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Showbiz Tonight
Brand-New "Jersey Shore" Outrage; The Nasty New Fight Over J. Lo`s Secret Tapes; The Brangelina-Jay-once Smackdown; Good News for John Edwards?
Aired February 02, 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, brand-new "Jersey Shore "outrage today. Tonight, why some people are absolutely furious that MTV`s hit show got renewed.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You don`t go out with (EXPLETIVE DELETED). You don`t start with anybody and then she (EXPLETIVE DELETED) deserves it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: And also, the "Jersey Shore" moolah madness. The growing anger today over what the cast is reportedly being paid.
The nasty new fight over the secret J. Lo tapes. Tonight, the unbelievable brand-new move by Jennifer Lopez` to release the tapes. Why he wants to drag J. Lo into court. Plus, his startling new allegations about what`s on the tapes.
And the Brangelina-Beyonce-Jay-Z star smackdown. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT reveals why Beyonce and Jay-Z may now be the biggest stars in Hollywood. Yes, even bigger than Brad and Angie.
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
HAMMER: Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
BROOKE ANDERSON, CO-HOST: Hi there, everyone. I`m Brooke Anderson coming to you tonight from Hollywood. Tonight, brand-new "Jersey Shore" outrage.
HAMMER: Yes, Brooke. People are lining up to take down MTV`s hit reality TV show, "Jersey Shore." Tonight, explosive outrage is boiling over after the show was renewed for a second season. And its controversial the stars were rewarded with a huge payday, reportedly more than $10,000 an episode each.
On one side, we have the cast, a group of 20-somethings who are just out to get tanned, party and hook up with as many people as possible. On the other side, a growing number of critics who are blasting the show for its depiction of Italian-Americans, not to mention the heavy drinking and the rage-filled drama that the show highlights for its mostly young fans.
So is MTV heading the wrong way down a one-way street? There is no denying the out-of-control "Jersey Shore" outrage made for big news breaking today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice over): They fight.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They want to put me to jail.
HAMMER: They hook up.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I met a lot of girls.
HAMMER: And they party a lot.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Everything happens at the Jersey Shore.
HAMMER: There`s the super-tanned, superstars of "Jersey Shore," MTV`s hit reality show about eight hard-partying 20-somethings on their summer vacation.
JO PIAZZA, ENTERTAINMENT WRITER, CNN.COM: People can`t seem to get enough of "Jersey Shore." Their finale brought in 4.8 million viewers, which is huge for MTV these days.
HAMMER: "Jersey Shore" has gotten so huge one of its stars, Snooki, was just spoofed on "Saturday Night Live."
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Snooki, your show is everywhere these days.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: I know. We are like crazy famous right now, like Buttafuoco famous.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So don`t be a hater -
HAMMER: But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you there are a lot of haters who are going after the show. The loudest complaints are coming from Italian- American groups. Watch the show for about two minutes and you`ll see why.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Tannest, hottest craziest guidos -
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We go out and find the hottest guido and take him home.
HAMMER: About "Jersey Shore," the National Italian American Foundation tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, quote, "MTV`s program sends a harmful message that permeates pop culture, damaging the image and sensibilities of Italian Americans as a group."
"This program and its characters had more in common with the adolescent residents of `Animal House` than with Italian Americans."
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If they don`t like me, I don`t care. I`ve still got five million viewers.
HAMMER: On the "Today" show, Meredith Vieira asked the stars of "Jersey Shore" about the controversy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We`re not saying we are the definition of Jersey or definition of New York, definition of Italian or what have you. I just happened to be Italian. I happened to have the spiky hair and a six-pack and I`m proud to have that.
HAMMER: And there`s other reason people are hating on "the Jersey Shore," because while these kids fight, hook up -
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All the other guys were like one-night - like kisses -
HAMMER: And party, they`re getting paid a lot for their upcoming second season.
PIAZZA: People are reporting that they could be making as much as $10,000 per episode.
HAMMER: Plus, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that the booking agent for most of the show`s stars tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that Mike "The Situation, Pauly D and Pauly D`s hair -
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It takes me about 25 minutes to do my hair.
HAMMER: Are going to Miami for the Super Bowl, courtesy of Reebok.
PIAZZA: Beyond what they`re making from MTV, they make money for personal appearances. They`re making up to $10,000 for showing up at a bar, doing shots and getting into fights and doing what they would normally do on a Tuesday night.
HAMMER: Our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook page is lighting up with complaints about all the bank the "Jersey Shore" cast is making. An angry Denise G. writes, "Thousands of hard-working people lose their jobs every day, or losing their homes, or can`t pay the bills because they don`t make enough money. And here come some ignorant, party-crazy fools. And yet, they get paid more than most people would even dream of."
PIAZZA: America loves them and they should be able to cash in on that. It is the great American way.
HAMMER: But even with all the hating, the "Jersey Shore" kids aren`t only staying they may be going worldwide. MTV says the show`s second season won`t take place in New Jersey. And TMZ reports the show`s producers are scouting locations both inside and outside the U.S.
