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Showbiz Tonight
Blistering Bristol; Split? What Split?; Michael`s Wall Street Guts; Lady Gaga: Power Princess?; Is Paris Burning?; That`s Some Situation
Aired September 21, 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 CO-HOST: Big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Dancing with Bristol: Bristol Palin`s amazing transformation. Brand- new revelations today about the secrets of Bristol`s remarkable change, from troubled pregnant teen to one of TV`s biggest dancing stars.
The incredible political power of Lady Gaga. Gaga rallies her millions of little monsters over gay rights. But is she really a powerhouse or a powerless pop princess?
Paris, we have a problem. Why was Paris Hilton detained today in Japan, the day after pleading guilty to cocaine charges? Is her nightmare just beginning?
Plus a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive, Paris versus Lindsay Lohan. Who is more likely to stay out of trouble?
J-Woww`s naked truth. Is there an outrageous deal today for the "Jersey Shore" star to pose naked?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
HAMMER: Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer, coming to you from New York City.
BROOKE ANDERSON, HLN CO-HOST: Hi, there, everyone. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with big news breaking today.
Blistering Bristol.
HAMMER: Yes, we know that Bristol Palin just made her big debut on "Dancing with the Stars" with her blistering dance moves, but SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is revealing today that there is much more to Bristol`s story and her amazing transformation.
How in the world did Bristol Palin go from a troubled pregnant teen to dancing darling? From scorned lover of fame monger Levi Johnston to crusader for teen moms, from daughter of one of the most controversial politicians of our time to taking center stage on her terms.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT revealing today the secrets behind Bristol`s big change.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER (voice-over): From tabloid queen to dancing queen. Today, everyone`s talking about Bristol Palin`s shocking, hip-shaking, flesh- baring debut -- on "Dancing with the Stars."
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you Bristol`s "Dancing with the Stars" debut is more than just her transformation from awkward pregnant teen trying to fit in on the national stage to a dancing sexpot trying to --
BRISTOL PALIN, SARAH PALIN`S DAUGHTER: Bring some sexy to the cha- cha.
HAMMER: It`s also Bristol`s declaration of independence from her powerful mom.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was right there last night for Bristol`s big dancing debut, and Bristol tells us she thinks she might have Sarah Palin`s vote.
B. PALIN: I think she`s going to be proud of me.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you, Sarah`s no longer the only vote seeker in the family.
ANNIE BARRETT, EW.COM STAFF WRITER: She`s running for First Lady of the ballroom.
HAMMER: "Dancing with the Stars" producers aren`t exactly shy about highlighting Bristol`s political pedigree. The commercials announcing Bristol`s appearance on the show took Tina Fey`s classic "Saturday Night Live" impression of Sarah Palin --
TINA FEY, "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE": I can see Russia from my house.
HAMMER: -- and tweaked it to fit Bristol.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She can see the trophy from her house.
HAMMER: And on "Dancing with the Stars," Bristol made clear the song she chose to dance to, Tom Jones` "Mama Told Me Not to Come," was no accident.
B. PALIN: It was like Levi`s and mine relationship, Mama told me not to do it, but I did it anyways. I`ve always listened to my mom growing up but there have been times that I haven`t.
HAMMER: That`s for sure. Bristol`s relationship with her bad boy high school boyfriend Levi Johnston who got her pregnant when she was just 17 quickly became big news in 2008 when Sarah Palin became the Republican vice presidential nominee.
Over the months, Bristol and Levi`s breakup and Levi`s running media wars with the Palins --
LEVI JOHNSTON, BRISTOL PALIN`S EX-BOYFRIEND: I have things that would get her in trouble and could hurt her.
SARAH PALIN, FORMER REPUBLICAN VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: He doesn`t have anything on me.
HAMMER: -- made Bristol the centerpiece of a tabloid soap opera.
And when she got back together with Levi earlier this year, she announced their engagement on the cover of "Us" magazine without even telling her mother.
Now Bristol`s broken up with Levi presumably for good this time. She`s a single mom, an advocate for preventing teen pregnancy. And now that she`s on "Dancing with the Stars", she can add celebrity to her resume. The judge`s reviews were kind.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think that was a very acceptable performance for week one.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You have to shake these hips like a pro.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Girlfriend, I see a future for you.
HAMMER: And even though Sarah Palin wasn`t in the audience, she sent her applause via Twitter, writing, quote, "Over the moon excited and happy for Bristol."
B. PALIN: The weight is lifted off my shoulders.
HAMMER: After her dancing debut, Bristol told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT how she felt about it.
B. PALIN: It took a lot of effort just because I don`t feel -- I`m not sexy and I don`t pull off that image. But I realized I had to get in that character and once the jacket came off, just had a good time.
HAMMER: And like her political mom, Bristol`s now hoping to win over voters, "Dancing with the Stars" voters, that is. So does she have what it takes to be inaugurated "Dancing with the Stars" winner?
