically wasn`t as great as a match as who we were when we met.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, Rosie waited two years before going public with the fact that they had split. She says that they split the time with their four kids and how much time they spent with them equally and that they`re doing fine.
Ben, I`ve got to ask you. Are you surprised that someone who can be, quite frankly, as hot-headed as Rosie O`Donnell, that she seems to be handling her divorce, quite frankly, way better than a lot of Hollywood couples handle their divorces?
WIDDICOMBE: Well, I think anyone, even fans of Rosie, would probably accept her authentic self is probably difficult to handle. And she was a little bit dishonest with the media.
She did say as recently as October that she and Kelli were working on issues. In fact, Kelli had already been gone for two years by that stage. So this is, you know - now, she`s being honest. Of course, she has a new partner.
But I think, yes, she`s putting her best face forward and the chat with her, I think, was very positive.
HAMMER: Yes. Rosie has said - and I heard her say this on her radio show that she knows she can be difficult and to see really the smooth way that I think she`s handled this generally speaking, it`s a terrific thing.
Rosie also told Oprah today that she met her new girlfriend Tracy after she wrote on Rosie`s blog offering an art exchange. Rosie says she read the article that Tracy had attached about herself and fell in love, saying the perfect woman for her, a surfer, a doula and an advocate for gay foster care. And the woman has six children of her own. Take a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WINFREY: You would want someone with six kids already?
O`DONNELL: Well, to me, when I read that story, I thought the heart and that capacity that that woman must have to love ...
WINFREY: To love.
O`DONNELL: ... yes - was what inspired me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Rosie says she plans on moving in with Tracy and somehow working it out with all of these kids together. That`s going to be 10 kids. Yes, it`s essentially bigger than the Brady bunch.
All right. We`re talking a moment ago about how cynical people can be about relationships in Hollywood. Do you see this working for Rosie?
ALEXANDER: Well, it`s certainly going to be a handful to have 10 kids. Rosie`s always been a big advocate for children, so there`s no arguing with that. I think it will be a little interesting to see how she continues with her showbiz career in the entertainment industry with that many children.
I think she`s been one to protect her children, which I really admire. So how do you make all that work - I`m not sure.
HAMMER: Ben, a moment ago, I was saying, you know, Rosie owned up to the fact that living with her, being with her can be a challenge. But she`s taking it on again and I give her credit for giving it another go. Do you think this can work?
WIDDICOMBE: I do. And I think it`s just romantic to see a story where the celebrity stalker actually gets the girl rather than end up in prison or be on psychiatric hold. You know, she E-mailed and then, you know, Rosie - now, they`re girlfriends. I think that`s a wonderful love story for the new decade.
HAMMER: All right. Ben Widdicombe, Megan Alexander, I thank you both so much. Now, what do you think? It`s our question of the day - "Brad and Angelina Split Rumors: Should they continue to ignore them?"
I`d love for you to sound off on this. You can do at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. You can also E-mail us at showbiztonight@cnn.com.
OK. Tonight, did Oprah really diss Sarah Palin`s new hairdo?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WINFREY: And my first guest today is always making news. She`s just - look at your hair!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: And you thought the reaction to Kate Gosselin`s new hairdo was dramatic. Wait until you hear what else Oprah had to say about Palin`s hair. It is the Oprah hairdo diss heard around the world.
And a Heidi Montag doctor shocker. Heidi`s doctor speaking out today about her 10 plastic surgeries. Everybody is wondering, does this guy think that "The Hills" star is, the new Marilyn Monroe?
Plus, the new nasty "Jersey Shore" showdown. The kids from the MTV hit reality show demanding big bucks. But will MTV say "arrivederci" to another season? It`s a fist-pumping fired-up war, I tell you. 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: "Avatar" tops box office this weekend, just $2 million shy of "Titanic`s" all-time record. Liza Minnelli to join the cast of ABC`s "Ugly Betty" as a high school drama teacher.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHERRI SHEPHERD, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": I think we are doing so much. And I think this is the United States of America that people around the world need to see that when some tragedy happens, we are there. We help. We are there. We have compassion. We love.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Tonight, a brand-new Heidi Montag doctor shocker.
Heidi`s plastic surgeon is speaking out today about the 10 plastic surgeries and even compares her to Marilyn Monroe. Are you kidding me? Dr. Frank Ryan tells "RadarOnline.com" that he thinks Heidi made a good career move.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. FRANK RYAN, HEIDI MONTAG`S PLASTIC SURGEON: She was, you know, looking at herself going, "My body and my face and my likeness - that`s my career. That`s my livelihood. What can I do to maximize my career and income and potential in Hollywood," et cetera?
And actually, it was a very, very well thought out career move. I mean, at 23, I couldn`t have done that. I mean, she`s a 23-year-old girl sitting down there with the wisdom of someone much older, going, "Here`s what I think I need to do to propel my career."
