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Showbiz Tonight
Is Charlie Sheen Quitting "Two and a Half Men?"; The Un-sexiest Men Alive; Can Oprah Save Oprah?; Sarah Palin Gets Slammed; The Most Provocative Celebrity of the Week
Aired April 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 - is Charlie Sheen quitting his hit show? Brand-new explosive reports today that Charlie is leaving "Two and a Half Men."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHARLIE SHEEN, ACTOR: What are you selling? Better not be your liver. I`ve got dibs.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Have all of Charlie`s scandals finally caught up with him? Or is this just slick move by Sheen to spend out more money? Or is he just ready to move on?
And the un-sexiest men alive. They behaved badly. Women hate them. So did Tiger and Jesse make the list? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT reveals the un- sexiest men alive.
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer coming to you from New York City.
BROOKE ANDERSON, CO-HOST: Hi there, everyone. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with big news breaking today. A big time Charlie Sheen shake-up.
HAMMER: Yes. Big time, indeed, Brooke. Just when you thought Charlie Sheen couldn`t get any more unpredictable, he goes and shakes everything up again today. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT confirming today that Charlie Sheen plans to quit his hit show, "Two and a Half Men" after this season.
Jaws dropped today with breaking news that after seven wildly successful years, Charlie Sheen plans to quit "Two and a Half Men" after a rocky year of rehab, brutal court appearances and a marriage in turmoil. I`ve got to wonder, why is Charlie now walking away from the one good thing he has got going on? Why now?
Also breaking today, is Jesse James a broken man? That`s what Jesse`s friends and lawyer are saying today. Incredible claims that all this media attention over Jesse`s alleged cheating on Sandra Bullock has destroyed has destroyed his life.
Joining me right now in New York is Sunny Hostin from our sister network, Tru TV. She`s from the legal network, "In Session." Also in New York, Ben Widdicombe, who is a celebrity journalist.
Let`s start this off with Charlie Sheen. Today, his rep told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Charlie is leaving the show, TV`s most successful sitcom, because he`s tired of the day-to-day grind of a sitcom. He wants to make more movies.
Sunny, are you buying this? Or do you think maybe this has something to do with his upcoming trial for allegedly attacking his wife?
SUNNY HOSTIN, LEGAL CONTRIBUTOR, "IN SESSION" ON TRU TV: I`m not buying what he`s selling. I`m telling you, why would he walk away from making almost $1 million dollars an episode? Is he so employable? He is a liability. Who else is going to hire him?
What kind of insurance do you have to have to have Charlie on your payroll? He`s a bad boy. He`s got addictions. He`s always in trouble.
HAMMER: Yes.
HOSTIN: Why walk away?
HAMMER: Well, we used to talk about how Teflon he always was. And now, really not so much. He`s facing some big time legal troubles right now.
Let`s run down some of the charges he`s facing here. He`s been charged with assault after his wife called the cops on Christmas Day claiming that he had a knife to her throat.
He`s also charged with criminal mischief. And if that wasn`t bad enough, they threw in a menacing charge for good measure. Now, Charlie has pleaded not guilty to all these charges. But you know, if he`s convicted, he faces one to three years in prison.
Ben Widdicombe, to you - Charlie`s rep denies that Charlie`s legal problems have anything to do with him leaving the show. I`ve always liked and trusted Charlie`s rep to say it like it is, but are you buying it?
BEN WIDDICOMBE, CELEBRITY JOURNALIST: Well, you know, I don`t think Charlie`s walking away. I mean, the fee I`ve seen reported is he makes $825,000 an episode. It has been seven years.
We can understand why he might be a bit sick of the job after that length of time. But it`s the top comedy on television. He`s not going to walk away from that. I believe that if anything, it`s just a ploy to get even more money per episode.
HAMMER: Well, that`s exactly the thing that a lot of people are saying. And I want to give you a little interesting twist of the whole story. Charlie`s contract over there is up at the end of the season.
And his rep did tell SHOWBIZ TONIGHT he hopes this is going to have a happy ending which sounds like the door is being left open. Maybe, Sonny, he`s playing hardball for more money. And as we mentioned, he makes almost $1 million bucks an episode now.
HOSTIN: That makes a lot more sense than "I`m just leaving because I`m tired." I cannot imagine that he`s tired of making almost $1 million dollars an episode. No one else really is going to hire him, I think.
HAMMER: Yes. Well, and it happens all the time in Hollywood. We see those kinds of ploys in a negotiating tactic. But no matter what Charlie`s motive, the big question today, can "Two and a Half Men" possibly survive if Charlie Sheen leaves?
Well, today, that question just sparked a big, old fired-up debate on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook wall. Let me get to a couple of the comments here. Ramona G. writing, "No, it can`t survive without Charlie Sheen. They all need to work together and keep Charlie out of trouble and on the show. Good luck with that."
