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Showbiz Tonight
Sandra Bullock`s Big Move; Lindsay Lohan`s Million-Dollar Madness; The Power of O; Snooki`s Big Court Showdown
Aired August 18, 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. Bullock`s big move. Sandra Bullock`s dramatic revelation today about her cheating ex-husband being back in her life.
Million dollar madness. Startling news today that Lindsay Lohan might make a cool million dollars as soon as she gets out of rehab, for talking about rehab and jail. As SHOWBIZ TONIGHT dares to ask, is that just nuts?
SHOWBIZ caught on tape. The most bizarre, scariest attacks on reporters ever.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Why do I have to -
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That`s not appropriate.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don`t give a (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: A SHOWBIZ special report. The power of O.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OPRAH WINFREY, HOST, "THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW": You get a car! You get a car!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with powerful evidence proving that when Oprah speaks, you`d better listen.
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
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HAMMER: Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer coming to you from New York City.
ANDERSON: Hi, there, everyone. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood, with big news breaking today - Bullock`s big move.
HAMMER: You know, you just couldn`t blame Sandra Bullock if she never wanted to see her cheating ex-husband ever again. But once again, Sandra is proving today that she has more class in her little pinky than Jesse James has in his - well, you get the idea.
In an absolutely remarkable new interview revealed today, Sandra is opening up for the very first time about what she really thinks about Jesse James following her to Texas. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that Bullock`s big move is truly turning out to be a life changer.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): To paraphrase that old song, all of Sandra Bullock`s exes will soon live in Texas with her cheating ex-husband Jesse James and her ex-step children about to move near Sandra`s new home in Austin.
But today, Sandra Bullock is reacting for the very first time to the news that the ex she just moved halfway across the country to get away from is following her to the Lone Star State. And it`s not the reaction you might expect.
MIKE FLEEMAN, "PEOPLE" MAGAZINE: Sandra is trying to make it clear that this is not a bitter breakup, that there are no hard feelings left.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT brings you the brand-new latest details revealed today of how Sandra Bullock is moving on with her new baby, and how her ex is moving on with a new babe.
The cover of the brand new issue of "People" magazine screams "Sandra`s new joy!" In her very first comments about her ex moving close to her in Texas, Sandra Bullock says, "I support Jesse in his move to Austin. We have both moved on with her lives and only want the best for each other. Anything else that is said on my behalf is inaccurate."
And "People`s" Mike Fleeman tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Jesse and Sandra both have a good reason to be in the same state.
FLEEMAN: He wants his children to continue to have a relationship with Sandra Bullock. His daughter, Sunny, is especially close to Sandra. So when the school year starts, he`s going to be settling down in a house about 20 miles away from Sandra`s house.
HAMMER: Bullock doesn`t have any time for post-divorce bitterness. Her adoption of her eight-month-old son, Louis, became final last Friday.
FLEEMAN: Sandra now is embracing life as a mother.
HAMMER: And as she embraces motherhood, a source tells "People," quote, "She seems really happy, hanging out with Louis and feeling more grounded. And Sandra`s focus on motherhood includes her former stepchildren as well."
FLEEMAN: No matter what kind of animosity or problems that led to this divorce, Sandra is still very much about family. She`s very much about keeping the children together. She`s going to be able to do this, now that Jesse is moving close by.
HAMMER: And as Bullock makes headlines with her new life, Jesse James is making headlines with his. He`s been snapped in Las Vegas with his reported new squeeze, famous tattoo artist Kat Von D -
KAT VON D., TATTOO ARTIST: The thing like a lot of people look at - girls like us that are heavily tattooed -
HAMMER: Star of the TLC reality show, "L.A. Ink."
FLEEMAN: Jesse James and Kat Von D. spent a romantic weekend in Las Vegas together where they were seen being very affectionate.
HAMMER: Looking at Kat`s famous head-to-toe tatts, you can`t help but think about Michelle "Bombshell" McGee, the tattoo-covered stripper whose explosive revelations about her affair with Jesse James destroyed his marriage to Sandra.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What do you think about the Jesse James stuff going on?
HAMMER: As you see in this video from "E! Online" taken soon after "Bombshell`s" bombshell last March, Kat Von D. wasn`t willing to discuss Michelle McGee`s ink.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She has a lot of tatts. Did you do any of them?
KAT VON D.: Hell, no.
MARC MALKIN, "E! ONLINE": Obviously, Jesse has a thing for very tattooed women.
HAMMER: Kat`s reps reportedly say the two are just friends. But "E`s" Marc Malkin isn`t quite so sure.
MALKIN: That`s how every romance in Hollywood starts off with, "We`re just friends."
