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Showbiz Tonight
Erin Andrews Speaks Out; The Jessica Simpson-Jennifer Aniston Smackdown; John Edwards Mistress Mess; Tiger Woods Returning to Golf
Aired March 16, 2010 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
A.J. HAMMER, HLN HOST: Big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - the peephole stalking victim strikes back. ESPN reporter Erin Andrews speaks out today in her very first TV interview since her stalker was sentenced. Erin`s anger -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ERIN ANDREWS, ESPN REPORTER: I wanted him to know, as a daughter, what he did to me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Her emotion.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDREWS: It`s not going to be over but this was the first step.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, the brand new revelations today from the future star of "Dancing with the Stars."
The Jessica Simpson-Jennifer Aniston love smackdown. What SHOWBIZ TONIGHT uncovered today about their unbelievable connections and what Jen can learn from Jess about dating and love as SHOWBIZ TONIGHT asks today, Jess, Jen, who fascinates you more?
The brand-new John Edwards mistress mess. Startling new revelations today from the guy who reportedly has a sex tape of Edwards and his mistress. About her explosive just-released tell-all and her steamy photo shoot.
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
BROOKE ANDERSON, HLN HOST: Hi there, everyone. I`m Brooke Anderson, coming to you from Hollywood.
And tonight, the peephole victim strikes back. Erin Andrews can now feel free to go on "Dancing with the Stars" without having to worry about that creep who secretly shot video of her naked in her hotel room through a peephole and then posted it on the Internet.
Today, the ESPN reporter made it perfectly and passionately clear that the prison sentence her stalker just got is not enough. Andrews opened up today in her very first and very emotional TV interview since the sentencing and she struck back at the peep creep. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can now reveal that what she said and how she said it all made for big news breaking today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON (voice-over): A day after ESPN`s Erin Andrews helped put away the stalker who put nude videos of her on the Internet, Andrews is making something clear - this creep messed with the wrong reporter.
ANDREWS: I think he feels bad he was caught.
ANDERSON: Speaking to Robin Roberts this morning on ABC`s "Good Morning America," Erin Andrews unloaded on Illinois insurance executive Michael Barrett. Barrett was just sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison for secretly shooting nude videos of Andrews through peepholes in her hotel rooms and putting the videos on the Internet.
ANDREWS: I`m at the angry stage now. I`m mad.
ANDERSON: Andrew shook with anger after Barrett`s sentencing Monday, saying he should have gotten more time.
ANDREWS: Thirty months isn`t enough. And I think it`s time for Congress, lawmakers, to make this just a stiffer sentence than what it is. I got a little angry yesterday. My voice was a little - was raised a little.
ANDERSON: This morning on "Good Morning America," Andrews revealed her flash of anger yesterday was nothing compared to what she is admitting now, that she had a huge breakdown last night after it was all over.
ANDREWS: I had a pretty big, you know, come down - a meltdown last night I think after I got back from the courtroom. I think that nine months just - of it all. It`s just been a lot.
ANDERSON: Andrew`s stalker also shed tears at the sentencing as he begged her for forgiveness. This morning on "Good Morning, America," Andrews wasn`t moved.
ANDREWS: He got very emotional when he talked about his children and how he felt bad for how he let them down. And I wanted to know - I`m a daughter to two parents and they are just mortified and they are just so upset and they feel so bad for me. And I want - I wanted him to know, as a daughter, what he did to me.
ANDERSON: Now, Andrews is focusing on her stint on the upcoming season of "Dancing with the Stars."
ANDREWS: We`ll call this the Beyonce.
ANDERSON: And outside of court yesterday, she had an answer for critics who suggest this high-profile stalking case is what got her the gig.
ANDREWS: First of all, I was talking to "Dancing with the Stars" before this even happened. And now, I want to smile.
ANDERSON: Andrews definitely hasn`t had a lot to smile about lately. Barrett has admitted to following her around the country and conning hotels into giving him rooms right next to hers so that he could shoot his creepy peephole videos of Andrews in the nude. He allegedly shot similar videos of 16 other women.
KIM SERAFIN, SENIOR EDITOR, "IN TOUCH WEEKLY": She is still, once again, one of the most-searched names on Google.
ANDERSON: Kim Serafin of "In Touch Weekly" tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT once those peephole videos ended up online, Andrews became an unwitting Internet star.
SERAFIN: There are videos still out there. They tried to remove all the videos from the Internet. She is going to have to deal with this for the rest of her life.
ANDERSON: And Andrews has to deal with an even bigger humiliation. Some bloggers and critics speculated that Andrews actually put out those nude videos herself as some kind of publicity stunt.