This is Kathleen C. writing, "I think it will be just as funny without him. Some of the best moments on the show are with John Cryer and Holland Taylor."
Brooke Anderson, what do you think? I mean, what the heck are they going to call it now? "One and a Half Men"?
ANDERSON: Yes. I think that his co-stars are extremely talented, very, very funny. But Charlie Sheen is "Two and a Half Men."
HAMMER: Yes.
ANDERSON: He has really carved out an identity with this character. This character is essentially Charlie Sheen. I cannot imagine it surviving without him. I cannot even fathom another actor stepping in to replace him.
I understand when some actors say, "I want to do something different. I want to shake up my career a little bit, take a step back maybe at times." But honestly, I do not think that`s the story here.
I think the real story, like you guys say, is that this is a negotiating tactic. It is very common. It happens all the time in Hollywood. More money, more money, more money.
HAMMER: Yes. And CBS, Brooke, is contracted to keep that show on the air from Warner Brothers for another two years. So I think this is a wait and see.
Let`s move on to another big story breaking today - literally breaking. Is Jesse James a broken man? Well, that`s what his friend and lawyer said today. He says all this media scrutiny over James alleged serial cheating on Sandra Bullock - it has just destroyed Jesse`s life. And he needs time and space to heal.
No doubt, Sunny, that Jesse James has been under intense scrutiny and the butt of so many jokes since this thing broke almost three weeks ago. But do you feel any sympathy for the guy?
HOSTIN: I do not. I have made several jokes at his expense and I think he deserves it.
HAMMER: And will you continue to do so?
HOSTIN: I will. I will, because I love this story. And the bottom is, A.J., he`s a nasty, lowdown cheater. He cheated on America`s sweetheart and he deserves every single thing that he gets.
HAMMER: And as he said in that statement he put out when all this first broke, he deserves everything that is coming to him. He said it himself.
Well, I want to you take a look at the results of an exclusive poll commissioned by SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. This is just incredible. We asked, "Sandra Bullock`s Husband: Do you have any sympathy for Jesse James?"
Put those results up, Charles. Look at this. Oh, a little one-sided. Ninety-five percent of you said no sympathy for you, Jesse James. Only five percent had it in them, OK, maybe a little bit of sympathy.
Ben, are you surprised that even five percent have some sympathy after what he`s put Sandra and America through?
WIDDICOMBE: I am, a little bit, actually. I think pro-Jesse`s toast. I mean, really - these really unsavory allegations - it`s even being suggested that he might have gotten one of his mistress pregnant.
They`re saying there are as many as 11 women out there who claim to have had sex with him while married to Sandra Bullock. He`s gone to rehab. We don`t know why he`s in rehab. I think that`s a pit of a PR smoke screen, honestly.
I just think he wants to get away from the paparazzi. But he`s reputation is going to take a long time to recover, if it ever does.
HAMMER: If it ever does. Yes, indeed. Well, our "Showbiz on Call" phone lines - not surprisingly, they`ve just been on fire about this all day long. And if you`re wondering who are those five percent who feel bad for Jesse? Well, just listen to Kay from Tennessee. Roll Kay for me, Charles.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
KAY, CALLER FROM TENNESSEE: I say leave the man alone. He became famous with Sandra. And these women have thrown themselves at him and he needs to be left alone to get well, get better.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK, Kay. Definitely appreciate your side of it but a whole lot more people are saying, let him suffer. That`s exactly what Desiree from Florida thinks. Listen to her.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
DESIREE, CALLER FROM FLORIDA: I don`t have any sympathy for that man or for any man that`s a cheater. If you don`t want to be faithful, you shouldn`t have gotten married.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right, Sunny. Most people feel right now exactly the way that the last caller, Desiree, feels. So what is it possibly going to take - try to be optimistic for Jesse. What will it take for the tide to turn for him?
HOSTIN: I have no idea. I mean, I`m thinking maybe if Sandra Bullock took him back and put some sort of spin on it. But why would she take that nonsense? Why would she do it? She can have anybody that she wants.
HAMMER: Ben Widdicombe, let me go to you because you`ve been covering the ups and downs of Hollywood stars for a long time. Is there anything - I mean, we haven`t really seen anything quite like this before.
Anything in your mind that can possibly make the tide turn in his favor and people will start having a little sympathy for the guy?
WIDDICOMBE: I do. I think as Sandra Bullock goes, so goes the country. For example, when Hugh Grant cheated on Liz Hurley. She took him back. The relationship didn`t last forever.
But you know, I think if the scorned woman takes the guy back, then a lot of people will give him the benefit of the doubt.