BARRETT: I don`t think Bristol can win.
HAMMER: "Entertainment Weekly`s" Annie Barrett tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Bristol may need more than her interesting family history to stay on the show.
BARRETT: The producers might have trouble leading Sarah Palin into her storyline to be and it might become boring if they can`t do that. And if she can`t dance, no one`s going to vote for her.
HAMMER: But win or lose, Bristol Palin can now be sure of one thing, with her sexy independent debut on "Dancing with the Stars", Bristol can now see a new public image from her house.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: I think she did a great job, and obviously, Bristol Palin wants to come out from under the shadow of her uber-famous mom.
So now I`ve got to wonder, if Bristol`s transformation might make her the bigger star when it all is said and done.
Right now in Hollywood is Lauren Sanchez. She`s a correspondent -- correspondent for "EXTRA." Also in Hollywood is Hyla, he`s an entertainment journalist from 5DollarPrep.com.
You know, Bristol to me looked like she was trying to transform right before our very eyes, ripping off that Sarah Palin-inspired suit, tearing into that performance of "Mama Told Me Not to Come". You`ve got to watch a little bit of it. Here we go.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(CLIP FROM "DANCING WITH THE STARS")
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: It was a respectable start. I thought she was cute. I think that she showed that she`s got a sense of humor. Lauren, you were right there last night, along with SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Did you get the sense that Bristol was trying to make a huge transformation from scorned lover of Levi Johnston and that she was trying to emerge from that shadow of her mother to new, bold, young woman?
LAUREN SANCHEZ, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": Yes, I mean, I really think she was. I think she has a lot of people rooting for her, as well. But if she wants to be known for something other than being Sarah Palin`s daughter or, you know, being a pregnant teen, then she`s got to stop kind of dressing like her mother, even if it`s just for show. And then I thought the whole strip-tease thing was just a little bit bizarre.
But she`s a sweet, really sweet young girl, I have to say. And I asked her, did your mom give you any advice? And she goes, you know, she told me to relax and have fun. And I think if Bristol just does that, she`s already a winner.
And I have to say this one thing, I think she might actually get more votes than her mom did. I mean I think people are really warming up to her, and they really like her.
ANDERSON: I think so too. And I think if she makes it to week four or five, she isn`t going to be dressing like her mama anymore. And you know she`s --
SANCHEZ: No. And I think that was the point.
ANDERSON: And you know, she may be trying to pull away from Sarah Palin, but -- but mama bear took to the Twitter to show how proud she is of Bristol. She wrote this on Twitter. "Over-the-moon excited and happy for Bristol. Cheering her on at `Dancing with the Stars` party in the Palin living room."
Like it or not, Bristol is famous for being Sarah Palin`s daughter, who got pregnant as a teen. And -- and she knows, she even knows she wouldn`t be on "Dancing with the Stars" if it were not for her mother.
So, Hyla, to the point that Lauren was making, how can Bristol emerge and become just Bristol Palin, not Sarah Palin`s daughter? How can she be known for that?
HYLA, 5DOLLARPREP.COM: She has two big things to overcome. First of all, you made a bad relationship decision, as we often do in life, but you did it on the cover of "Us Weekly". And then you have your mom, who is one of the most polarizing figures in the country.
Those are huge to overcome. She has to bring something else to the table after "Dancing with the Stars". That`s how she can become her own woman because everyone on that cast either had a career or has a career outside of that.
So what is she going to do after dancing`s over?
ANDERSON: Well, you know --
SANCHEZ: Well, not everyone.
ANDERSON: -- this morning, our friends over at "The View" had some fun with Bristol`s new-found fame. Lauren, we`ve got to get to that.
So, A.J., what happened on "The View"?
HAMMER: Well, Brooke, we`ve got to leave it to our pal, Joy Behar, to come up with her Bristol transformation theory of her own on "The View" this morning. Let`s take a look at what she said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOY BEHAR, HLN CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": She`s very cute, you know. She`s cute. She did a nice job. But look at what the judges had to say about it, the score that they gave her.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Carrie Ann Inaba.
CARRIE ANN INABA, "DANCING WITH THE STARS": Six.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Len Goodman.
LEN GOODMAN, "DANCING WITH THE STARS": Six.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Bruno Tonioli.
BRUNO TONIOLI, "DANCING WITH THE STARS": Six.
BEHAR: Six, six, six. Devil worshiping. Just saying.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right, well, all kidding aside, and how does Joy not leap on that opportunity there. I think Bristol actually did pretty well considering that she`s never danced; she`s never performed publicly in her life.
A lot of people today were actually shocked that it wasn`t train wreck city in reading the reviews. Lauren, I hear you say that you like her, and she`s a lovely young woman, but are you rooting for the new booty-shaking Bristol?
SANCHEZ: Well, I`m not rooting against her, I mean, if that matters. I mean I think she did a really great job. I mean, she`s a very -- she`s - - it seems like she`s very painfully shy.
