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Showbiz Tonight
Angelina`s Movie Gamble; Snipes In Prison
Aired December 09, 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, HNL HOST: We`ve got big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Angelina`s blockbuster new revelations.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (voice-over): Angelina Jolie on having more kids. The secrets to making her relationship with Brad Pitt works so well, and Angelina`s dramatic new push to protect her family.
ANGELINA JOLIE, ACTRESS: I do hope that there, at some point, will be laws about how close they can get to children with cameras.
HAMMER: Julia Roberts` unbelievable fight to protect her family today. Julia`s stunning attack on a paparazzo caught on camera.
Oprah in tears. What made Oprah breakdown during her brand new interview with Barbara Walters?
OPRAH WINFREY, HOST: I`m thinking about how much --
HAMMER: Jessica`s stunning about-face. Dramatic claims today that Jessica Simpson Will now sign a pre-nup with her Fiancee as she builds a reported billion dollar fashion empire.
The Showbiz Flashpoint today, should Jessica focus on fashion and give up music for good?
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (on-camera): Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer coming to you from New York City with big news breaking today. Oprah`s tears. Yes. Just when you thought you knew everything there is no know about Oprah Winfrey, well, today she`s opening up, even crying about the love of her life, the long- time boyfriend, Steadman Graham. All this is part of Oprah`s emotional new interview with Barbara Walters today. And I have to tell you, I`ve never heard Oprah speak this candidly about Steadman before.
But today, Oprah is also setting a record straight and removing all the mystery surrounding the one part of her life that she has kept so private until now. With me in New York, Tony Potts who`s a correspondent and weekend co-host for access Hollywood and from Hollywood, Tanika Ray who`s an entrainment journalist.
Yes, I got to tell you, Oprah has never been afraid to go there when it comes to a lot of her personal life, but, really, she has kept her love life with Steadman pretty much under wraps until today. Now, Barbara Walters, asked Oprah why we don`t see Oprah and Steadman out very often. Watch what Oprah told Barbara.
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BARBARA WALTERS, HOST: Still the man in your life?
WINFREY: Yes, he is.
WALTERS: The love of your life, the lover in your life?
WINFREY: The love, the lover, the man, the partner, the mate. I do not know of another man on this planet who could have lived this life with such dignity, with such grace and such respect.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I got to tell you, I think it was a great tribute to Steadman, her long-time partner. And I can see why she decided to take her relationship with Steadman out of the public eye. It sounds like he`s really been her rock all along. Tony, I`m thinking, you know, we see what happens to celebrities when they`re all out with their spouses or partners who have a private life. I think she had no choice but to always keep this private.
TONY POTTS, WEEKEND CO-HOST, "ACCESS HOLLYWOOD": I think so. I think there are a lot of men in this world who like to try to be the man, but when you`re sitting there and Oprah and your wife says, you know, you are the man, the love, the lover in my life. That means (ph) a lot. And he`s kept his cool. He`s kept out of the public eye. A very smart in her part. She`s always been smart that way.
HAMMER: And like I said, we`re hearing now even in this interview with Barbara Walters more than we`ve ever heard about Steadman before. So, Tanika, now that Oprah has opened up about Steadman, what do you think, is she going to do something radical that she said she never do before, maybe walk down the aisle with the dude?
TANIKA RAY, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: No. We all want to put that on the celebrities and get them married and have them having babies, but Oprah`s been very clear about that. She doesn`t need the paperwork. She doesn`t need the contract. She and Stedman are tight. And I got to be honest, the reason why he hasn`t been in the public limelight is because he doesn`t like it. And Oprah`s made that very clear over the years. And why torture your man if you don`t have to.
It`s like nag, nag, nag. So, she`s just sort of paying (INAUDIBLE) to him and being respectful to his wishes. And the fact that she has him at home to be her rock is all that matters. So, good for Oprah.
HAMMER: Yes, good for her. And what a wedding that would be. Imagine the chaos surrounding something like that. But right now, --
RAY: Oh, God.
HAMMER: I do have to move on to another big story breaking today. Angelina`s brand new confession. Angelina Jolie making big buzz today after sharing some pretty intimate details about her love life with Brad Pitt and their lives together with their six children. All of this as she`s got her high-profile new movie "The Tourist" co-starring Johnny Depp coming out Friday.
So, really, the pressure is on for Angelina to now turn all this fascination in her private life into box office gold. Check out Angie gushing about Brad, the dad, in a brand new interview with CNN`s Larry King. Roll that.
