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Showbiz Tonight
Kate Gosselin Will Dance with the Stars; The Jessica Simpson Oprah Interview; Calling Tiger Woods; Is Howard Stern Serious About "Idol?"; A "Brady Bunch" Shocker
Aired March 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 today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - the brand-new "Dancing with the Stars" shocker! Wait, they picked who?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KATE GOSSELIN, REALITY TV STAR: My mind is willing to do it. It`s just like making my body figure it out.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Kate Gosselin? Shouldn`t she be home with her kids? Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the great debate. Should Kate be dancing with the stars?
When Jessica met Oprah. Today, the look at Jessica Simpson`s explosive new Oprah interview, speaking out about John Mayer revealing all about their sex life.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JESSICA SIMPSON, SINGER AND ACTRESS: I don`t want people to know how I am in bed.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: But, wait - there`s more. Including Jessica`s brand-new slam against people that called her fat.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OPRAH WINFREY, HOST, "THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW": You were a size four and people were calling you fat?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Hey, Tiger Woods, the presidents are on line one. The unbelievable reports out today that Bill Clinton and President Obama have reached out to Tiger Woods. Are they`ll really giving him advice on how to handle his cheating scandal?
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 from Hollywood. And tonight, dancing with Kate.
HAMMER: Yes, Brooke. If Kate Gosselin thought she had to do some pretty fancy dancing in her divorce from Jon, I`m here to tell you, she ain`t seen nothing yet.
Yes, get ready for Kate, minus Jon plus 10. It seemed everyone was taking bets today on exactly how long Kate will last on "Dancing with the Stars" along with 10 other contestants including nude peephole victim ESPN reporter, Erin Andrews and an 80-year-old former astronaut who was the second man on the moon.
But while Kate is no doubt over the moon about her just-announced new gig, there were serious questions raised today about how she can deal with this and take care of the eight kids that help make her both famous and infamous. And it all made for big news breaking today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice over): the first shocking announcement we`ve gotten about a Gosselin that doesn`t involve a divorce, a birth or a really ill-advised hookup.
ANNOUNCER: "Dancing with the Stars" new cast will light up the stage.
HAMMER: Kate Gosselin, the famous newly-single mother of eight, is competing next season on the ABC celebrity dance competition show, "Dancing with the Stars."
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS, ABC ANCHOR: How good a dancer are you?
GOSSELIN: Yes. Not so much.
HAMMER: Kate appeared this morning on "Good Morning America" with her new "Dancing with the Stars" partner, Tony Dovolani. She says she`s both excited and scared about her new gig.
GOSSELIN: My mind is willing to do it. It`s just like making my body figure it out. That`s the scary part for me.
JODI MILLER, COMEDIAN: I do want to see her do the salsa, because that is a sexy, hot kind of dance. She`s so fertile she might actually get pregnant right on the dance floor.
HAMMER: But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is asking what a lot of people were asking today. How can this admitted dance novice learn how to dance and compete on a major TV show that shoots in L.A. while raising eight kids across the country in Pennsylvania?
GOSSELIN: My days are so filled. Pre-dancing - it`s going to be very interesting but I`m determined to do it.
HAMMER: This morning, Gosselin told "Good Morning America" that her "Dancing with the Stars" job will be a bicoastal affair. She will rehearse at home in Pennsylvania and fly back and forth to L.A. for the competition.
GOSSELIN: There`s going to be a dance floor in my basement. So when they`re at school, obviously, I`ll be dancing nearby or in the basement. When they`re home in bed at night, I will be dancing in the basement.
HAMMER: Kate says her kids are on board.
GOSSELIN: My 9-year-olds are very excited. They asked if they could vote for me and I was like, yes.
STEPHANOPOULOS: Many times.
GOSSELIN: Please do.
MILLER: That`s not fair. She could get 50 percent of her votes just from her own house.
HAMMER: Kate does have a big financial incentive to make her complicated "Dancing with the Stars" situation work. The show`s contestants reportedly earn at least $200,000 and that`s without the bonuses they get for advancing in the competition.
And her ex, Jon Gosselin, could also make things easier for her. The parents alternate weeks with the kids. That could potentially free Kate to rehearse while the kids are with Jon, who is happy for his wife`s gig.
Today, his rep told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, quote, "Jon is happy for Kate and supportive or her joining the new season of `DWTS.`"
MILLER: Don`t you think her kids have been through enough reality television?
HAMMER: But comedian Jodi Miller tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT she`s not too keen on Kate`s new TV adventure.
MILLER: I still feel like she`s not doing what she`s supposed to be doing and that is being a mom, without the dancing shoes.