ANDREWS: When this all came down, there was a lot of people that questioned, you know, what - if I had anything to do with it.
ANDERSON: But this morning on "Good Morning, America," Andrews revealed that during that difficult time, she got support from other victims.
ANDREWS: There was a wonderful amount of women that wrote me that were stalking victims and victims of video voyeurs and they just said, "Please know it is not your fault."
ANDERSON: And while her stalker stews in prison, Andrews says she is going to go on with her life.
ANDREWS: a reporter asked me as I was standing out there yesterday in front of the courtroom and said, you know, now that it`s over - it`s not over. It`s not going to be over, but this was the first step.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Well, can you even imagine what Erin Andrews must feel like? I think she has every right to be really angry. I mean, imagine if a secret tape of you naked was floating around on the Internet. I mean, come on.
Joining me tonight right here in New York, Megan Alexander, who is a correspondent with "Inside Edition." In Hollywood tonight, Carlos Diaz, who is a correspondent for "Extra."
So we heard Erin Andrews praising the criminal justice system for getting the peeper-creeper locked up, but she made it clear, you know, 2 1/2 years - that`s not going to make up for the fact that nude videos of her will be on the Web forever. Imagine - I mean, Megan, do you think justice was served here?
MEGAN ALEXANDER, CORRESPONDENT, "INSIDE EDITION": She came out swinging when she said, "Look, it`s not over. This will forever follow me." The Internet - you know, you think about the way you can access video and pictures nowadays. It is always out there.
HAMMER: It doesn`t go away.
ALEXANDER: Exactly. She came out swinging and she said, "Look, I`m a daughter. You have daughters, think about how I feel." I thought it was interesting to bring that comparison together and then just to boldly say, "I`m going to do what I can to speak on behalf of other victims who aren`t famous ESPN reporters and they never get the voice she now has.
HAMMER: Yes. Carlos, she seemed pretty hanging tough at the fact that this guy is not doing as much time as it seems like he should be doing. What do you think?
CARLOS DIAZ, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": He should have gotten more time than 30 months. I applaud the judge for giving him 30 instead of 27 months. But it should have been a much stiffer sentence to send the message out to people this is unacceptable behavior.
And you know, I started my career at ESPN. I started my career in sports. I can tell you right now, there is not a more - we all know this - a more male-dominated area than sports.
And Erin has to worry about every time she goes into a locker room, people whispering behind her back. And she will never, ever get past this and that`s why I think that she has to live with this sentence. This guy, this scumbag, needs to live with a tougher sentence than 2 1/2 years behind bars.
HAMMER: Yes. I mean, really, she is going to be paying the price for what he did. And she was doing such a good job breaking through the male- dominated madness of the sports world.
And we heard about this peephole video guy, you know, some time ago now. But from the first time we were hearing about it, some people actually suggested that Andrews may have had a part in it, that maybe it was some kind of a PR stunt to get her noticed.
I`ve got to tell you I think that is absolutely ridiculous. But there are some people that think Andrews actually invited this unwanted attention from her stalker. Again, nuts.
Well, this morning on "Good Morning, America," I thought it was great seeing how Erin Andrews shot back about that. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDREWS: I did nothing wrong and I think what is the hardest thing is that I still have to say that to people. I still had to say that yesterday on the court steps. You know, "How can you do this? Or "How did you feel it was OK to go on with your life?" You turn the tables on them and say, "What did I do? What did I do wrong?"
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Again, it has been proven that Andrews is the innocent victim here. Megan, why do you think people still want to blame Erin Andrews here? That, to me, is nuts.
ALEXANDER: I think it`s cruel and I think it doesn`t make any sense. She should not be held captive by fear from this man or this man should not be allowed to have that control of her.
She said she is forever looking over her shoulder now, forever fearful as she walks down hallways. She should be allowed to do whatever she wants. I think people want to criticize.
Carlos brought up the male-dominated sports world. Again, we are seeing some breakthroughs. But I think it`s just people that simply want to comment. I don`t think there an argument here that she brought it on herself.
HAMMER: Hopefully, she will get to start to feel some freedom when she joins up with "Dancing with the Stars." That is the next big move for Erin Andrews. She will be competing on the show.
And when we first learned that she was going to be on "Dancing with the Stars," a lot of people actually were pretty surprised that she had would put herself out there while she has already been under so much scrutiny.