PIAZZA: I can only imagine what the south of France is going to think of Snooki.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Party`s here.
HAMMER: Planet Earth, we`ve been warned. The people from "Jersey Shore" may be taking over.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: I mean, think about it. Could the cast of "Jersey Shore" really be headed for world domination? And should they be stopped?
Joining me tonight from Hollywood, Rachel Zalis, who is a contributing editor for "Life and Style Weekly." Also in Hollywood tonight, Jerry Penacoli, who is a correspondent for "Extra."
All right, guys. We`ve seen it. There`s tons of backlash today over the "Jersey Shore`s" return for the second season. Some people feel like they are just perpetuating negative stereotypes. There are others who think they are just bad examples for kids.
And now, they`re reportedly taking their act on the road. I`ve got to tell you, I`m more embarrassed that the show`s stars actually represent Americans - human beings. Rachel, are you with me?
RACHEL ZALIS, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, "LIFE AND STYLE WEEKLY": Absolutely. I mean, I don`t think anyone is really pinning them as just Italian- Americans.
And by the way, if someone complained every time a race or ethnicity was portrayed badly on a reality show - I mean, look at "The House Wife" and "The Hills" - they`re all guilty. And I think they`re brilliant, by the way. I`ve already added "GTL" to my own vocabulary.
HAMMER: Oh, good. I`m so proud of you for that. Hey, look, love them or hate them, it`s obvious that people are watching. The season finale of "Jersey Shore" was watched by almost five million people.
Just today, reps for cast members Pauly D and Mike "The Situation" tell SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - and I can`t believe I just said "the situation" - they`re telling SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Reebok is sponsoring these guys on a trip to the Super Bowl.
Here`s what their booking agent said in a statement, "The will participate in a photo shoot and will be wearing Reebok clothing for press and marketing. They are all incredibly in demand right now." Listen to this, "Their schedules are all frozen until May. They are booked out solid."
Well, tonight, Reebok did confirm to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that the company is, in fact, working with the "Jersey Shore" guys. So obviously, it sounds like Reebok is not afraid of any image that these guys are putting out there. But Jerry, should they be?
JERRY PENACOLI, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": You know what? Reebok is actually very smart here. They`re grabbing onto something that`s popular right now and they`re running with it.
Now, let me tell you this. I grew up in Jersey. I`m Italian- American. I went to the Jersey Shore every summer. If I got called a guido - that was the worst possible thing you could be called at that time. It meant stupid. It meant you`re an idiot, OK?
I asked those kids pointblank when they were right here at "Extra." And you know what they said to me? They said, "Times have changed. That is not the norm." Nobody is offended by the word "guido."
Well, apparently people still are, because that Italian-American group is still calling for the cancellation of the show. But nobody`s listening at this point. People are watching and they continue to watch.
HAMMER: I`m going to put money on this. Jerry Penacoli has never had a spray tan. Am I right, Jerry?
PENACOLI: Absolutely -
HAMMER: OK, you don`t have to answer that. All right. A lot of new outrage tonight because the cast just won this fight for their big pay raise. Their paycheck of $200 an episode has reportedly skyrocketed to $10,000 an episode.
In our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day, here`s what we asked - "`Jersey Shore` Returns: Does the cast deserve their big pay raise?" Look at that. Only 15 percent said yes; 85 percent said the cast does not deserve a raise.
Our "Showbiz on Call" phone lines will not stop ringing. So many people fired up. Nikki in New Jersey thinks the idea of a raise is ridiculous.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
NIKKI, CALLING FROM NEW JERSEY: I`m totally outraged about the "Jersey Shore" getting a raise. Are you kidding me? Come on. They do nothing but promote stereotypes about Italian-Americans. It`s terrible. We shouldn`t be showing this to our youth.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Nikki, I appreciate your call. But Rachel, what do you think? Is MTV is sending a bad message by not only keeping the show on the air, but also by giving these stars more money?
ZALIS: I say it`s called "Jersey Score" now. I mean, this show is going gangbusters for MTV and these kids obviously deserve it. I mean, what is it come out to? About $1,000 an ab? That sounds about right to me.
HAMMER: Yes, there you go. And listen, I mean, as far as I`m concerned, like it or not, this is how America works. This is how showbiz works. MTV is rewarding their success. And even if you don`t like what they represent, I`ve got to tell you, I think these guys have every right to cash in on it.
Jerry, is it only fair for the "Jersey Shore" kids to cash in on the success? And keep in mind they`re going to be making a fortune from public appearances.
PENACOLI: No, absolutely. The $10,000 an episode is just scratching the surface. Keep in mind, they were making $200 an episode for the first season. So from $200 to $10,000 an episode, that`s a lot of bronzer and hair gel. So you know, should they be cashing in like this? It`s inevitable that they will.
HAMMER: Yes. And I have to say we talk about the $10,000 number versus what they can earn. I have to imagine there are clubs in Vegas. There are tanning salons all over the planet that will pay these guys six figures at some point to show up.
