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Showbiz Tonight
President Obama`s Controversial "View"; A Mom Show by a Lesbian Mom; "The Shore" Strikes Back; Kendall Jenner Slam`s Critics
Aired July 29, 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 president`s controversial view. TV history as the ladies of "The View" take on the president.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, UNITED STATES PRESIDENT: Look, I was trying to find a show that Michelle actually watched.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The SHOWBIZ Flashpoint today - was it wrong to the president to do "The View"?
The shocking battle today over a new major talk show geared to moms, starring a lesbian mom.
"The Shore" strikes back. Snooki and company`s counterattack today on New Jersey`s governor for his big Jersey Shore diss.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NICOLE "SNOOKI" POLIZZI: Our show is about coming to the shore and having a good time. You don`t have to be from Jersey.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes -
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: And the Kardashians strike back today. Kim Kardashian`s 14- year-old bikini-posing sister slams critics for slamming her over those jaw-dropping photos.
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, HLN HOST: Hi, there, everyone. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with big news breaking today - President Obama`s historic "View."
HAMMER: Yes, Brooke. The president has now gone where no president has dared to go before because his appearance today on "The View" was definitely one for the record books, and not just because he became the first sitting president ever to take a seat on a daytime talk show.
It may have also been the very first time in history that a sitting president talked about Snooki and Lindsay Lohan. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is also now in a position to reveal that a great debate broke out today over whether Obama should have even done "The View" in the first place. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT brings you the Obama blow by blow with the ladies of "The View."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BARBARA WALTERS, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER AND CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": The 44th president of the United States, Barack Obama.
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
HAMMER (voice-over): As President Obama stepped on to "The View," he stepped into history as the first sitting president ever to appear on a daytime talk show.
WALTERS: Do you really think that being on the show with a bunch of women, five women who never shut up, is going to be calming?
OBAMA: Look, I was trying to find a show that Michelle actually watched.
HAMMER: But the talk on "The View" wasn`t all light-hearted. "The View`s" resident Republican, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, challenged the president`s claim his administration has saved jobs.
ELISABETH HASSELBECK, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": How can you continue and your administration continue to say that you are saving jobs when, in fact, people are losing jobs? I think that "saved" is what`s troubling people?
OBAMA: Well, it makes a difference though if your job was one of the ones that were saved.
HAMMER: Also getting applause today, co-host Barbara Walters, returning to "The View" stage the first time since she had heart surgery last May and asking the president a pointed question about the war in Afghanistan.
WALTERS: Why don`t we get out?
OBAMA: What we need to have a stable Afghanistan and a Pakistan that is not a sanctuary for terrorism.
HAMMER: But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you President Obama`s serious policy discussion on "The View" didn`t stop critics from blasting his appearance on the daytime talk show as un-presidential.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don`t think it looked presidential. I think we need certain standards.
HAMMER: The most vocal critic, a certain out-spoken ex-"View" host, Rosie O`Donnell who slammed the president on her satellite radio show.
ROSIE O`DONNELL, FORMER CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": I don`t think sitting presidents should go do fluffy daytime TV shows.
HAMMER: But even with all the serious topics and criticism, the president and "The View" hosts still had time for fun, including a pop culture quiz.
JOY BEHAR, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": Do you know that Lindsay Lohan is in jail?
OBAMA: I actually know that, yes. I did.
HAMMER: Hey, Lindsay, now may be a good time for you to request that presidential pardon. And don`t even ask him about the MTV reality show "Jersey Shore." Should Snooki run as mayor of Wasilla?
OBAMA: I don`t know who Snooki is.
BEHAR: You don`t?
HAMMER: OK. That one calls for a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT presidential fact- check. The president may say he doesn`t know who the super-tan "Jersey Shore" cast mate Snooki is.
POLIZZI: You know what? I look slutty, but I don`t give a (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
HAMMER: But just last May, President Obama name-checked Snooki during a joke at the White House correspondents` dinner.
OBAMA: The following individuals should be included from the indoor tanning tax within this bill - Snooki, Jay Wow, The Situation and House minority leader John Boehner.
HAMMER: Uh-oh. Looks like we have Snooki-gate on our hands. Could this rank among the greatest presidential fibs.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I`m not a crook.
BILL CLINTON, FORMER UNITED STATES PRESIDENT: I did not have sexual relations with that woman.
OBAMA: I don`t know who Snooki is.
NED MARTEL, STYLE EDITOR, "WASHINGTON POST": The guy has a lot on his plate. Let`s just forgive him for not remembering who Snooki is, even though she is very important to you and me.
HAMMER: And then, there was Chelsea-gate. Why wasn`t the president invited to the wedding of the year, Chelsea Clinton`s wedding this weekend? After all, the mother of the bride, Hillary, has worked for him his Secretary of State.