JESSE JAMES, SANDRA BULLOCK`S EX-HUSBAND: I still really love her and care about her.
HAMMER: Just last May, during an interview with ABC`s "Nightline," James seemed to hint he wanted to win Sandra back.
JAMES: I still have hopes of saving, you know, some sort of relationship with Sandy.
HAMMER: But now that there`s a new tattooed lady on his arm, it seems Sandra Bullock isn`t the only one who`s moving on.
FLEEMAN: Perhaps coming to terms with the fact that maybe there`s not going to be this reconciliation.
HAMMER: And with Sandra Bullock now publicly welcoming her ex to her adopted new hometown, it looks like this former couple, who endured a headline-making split and much private grieving, have entered a new stage - the peaceful aftermath.
FLEEMAN: As Sandra said, it`s time to move on.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: It`s really incredible how quickly, it seems, Sandra and Jesse moved on in their lives. It seems pretty fast to me. And that brings us to our SHOWBIZ Flashpoint - is the romance really over for Sandra and Jesse?
Right now, in New York, Midwin Charles, who is a legal contributor for "In Session" - that`s on our sister network, Tru TV. And joining me right now in Hollywood, Carlos Diaz, who is a syndicated radio show host.
OK. Carlos, I`ve got to ask you this. Are you really buying this story that Jesse is picking up, moving 20 minutes from Sandra Bullock`s home in Austin and that they have both moved on romantically? That`s just a stone`s throw away.
CARLOS DIAZ, SYNDICATED RADIO SHOW HOST: Well, he`s doing everything he can to keep that family dynamic, you know, intact. And he`s doing everything right, not that he did it right in the marriage, but since the breakup, you know, he`s been very contrite. He said that he wants to be the best guy that he can.
But I don`t see the big to do over him being with another woman, allegedly, in Las Vegas, because the divorce is finalized. Now, I`m not defending Jesse James, but the divorce is finalized. He`s moved on. She says that they have both moved on. But why -
ANDERSON: But wait a second, Carlos. He just said recently just a few months ago that he was committed to becoming the devoted perfect mate for Sandra. And yet, here he is, reportedly, running around with another woman? That`s not going to convince Sandra that he deserves her.
DIAZ: And that was dumb for him to say. And I think - but I think he`s saying the right things. He wants to say the right things. I don`t think either of them expects to get back together, OK?
And anyone who thinks that he and Kat Von D. are not dating - you`re an idiot. Because, I mean, she`s his type. She`s got the tatt. She`s the rebel. You know, if you, you know, think that they are just friends hanging out in Vegas - no, no. You take your guy friends to Vegas. You take girls you want to hook up to Vegas, all right?
ANDERSON: Midwin, I want to ask you, to our SHOWBIZ Flashpoint - Carlos thinks it`s over. Do you think the romance really is over for Sandra and Jesse?
MIDWIN CHARLES, LEGAL CONTRIBUTOR, "IN SESSION" ON TRU TV: Oh, of course. I actually agree with Carlos. I think it is totally over. You know, Sandra has spoken, OK? She`s made her decision. She`s a Class A act and she`s going to dissolve this relationship amicably.
And she recognizes that family is important. And so she embraces the fact, probably, that he is only 20 miles away from, so that she can still be a part of these children`s lives. I think, at this point, it`s about the kids. Their relationship is bummed, done, over, kaput, finis.
ANDERSON: Well, she has dealt with all of this with incredible grace and dignity and it is remarkable. It`s impressive. And she has said they fully support one another and want what is best for each other`s lives. Kudos to Sandra Bullock for being such class act.
I want to move now to another incredible story making big news today - the Salahis get grilled again. Turns out the White House gatecrashers are also in deep trouble because they can`t pay their bills from charity events.
The gatecrashers were grilled about just that in a brand-new explosive interview. So is it curtains for the Salahis? Back in just 30 seconds.
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ANDERSON: That new interview with the White House gatecrashers really put them on the spot. Michaele has already been getting heat on her reality show, "The Real Housewives of D.C." Now, she and her husband, Tareq, are under big-time scrutiny for their charity work.
Turns out they reportedly owe tens of thousands of dollars to vendors. On HBO`s "Real Sports," Bernard Goldberg grilled them about this. Watch.
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BERNARD GOLDBERG, "REAL SPORTS" ON HBO: The White House claims you crashed the party last year. Forgive me, but there have been lots of allegations that you don`t pay your bills. Why are you these magnets for controversy?
TAREQ SALAHI, ALLEGED WHITE HOUSE GATECRASHER: Misjudged. We`re misjudged and people have been misinformed. And it`s only up until recently that we are beginning to set the record straight.
