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Showbiz Tonight
Jennifer Aniston`s Big Bomb; Fantasia`s Suicide Confessions; Tiger Woods` Divorce; Kim Kardashian`s Bieb Backlash; Lady Gaga- Britney Spears Twitter Showdown; Sandra Bullock Getting Together with Tom Hanks
Aired August 23, 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, HOST: Big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - Jen`s big bomb. The explosive reaction to Jennifer Aniston`s brand-new movie flopping. The "SHOWBIZ Flashpoint" today - Aniston`s film flop - does it really matter?
Fantasia startling suicide confessions. The "American Idol" star reveals today she did try to kill herself.
Kim`s Bieb backlash. The startling new slam today of Kim Kardashian for her sexy new pictures with Justin Bieber. She is 29. He is 16. What Kim is revealing today about whether she would eventually date the Bieb.
The Lady Gaga-Britney Spears showdown. It`s Gaga versus Britney. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT reveals the big winner in their unbelievable new battle.
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. And there is big news breaking today about Tiger Woods` divorce. We are going to get to that in just a moment.
But first, big news breaking today about Jen`s big bomb. Jennifer Aniston could probably use some friends today because the final numbers out reveal her new movie, "The Switch," got eaten alive by everything from cheesy piranhas in 3-D to an equally cheesy vampire flick called "Vampires Suck."
Piranhas and vampires, who did not get too testy debates with the likes of Bill O`Reilly over motherhood. Piranhas and vampires, who did not tick off mental health advocates by using the R-word on national TV. Piranhas and vampires, who do not have to deal with the relentless scrutiny of their love lives. Which is why SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you Aniston`s "The Switch" may be giving her a twitch.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JENNIFER ANISTON, ACTRESS: I`m having a baby.
HAMMER: Congratulations, Jennifer Aniston. It`s a bomb.
ANISTON: I can do this. I don`t need a man to have a baby.
HAMMER: Jennifer Aniston`s new movie, "The Switch," opened this past weekend and it finished in a horrible eighth place, making a pitiful $8 million.
Things were so bad Aniston`s movie was beaten by the "Twilight" spoof, "Vampires Suck."
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Why aren`t you wearing a shirt?
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: I work part-time at Abercrombie and Fitch.
HAMMER: As well as "Piranha 3-D." And today, the piranhas in the press are absolutely feasting on Aniston. Everywhere you look today, celebrity Web sites were full of seething obituaries for Jennifer Aniston`s movie career - "Switch bombs at the box office," says "UsMagazine.com" "Are Jen`s movie star days over?" asks "Pop Eater."
And SHOWBIZ spies serve Aniston with an eviction notice today, "Jennifer Aniston needs to quit Hollywood." Ouch.
PAUL DERGARABEDIAN, BOX OFFICE ANALYST, "HOLLYWOOD.COM": For Jennifer Aniston, who is one of the biggest stars in the world, this is kind of a comedown.
HAMMER: What is so surprising about "Switch`s" flop is that Jennifer Aniston threw every ounce of her star power into promoting it. She was everywhere in the days before her movie opened, yucking it up on the morning shows.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Apple or PC?
ANISTON: Apple. What fruit is a PC?
HAMMER: And doing numerous magazine cover stories. She even sparked not just one, but two controversies. Controversy number one, a feud with Bill O`Reilly who slammed Aniston for saying women don`t need men to have babies.
BILL O`REILLY, HOST, "THE O`REILLY FACTOR": That`s destructive to our society.
HAMMER: Aniston fired back at O`Reilly on "Good Morning America."
ANISTON: That was just such an unfair statement that he made against me.
HAMMER: And controversy number two - advocates for special needs people slammed Aniston for saying the R-word on "Live with Regis and Kelly" last week.
ANISTON: I play dress up. I do it for a living like a retard.
HAMMER: But despite all the interviews, magazines and controversy -
ANISTON: Sense of humor is the most important -
HAMMER: More Americans decided they`d rather spend last weekend with killer fish than with Jennifer Aniston. So SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is asking, does all this mean, to paraphrase a recent Aniston movie, that we`re not just not that into her anymore?
Lately, it seems Aniston`s movie career is hit-or-miss. For every hit, like her last movie, "The Bounty Hunter" -
ANISTON: I`m not going to (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
HAMMER: There is a flop like the movie before that, "Love Happens." For every blockbuster like "Marley and Me" -
ANISTON: You are so sweet. Like a little clearance puppy.
HAMMER: She has a box office bomb like "Management."
ANISTON: You can touch my butt and then you`ve got to go.
HAMMER: And for every success like "The Breakup," she has a stinker like her new movie, "The Switch."
DERGARABEDIAN: By and large, people like her, but yet - but they don`t really support her when it comes to her movies.
HAMMER: But despite calls for her eviction from Hollywood, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you Aniston is not going anywhere. According to "IMDB.com," she has a whopping 12 movies in various stages of development and production. And today, we learned, she`s lined up a new TV gig.
COURTNEY COX, ACTRESS: When a 40-year-old guy gets divorced, all your friends are like, "Oh, what did we tell you?"