Now, you say, is it right or wrong to use plastic surgery to propel your career? I don`t know. All I know is since Marilyn Monroe on back, it`s been done, you know, left and right.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, Dr. Ryan also says that Heidi is still healing and he thinks it`s crazy for her to be showing off herself in the media so soon. But he thinks she looks quote, "spectacular." Of course, he does.
Well, back with us tonight in New York is Megan Alexander who is a correspondent for "Inside Edition." Also in New York tonight, is Ben Widdicombe, who is a celebrity journalist.
All right. There you are, guys. You just heard it - the plastic surgeon making a comparison to Marilyn Monroe. Megan, do you think Heidi could actually be delusional enough to think that she could be the next Marilyn Monroe?
ALEXANDER: I think so. I think she set herself up that, yes, this is possible. Dr. Ryan is also in a business. This is a multibillion dollar business - plastic surgery.
HAMMER: Yes.
ALEXANDER: So when he says he`s proud of this 23-year-old for making this decision, I say, shame on you for not talking to her about the consequences. You know, Heidi is a unique person has her unique traits and characteristics that she has now decided to change to look like someone else. She`ll never know now if her unique qualities and her unique features might have been a jumpstart to another point in her career.
HAMMER: Even bigger than Marilyn Monroe - maybe not that. But seriously, yes, I hear you. You`re exactly right. Now, Ben, what do you think? Is Heidi delusional? I mean, look at the history. Do you remember what she`s done here? She sank $2 million of her own money into her new album because she thought she was going to make pop music history and so far, I think about 1,000 people have bought it.
WIDDICOMBE: You know, Heidi Montag should be at the peak of her life. No one`s better looking than they are when they`re 23. And if she can`t look in the mirror and appreciate her own beauty, I think she has people around her - maybe even her husband - who are giving her really bad advice.
And I`ve never heard such delusional claptrap as that doctor complimenting her, saying she had wisdom beyond her years when she had 10 procedures at 23. This guy is making money off of her. She`s not getting good advice.
HAMMER: Well, speaking of her husband - wait, there`s more. Because in a brand-new interview out today, Heidi`s husband, Spencer Pratt, tells this to "People," quote, "I`m not in charge of what she does in any part of her body. I`m her husband, not her owner."
All right. Brooke Anderson, let me get back at you at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah. I`m thinking if you`re her husband, you raise a big red flag and say, "Heidi, this is not normal?"
ANDERSON: Absolutely. No question, A.J. But listen, Spencer takes a lot of heat and many people have speculated that he was responsible for her going to such drastic measures.
But Heidi says, no, no, no, no. That was not the case, that he told her she was beautiful as she was and that she did not need to go to such extremes. So I`m sure he`s pretty concerned.
And listen, watching his wife, the woman he loves, put herself through 10 plastic surgery procedures in one day - it`s dangerous. I`m sure it wasn`t easy.
HAMMER: Yes. No kidding. You just want the people who are closest to you in your life to be looking out for you. Heidi, of course, began her journey into this insanity when she starred in the MTV reality show, "The Hills."
Tonight, there`s big breaking news about MTV latest and very controversial reality show, the hit show, "Jersey Shore." Now, the cast of the show were unknown just a few months ago.
Now, they are reportedly demanding as much as $10,000 an episode each and reportedly telling MTV, "Hey, you`ve got to pay all of us the same or we`re walking."
Now, Megan, I personally think that what was the beautiful reason the show succeeded so well is because these guys were not media savvy to begin with. I say MTV should let them walk. I mean, is there any reason you think they are worth it?
ALEXANDER: I think they are taking a big gamble here. They are saying that we have such popularity that a second season will be even more successful than the first. And the show has been extremely popular.
So I think it will be interesting to see - is MTV going to buy that? And then the pressure is on to make an incredible second season. Or will they say, "Fine. We`re moving on. Have a fresh new cast"? I think all along, A.J., they wanted to model themselves after "The Hills." That`s what I heard.
HAMMER: You think that`s what was spurring it? Because I said, until they saw themselves on television after the season ended, they had no idea how it was all going to turn out.
No doubt, as we mentioned, the show is wildly successful. In fact, it was something like five million people watched the season finale last week.
Ben, do you think - you know, given all the attention they are getting, the kids would have to be crazy to walk away from this. Because, again, MTV hinting they would have no problem replacing them.
WIDDICOMBE: Well, there`s no reason why these kids shouldn`t try to negotiate to get as much money as they possibly can. The figure I`ve seen in the trades is that "The Hills" cast get maybe $100,000 each per episode.