I mean, she is going to be judged every single week on that show. Well, after her stalker was sentenced, you`ve got to watch what she had to say about moving on with her life. This is great.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDREWS: Now, I want to smile. I want to live my life. I don`t want to be a victim anymore and I want to set an example for other victims that are told, "Do you think you should be doing this because you are a victim and you got stalked?" No, why should I run and hide?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. When I heard this, I`m thinking, "Way to go. Right on, Erin. No reason for her to let this scandal define her. A very mature and quite frankly, brave thing for her to do. Carlos, I am actually thinking "Dancing with the Stars" is exactly what the doctor ordered for her.
DIAZ: Yes. What is she supposed to do? Sit at home? The stalker wins if she just goes into hiding in a cave someplace. Here is the thing - she goes on "Dancing with the Stars." She does a great job. She kicks Chad Ochocinco`s butt all over the dance floor. And then, people are talking about that and not this stalker guy.
I mean, this is the perfect thing for her. And I`m so happy she is moving on with her life. And it`s not too soon. She needs to get on with her life and start a new chapter in her life.
HAMMER: Yes. If there is any justice here at all, perhaps it is the fact that she has this opportunity to reinvent herself also with "Dancing with the Stars" and make a whole new name for herself. Megan Alexander, Carlos Diaz, thanks guys. I appreciate it.
ANDERSON: In one corner, Jessica Simpson. In the other, Jennifer Aniston. It`s the Simpson-Aniston smackdown. You got to see what we uncovered today about their unbelievable connections to one another and what Jen can learn from Jess about dating and love. That`s right, I said what Jen can learn from Jess.
Also, big news breaking - startling new revelations today from the guy who reportedly has a sex tape of John Edwards and his mistress. Why he is calling Rielle Hunter a liar today.
And breaking today, Tiger Woods returns to golf. But will he be forgiven, or will people tee off on him? The great debate today. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Charlie Sheen`s legal problems may bring early end to "Two and a Half Men`s" season. Judge OK`s multimillion dollar deal for wife and son of former Blink 182 bodyguard. Travis Barker`s bodyguard killed in 9/08 plane crash, wife gets $7.6 million, son gets $17 million.
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HAMMER: Paula Abdul finally have a new job? Well, "EW.com" is reporting today that the former "American Idol" judge is in talks to host a new version of "Star Search" for ABC.
Now, "Star Search" originally aired back in the `80s. It was hosted by the great Ed McMahon who, of course, passed away last year. It had comedians, singers, dancers, models - you name it. A renew in 2003 hosted by Arsenio Hall flopped. So I guess, Brooke, we will see.
ANDERSON: I guess so. Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with A.J. Hammer in New York. Hey, A.J., Betty White`s career, taking off again.
HAMMER: It really is, Brooke. Everybody loved her, of course, in that great Super Bowl ad. And despite her age, the offers, they are pouring in I tell you.
George Clooney`s girlfriend is also about to be very busy. And a titanic Hollywood breakup. I am really surprised about this. It is all making big news in the buzz today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): Kate Winslet`s startling split. The Oscar winner and her director husband, Sam Mendes, have just announced they are getting divorce. And they call the split, quote, "entirely amicable and by mutual agreement."
The announcement comes a year after Winslet publicly proclaimed her love for Mendes as she accepted a Golden Globe Award for her performance in "Revolutionary Road," a movie about a troubled couple that her husband directed.
Clooney`s girlfriend gets a TV role. Elisabetta Canalis, who was arm- in-arm with Clooney at the Oscars, has just agreed to a five-episode run of the TMZ drama, "Leverage." Canalis, who is a big time TV star in her native country of Italy will play a mysterious figure known as "The Italian" on "Leverage."
Betty White`s red hot career. The 88-year-old White just landed a starring role on a new TV Land sitcom, "Hot in Cleveland" to co-star with Valerie Bertinelli in the show about a Cleveland home shared by White and three former L.A. residents. The new role comes on the heels of the announcement that White will host "Saturday Night Live" in May.
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ANDERSON: And now, onto my very revealing interview with Miley Cyrus. I caught up with Miley as she was promoting her new movie, "The Last Song."
What`s so interesting about this film is it will be one of the last things Miley does while she is still technically a kid because she is going to turn 18 this November. So I had to ask Miley about leaving all that kiddie stuff, "Hannah Montana," behind.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MILEY CYRUS, ACTRESS: I want to always challenge myself and always do different things and, you know, things that make me happy and make other people happy but never get stuck in a rut. I just always want to move on and have new challenges.
It is bittersweet. I want to move on but also it`s difficult leaving them behind that`s been so part of your life for so long. But I`m excited to move on to new things.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Miley has been doing lots of grown up stuff recently. So I don`t think this is going to be a big leap for her. I did also get Miley to reveal that she found a new love on set, her co-star, Liam Hemsworth.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CYRUS: He is really hilarious. That is what I love. I get bored super-easily and it has to be someone who is like always on, because I`m always on.