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT learned today Aniston will guest-star in the season premiere of the ABC sitcom, "Cougar Town," which stars former "Friends" co-star, Courtney Cox. Box office analyst, Paul Dergarabedian tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT if Aniston wants to get bigger, she`s going to have to go smaller.
DERGARABEDIAN: Don`t always try to be in bigger movies. Maybe you go for the small independent films. I think Jennifer Aniston has to try to be a good actress, which she is, and not a movie star. It is just not in the cards right now.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: So with Aniston`s new film flopping is her movie career in some serious trouble? Well, that leads to our "SHOWBIZ Flashpoint" today - Jennifer Aniston`s movie bombs: Does it matter? We`re getting into that fired-up debate in just a minute.
Moving on now to big news breaking today - Fantasia`s shocking suicide confession. We learned today that former "American Idol" star, Fantasia Barrino, is admitting she tried to kill herself.
Now, this confession is coming just weeks after we learned Fantasia was admitted to a hospital after taking an overdose of aspirin and a sleeping aid. Well, in a starting new interview out today, Fantasia reveals what drover to try to end it all.
Right now, in Atlanta, is Carlos Diaz. Carlos is a syndicated radio host who is also guest-hosting "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL" which is on every night this week right here on HLN. Also, right now, in Hollywood, Wendy Walsh, who is a spokesperson for "BestForBabes.org."
Well, Fantasia really opens up about this overdose in this brand new VH1 "Behind the Music," which airs on Tuesday. Let`s take it out to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter in Hollywood. Kareen, Fantasia making it clear, no question, she wanted to die.
KAREEN WYNTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Such a sad story, A.J. That`s right. Fantasia - she basically did give up on her life.
Listen to what she tells VH1, "I didn`t have any fight in me. I didn`t care about anything. I just wanted out. At that moment, I wanted out. I wanted it to be over with, all of it (EXPLETIVE DELETED). I just sat in the closet and looked at the mirror and took all the pills in the bottle. I wanted to go to sleep and just be at peace. I knew exactly what I was doing. You can`t accidentally take a whole bottle of pills."
HAMMER: Wow. That`s amazing, because, Carlos, of course, we know, after a star ODs, we`re usually hearing, "Oh, it was an accident. Totally unintentional." Does it surprise you how open Fantasia is being here?
CARLOS DIAZ, SYNDICATED RADIO HOST: It surprises me a lot. It scares me. I`ll tell you why. Because after somebody attempts suicide, you would think that they would say, "I`m going to take some time off."
You know, A.J., we`re always looking for the best quote. We always want someone to open up and to say everything they can to us. But in this case, I kind of hoped she would say, "You know what? It is a private matter. I`m sorry that it happened."
It is almost as if - I hate to go out on a limb here. It is almost as if she is opening up because it`s kind of promoting that she has a new album coming out, "Look at me. Look how interesting I am. I am - you know, there`s all this drama going on in my life." It`s almost like you`re opening up to promote -
HAMMER: Yes.
DIAZ: Rather than to truly be truthful about your life.
HAMMER: No. And that obviously is a risky move, because if people think that that is what is going on, that could only lead, you know, to a backlash.
But we are talking here, though, about this 26-year-old woman who you look at her and you think, hey, she is on top of the world. She was the "American Idol." She`s been a Broadway star. Her new album is out tomorrow.
Wendy Walsh, to think that she was in a closet, hoping to end her life, it is just stunning.
WENDY WALSH, SPOKESPERSON, "BESTFORBABES.ORG": Remember, A.J., I`m also a doctor of psychology and I`ll tell you depression can kick you on your butt at the strangest times in life.
And plenty of times, suicide attempts are actually big calls for help. Remember, she did text someone when they said, "I hope you don`t do something stupid." She said, "Already did." So even after she took the pills, she was still reaching out.
So I would look at this as a giant call for help. I would be really careful to not judge her state of mind right now or whether she`s promoting or not promoting. This is a young woman who is suffering from clinical depression clearly and suicidality and she`s recovering from a big trauma in her life.
So we have to be cautious how we slay her at this time, because she is getting her footing again in any way she knows how.
HAMMER: Yes. I absolutely agree with you. We do not know what her motivation is. And I think Carlos was also just speculating that, you know, people may view it as such and that`s an unfortunate downside to what is going on. But obviously, someone in crisis here hopefully getting the help she needs.
WALSH: Right.
HAMMER: In this new VH1 interview that was real today, Fantasia talks about the reason that she wanted to kill herself. What did she say, Kareen?
WYNTER: Well, listen to this, A.J. Fantasia - she says her troubles with men had to do with why she wanted to take her own life.
She says, "I was tired of people doing me wrong, constantly over and over again, dealing with my family, my father, dealing with men and their (EXPLETIVE DELETED). I was tired," she says, "My head was hurting me. I was over it. I remember waking up in the hospital and thinking it didn`t work. I`m still here in this hell hole, still here with all this drama going on."