OBAMA: I think that Hillary and Bill properly want to keep this as a thing for Chelsea and her soon-to-be husband.
HAMMER: Who knows whether the president will ever return to "The View." But if he does, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has some advice.
OBAMA: I`ve got to admit I don`t know who Snooki is.
HAMMER: He might want to brush up on his "Jersey Shore" knowledge. Maybe he can turn the White House situation room into a Mike The Situation room.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: OK. Well, Chelsea-gate and Snooki-gate certainly can`t compare with the biggest presidential controversial of all today. Some people are saying Barack Obama should never have gone on "The View." That brings us to our SHOWBIZ Flashpoint today - was it wrong for Obama to go on a daytime talk show?
Right now, in Washington, D.C. is Leslie Sanchez, the author of a fine book called, "You`ve Come a Long Way, Maybe." Right now, with me in New York, Marvet Britto, who is a celebrity publicist.
Personally, I don`t think there was anything at all wrong with the president appearing on "The View" today. I mean, come on. It`s 2010. Leslie, to the SHOWBIZ Flashpoint, do you think it was wrong for him to go on a daytime talk show?
LESLIE SANCHEZ, AUTHOR, "YOU`VE COME A LONG WAY, MAYBE": I think it`s desperate. The president said that he wants to go where people are. There is no doubt. But what`s next? If had something to sell, he could have gone to QVC.
And if he`s going to be doing the farm report on local weather radio. I think we`re a long way from seeing what the reality is and that is it`s a desperate act of very poor poll numbers.
HAMMER: No. See, I don`t see that - it that way at all. Most people, Marvet, get to see the president in sound bites on the news. And quite frankly, after a while, it turns to white noise.
He said some things. He answered some tough questions. Let`s forget about Snooki and everything else for a moment. But he talked about some things that people needed to hear about and said it in a very plain way, and it broke to the noise in my mind, which is why I think it was a good idea.
MARVET BRITTO, CELEBRITY PUBLICIST: Absolutely. Barack Obama is an accessible president. He`s a president who is relatable. And I think the very non-traditional methodology they got him elected is what he`s using right now that he`s in office.
So I think for him to switch gears and not be relatable and not be accessible in platforms that really - really weren`t was the DNA, the very DNA of his campaign, would really be him out of character and him doing things that are weren`t really consistent with who he was. I thought it was brilliant.
HAMMER: Exactly. Exactly. It would be inconsistent, that`s why I think while it`s easy to poke fun at it or to say bad idea, it is consistent with he got where he is. But look, great news for one of our own here at HLN sitting right next to President Obama, "The View" co-host and HLN`s Joy Behar.
I want you to listen to what she told me about all this controversy today over the president`s appearance. Roll that.
BEHAR: "The View" is America, OK? FDR did fire for a chat. President Obama came on "The View" because he`s talking to American women and men. We have a 25 percent male audience over there. And these are the people who vote for Democrats and Republicans.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: So what else happened behind the scenes as "The View" with President Obama? You definitely want to stick around. Joy is revealing all the big secrets of the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) on "The View" in a minute right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
So obviously, a good day for "The View." But Brooke Anderson, "The View" is about to get some competition, aren`t they?
ANDERSON: Yes, you`re right, A.J. Get ready for "The View" of moms. CBS just announced plans to launch a daytime talk show with six moms talking about motherhood. Sarah Gilbert, whom we all know from the sitcom, "Roseanne," is the executive producer and co-host of the show. She is also a lesbian and a mother of two.
But today, mom blogs slammed CBS for never mentioning that in their press release even though they talked about everybody else`s family, everybody else that was involved in the show.
So Marvet, Gilbert herself said that she didn`t want that information in the press release. What do you think? Is everybody maybe a bit skittish about noting the fact that a gay mother of two is hosting the show on motherhood?
BRITTO: I think so. I think we live in a world where, you know, sometimes your values and your morals are really dictated by your lifestyle. And I think she didn`t want to be judged by that.
I think that having a nurturing family environment can happen whether you`re gay or straight. And I think this really should be about the love. And she wanted to be judged for that and not for what her preference, her sexual preference would be.
ANDERSON: Leslie, is this the right approach by CBS?
SANCHEZ: I think it`s the right approach - like a passionate approach because it listened to what her priorities were. She has said she hasn`t made her sexual orientation a big issue in her career in Hollywood.
She is the creator of this show. She had a lot of leverage and CBS honored that. And it`s a sensitive thing to her. And I think we should be compassionate in her choice, as well.
ANDERSON: Yes. Marvet, she said that the press release wasn`t the appropriate place to talk about her personal life in this way and that she will share that information when she feels it`s right and when she feels it`s ready. So do you get the sense that we may be hearing about this more from her on the show? It`s kind of like a big giant tease almost.