All right. I have to move on to another big story breaking today. A nasty fight is brewing over J. Lo`s secret tapes. Jennifer Lopez` ex wants to release the tapes and is willing to take her to court to do it.
So what the heck is on these tapes? Rachel Zalis, Jerry Penacoli, don`t go anywhere. We`ll get to that in just a moment.
ANDERSON: Well, John Edwards has been taking a beating and I think he deserves it for cheating on his wife, for getting his mistress pregnant. But tonight, there may be some good news for this cad. The guy who claims to have an Edwards sex tape, who wrote that shocking tell-all about Edwards, is now being slammed himself. So will this help Edwards?
And a new Brangelina-Beyonce-Jay-Z star smackdown today. Tonight, I`m revealing why Beyonce and Jay-Z may now be the biggest stars in Hollywood. Yes, even bigger than Brad and Angie. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
HAMMER: And this is the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker." It`s more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Jennifer Aniston to host screening of new film, "The Last Station" to benefit Haiti. Grammy Awards ratings up 35 percent, most watched telecast since 2004.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GABOUREY SIDIBE, ACTRESS: I feel really, really excited and really proud. It`s my very first film role and I didn`t know that I could and I didn`t know that I could be a part of this industry that loves a higher, tiny Bond girls.
I didn`t know that I would fit in. It`s such a huge deal to have been nominated that at this point. If I win or lose, I`m nominated and that`s the most - like that. I`m so excited about being nominated.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Wow. Check this out. Forty-three-year-old supermodel Cindy Crawford - doesn`t she look smoking? I think so. Cindy, on the cover of the brand-new March issue of "Harper`s Bazaar U.K."
In the issue, Cindy admits to trying to slow the hands of time with a little Botox. But Cindy says that was 10 years ago. She hasn`t had it since. And at 43, she thinks that she`s holding together pretty well. I`ve got to tell you, I couldn`t agree more.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York with Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
ANDERSON: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s road to gold begins today. The Oscar nominations were revealed this morning and there is no shortage of amazing moments and big surprises. The biggest shocker of all is the sheer number of films up for best picture. Ten films in all got Oscar nods and you won`t believe some of the films that were nominated.
Here`s Kareen Wynter for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KAREEN WYNTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The battle is on between James Cameron`s record-breaking 3D blockbuster "Avatar" and Iraq War drama, "The Hurt Locker."
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Calm down, buddy.
WYNTER: Each earned nine Oscar nominations, Tuesday including best picture nod.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The 10 films selected as best picture nominees for 2009 are -
WYNTER: A highly coveted category broadened this year from five nominees to 10. Experts say it`s an attempt to boost the show`s sagging ratings by recognizing more popular films. That made room for a few surprises.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: There`s a lot of secrets in District 9.
WYNTER: The secret is out. "District 9" is also a best picture nominee. The sci-fi thriller joins "A Serious Man," "An Education," "Up," "Inglorious Basterds," "Up in the Air," "Precious" and the football drama, "The Blindside" in the category.
SANDRA BULLOCK, ACTRESS: He can thank you later.
WYNTER: Sandra Bullock has already said thanks for Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild Awards for her role as a straight-talking southern girl in "The Blindside."
BULLOCK: Go get him.
WYNTER: And now, she`s up for Oscar gold in the best actress category along with Helen Mirren in "The Last Station," "An Education`s" Carey Mulligan, Gabourey Sidibe from "Precious" and "Julie and Julia`s" Meryl Streep who is feasting on a record 16th nomination.
MERYL STREEP, ACTRESS: Bon appetit.
JEFF BRIDGES, ACTOR: This is going to stay bad -
WYNTER: Being bad was good enough for Jeff Bridges to earn a best actor nomination. He also won the Golden Globe and SAG Award in the category for playing a hard-drinking country singer in "Crazy Heart."
GEORGE CLOONEY, ACTOR: I don`t want to brag.
WYNTER: But George Clooney has a lot to brag about. The "Up in the Air" star will also compete for best actor. Other nominees include Collin Firth in "A Single Man," Morgan Freeman in "Invictus," and Jeremy Renner in "The Hurt Locker."
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Is he the wild man?
WYNTER: And with the 10 best picture nominees, it could be a wild night in Hollywood next month at 82nd Annual Academy Awards.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: That was CNN`s Kareen Wynter for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. And make sure to join us for a special live edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on Oscar night, March 7th.
HAMMER: I cannot wait to be there with you, Brooke. All right. I`ve got to tell you, I had pretty mixed feelings about Michael Jackson`s kids speaking at Grammy Awards. It was really sweet seeing them get up on stage and hearing what they had to say - a great tribute.
But in a way I kind of felt like the show was being a bit sensational by having them on and promoting the fact that they were going to be there.
ANDERSON: Well, you know, A.J., I know for a fact that the kids wanted to be there. They wanted to pay tribute. They obviously love their father very, very much. And I thought it was beautiful and appropriate.