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JOLIE: Brad is an extremely, extremely hands on wonderful father. And we take turns working. So, when I was shooting "The Tourist", for example, he was home with the kids and helping them with school and bringing them to visit sets, and so, we try to never -- we never work at the same time. We never separate the family and that`s the best thing we can do to try to keep it all balanced.
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HAMMER: Yes. There`s no question everyone wants to know how Angelina and Brad make it work. And that brings us to our Showbiz Flashpoint today, will Angelina`s professional, personal confessions be enough to entice people to see her new movie, "The Tourist." What do you think, Tony? Because that`s why she does these interviews. It`s not to reveal stuff about herself.
POTTS: Exactly. I saw the movie when I`m here in New York, and then went to an after party and saw her and Brad standing next together. If Brad (INAUDIBLE) he`s a dude. He`s a smart dude, but you can have a beer with him. He`s a great guy and what have you -- Yes, I think he centers her (ph). The movie, I`d like to give it like an 8 or 9, but I`ll give it 6.5.
(CROSSTALK)
HAMMER: We`re talking about that in just a second here, but I think the fact that people are still so fascinated with every aspect of Angelina Jolie`s life will always be a net gain for her career.
POTTS: Absolutely.
HAMMER: Bottom line, people want to see her any way they can. So, I think, yes, keep talking, Angie, and fortunately, for us she is.
RAY: She doesn`t have a choice.
POTTS: Yes.
HAMMER: And Tanika, Angelina also opened up to Larry King about the idea of she and Brad perhaps expanding their family, which everyone wants to know about.
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KING: Remember the book and the film "Eight is Enough," is six enough?
JOLIE: I don`t know. No plans at the moment, but we`re always open.
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HAMMER: All right. So, they`re keeping their options open there, but I would bet the bank that they`re going to have to answer that question -- hold on a second, Tony. They`re going to be talking about this again and again. It will never get old for their fans. Tanika, I want to you in here because the fascination to all things Angelina never ends. But, to you, to our Showbiz Flashpoint, do you think all of her personal confessions will get people to run out to the theater to see her on the big screen, whatever the film?
RAY: I don`t think it matters what she says in these interviews. Look, she would love to sit in an interview and say, look, my life is great and thank you for coming, but she can`t do that. Every movie that comes out, she`s got to promote it and she has to say something in the seven to ten minutes that the interviewers have with her.
And every time she says something, we latch onto it like, like little monkeys, like we can`t get enough. But when it comes down to it, of course, she`s going to leave the options open. Are they going to get married? Who know? Is she happy? It seems like she`s dashing, and that`s all people need to know. And I think people are so enamored with the mystery of her. They`re going to go see the movie, regardless.
POTTS: Real quick, though. She always talks about them having a date night, which is very important when you`re married, right? Well, date night often turns into mate night. So, I would think there might be a seven or eight coming on board.
(LAUGHTER)
(CROSSTALK)
HAMMER: Back specifically to this movie which is a star power (ph), I want you to take a look at the results of our exclusive SHOWBIZ TONIGHT poll because here`s what we at, Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp, in "The Tourist," are you seeing it or skipping it? And I was surprised by these results just (INAUDIBLE) because of the star-power. Look at that, 43 percent plan to see it, 57 percent, yes, they say they`re skipping it.
RAY: Shocking.
HAMMER: But let me read some of the reviews that came in. Let`s put this up. "The Washington Post" saying this, Why Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp may not be enough to save "The Tourist." "The Seattle Times," "The Tourist" pretty, but otherwise, not worth a visit.
Now, Tony, you have seen the movies. The reviews have not been great, as you see here. But you can`t beat the star power as I keep coming back to you. Do you think Angelina should be worried?
POTTS: Not really because if you look at it, the "Seattle Times" got it right. Pretty. I mean, I`m watching the movie I`m going wow, she looks gorgeous. She looks gorgeous. About half an hour, she looks gorgeous, wait, where`s the story? Really doesn`t fit. Really doesn`t fit. But I like watching both them. And it`s a fun movie, and I had a honeymoon in Venice, so I`m kind of partial. But there`s got to be more there.
HAMMER: There was a time, though, you put those two marquis names, you know --
RAY: It`s still going to make a lot of money. There are a lot of celebrities that make a bunch of movies, and the movies aren`t that great and they still cash in.
HAMMER: No question about it.
RAY: So, I think they have enough star-power.