BRITTO: Absolutely. I think that talk shows allow you to really voice your opinion and your opposing views you`re your similar views.
ANDERSON: Yes.
BRITTO: I think she will certainly talk about it. She will be on a platform with other women. And they share - and talk about their shared interests in parenting, their shared interests -
ANDERSON: Yes.
BRITTO: And just their lifestyle in general. So it`s obviously going to come up. And I don`t think she wanted to it serve as a distraction while the show was being announced.
ANDERSON: Right. Good point.
(CROSS TALK)
Leslie Sanchez, Marvet Britto, we do have to end it there. Thanks, ladies.
And now, we do want to hear from you. It`s our exclusive SHOWBIZ TONIGHT poll. It`s about President Obama. Was it wrong for the president to go on "The View"? Vote CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. E-mail us - showbiztonight@cnn.com.
HAMMER: All right. We have much more on this coming up. The behind- the-scenes secrets of President Obama`s visit to "The View." Yes. HLN`s Joy Behar came straight to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT after her interview with the president and gave us the details.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BEHAR: We all went onto the greenroom to say hello. Then, there was an array of hors d`oeuvres and cheese and crackers. I would have said, normally they just throw this cheese at you, the same ones that the mice have walked over.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. All right. Well, I also think people need to lay off New Jersey`s governor because he blasted "Jersey Shore." He is just being honest about how he felt. But today, the "Shore" strikes back. The big premiere of "Jersey Shore" is today. And Snooki and company have launched a brand-new counterattack today on all their haters.
And the Kardashians strike back today. Yes, Kim Kardashian`s 14-year- old bikini-posing sister slamming critics for slamming her over those jaw- dropping photos. 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: Former Dallas Cowboys QB Troy Aikman says he`s going on "Dancing with the Stars." Julia Roberts talks about her new film "Eat, Pray, Love" in new "Entertainment Weekly."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York with Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with a new Kardashian photo controversy.
ANDERSON: Hey, is Kim Kardashian`s 14-year-old little sister Kendall too sexy, too young? Kendall took a big step today to defend her controversial, half-naked bikini photo shoot. Right now, in New York, Marvet Britto who is a celebrity publicist.
Marvet, Kendall Jenner speaking out today for the first time since her sisters Kim and Khloe put those pictures on the Internet.
Well, Kendall tells "People.com" this, "Going into this shoot, it was never my intention to be too provocative or too racy. It was a beach shoot, and I was wearing beachwear. I am happy with my age and I am not trying to rush into anything too soon. I look forward to all the milestones my teens have to offer - sweet 16, turning 18, and so on."
OK, Marvet, I understand that Kendall probably didn`t realize how provocative it was at the time. She`s very, very young. But Marvet, are you buying her defense completely.
BRITTO: I buy her defense to a degree. The pictures certainly were a bit suggestive, but she`s pursuing a modeling career and that`s what that career and field is all about - you`re selling. But look at her role models. Look at her examples.
ANDERSON: Yes.
BRITTO: She has sisters who clearly have built careers off of being sexy, provocative. And for her to really stray too far from that would be very difficult. You know, she`s been in a house with these women most of her life.
So at this point, I think we should cut her a little slack based on her response. And maybe she`ll be a little bit more aware as she progresses in her career and be more mindful of the images that she takes.
ANDERSON: Yes. And I agree with you. She is used to seeing her sisters really sell sexy, so it`s what she perceives to be normal.
All right. The photo flap not the only big news we`re buzzing about today. A stunning development today in the investigation into Michael Jackson`s death. Yoko Ono is making a big plea today about the man who killed her husband, John Lennon. And the startling report about who may claim Anna Nicole Smith was a drug addict.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON (voice-over): Anna, the addict? Larry Birkhead will reportedly testify that Anna Nicole Smith was a drug addict. Anna Nicole`s doctors are all on trial for illegally providing with prescription medication.
TMZ reports Birkhead, who had a child with Smith, wants to tell the jury about his personal observation of her drug use. Attorneys say the doctors are trying to prevent him from taking the stand.
Yoko says no parole. Yoko Ono wants to keep the man who killed her husband, John Lennon, behind bars. She is reportedly fighting the possibility of parole for Mark David Chapman who gunned Lennon down in 1980.
"The New York Daily News" is reporting Yoko has just written the parole board a letter opposing Chapman`s release. This will be the sixth time he`s up for parole and Yoko has fought it every time.
A new Jackson doctor shocker. California investigators have just decided not to press criminal charges against seven doctors and the nurse who treated Michael Jackson in the day before he died from a drug overdose.
That means Dr. Conrad Murray may be the only one tried in connection with Jackson`s death. Murray is charged with involuntary manslaughter and is awaiting trial.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
So Marvet, given now the reports about how Jackson`s doctor shocked - shocked, very quickly, does this surprise you?