HAMMER: Kate`s competition on the next season of "Dancing with the Stars" include Pamela Anderson; ESPN host Erin Andrews, perhaps best-known recently for being the victim of a peephole stalker who secretly shot video of her naked in a hotel room; 80-year-old Buzz Aldrin, the second man to step on the moon; and former "Beverly Hills 90210" bad girl Shannon Doherty.
Kate went on ABC`s "Jimmy Kimmel Live" last night right after the big announcement to say that she intends to win.
JIMMY KIMMEL, HOST, "JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE": Are you a competitive person?
GOSSELIN: Have you watched my show?
MILLER: The only way that she would lose is if Jon came out and said that he was having an affair with Shannon, Erin and Pamela and possibly, Buzz.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: So is dancing with Kate one big old mistake? Joining me tonight in Hollywood is Kristin Dos Santos who is with E Online`s "Watch with Kristin." Also tonight in Hollywood is Rachel Zalis who is a contributing editor for "Life and Style Weekly."
I don`t know, Kristin, Rachel. I`ve got mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, I think this is a great opportunity for Kate.
But on the other hand, I`m a mom, and to think she`s got not one, two, three, four, but eight little ones to take care of on top of that dancing six, seven, eight hours a day, traveling to and from Los Angeles.
And she`s got the talk show that she plans to launch in the spring. It`s a lot. Kristen, I know you`re a mother, too. Is this a bad idea?
KRISTIN DOS SANTOS, "WATCH WITH KRISTIN": I have to tell you, I have one at home and I just had to buy socks because I can`t have the time to do laundry. So I don`t know how she`s going to pull this off.
That said, I think she could actually win this thing. I mean, even though she`s saying she`s not a very good dancer, I think that she has a very serious fan base, based on everything that`s happened, you know, with her divorce.
And there are a lot of people are team Kate and not team Jon. And so I could see her as sort of being the underdog that everyone is rooting for. She has eight kids to put through college. If anyone needs the money, it`s her.
ANDERSON: Yes. That`s a great point. And she has admitted that, yes, this is going to be hard because she`s got a really full plate.
She`s defending herself, though, on "Good Morning America" this morning along with her new dance partner whom you saw in the piece, Tony Dovolani. She explained how she`s going to try to juggle this demanding show with her demanding job as mother of eight.
GOSSELIN: There`s going to be a dance floor in my basement. So when they`re at school, obviously, I`ll be dancing nearby or in the basement. When they`re at home in bed at night, I`ll be dancing in the basement.
STEPHANOPOULOS: So you`re going to train at home. You`re just going to go out to L.A. for the show?
GOSSELIN: I will. I`ll commute back and forth.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Kate also said today, hey, the kids are excited, especially the 9-year-old twins because she`s doing this to show them to work hard, face your fears, never give up. I think it`s a magnificent message.
And Kristin, to your point, the reported $200,000 paid to contestants - that`s really going to help feed the whole family. Rachel, as tough as this will be, do you think that there are moms out there rooting for Kate?
RACHEL ZALIS, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, "LIFE AND STYLE WEEKLY": Yes, absolutely. I mean, I think the thing though is that Kate is a lot more fortunate than most of the women out there that have kids that are working jobs.
She gets to dance for her dollar. She gets a dance floor built in her basement. She has help around the clock when she needs it.
So I think it`s a sort of a mixed thing. You know, represents someone who is very determined and really wants to support her kids. But at the same, she has a lot more opportunities than most women would have in that situation.
HAMMER: And she is very adamant that her kids, her family, is the priority. She`s going to balance it. But I`m confident she can pull it off. And I`ve got to tell you she`s going to have some very interesting competition including ESPN reporter, Erin Andrews.
Now, Erin made the headlines when she was taped nude through a peephole in her hotel room. A guy pleaded guilty of stalking her.
So here`s the thing, Andrews went on "Oprah" and called the whole ordeal a nightmare, understandably. So some people are saying today Erin might not want to go on one of the highest-rated show on television and dance around in skimpy outfits.
But Kristin, I personally think it`s great that she`s got enough confidence to go out and do this. What do you think?
DOS SANTOS: Oh, I totally agree with that. And let`s be frank here. I mean, they have those women so well secured in their costumes. I think it takes a lot of sort of rigging and harnesses and all these things that you don`t see, to make sure the clothes stay on them.
So you know, I think she can feel very secure in the fact that she is going to remain clothed on "Dancing with the Stars."
ANDERSON: I bet she will. And Andrews has also told Oprah that she`s tired of continuing to be victimized by people who say that she deserved this, that she deserved everything she received in those headlines and the nightmare.
So, Rachel, is this a way to say, "Hey, you cannot victimize me anymore?"
ZALIS: Absolutely. I mean, none of us can really understand what she went through. I mean, it has completely stripped of her dignity. If this is what is going to take to make her, as you said, smile again and feel like she can have fun, then I`m all for that. And I really wish her the best on that show.