And you know how you and I are divide on this? Well, our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT viewers are, too. Check out these calls we are getting into "Showbiz on Call." Carl from Michigan is proud of Prince and Paris.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CARL, CALLER FROM MICHIGAN: I think they did a marvelous job. They are to be commended. It shows how grown up they are, much more grown up than I thought they were. And I think they did a wonderful job and they honored their father greatly.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Thank you, Carl.
HAMMER: But Annette calling into "Showbiz on Call" from Texas does think this was a bad idea.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
ANNETTE, CALLER FROM TEXAS: I think Michael would have been horrified to see that his kids accepted the award. I think if it was later, it would have been appropriate, but it was just too soon. Let them do an interview with Oprah a year after or something when they`ve had time. But I just think it was too soon.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thank you, Annette. You can call us at "Showbiz on Call" to let us know what you think about this or anything else that`s on your mind.
ANDERSON: The "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are always opened - 1-888-SBT- BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899. Leave a voicemail. We will play some of your calls right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
HAMMER: Tonight, nasty new fight over the secret J. Lo tapes. The unbelievable brand-new move today by Jennifer Lopez` ex to release the tape. Why he wants to drag J. Lo into court.
Plus, his startling new allegations about what`s on these tapes. This thing is just getting so ugly.
All right. You know, there was a time, not so long ago, that no one could touch Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, right? They were the biggest stars on the face of the planet. But tonight, there`s a brand-new Brangelina-Beyonce-Jay-Z star smackdown. And we`re revealing tonight why Beyonce and Jay-Z could now be the biggest stars in Hollywood.
Also, Ann Curry`s frightening assignment.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANN CURRY, CO-ANCHOR, THE "TODAY" SHOW: I`m done. I`m out.
(CROSS TALK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: First out.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She beat everybody.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We`re going to have to pull the elevator. Company, stand by.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, my god.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: You have got to see where Ann ended up reporting from. Let me tell you, this actually makes me a little claustrophobic. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Race car driver Danica Patrick to appear on "CSI: New York" February 10th. Matthew Broderick to star in a new NBC comedy called "Beach Lane."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEREMY RENNER, ACTOR: Wow, when you have to take this mike off so you can run around the streak, that`s what I`m doing inside. I`m streaking. This morning, it was a bad experience that I haven`t felt since I was six years old on a Christmas morning or something.
There`s a thousand reasons why I shouldn`t be sitting here right now, and there`s only a few reasons why I am. And I will always be eternally grateful for that.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MUSIC PLAYING)
ANDERSON: Wow! Can she sing or what? That`s Jennifer Hudson serenading Whitney Houston with "I Will Always Love You" at the BET Honors Awards. In fact, she brought Whitney to tears.
It was pretty incredible, wasn`t it? Now, when Whitney finally took the stage to receive the 2010 BET Honors Entertainment Award, Whitney not only got very emotional, but she also took a shot at those people who have criticized her.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WHITNEY HOUSTON, SINGER: It`s a wonderful, marvelous feeling to be looked at and not judged.
(APPLAUSE)
Judged not for your flaws but for your triumphs. I am truly honored to be a member of a great people in our nation`s capital here tonight, I have to tell you. Let`s continue to lift each other up, not only in our triumphs but when we`re going through our trials and our tribulations.
Mama, please, stand up, please. This lady has taught me. From the time I was born, she`s given me all that I know one Ms. Cissy Houston. I love you, Mommy. I love you so much.
(APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Classy move there by Whitney to thank her mom.
HAMMER: All right. I`ll admit it, I saw most of the "Jersey Shore`s" first season. We`ll the fist aren`t pumping. They are flying on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook page. Right now, people are fired up over the cast members reportedly getting a big raise, more than $10,000 each per episode.
Look at this - Sarah W. says that Snooki and company deserve it, "Love it or hate it, the fact is `Jersey Shore` is MTV`s number one rated program. MTV`s making money off of these kids and it`s just good business sense for the cast to demand a raise."
But Deb K. is hanging her head in shame, "Jersey Shore" is arguably one of the most stupid shows ever to be on television. They are just spoiled. Ugh, my generation is so stupid."
We`d love for you to sign up for our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook page and get our Twitter breaking news alert. You can do that at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
ANDERSON: A.J., $10,000 can sure buy a lot of hair gel so they`re set. All right. Here`s what`s coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
The Brangelina-Beyonce-Jay-Z star smackdown. Tonight, I reveal why Beyonce and Jay-Z may now be the biggest stars in Hollywood. Yes, even bigger than Brad and Angie.
Good news for John Edwards? Why the guy that wrote that unbelievable tell-all about Edwards` affair is now being slammed himself.
The nasty new fight over the secret J. Lo tapes. The unbelievable brand-new move today by Jennifer Lopez` ex to release those tapes. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Former "Boston Legal" actor Justin Mentell dies in a car crash. L.A. judge sends Farrah Fawcett`s son, Redmond, back to rehab after a month in jail.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, the unbelievable new J. Lo secret tape battle. Tonight, why J. Lo`s ex wants to blow the lid off her private life and why he wants to drag her into court.