And A.J., one piece of that drama actually involves a new lawsuit. The wife of her married boyfriend just filed accusing Fantasia of breaking up her marriage.
HAMMER: Yes. And that is something that is still going on. And that has to make you wonder, Carlos, as we said, you know, hopefully, she`s getting the help she needs. But clearly, she`s not through what she`s dealing with. I`m concerned for her. What about you?
DIAZ: Who is she trying to appeal to, by the way? I am concerned for her, by the way, A.J. But who is she trying to appeal by saying what she`s saying?
I mean, is she trying to appeal to mothers out there? Because the one thing that no one has talked about is what about your child? What about the fact you tried to commit suicide and you were going to leave your child behind?
HAMMER: Yes.
DIAZ: Any mom out there would recognize that immediately.
HAMMER: Carlos, we have to end it there. But to Wendy`s point earlier, I think, you know, she was obviously asked questions. She decided to speak out, but we don`t know her state of mind right now. Wendy Walsh, Carlos Diaz, thank you both. I appreciate it.
All right. Well, Kim Kardashian, as we move on, is being slammed again today, this time for her sexy new pictures with Justin Bieber. Now, remember, Kim is 29. The Biebs - he`s 16. Wait until you hear what Kim reveals today about whether she would eventually date Justin Bieber.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KIM KARDASHIAN, REALITY TV STAR, "KEEPING UP WITH THE KARDASHIANS": Justin Bieber has this swag to him. I`m serious. He has this, like - to me, he is just charming. He has this swag. I can`t explain it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Big "Jersey Shore" news today. I got the cold, hard and tanned proof that this show is blowing up bigger than Snooki`s pouf. I`m also going to tell you how The Situation could become the "$5 Million Man."
And the Lady Gaga-Britney Spears showdown today. Gaga versus Britney. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is revealing the winner in their unbelievable new battle. 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: Neil Patrick Harris wins two Creative Arts Emmys - one for "Glee" cameo, one for hosting Tonys. Britney Spears may come back for another appearance on Fox`s "Glee."
(MUSIC)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Making news today, Angelina`s big new movie role. Now, according to Reuters, Jolie`s new film is a love story that takes place during the Bosnian war of the `90s. Shooting is expected to begin in the fall. And Jolie says the film is not a political statement.
Angelina made a surprise trip to Sarajevo over the weekend to work on ways to help thousands of war refugees there.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York with big breaking Tiger Woods news today. Tiger is officially divorced.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT confirmed late today that Tiger and Elin Woods finalized their divorce. But the big question today is, how much did this divorce cost Tiger? And I`m not talking legal fees here.
Right now, in New York, is Sunny Hostin. She is a legal contributor for "In Session" on our sister network, Tru TV.
And this really is a very quiet divorce for Tiger considering how dramatically his marriage fell apart after he was exposed as a serial cheater as we know.
Well, in a joint statement on Tiger`s Web site, here`s what Tiger and Elin said in part, "We are sad that our marriage is over and we wish each other the very best for the future. We`re the parents of two wonderful children and their happiness has been and will always be of paramount importance to both of us."
What else are they going to say? Now, Sunny, we all know Tiger Woods is worth well over $1 billion. So how much - everybody wants to know - is Elin walking away with here?
SUNNY HOSTIN, LEGAL CONTRIBUTOR, "IN SESSION" ON TRU TV: Well, we don`t know exactly how much because there`s a marital settlement agreement that wasn`t attached to this final divorce paper.
But let`s face it. Some people were saying about $700 million. Maybe not that much, but she`s a very, very rich woman. Today was her payday. And I would say she`s rivaling Oprah right now. She`s got a lot of money.
HAMMER: She will be able to continue to live in the lifestyle to which she has become accustomed, for sure.
HOSTIN: No question.
HAMMER: All right. Let`s move on now to more big breaking legal news today. Michael Jackson`s doctor, Dr. Conrad Murray, in court today. Now, it was to schedule a preliminary hearing for his trial on involuntary manslaughter charges in connection with Jackson`s death.
Now, Sunny, the date is set for January 4th next year. Michael Jackson died over a year ago.
HOSTIN: That`s right.
HAMMER: What the heck is the holdup here?
HOSTIN: Well, you know, the preliminary hearing is sort of a mini-trial, A.J. And the government has to show that a crime was committed and that Dr. Conrad Murray, more likely than not, was the person that committed that crime.
That`s going to be a little tough. And so it`s a mini-trial. It`s going to last two to four weeks. And they are putting their game together, their game plan, their theory. It`s going to be a very, very big deal. It`s going to be like the Robert Blake prelim -
HAMMER: Yes.
HOSTIN: The O.J. prelim. It takes a lot of time to put that sort of thing together.
HAMMER: Yes. They want to make sure they get this exactly right because the world will be watching.
HOSTIN: That`s right.
HAMMER: Sunny Hostin, as always, thanks so much. All right. There is still lots of buzz today over Jennifer Aniston using the R-word. She did it live on national television during "Live with Regis and Kelly."