ANDERSON (on camera): Do you think he is the one? I know you are only 17 - I keep forgetting you are only 17. But do you think you`re in love?
CYRUS: I don`t know. I`ll let him answer that question because it would look really bad if I said yes and he said no.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: For the record, Liam also declined to say whether he was in love. But A.J., he was very complimentary and they`re obviously pretty smitten with one another.
HAMMER: What a cute couple. How adorable. All right, Brooke. We have a lot of calls coming in to "Showbiz on Call" about John Edwards` mistress, Rielle Hunter. She posed for that steamy new photo shoot in "GQ" magazine, of course.
ANDERSON: A.J., we got this call from Jennifer in South Carolina. She thinks that Rielle made a huge mistake.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
JENNIFER, CALLER FROM SOUTH CAROLINA: I think she should have thought about her child before she posed in those pictures. What is her child going to think when she grows up and sees those pictures? Her child is going to be embarrassed.
She needs to think more about her child than herself and be a mother. The child is already going to have problems as it is. So she needs to think about her child more than she needs to think about herself.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well said, Jennifer, thanks for your call. Call us at "Showbiz on Call" and let us know what you think about this or anything else that is on your mind.
HAMMER: For that reason, the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are always open at 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899. Leave us a voicemail so we can play your call here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
All right, be prepared to duck, because it`s an all-out smackdown today between Jessica Simpson and Jennifer Aniston. Wait until you see the unbelievable connections we uncovered today between these two.
You`ve got to hear what Jen can learn from Jess about dating and love. Yes, you heard right - Jess teaching Jen a thing or two.
Also this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KIRSTIE ALLEY, ACTRESS: Such (EXPLETIVE DELETED). Can we say (EXPLETIVE DELETED)?
MEREDITH VIEIRA, CO-HOST, "TODAY" SHOW: No. No, you cannot.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Kirstie Alley saying all kinds of things you can`t say on TV furious over brand-new claims that her new diet company is linked to Scientology.
And another big problem for Oprah today involving her school for girls. Why Oprah may be forced to show up for court in her school sex scandal case. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Hundreds show up for Corey Haim`s funeral in Toronto today. Mike Tyson races pigeons in new show for Animal Planet: "Taking on Tyson."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Faith Hill there doing the Abba classic, "The Winner Takes It All." One of my favorite events of year right here, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. As always, big names are in the class of 2010, but there`s actually some controversy over Abba getting in.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was right there at the 25th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in New York City. Abba, Genesis, Punk Rockers, The Stooges, reggae`s Jimmy Cliff and English Rockers, the Hollies, all made up 2010`s class of inductees.
Talk about variety, right? Well, there has actually been some controversy over Abba getting in, because, you know, some people see them as pop or disco and not so much rock and roll.
But one of the band`s original members tells us, Abba`s music is made up of many different styles and she couldn`t be happier for the honor.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANNI-FRID LYNGSTAD, ABBA: I think it has been in the loop for some time now - I mean, even earlier. You always get surprised, of course, when you get such an honor like being inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It`s one of the things that you can only dream of actually happening to you. And now, it has happened and that`s great. I`m very excited. I`m very proud and very honored and everything you can be in a moment like this. It`s wonderful.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I`m happy to tell you Abba spelled backwards is still Abba. But I`m sorry to tell you that if you are a dancing queen or king, still no plans for an Abba reunion. Sorry.
ANDERSON: Oh, darn. OK. Our Facebook wall being flooded right now with your posts about John Edwards` mistress` sexy new photo spread in "GQ" magazine.
Tina H. writes, "The only thing she has done is made herself look bad. Shame on her."
But Jodie S. doesn`t mind the pictures, "I don`t agree with what she and Edwards did. But I don`t see the big deal. It`s not like she was naked."
You can connect with SHOWBIZ TONIGHT in so many ways. Become our fan on Facebook. Join us on Twitter to get breaking entertainment news alerts. Call us, "Showbiz on Call" and there`s always E-mail. "Showbiz Connects" on our Web site, CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
And now, the SHOWBIZ lineup. Big news from Tiger Woods today. He is returning to golf. Will he be forgiven or booed right off the 18th hole?
What Jennifer Aniston can learn from Jessica Simpson about dating and love. Really. The woman who wasn`t sure if Chicken of the Sea was tuna or chicken can teach Jen a thing or two.