Right now, we`re hearing that the offer of $10,000 per episode is given to the "Jersey Shore" cast. So you know, they should try it for their own sake to get more money. But the lesson of Conan O`Brien is that no one is dispensable and they could be just easily replaced ...
ALEXANDER: Good point.
WIDDICOMBE: ... either all of them or just a couple of them could be replaced.
HAMMER: I`ve got to stop you, Ben, because I`m a little uncomfortable that you`re even comparing them to Conan O`Brien, but I get your point. Ben Widdicombe, Megan Alexander, thanks, guys.
All right. Does Oprah really diss Sarah Palin`s new do?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WINFREY: And my first guest today is always making news. She`s just - look at your hair!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: It`s not easy to shock Oprah, did you see the look on her face there? You have got to see what else Oprah says about Sarah Palin`s new curly do. In a word, it`s priceless.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: CBS orders 21st and 22nd seasons of "Survivor" and 17th season of "Amazing Race." "Inglorious Basterds" cast wins top honors at SAG Awards.
HAMMER: Tonight, Jeff Bridges and Sandra Bullock are unstoppable as they sit very comfortably atop Hollywood`s A list. They`re both Golden Globe winners. And now, they`re both winners of the Screen Actor`s Guild Awards.
Bridges won for his role in "Crazy Heart." Bullock won, of course, for best actress in "The Blind Side." SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was right there at the SAG Awards. And Bridges and Bullock told us why winning the award was so special.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEFF BRIDGES, ACTOR: Other folks that, you know, might not know, you know what you do, they like the end result. That`s wonderful thing too. But to be honored like this by guys who really know what you`ve got, what you have to go through and what it takes, is really something special.
SANDRA BULLOCK, ACTRESS: 2006 was the first time I was ever here. And I was like, oh, this is where everyone is that respects the craft, that values each other`s work, that would share and support. You don`t get a lot of support outside this room.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild - are you thinking at all about the Academy Awards?
BULLOCK: I told my husband this is the last one he has to come to.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Tonight, Oprah`s hair-raising diss on Sarah Palin`s new do. Yes, in a brand-new interview, Sarah Palin and her daughter Bristol join Oprah via satellite from their home in Wasilla, Alaska to talk about Palin`s new gig as a TV news analyst and Bristol`s pledge to stay abstinent until marriage.
But in what really can only be described as an awkward moment, Palin shocked Oprah with a curly new hair do. And Oprah`s reaction was, well, priceless. Take a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WINFREY: My first guest today is always making news. She is just - look at your hair - signed a big TV deal with fox news. Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin joins us from her living room in Wasilla, Alaska. I can`t - what did you do to your hair?
FMR. GOV. SARAH PALIN: Do you look it? I tried to look like you?
WINFREY: OK. Yes, I`m not used to you having that many curls. It`s kind of cute. But I was surprised just to see you pop up there with the curls. Great.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: It`s hard to tell if Oprah actually liked Palin`s curled locks. It almost sounded like she didn`t. Well, hen Oprah thanked Palin for getting up at 3:30 a.m. to get her hair done and ready for her 6:00 a.m. interview, Palin joke she always looks that good at 3:00 in the morning.
Well, the countdown is beginning this week to the Grammy Awards this coming weekend. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Brooke Anderson - of course, you will be right there. And Brooke, you have been doing one heck of a job covering the Sundance Film Festival out there in chilly Park City, Utah.
ANDERSON: Thank you, A.J. You know, Sundance has been amazing. And as things wind down here at the Sundance Film Festival later in the week, we are getting warmed up for the Grammy Awards this weekend.
In a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT teamed up with the Recording Academy and we are debating who will take home the biggest prizes at the Grammy Awards this Sunday.
In an exclusive four-part Grammy roundtable, I sat down with industry experts to debate who would win in the big four categories. They are - album of the year, record of the year, song of the year and best new artist.
Some of the big names that you are going to be hearing over and over again, Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga - the competition is fierce. But who will win?
You can watch the four-part debate on CNN.com as well as "Grammy.com" every day this week. The winners will be announced at the Grammy Awards Sunday night on CBS.
HAMMER: Well, Friday we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. Just moments ago, I received these, the final results. We asked, "Who do you think is worse, Tiger Woods or John Edwards?" Only 33 percent of you say Tiger Woods. Sixty-seven percent of you say John Edwards is worse.
Here are some of the E-mails. Jennifer in South Carolina is in the minority here writing, "Tiger Woods cheated with multiple women. This makes him much worse. It`s really no contest. Tiger Woods is the biggest skunk."
Heather in Toronto writes, "Tiger was pretty bad, but fathering a child while married and your wife is sick. Well that`s sick."
And that is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson coming to you from the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. We don`t want you to forget, you catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT ever single night on the 11:00s - 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific, and in the morning, 11:00 a.m. Eastern right here on HLN. Take care.
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