Good news for John Edwards? The man that wrote a shocking tell-all about Edwards` affair is now in the middle of a firestorm himself today. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT dares to ask, could this help John Edwards?
And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT reveals why Beyonce and Jay-Z may now be the biggest stars in Hollywood, bigger than Brangelina.
Plus, more stories breaking from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker."
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 Hollywood. And tonight, J. Lo`s ex files. Jennifer Lopez` ex-husband is launching a brand-new fight tonight that threatens to expose her most private moments.
HAMMER: Yes. It`s almost surreal to think about. J. Lo`s ex, Ojani Noa is making some really shocking claims about her and he`s even taking it to court. Tonight, J. Lo`s ex is asking that she be questioned in a court of law before a jury with the media right there.
He`s making some outrageous claims about intimate home videos that he filmed with her and he`s threatening to reveal. Not only that, he wants another J. Lo ex, hip-hop mogul Sean Diddy Combs to take the stand, too. Really? Something`s smelling really fishy to me here.
Also, tonight, more explosive revelations about the extent of John Edwards` cheating. Andrew Young, Edwards` former aide and the author of the explosive Edwards tell-all book, speaks out again.
Now, people are starting to criticize him, the whistleblower. Could that actually wind up being good news for Edwards?
Joining me tonight from Hollywood is Wendy Walsh who is a TV journalist and doctor of psychology. Tonight, in New York, it`s Jane Velez-Mitchell host of course of "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL" and author of "I Want: My Journey from Addiction and Overconsumption to a Simpler Honest Life."
Let`s start out with this brand-new outrageous claim today that J. Lo`s ex-husband is making against her. Now, he says he`s got some home video showing J. Lo in a very - let`s call them intimate moments.
Well, she put out a restraining order against him and those tapes. But this is not stopping the guy from really going for the jugular here. His business manager is basically telling SHOWBIZ TONIGHT they will not rest until J. Lo gets out of their way so her ex can release these tapes and write a tell-all.
Jane, off to you first. I don`t think, personally, that J. Lo has anything to worry about her. But it is a pretty nasty situation. Are you worried for her?
JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, HOST, "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL": Not really. These two have been in and out of court for years, A.J. While this guy, this ex - his primary occupations are supposed to be chef and model. He seems mostly obsessed with trying to capitalize off his very, very brief marriage to Jennifer Lopez in lieu of getting a real job.
Now, he`s threatening to release these tapes, which, according to published reports, reportedly show Jennifer Lopez kissing another woman and doing a lap dance. Oh, my god. What a shocker.
HAMMER: Say, isn`t so, Jane.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: I say, release it. It will probably increase her popularity.
HAMMER: Yes. No kidding. Well, I have to tell you, if you`re ready for a little weirdness, I think this next twist is particularly surreal.
Jane Lo`s ex`s business manager tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - this is a quote, "We also want to question Sean `Puffy` Combs on the witness stand about an alleged sex tape with Jennifer Lopez."
Wendy, I`ve got to say, I think this guy sounds likes he`s grasping at straws by bringing Diddy into the mix, and he should probably get his name right. Is it just outrageous what he`s trying to pull off here?
DR. WENDY WALSH, TV JOURNALIST AND PSYCHOLOGIST: A.J., let`s talk about what he really wants. He wants money. We all have an ex in the past and J. Lo has exes. And apparently, she hasn`t paid off enough because he wants to sell this book, sell these videotapes.
He`s claiming even that she - her assets were a lot more at the time of their divorce than she claimed. And then he`s owed more money. So you know what? He`s trying to open up a lot of old cans of worms so make money. And what a thing for a mother to feel, a mother of young children.
HAMMER: Yes. Why would he want to put her through this, really? Let me get to some of the finer points of this big beef with their divorce settlement. The financial statements are what he`s questioning, saying that she was worth $2 million when she was actually worth $60 million.
And, Jane, from everything we know, J. Lo and Ojani Noa had a relatively friendly split. In fact, he even worked at her restaurant after they divorced. Clearly, as Wendy suggested, this has to be about biting off a bigger slice of J. Lo`s fortune, wouldn`t you say?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Of course. Always follow the money. Yes. Sure, it`s friendly at the start until the wheels start turning and he starts thinking, oh, how much could I have gotten?
He signed a confidentiality agreement and he promised not to talk about details of their marriage. And his whole life had been devoted to trying to bust out of that agreement so that he can make some money off of telling and showing videos from their honeymoon.
I mean, how creepy is that, really? This guy needs to get a life. He needs to get a real job. And by the way, am I the only one without an alleged sex tape? What`s going on here?
HAMMER: Jane, that may be true. Wendy, we`ll check with you after the show. Let me get to this though, because late today, J. Lo`s lawyer told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that her ex, Ojani Noa, and his business partner, a guy named Ed Meyer, better watch out.
Here`s what they told us, "His statements are and continue to be false, irrelevant and nonsensical and we are confident that Ms. Lopez will prevail on her claims against Mr. Noa and Mr. Meyer."