HAMMER: Let me move on right now to this other big story breaking today because this is wild. Report that Jessica Simpson and her fiance, Eric Johnson, will in fact sign a pre-nup after what we`re hearing previously that they weren`t going to do this. Now, she`s only known the guy for about five months. She`s worth a whole heap of dough. Tanika, I`m actually relieved to hear this.
RAY: Yes.
HAMMER: I truly, personally sitting here relieved today.
(LAUGHTER)
RAY: Yes. You know, chicken or tuna, get it together, Jessica. I think, if you do anything right, definitely get a pre-nup. She has made kagillions of dollars off of her fashion empire which was shocking. We thought actress, singer, but there`s a bunch of money on the side from her fashion, and she needs to keep it to herself. Jessica, be smart.
POTTS: My question to her and her new fiance, does he know that he`s also marrying her dad? Just call Nick Lachey.
(CROSSTALK)
HAMMER: You know, that pre-nup could actually protect what is a growing fortune, as Tanika just mentioned, for Jessica.
It`s part of more big news breakings. Jessica Simpson news today, could Jessica become the world`s next billionaire? And you have to say it like that.
RAY: Yes.
HAMMER: We will get to that, but for now, Tony Potts, Tanika Ray, I thank you both.
You know, Julia Roberts is not one to pick a fight. I`ve always thought she was really level headed, but when it comes to protecting her family, watch out. Julia`s stunning attack on a paparazzo and it was all caught on camera, but was Julia justified? Also this --
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JENNIFER LOPEZ, SINGER: That`s OK, baby, because I liked you. There`s no reason for you to be shaking. I want you to be great.
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HAMMER: I`ve got your very first look at Jennifer Lopez on "American Idol". I think J.LO is going to be terrific on this show.
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN, news and views.
Time to roll out the showbiz news ticker, here come (ph) more stories from SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
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HAMMER (voice-over): Wesley Snipes is now in prison stripes. Snipes reported to a medium security federal prison in Pennsylvania today. Snipes is going to have to serve three years in prison for failing to file his taxes. That is almost surreal for me to say, but it`s true. Snipes has been appealing the sentence, and he was hoping for a last-second miracle. That didn`t happen. Snipes still blames his tax advisors for not filing his return. Attorneys are still appealing his case.
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HAMMER (on-camera): Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. So, moving on, is it case closed? There are startling details just in today about the death mystery that really has captivated all of Hollywood and beyond. Cops say celebrity publicist, Ronni Chasen, who was shot and killed just hours after the star-studded premiere of "Burlesque" was actually the victim of a robbery gone horribly wrong.
And today, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you, there are chilling new details in Hollywood mystery, including a reality TV show connection. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter is in Hollywood right. Kareen, cops say the gun used in Ronnie Chasen shooting was exactly the same gun that the suspect used to kill himself just moments before the cops could talk to him.
And now that the police have made this revelation, I`m sure people in Hollywood are, in fact, breathing a sigh of relief today. But is there something about this crime that still doesn`t add up for investigators?
KAREEN WYNTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And the public. I mean, it doesn`t make sense here. So, cops are saying, all right, we have this case closed. And they may want to be careful about that. They say they have it about 70 percent wrapped out. I want to see, A.J., what that other 30 percent reveals and here is why. OK. So, this guy, Harold Smith.
They are saying that he`s responsible for the murder. Not saying that he didn`t have any involvement here, but when you think about it, they`re placing this guy who lives on this seedy part of town, eight miles away from that posh Beverly Hills community, that intersection where this happened, so after midnight, he just happens to be there, trailing Chasen in her Mercedes Benz, pulls up again on his bike.
Remember, police initially thought it was someone who may have been in an SUV who did this, right? So, he pulls up, pumps several shots into her car and then takes off? If this is a robbery gone bad, he didn`t even attempt to steal the purse, anything that of value in her car? It doesn`t add up. And I think this is what really doesn`t sit well with the public that, sure, we can breathe some sort of relief here but not a collective sigh because, again, they believe someone else may be responsible.
HAMMER: And what is the deal with America`s most wanted`s connection to this whole thing? Did they really help crack this case?
WYNTER: Isn`t that something, the show that`s been around for decades. Absolutely. They got a tip, tipped off police, and that`s what led them to that complex. But here`s a thing, when we were there last week, there were neighbors who were talking to the press saying this Harold guy was bragging about shooting Chasen. So, they may have taken his word at it and contacted police.