ANDERSON: Yes. Me, too. And why people would say that she deserved all of that and deserved to be victimized is beyond me. Just ridiculous. She`s no shrinking violet. Good for her. Kristin Dos Santos, Rachel Zalis, great to see you both. Thanks for your time.
So what do you think? It`s our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "`Dancing with the Stars` - is Kate Gosselin a good choice?" Vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. You can also E-mail us - showbiztonight@cnn.com.
HAMMER: Well, Brooke, I`ve got to tell you, I think Jessica Simpson would actually be a great choice for "Dancing with the Stars." And I`m thinking she could have some kind of a dance showdown with John Mayer. I`m just saying.
Well, today, the very first look at Jessica Simpson`s explosive new Oprah interview, speaking out about John Mayer, revealing all about their sex life. Plus, Jessica`s brand new slam against people who called her fat.
Also, big news breaking today - paging Tiger Woods. We`ve got a call for you on line one. Yes, I`m talking Bill Clinton. I`m talking Barack Obama. Did these two really reach out to Tiger to give him advice on his cheating scandal? Really?
And here`s a story about a lovely lady who loved another lovely lady? The unbelievable new "Brady Bunch" feud today over an alleged lesbian affair between Marcia and Jan. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: NBC estimates 185 million tuned in to see some part of the Winter Olympics. TLC dumps Miss America pageant, leaving it without a TV home.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Did you se this? Caught on the tape. Two koalas fighting at the Sydney, Australia Zoo. You know, these guys look all cute and cuddly but they can be pretty nasty. What could they have been fighting over anyway? A eucalyptus plant? A female koala? Actually, I think I have a good idea.
(MUSIC)
I hear animals get pretty worked up fighting over their favorite "Men at Work" song. And that one, "Down Under" happens to be my favorite "Men at Work" song, Brooke.
ANDERSON: Yes, I like that one, too. I also like "Who Can It Be Now."
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with A.J. Hammer in New York.
And now, the SHOWBIZ "Road to Gold." Tonight, Meryl Streep versus Sandra Bullock.
HAMMER: Yes, Brooke. There are some huge showdowns this year at the Oscars, which, of course, are just a few days away.
ANDERSON: Yes, A.J. One of the big games, Meryl and Sandra - it`s a knock-down, drag-out battle over the best actress award. All right. Well, maybe they aren`t exactly at each other`s throats.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice over): It started with a kiss. Meryl Streep and Sandra Bullock lock lips while tying for a best actress Critic`s Choice Awards that a faux feud followed in the fight over the big guy, Oscar.
These leading ladies have gone head-to-head this awards show season. Streep, for her role as chef, Julia Child, in "Julie and Julia." Bullock for playing a tough southern woman in "The Blind Side."
While this is Streep`s record 16th Oscar nomination, she hasn`t won since 1983 for "Sophie`s Choice." This is Bullock`s first invite to the dance, but the awards show scale may be tipping in her favor.
SANDRA BULLOCK, ACTRESS: Don`t expect me to win anything.
ANDERSON: Though both leading ladies took home Golden Globes, Bullock took home the prized Screen Actor`s Guild award. Publicly, she is gracious.
BULLOCK: My money was on Meryl.
ANDERSON: But behind the scenes, Bullock jokingly left Streep a voicemail telling her to watch her back, which Streep reciprocated with dead orchids. Not to be outdone, Bullock got the last laugh by sending Streep a case of liquor and a note reading, "Toast to white trash." So was there a throw- down when the ladies met up at the Annual Oscar Luncheon?
BULLOCK: You know, we dropped it because we realized that it reached its limit. And now, we`re just back to liking each other.
ANDERSON (on camera): So you didn`t spike her soup or anything now?
BULLOCK: She gave me a little kiss on the hand today and that was it.
ANDERSON (voice over): They kissed and made up.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
Plus, there will always be other things to fight over, A.J., like who will rock the red carpet? A.J. and I are going to be right there on the Oscar`s red carpet. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is live with two very special Oscar shows this Sunday, March 7th. The SHOWBIZ "Road to Gold" 7:00 p.m. Eastern on CNN, then at 11:00 p.m. Eastern on HLN.
HAMMER: Brooke, as we move on tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT viewers have been calling into "Showbiz on Call" all day long with their heartfelt messages for Marie Osmond.
ANDERSON: Yes, A.J. After her son`s apparent suicide this weekend. Here`s Anne from North Carolina.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CALLER: I just wanted to convey my condolences to Marie Osmond. My heart goes out to her. I have an 18-year-old son myself and I don`t know what I would do without him.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Thank you, Anne.