Do we owe people money, sure. Sure. Why do we owe people some money? Because we have sponsors for people that have either bounced checks to us or contracts that they haven`t paid their bill.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: OK. It`s everybody else`s fault, Carlos.
DIAZ: Yes. True.
ANDERSON: Are you buying their excuses here?
DIAZ: I don`t care about their excuses. They are in the Steven Slater category now, you know. What you did was daring. Wow, that was really cool. And now, I`m sick of you. I watch "Real Sports." I love "Real Sports." I get there to tune away from entertainment news to get a break and then the Salahis are on Tuesday night. I mean, what the heck!
ANDERSON: You find them incredibly annoying at this point?
DIAZ: They`re on my sports programs now which is even worse. But yes, they`re annoying. They need to go away, just like Steven Slater. You were daring. You were rebellious. Now, just go away.
ANDERSON: Midwin, very quickly. Are you buying the excuses?
CHARLES: You know what, I do. Listen, we`re in a recession here, and it`s entirely possible that people didn`t pay them. It happens all the time when you run a charity function.
ANDERSON: OK -
CHARLES: Unfortunately, they`re on everyone`s hate list right now.
ANDERSON: Yes, they are.
CHARLES: And so that`s why - that`s why they got attacked this way in this interview.
ANDERSON: Midwin giving them a break here. Well, I think the Salahis` days in the spotlight are numbered at this point. Carlos Diaz, Midwin Charles, thanks.
HAMMER: All right. I`ve got to move on now to Lindsay`s million dollar madness. Shocking news today that Lindsay Lohan might make $1 million for her very first post-jail and rehab interview. Only SHOWBIZ TONIGHT dares to ask, does she deserve it?
The power of O. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is going to show you today the stunning evidence that proves when Oprah Winfrey speaks, you`d better listen. It`s a SHOWBIZ special report.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
APRIL WOODARD, HOST, BET: She is just phenomenal and really has had an impact on culture. If you take a look at how things were before, pre- Oprah, we didn`t really confront some of our issues, our personal issues. Oprah took those on feet first.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Did you see this? Natalie Portman`s stunning new girl-on-girl kiss. Why is Natalie locking lips with a gorgeous lady? 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: "No comment" from Fox on reports Steven Tyler singed deal to be new "Idol" judge. Eminem`s "Recovery" recovers top spot on Billboard`s Top 200 charts.
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(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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ANDERSON: Did you see this? Did Aerosmith`s Joe Perry purposely hip check band mate Steven Tyler right off the stage? This all went down in Toronto. For fun, Tyler bumped Perry, then Perry bumped back while they played the song "Love in an Elevator."
I don`t know. It doesn`t look like much love on stage. It`s no secret that Aerosmith nearly broke up recently.
OK. Also making news today, "Deadline Hollywood" reports that making Steven Tyler a judge on "American Idol" is a done deal. We reached out to Aerosmith but did not hear back from the boys from Boston by show time.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, I`m Brooke Anderson with A.J. Hammer in New York.
HAMMER: Lindsay cashing in? Well, Lindsay may be out of work and hold up in rehab right now. But it looks like she`s about to get a big payday anyway. A brand-new report out today says Lindsay was just offered $1 million for her first post-jail, post-rehab interview.
Right now, from Hollywood, Carlos Diaz. Carlos is a syndicated radio host.
Carlos, according to today` edition of "The Hollywood Reporter," it`s "OK Magazine" that has offered Lindsay Lohan the $1 million. Now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT did reach out to "OK." They`re not commenting on it.
But here`s our SHOWBIZ Flashpoint - does Lindsay deserve $1 million to tell her story? You know, Carlos, if this is true, I mean, I think this falls squarely into the category of rewarding bad behavior. Where are you on this?
DIAZ: You know what, I agree with you on that one, A.J. But you know what? She does deserve it. I`ll tell you why. Because people are going to buy the magazine.
If you are watching this right now and saying, "Oh, no, she doesn`t deserve it," well, look in the mirror, because you`re going to go buy the magazine and because you`re going to go buy the magazine, that`s why "OK" is allegedly going to offer her $1 million, because it`s going to up circulation and up people reading the magazine.
If no one reads "OK," then they stop doing this. And think about this, by the way. The only other way for her to make money aside from acting, which she hasn`t been doing lately, is to go to clubs and do appearances at clubs -
HAMMER: Yes.
DIAZ: And make between $25,000 and $100,000 at club appearances. Not too easy when you are supposed to stay off drugs and alcohol.
HAMMER: Yes. And you really need to stay away from places where it is going to be temptation at every turn.