HAMMER: Man, that is just so strange to me that somebody would go and brag about something like that. All right. I want to bring in Sonny Hostin now who is with me in New York. She`s a legal contributor for "In Session" on our sister network, TruTV. So, Sunny, now that cops know for sure that the gun that was used to kill Ronni Chasen was the gun that the guy killed himself with, is it case closed?
SUNNY HOSTIN, LEGAL CONTRIBUTOR "IN SESSION ON TRUTV: I don`t think it`s case closed, A.J. Again, why did he do this? Like Kareen said, he`s so far away usually from this neighborhood. He was riding a bicycle. Apparently, the shooting was sort of execution style, almost expert style. My question in my mind is why? What was the motive. We know she had a $6 million estate if someone put him up to it.
Apparently, he was bragging to people saying he was going to get paid $10,000 for doing this. My question still is what is behind this, if indeed, he was the person that committed this crime.
HAMMER: Yes. And even if the cops are officially closing the books on this thing, it seems to me, especially, you know, with the guy riding the bicycle and all the conflicts going along the way here, everybody has been captivated by the story. I think people in Hollywood are still kind of scratching their heads and looking for answers.
HOSTIN: Exactly. It really just doesn`t make sense. And I think the police were so quiet at first. There were all these conflicting reports about how the ballistics did not match the crime scene. And now, they come out and they say all those sources were incorrect. The gun is the same gun, but that just doesn`t do it, I think, for me. And the tipster has remained anonymous. And the police say that they are going to, you know, cloak that person and that anonymity that bothers me as well.
HAMMER: So, a very good chance we have not heard the last of it.
HOSTIN: I don`t think so.
HAMMER: All right. Sunny Hostin, always good to see you. Thank you very much.
Well, we have a lot of calls coming to showbiz on-call today because people, yes, they are fired up about Sarah Palin`s controversial hunting and camping trip on "Sarah Palin`s Alaska." That`s her reality show on TLC. We have Derek calling in from West Virginia who wasn`t on team Sarah but now he is.
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DEREK FROM WEST VIRGINIA: I just wanted to sound off about the Sarah Palin show. I used to be not so much a fan of Sarah Palin`s, but I think the show has opened up my eyes to how real and how American she truly is and how she is an every day person that does every day things and hunting being one of those.
And I know there have been animal activists and people against guns being in the home, but she does give a clear view of what America is like for those who don`t experience nor have that type of extracurricular activity in their life.
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HAMMER: All right. Derek, I appreciate your perspective. We also heard from Susan in Texas. She`s not bothered one bit by Sarah`s hunting.
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SUSAN CALLING FROM TEXAS: I say bravo to Sarah. They set the scene up before the shooting and you knew what was going to happen. If you didn`t like it, use the off button on your remote.
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HAMMER: Good advice, Susan. Thank you for that. Call us in showbiz on-call to sound off on this or anything else at all. Showbiz on-call phone lines are always open. Here now are the numbers, 1-888-SBT-BUZZ. That`s 1-888-728-2899. That`s where you can leave us a voice mail so we can play your call here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
And wait till you see this. The mind boggling Justin Bieber backseat mystery solved today by Barbara Walters.
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WALTERS: We`ve seen a picture taken of you and a girl in the backseat of a car. All kinds of fuss. What were you doing?
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HAMMER: All right. Barbara, we thank you for asking because we`ve wanted to know what the Bieb was doing in that backseat for months now.
This is incredible. Julia Roberts` unbelievable fight to protect her family today. julia`s stunning attack on a paparazzo is all caught on camera.
Also, a big surprise today on "The View."
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, my God. Wait, wait, is that prince?
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
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HAMMER: Oh, yes, It`s prince. Wait till you see and hear what Sherri Shepherd said that made Prince squirm.
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN, news and views.
Time for showbiz news ticker, more stories from SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And they all share them, you know, disgusting. Not us.
HAMMER (voice-over): A big win for Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams today. The Motion Picture Academy of America just changed the rating of their brand new movie, "Blue Valentine," from the controversial NC-17 to R. Nothing was cut or changed in the film, which contains an oral sex scene between a husband and wife. An NC-17 rating means no one under 17 would have been allowed to see that movie.
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HAMMER (on-camera): Wow. This is huge. A big surprise today for the ladies of "The View" when his royal purpleness showed up and Prince came bearing gifts. Check this out.
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: On both sides of you. Like this.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, that`s true.