HAMMER: We also heard from Joyce calling into "Showbiz on Call" from California.
CALLER: I want to say how sorry I am to Marie Osmond for the death of her beloved son. I know how I would feel if I lost mine. And I am praying for your family. God bless you.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thank you so much, Joyce. You can call us at "Showbiz on Call" if you have a message for Marie, or call us for any reason at all.
ANDERSON: The "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are always opened. Here`s the number - 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899.
HAMMER: All right. Moving on now - Howard Stern`s brand-new revelations today about taking over for Simon Cowell on "American Idol."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOWARD STERN, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: If they gave me $100 million to take Simon Cowell`s place on "Idol," that would be insane -
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, but that`s too -
(CROSS TALK)
STERN: For four months` work, Harry, even you would take that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: You know, people keep saying there`s no chance of this actually happening. But does Howard really want to do this?
Jessica Simpson`s getting serious with Oprah. We have got your very first look today at Jessica`s explosive new Oprah interview. Now, she is speaking out for the first time about John Mayer revealing all about their sex life.
And the brand-new smart phone app that I bet Tiger Woods wishes he had.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): And it`s not just for the iPhone. Tiger Text is coming soon to a Blackberry near you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Truthfully, I think it`s very sketchy.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It`s very sneaky.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Wow. I don`t know.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. I was thinking it is only a matter of time. This erases drunk texts. It erases all those nasty things you said about your boss. And yes, Tiger, it will even get rid of those dirty texts that you may have sent to your mistresses. Tiger, this handy gadget has even got your name on it. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - these are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Beyonce to open a cosmetology school at a drug treatment center in New York City. "Twilight`s" Robert Pattinson to get wax figure at Madame Tussauds in NYC and London.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Why are you so sad, honey?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE CHILD: Because -
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Because why?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE CHILD: Because I love Justin Bieber.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I can`t hear you.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE CHILD: Because I love Justin Bieber.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You`re crying because you love Justin Bieber.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE CHILD: Yes, that`s why I ran into my room.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You ran in your room and cried because you love him?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE CHILD: Yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Did you see this? This little girl has got a bad case of Bieber fever. Check out 3-year-old Cody. Her mom videotaped Cody totally losing it over her favorite singer, 16-year-old Justin Bieber.
Well, yesterday, it was all over YouTube. But I`m happy to tell you, this story has a really, really happy ending.
I guess the folks over at "Jimmy Kimmel Live" saw Cody on YouTube, because they booked her and her family on "Jimmy Kimmel Live." The family thought they were going on the show to talk about Cody`s crying has made her an Internet star. But they got a huge surprise and there was definitely no crying when Cody met the love of her life in person.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JUSTIN BIEBER, SINGER: Well, I saw you on the video and it got a lot of views.
CODY, JUSTIN BIEBER FAN: Did you see I cried about you?
BIEBER: You cried a lot. Why were you so upset?
CODY: I don`t know, because I don`t get to see you all day.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All I can say here is Cody is definitely one less lonely girl today.
ANDERSON: So cute. All right. The bachelor`s choice is really firing up our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook fans right now. Millions tuned in to watch Jake make what I thought was a pretty shocking pick, choosing Vienna over Tenley.
Kathy H. is stunned on our Facebook wall, "I`ll bet that Jake and Vienna will ever walk down the aisle."
But Michelle M. disagrees, "He did what most men don`t do and that is follow his heart and not listen to what others think. If she makes him happy, then good for him!"
Become our fan on Facebook. Join us on Twitter. Call us at "Showbiz on Call" and there`s always E-mail. "Showbiz Connects" on our Web site, CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
HAMMER: Tonight, a presidential pot full of trouble for a pot party. Did you see this? According to TMZ, a group of marijuana patients were all set to come together to give thanks to the Obama administration for allegedly ending DEA raids on cannabis stores.
But to plug the event, the party planners decided to Photoshop a picture of the president with a joint in his mouth, and you don`t want to do that.
Tonight, the White House says that`s a big no-no. They do not allow the president`s name and image for commercial purposes.
ANDERSON: And now, the SHOWBIZ lineup. Here`s what`s coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Jessica`s brand new confessions to Oprah. Your very first look today at Jessica Simpson speaking out to Oprah about John Mayer`s sex and tell- all about her.
Howard Stern`s brand new revelations today about possibly replacing Simon on "American Idol." Is he really serious about this?
Plus, a "Brady Bunch" shocker. Did allegations of a lesbian love affair between Marcia and Jan really stop the Brady reunion? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - these are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Daughter of "Ax Men" star killed by family`s Rottweiler. Sho-West names "Avatar" star Sam Worthington male star of the year.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Jessica Simpson`s John Mayer`s revenge. Today, your very first look at Jessica Simpson`s explosive new Oprah interview. Jessica fires back at John`s sex-and-tell revelations and Oprah`s Jess` back.