BRITTO: Not at all. And I think that Conrad should expect for some level of responsibility to be placed on his hands since Michael Jackson`s placed his life in Dr. Conrad`s hands.
ANDERSON: Marvet Britto, thank you so much.
HAMMER: It`s "Shore" wars, I tell you. And I can tell you "The Shore" strikes back. It`s the season premiere of "Jersey Shore" today as Snooki and company are going on a counterattack big time.
Now, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, they are coming for you. Watch out, because this is for sure, you know.
Zac Efron`s unbelievable strip club confessions today. Did he really blow a few grand at a mini-bar? Is he actually dating "High School Musical" co-star, Vanessa Hudgens?
And something totally non-musical. Lindsay Lohan`s dad`s song for his daughter just revealed today. Hold your ears.
(SINGING)
HAMMER: We are daring to ask today, because we must, is this the worst song ever? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
It`s time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: "All My Children" star Susan Lucci to write a memoir to be released in 2011. "Mad Men" star John Hamm says he is not in a hurry to get married.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Well, Sean Diddy Combs says he wants Simon Cowell`s "American Idol" job today. On "Lopez Tonight" over our sister station, CBS, Diddy said that he wasn`t interested in the "American Idol" gig at first. But when he heard what Simon made he changed his mind. Can you blame him. Cowell reportedly pulled in around $140 million.
ANDERSON: Hey, Sarah Palin`s new book cover revealed today. Take a look at this. It`s a portrait of Sarah in red, white, blue and gray, wearing an American flag pin and bracelet. The book is called "America by Heart: Reflections on Family, Faith and Flag." It comes out in November.
HAMMER: Well, Brooke, there is a really big "Shore" war going on right now on the shores of the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on-call phone lines, talking about "Jersey Shore" of course.
ANDERSON: Of course, yes, A.J. The season premiere is tonight. The cast battling it out today with New Jersey`s governor who is slamming the show saying it gives his state a bad name. Breanna from Georgia thinks that the governor needs to chill.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
BREANNA, CALLER FROM GEORGIA: They enjoyed the "Jersey Shore" Italian - Italian - well, it is. And I think that is an awesome show. We think it`s really funny. I don`t think that "New Jersey" should, you know, offended by this behavior. They just party at the Jersey Shore, which is a vacation spot.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Thank you, Breanna.
HAMMER: Well, Brooke, Delores from Arizona is just disgusted by Snooki and all of the "Jersey Shore" drama.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
DELORES, CALLER FROM ARIZONA: Well, where did they come from? I cannot believe that we have gotten to a place in society where a bunch of fist-pumping morons running around, having sex and kissing and doing the stuff (UNINTELLIGIBLE) on TV and we find that amusing? And this is what people are looking forward to seeing? I don`t really think there`s (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
HAMMER: Thank you, Delores. Well, what do you think? Pump your fist and grab your phone. Call the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines sound off on this or anything that`s on your mind.
ANDERSON: Yes. The "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are always open. Give us a ring - 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899. Simply leave a voicemail. We will play some of your calls right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
HAMMER: Time now for the SHOWBIZ lineup - here`s what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Of course, it is the big season premiere of "Jersey Shore." And today, Snooki and company are launching a startling counterattack against the governor of New Jersey who has dissed the show. Amazing.
President Obama does "The View" today. HLN`s very own Joy Behar came straight to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT after her interview with the president. We`ll reveal all the behind-the-scenes secrets.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BEHAR: We all went onto the greenroom to say hello. Then, there was an array of hors d`oeuvres and cheese and crackers. I would have said, normally they just throw this cheese at you, the same ones that the mice have walked over.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: And the Bieb`s big escape caught on tape. Justin Bieber has to get on a subway to get away from wild fan. 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: "American Pie" star Chris Klein extends his stay in rehab after second DUI arrest. Pam Anderson calls Janet Jackson "greedy" for doing a fur ad.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, the new season of "Jersey Shore" premieres today and Snooki and company slam New Jersey`s governor for slamming their show.
Zac`s unbelievable strip club confession. Thousands of dollars for a wild night with strippers? VIP rooms?
President Obama`s "View" review. The president makes TV history by sitting down with the ladies of "The View." The exclusive, behind-the- scenes details from our very own HLN host, Joy Behar.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BEHAR: We all went onto the greenroom to say hello. Then, there was an array of hors d`oeuvres and cheese and crackers. I would have said, normally they just throw this cheese at you, the same ones that the mice have walked over.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Plus, breaking today from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - Betty White`s desperate decision and Britney Spears has got a brand-new scent.
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 in the all-out "Shore" war of words between "Jersey Shore" and government of New Jersey.