(LAUGHTER)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, my God, wait, wait. Is that prince?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, my God!
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You don`t understand, Prince, I have wanted to make love to you for my whole life. I`m sorry.
(LAUGHTER)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You scared him.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Bye-bye.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, that`s right.
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HAMMER: He pretty much looks the same as he always has. Now, Sherri Shepherd is apparently a huge Prince fan as you heard. I`ve actually seen Prince in concert a couple of times. He puts on an amazing show. So, if you get the chance to check him out, you definitely should do it as he goes out on tour.
Well, it is time again for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT to name the most provocative celebrity of the week. Here are this week`s nominees. Put them up. Sarah Palin`s sparking outrage over her reality TV hunting and camping trip. Helen Mirren going all fun (ph) Hollywood saying showbiz is sexist and worships men. Kathy Griffin is also a nominee for calling Sarah Palin`s daughter, Bristol, fat on "Dancing with the Stars."
So, who do you think it should be? I love for you to vote right now via text. Send the text to 45688. You can type SBT1 to vote for Sarah Palin, SBT2 for Kathy Griffin, SBT3 for Helen Mirren. I`m here to tell you the standard text message rates apply. Tune in to see who we name and your pick on Friday.
Time now for the showbiz lineup. Here`s what`s coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Julia Roberts` unbelievable fight to protect her family today. Julia`s stunning attack on a paparazzo caught on camera.
A big decision for Jessica Simpson today as she build a reported billion dollar fashion empire. We`re asking, should Jessica focus on fashion and give up music for good?
Plus this:
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(SINGING) Just hold my hand --
HAMMER (voice-over): Your very first look in Michael Jackson`s brand new music video.
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN, news and views.
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HAMMER (on-camera): It is time for the showbiz news ticker, more stories from SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
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HAMMER (voice-over): We`ve got big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Julia`s paparazzi smackdown. Julia Roberts` angry, dramatic confrontation with the pesky reporter (ph) trying to snap a shot of her kids. All the action caught on camera.
WALTERS: Recently, there was a picture taken of you and a girl in the backseat of a car. All kinds of fuss. What were you doing?
HAMMER: Justin Bieber`s backseat mystery solved today. Justin sets the record straight to Barbara Walters.
Lindsay Lohan "Dancing with the Stars"? Is she really going on the show? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has the brand new details that we`re revealing today.
Plus, breaking today from the showbiz news ticker. Rising connection between Katy Perry and Justin Bieber and a "Twilight" shocker.
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
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HAMMER (on-camera): Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It is 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer coming to you from New York City. We do have big news breaking today. Julia goes ballistic. So much so that my voice skips. Julia Roberts just spitting mad at the paparazzi, and she`s not going to take it anymore. They got a little too close for comfort with her kids, and so, she got all up in their faces.
She`s not the only major mama celebrity fighting back against the paparazzi. The great Angelina Jolie also right there on the frontline of a fierce battle to protect her children`s privacy.
With me in New York is Brian Balthazar who`s an editor for popgoestheweek.com. Brian is also a journalist and a fine comic. Right now in Hollywood, Tanika Ray who`s an entertainment journalist. There is a reason Julia Roberts lives in New Mexico. It seems like every time she`s in Hollywood with her kids, the paparazzi start following and Julia attacks. Of course, she is rightfully really protective of her kids, and today, new photos surfaced of Julia in close range to a paparazzo where she`s yelling at him.
She says they got way too close to her kids, they need to stand back. Now, again, this isn`t the first time she`s attacked. Back in 2007, Julia actually flagged the paparazzi off the road and then gave him a real piece of her mind. I give her a lot of credit for continuing to speak out. Tanika, I have to imagine there is nothing more terrifying for a celebrity mom like Julia Roberts than to have her children stalked by the paparazzi. I mean, come on.
RAY: Absolutely. Grown men leering behind bushes to take photos of little children is wrong on multiple levels. And the fact that Julia`s been a star for so long, and she`s made it very clear she doesn`t like it should be a sign to all those paparazzi out there to leave her alone. Now, I can`t believe there`s no law passed yet, but, I think, with the star power of Angelina and Julia and Reese have had problems with paparazzi, they should band together and somehow get a law passed.
But as long as the public is obsessed with these people and every move that they make, I don`t know how long it`s going to be before they can rectify it. But it`s gross. Good for her.