HAMMER: Yes. And I guess, you know, we all love and respect Sandra Bullock so much that perhaps that will go to happen. We will all be siding with her and we will want what is best for her and whatever she thinks is best for her. Unbelievable. Sunny Hostin, Ben Widdicombe, thanks, guys.
All right. Now, I`ve got to turn it over to you (UNINTELLIGIBLE) of Charlie Sheen. This is our exclusive SHOWBIZ TONIGHT poll - "Charlie Sheen May Leave His Show: Can `Two and a Half Men` survive without him?" Anybody? Well, you go to the Web to vote, CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. E-mail us at showbiztonight@cnn.com.
ANDERSON: OK. Let`s play connect the dots. Star addition. Are you ready? What do Tiger Woods, Jesse James, John Edwards and "Jersey Shore`s" The Situation have in common? They are all on the same list today. Let me tell you, it`s not a list these guys are going to be fist pumping about.
The great Oprah debate. Now, we know that she`s getting ready to throw in the towel on her talk show to start her own network. But can Oprah save Oprah?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OPRAH WINFREY, HOST, "THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW": I`ve decided that next season, season 25, will be the last season of "The Oprah Winfrey Show."
ANDERSON: And picking on Palin. Her new show just debuted. It`s about American heroes. That`s great, right? No. Sarah is getting slammed for some reason today. What gives? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
TEXT: Time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker." These are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Jesse James cited for vandalism in clash with photographer, who was also cited for stalking James. Sandra Bullock`s "The Blind Side" is number one selling DVD in its first week out in stores.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York with Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. And Brooke, I just watched Oprah`s interview with Janet Jackson right before we came in here today.
ANDERSON: Yes, A.J. Today, it was the first time Janet has really spoken out in such depth about her brother Michael`s death. Janet says that the Jackson family knew Michael had a problem.
He was too thin. He may have had a drug addiction. And they tried many, many times help him. But sadly, the interventions failed.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JANET JACKSON, SINGER: He was always in denial.
WINFREY: In denial?
J. JACKSON: Yes.
WINFREY: He didn`t think he had a problem?
JACKSON: No.
WINFREY: At all? Were you all worried that something like this could happen?
JACKSON: Of course. I mean, that`s why we did what we did. That`s why - we tried it several times. And he was very much in denial.
WINFREY: And when was the last time, do you recall, that you all had done an intervention?
JACKSON: I don`t remember. I remember the last one, though, I wasn`t able to attend. But everyone else was there.
WINFREY: And can you share a bit of what you all would say? Because I was at an intervention once and I tell you, it was remarkable because it really is like being bombarded with love.
You`re in a room. You see somebody who is sinking, who is going down, and everybody just tries to pour out their heart and to really save them through love.
JACKSON: There was a moment where I had to actually walk away. I couldn`t take it. I was just so overwhelmed. I was overcome with emotion. And I actually had to walk out of the room. It was just too much for me to handle.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Janet also told Oprah that doesn`t ever want to see "This is It," the film made about Michael Jackson`s last days.
HAMMER: Well, Erykah Badu is fighting back today for being slammed for her new video taped at the site where JFK was killed. And Donald Trump`s daughter is having some big time stalker drama. All this making big news in "The Buzz" today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(voice-over): Ivanka Trump`s accused stalker out on bail. The Donald`s daughter didn`t have any comment after the man she accused of sending threatening E-mails over a two-year period walked out of jail. Justin Massler apparently threatened to kill himself in Ivanka`s jewelry and to commandeer her husband`s newspaper. Massler did not enter a plea and was released on $10,000 bail.
Elton John`s concert disaster. The singer`s elaborate stage collapsed at the site of his upcoming concert in Mexico at the Chichen Itza ruins. Three workers were injured although a spokesman for the site says there was no damage to the ruins.
Outside, experts have been called in to review the safety of the stage. As for the concert, John`s spokesperson says the show is on and he`ll be there.
Erykah Badu defends her shocking video. The singer says her new music video is being misunderstood, the video that shows her stripping naked at the site of John F. Kennedy`s assassination is not disrespectful according to the singer.
She tweeted to her fans JFK`s, quote, "revolutionary thinking is my inspiration. My performance art has been grossly misinterpreted by many."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
Erykah Badu may be in trouble. Late today, we got word that the Dallas cops received a formal complaint over her naked music video shoot. Badu now faces a misdemeanor charge of disorderly contact and may be fined $500.
ANDERSON: A.J. the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines have been ringing off the hook today with people calling in about whether Rosie O`Donnell can take over for Oprah when Oprah hangs up her mike on her talk show. And I can tell you that our "Showbiz on Call" operators want to audition for that job, too.