Tiger Woods news breaking today. Unbelievable reports that Bill Clinton and President Obama may have reached out to Tiger. Are they really giving him advice on how to handle his cheating scandal?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STERN: If they gave me $100 million to take Simon Cowell`s place on "Idol," that would be insane -
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, but that`s too -
(CROSS TALK)
STERN: For four months` work, Harry, even you would take that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Howard Stern`s "Idol" chatter today. Is Howard really still campaigning for Simon`s job?
Plus, more stories breaking from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker."
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It is 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
ANDERSON: I`m Brooke Anderson coming to you from Hollywood. And tonight, Jessica Simpson`s explosive tell-all to Oprah.
HAMMER: Yes. For the very first time today, we got to hear exactly what Jessica Simpson thinks about John Mayer revealing to the world that his one-time sex life with Jessica was like sexual napalm and it made for big news breaking today.
Jessica is now telling all to Oprah about her anger over Mayer`s TMI revelations about having sex with Jessica. Well, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT obtained today an advanced look at what Jessica just told Oprah. We`re going to show it to you. And I can tell you Jessica is definitely getting her revenge.
There was also big Tiger Woods news breaking today. We`ve now learned that former President Clinton called Tiger with words of support. But why, Bill? Why?
And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is also getting to the bottom of reports today that President Obama also called Tiger.
With me tonight in New York is Midwin Charles who is a legal contributor for "In Session" on Tru TV. Also in New York is Megan Alexander who is a correspondent for "Inside Edition."
I`ve got to begin with Jessica Simpson`s brand-new reaction revealed today about John Mayer`s sex talk about her. Now, in case you need a refresher, here`s some of what John Mayer had to say about Jessica Simpson.
He said, "That girl, for me, is a drug. And drugs aren`t good for you if you do lots of them. Yes, that girl is like crack cocaine to me. Sexually, it was crazy. That`s all I`ll say. It was like napalm, sexual napalm."
Well, I`ve got to tell you, Jessica Simpson is not holding back. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT got a first look today at what she told Oprah. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WINFREY: Why are you angry?
SIMPSON: Well, I don`t want people to know how I am in bed. And I guess I could have been a lot worse. My phone is ringing off the hook, I have to say.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK, now I was really happy to see Jessica having a good laugh over something that she obviously is angry about. But Midwin, that`s just a bit of what she said. The other shoe drops on "Oprah Winfrey Show" tomorrow. You think John Mayer should be, you know, running and hiding under the covers somewhere?
MIDWIN CHARLES, LEGAL CONTRIBUTOR, "IN SESSION": He should. Look, unfortunately for Jessica, she dated a chatty Cathy, OK? He cannot shut up, unfortunately for her.
But I just love her comeback. In addition to this, she`s got a new show coming out. She looks fabulous on the cover of a recent magazine pose she did. Go, Jessica.
HAMMER: Yes. And John made such graphic statements about Jessica in that interview with "Playboy." You know, Megan, I was happy to see Jessica kind of keeping quiet about this. But at the same time, are you with me, that she really has every right to hit him right below the belt if she wants to?
MEGAN ALEXANDER, CORRESPONDENT, "INSIDE EDITION": She does. On the one hand, laughter is the best medicine. It was nice to see her laughing about it and not giving a strong reaction because John Mayer doesn`t deserve that.
But on the other hand, A.J., in a sense, she`s becoming a spokeswoman for women with this new show, "The Price of Beauty." I want to hear her say that that has affected now her dating choices in the future, that she`s going to choose a guy that is respectful to women and won`t make these horrific comments that John Mayer has made about several women.
ANDERSON: Yes. Yes, Brooke, what do you think? I mean, it would be so great to hear her say that and obviously , we will find out on "Oprah." But do you think that she does have every right to go after John as much as she wants to?
ANDERSON: She does. And I admired her for being honest. She was angry. She was disappointed and she needed to release that. She needed to say it. John needs to hear it because what he did was not OK. It was completely disrespectful.
And yes, she has every right to go below the belt if she wants to. But from what we saw there, in that little bit, that portion, she didn`t. She was classy and she was respectful. And I think that sends a stronger message than if she had trashed him.
HAMMER: Yes. We know that Oprah has got her back. And quite frankly, I think everyone else does at this time as well.
All right. I want to move on to those brand-new reports today that Tiger Woods is back from therapy after a week of family counseling in Arizona. He`s also reportedly getting back into routine that includes getting back his golf swing just as a bombshell report revealed today that former President Bill Clinton called Tiger on the phone with words of support.