HAMMER: Brooke, this is getting very serious. What happened today is "The Shore" is striking back. This war between the kids from "Jersey Shore" and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie just exploded today.
Well, on the same day "Jersey Shore" is making its premiere for its second season on MTV, the "Shore" wars flared up when Gov. Christie, again, slammed the gang, saying on the "Today" show, these guys aren`t even from Jersey.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. CHRIS CHRISTIE (R-NJ): Snooki and The Situation are New Yorkers, you know, as you know. And so, the fact of the matter is, they parachute all these people from New York on to the Jersey Shore and say this is New Jersey. This is not New Jersey.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Well, today, Snooki, her pouf and the whole gang - they are fist-pumpingly furious, I tell you, saying they have every right to party by the shore.
Right now, from Hollywood is Hyla who is an entertainment journalist from "5DollarPrep.com." And in New York, it`s Suzanne Rosdeba, who is a senior editor from "Star" magazine.
I must admit I never thought I`d see the day that Snooki would be going head-to-head with the governor of New Jersey. But that`s exactly what happened on the "Today" show this morning when Snooki responded to the governor`s comments. Let`s watch, shall we?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
POLIZZI: Our show is about coming to the shore and having a good time. You don`t have to be from Jersey. "The Shore" is about getting a shore house. You can be from, you know, Connecticut or whatever - New York. You come down here and have a good time. That`s what this show is about.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes. I love New Jersey. (UNINTELLIGIBLE). It`s blast. And everybody likes to have us here. We have a lot of friends here.
(CROSS TALK)
POLIZZI: Exactly.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And if we can help out the pockets of New Jersey, that`s a bonus for you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Helping out the pockets of New Jersey. All right. That`s all well and good. But you know, the governor says, hey, you know, don`t do me any favors. You are giving New Jersey a bad name, "Jersey Shore" cast. Hyla, whose side are you on?
HYLA, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST, "5DOLLARPREP.COM": Oh, absolutely the "Jersey Shore`s" cast side - 100 percent.
HAMMER: Of course.
HYLA: I mean, if this was a campaign, Snooki is out-campaigning the governor of New Jersey. The reality is, yes, he should be inviting everybody. We see how big the "Jersey Shore" is. Why would he want to alienate all those people? They spend money just the same way everybody else does. The team "Jersey Shore" 100 percent.
HAMMER: Yes. But you`ve got to see how much that all weighs out with the image that this perhaps this brings on New Jersey if these guys are considered the poster children for what goes on in New Jersey. What do you think, Suzanne?
SUZANNE ROSDEBA, SENIOR EDITOR, "STAR" MAGAZINE: I have to say, I am from New Jersey. I love these guys. I mean, even the business director of, you know, Seaside Heights business development is saying it`s great for business, that the governor has his own opinion, that a lot more people are coming to Seaside Heights to the Jersey Shore. There are beautiful parts of New Jersey. It`s not -
HAMMER: I get all that great for business, but let me ask you, as somebody from New Jersey and happy to admit it - and I have a lot of friends from New Jersey, but here`s the thing. You know, are these people, the way they act, what you want people to think of when they think of your state?
ROSDEBA: Absolutely not. I mean, not every guy walks around with six-pack abs and so, you know, every girl doesn`t have poofy hair. You know, there are a lot of them, of course, and they come everywhere.
HAMMER: And that`s - I think that`s the point the governor is trying to make here. But you know, these guys - look, they are getting so much attention. You know, the season premiere is happening. MTV is thrilled.
"The Shore" gang made headlines over reports that they wouldn`t even return to the show unless they were paid something like $10,000 to $45,000 per episode.
Well, on the "Today" show this morning, thankfully, they put those reports to rest - kind of.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, I mean, a lot of that is just rumors. I just - I mean, I`m happy. I`m just happy to be back. Are you guys happy?
POLIZZI: Yes. We were going to come back regardless so it`s kind of like the icing on the cake.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Absolutely.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So raise your hands if you`re happy with your salaries right now.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. OK.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Hey, Snook was asked if she was getting paid more than the rest of the cast as well. She didn`t answer the question, but that brings me to our SHOWBIZ Flashpoint. We`re getting right to it. Does Snooki deserve more money than the rest of the "Jersey Shore" cast? I, for one, say absolutely. Hyla?
HYLA: No - 100 percent. Her and The Situation absolutely. They`re the ones that are going to be able to have a career beyond the show. They`re Lauren Conrad of "The Jersey Shore." Absolutely. Books, movies, A.J. - get ready.
HAMMER: A Snooki movie - we`ll call it a "snoovie"(ph). Well, there is no doubt that "The Shore" is earning their salaries, dominating the headlines as I mentioned. They were on the "New York Times." At least, Snooki was on the cover the magazine - "Newsweek."