Over on our Facebook page, a lot of people are talking about this. Michelle H. thinks that Jennifer does not have to say she`s sorry. She writes this, "I feel she should absolutely not apologize. First of all, what happened to freedom of speech in this country? Secondly, she was directing it at herself and didn`t say it to offend anyone."
Well, no surprise the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines have been ringing nonstop over this. Rain from Washington very disappointed in Jennifer.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
RAIN, CALLER FROM WASHINGTON: I absolutely think Jennifer Aniston should apologize. I love her. She`s one of my favorite actresses. But this has really put a dent in my impression of her. For someone to just come out with that word so freely and so naturally, you know, that`s not a good thing at all. And I was really offended.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. Thanks, Rain. You can have freedom of speech but people can still be offended. Remember, I do want you to call us at "Showbiz on Call", sound off on this or anything that you`re thinking about.
The "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are open all the time. Here`s the number - 1-888-SBT-BUZZ. That`s 1-888-728-2899. Just leave us a voicemail so we can play your call here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Another big Jennifer Aniston controversy. Today, her new movie, "The Switch" - it just flopped. But you know, people still love Jen. They relate to her personally. So in the "SHOWBIZ Flashpoint" today, Jen`s movie bombs: Does it matter? Are you still a big fan?
Sandra Bullock and Tom Hanks - they are teaming up. I love this. All the brand-new details in "The Buzz" today.
And wherever Shakira goes, she stops traffic. Check out what she just did in Barcelona.
Those hips don`t lie, but could Shakira be thrown in jail for her water dancing? 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: Wyclef Jean disqualified to run for president of Haiti, plans to appeal. "True Blood" stars Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer get married in Malibu, California.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. on HLN news and views. Time for the showbiz news ticker. More stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: You`ve got my blood. It will take weeks.
ANNA PAQUIN, ACTRESS: I don`t care. After everything, I just want to feel you right now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: The Levi Johnston-Sarah Palin feud. It is getting worse today. "Radar Online" reports that Levi has started shooting his reality show in Alaska and he wants his baby son Tripp in the show.
Tripp`s mom, Bristol Palin, and grandma Sarah - well, they`re not having any of that. They are furious. "Radar Online" says Levi is having a hard time making the show interesting enough for someone to buy it. Shocker. But putting your toddler on TV - I mean, that is just a bad idea.
Well, someone who just loves her some Levi - that`s my friend, Kathy Griffin. Today, I can tell you that that she wants to see more of Levi with less of his clothes. In fact, none of them.
Levi`s reportedly running for mayor of Wasilla, Alaska. Kathy tells "People" magazine she wants to be his first lady and help him get elected. How? Kathy recommends that Levi walk around Wasilla shirtless and take pictures of himself in the shower.
Kathy even says they can have shower chats, you know, kind of like President FDR`s fireside chats. Sounds like a great strategy, Kathy. Now, remember, Levi has already posed for "Playgirl." Kathy has this thing for Levi. She`s had it for a while now. He appeared on Kathy`s Bravo show, "My Life on the D-List."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KATHY GRIFFIN, COMEDIAN: Go ahead, Tiger. Show them your moves.
LEVI JOHNSTON, FATHER OF SARAH PALIN`S GRANDSON: A little pop-up. Let it down.
GRIFFIN: OK.
JOHNSTON: Grip. Yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: well, they also showed up together at the 2009 Teen Choice Awards. They`re goofing, but still, kind of fun.
All right. I checked our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook wall. We`re still getting a lot of posts about Jennifer Aniston`s R-word controversy.
Amber Ann writing this, "I do think she should apologize to the public but I don`t think the words mean anything. She wasn`t attacking anyone intentionally. It was slip of the lip."
Barbara S. writes, "My brother had Down syndrome. Don`t people realize every time that the R-word is thrown out, it hurts?"
We`d love for you to join the debate on Facebook. You can go behind the scenes of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT and get breaking entertainment news alerts on Twitter. You can call us at "Showbiz on Call". You can E-mail us, too. It`s "SHOWBIZ Connects." You can find it at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
Lots more of big Jennifer Aniston news breaking today. Here`s the SHOWBIZ lineup - what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Aniston`s new movie flops, but do her fans even care? So many people still relate to Aniston personally. The "SHOWBIZ Flashpoint" today - does Jennifer`s big bomb really matter?
The Lady Gaga-Britney Spears showdown today. Gaga versus Britney. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT revealing the big winner. It`s an unbelievable battle.
And Sandra Bullock getting together with Tom Hanks. I love it. That`s a dynamic duo. More Tom and Sandra in "The Buzz" today. 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: "Curb Your Enthusiasm" star, Cheryl Hines, files for divorce from hubby of seven plus years. "The Expendables" is number one at the box office this weekend, pulling in nearly $17 million.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Drop your guns!
SYLVESTER STALLONE, ACTOR (As Barney Ross): I want you to take the two on the right and leave the rest alone.
JASON STATHAM, ACTOR (as Lee Christmas): You should take the two on the right. I`m not that fast anymore.
STALLONE: Bullets go faster than blades. The only thing faster is light.