And brand-new revelations from the guy taught caught in the middle of the Edwards sex tape drama. Why he is calling Edward`s mistress a liar today. 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: Tobey Maguire to play chess whiz Bobby Fischer in new movie. Steven Spielberg working on a movie about the late Jackie Kennedy.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, the Jessica Simpson-Jennifer Aniston love smackdown. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT uncovers the remarkable connections between Jess and Jen today. What can Jennifer learn from Jessica about love? And who fascinates you more?
Plus, John Edwards` former aide slams Edwards` mistress.
Tonight, brand new revelations from the guy caught in the middle of the Edwards sex tape drama. Why he is calling Edwards` mistress a liar today.
Big news breaking today, Tiger Woods says he is returning to golf. But will he be forgiven or booed off the green? A SHOWBIZ TONIGHT great debate.
Plus, more stories breaking from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker."
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
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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: And I`m Brooke Anderson, coming to you tonight from Hollywood. And tonight, Tiger`s return.
HAMMER: That`s right, Brooke. In a bombshell announcement today, Tiger Woods says he is returning to golf. And I can tell you, Tiger`s new move made for big news breaking today.
In a brand-new statement released on his own Web site today, Woods says he is ready to return to golf and even set the date. And that set off a raging debate today. Will Tiger be applauded or will he be booed right off the course?
Well, speaking of booing, that is exactly what John Edwards` former aide, Andrew Young, did publicly today, after Edwards` mistress Rielle Hunter claimed a whole bunch of stuff about him in a brand-new steamy sex- and-tell. Now, this is the same guy who claims he has a sex tape of Edwards and Rielle. Gadzooks, I need to take a shower.
But first, joining me tonight in New York, Megan Alexander, who is a correspondent for "Inside Edition." From Chicago, Roland Martin who is a CNN analyst and author of this fine book, "The First."
Guys, I`ve got to begin with Tiger Woods` brand-new statement today that he is ready to return to golf. Brooke Anderson, he really sounds very excited about this whole thing.
ANDERSON: Yes, he is jazzed. No question, A.J.. Tiger said today that he is going to compete in the Masters in April and that is because the Masters hold a very special place in Tiger`s heart.
On his Web site, he says this, "The Masters is where I won my first major and I view this tournament with great respect. After a long and necessary time away from the game, I feel like I`m ready to start my season at Augusta. The major championships have always been a special focus in my career. And as a professional, I think Augusta is where I need to be, even though it`s been a while since I last played. I have undergone almost two months of in-patient therapy and I am continuing my treatment. Although I`m returning to competition, I still have a lot of work to do in my personal life."
So A.J., clearly, he sees that his sex and cheating scandal, far from over.
HAMMER: Yes. I`m happy you pointed that out. Good that he recognizes that. But Megan, let me ask you, do you think Tiger`s a return will be triumphant? Or is this going to be a disaster and perhaps he will just get booed right off the course?
ALEXANDER: I`ll tell you something - the Masters may be near and dear to his heart. But this was a very calculated decision to choose the Masters. He`ll have a good deal of insulation at this particular tournament.
Media is very limited. Security is extremely tight. I heard a report today that there is a locker room for champions only. You have to really know your way around this tournament.
I think he chose it because, you know, this will be the least chance of getting hecklers. There`s a certain standard of behavior that`s really demanded at the Masters.
(CROSS TALK)
Yes, I think he chose this specifically. And I think he`s ready to perform. And this is the best tournament in which he thinks he will do well.
HAMMER: Well, I`ve got to get Roland Martin`s take on this. Because Roland, you have been following the whole Tiger saga since it began. Are you with me that perhaps no matter how well Tiger plays, this still may go very badly for him?
ROLAND MARTIN, AUTHOR, "THE FIRST": No. Look, nobody cared to watch Tiger Woods all these years to see him change a diaper or hug and kiss his wife. Tiger Woods is Tiger Woods because we love him watching the game.
Look, I`m pumped he`s back, A.J., that`s why I wore my red Tiger Woods (UNINTELLIGIBLE) because whenever he plays on Sunday, this is what he wears. And this is what it boils down to. This is going to be huge ratings. ESPN is loving this because they are showing the first two days of the masters.
If he makes the cut, CBS will be ecstatic because he will be playing on the weekend. So not only that, you talk Augusta National. Look this place is essentially treated like a church, OK? They don`t even call them fans. They are called patrons.
Gary McCord once made a comment saying they would use bikini wax on the greens. He was banned from announcing the tournament, OK? So it is a whole different place here. Tiger will be in a comfort zone. It is a cocoon, the best cocoon in all of sports.