HAMMER: And the banding together is a great idea because in addition to Julia Roberts battling back against the paparazzi, you have Angelina Jolie. Obviously, she deals with this day in and day out. Well, she just gave a brand new interview to CNN`s Larry King, and Angelina says it is time for a law to be passed to keep these guys at base somehow. Let`s roll that.
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JOLIE: I do think and I do hope that there will, at some point, be laws about how close they can get to children with cameras, because I think, at some point, it`s going to be clearer that it`s emotionally not healthy and with long lenses there`s no need. You know, I`m somebody that would like there to be a law about the distance they have to to children.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, Angelina says laws can protect Hollywood children, but it will never get rid of the machine feeding the frenzy around the stars. But, Brian, I do think you combine Angelina Jolie`s star power along with Julia Roberts` star power, I mean, arguably the two biggest female movie stars in the world, it has to make a difference and possibly lead to a change in Hollywood.
BRIAN BALTHAZAR, EDITOR, POPGOESTHEWEEK.COM: Absolutely. And I do think, though, there is a mixed message in Hollywood sometimes. Right now, Katherine Heigl is on the cover of a magazine with her baby. So, I think some -- and I`m not saying that that`s wrong either, but I think some celebrities --
HAMMER: That`s a very different situation, though, because that`s a controlled situation that she asked to be in --
(CROSSTALK)
BALTHAZAR: Absolutely. I don`t disagree. And I think proximity is very important. But I also think that celebrity doesn`t always come at your own terms. Granted, I applaud Julia for doing this, but I think, there`s sometimes a mixed messages in Hollywood about how much attention you want your kids to get. And I think Julia set a good present (ph) because she`s always been very low key and always kept a low profile from the paparazzi.
HAMMER: Halle Berry is another huge star who is also very protective of her kids. I want you to take a look at what happened to Halle Berry last year. She was just out to lunch with her daughter, and the paparazzi got too close. Roll that.
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HALLE BERRY, ACTRESS: Back up. Back up. It`s my child, back up.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hey, guys, back up.
BERRY: It`s my child, back up. Back up.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tanika, I mean, you live right there in Hollywood. I have encountered this in the streets down there on Melrose. I`ve seen it happen on Roberts, and I`ve seen it happened at L.A.X.
RAY: Absolutely.
HAMMER: It is mind boggling to me, as you mentioned, that a law has not been passed yet to protect the children of the celebrities from the paparazzi, and we`ve been talking about this for years. Look how scared Halle looked there.
RAY: Yes. And if she`s scared, imagine how scared her little girl is. You have to understand, the celebrities have chosen to be in the lime light, the children haven`t. And I think that that`s what mama bear comes to life, and she`s ready to scratch the paparazzo`s eyeballs out if her little cub is threatened. And I think that`s what we`re dealing with here, a natural reaction from a mom who`s trying to protect her cub.
HAMMER: Well, that, of course, not the only story making big buzz today. We have your first look at J Lo`s "American Idol" promo. Wait until you see her.
Plus, Lindsay Lohan on "Dancing with the Stars?" Could it happen?
And wait until you hear how good old Snooki plans on ringing in New Year`s Eve.
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HAMMER (voice-over): Snooki`s big fall. Get ready to ring in 2011 with the "Jersey Shore" stars. Snooks will crawl inside a ball and drop from New York`s Time Square as the clock counts down to midnight on New Year`s Eve. No word if ball will be goof proof. It`s all part of MTV`s New Year`s bash. Snooki`s shore mates, "The Situation" and Pauly D. will be there, too. They`re going to try and get the crowd to break the Guinness World record for fist pumping. Really?
Will Lindsay be dancing? Radar Online reports that Lindsay Lohan is secretly negotiating with "Dancing with the Stars" to be on the show. Lindsay`s team thinks that dancing gig would be a great way to transition out of rehab and get back to work. But a rep for Lindsay reportedly says not so fast. She`s denying that Li-Lo is doing "Dancing with the Stars." Lohan has been at the Betty Ford Clinic since October battling addiction.
LOPEZ: We`ve been in your position. We understand how you feel. Have fun and believe in your destiny. Just do your thing, OK?
HAMMER: That`s your first look at J. Lo`s brand spanking new promo for "American Idol" ramping up the contestants. Spot also promises a new attitude for the show. Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler are the new judges joining Randy Jackson. The new season of `Idol" kicks off January 19th.
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HAMMER (on-camera): So, Brian, were you paying attention there? You saw Jennifer Lopez really being all sympathetic with the contestants. I don`t know. That has me a little worried we`re going to see like this touchy, feely kind of "American Idol."