STATHAM: We`ll see.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - angst for Aniston. The incredible reaction today to Jennifer Aniston`s new movie bombing at the box office. The great debate today - does Jen`s latest film flop matter to her fans?
Kim Kardashian`s Bieber backlash. The startling new slam for Kim and her sexy new photos with Justin Bieber.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Would you date Justin Bieber?
K. KARDASHIAN: I don`t know. It depends on - I don`t know.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Kim`s incredible revelations about dating the Bieb. Will she wait for him to turn 18? The shocking outrage today.
Big "Jersey Shore" news breaking today. The Situation, the new $5 million man? Is he really even remotely worth it?
Plus, breaking today from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - a Queen Latifah- Dolly Parton duo. And Justin Timberlake`s new perfume pitch to women.
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 with big news breaking today - angst for Aniston?
Wow, what a day for Jennifer Aniston. I mean, she worked her butt off last week promoting her new movie, "The Switch." And today, the big news broke that her movie is officially a flop.
The final numbers late today reveal "The Switch" came in eighth at the box office. It brought in just about $8 million. Let me give you a little perspective. Bow Wow`s "Lottery Ticket" - it beat Aniston`s movie. So did "Piranhas in 3-D" and "Vampires Suck."
But on the other hand, let`s face it. Aniston`s fans are loyal and resilient. They love her no matter what. That brings us to our "SHOWBIZ Flashpoint" today - Jen`s film flops, but does it really matter?
Joining me right now from Hollywood, Russ Leatherman. Russ, of course, is best known as the voice of Mr. Moviefone. Also in Hollywood, Wendy Walsh, who is a TV host, author and expert from "MomLogic.com."
And Wendy, I want to start with you. What do you think? Jen`s film flopped, but again, let`s face it. She`s got a lot of die-hard fans out there who just want to go see her movies because they know what they`re getting and they love what they`re getting.
So her latest movie is a flop, but to the "SHOWBIZ Flashpoint," Wendy, does it really matter?
WALSH: I don`t think it does, A.J., because she hasn`t had a string of flops. She`s had some good ones, some bad ones. And that`s very clear in anybody`s career. Not everyone can hit.
But I think the thing she needs to do is break out of the wrong (UNINTELLIGIBLE) mold. She needs to not be cookie-cutter, romantic comedy girl. She needs to stretch herself. I want to see her with her hair cut short and brown doing a big dramatic role in an indy film. That`s how we`ll really get to know the range of Jennifer Aniston.
HAMMER: Yes. We`ve been hearing a lot of people suggesting exactly that lately. Russ, movies are your life. I want to get to you on our "SHOWBIZ Flashpoint." What do you think? As Jen`s film flops, does it really matter?
RUSS LEATHERMAN, MR. MOVIEFONE: Well, I think if we cut her hair, we`re basically cutting out the best part of Jennifer Aniston at this point. I`m just saying.
First of all, to her credit, before we ring the death knell and I feel like it is coming, she didn`t write the movie. She didn`t direct the movie. The movie opened in a really soft time of the year when none of the movies did terrific business.
And you know, she`s a good actress, but she sticks to her knitting. I agree with what the other person said in that it would be interesting to see her try something else. She`s had a series of mostly flops. She`s had a good movie or two. And you know, to be truthful, this movie just sucked. It was just terrible. So -
HAMMER: But again, Russ, she didn`t write it. She didn`t direct it, but she did choose to be in it. That was a decision that she and her team made presumably. So you know, she does bear some responsibility.
LEATHER: Well, I think - I think that`s true. And maybe it`s her agent or maybe it`s her or maybe she just doesn`t have that much range as an actress. You know, we really haven`t seen her loosen up and try to do something else. And the truth is, people like to stick to her knitting.
HAMMER: Yes.
LEATHERMAN: And I think in order to go forward, she`s going to have to try something else because, clearly, she`s not going to continue to get paid, you know, $5 million, $10 million for a movie when her movies open like this.
HAMMER: Yes. And I do actually believe she does have the range. I believe we`ve seen pieces of it.
WALSH: I think so, too, A.J.
HAMMER: And I would just love to see it as well. I do want to take a look. I was shocked - I opened up the computer this morning and I saw these headlines today online and in magazines. "Us Weekly" splashing this whopper on their site, "Jen Aniston`s `Switch` bombs at the box office."
You think that`s harsh? Well, look at "ShowbizSpy.com" writing, "Jennifer Aniston needs to quit Hollywood. Her movie just bombed." "PopEater.com" writing this, "Are Jen`s movie days over?"
Wendy, let`s face it. And this is going to a point you were starting to make. There are a lot of well-paid movie stars that also have as many hits as they do misses at the box office.
But they do not make these kinds of headlines like Jen after one of her movies flops. Do you think she`s being treated unfairly?
WALSH: Oh, you know, Jen is just having a bad day in the media. What Jen needs to do is stir up some real controversy for us. Be open. Be honest. Be vulnerable. Let us know really what`s going on in her head with all these breakups. And then we`ll have something to talk about instead of just her box office receipts.