Now, Wendy, J. Lo and her lawyer clearly ready for battle here. But I`m thinking, there`s even a chance, even if J. Lo prevails, that this could actually still do her some damage. What do you think?
WALSH: I don`t know that it can do damage nowadays. I think pretty much every - I mean, I believe in anthropology and I think that all of us have the ability to be a little bisexual in our lives.
And in the celebrity world, in that permissive world, the land of no- nos, to be kissing a girl? Yes, it happens. And who is going to be shocked nowadays? Like Jane says, everybody`s got a tape out. If you don`t, you`re nobody.
(CROSS TALK)
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Hey, I kissed a girl and I liked it.
HAMMER: And here`s the thing - I like J. Lo a whole lot. I just hate seeing her having to deal with all of it. But it comes with the territory.
All right. Let`s move on to another bombastic story, if I may call it, that is making big news today. John Edwards` former aide and current nemesis, Andrew Young, speaking out again.
This guy, of course, has been on a major media blitz promoting his new book, "The Politician" which really spills all kinds of alleged details about John Edwards life and portrays him as a power-hungry jerk.
Now, some people are criticizing Young because he`s totally cashing in on the story. Jane, you know, there are people who are getting sick of hearing Young talk. I think, look, Edwards` goose is cooked no matter what. But could the fact that people are starting to trash-talk Young actually in any way help John Edwards?
VELEZ-MITCHELL I don`t think so. Yes, this Young fellow is overexposed and we are tired of hearing from him every morning describe yet another nuance in this cover-up over the love child.
But it`s not going to help John Edwards. He lied to the American people on camera, not once, but over and over and over again, about a little girl who has to grow up learning that this guy didn`t want to claim her as the father.
And the daughter - I mean, it`s disgusting. So while we`re sick of the Young side of it, we`re really, really sick of a guy who wanted to be president of the United States and lied to us.
HAMMER: Absolutely, here`s something, though, I thought was really eye- opening. Andrew Young and his wife told "Good Morning America" today shocking new details about how they actually let John Edwards` pregnant mistress, Rielle, live with them. Look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHERI YOUNG, WIFE OF ANDREW YOUNG: I want you to remember, by this point, Rielle had already showed up at our front door and was living - had with us for -
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What did you tell your kids she was doing there?
C. YOUNG: We told her that it was somebody that daddy worked with. And the children started asking more questions. You know, "Why do you have to go get her groceries, mommy? Why does daddy have to go over there and work on her blinds?"
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Yes, all right. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) I`m hearing some culpability. Wendy, it sounds to me like the Youngs went to extreme measures to protect Edwards. I think that really sheds some light into their own responsibility in helping create or at least facilitate this whole monster that they`re portraying and that they`re cashing in on?
WALSH: Exactly. They harbored her. They harbored her and protected her. Now, all I`m hearing out of them is resentment and anger. Obviously, they didn`t get the payoff they thought they were going to get for doing this protection work. And now, they`re angry and they`re trying to be tattletales. I tell my five-year-old all the time.
HAMMER: Show me the money. Yes. Wendy Walsh, Jane Velez-Mitchell, thank you very much.
ANDERSON: Tonight, the Brangelina-Beyonce-Jay-Z smackdown. The breakup rumors already put Brad and Angie`s romance on thin ice. So are Jay-Z and Beyonce about to knock them off as the world`s biggest star couple? They`ve got glamour, fame, fortune. All they need is a weird celebrity couple name now, maybe Beyonce-Z or Jay-once? Tonight, the Hollywood couple smackdown.
Mel Gibson is up to his ears in controversy again. But this time, he`s actually kind of enjoying it. Tonight, the cringe-worthy video of Mel Gibson that you`ve just got to see to believe.
We`ll also have this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CURRY: I`m done. I`m out.
(CROSS TALK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: First out.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She beat everybody.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We`re going to have to pull the elevator. Company, stand by.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, my god.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Tonight, NBC`s Ann Curry and an unbelievable assignment. The scary place the "Today" show host hopes to never report from again. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
HAMMER: And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker." Yes, it is more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Oprah Winfrey Network to air behind-the-scenes show of Oprah`s final season. France honors Ewan McGregor and Jim Carrey with National Order of Arts and Letters.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LEE DANIELS, DIRECTOR, "PRECIOUS": I thought they were coming in alphabetical orders as it were. And so Clinton came before me and I said - and then as soon as I did like - they said - and Lee Daniels, I went, yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MEL GIBSON, ACTOR: Oh, I feel bad. But he`s got to get changed. There you go - one, two, three. That`s OK, buddy. It`s OK.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: New role as Mr. Mom? Did you see this? Now, as you may know, Mel Gibson is a new dad for the eighth time. So in an interview with the Spanish radio station, Mel got challenged live on the radio to change a real baby`s dirty diaper.
And as you see, it was all caught on tape. As you just saw, Mel got the job done in less than a minute but it was really enough to make any mom cringe.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York with Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
Tonight, the brand new battle to replace Brad and Angelina.