Today, the day of the big show premiere, they not only showed up on the "Today" show. They were also on "Rachael Ray." The president talking about Snooki on "The View." Brooke, where are we going to see these guys next? I`m thinking they should join (UNINTELLIGIBLE) with John King on CNN`s "State of the Union." Why not at this point?
ANDERSON: Oh. I think John King - I think Candy Crowley might have something to say about that, probably would object to it. But yes, listen. I never dreamed that these kids would be featured in the "New York Times," in "Newsweek," that the governor of New Jersey would be talking about them -
HAMMER: Yes.
ANDERSON: That President Obama would be wasting his valuable time and breath talking about Snooki. So really, Snooks and the gang are probably thinking the sky is the limit and they`re probably right - right now, at least.
OK. I want to move now to more big news breaking in the Lindsay Lohan family drama. Get this - Michael Lohan`s emotional song to Lindsay. Late today, Michael confirmed to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that he wrote a song for Lindsay when he was in jail. The song was posted on TMZ today. And although Michael didn`t sing it himself, I swear you can still hear the train wreck in the background. Listen.
(SINGING)
TEXT: A father`s love will never die. Will see thing through no matter what the reasons why. I see you look away I heard the stories and the lies. But if you need me, dear, my love for you is alive.
ANDERSON: Where are my tissues? I need a tissue, Hyla. I`m getting a little bit emotional here. Come on, seriously. The sentiment - the sentiment is sweet, Hyla. But a lot of people have said that this could be used as a sort of torture device for Lindsay Lohan while she is in jail. What do you think?
HYLA: OK. You know what? Anyone can make -
ANDERSON: Don`t you need your tissue, by the way?
HYLA: Yes, please. Thank you.
ANDERSON: There you go.
HYLA: Everyone can make fun of "The Jersey Shore" and everyone can make of Michael Lohan. But I guarantee you, Brooke, if I call you on the phone tonight and say, "Oh, my god. I have a YouTube video of Michael Lohan singing a song," you are immediately dropping whatever you`re doing and you`re going straight to your computer and you`re going to watch it and watch it again.
And you`re going to tweet and you`re going to Facebook it because we want to see this. Yes, I want to see this record and it`s going to be huge. And then I want to see the cover he makes. So it`s go, Michael Lohan.
ANDERSON: Oh, no!
HYLA: Yes.
ANDERSON: Well, believe it or not, Michael tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that he worked with a producer for Lady Gaga on the song and that he wrote it in response to Lindsay`s song called "Daughter to Father." You know, I`ve got to think that Lady Gaga fired that producer a long, long time ago.
But in more breaking news, Michael tells us, "Since TMZ said people want to know why I didn`t sing it, I will be recording a new one that I will sing." Whoo! Talk about scared straight. Suzanne, if jail didn`t set Lindsay straight, I`m thinking a singing Michael Lohan will.
ROSDEBA: I mean, this song sounds like it would be in the soundtrack of a sequel to "The Hangover." I mean, it`s ridiculous. It`s totally ridiculous.
And you know, he wasn`t allowed to visit Lindsay in jail. She says that she doesn`t talk to her father. How does he know what is going on with her? I mean, he will just use every attempt to make money off of his daughter.
ANDERSON: Well, you know what? No offense to Michael, this thing could be a big commercial hit. Did I just say that? Really? Hyla, Suzanne Rosdeba, thanks, guys.
HAMMER: I liked it. I think it could be the new "American Pie." All right. Moving on now, Zac Efron`s strip club confessions. Did Zac really spend thousands on lap dances and VIP rooms? Come on. That`s certainly one way to shut a squeaky clean image. Zac is setting the record straight today.
Also this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (on camera): Did the president come into your dressing room before the show?
BEHAR: No, he didn`t come into my dressing room. Are you crazy?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Before you didn`t hear - "The View" co-host, HLN`s own Joy Behar reveals brand-new, behind-the-scenes details about President Obama`s big historic visit to "The View" today.
And this is just outrageous. Why in the world is the White House passing out a video of the Jonas Brothers?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The Obama White House just released a behind-the-scenes video of these three young pups.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Being a boy band really has its privileges. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - these are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Rachel Uchitel returns to VH1`s "Celebrity Rehab" one day after quitting. Justin Timberlake`s "William Rast" clothing line to debut at Target.
(MUSIC)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BEHAR: Do you know Lindsay Lohan is in jail?
OBAMA: I actually know that. Yes.
BEHAR: Really?
OBAMA: I guess.
BEHAR: OK. Does Mel Gibson need anger management?
OBAMA: I - let me answer the Afghanistan question.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: That was president Barack Obama making TV history by appearing on the set of "The View" this morning and carefully avoiding answering a pop culture question about Mel Gibson.
Right now, only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, secrets from "The View" today with HLN`s Joy Behar who was right there on the couch with the president.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with A.J. Hammer in New York.