HAMMER: What do you think about that, Russ? Do you think she is treated unfairly, though, getting the slammed the way she does where if another star who has some hits and has some misses, has a flop, they don`t quite get this kind of treatment. And you know, it seems like she`s singled out in a way.
LEATHERMAN: I would say no. I would say anybody who has a string of missteps, as she has had - you know, if you look at "The Bounty Hunter," her last movie which was just an absolute disaster. You go all the way back to maybe "Marley and Me" and that movie was saved by the dog.
I mean, here`s the problem is she`s a big TV star, and none of it has translated to the big screen. Now, she`s done a couple good movies like "The Good Girl." I liked her doing that because, again, it was different. It was a little indy film.
But she has yet to prove that she`s a movie star or a big draw at the box office. And that does matter to the studios and to moviegoers. To her fans, they don`t care. You know, they tend to feel more sorry for her than anything else.
And watching this movie, I actually felt more sorry for her because she tends to take movies that kind of, you know, go along her life story or at least we perceive them to, sort of parallel that.
HAMMER: Right.
LEATHERMAN: So she needs to make some different choices.
HAMMER: Well, I hope we have our sound effect cued up. Because here`s a fun fact for you - oh good. "Forbes" magazine says Aniston is the fourth highest paid actress in Hollywood. Wendy, do you think she is still worth the money?
WALSH: Well, obviously, you`re worth what you can negotiate.
HAMMER: Yes.
WALSH: And if the studios are paying the money, then, they`ve got to be getting something at the back end. So I really believe this woman does have a greater range. And I think her audiences are ready to see a much wider range from her.
We just need to know who`s the real Jennifer Aniston, because, you know, we`re mentioning that her movies reflect her personal life and vice versa. But her personal life is often invented by publicity machines in Hollywood.
HAMMER: Right.
WALSH: We need to know who the real woman is that we can connect with as fans. And then, we`ll like her a lot more and be able to see her in a wider range.
HAMMER: And I think the truth is, most of us are rooting for her. I do want to move on to big stories making big buzz today.
Madonna`s got a Material Girl lawsuit on her hands today. Lady Gaga beats Britney Spears as the queen of Twitter. And Sandra Bullock may be teaming up with Tom Hanks for the first time in movie history. All that in "The Buzz" today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): Madonna`s fashion faux pas. The Material Girl has just been sued for naming her daughter`s new fashion line the Material Girl. An apparel manufacturer L.A. Triumph claims it`s owned the rights to the Material Girl and has had a clothing line with that name since 1997. Madonna`s line launched earlier this month.
Thanks a lot, Sandra. We just learned that Tom Hanks could be teaming up with Sandra Bullock. It would be her first big movie since winning an Oscar for "The Blind Side" and her first big movie since her messy divorce.
It would be based on the novel, "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close," about a boy whose father died in the 9/11 attacks.
The Gaga-Britney Twitter smack-down.
LADY GAGA, POP STAR: Hello, world. This is Lady Gaga, queen of Twitter.
HAMMER: Lady Gaga just became the most followed person on Twitter, twittering past Britney Spears. Gaga pulled ahead of Britney and now has more than 5.7 million followers on Twitter. And she tweeted a thank you to her fans.
LADY GAGA: I wanted to thank all my beautiful little monsters for following me and I vow to always tweet and tweet again.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: I love Lady Gaga. All right. Whereas, Gaga now the Twitter queen. To be honest, I don`t know about you. I`m actually surprised it took her this long to surpass Britney Spears.
LEATHERMAN: Yes. Me, too. You know what? She has just taken over. She`s going to be here for a long time. She really - her whole deal is interacting with her fans and being one of them and everybody coming together as a group. So she`s awesome and has nowhere but up to go.
HAMMER: A force to be reckoned with. Russ Leatherman, Wendy Walsh, thanks, guys. I appreciate it.
Right now, I`ve got to move on to the incredible new Kim Kardashian- Justin Bieber backlash. Today, Kim K. getting a lot of new heat today for these provocative photos with the Biebs. Kim is also coming under fire for what she`s saying about dating the teenage heartthrob as well.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
K. KARDASHIAN: Justin Bieber has this swag to him. I`m serious. He has this like - he`s charming. He`s got the swag. I can`t explain it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Oh, you wait. There`s a whole lot more to that. Kim`s new Bieber secrets revealed today.
Also, the absolutely stunning "Jersey Shore" news breaking today. The Situation, the new $5 million man? Really? Is he worth that at all?
And did you see this? Shakira shaking in a fountain in Spain. But does her daring dance break the law? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Now, it`s the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: "Glee" creator developing new TV shows for John Stamos and Kristin Chenoweth. Leonardo DiCaprio expected to earn an estimated $50 million for "Inception."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ELLEN PAGE, ACTRESS (as Ariadne): Are we dreaming?
LEONARDO DICAPRIO, ACTOR (as Cobb): We are actually in the middle of a workshop. This is your first lesson. Stay calm.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MIKE "THE SITUATION" SORRENTINO, REALITY TV STAR, "THE JERSEY SHORE": I necessarily didn`t want to bring home any sort of zoo creatures whatsoever. I mean, these broads just probably smelled the food at the house.