HAMMER: Well, so it is yet another very carefully calculated move. This isn`t the first time that he has done that and it`s not the first time that he has been alluding to his personal life.
MARTIN: What`s wrong with that?
HAMMER: No, no. I`m just saying this is what is going on. You remember back in February, Tiger made that first public apology to his family and his fans. But again, he did that in a very tightly-controlled announcement. Let`s watch what he had to say there.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TIGER WOODS, GOLF CHAMPION: It is hard to admit that I need help, but I do. For 45 days from the end of December to early February, I was in inpatient therapy, receiving guidance for the issues I`m facing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right, again in his new statement today on his Web site, Tiger says he is continuing his treatment, reportedly for sex addiction and that he has a long way to go.
Megan, there is a part of me thinking it`s a bad idea for him to return to the course if he hasn`t finished his treatment yet. Why not wait until then?
ALEXANDER: Oh, I completely agree. This is his professional life that we are analyzing right now - which tournament is he choosing? But yes, we have talked about this on the show. Are you OK at home? Is he even going to talk about that?
Those questions, of course, will come maybe not at the Masters but exactly to just return to golf and not have taken care of your personal issues. People will be wondering about that.
And I think it will be the tournament after the Masters where it`s going to be more open to the public where we may see the hecklers and so forth, where we will get some real reaction, perhaps, from analysts and from the crowd.
HAMMER: Roland Martin, are you wondering about it?
MARTIN: Wait a minute - I`m sorry. I`m sorry, I disagree. First of all, how do any of us know he hasn`t taken care of his personal situation? Look, let`s say he was an alcoholic and he went through rehab. You still go to AA after you completed your initial treatment.
So I think it is nonsense to somehow think he hasn`t taken care of that. Look, you cannot play the game of golf if your head is not together. I`ve been playing for 20 years, not even near where Tiger is.
No, but you cannot play golf at that level. So Tiger Woods knows out of anybody, OK? He is four behind Jack Nicklaus winning the most majors. He`s two behind Jack Nicklaus when it comes to PGA tour victories, OK?
This is not a guy who is going to walk up there and embarrass himself. He knows when he is ready come back some, trust me, he chose to come back at the right time.
HAMMER: All right.
MARTIN: He knows that. And remember, when his dad died, he came back too early and he missed the cut. So he has been there when he has been an emotional wreck. He`s not played well. He will not do it again -
HAMMER: A great point. Look, this is a guy at the top of the game. He has been through this kind of thing before. Let`s move on now, because we have a brand-new development to talk about in the sex-and-tell from John Edwards` mistress.
MARTIN: Speaking of head cases -
(CROSS TALK)
HAMMER: In her interview with "GQ" magazine, Rielle Hunter talked about the plan to hide the fact that Edwards was the father of their child, saying that it was the idea of Edwards` right-hand guy, Andrew Young, to claim that he, and not Edwards, fathered the baby. Well, look at what Young said this morning on the CBS "Early Show" about that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDREW YOUNG, FORMER AIDE OF JOHN EDWARDS: I believed in John`s causes. I loved him deeply as a friend. A lot of us believed in John`s causes all across the country. Did I work hard and was I dedicated to him? Of course. But to say that I volunteered to do this is just absurd.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Roland, back at you. Remember, he is the guy who lied for Edwards, claims he has the sex tape of Rielle and Edwards. And of course, she is the mistress with the illegitimate child. Who the heck do we believe here?
MARTIN: Let`s see. OK, he`s liar. She is a liar. OK, so it is not like anybody here can say, "I`m less of a liar. I have more credibility." So frankly, who cares? These are two sad, pathetic people who covered up their mess.
You have a woman who cheated with a married man. So Hunter - she has no credibility. And yet, this guy here, he was married and he actually said, "It was my kid," and it wasn`t his. So frankly, both of them, shut up.
HAMMER: There you go. All right. Megan Alexander, Roland Martin - thank you so much for those kind and wise words, Roland.
ANDERSON: Tonight, the Jessica Simpson-Jennifer Aniston love smackdown. This is no joke. We are revealing the unbelievable, remarkable connections today between Jessica and Jennifer. And we`re also daring to ask, what can Jen learn from Jess about love? Really, Jen learning from Jess?
More trouble today for Oprah. Why she is being forced to show up for court in the sex scandal case against her all-girls South African school.
Plus, Kirstie Alley`s outrage over claims that her new diet program is just a front for Scientology.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALLEY: That`s (EXPLETIVE DELETED). Can I say (EXPLETIVE DELETED)?