Like when you ask her a question, she kind of goes, well, my mom said and she`s going to -- someone`s going to have to shake her and go wake up, you`ve got to get your personality, you`ve got to shine, you can`t be that shy girl. You`re on center stage right now and this is your time to own it.
So she`s been used to, you know, being in the background. She needs to come forth and say, "Here I am, you guys, this is who I am. I`m proud and I`m happy." But she`s got to do that if she wants to take it any further.
ANDERSON: I am rooting for Bristol Palin. Go, Bristol, go, Bristol. But she`s got big, big competition in "The Situation" from the "Jersey Shore". And we want everybody to vote on CNN.com/SHOWBIZTONIGHT. Who would you be voting for, Bristol or "The Situation"?
Ok. Right now we do have more big "Situation" news today if you can believe it. The "Jersey Shore" star could get even richer today for an absolutely incredible reason. Lauren Sanchez, Hyla, don`t move, we are revealing that situation in just moments. HAMMER: Paris Hilton has a big old situation today. In fact, she`s got a major problem with an entire country. Why was Paris Hilton detained in Japan one day after pleading guilty to cocaine charges?
The incredible power of Lady Gaga, her political power, as Gaga rallies her little monsters for a fight for gay rights.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LADY GAGA, SINGER: I would like to propose a new law. Our new law is called "If you don`t like it, go home."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: But is Gaga a political powerhouse or just a powerless pop princess? It`s a "Showbiz Special Report."
Show her the money. We`re revealing today prime-time TV`s highest paid women. And I`m telling you, you`re going to be surprised at who`s on top.
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN, News & Views.
And now the "Showbiz News Ticker" more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: And welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with A.J. Hammer in New York with startling news today, A.J., about star couples who were on the fast track to divorce court, now calling the whole thing off.
HAMMER: Yes, Balthazar Getty and Stephanie Seymour are saying, split? What split? Getty, of course, starred in TV`s "Brothers and Sisters" and Victoria`s Secret model Stephanie Seymour were both in their own nasty battles with their spouses, but both of them have now put a sudden and startling end to each of their splits.
With me in New York is Cooper Lawrence, she`s a syndicated radio host and author of "The Cult of Celebrity." And I want to begin with Balthazar Getty. He had this very public affair with Siena Miller, it was two years ago. His ten-year marriage, it seemed doomed, but his wife now forgives him. They just posed with their kids for the new issue of "Harper`s Bazaar".
Listen to what Balthazar had to say about his affair. "Here`s the bottom line. It was a very challenging time for everybody involved, but I love and miss my family too much not to make it work. Rosetta is understanding enough and spiritual enough to say, let us try. In a way, I don`t know. I feel like we`re better than we`ve ever been."
And I`m glad when I read that Balthazar can own up to his own mistakes and work through them, but, Cooper Lawrence, I am thinking, there are not a lot of women out there who could be so forgiving.
COOPER LAWRENCE, SYNDICATED RADIO SHOW HOST: No and that`s the thing. There`s actually a lot of research on forgiveness and how it affects marital discord versus marital -- you know, in a situation like this, if you`re willing to forgive, it`s more than just saying, I forgive you, it`s also taking responsibility for your role in it.
You know, a lot of women say, well, he did wrong, him, him, him, and you want to place the blame and that`s it.
HAMMER: Right.
LAWRENCE: But the fact that -- I`m guessing she probably said, you know, I was probably a little colder than I should have been, or I disconnected from you at some point, the more she could take responsibility, the more likely she`ll forgive him.
HAMMER: It`s pretty evolved of both of them that it gets to the point that they`ve gotten too.
I do want to get to this other couple, suddenly reunited today, Stephanie Seymour and her super-rich tycoon husband, Peter Brant.
Now, they have been in the middle of a nasty divorce fight for the past year and a half. It`s been playing out in court listen to what`s been going on. "Seymour claimed he was controlling and threatened her. He claimed that Seymour had a substance abuse problem and was an unfit mother.
But they shocked everyone on Monday. They walked out of divorce court, arm in arm, announced, hey, the divorce is off.
So, Cooper, help me understand how a couple can be in such a bitter battle for so long and suddenly everything`s fine.
LAWRENCE: This is so easy to understand. If you understand that there`s a lot of stuff you don`t say to your partner. So all this was forced out. They were forced to deal with this. They were forced to say all the nasty, negative things, and then go, huh, I got that out. It`s a little cathartic.
Ok, what do we have behind the angle --
HAMMER: Right.
LAWRENCE: -- what do we have behind the -- the nastiness between us? And they actually found that they did love each other and that it was worth saving. It`s really inspiring.
HAMMER: Well, it is, and I hope a lot of people look to this and say, wow, with all they were going through, if they can get through it, so can we.
Cooper Lawrence --
LAWRENCE: Thanks.
HAMMER: -- thank you, as always.
LAWRENCE: Thank you.