Now, Midwin, I get it. But at the same time, I`m thinking, with President Clinton`s past indiscretions, he would want to stay miles and miles away from this.
CHARLES: Well, you know, A.J., it takes one to know one. And that`s exactly what Bill Clinton has done (INAUDIBLE).
HAMMER: I get that.
CHARLES: You know, I think it`s wonderful. I think it`s wonderful. I think he`s like, "You know what? Stay the course and you, too, can come back."
HAMMER: Actually, it wasn`t "stay the course of (INAUDIBLE)." I`m pretty sure it was. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT did also get to the bottom of another report today that President Obama reached out to Tiger Woods.
It all began with "Golf Digest" reporting that Obama reached out to Tiger to offer encouragement. Now, "Golf Digest" has retracted that story. And Megan, I pretty much feel that there`s a collective sigh of relief out there that our current president did not reach out to Tiger. Are you with me on that?
ALEXANDER: I think so. And "Inside Edition" has also reported that it didn`t happen and that maybe the phone call with Bill Clinton. We`re not exactly sure what he said.
But you know, A.J., what I think is interesting is what`s going on behind the scenes. It`s difficult for a celebrity to really find true friends, especially someone like Tiger Woods.
A quick phone call from another celebrity or from a politician - you know, it`s really the long-term friends that he needs right now, those folks that say, "We care about you. We care about your marriage. We don`t care so much about golf. How are you doing? How`s rehab going?"
HAMMER: Yes.
ALEXANDER: Those folks that are going to check in every week and not just make one quick phone call.
HAMMER: Yes. I mean, the Clinton thing - again, I totally get it. I just think that it`s the kind of a story that somebody of his stature might want to stay away from. But then, again, he`s no longer a sitting president. He can do whatever the heck he wants.
All right. So with Tiger now back home, maybe getting back to his golf game, there`s a brand-new poll out today showing that Tiger may not get heckled as much as everybody thought when he finally does return to the green.
You`ve got to check this out. Of all the bad boys, those polled say that he would forgive Tiger more easily than other bad boys.
We`re talking about Chris Brown. Chris gets the least amount of sympathy. No big surprise to me there - only three percent. John Edwards, five percent. Charlie Sheen, 12 percent have sympathy for him. Tiger Woods gets the most sympathy - 22 percent.
I see this list and I`m not really surprised. You have a girlfriend beater. You`ve got a philandering politician. You have another star accused of domestic violence.
Midwin, perhaps the serial cheater that Tiger Woods is - maybe that`s the lesser of all those evils and that`s why he gets the highest level of sympathy.
CHARLES: Perhaps it is. And also, I think it`s indicative that people recognize at the end of the day he`s a phenom when it comes to golf. And I think they recognize he will come back. He will win tournaments.
And remember, we live in the United States of amnesia. People love to forget things over time.
HAMMER: Well, I think the big part of it is the fact that when you take particularly all those guys, he was probably the most likable before the scandals all broke.
I mean, what do you think, Megan? Is that kind of it for you that Tiger will have a better chance at resilience and sympathy because of that?
ALEXANDER: I do think so. I think the fact that he was a private person before this and it came out as such a shock. But right now, I think he`s in one of those unique spots, A.J. He went back to rehab. Perhaps the guy really is giving it a go.
People want him to succeed. They want that rehab to be true, that he really is working on his marriage. And right now, he`s in a spot where maybe he is, indeed, doing just that.
HAMMER: I mean, it`s shocking, isn`t it, to think after all that`s unfolded in the last four months for Tiger Woods that people may actually be just cutting him a break and giving him a pass in a couple of months?
CHARLES: I`m not surprised. Remember Kobe Bryant. And he was facing a felony rape charge, and he has come back as well. So I think the time for redemption now is shorter.
HAMMER: Yes, it is, definitely. Moving on to another big Tiger Woods bombshell today. It`s the incredible "why didn`t I think of that" smart phone app, inspired by racy text and voicemail that blew Tiger`s sex scandal wide open.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS (voice over): And it`s not just for the iPhone. Tiger text comes soon to a Blackberry near you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Truthfully, I think it`s very sketchy.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It`s very sneaky.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Wow, I don`t know.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Midwin. Megan. I know you are dying to know the details. Stay where you are. We`re going to get to that in just a moment.
ANDERSON: Tonight, is there an absolutely insane "Brady Bunch" feud over a reported lesbian affair? The actresses who played Marcia and Jan Brady are said to be at each other`s throats like - well, like Marcia and Jan Brady.