HAMMER: And Brooke, Joy Behar spilled plenty of secrets to me today about the president`s visit on "The View." Joy, of course, co-hosts "The View" and hosts "THE JOY BEHAR SHOW" right here on HLN.
Joy reveals to me brand-new, behind-the-scene details about President Obama`s historic visit to "The View" today. And just wait until you hear Joy`s special take on the president answers to all of her hot pop culture topics.
Joy threw Lindsay Lohan at the president, even Mel Gibson and "Jersey Shore`s" Snooki. Joy joined me today from the set of her show right here on HLN.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: All right, Joy. So we know that you ladies of "The View" love your time in the dressing rooms where you`re getting ready to do the show. You`ve got to tell me what it was like backstage when you`re all getting set knowing that the president is going to be sitting right beside you. I imagine Secret Service was swarming everywhere and frisking you and things like that?
BEHAR: It was like being at a ramrod on a Friday night. There were more gay guys there than at a Kathy Griffin concert. It was just, you know, lovely. We were so happy to have him there.
And you know, he`s a very attractive man. I mean, I don`t want to go into that because last time Barbara said he was sexy, and all the bloggers were all over it. But sexy is just part of it. He is very - what`s the word? He cuts quite a swath, let`s put it that way.
HAMMER: You know, he does seem very charismatic. I`ve never met him in person, but he does command the room when he`s there. And I`m sure it felt that way to you, guys.
BEHAR: Well, I think because I`m a Democrat, I happen to be attracted to Democrats. And I always found - what`s his name? Bill Clinton -
HAMMER: Bill Getty - no?
BEHAR: No.
HAMMER: He`s an entirely different guy.
BEHAR: Bill Clinton - very attractive. He has a big head. I enjoy a big head on a man.
HAMMER: All right. Let`s move on.
(CROSS TALK)
BEHAR: This is the one that`s at the top of his body. I particularly enjoy that.
HAMMER: So did the president come into your dressing room before the show?
BEHAR: No, he didn`t come into my dressing room. Are you crazy? First of all, A.J., they had to put some kind of a tent on the ramp where I normally would be walking. Everybody walks - you know, get their cargoes up there.
HAMMER: Right.
BEHAR: It`s open air normally. But for the president, they had to do what they call at the Jewish wedding a "hoopa." There`s like a hoopa there.
HAMMER: Yes.
BEHAR: You know, I was expecting Rabbi Shmuley to show up, you know. But it was not Rabbi Shmuley. It was President Obama who showed up and drove into the hoopa, came into the greenroom. And we all went onto the greenroom to say hello to him.
Then, there was an array of hors d`oeuvres and cheese and crackers. I would have said, normally they just throw this cheese at you, the same ones that the mice have walked over.
In this particular case, it was delightful to see like major silver urns of coffee decaf hazelnut. It was like, you know - it`s was like the - Chelsea Clinton`s people called to ask about catering.
HAMMER: Well, there you go. I want to get to these pop culture questions that you asked him. Because I thought that was sort of - hey, it`s "The View" after all, so you asked him about Mel Gibson. You asked him about Lindsay Lohan. And you even asked about "Jersey Shore" star, Snooki. Let`s watch how that went down. Roll that, please.
BEHAR: Sure.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(on camera): Do you know that Lindsay Lohan is in jail?
OBAMA: I actually know that. Yes.
BEHAR: Really? Does Mel Gibson need anger management?
OBAMA: I haven`t - I haven`t seen a Mel Gibson movie in a while. So -
BEHAR: Yes. The tapes - better than any movie he ever made. Should Snooki run as mayor of Wasilla.
OBAMA: I`ve got to admit. I don`t know who Snooki is.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, I loved that he answered that that way. But of course, Snooki-gate officially kicked off after that because the Internet now going berserk. All kinds of people saying that President Obama told a little white lie saying he didn`t know who Snooki was.
He did crack a joke about Snooki at the White House correspondents` dinner. My feeling is, he probably didn`t know who Snooki was. He didn`t write that joke to begin with. What do you think?
BEHAR: Well, he probably knows a little bit of - sort of who she is. He probably has seen her around, but probably not enough to comment on her. That`s what I thought.
HAMMER: Right.
BEHAR: I mean, he didn`t really comment on Mel Gibson, you`ll notice. No one seems to be able to comment on Mel Gibson.
HAMMER: That was smart.
BEHAR: Why?
HAMMER: I don`t know. I thought the president, of all things that he should perhaps stay away from the Mel Gibson thing. I don`t know.
BEHAR: Yes.
HAMMER: Although it would have been interesting to have him read some transcripts of the voicemail.