HAMMER: Yes. Look at them go. All right. Patty from New York doesn`t like Rosie for the job or Donald Trump dissing Rosie about it.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
PATTY, CALLER FROM NEW YORK: I just wanted to comment on Rosie O`Donnell. And I don`t think either one of them has the class or the tact. I don`t think either one of them should be saying anything about anybody else. Nobody can take Oprah Winfrey`s place. The lady has class. She`s a class act.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thanks for your call, Patty.
ANDERSON: We also heard from Karen calling into "Showbiz on Call" from Ohio. Now, she says she knows who can take over for Oprah.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
KAREN, CALLER FROM OHIO: I definitely do not think Rosie O`Donnell should take Oprah`s place. I think a real good replacement - sorry, Regis, but I think a good replacement would be Kelly Ripa because she`s so versatile (UNINTELLIGIBLE). I think she would be great.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: I think that`s a great idea. Thanks, Karen. Call us at "Showbiz on Call" and let us know what you think about this or anything else that`s on your mind.
HAMMER: That is why we keep the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines open all the time at 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899. That`s where you can leave us a voicemail so we can play your call right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
ANDERSON: All right. All right. Why are so many people picking on Sarah Palin today? Sarah just premiered her new show. It seems like a nice, non-controversial concept. She honors everyday American heroes. So I don`t get why so many people are going after her for this. It`s a hot debate today.
Well, the lovely Kate Gosselin has been a big old pain in the rear on "Dancing with the Stars." Today, though, she`s is trying to make nice. Wait until you hear what she is saying.
And it is time for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT to name the most provocative celebrity of the week. Will it be Jesse James for his ongoing mistress mess? Kate Gosselin for allegedly being a "Dancing with the Stars" pain in the butt? Or Erykah Badu for stripping naked at the Dallas site where President John F. Kennedy was killed? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
HAMMER: It`s time to roll out the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker." These are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Carrie Underwood and Alicia Keys to perform on "Idol Gives Back" on April 21st. Tina Fey to host "SNL" on April 10th, Ryan Phillippe to host on April 17th.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The couple who is safe and definitely back next week - Kate and Tony, which means -
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Good for her. Kate Gosselin survives for now on "Dancing with the Stars." So many reports that Kate is just a dancing diva. But today, Kate is showing her softer side admitting, hey, she isn`t perfect.
I think it`s fair to say that Kate Gosselin isn`t the favorite to win this year on "Dancing with the Stars." I told you all the stories, all the claims floating around that she`s been a nightmare on the show, that she`s having problems with her partner Tony.
Well, today, Kate is trying to make nice. On her blog, she writes, "I have a few words to my fans. Thank you for all of your support, love, obsessive votes, and encouragement. I`m seriously blown away by each and every one of you."
"Let`s be honest here. It`s your votes that keep me dancing and not so much my dancing skills at this stage. I have to deny that last line if Tony finds this blog. Deal? Tony is a marvelous teacher. The problem is the student."
Now, Kate also says when she watched back the tape, when she saw her face during the elimination part of the show, she thought she looked like something out of a horror movie.
ANDERSON: Yes, she did make a bad face for any part of it. The girl was terrified. OK. Lots of posts coming in our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook page today about the shocking reports that Jennifer Aniston`s career may be in crisis. Her new film, "The Bounty Hunter" is tanking.
Holly B. says she knows how to turn things around for Jen, "I think should go back to the small screen. I adore her comedic timing and think she also does awesome on TV. Her turn on `30 Rock` was great."
But Samantha M. says, it doesn`t matter what she does, "Jennifer Aniston`s career being over isn`t a bad thing at all. She was never that great of an actress. She was very overrated and very overpaid."
Friend us on Facebook, join us on Twitter, call us at "Showbiz on Call" and E-mail us. "Showbiz Connects" at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
HAMMER: And if you`re fired up about something that you saw right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, I want you to grab your camcorder or your webcam, maybe your cell phone cam so you can make us a video.
Head over to CNN.com/ShowbizTonight so you can send us your I-Reports and we can put some of them right here on the show.
ANDERSON: And now, the SHOWBIZ lineup - here`s what is coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
The great Oprah debate. Now, we know that she`s getting ready to throw in the towel on her talk show to start her own network. But can Oprah save Oprah?
Sarah Palin has got this new show about everyday American heroes. So why is she being slammed?
And it is time for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT to name the most provocative celebrity of the week. Jesse James, Kate Gosselin for being a dancing diva or Erykah Badu for her nude video shot at the JFK assassination site. 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: Actor Kal Penn to leave White House adviser job to star in "Harold and Kumar" sequel. "Law and Order" star S. Epatha Merkerson to leave the NBC show after 16 seasons.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, the great Oprah debate. We know that she`s getting to thrown in the towel on her talk show to start her on network. But can Oprah save Oprah?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WINFREY: I`ve decided that next season, season 25, will be the last season of "The Oprah Winfrey Show."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: They behaved badly. Women hate them. So did Tiger and Jesse make the brand-new un-sexiest man alive list? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT reveals the one man who is not bringing sexy back.