DIAZ: Right.
HAMMER: Yes. I mean, obviously, it`s the capitalist system at work. And it may turn out that Lindsay may give this interview very soon.
There are reports floating around that she may actually get out of her 90-day rehab sentence early. She could even get out in time to see her new film, "Machete" open up in theaters in just a couple of weeks. Can you imagine if she walked that red carpet?
Well, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT did speak with Lindsay`s "Machete" co-star, Michelle Rodriguez. Now, Michelle told us people should be more understanding of Lindsay`s problems. Take a look.
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MICHELLE RODRIGUEZ, ACTRESS: Seriously, there`s this massive evolutionary, you know, movement, that occurs from the birth to death. And I think that people should be a little bit more respectful about that process and the learning process and the learning curve of it, you know?
Never to be quick to judge, you know, how a person grows or what they choose to do in their lives. And I`m very adamant about keeping my nose out of her business because of that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes, I like Michelle a whole lot, and I definitely appreciate and understand what she`s saying. But Carlos, you know, Lindsay certainly had many chances to prove that she`s evolved. She hasn`t convinced us yet. Are you with Michelle that there`s still hope for Lindsay?
DIAZ: You know, you made a great point, A.J. Lindsay hasn`t proven it. Michelle has because Michelle had her problems. She evolved to the better person that she is now.
HAMMER: Right.
DIAZ: Lindsay has not evolved and, because of that - no, I don`t believe that she`s going to evolve until she shows us she is. And I don`t think 30 days of rehab is going to do it.
HAMMER: No. And here`s my feeling. Look, if Lindsay gets this $1 million, good for her and I know she needs the money. However, what a big, bold statement it would make if Lindsay took that million dollars, signed right it over to an important charity. Carlos Diaz, thanks, man.
DIAZ: That would be great.
HAMMER: All right. Now, over to you. It`s our exclusive SHOWBIZ TONIGHT poll - "Lindsay Lohan`s $1 Million Interview Offer: Does she deserve it?"
What do you think? You can vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. You can E-mail us showbiztonight@cnn.com.
ANDERSON: The power of Oprah. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has powerful proof today that when Oprah speaks, you`d better listen. It`s a SHOWBIZ special report.
And reporters under attack and it`s all caught on tape. Who knew doing whatever it takes to get the story could get you smacked, hosed, punch and even hit with bug spray.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: You may think we in the press are obnoxious pests - that`s no excuse to aim a can of wasp and hornet spray at us.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I got it. I got it.
MOOS: Cameraman got it, all right.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Yo, yo, yo. Which rap star is making the most money? Jay-Z? Diddy? Eminem? Will the king of hip hop please stand up? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
HAMMER: Here comes the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Michael Lohan cleared of all charges stemming from fight with now ex-fiancee. U.K. radio station plans to only play songs from "Glee."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Comedian Lisa Lampanelli let David Hasselhoff have it at his outrageous "Comedy Central" roast. The Hoff loved it, and "Comedy Central" did, too, because listen to this - Nielsen reports today that 3.5 million people watched the Hoff squirm on the hot seat. The Sunday night laugh fest was the highest-rated cable show of the night. It was very entertaining.
OK, right now, a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT first look - Hilary Duff`s absolutely amazing wedding pictures. Hilary looks beautiful in a Vera Wang dress. Her new hubby, hockey hunk, Mike Comrie, looks pretty good himself, too, doesn`t he? Hillary and Mike tied the knot over the weekend. No expense was spared.
The event cost a reported half $500,000. And according to the "New York Post," the newlyweds agreed to sign a pre-nup. Hillary has her fair share of Lizzie McGuire Disney dollars. But did you know that Hilary`s new husband is an heir to an estimated $500 million family fortune?
HAMMER: Wow. Well, I just told you about reports that Lindsay Lohan could actually get $1 million for her first post-rehab jail interview. We`re getting huge response today on our Facebook page. A lot of people agree Lindsay doesn`t deserve it.
Stephanie S. is saying this, "There`s something wrong when you go to jail, get out early, then make a lot of money to talk about how you felt in jail."
This from Michelle B, "When she was sentenced, the judge should have said that she couldn`t profit from her time in jail and rehab."
Excellent point. We would love for you to join the debate on Facebook. You can also go behind the scenes of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. You can get breaking entertainment news alerts on Twitter. You can always call us at SHOWBIZ on call. And please, let`s not forget our good friend E-mail. We`ve got all the information for you at "SHOWBIZ Connects" which you`ll find at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
ANDERSON: And now, the SHOWBIZ lineup - here`s what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Snooki`s big court showdown today. Did she and her pouf even bother to show up? We`re going to tell you.