HAMMER: All right, Brooke, a lot of fired up reaction today to Paris Hilton`s cocaine possession plea deal.
ANDERSON: That`s right, A.J. we are getting flooded with posts on the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook Wall and the overwhelming opinion today, Paris` plea deal was just another case of celebrity justice, stars getting special treatment.
But Patty S. says that she is not giving up on Paris, "Clean yourself up, or your family is going to lose you."
HAMMER: Now, the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines, no surprise, they`ve been ringing all day, Brooke. We heard from Deidra in Texas and Deidra is outraged at Paris` plea deal.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
DEIDRA FROM TEXAS: This Paris Hilton business is ridiculous. That is not fair because if anybody else were to do what she just did, they would go to jail or prison. There`s a lot of people who are in prison for what she did, and now she`s probably thinking, now I can get away with anything just because I have probation. That`s not fair, and I think she should go to jail.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right, Deidra, we thank you for your call. You can call us at "Showbiz on Call" to sound off on this or anything else at all. The "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are open all the time.
ANDERSON: That`s right. just give us a call at 1-888-SBT-BUZZ. That`s 1-888-728-2899. Leave a voice mail. We will play some of your calls right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
HAMMER: Lady Gaga is getting political, but is she a powerhouse or a powerless pop princess?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Whatever message Lady Gaga is putting out there, anything she can do to be controversial is going to help.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Gaga flexes her political muscle, but can she change a controversial law about gays serving in the military? It`s a "Showbiz Special Report."
Big news breaking today for "Jersey Shore" stars J-Woww and "The Situation." How "The Situation" could become even richer for an incredible reason.
Also, the reported megabucks payday for J-Woww if she takes it off, all off.
I`ve got to tell you, I was shocked today when I read this. Why in the world is Jodie Foster defending Mel Gibson of all people?
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN News & Views.
It`s time now to roll out the "Showbiz News Ticker," more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(MUSIC)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: There is big news breaking in "The Buzz Today". Kanye`s controversial confrontation: is Kanye West ready to end his feud with "Saturday Night Live"? Is Gwyneth Paltrow the next big star set to sing on "Glee"?
And Michael Douglas` big "Wall Street" night out. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT right there with Michael on the red carpet for the premiere of his brand- new movie, "Wall Street: Money never Sleeps".
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER (voice-over): Michael Douglas` Wall Street guts. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was right there as Michael Douglas, who`s battling throat cancer, courageously stepped out on the red carpet for his new film, "Wall Street: Money never Sleeps."
And while Michael declined to speak with reporters, his co-star Carrie Mulligan told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT what it was like to work with the Hollywood legend.
CARRIE MULLIGAN, ACTRESS: It`s always daunting to work with people that you think are incredibly talented, but they all make you feel comfortable.
HAMMER: Gwyneth on "Glee"? A brand-new report reveals that Gwyneth Paltrow is reportedly in talks to be the latest big celebrity guest star on Fox`s hit show, "Glee". E! Online is reporting the Oscar winner would play a substitute teacher on the show and sing a song or two.
She`s got the voice to do it. She`s starring as a country singer in her upcoming film, "Country Strong".
Kanye confronts a new controversy. Kanye West has reportedly signed on to perform on "Saturday Night Live" October 2nd. A surprising move considering Kanye took a shot at the comedy show in a new song where he tells the cast to kiss his -- rear end. Kanye hasn`t quite gotten over being made the butt of jokes on "SNL". But now they can hopefully put it all behind them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: All right. There is fresh reaction today to Leann Rimes` cheating confession. The SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook fans are making sure to tell us how they feel and the overwhelming consensus, Leann needs to zip it already.
Enid D. says, "There will never be any justification for what she and Eddie Cibrian did. Eddie is keeping quiet, so why does Leann keep opening up her trap?
But Laura P. says "We are human. Nobody is perfect."
Join the debate on Facebook. Go behind the scenes of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT and get breaking entertainment news alerts on Twitter. Call us at "Showbiz on Call" and there`s always e-mail, "Showbiz Connects", CNN.com/SHOWBIZTONIGHT.
HAMMER: It`s time now for the "Showbiz Lineup".
And here`s what`s coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT at the bottom of the hour. Paris Hilton, detained in Japan the day after pleading guilty to cocaine possession. Is this just the beginning of more trouble for Paris?
Lady Gaga, a political powerhouse or a powerless pop princess? It`s a "Showbiz Special Report" not to be missed.
And which female primetime TV star makes the most money? Well, we have got the surprising answer.
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN News & Views.
Time now to roll out the "Showbiz News Ticker", more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You don`t bathe and yet you have a lady?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh it allows me to stew in my own maleness. It`s like catnip to women.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Am I interrupting something?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, Jesus.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: God, no.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GAGA: I would like to propose a new law. Our new law is called "If you don`t like it, go home."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
The incredible political power of Lady Gaga: Gaga rallies her little monsters over a major gay rights issue. Is Gaga political powerhouse or a powerless pop princess?