And who will SHOWBIZ TONIGHT name as the most provocative celebrity of the week? Jesse James? Kate Gosselin for all that dancing drama? Or will it be Erykah Badu for her shocking controversial nude music video at JFK`s assassination.
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 coming to you from New York City.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with big news breaking today. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the inside story on the end of Oprah as we know it.
HAMMER: That`s right, Brooke, because in just a matter of days, Oprah Winfrey will reveal the secrets behind her upcoming new cable network, OWN, the Oprah Winfrey Network.
And as we know, Oprah is not going to be doing her daily talk show anymore. Now, critics say Oprah could be making a huge mistake if she doesn`t take her blockbuster show to her new network.
So SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has to ask, what does Oprah need to do? And can the Oprah Winfrey Network survive without a heavy dose of Oprah on the air?
Here`s SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WINFREY: People across the country have been talking about this for weeks now.
KAREEN WYNTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When it comes to Oprah, it seems people are always talking. Her latest news about her syndicated talk show will not only change her life but the life of millions of devoted fans who watch her show every day. Loyal viewers like stay-at- home mom, Loely Burgos.
LOELY BURGOS, LOYAL "OPRAH WINFREY SHOW" VIEWER: There it is. There it is. There it is.
WYNTER: She`s never missed an "Oprah" show since it first debuted nationally 1986.
BURGOS: I don`t answer the phone. I mean, unless it`s a dire emergency, you better be waiting because Oprah is on.
WYNTER: Then, this news came that Burgos has dreaded for years.
WINFREY: I`ve decided that next season, season 25, will be last season of "The Oprah Winfrey Show."
WYNTER (on camera): The countdown is on as Oprah plans to end her syndicated talk show in 2011. And next January, Oprah will launch her cable channel. It`s called OWN, the Oprah Winfrey Network, a network with Oprah`s name and fingerprint, but without "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and that won`t be enough for a devoted fan, Loely Burgos.
BURGOS: I`m not so loyal to the person that I always watch whatever, regardless of what it is even if I`m not interested. No, I want to be interested.
WYNTER: And that means seeing her every day.
BURGOS: That is something that I`m interested in.
WYNTER (voice-over): And that is the dilemma Oprah may be facing. How essential is it for Oprah`s cable channel to have an Oprah show? It`s a question that Brad Adgate of the ad-buying agency, Horizon Media, says needs to be answered.
BRAD ADGATE, DIRECTOR, HORIZON MEDIA: it`s more competitive than ever before. And you have to question whether her name alone is going to be enough to get enough revenue and enough viewers to satisfy cable operators. There`s a lot of money to be made, especially if she decides to come on board on her own network and launch her show.
WYNTER: Adgate`s agency got a look at some early clips of what will be up Oprah`s network. And he reveals the programming is consistent with Oprah`s brand.
ADGATE Very much uplifting, very much spiritual. They are going to have the Oprah all-stars, people like Suze Orman.
WYNTER: Oprah`s network will also feature her famous friends including Gail King and Lisa Ling. But Oprah fan Loely Burgos says she wants her Oprah.
BURGOS: There`s a part of you that worries that you`re going to lose a part of what you love so much.
WINTER: In a statement to CNN, OWN CEO Christina Norman says, "Fans will be happy as we head toward a January launch of OWN. They can expect to be entertained and inspired. And of course, they will have Oprah!"
And we`ll all find out what the Oprah Network will be about on April 8th in New York City. That`s when Oprah herself will announce OWN`s premier slate of programs. And fans will find out just how much Oprah will be on the Oprah network.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: So will Oprah`s big risk work? Can the power of O prevail? Joining me right now in New York is Janell Snowden who is a host for VH1 News. Also in New York Cathy Areu is the publisher of "Catalina" magazine.
Ladies, first, I want you to take a look at this cover story in "New York" magazine. It reads, "Can Oprah escape Oprah? The gamble behind the Oprah Winfrey Network." Well, I know launching a whole network is a gamble for anybody.
But I say Oprah`s got the Midas touch. Practically anything this woman touches turns to gold. Janell, we know that Oprah is not bringing her same daily talk show to her network. But what do you think? Does she need to deliver a lot of herself in some form on the air to make this work?
JANELL SNOWDEN, HOST, VH1 NEWS: I`m sorry. I was busy reading this because I take Oprah with me everywhere I go. I like to have a little piece of Oprah. I am an even bigger fan than the woman we just saw.
I think that she definitely needs to have a presence at the start of the show, because like you said, people want their Oprah.
But I think that as long as Christina Norman is at the helm. She`s a genius. I`m a little biased, of course. She used to run MTV and VH1. But I think that if they give us a dose of Oprah through all of the friends, it will be like watching her radio network.