ANDERSON: A.J., are Beyonce and Jay-Z moving in for a Hollywood couple`s coup? It`s the battle royale to be Hollywood`s hottest and it`s just been today. People are going absolutely berserk after Beyonce finally calls Jay-Z her husband at the Grammys.
So will opening up about their marriage boost Jay-once and burst the Brangelina bubble? And while Brangelina busted up breakup rumors with a date night, Beyonce had a date with "60 Minutes." Did she open up even more?
Joining me tonight in Hollywood is Rachel Zalis, who is a contributing editor for "Life and Style Weekly." Also tonight in Hollywood is Marc Malkin, who is a columnist for "E."
Rachel, Marc, we`re going to get to that Brangelina smackdown in just a moment. But first, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT learned today that almost 26 million people tuned into the Grammys and saw Beyonce call Jay-Z her husband for the first time on stage. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BEYONCE KNOWLES, SINGER: I`d like to thank the Grammys - sorry. I`m nervous. I`d like to thank my family for all of the support, including my husband. I love you. And I`d like to thank all the fans for their support over the years.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Did you see the look on Jay-Z`s face? And we couldn`t see it there because of our banner. But he threw up his hands like, "Hey, B, I thought that was our secret." You know, he could have mouthed "I love you, too" or something, for goodness` sakes.
But yes, two years after they tied the knot, she finally says it out loud. Rachel, it`s about time, isn`t it?
ZALIS: I mean, this whole secrecy thing is so ridiculous. They`re acting like it`s more top secret than Area 51. I mean, come on. We know you guys are married.
Listen, I understand you don`t want to be Jessica Simpson where you`re gushing about being in love with someone and you break up before the story comes out. But I think they`re safe to say that they are sticking together for at least a little while.
ANDERSON: Yes, stand up. Be proud of your love. Be proud of your marriage. And I want to move now to that brand-new, absolutely fascinating interview with Beyonce. "60 Minutes" correspondent Steve Kroft sat down with Beyonce. And he said that he even tried to get her to say Jay-Z`s name but she wouldn`t budge. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEVE KROFT, CORRESPONDENT, "60 MINUTES": You talk shop?
KNOWLES: Do I talk shop with my husband? What did you mean?
KROFT: You talk about the business, talk about performing?
KNOWLES: We talk about everything.
KROFT: One last question -
KNOWLES: OK is it about -
KROFT: Who has the bigger ego?
KNOWLES: I don`t know. We don`t really have egos. It`s not about ego. I think it`s appropriate for the stage. It`s appropriate for certain moments, but egos are not attractive.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: OK. Did you see that look that she gave Steve Kroft on that last question? Marc, I get the whole privacy thing, wanting protect your privacy. But does it just make things worse for her to be so evasive about the marriage?
MARC MALKIN, COLUMNIST, "E!": I don`t think it makes things worse for her. It actually - I think it made her sound a little charming. She was sort of like, "I`m on to you. You`re not going to get me. You`re not going to fool me. I`m not going to say `Jay-Z.` I`m not going the say `my husband.` So you keep going."
It was a very cute sort of interaction in which she was like, "You`re not going to get me. Keep trying. Keep trying."
ANDERSON: Do you think she`s playing a little game with everybody?
MALKIN: Oh, for sure. This is definitely a game. There`s no doubt about it. A normal couple does not, not say that they`re not married. So this just keeps everyone talking about it, keeps everyone trying to get her to talk about it and keeps it in the headlines.
ANDERSON: I want to move now to the Brangelina-Jay-once smackdown. Brangelina is such a hot couple these last few years. But check out who is beating them on "Forbes" list of top-earning celebrities - Beyonce and Jay- Z.
What do you know? Number one, earning a combined $122 million from 2008 to 2009. Brad and Angelina in third with a paltry $55 million. Say it isn`t so.
And listen, I know it`s not all about money. But with Brangelina MIA lately during the split up rumors and Beyonce opening up about her marriage, Rachel, what do you think? Could it be that Jay-once is replacing Brangelina as the hottest couple in the world?
ZALIS: I don`t think so. I mean, clearly, the "Forbes" story was based on financials. But in pure star power, nothing can touch Brad and Angie. And you know, Jay-Z and Beyonce are a fabulous couple. They are making gazillions of dollars. But they have time to promote fragrances and clothing lines.
You know, Brad and Angie are building houses in New Orleans, saving the world, raising six kids. They`ve got so much going on and people are obsessed with them. So I don`t know. I think -
ANDERSON: Yes, people are obsessed.
ZALIS: Spencer and Heidi might take the crown.
ANDERSON: Oh, no. Don`t say it. Don`t say it. We`re going to end it on that comment. Rachel Zalis, Marc Malkin, thank you both.
And now we want to hear from you. It`s our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Jay-Z and Beyonce: Are they bigger than Brangelina?" Vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. E-mail us at showbiztonight@cnn.com.