Paris` big new problem. Paris detained in Japan today after she pleaded guilty to cocaine possession charges.
Plus, a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive: Paris versus Lindsay Lohan, who is more likely to stay out of trouble?
The incredible new way "The Situation" is cashing in today. And will J-Woww score a big paycheck by posing nude?
Plus, breaking today from the "Showbiz News Ticker," Lindsay Lohan settles a battle with a baby.
And a shocking "SNL" split.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
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.
And now a blockbuster showbiz special report. Lady Gaga -- power princess? There`s no question that Gaga is one of the most powerful, influential female singers out there. She`s definitely the queen of music right now, but does anyone listen to her when it comes to controversial political issues?
HAMMER: Well, Gaga put on a full-court press. She tried to get the "don`t ask, don`t tell" policy, keeping gays from openly serving in the military, repealed. She rallied tons of her little monsters.
Well, there was a setback today for Gaga. A vote in Washington did shoot down this latest attempt to change the law. So SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has got to ask, is Gaga a political powerhouse or a powerless pop princess?
Here`s "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s" Kareen Wynter.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KAREEN WYNTER, HLN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Outrageous outfits, sexy music videos -- and shocking public behavior, like flipping off photographers at a baseball game. Even outfitted in an outlandish meat attire at this year`s MTV Video Music Awards. GAGA: I never thought I`d be asking Cher to hold my meat purse.
WYNTER: Lady Gaga has our attention, and she`s pushing a message she`s fired up about, but is the public listening?
GAGA: I`m here because "don`t ask, don`t tell" is wrong.
WYNTER: The Grammy winner spoke out at a rally in Maine Monday, lashing out at the government`s "don`t ask, don`t tell" policy. It`s about gays in the military.
GAGA: We`re going to war for you and you and you and you and you, but not you because you`re gay.
WYNTER: And just last week, the politically provocative Gaga posted this video on her Web site, urging Congress to put a stop to the hotly debated practice.
GAGA: I am here to be a voice for my generation.
WYNTER: And that generation is listening, says music and pop culture expert Steven Smith. He tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT her shift from controversial icon to social activist hasn`t hurt her cause.
STEVEN SMITH, MUSIC AND POP CULTURE EXPERT: The transformation, I think, is something very, very calculated. Whatever message Lady Gaga is putting out there, anything she can do to be controversial is going to help.
WYNTER: Even if it means inspiring Ellie (ph) and Lauren (ph). They are two college kids in Colorado who produced this video.
ELIE: Lady Gaga could die if you don`t vote.
GAGA: Do you want me to die?
ELIE, LAUREN: No, we don`t want you to die.
WYNTER: The liberal outreach voter group, Campus Progress, just posted this video on their Web site to encourage young people to vote.
SARAH HAILE-MARIAM, CAMPUS PROGRESS: Ellie and Lauren aren`t politically active, they`re not even registered to vote yet. But they`re getting registered to vote as a consequence of all the activity that`s occurring over "don`t ask, don`t tell."
WYNTER: Campus Progress Sarah Haile-Mariam tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that it was Gaga`s passion that actually inspired the video.
HAILE-MARIAM: What Lady Gaga was able to do was to challenge us to take that passion and to take our creativity and to utilize it. And it`s really incredible to see how celebrity and activism and the Internet are interacting in a way that makes young people more impactful than we`ve been able to be in years past.
WYNTER (on camera): And the pop star who`s at the political forefront wants the public to take action, instead of just watching from the sidelines.
GAGA: I would like to propose a new law. Our new law is called "If you don`t like it, go home."
SMITH: So when you see a young pop star get excited by activism and realizing, yes, there are problems in the world, things we should attack, then, yes, definitely, it can get people more devoted to a certain cause.
WYNTER (voice-over): When it comes to devotion, Lady Gaga isn`t just using her voice to rock the music world. She`s inspiring young America to make some political noise of their own.
GAGA: Can you all hear me?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Well, Lady Gaga may be able to create a political spectacle, but some people doubt that she packs a political punch. And that leads to today`s "Showbiz Flash Point": Lady Gaga, political powerhouse or a powerless pop princess.
With me in New York is Sunny Hostin, who is a legal contributor for "In Session" on TruTV. Right now from Hollywood, Hyla, who is an entertainment journalist with 5DollarPrep.com.
Ok so the repeal of "don`t ask, don`t tell" did fail to move forward today, but to me, even if the vote didn`t go her way, there`s no doubt that Lady Gaga got everyone`s attention.
Hyla, to you first for our "Showbiz Flash Point," is Lady Gaga a political powerhouse or a political pop princess?
HYLA: I think she has potential to be a powerhouse, absolutely. The difference between her and a lot of other celebrities is that they usually talk in -- talking points and they don`t really necessarily have a point or they`re fully educated.