And then, you know, as people get used to those faces even more so, then maybe she wants to wean herself off and dedicate herself to her greater causes like her school in Africa - then, OK.
But in the beginning, I definitely think we need a little piece of Oprah because I like to take her everywhere I go.
ANDERSON: Everywhere you go, obviously. And I think, you know, if the content reflects Oprah`s values, reflects her style, people will still feel Oprah Winfrey.
CATHY AREU, PUBLISHER, "CATALINA" MAGAZINE: Right.
ANDERSON: Cathy, we don`t know yet what are the programs will be on Oprah`s network. But would you watch the Oprah Winfrey Network without your daily fix of an Oprah talk show?
AREU: Absolutely. I mean, I read the magazine and you don`t have the talk show in the magazine. You`re reading it because you love Suze Orman. You love Gail King. You love all of the great people she brings together.
It`s about the content. Oprah`s not a person with just a show. She`s a content provider. She knows what we all want to watch. She knows what we want to read. And she`s going to give it to us. And she knows how to give it to us. I`m sure it will succeed. She`s fine.
ANDERSON: Yes. I`ve got to say that the network has been kind of a mystery to all of Oprah`s fans - except, except for the one commercial that was posted on its Web site. Check it out.
(MUSIC)
ANDERSON: Only a quick shot of Oprah there. If you blinked, you missed it. But I think the network looks inspiring, exciting. It looks fresh. I`m motivated by watching it.
It looks like all of the things that we love about Oprah are going to be there. And I say as long as I feel that Oprah spirit, I`m in. Janell, could it be that less Oprah - I can`t even believe I`m even asking this. Could less Oprah be a good thing for some?
SNOWDEN: Are you kidding me? Oh, my god. Wash your mouth.
ANDERSON: No.
SNOWDEN: There`s no such thing as less Oprah. No. I mean, I think that, you know, as long as they`re able to sort of give us all of what she entails, which is, you know, living your best life and all the philanthropy, and you know, everything that we`ve begun to know as the Oprah brand, then I think that we`ll be fine.
You know, I think it`s going to be the challenge to mix that with, you know, commercially viable television into 24 hours of such. But like you said, she has the Midas touch. And I think that anything she touches turns to gold.
She`s got a great team in place to help her bring this into fruition. And you know, this has been a launch that`s been in the making for the past three years now. So I don`t think that`s just three years that they`ve been sitting idly. A lot of (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
(CROSS TALK)
ANDERSON: No, they haven`t just been - yes. They haven`t just been twiddling their thumbs over that time. And I`ve got to point out that Oprah may have a wild card in her pocket.
Her network partner, Discovery Channel, just signed Sarah Palin to a reality show deal - Discovery Communications. Now, Oprah has already got Lisa Ling, Suze Orman. Gail King signed on for OWN. But here`s a wacky idea for her critics. Cathy, very quickly. What if Oprah teamed up with Sarah Palin?
AREU: That would be great. Oprah loves strong women. Sarah Palin is a strong woman. She`s a mom. She`s a wife.
ANDERSON: Yes.
AREU: Oprah loves women like Sarah Palin. It`s wonderful. And if Oprah blesses her show, it`s going to be great. That`s all you need, Oprah`s blessing, I think.
ANDERSON: Oprah is the savvy business woman. If she brings on Sarah Palin in some capacity, people probably will watch. Janell Snowden, Cathy Areu, thanks, ladies.
HAMMER: Speaking of Sarah Palin, she`s getting slammed again. You know, it seems like no matter what she tries to do, she just rubs some people the wrong way. Why is Sarah getting torn to pieces this time?
And the un-sexiest men alive. They behave badly. Women hate them. Did Tiger and Jesse make the list? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT reveals the un-sexiest men alive.
And it`s Friday. You know what that means. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT names the most provocative celebrity of the week. Will it be Jesse James for his Nazi photo flap and ongoing mistress mess? Maybe Kate Gosselin and all that "Dancing" drama? Or Erykah Badu for her shocking strip show at the site where President Kennedy was assassinated. 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: "Dynasty" star John Forsythe dies at age 92 from cancer. Forsythe was also the voice of "Charlie" on `70s TV show "Charlie`s Angels." Super- sexy! Scarlett Johansson`s new look for "Iron Man 2."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: We are just moments away from naming SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s most provocative celebrity of the week. Is it Jesse James for his Nazi photo outrage on top of all his growing mistress mayhem? Or is it Kate Gosselin for reportedly being a drama queen instead of a dancing queen on "Dancing with the Stars." Or singer Erykah Badu for her naked video shoot at JFK`s assassination site?
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York with Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
Tiger Woods just missed the cut for this week`s most provocative list. But he`s on a much more unattractive list today, Brooke.