NICOLE "SNOOKI" POLIZZI, REALITY TV STAR, "THE JERSEY SHORE": Don`t bring home any (EXPLETIVE DELETED) elephants like that ever again.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I am here to tell you there`s no end to this "Jersey Shore" tidal wave that is just sweeping the nation. We learned something just remarkable today. MTV`s sensation`s latest episode was the most watched TV show Thursday night, not just on cable but broadcast TV as well.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
The amazing "Jersey Shore" story coming up in just a moment. But first, Kim`s Bieb backlash. Kim Kardashian getting slammed today over her provocative photo spread with 16-year-old Justin Bieber.
And now, even Bill O`Reilly, of all people, is going after Kim Kardashian in a big way. And there may be more jaw-dropping Kim and Justin news today. The 29-year-old Kim has just revealed why she would even date the Bieb.
With me, in New York, is David Caplan. David is an entertainment journalist. Also, in Hollywood, Janell Snowden, the host of "VH1 News."
I want to begin with that "Elle" magazine photo shoot that Kim did with Justin. Now, Bill O`Reilly went ballistic over these pictures of them holding hands on a beach. He claims this is no dream come true for teen boys. It`s a nightmare. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BILL O`REILLY, HOST, "THE O`REILLY FACTOR": This is a magazine spread that`s reminiscent of "The Graduate" where Anne Bancroft and a young Dustin Hoffman, at the time - they had this little thing.
All right. I don`t care about this. Justin Bieber - he looks like Ringo Starr to me. I don`t know the other one. She`s in the water with a dress. What does that mean? I don`t know. Did you take offense?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I didn`t take offense of it. I mean, it is every 16- year-old male`s dream to have -
O`REILLY: I wanted to be a baseball player. I didn`t want to hang around with Kim Kardashian, so not everyone.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So you weren`t into women at 16?
O`REILLY: No, I wasn`t. I had a baseball glove and a bat and ice skates, all right? That`s what I was doing. I will tell you this - if a 16-year- old girl was pictured with a 29-year-old man, when you hear that, there would be big trouble.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes, that`s true. I mean, David, the truth is there would be outrage if the pictures were of a 29-year-old man with a 16-year-old girl.
And these pictures aren`t particularly sexual, but any outrage going on here does seem appropriate, doesn`t it?
DAVID CAPLAN, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: It does seem appropriate. But you have to look through the lens of Hollywood. It was supposed to be cute. Kim Kardashian - everyone loves her. Celebs are always tweeting her.
This is like a little, you know, crush. And even Bill O`Reilly saying that if it was a reverse - what if - you never know. If it was, like, Miley Cyrus and one of the guys from "Twilight" she has a crush with doing some fun photo shoot, I don`t know if there would be that much of a problem.
And also, look at the audience for these photos. It is in "Elle" magazine. It`s women in their 20s, 30s and 40s. They`re not getting offended by it. They think it`s cute.
HAMMER: I think they`re actually just more offended that it`s Kim Kardashian that Justin Bieber is hanging out with. Janell, what do you think here? Is any outrage over this, you know, justified? Because there is a bit of a double standard going on.
JANELL SNOWDEN, HOST, "VH1 NEWS": There is definitely a bit of a double standard here. I mean, if you are a guy overage, let`s say, or 29 years old hanging out with a 16-year-old girl, you`re branded Chester. Chester - child molester.
But if you`re a woman, there`s a sense of - oh, you go, girl. And you`re a cougar, a celebrated one. So I can see how there could be some outrage. But again, you know, Justin Bieber and Kim Kardashian are media darlings. Both of them are very flirtatious. I`ve interviewed Justin Bieber. He tries to pick me up and I`m - let`s just (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
(CROSS TALK)
CAPLAN: Are you offended?
SNOWDEN: Am I offended? No. Actually, Justin and I have a date later on.
HAMMER: Oh, good for you. Good luck with that. Well, Kim`s not getting over her Bieber fever today. In fact, you may have some competition there, Janell, because it seems that she`s fanning the flames of the whole Mrs. Robinson outrage that is going on.
When she was on "LARRY KING LIVE," Kim suggested to George Lopez, who was guest hosting, Justin could have a shot at dating her. Let`s watch that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE LOPEZ, GUEST HOST, "LARRY KING LIVE": Let`s talk about this. You said that the kid has swagger. To be a champion, you have to have swagger.
K. KARDASHIAN: Justin Bieber has this swag to him. I`m serious. He has this like - to me he`s just - he`s charming. He`s got this swag. I can`t explain it but -
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do you have a crush? You have a crush.
LOPEZ: If he were 18, Kim Kardashian, would you date Justin Bieber?
K. KARDASHIAN: It would have to be legal. Let`s just say that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Well, let`s not forget that Kim got death threats from rabid Bieber fans when these photos were first surfaced.