Brand-new details out today about Maureen McCormick and Eve Plumb`s ugly war. We`ll also have this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STERN: If they gave me $100 million to take Simon Cowell`s place on "Idol," that would be insane -
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, but that`s too -
(CROSS TALK)
STERN: For four months` work, Harry, even you would take that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Howard Stern`s brand-new interview out today. Now, he`s dissed "Idol" in the past. So is Howard now really campaigning to take over for Simon? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Lady Antebellum leads Academy of Country Music Awards nominations with seven nods. Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert each have six of country music nominations.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York with Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
ANDERSON: A.J., just in today, a very Brady feud.
HAMMER: Yes. Brooke, tonight, is there an all-out war between the actresses who played Marcia and Jan Brady on the beloved "Brady Bunch" over an alleged lesbian affair? The Brady sitcom rivals are getting happy again, and the O.J. Simpson suit shocker. It`s all making big news in the buzz today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice over): The big O.J. suit snub. A judge has just ruled that the suit O.J. Simpson was wearing when he was acquitted of murdering his ex- wife and Ron Goldman in 1995 could be donated to the Smithsonian Institution.
Ron`s father, Fred Goldman, sued to get the suit, now estimated to be worth $50,000. Goldman and O.J.`s attorney agreed to donate it to the Smithsonian. But TMZ is now reporting that the Smithsonian is not interested and another museum may get it instead.
A "Partridge Family" reunion. Child stars of the `70s hit just had a big reunion on the "Today" show." David Cassidy, Danny Bonaduce, Brian Forster and Suzanne Crough happily reminisced about their times together and kidded each other about getting older.
DANNY BONADUCE, ACTOR: I was a little kid and he was a grown up. Well, he looks wonderful and I have the flesh of a Shar Pei.
HAMMER: But no reunion for the bickering "Brady Bunch." The stars of that `70s hit show were also supposed to be on the "Today" show this week. But Maureen McCormick, who played Marcia and Plumb, who played Jan, reportedly refused to appear together.
They`ve been feuding for years and Plum was especially upset that McCormick suggested in her autobiography that they may have had a lesbian affair. That bad blood apparently forced NBC to cancel their scheduled appearance.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: OK. Back to the O.J. Simpson story for just a moment, because late today the Smithsonian Institute rejected the donation of Simpson`s suit saying it was not appropriate for the museum`s collection. I`ll say.
Now, on to the "Brady Bunch" feud. Marcia, Marcia, Marcia. Here`s the story about a feud that I think we`ve had just about enough of, right? Why can`t Marcia and Jan just get along?
Joining me tonight in Hollywood is Kristin Dos Santos who is resident TV insider from E Online`s "Watch with Kristin." Also tonight in Hollywood is Rachel Zalis, who is a contributing editor for "Life and Style Weekly."
Ladies, Maureen McCormick, who played Marcia Brady and Eve Plumb, who played Jan Brady just can`t seem to drop this silly feud over Maureen`s book. I think enough is enough. Kristin, are you with me? Did they just need to bury the hatchet already?
DOS SANTOS: I`m so with you. You know, I grew up with the "Brady Bunch." I don`t think there`s any bigger "Brady Bunch" fan than myself out there.
Actually, I just want to see the family back together again. That said, I love that Jan is getting the last word on this one, because clearly, it seems, Maureen McCormick still wants to be in the public eye.
She released her autobiography. She tried to stir up a little drama there. And Eve Plumb is just saying, "No. I`m not having it," so I have to respect her for that.
ANDERSON: Not going to happen. Well, life would be so much easier if they would just drop it. I, too, saw every episode, Kristin. I want to mention that reps for both Maureen and Eve got back to us late today, both blaming this on scheduling conflicts saying that they have nothing but respect for one another. You`ve got to wonder why they couldn`t have just said that a long time ago.
Moving now to another story just in today. Howard Stern saying today that he is not ruling out taking over for Simon call on "American Idol." Watch what he said this morning on the "CBS Early Show."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you going to take Simon`s place on "Idol?"
STERN: If they gave me $100 million to take Simon Cowell`s place on "Idol," that would be insane -
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, but that`s too -
(CROSS TALK)
STERN: For four months` work, Harry, even you would take that. Even Julie Chen would take that and she`s married to Les Moonves.
So listen, I would of course consider it. But would you judge a karaoke contest for $100 million? I would. You don`t have to be asked.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Rachel, very quickly. Do you get the sense that Howard is kind of campaigning for the job saying, "Hey, if you want me, pay me"?
ZALIS: You know, even though I would love to see Howard Stern and little people dancing on the stage and "Maxim" models - I mean, it would be like a crazy competition. I don`t think so. I think he`s just stirring the pot, you know (INAUDIBLE).
(CROSSTALK)
ANDERSON: He said for $100 million, he will do it. $100 million.
ZALIS: Yes. And without Ellen and without Kara.
ANDERSON: Rachel Zalis -
ZALIS: He wants them both dropped from the show.