BALTHAZAR: Right. We`re used to seeing Jennifer being a little bit of diva or at least having that image of her. And now, she`s being really sweet. What`s interesting is it didn`t work for Ellen. Ellen couldn`t handle the criticisms. I`m hoping that, at least, she`ll be honest when somebody is really bad.
HAMMER: Yes.
BALTHAZAR: And there will be somebody who`s really bad/
HAMMER: Yes. I have a feeling Steven Tyler is certainly get a call it like he sees it, but everybody is saying, oh, there has to be a mean one in there. I don`t necessarily think that that`s true, but obviously, "American Idol "has been struggling for a while to get viewers back and really stay relevant. They`ve got to shake things up. We`ve known that for years now.
J. Lo has no intention of being anything like Simon Cowell. She`s made that clear. If anything, she`s kind of the anti-Cowell. Let`s take a look at little bit more of a promo from today`s "American Idol" release. Roll that.
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LOPEZ: That`s OK, baby, because I liked you. There`s no reason for you to be shaking. We want you to be great.
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HAMMER: All right. Quickly, Tanika, do you think this is going to work if they`re kinder and gentler as it appears they may be?
RAY: Well, I don`t know. They will be kinder and gentler. I think, Jennifer Lopez has to play the role of the Paula Abdul character because that`s what was missing desperately last year. We`re going to have Steve - - yes. I just think that she`s an entertainer. So, she has to hold the hand of the contestant a little bit more than Randy and Steven and really be mama bear and really sort of protect their souls as artists. So --
HAMMER: We will have to wait and see what happens.
RAY: Yes, absolutely.
HAMMER: I love that we`re seeing (ph) a Paul Abdul character. Tanika Ray, Brian Balthazar, thank you both.
Moving on to Justin Bieber`s backseat mystery. Barbara Walters takes on the Bieb to find out what really happened in the back seat of her car a few months back. Watch this.
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WALTERS: Recently, there was a picture taken of you and a girl in the backseat of a car. All kinds of fuss. What were you doing?
HAMMER (voice-over): So, did Babs get the Bieb to blab? That`s next.
And Jessica Simpson, a billion dollar mogul? Jessica`s fashion brand a big hit making tons of money. We dare to ask tonight, should Jess focus on fashion and forget music?
Plus, did you see this?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I`m Roxy Fedaro and I`m here to show you how you can be seductive and confident with my new DVD. Prenatal pole dancing.
HAMMER: Christina Applegate pregnant and pole dancing? What the heck is going on there? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN, news and views.
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HAMMER (on-camera): It`s time for the showbiz news ticker, more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
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(SINGING) I whip my hair back and forth. I whip my hair back and forth. whip my hair back and forth. I whip my hair back and forth.
HAMMER (voice-over): Way to go, Willow. Yes, she whips her hair back and forth. Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith`s 10-year-old daughter just tweeted that she`s joining Justin Bieber for the European leg of his My World Tour. And yes, Willow whips her hair back and forth. Justin has that famous mop of his. I`m thinking that the person in charge of hairstyling for this tour is going to be pretty, pretty busy.
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HAMMER (on-camera): And there is more big Justin Bieber news just in today. The Bieb is on Barbara Walters` most fascinating people 2010 list. Right now, I want you to see Barbara trying and trying to get Bieber to confess about his caught-on-camera controversial backseat make-out session a few months back.
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WALTERS: So, recently there was a picture taken of you and a girl in the backseat of a car. All kinds of fuss. What were you doing?
JUSTIN BIEBER, SINGER: I was kissing her.
WALTERS: Tell me more.
BIEBER: Well, I was just -- I don`t know. I was just kissing her.
WALTERS: Were you upset or surprised that there were the pictures?
BIEBER: I don`t know. I didn`t even know anyone was taking pictures. It just kind of happened and, I don`t know. It`s not really weird. Is it weird?
WALTERS: No.
BIEBER: I think every 16-year-old kisses girls, right?
WALTERS: Yes.
BIEBER: So, that`s nothing out of the ordinary.
WALTERS: No. Are you dating?
BIEBER: Uh-uh.
WALTERS: This just happened to be somebody you weren`t dating but you kissed?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I love Barbara Walters doing this big time investigating with Justin Bieber, but there`s so (ph) surreal about that.