VIEIRA: No. No, you cannot.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: The gloves are off. And Kirstie is cursing her critics big time. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
HAMMER: And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Michael Jackson estate signs deal worth up to $250 million with Sony for M.J. catalog rights. "Avatar" to be released on DVD, Blu-Ray on April 22, 40th anniversary of Earth Day.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with A.J. Hammer in New York.
HAMMER: Tonight, it is Jessica Simpson versus Jennifer Aniston in a love smackdown. Yes, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT did some digging today and is now revealing their remarkable connections, Brooke.
ANDERSON: Yes. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT decided to investigate all this after a just-completed week of Aniston and Simpson in a nonstop overwhelming media blitz. Jess for her new television show. Jen for her new film.
Joining me tonight in New York is Cooper Lawrence who is a psychologist and syndicated radio host. Also tonight in New York, Ben Widdicombe, who is a celebrity journalist.
OK. Cooper, Ben, I want to begin with a doozy of a smackdown tonight. Let`s talk about men. How do Jen and Jess deal with a good grilling about their love lives?
I want you to first watch Jennifer Aniston deal with being asked about whether she is romantically involved with her co-star, Gerard Butler, then watch Jessica Simpson answer a direct question about John Mayer calling her sexual napalm. Who dealt with it better? Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS, HOST, "THIS WEEK WITH GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: You seem to have some real chemistry. I think you thought it was fun, huh?
JENNIFER ANISTON, ACTRESS: First all, he is just lovely. Just a good - he`s just down-to-earth, sweet, no-pretension and just kind of easy. Funny.
JOY BEHAR, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": Have you said anything to him about this?
JESSICA SIMPSON, SINGER AND ACTRESS: Oh, no.
BEHAR: You haven`t talked to him?
SIMPSON: No, and he will never have this napalm again.
(LAUGHTER)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: OK. I think Jessica seemed open. She seemed funny. Jennifer, on the other hand, seemed a little uptight, closed off.
Cooper, does Jen have a thing or two to learn from Jess? Because you know, I know Jen`s protecting herself. But sometimes, I watch interviews with her and then I`m left scratching my head. Did she really say anything?
COOPER LAWRENCE, PSYCHOLOGIST: Yes, and she usually doesn`t say anything. You want to just say, "Jen, lighten up." But you know, you have to remember that Jen Aniston came up in a different time. You know, TMZ was launched in 2005. "Friends" was way over by 2004.
So Jessica has been used to this whole paparazzi thing and being asked about her relationship and she is better dealing with it. She takes it much lighter than Jennifer Aniston does.
ANDERSON: She certainly does. And you know, we`ve got to talk about John Mayer. That is next up in our Jessica-Jennifer smackdown. Both of these women have dated John Mayer. Both women have had to deal with his loose lips, sex-and-tells.
Ben, when you look at both women today, who`s done a better job of moving past John Mayer? I think they have both done remarkably well here.
BEN WIDDICOMBE, CELEBRITY JOURNALIST: Well, it`s not that think Jessica has done a bad job of moving forward. But for pure grace under fire, you have to take your hat off to Jennifer Aniston. Few public figures suffer the scrutiny she does about her love life.
Unfortunately, sometimes the celebrity magazines do make up stories about her romances. So I think for just for soldiering on years after the split with Brad, you have to say Jennifer Aniston is a marvelous role model.
ANDERSON: But Jennifer Aniston - I do want to point this out - she never really acknowledged her relationship with John Mayer from the get-go. She did take him to the Oscars but she just kind of didn`t talk about it.
And I think Jessica has handled everything with grace, with humor, A- plus-pluses all around for these two ladies on this one.
Now, the smackdown rages on tonight as we compare their image control. Both women depicted in the tabloids as heartbroken single women looking for love. Jen has been accused of pretending to date Gerard to promote her film. Jessica has been criticized horribly over her weight. So, who deals with the criticism better? Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANISTON: I`m extremely happy. I`ve got a very simple life. I have extremely great friends and I have a really lucky career. I`m fortunate.
There`s none of the other stuff is - you know there`s all this stuff about calculating and all this - me and Gerry are in this fake relationship for the press of our movie or just selling of it. It is just so insulting.
SIMPSON: Within my own character and, you know, who I am, there`s nothing now that people can say about me that could have been any worse like I think I can take on anything at the moment.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Cooper, who deals with the criticism better?
LAWRENCE: I think Jessica does because she is used to it. After "Newlyweds" and the whole thing with Chicken of the Sea and - I mean, I think she is with used to being scrutinized.
She`s used to being a reality show star, not just a star star. Whereas Jennifer Aniston is an actress and she`s trying to be a very serious actress, so she keeps it really close to the vet.