Also, the power of O. Stunning proof that when Oprah speaks, you`d better listen. It`s a SHOWBIZ special report.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WOODARD: She is just phenomenal and really has had an impact on culture. If you take a look at how things were before, pre-Oprah, we really didn`t confront some of our issues, our personal issues. Oprah took on those issues feet first.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Did you see this? Natalie Portman kissed a girl. Natalie`s girl-on-girl kiss revealed today. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
HAMMER: It is time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: "The Bachelor" star Vienna Girardi reveals she has a new man in her life. Eric Clapton to release 19th solo album, "Clapton," in September.
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(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - the power of O. The unbelievable new evidence revealed today that when Oprah speaks, you`d better listen.
Snooki`s big day in court. The "Jersey Shore" star faces disorderly contact charges. But did she even bother to show up?
SHOWBIZ caught on tape. The most bizarre, scariest attacks on reporters ever. How one TV crew was even sprayed with bug spray.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS: You may think we in the press are obnoxious pests. That`s no excuse to aim a can of wasp and hornet spray at us.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I got it. I got it.
MOOS: Cameraman got it, all right.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Plus, breaking today from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - revealed today, will Justin Bieber perform at the MTV Video Music Awards. And 88- year-old Betty White, talking about sex?
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 coming to you from New York City.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. It`s a SHOWBIZ special report today - the power of O. During her reign as the queen of daytime talk, one mention by Lady O could change somebody`s life forever.
Now, that she`s leaving her daily show behind, there are brand new reports today that Oprah may need to use her own star power to save her OWN network. Oprah has just revealed that she will be hosting or starring in two shows on the Oprah Winfrey Network. That network launches in January.
And I am sure whatever those new shows are, they will be brimming with the power of O. Today, in a SHOWBIZ special report, Oprah`s game-changing moments - when she spoke, people listened.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): She`s adored -
WINFREY: You get a car! You get a car!
ANDERSON: Influential -
WINFREY: I`m going to change, with your help, the laws in this country.
ANDERSON: Super-successful and ridiculously rich, topping "Forbes" list of the most powerful celebrities, earning a whopping $315 million last year alone. She is, of course, Oprah. And BET host, April Woodard, tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT no one has built a media empire quite like Lady O.
WOODARD: She is just phenomenal and really has had an impact on culture. If you take a look at how things were before, pre-Oprah, we didn`t really confront some of our issues, our personal issues. Oprah took on those issues feet first.
ANDERSON: And when Oprah roars, people listen. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that the power of Oprah`s words cannot only pack a punch, they can also stop one.
After Chris Brown was accused of beating up his then-girlfriend, Rihanna, in 2009, Oprah sent a powerful message to any woman thinking about going back to a man who hit her.
WINFREY: If a man hits you once, he will hit you again.
WOODARD: She really opened the doors and said, "It`s OK to confront this issue. It`s OK to talk about it."
ANDERSON: And over the years, Oprah has roared about everything. From Tom Cruise`s head-over-heels display of his love for Katie Holmes -
WINFREY: You`re gone. You are gone.
ANDERSON: To roaring at author James Frye for hoodwinking her and everyone with his made-up autobiography, "A Million Little Pieces."
WINFREY: So do you think you lied or you think you made a mistake?
JAMES FRYE, AUTHOR, "A MILLION LITTLE PIECES": I think probably both.
ANDERSON: Even to Oprah backing Barack Obama for president.
WINFREY: Would you announce on this show?
BARACK OBAMA, UNITED STATES PRESIDENT: You know, I - I don`t think I could say no to you.
ANDERSON: Oprah`s support for Obama angered some supporters of the women in the 2008 White House race, Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin.
WOODARD: I think that`s key with Oprah. She also does what Oprah wants to do.
ANDERSON: But eventually, even Sarah Palin came calling to Oprah on her show.
WINFREY: Should I be worried because I have heard that you`re going to get your own talk show?
ANDERSON: And when Oprah roars about a beef she has, it can really stir up trouble. During a 1996 Oprah show focusing on mad cow disease, Texas cattlemen claimed they lost $11 million in sales after Oprah said she`d be steering clear of burgers.
"Entertainment Weekly`s" Lynette Rice tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT the mad cow comments got the cattlemen plenty mad.
LYNETTE RICE, SENIOR WRITER, "ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY": There were ranchers that were fearful that these passing comments and the idea that maybe she really riled up her audience to be freaking out was - it sent panic among the cattle ranchers and so, you know, they took her to court.
ANDERSON: But after years of legal battles, Oprah won, and the case was dismissed.