And back then, no one knew it was a magazine photo. So I`m thinking she`s not doing herself any favors by prolonging the speculation that she`s into him.
But right now, let me move on to a "Jersey Shore" shocker today. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you "Jersey Shore" is making ratings history. The show - this is unbelievable - was the most watched show on TV last Thursday. 5.5 million people watched Snooki and the gang.
I want to give you perspective on this. The same number of people watched "Jersey Shore" has watched "America`s Got Talent." And the only show that had more viewers than "Jersey Shore" last week was ABC`s "Wipeout," which to me, David, is stunning. Are you a little shocked by this?
CAPLAN: It was really surprising. These people - they are not actors. They are not practicing their craft like these other people in other TV shows.
HAMMER: Right.
CAPLAN: But they make such great TV. They just do - they do everything that people wanted to do when they were like young doing that. They know how to push people`s buttons. There`s always drama and scandal. And it`s just more interesting than a lot of scripted TV out there.
HAMMER: Well, there is another "Shore" shocker. I`ve got to this. Breaking today - The Situation`s big money situation. The Situation is reportedly on target now to make - OK, I just had to take a breath there - $5 million by next year.
That`s from the show endorsements including a fitness DVD and a book. Outrageous to so many people that he could be making a lot more money than some of Hollywood`s biggest stars who are working hard and studying and doing their thing and earning their stripes. And look at what`s going on, The Situation making all that cash.
David Caplan, Janell Snowden, thank you, guys.
Well, it is Spain versus Shakira. You do not want to miss this. Shakira stops traffic in Barcelona, but did she break the law?
Well, let me tell you, her hips don`t lie and neither does this brand-new video today of Shakira frolicking in a fountain. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Time for And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah to team up for a new film. Justin Timberlake to appear in Givenchy`s "Play for Her" perfume advertisements.
HAMMER: I love Robin Williams. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT caught up with this Hollywood A-lister Sunday on the red carpet at the 2010 Creative Arts Emmys Awards. The Creative Arts Emmys honors the hardworking people who basically keep all of us in TV sounding and looking good.
Check out what Robin told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT about the importance of a good crew.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROBIN WILLIAMS, ACTOR: Without great sound engineering - I mean - Mel Gibson - it would be rough. Without lighting, it would be like this. Or even without the right focus, you get a lot of witness protection things.
How are you doing? My show is a reality based show called "Witness Protection." We really don`t have much pictures of people. It`s people talking like this. But it`s kind of cool. But it is all the people. And I love the fact that they`re called the Creative Emmys. What is the other one? Not so creative.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BETTY WHITE, COMEDIAN: When I was told about the campaign to get me to host "Saturday Night Live," I didn`t know what Facebook was. And now that I do know what it is, I have to say, it sounds like a huge waste of time.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: A gazillion people launched a massive campaign to get Betty White on "Saturday Night Live." Well, it was so worth the effort, because Betty won Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series Emmy at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards over the weekend.
Betty is a multiple Emmy Award winner. And at 88 years young, Betty White`s career is white hot right now. The big Prime Time Emmy Awards will be handed out this coming Sunday, August 29th.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, of course, is going to be live with special "After the Emmys" coverage. Make sure you join us at 11:00 a.m. next Monday. It`s a special live edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - the winners, the losers and, of course, all the good controversies.
So did you see this? It`s great. Shakira shaking it in a fountain in Barcelona, Spain. Shakira shakes it with fans, tourists, just about anybody who will dance with her.
Well, Shakira`s fancy fountain footwork is now a big hit on YouTube. Thousands all over the world are watching this video today, including the police in Barcelona. Authorities maintain Shakira did not have permission to frolic in the fountain or any of Shakira`s other recent shenanigans all across Barcelona.
Shakira`s antics are said to be for a new music video. She could actually get slapped with a big old fine for it all. Ole!
So on Friday, we asked you to vote in our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive poll. Moments ago, I received the results. "`American Idol`: Who should be the next `Idol` judge?"
Well, everybody is just wild about Harry. Look at this - Harry Connick, Jr., 47 percent. Shania Twain, 37 percent. Only 16 percent of you think that Mariah Carey should be the next "Idol" judge. I think she`d be great at it.
Here are some of the E-mails we got in. One from Joy in Rhode Island. Joy thinks another big star should be the "Idol" judge, "I think Lionel Richie would be great as the next `Idol` judge. I love Lionel." Joy, thank you for writing in with that.
We also heard from Virgie in Georgia who has a great idea for a new "Idol" judge. She writes, "What about Patti LaBelle or Anita Baker for "American Idol" judges?"
Now, Dave in Colorado says it`s all about Shania, "Shania Twain should be the next `Idol` judge if Shania has the time. If `Idol` has the chance to get Shania, they should."
You can join the debate on Facebook, go behind the scenes on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, get breaking news alerts at Twitter and call us at "Showbiz on Call." There`s always E-mail, too. "SHOWBIZ Connects" at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
Well, that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thank you for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT now live at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Monday through Friday. And TV`s most provocative entertainment news show at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific here on HLN.
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