HAMMER: Spencer and Heidi - come on. All right. Now, the remarkable inside story of the "We are the World" remake. Hard to believe it has been 25 years since Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson wrote this incredible song. It captivated the world and raised millions of dollars for famine relief in Africa.
Well, as he did a generation ago, Lionel Richie cracked the whip and got more than 80 artists to check their egos at the door on Monday night to record a new version of the song.
Now, the brand-new version will benefit Haitian earthquake victims. Lyrics are the same, but Lionel and the song`s producer, Quincy Jones, admit a lot has changed.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LIONEL RICHIE, SONGWRITER, "WE ARE THE WORLD": I don`t want to say this but it went that fast, you know. And when you have the conversation in the room with half of the crowd that was in there, and they said, "You know, I`ve always wanted to sing this. Here`s the key word, "Mr. Richie."
QUINCY JONES, PRODUCER: I don`t play that down - (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
RICHIE: I didn`t get Mr. Richie on the first "We are the World."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, it was a family affair for Mr. Richie, one of my favorite guys in the music business. His daughter Nicole and granddaughter, Harlow took part. A 3D version for the song is going to premiere during the opening ceremonies of the winter Olympics on February 12. That`s the same day you`ll be able to buy the track.
ANDERSON: Tonight, NBC`s Ann Curry and her unbelievable assignment. The "Today" show host has reported from all the world. But tonight, we`re taking you inside a scary place where Ann never wants to report from again.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CURRY: I`m done. I`m out.
(CROSS TALK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: First out.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She beat everybody.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We`re going to have to pull the elevator. Company, stand by.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, my god.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: It`s the elevator drama scene seen and heard around the world. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
HAMMER: And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - it`s more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Usher, Shakira and Alicia Keys to perform during NBA all-star game February 14th. Rip Torn to rehab after cops nabbed him drunk and with a gun inside a bank.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRIDGES: It was great to get that call from my publicist this morning to say, "Hey, congrats." You know, it was wonderful. And also my teammates, T-Bone Burnett and Ryan Bingham and Maggie- you know, Maggie Gyllenhaal. Man, she did such a wonderful job.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Tonight, NBC`s Ann Curry reports from a place that, well, no one ever wants to get stuck - inside an elevator that stopped between floors.
Did you see this? The "Today" show co-host and Twitter fanatic got stuck in an elevator after a conference about social media. So what did she and her fellow tech nerds do to pass the time?
Well, of course, they reported on every single moment of their ordeal and was able to send out Twitter tweet and then made friends with another trapped passenger who wasn`t a Twitter addict. Take a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, I`ve got one - no bars, thank you.
CURRY: Out - I`m done. I`m out.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I see how it is.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You should beat everybody.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We`re going to have to pull the elevator. Company, stand by.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, my god.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, my god.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you kidding me?
CURRY: excuse me. I`m so sorry. You`re not part of our loud group. Sorry for our loudness. We just finished a conference. We just had a rough day. I bet you can`t wait to get rid of us. I`m sorry.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You`re too nice, Ann.
CURRY: You get a lot.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, half a dozen tweets and Twitter pics later, freedom. Everyone got out safely, but it took more than an hour. Imagine.
ANDERSON: Now your SHOWBIZ first look at an incredible new film as the countdown continues to the winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada. There`s an absolutely fascinating new documentary about a 15-year-old on a mission.
In the movie, the teenager goes on a daring skiing expedition on the very mountain where his father, a legendary extreme skier, died. Here`s your SHOWBIZ first look at "The Edge of Never."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is my grandson. I have lost my son. I don`t want to lose my grandson.
KAI: I`m a different man than my dad. It`s hard to follow in his footsteps when he`s not around.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: To me, it was something. I couldn`t actually give Kai(ph) at that time. And I couldn`t be there. But yet, Kai kind of needed it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It`s sort of a rite of passage almost.
KAI: I`ve always wanted to ski this run that my dad died on.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He`s heard about glacier road for nine years. Just being here and skiing that run I think will probably close a circle for Kai(ph).
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: What beautiful footage. And you can check out the "The Edge of Never" when it debuts on "Show Time" this Friday.
HAMMER: So on Monday, we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. And moments ago, I received this piece paper, holding these final results, "Jersey Shore Returns: Do they deserve their big raises?" And look at that - this way, if you don`t think so. Only 15 percent said yes; 85 percent of you said no.
Here`s one of the fired-up E-mails that we got. Mike from Montana writing, "I wish they didn`t bring back the show, `Jersey Shore.` It`s one of the worst shows that I have watched in a long time."
And then we heard from Soozie dialing up our "Showbiz on Call" phone lines from West Virginia.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
SOOZIE, CALLER FROM WEST VIRGINIA: I think everybody needs to like calm down about this whole "Jersey Shore" thing. Get used to it because they`re doing them - they`re being themselves.
I`m a big fan of "Jersey Shore." I watch every episode and I would really love to meet these people. Everybody just needs to calm down.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right, Soozie. Thank you for your call and for your advice. That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Don`t forget, you can catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on the 11:00s - 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific, and in the morning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern on HLN. Take care.
END