WINFREY: Free speech not only lives. It rocks.
RICE: What she says has extraordinary weight, and that people will listen to her, and if people are fearful of what she`ll say and what she`ll do. If she didn`t feel the extent of her power, then, she certainly felt it afterwards.
ANDERSON: As Oprah enters her final talk show season, talk of her influence is turning to talk of her legacy.
RICE: There are so many great moments, and to have that kind of power, to have that kind of ability to do something that everyone remembers, once Oprah leaves, we won`t see another talk show host last as long as she did.
ANDERSON: And as long as Oprah`s around, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can guarantee that when Oprah roars, people will always listen.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: So many years, so many memorable Oprah moments. And that brings us to the SHOWBIZ Flashpoint today - which single Oprah moment defined Oprah as a legend to contend with?
Right now, in Hollywood, is Tanika Ray. She is an entertainment journalist. And in New York, Cooper Lawrence. She is a syndicated radio host and author of "The Cult of Celebrity."
Tanika, to the SHOWBIZ Flashpoint, which Oprah moment defined Oprah for you as a legend to contend with?
TANIKA RAY, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: Oh, my God. This is the hardest decision ever. There are so many milestones along the way that really speak to her power.
But when it comes down to it, everything was done for the advantage of her show and her brand. The one moment that wasn`t was the Obama moment - excuse me. For her to step out on the ledge, for a personal, sort of passion of hers, to sort of support this man that ended up being the president, is so the pinnacle of her career and so makes her a legend, for many generations and many centuries to come, for sure.
HAMMER: Yes. I think that`s great point and a great example of a moment that defined her. Is that the one for you, Cooper Lawrence?
COOPER LAWRENCE, SYNDICATED RADIO HOST AND AUTHOR: I have two. I think her power was defined by the whole beef industry thing. She said she didn`t like beef and she brought down an industry, I mean, who can do that? So that`s power.
But I think the moment that defines her as a legend is the "you get a car" thing, and here`s why. Because she didn`t do it from up high, like, "I`m Oprah and I`m giving you a car."
She celebrated with them and she was just excited. It was teachers and it was just - there was that moment where you feel like, "God, she`s one of us. She cares." And that`s what made her a legend, because she`s not speaking from up high.
She`s speaking from somebody who really is your friend and really does want to give you a car. And that fact she was able to give cars away -
HAMMER: Yes.
LAWRENCE: I mean, I haven`t gotten a car on this show so -
HAMMER: You don`t need a car. You live in New York City.
RAY: It`s also a tax break. Let`s be real.
HAMMER: Well, I personally think the era of Oprah was also defined in such a major way by what has been - come to have been known as the Oprah effect.
You know, she mentions something on her show, bam, that thing, person or place instantly became the most sought after thing, person or object on the planet.
RAY: Yes.
LAWRENCE: Right.
RAY: Screw (INAUDIBLE). When Oprah speaks, we all listen.
HAMMER: That`s true. But of course, that`s all coming to an end with the show coming to a close. Perhaps Mary from Texas dialed up the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines and said Oprah is one of a kind. Listen to Mary.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CALLER: I believe, personally, that I think it`s the end of a great era, that we are not able to replace Oprah with anybody, no matter who it is. Me, personally, I think that that era is gone.
And she was one of the only few people that could reach people in the way she did. And it`s sad to say, but there`s nobody like Oprah, and she will never be replaced.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thanks a lot, Mary. Now, Tanika, Oprah is clearly irreplaceable. I think we all agree about that as far as her role on TV.
RAY: Yes.
HAMMER: But do you think this will also mark the end of Oprah`s uber- influence as well? I don`t think so.
RAY: Come on. You know what I`m going to say, A.J. Absolutely not. You know, it`s a grind for her to shoot that show every single day for as many episodes a year.
And I think she`s realizing, in her later years, you know, "I`d like to relax a little bit more." She`s got her magazine. She`s got her network. She`s going to be able to infuse her ideology through a bunch of different shows instead of just one. So I do not think she`s going away. I think she`s going to become even stronger.
HAMMER: Yes, I agree. Quickly, Cooper - I think she`s going to make more of a difference. Now, times have changed -
LAWRENCE: No, I disagree because the available audience in cable is minuscule compared to the available audience - I mean, on her show, when she had 23 million people -
HAMMER: She`ll use the Internet and there will be other ways. I do believe you.
RAY: Absolutely.
LAWRENCE: I don`t think people are going to have access to her the way they did and the information. Not everybody has cable.
HAMMER: All right. That`s a good point. Cooper Lawrence, Tanika Ray -
RAY: They do in 2010.