ANDERSON: He probably would have a lot of demands. Kristin Dos Santos, Rachel Zalis, thanks, ladies.
HAMMER: Tonight, Roger Ebert`s remarkable new voice. The legendary film critic has been tragically silenced by thyroid cancer. The cancer was first diagnosed back in 2002.
It spread to Ebert`s salivary glands and jaw. And it took his voice. But tonight, with the help of this amazing technology, Robert Ebert can speak again. And he is talking on "Oprah" today.
This is amazing. This is how it works. A Scottish company recreated Ebert`s voice using hours of his old movie reviews. Ebert can now speak by typing words into a computer.
And I`ve got to say, the outcome is just fascinating. I thought it was really emotional when Roger spoke with his wife on "Oprah" today for the very first time in nearly four years. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROGER EBERT, FILM CRITIC (through a computer): Who wants to hear the new voice?
CHAZ EBERT, ROGER EBERT`S WIFE: OK.
R. EBERT: This is the first version of my computer voice. It`s what they call a beta. It still needs improvement but at least it sounds like me. When I type anything, this voice will speak whatever I type. When I read something, it will read in my voice.
I have got to say, in first grade, they said I talk too much and now, I still can. So -
C. EBERT: I actually think it`s incredible. It`s incredible that that`s your voice.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Wow, it really is incredible. Of course, we`re just days away from the Oscars. So Ebert revealed his pick for best picture and he chose "The Hurt Locker."
ANDERSON: Tonight, drunk texts, sexy texts and just plain stupid text could be a thing of the past. And you can thank Tiger Woods. Tonight, it is the unbelievable new smart phone program inspired by Tiger`s sex scandal texts.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS (voice over): And it`s not just for the iPhone. Tiger text is coming soon to a Blackberry near you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Truthfully, I think it`s very sketchy.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It`s very sneaky.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Wow. I don`t know.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Got a scandal? There`s a Tiger text app for that. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Rapper Lil Wayne`s sentencing on gun charges delayed after courthouse fire. Martin Lawrence revives "Big Momma," signs on for third movie in series.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: I am a big fan of my iPhone. I`m going to admit right here today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, I am addicted to apps. I`ve got so many programs of those little programs that do all sorts of things on your smart phone.
You know, you can order takeout. You can get directions. Keep an extramarital affair on the down low? Yes. Now, there`s an app for that.
Did you see this? It`s called Tiger Text. Now, the makers say the name has nothing to do with Tiger Woods, but he could have and probably should have used it. Here`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MOOS (voice over): When Tiger Woods was texting his alleged mistresses, he never imagined his messages would one day end up being animated for all to see.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Quietly and secretly we will always be together.
MOOS: But now the "quietly and secretly" part stands a chance. Introducing Tiger Text, their slogan - "to cover your tracks."
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I said, "Wouldn`t it be great if you could send a text that would just self-destruct in 30 seconds?"
MOOS: Sound familiar? Remember how the "Mission Impossible" team used to get their secret assignments?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This disc will self-destruct in five seconds.
MOOS: The makers of Tiger Text say their iPhone app allows you to automatically delete text messages from the sender`s phone and the receiver`s phone.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Wow.
MOOS: You set the time from delete on read, the message disappears a minute after it`s read to a month later. And it also vanishes from the server.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When it`s gone, it`s gone.
MOOS: In a Tiger Text demo someone messages, "How did the job interview go?" The reply, "I told you, don`t send me stuff like this." "Don`t worry, I set it to delete on read." There`s a countdown until the message vanishes, replaced by tiger paws.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don`t know. Tiger texting? Maybe we can call it something else.
MOOS (on camera): The makers of Tiger Text say they`re not referring to Tiger Woods. They mean the ones with four legs -
(voice over): Supposedly because they`re hard to track. "PC World" called it an app for spies and cheaters.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It`s not about salaciousness. It`s about the need for privacy. How many times have you sent a text message and closed with the words, "please delete after reading"?
MOOS: And it`s not just for the iPhone. Tiger Text is coming soon to a Blackberry near you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Truthfully, I think it`s very sketchy.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It`s very sneaky.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Wow. I don`t know. I kind of like it - people should be able to have their privacy.
MOOS: The biggest catch is that both sender and receiver need to have the app for it to work. If only Tiger had it.
TIGER WOODS, GOLFER: Can you please take your name off your phone? My wife went through my phone, and may be calling you.
MOOS: One Web site called Tiger text "the morning after pill of messaging."
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think I`ll get it. If it -
MOOS: You have guilty laugh.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Yes. Maybe, sadly, Brooke, that thing is going to make a lot of money. That was CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
And that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. You can catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on the 11:00s. Don`t forget - 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific every night, also in the morning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern on HLN.
END