BEHAR: Yes, that`s true. That would have been fascinating.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: If it is Mel Gibson. I also asked Joy what she thought of President Obama`s - what seemed like a job offer to her to be his own presidential personal TV pundit. Joy told me she doesn`t think President Obama - she really doesn`t agree with all of his policies, but she obviously is a big, big fan.
So we have been asking you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive poll today - "President Obama: Was it wrong for the president to go on "The View." The response so far is pretty incredible. We`d love for you to vote on CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. You can also E-mail us at showbiztonight@cnn.com.
ANDERSON: Listen to this Zac Efron strip club confession. Yes, Zac comes clean today. Did he really spend thousands of dollars at a strip club with his "High School Musical" co-star, Corbin Bleu? And what about his long-time gal pal, Vanessa Hudgens? Did she know her man was hanging out with strippers? Zac just sat down with Jimmy Kimmel to set the record straight.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ZAC EFRON, ACTOR: I`m not the type of guy who does that kind of thing often, but I had this image of what it would be like - who Corbin is.
JIMMY KIMMEL, HOST, "JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE!": Is that what you`re seeing?
EFRON: No, not at all.
KIMMEL: Did you really spend $2,000 there?
EFRON: No, not at all. It was like $6,000. No, I don`t remember.
(CROSS TALK)
KIMMEL: But you were just some guys going out and -
EFRON: Yes. It was more of a celebratory thing, you know. The hardest part was calling your girlfriend before. That`s (UNINTELLIGIBLE) part.
KIMMEL: You called my girlfriend?
EFRON: Yes.
KIMMEL: What other things you guys did do? Oh, you called beforehand. That`s a smooth move.
EFRON: Yes, exactly.
KIMMEL: Yes.
EFRON: But you know what? It`s like, how do you even start that conversation without feeling like a total (EXPLETIVE DELETED)?
KIMMEL: Well, it`s hard.
EFRON: It is hard. It is hard. So I`ve done it. I did it. I`ve been there, done that. And -
KIMMEL: What did she say?
EFRON: She was just fine with it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Really? I could just hear that phone conversation right now, "Hi, honey, I wanted to call and say I`m going to a strip club. I`ll hit you back later. Smooches." Zac Efron`s new film "Charlie St. Cloud" opens on Friday.
Hey, Justin Bieber`s great escape. The Bieb needs a super-fancy Segway scooter to get away from his fans. Was it enough to give some of his diehard fans the slip? We`ve got the new Bieber video today and this one is a shocker. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
HAMMER: Time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: "Desperate Housewives" producer wants Betty White for the show. Britney Spears tweets new picture of her new fragrance "Radiant (sic)."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Laugh if you want, but boy, is it cool to be a boy band member. There is a brand-new, absolutely incredible video just released today of the Jonas Brothers having a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the White House.
You know, being a teen heart throb may have its perks, but keep in mind, it isn`t easy either. Outrageous video of Justin Bieber who had to think fast off his feet to stay one step ahead of screaming fans.
Here`s CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): While the Bush White House put out behind the scenes videos of Barney the dog, the Obama White House just released behind the scenes video of these three young pups.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Jonas brothers.
MOOS: They performed at the White House last month to honor Paul McCartney. Who could forget the presidential sing-along? Who could forget - commander-in-chief karaoke.
And the Jonas brothers seemed to love hanging out at the White House.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The biggest honor we may have had in our career.
MOOS: Hobnobbing with Seinfeld and McCartney looking slightly awestruck, gawking like tourists as the presidential chopper lands. That was Elvis Costello snapping photos. McCartney asked the Jonas Brothers to cover a Beatles song.
(MUSIC)
McCartney was awarded a Library of Congress prize and the whole event is now a PBS special. But there was one memorable moment from that evening`s festivities that got chopped. Remember Paul McCartney`s dig at former President Bush?
PAUL MCCARTNEY, MUSICIAN: After the last eight years, it`s great to have a president who knows what a library is.
MOOS (on camera): Ooh. Well, the producers of the PBS special decided to delete that, saying the comment had been made after the official program had ended and after President Obama had already left the room.
Hard to believe it was almost 50 years ago that Paul and the Beatles were being chased by teeny boppers.
(MUSIC)
Nowadays, it`s Justin Bieber who`s working like a dog and getting mobbed by teenaged girls. There he was on a Segway scooter the other day in Glendale, Arizona trying to escape the mob.
Eventually, he stopped and signed autographs but not before the girls literally fell for him. Bieber later tweeted, "Not a good idea, got a little nervous. Still love the ladies."
At least Malia Obama didn`t go all Bieber on the Jonas brothers.
(MUSIC)
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: That was CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Brooke, I think if I`m trying to escape, it`s not going to be on a Segway. I can walk faster than that. That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT now live at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Monday through Friday.
HAMMER: And still TV`s most provocative entertainment news show seven days a week at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific.
END