HAMMER: Thank you both, ladies.
ANDERSON: Maybe Snooki will get her own talk show. I`m teasing, but hey, you never know, right? Snooki`s big day in court today. She is charged with disorderly conduct. Did she and her pouf even bother to show up? And could she go to jail?
Attacking a TV crew with bug spray. That`s just totally wrong even if you are a bad, bad mood. Caught on tape today, the most outrageous attacks on reporters ever.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS: You may think we in the press are obnoxious pests. That`s no excuse to aim a can of wasp and hornet spray at us -
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I got it. I got it.
MOOS: The cameraman got it, all right.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: The girl-on-girl kiss between Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis that`s got Hollywood buzzing today. We`ve got your very first look. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
HAMMER: Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Betty White writing two books, will focus on sex, aging and animals. Justin Bieber to performance at MTV Video Music Awards for the first time on September 12th.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
Big new trouble for Snooki today. "Jersey Shore" star, Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi - yes, she does have a real name. Well, she skipped out on her court appearance today after being arrested for disorderly conduct last month. So could Snooki actually end up in jail?
Right now, in New York, Midwin Charles. She`s a criminal defense attorney and legal contributor for "In Session" on Tru TV.
So Snooks didn`t even bother to show up for court. She sent her attorney. The attorney pleaded not guilty on Snooki`s behalf. They are due back in court on September 8th if a plea deal is not struck.
But Midwin, I have to believe that if Snooki doesn`t show up for the next court appearance, that could be big trouble for her.
CHARLES: I think so. And my guess is she will show up, even if it means her lawyer having to drag her there by the pouf. I mean, she will probably be there, particularly if the judge mandates it.
HAMMER: Well, let me ask you this, because Snooki doesn`t seem very worried, telling MTV News recently that she`s too pretty for jail. But really, could she wind up behind bars for this?
CHARLES: No, no. Disorderly conduct is one of the lowest charges. Here in New York, it`s not even a crime. It is considered a violation. No jail time attaches at all. Technically, you just pay a fine.
HAMMER: Can we charge her a crime of humanity? Can we come up with something? I guess not. All right. Midwin Charles, thanks for clearing that up. I appreciate it.
ANDERSON: I want to show you something right now that is so, so scary. A guy felt a TV crew was bugging him, so he sprayed them, attacked them with bug spray. That is just so wrong on so many levels. Caught on tape today, the scariest, most outrageous attacks on reporters ever. Here`s CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): You may think we, in the press, are obnoxious pests. That`s no excuse to aim a can of wasp and hornet spray at us.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I got it. I got it.
MOOS: Cameraman got it, all right. Next thing you know, the insecticide was being sprayed all over the Web.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I`ve got to go up there and get these firemen to hose me down.
MOOS: The WTIC cameraman did get first aid at a nearby fire station. The guy who was later arrested for doing the spraying outside a Connecticut courthouse was Shawn Quail. The media were chasing Quail and his wife because they were already charged with allegedly receiving stolen beer from none other than the man who went on a shooting rampage at that beer distributorship two weeks ago.
(on-camera): Now, normally, when people want to get rid of us, they usually cover the lens and shove technique.
(voice-over): A technique demonstrated by model, Naomi Campbell, on an ABC crew. Usually, the press is pelted - with things like tear gas canisters. Occasionally, someone throws water at a reporter. And uses the empty bottle to battle the press.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That`s not appropriate.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don`t give a (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
MOOS: There was even a Florida grandmother -
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hey, don`t put that camera in my (EXPLETIVE DELETED) face! Get out of (EXPLETIVE DELETED) right now.
MOOS: And chased away the media wielding a hoe. And though camera crews are sometimes subjected to tear gas, at protests, we protest when hit by bug spray.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Find out what it is before I have to go to the hospital.
MOOS: A poster on "Gawker" quibbled with the choice of insecticide, "I think you`re supposed to use roach spray on Fox cameramen, wasps and hornet sprays for CBS."
The sprayer was arrested on charges of reckless endangerment and third degree assault. But at least, he followed instructions and shook the can. I guess I`d rather be sprayed than hoed.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Please get out of my (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
MOOS: We sure do bug people. Jeanne Moos, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: All right. Seriously, this is no joke. You don`t want to talk to a reporter - that`s fine. Just say no comment. It`s easy. That was CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
HAMMER: Yes, Brooke. I completely agree with you on that. All right. Now, it`s your SHOWBIZ TONIGHT first look at "The Black Swan." This movie stars Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis as competing ballerinas. This was directed by "The Wrestler`s" Darren Aronofsky. The big buzz on this film - the girl-on-girl kiss between Natalie and Mila.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NATALIE PORTMAN, ACTRESS: I had the craziest dream last night about a girl who was turned into a swan. But her prince falls for the wrong girl, and she kills herself. He promised to feature me more this season.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, he should. You`ve been there long enough and you`re the most dedicated dancer in the company.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Our new swan queen, the exquisite Nina Sayers.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I`m lily.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You`re going to be amazing.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Watch the way she moves. Sensual. She`s not faking it. Seduce us. Attack it. Attack it. Come on.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Where did you get these?