When you watch this speech, if you watched the entire 15 minutes, she speaks with conviction, with passion. She made great points. She speaks with facts. I would put her up against a Glenn Beck or Bill O`Reilly any day. I think she could hold her own. She came across like that.
HAMMER: Well, I have to tell you I agree with you on so much of that. I think she came across terrifically, and I`m a Gaga fan.
But the problem I have, Sunny, is -- it`s one thing to rally your fans. You`re preaching to the choir, basically. But if you want to have political clout, doing things like showing up wearing a dress made of meat doesn`t really help your cause.
So to our "Showbiz Flash Point," a political powerhouse or a powerless pop princess?
SUNNY HOSTIN, LEGAL CONTRIBUTOR, "IN SESSION" ON TRUTV: I think she`s a powerless pop princess right now. I have to agree with you, I mean, she certainly has the reach. And I commend her for putting herself out there with the message, which I think is a wonderful message --
HAMMER: Yes.
HOSTIN: -- that we can`t tolerate discrimination in any form. But I don`t think that the Senate was going to listen to her, especially in the way that it was delivered. The message was wonderful; the delivery, eh, not so much.
HAMMER: Well, I`ve got to say, Gaga working for positive change, I completely agree with you on that. So we give her a lot of credit for that.
Let`s talk about Paris Hilton, on the other hand. She seems to be disrupting international relations today, Brooke. What`s going on?
ANDERSON: Yes. All right, A.J., Paris is making big news today in Japan. And this just one day after she pleaded guilty to cocaine possession charges in Las Vegas.
Here`s the story. Paris was reportedly stopped today from entering Japan on a business trip. Paris was supposedly stopped by immigration in Japan because of her guilty plea.
Sunny, if this happened on day one of Paris` year-long probation, what does that say for the remaining 364 days? Is her nightmare just beginning?
HOSTIN: It is just beginning. I mean, this is going to be difficult for her. It`s one year of probation and she could end up in jail if she gets into trouble. And a lot of people sort of took issue with the fact that I said, you know, this wasn`t just a slap on the wrist type of sentence. She is going to be held accountable.
And we`re seeing it happen already. She goes to Japan and she`s held prisoner basically in a hotel airport, because she pled guilty to possession of cocaine and the Japanese don`t take kindly to cocaine possessors.
HAMMER: And that`s not the only bad news today for Paris Hilton. I`ve got more bad news for both Paris and Lindsay Lohan. They have -- she has a court date of her own, and that`s happening on Friday. An arrest warrant was just issued after Lindsay failed a drug test during her probation.
Take a look at this. It`s our exclusive SHOWBIZ TONIGHT poll where we asked, who is most likely to turn her life around? And look at these results, just in late today, only 13 percent say Paris Hilton. Seven percent say Lindsay Lohan; 80 percent say neither one are going to turn their lives around.
Hyla, do our viewers have it right? Neither of these two have a shot?
HYLA: It -- it depends.
Basically, I think Lindsay is in control of her fate here, because if she can get her friends and her family to really step up and call her out on the things that she`s doing, then she really is going to make a change. She has the best opportunity, because Lindsay has a career in the movie business. She`s a great actress.
Paris, I think she likes this attention. This is what she does for a living is to have her name in the press so I think she feels she`s being successful, but Lindsay has the best chance only if her friends and family step up.
HAMMER: Yes, well, the problem here is we keep hearing both of them saying, ok, all of that is behind me, that`s in my past, and now I`m turning things around and they keep showing us that it isn`t happening.
Sunny Hostin and Hyla, thanks, guys, I appreciate it.
ANDERSON: I`ve got to say, I`m not sure if Mel Gibson has a lot of friends nowadays, ever since those awful reported tapes of him came out, he allegedly beat up and threatened to kill his ex.
But Jodie Foster is standing up for Mel today. That story is coming up.
Also those "Jersey Shore" kids cashing in again big-time today. Maybe they`ll be able to buy the Jersey Shore. "The Situation`s" wallet is getting bigger than his abs for an incredible new reason. And will J-Woww collect a supersized paycheck for posing nude?
Ok, maybe the "Jersey Shore" cast isn`t as rich as this crew, yet. I`m talking about the best-paid women on prime-time TV.
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN News & Views.
HAMMER: Time now for the "Showbiz News Ticker"; more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom, making news today.
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MOLLY RINGWALD, ACTRESS: I think the issues haven`t changed. I think it doesn`t matter that technology changes, we have Internet now, we have texting now. All of the issues behind it are all the same. You know, kids wondering how they fit in and the insecurities and you know all of that. I think it just never changes. And that`s why they`re so timeless.
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HAMMER: It`s "The Situation," working his dancing moves on the season premiere of "Dancing with the Stars". While his smooth moves are paying off, he`s teamed up with iTunes, and iTunes has just revealed something that has certainly given "The Situation" every reason to have happy feet today, Brooke.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
I`m A.J. Hammer in New York, with the always happy Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
ANDERSON: A.J., there`s big "Jersey Shore" news just in today. What a situation. Get this, "Jersey Shore" abs-tastic star, Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino has a brand-new app, and we just learned that it has now just shot up to one of iTune`s top ten grossing apps.