ANDERSON: He is, A.J. Just in today, the cringe-worthy, 100 un-sexiest men list. According to a brand-new poll, these guys are ugly to the core. Creepy, gross, just plain wrong. And Tiger is on top and he`s got some very interesting company.
Plus, slamming Sarah Palin. Her new show just debuted about every day American heroes. So why is everybody picking on Sarah even when she`s doing a good thing?
Right now, in New York is Megan Alexander. She`s a correspondent for "Inside Edition." In Hollywood tonight, Carlos Diaz who is a correspondent for "Extra."
Megan, Carlos, let`s kick this off with "The Boston Phoenix" newspaper coming up with its 100 un-sexiest men list based in part on what they call the sheer jaw-dropping, show-stopping, eye-popping infidelity that permeated every aspect of our culture.
And topping that list, no surprise, Tiger Woods. Megan, when I now think of Tiger - and I used to be a big fan. But now, I can`t think of anything but yuck. Do you imagine that that`s whether a whole lot of other people are thinking about him after his mistress implosion?
MEGAN ALEXANDER, CORRESPONDENT, "INSIDE EDITION": Oh, indeed. In looking at this whole list, I think they nailed it with Tiger Woods being number one. I think, you know, talk about what a difference a few months has made for this man`s career.
I mean, he was on top of everything, top of all lists that you want to be on. Wealthiest. He was going to be the first athlete to break $1 billion, I believe, in revenues and his endorsements.
So what a fall he has taken. But Brooke, the tragedy is poor Mike, The Situation, I believe, was number two? What did that guy do to deserve to be in the top 10? I feel bad for him.
ANDERSON: I know, right? Yes. As you say that, I want to reveal some of the others on this dubious list. You mentioned Mike, The Situation from MTV`s "Jersey Shore."
ALEXANDER: What?
ANDERSON: Number two - I`m sure he would dispute that. We know he thinks very highly of himself. Number three is John Edwards whom "The Boston Phoenix" calls "the philanderer-in-chief." But look at this. Just missing the top five, just missing it - Jesse James comes in at number six.
Carlos, I almost think un-sexiest is almost too kind a way to describe Jesse James and John Edwards. Do you agree?
CARLOS DIAZ, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": By the way, I was 101 on the list. So next year - next year. Just keep your fingers crossed. But you know, the thing is, though - yes. At one time, ironically, women did find these guys sexy because that`s why they cheated, you know what I mean.
They had women all over them. But you are right. Now, they have gone from being guys - I watched a special on TV that was about Sandra Bullock that was dated before the whole scandal. And they`re like, "And look at her husband, the sexy Jesse James."
So at one point, they were sexy. But then, the sexiness went to their heads. And now, they are ultimately un-sexy. I think Jesse should have been higher on this list.
ALEXANDER: Yes.
ANDERSON: Yes. Me, too.
(CROSS TALK)
ANDERSON: People`s (UNINTELLIGIBLE) have definitely changed. And Carlos, you are so cute. You would never make an un-sexy list.
ALEXANDER: That`s right.
ANDERSON: The always sexy A.J. Hammer.
DIAZ: Thanks, A.J.
ANDERSON: Bring him in. A.J., I know that you`ve been dying to weigh in on this hot headline.
HAMMER: Yes. You got my vote there, Carlos.
DIAZ: I appreciate it.
HAMMER: I`m actually going to help out Megan because she was worried about The Situation.
ANDERSON: Right.
HAMMER: Here`s what the newspaper said about The Situation at number two. I think they got it right when they said, "This dopey dork-faced `Jersey Shore` star - we use the term `star` loosely - and self-described guido could be the world`s most inept ladies` man." So there you go. Here you go. You can hold on to that little note.
ALEXANDER: Poor guy.
HAMMER: All right. Let`s move on now because there are reports that I have to get to today that are slamming Sarah Palin. Sarah`s new show on the Fox News Channel is about folks living the American dream. Take a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SARAH PALIN, HOST, "REAL AMERICAN STORIES": As Americans, we aspire to greatness. When we dream, we dream big. We reach out. We pick each other up and pride ourselves on our make up and our character.
Welcome to "Real American Stories." This is a place where real people from all walks of life share their own personal stories.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. It`s heartwarming stuff, right? Well, apparently, not to everybody. Sarah caught a lot of heat when the show promoted celebrity interviews with rapper L.L. Cool J and country star Toby Keith because these stars did not even know that they were going to be part of Sarah`s show.
So critics went after Sarah over that even though, you know, it`s kind of practice in TV for networks to reuse old interviews. Still, Fox did pull the L.L. Cool J interview and Sarah Palin got slammed.
Megan, is Sarah Palin getting all of this backlash because she is simply an easy target people love to go after her?