PORTMAN: It`s nothing.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You sweet girl.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Feel my touch. Respond to it.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hot for teacher?
PORTMAN: I don`t want to talk about that.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You really need to relax.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It`s (INAUDIBLE), isn`t it? It`s all this pressure. I knew it would be too much. I knew it.
PORTMAN: Ow! What is she doing here?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He made me your alternate.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The only person standing in your way is you.
PORTMAN: How do you know where I live?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I have my ways.
PORTMAN: She`s after me.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Nobody`s after you.
PORTMAN: Please believe me.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What happened to my sweet girl? She`s gone!
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: That looks pretty good. "The Black Swan" premieres at the Venice Film Festival on September 1st. And just in case the name Mila Kunis doesn`t ring a bell, she, of course, played Jackie on "That `70s Show" and she`s the voice of Meg on "The Family Guy."
ANDERSON: A brand-new big old smack-down today between Jay-Z and Diddy. These guys are two of the biggest hip-hop stars out there. So who makes more money? A surprising answer. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
HAMMER: It is time now to roll out the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker." These are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Thank you, director Charles "Buzz-Worthy" Wegman (ph). Big stuff to buzz about in "The Buzz" today other than Charles.
Hillary Swank`s brand new baby revelations and an amazing new money battle between two very rich stars. And one of radio`s biggest, most popular hosts, is taking herself off the air after a huge controversy. All this making big news in the buzz today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
Radio doctor shocker. Dr. Laura Schlessinger is out. The nationally- syndicated radio host has just revealed she`s pulling the plug on her long- time radio show at the end of the year. She told CNN`s Larry King the outrage over her use of the N-word while discussing race with a caller led to the decision.
LAURA SCHLESSINGER, NATIONALLY SYNDICATED RADIO HOST: The reason is I want to regain my First Amendment rights. I want to be able to say what`s on mind and in my heart -
HAMMER: The Jay-Z-Diddy payday smack-down. A brand-new list of the richest hip-hop stars is revealing that Jay-Z is number one and his earnings more than doubled Diddy`s.
"Forbes" says Jay-Z made $63 million between June 2009 and June 2010. Next best, Sean Diddy Combs took in $30 million. Rankings are based on incomes based on sponsorships and other businesses in addition to music.
Hillary Swank`s baby revelations. Swank is opening up about family plans with her boyfriend of four years, John Campanisi. In a brand-new interview with "In Style," the 36-year-old Swank says she`s in absolutely no rush to get married again. She was previously married to Chad Lowe for 14 years.
Swank, who won an Oscar for "Million Dollar Baby," says while she`s thought about having a baby she wants to wait until she says the time is right.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
Here`s yet another reason I love Hillary Swank. She also says that she doesn`t look at her divorce from Chad Lowe as a failure. She says she looks at her relationship with him as 14 years of success.
ANDERSON: On Tuesday, we asked you to vote in our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive poll. Just moments ago we got those final results - "Bieber- Kanye Twitter Bromance: Should Justin and Kanye perform together at the MTV Video Music Awards?" Only 21 percent said they should. That means just about 80 percent say no way for Kanye and the Bieb.
We got this e-mail. Diana doesn`t really like the idea, "Why is Kanye West with Justin Bieber now? He stepped on a kitten, Taylor Swift. Is he going to step on a puppy, Justin Bieber?"
Over on Facebook, Rick B. has this interesting idea, "I think the two of them should get together and do a TV sitcom with the flavor of the old `60s type sitcoms, only updated. Kanye could be Justin`s older brother. They could call it `Leave It to Bieber.`"
HAMMER: That`s good.
ANDERSON: A.J., that`s pretty clever, right?
HAMMER: I like that.
ANDERSON: (INAUDIBLE) Wally West.
HAMMER: I have to say, I`m happy that most of our viewers think that they shouldn`t do this because, as I said, I think it`s a terrible idea.
Anyway, that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is now live at 5:00 Eastern, Monday through Friday.
HAMMER: And we are still TV`s most provocative entertainment news show seven days a week at 11:00 p.m. and Pacific.
END