Who would have thought, right? Joining me right now in New York is Cooper Lawrence, who is a syndicated radio show host and author of "The Cult of Celebrity"; also right now in New York, Brian Balthazar, who is the editor of PopGoesTheWeek.com.
So I`m sure everyone is wondering, what do you get when you download "The Situation" app? Well, the biggest attraction is the GTL locator. Find your local gym, tanning salon and Laundromat in one handy dandy app.
Oh, and did I mention, there`s a game called "A Grenade Dodger", which is the "Jersey Shore`s" unfortunate term for women they don`t think are pretty. All this is yours for a whopping $4.99.
Brian, are you going to buy this app to get your GTL on?
BRIAN BALTHAZAR, EDITOR, POPGOESTHEWEEK.COM: You know, I think I`ll choose other means of finding that kind of thing app. But I think, you know, as shocking as this is, is the numbers speak for themselves. I`m -- I`m stumped, but I think he`s got a challenge now. He`s got this huge opportunity to broaden his audience.
You know, for those people who just know him from the "Jersey Shore", he`s kind of broaden his appeal and kind of be a little more humble. But these numbers speak for themselves.
ANDERSON: Humble is not in "The Situation`s" vocabulary, Brian.
BALTHAZAR: It`s not in the app.
ANDERSON: I mean, what are you talking about?
BALTHAZAR: It`s definitely not in the app.
ANDERSON: That`s right, that`s right.
And that`s not -- not all that the app does. Listen to this. It can help you get "The Situation`s" abs. Let`s take a look at those famous abs, shall we? This is one of the more hysterical examples of "The Situation" ab frenzy when Rachael Ray begs "The Situation" for a peek. Watch.
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RACHEL RAY, TV HOST: How many times have you had to show off your abs since the start of this show?
MIKE "THE SITUATION" SORRENTINO, "JERSEY SHORE": It`s pretty crazy. I mean, where ever I go --
RAY: Do it, dear. Do it. All right. Come on, do it. Come on. It`s not like you haven`t done it before. Come on.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That`s right.
RAY: She asked so nicely, and she`s cute. Come on.
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BALTHAZAR: He`s not the first person to have abs. That`s just it. He`s not the first person to have abs, I don`t get it.
ANDERSON: But abs like that, Brian, I`m not so sure. Cooper, if you want it, although it would be a little bit weird, but you too can have abs like "The Situation."
LAWRENCE: Me? I can? You`re kidding. Oh, my God?
ANDERSON: So are you buying into "The Situation`s" ab-fab app? Are you buying into this app?
LAWRENCE: Now, well, first of all, I`m not the audience. I mean, I`m not looking for a gym that plays (INAUDIBLE) too loud. I mean, but the truth is, he`s got to capitalize on what he has and what he has is abdominals. And what he has is fame right now. And until -- look, there`s no "Hills" app. That show was very relevant and then it was done.
So right now they`re relevant, so while they`re relevant, they have to make as much money as possible. And, look, it`s all about the iPad apps right now.
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ANDERSON: Yes, it certainly is. He is cashing in big time. But -- but you know, "The Situation" isn`t the only "Jersey Shore" star with a big money situation. Jenny "J-Woww" Farley is reportedly in talks with "Playboy" to pose nude for a whopping $400,000.
A.J., today "Playboy" told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that they won`t confirm nor deny but they do love enticing reality stars. Kim Kardashian did it, Heidi Montag did it. I don`t know if it`s a good move for J-Woww. What do you think?
HAMMER: I think if she can get the money, go for it J-Woww.
LAWRENCE: Yes.
HAMMER: I mean, come on, just like -- just like Cooper was saying, they`re relevant right now. Who knows what`s going to be in the future. Take the money while you can.
Let me move on, though because we do have other women making really big bucks, and not because of "Playboy," but because of prime-time. "Forbes" is out today with its just released top ten list of women on TV pulling in cash from 2009 and 2010 and here are the top three right now.
In number three, former "Grey`s Anatomy" star, Katherine Heigl, in a twelve month period, $15.5 million, not just for TV, but for big movies as well.
In number two on "Forbes" list, Tyra Banks. Listen to this. She earned an estimated $25 million over a 12-month period, not just for her daytime talk show, but of course, she`s also the host of "America`s Top Model."
I`m going to tell you who is number one in just a moment but, Brian, are you surprised at all that Tyra`s two and Heigl`s three?
BALTHAZAR: Well, I`m a little surprised at Heigl, because she hasn`t broadened her brand beyond acting mostly. But Tyra really took modeling into television production, into sponsorship. She`s doing music. You know, she`s doing a lot of things.