I think Jessica Simpson has had a lot more experience with negative publicity and a lot more experience speaking out about it. And I give this one to Jessica.
ANDERSON: Jess seems to have matured. There`s a wisdom there. There`s a depth. There`s a substance there. She really has seemed to grow up in dealing with all the tabloid scrutiny and the cruel things that have been said about her.
And I want to you take a look at the results just in late today to our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. When we asked, "Jessica Simpson: Has she changed her image for the better," 64 percent say yes; 36 percent, no.
And this, guys, was all the talk today on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook wall. Ruby M. writes, "I`ve always been a big Jen fan. But I also believe Jessica has come a long way. She`s had to overcome a lot!"
Tiffany S. "I love Jessica Simpson. She has been through a lot with her divorce from Nick Lachey and the whole weight controversy. I think she is poised and handles herself in a very confident way.
And I totally agree. And Cooper Lawrence, Ben Widdicombe, we will leave it there for now. Thank you both. Good to see you.
HAMMER: Well, Kirstie Alley is just furious over the shocking new claims today that her diet company is linked to Scientology.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALLEY: This is (EXPLETIVE DELETED). Can I say (EXPLETIVE DELETED)?
VIEIRA: No. No, you cannot.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, Kirstie is a scientologist. But as you see, she is just outraged over reports that claim her diet company is funneling money to the Church of Scientology. Wait until you see Kirstie slamming her critics. And I`m here to tell you, this isn`t pretty. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Cheryl Ladd and Jaclyn Smith to honor Farrah Fawcett at TV Land Awards, April 25th. MTV denies it banned Lady Gaga`s new "Telephone" video featuring Beyonce.
(MUSIC)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Tonight, Oprah in big trouble again over her all-girls` school. A judge has ruled that Oprah has to show up for a defamation suit filed by a former headmistress of Oprah`s South African leadership academy for girls.
You remember those ugly and very serious accusations back in 2007 that the school`s dorm matron abused and assaulted students.
Well, now, the former headmistress is firing back saying she got all caught up in that finger-pointing. And now, she`s going after Oprah. She says that Oprah`s comments defamed her reputation and caused her emotional problems. In 2007, Oprah suggested that she should have been more careful in who she chose to run the school when she wasn`t there.
Well, today, Oprah`s attorney issued a statement to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT simply saying, quote, "Oprah and Harp await the opportunity to present the case in court."
ANDERSON: Tonight, Kirstie Alley`s outrage over claims that her new diet company is linked to Scientology. Kirstie, who is a Scientologist, claims to have lost over 20 pounds using her program, Organic Liaison.
But a brand-new report claims Kirstie`s diet company is actually just a front for Scientology. The report says Kirstie`s diet company is run by top Scientology leaders and headquartered the Church of Scientology building in Clearwater, Florida.
As you can imagine, Kirstie absolutely furious. And on the "Today" show this morning, she let loose.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALLEY: It`s just (EXPLETIVE DELETED). Can I say (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
VIEIRA: No. No, you cannot.
ALLEY: We can`t?
VIEIRA: No, you cannot.
ALLEY: It`s not true. It`s not true.
VIEIRA: So there`s no connection whatsoever with your diet program and the Church of Scientology?
ALLEY: No. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) same building - god, no. No, zero. And the top executive - I`m the top executive. And you know, the address in Clearwater is my accountant and he`s a Scientology Jew. I mean, what is it? I don`t know what to say to it.
VIEIRA: Well, I think there are a lot of people, truth be told, who think anything connected to Scientology is quackery. And they look at the diet and they start to draw the lines. And they wonder, do any of the profits from this company go to Scientology?
ALLEY: No, no. They don`t. No, I`m way too cheap to do that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: At least she`s keeping a sense of humor about the whole thing, right?
HAMMER: Absolutely. Well, on Monday, we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. The final results just came in. Take a look at this - "Jessica Simpson: Has she changed her image for the better?" I am right there with the 64 percent of you who say "yes." Only 36 percent of you say "no."
Here`s some of the E-mails we got. Connie in Alberta writing, "Jessica Simpson has, in the past, been unjustly portrayed as a woman with little to offer intellectually. Finally, she is coming across as a woman of substance - mature, funny and beautiful to boot. Good job, Jessica."
Laurie writing, "Her image has changed for the better. I`m proud of her. John Mayer is a pig. Jessica is a real beauty inside." And out.
Thank you for your E-mails and thank you for watching. That`s it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. You can catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT every night on the 11:00s - 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific, and in the morning, 11:00 a.m. Eastern on HLN.
END