ALEXANDER: You know, I thought the criticism was more production value. It`s always good to do your own interviews, obviously. But I think America is hungry for this type of a concept of a show, inspirational stories, stories of courage.
I think with some tuning, obviously some production uplifting, if you will - I think there`s an audience for the show and for Sarah Palin. She`s dynamic, a very likable figure that will relates well to her audience.
HAMMER: Let me ask you very quickly, Carlos. She`s about to launch her very own show that she`s getting paid like $1 million an episode for. Do you think she needs to brace for impact from the critics.
DIAZ: I`m going to give it to her. I`m going to totally give it to her. I`ll tell you why. Every time something happened wrong in Sarah Palin`s life when she was for president (sic), it was because of the media. Oh, the media says this. The media says that. You know what? Now, you`re part of the media so you`re going to start fact checking yourself, Sarah.
HAMMER: There is something right there. We`re going to end it there. But Sarah Palin didn`t make the cut for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s most provocative celebrity of the week. We are naming - quite a list this week - Jesse James for his Nazi photo outrage on top of his great mistress mayhem; Kate Gosselin for bringing more drama than cha-cha to the set of "Dancing with the Stars"; or Erykah Badu for her butt-naked JFK video shoot controversy.
We`ll name the winner in just a moment. Megan, Carlos, don`t move a muscle.
Now, it`s time for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Lawyer for Dr. Conrad Murray says Murray is broke and should keep medical license. "Hangover" stars each getting $5 million for "Hangover" sequel.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Well, the wait is finally over. It is time now to name SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s most provocative celebrity of the week.
We`re back with Megan Alexander from "Inside Edition" in New York and Carlos Diaz from "Extra" in Hollywood.
So will it be Jesse James for his Nazi photo outrage on top of all the growing mistress mayhem? Will it be Kate Gosselin for bringing more drama than cha-cha to the set of "Dancing with the Stars?" Or will it be singer Erykah Badu for her butt-naked JFK video shoot controversy?
Well, I`m here to tell you it was a super close vote in the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom over this one. But after some hair-pulling, few incidents of biting, we are, in fact, naming Erykah Badu for her nude video shoot outrage. Watch this.
(MUSIC)
Now, here`s the deal. I think if you look up "provocative" in the dictionary, this week, you`ll see Erykah Badu`s video right there. And we learned late today that Erykah could actually get in trouble with the cops for her stunt. Carlos Diaz, did we get it right?
DIAZ: Can someone get me a dictionary, please? But I don`t see Erykah Badu in there. No, you got it wrong. You guys got it wrong this week. All she did was get naked. Naked is beautiful. Jesse James deserves the award.
HAMMER: Carlos, look where she got naked.
DIAZ: That`s true. You`ve got a good point there, A.J. I`m arguing with that one.
HAMMER: Hello -
(CROSS TALK)
DIAZ: OK. But Jesse James, though - he`s giving a Hitler salute. He tries to go to a rehab facility. He gets pulled over on the way, spills his guts to his cops. His alleged mistresses doubles in numbers.
I mean, to me, there`s just too much going on Jesse James` plate. The Erykah Badu thing - I`ll give it the whole JFK thing. But the nakedness - OK, I kind of enjoy.
HAMMER: Well, now, for every reason you just mentioned, Carlos, I have to be honest. My first reflex was to vote with Jesse James as well.
And that was the instant reaction I saw message after message on our Facebook page. Let`s put one up, Charles. This is Melissa P. writing, "Of course Jesse James. He`s an idiot. Who the heck cheats on Sandra Bullock? Are you kidding me?"
But Megan, Jesse got naked behind closed doors with the wrong people. You know, Erykah Badu took her clothes off in public in front of children in a historic place. I think that pushes her over the provocative edge.
ALEXANDER: That`s why she was Erykah as well. Society has long debated what is art. Some people say it`s Van Gogh, Michelangelo, Michael Jackson. Erykah Badu, though, as an artistic, I think, finally pushed that boundary too far.
Two problems there. Innocent children had to watch her strip naked. This was obviously done in one take. And then, secondly, I think it was disgraceful to do this at JFK`s site of where he was assassinated. I think that was pushing it too far. And we need to go back to what is really art. I think it was too much.
HAMMER: Carlos, did that talk you into it at all?
DIAZ: I`m going to go with Kate Gosselin.
(CROSS TALK)
DIAZ: I`m surprised her dance instructor lasted week one, let alone week two.
HAMMER: Let`s end it there, shall we?
DIAZ: You convinced me. You convinced me. Erykah Badu - there you go.
HAMMER: Carlos Diaz, Megan Alexander, thanks. OK, we figured that one out. And that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thanks a lot for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is now live at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Monday through Friday.
HAMMER: And still TV`s most provocative entertainment news show at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific.
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