So I`m a little bit surprised about Katherine Heigl, because I don`t think her movies are that great. I`m going to say it.
HAMMER: No, I definitely disagree. I love the Katherine Heigl movies and her, as a personality as well.
Let`s get to number one on "Forbes" list, put it up Charles -- there she is, Ellen DeGeneres, a whopping $55 million in the bank in 12 months as a daytime talk show host, of course, "American Idol" judge, American Express spokeswoman, the face of Cover Girl.
As far as I`m concerned there is absolutely no surprise that Ellen DeGeneres lands at the top of that list.
Cooper Lawrence and Brian Balthazar, thank you for being with us guys.
BALTHAZAR: Thank you.
LAWRENCE: Thank you.
ANDERSON: All right, I can tell you that Mel Gibson has at least one friend out there today, Jodie Foster. She is standing up for Mel, even with all those reported awful tapes, even though he`s been accused of beating up and allegedly threatening to kill his ex-girlfriend.
Why is Jodie so passionate about sticking by Mel?
HAMMER: It`s time now to roll out the "Showbiz News Ticker", more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
It`s time now for the "Showbiz Buzz List". Here is what the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT staff cannot stop buzzing about this week. Of course, "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps" opens on Friday and of course we are pulling for the film star, Michael Douglas as he battles cancer.
Spencer Quinn`s "To Fetch a Thief" it`s the latest book in the "Chet and Bernie" mystery series. Chet the dog helps private investigator Bernie solve cases.
"Modern Family" is kicking off its new season with its premier on Wednesday on ABC. We`re very excited about that.
We`re also excited about the super cool new iPod Nano. It`s got multi-touch on the screen and it fits right between your fingers.
And the oh-so-catchy song "Magic" by B.O.B. from the fan music video featuring Weezer`s lead singer Rivers Cuomo.
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN News & Views.
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JODIE FOSTER, ACTRESS: What would this world come to without two gentlemen like yourselves?
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ANDERSON: Mel Gibson, a gentleman? Jodie Foster thought so when they shot "Maverick" back in 1994. And Jodie is still standing by Mel today, even with all those reported scary audiotapes, even with all those allegations that Mel beat up and threatened to kill his ex-girlfriend.
This is really something. A.J., despite all those terrible things that Mel allegedly said and did to Oksana Gregorieva, Jodie says she is standing by her good friend.
In the October issue of "More" magazine Jodie says this, "When you love a friend, you don`t abandon them when they are struggling. I hope I can help him get through this dark moment. He is the easiest, nicest person I`ve ever worked with. The second I met him, I said, I will love this man for the rest of my life."
Ok, A.J., I kind of get where Jodie is coming from.
HAMMER: Yes.
ANDERSON: Because apart from the monstrous things that Mel allegedly did, here`s the thing, the easiest thing Jodie -- for Jodie to do right now would be to abandon Mel.
HAMMER: Sure.
ANDERSON: And she`s not doing that. She`s -- she`s right. You don`t just desert someone when they`re struggling, when they have deep issues and problems. If anything, that is the time when they need your love, your support, your friendship the most if they truly want to get through it, if they truly want to change, and by the way, Jodie has said that Mel has been a true and loyal friend to her.
So she`s reciprocating.
HAMMER: Yes and Mel has said some nice things about Jodie, as well. In the same article, Mel said that they`re very tight. He said that she`s compassionate and kind of like a mother in the way she`ll stick up for people.
I got to tell you, despite what you may think of Mel or what he`s done, he`s a pretty lucky guy, having somebody like Jodie Foster in his corner --
ANDERSON: Absolutely.
HAMMER: -- right now, because I`m guessing a lot of his friends -- they may have kind of disappeared at this point.
All right, we move on now to Courtney Cox. She said it was absolutely great to play alongside her old "Friends" friend, Jennifer Aniston again. Aniston makes a guest appearance on the season premiere of Cox`s "Cougar Town" airing on Wednesday. I can`t wait to see her on that show.
And even though it has been more than six years since "Friends" went off the air Courtney Cox says she`s still being called Monica, her role, of course, on "Friends."
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COURTNEY COX, ACTRESS: It`s nice to play different characters too and not be referred to as Rachel and Monica. Although one of the directors of our show, his name is Michael McDonalds, he`s now our producer.
The first time he directed, he said to me, listen, Courtney, I didn`t see that much "Friends." I don`t really know that much about it, I said, that`s ok, the show has been around for ten years.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes right.
COX: It`s on twice a day still.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It`s one of the most popular show ever.
COX: That`s all right.
But literally after saying he doesn`t watch it he said, so now, Monica, when you start over there. And I said, no, no, no, I`m playing Jules.
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HAMMER: All right, Courtney. I love you, we all love you, but you know what, you`ll always be Monica Geller to me.
I`m betting you too Brooke.
Just a guess. All right, that`s it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is now live at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Monday through Friday.
HAMMER: And on at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific right here on HLN.
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