All right. We move on now to Jessica Simpson`s unhappy music holiday. Yes, looks like the Grinch may have stolen Jess`s mojo. She only sold 10,000 copies of her new album "Happy Christmas," but I`m not feeling bad for her because while Jess is having big problem selling albums, she sure can sell handbags, shoes and clothes.
Just revealed today, Jessica`s fashion company is growing so fast it is currently on track to pass the $1 billion sales mark. So, what`s the secret to Jess being a billion dollar baby? Here`s CNN`s Alina Cho for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
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(SINGING) I think I`m in love.
ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Jessica Simpson is an American sweetheart, the girl known for her gaffes.
JESSICA SIMPSON, ACTRESS: I know it`s tuna, but it says chicken by the sea.
CHO: Good looks.
SIMPSON: You all ready to order?
CHO: And turning the tabloids. But Jessica Simpson is also a mega fashion brand.
You`ve got sweaters, shoes, jewelry, handbags, hats. I mean, did you ever think?
SIMPSON: No, honestly this isn`t an even like a dream that I had. I mean, I played with Barbies when I was little and I liked to dress them up.
CHO: Now, she`s dressing up real people head to toe. A full fashion line named after who else but herself.
PHILLIP BLOCH, CELEBRITY`S STYLIST: She could end up selling food. She could end up selling house wear. She could end up selling cars. She`s like the next version of Martha Stewart.
CHO: Before you doubt it, get this, just five years after its launch, The Jessica Simpson Collection has 21 different product categories. Everything from butterfly patterned dresses to boots definitely not made for walking to perfume, even luggage. With well over $500 million in annual sales, on track to be a billion dollar brand by 2012.
SIMPSON: It`s the most lucrative thing I do, absolutely.
CHO: It is?
SIMPSON: Yes.
CHO: So, how does she manage it all? Lots of help from her co- creative director, her mom.
What`s most important for you?
TINA SIMPSON, JESSICA SIMPSON`S MOTHER: That it`s real for Jessica, you know, like, it`s real to her. Like, nothing goes through approval if isn`t like something that Jessica wouldn`t be interested in, wouldn`t love.
JESSICA SIMPSON (ph): I like you said it doesn`t have a collar.
TINA SIMPSON (ph): Yes, that`s a great jacket.
JESSICA SIMPSON: I am definitely a girly girl. So, it was fun for me to like even put together color palates or like create some pair of jeans that a woman would feel comfortable in.
CHO: That`s right. The brand`s latest venture is a full line of jeans.
JEFF GENNETTE, MACY`S CHIEF MERCHANDISING OFFICER: She`s a curvy fit. And there`s a lot of women out there that are looking for a jean that fits a curvy woman.
CHO: Something that tabloids have taunted her about, making light of her weight battle.
JESSICA SIMPSON: I don`t like to read that stuff about myself. Yes, the world doesn`t like me. Whoa, they think I`m a size 100.
CHO: But it`s this candor, relatability, that industry insiders say consumers love.
Where do you want to see this brand go? I mean, five years from now, ten years from now.
JESSICA SIMPSON: Oh, I`m thinking even after I`m gone. I would like for it to be around.
CHO: You are that all-American girl, aren`t you?
JESSICA SIMPSON: Well, I hope so. I hope I`m the all-American girl. I think I am.
CHO: I think you are.
(SINGING)
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HAMMER: (INAUDIBLE) Jessica Simpson`s shoes. So, I want to ask you in our exclusive SHOWBIZ TONIGHT poll, Jessica Simpson`s reported $750 million fashion empire, should she give up music? Do you say, yes, she`s making plenty of money elsewhere, or, no way, singing is what gotten her this far? You can vote at cnn.com/showbiztonight. You can e-mail us at showbiztonight@cnn.com.
It is about that time again, time for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT name the most provocative celebrity of the week. The nominees, Sarah Palin, sparking outrage over her reality TV hunting and camping trip, Helen Mirren, going off on Hollywood saying, yes, showbiz is sexist and worships men, or will it be Kathy Griffin calling Sarah`s daughter, Bristol, fat on "Dancing with the Stars." Who do you think it should be? We`d love for you to vote right now through text.
You can send a text to 45688. If you type SBT1, you vote for Sarah Palin, SBT2, the vote for Kathy Griffin, SBT3, votes for Helen Mirren. Standard text message rates apply. We`re going to name the most provocative celebrity of the week and announce your pick, Friday.
Well, today, Christina Applegate is provocative, she`s pregnant and she`s pole dancing. Did you see this?
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I`m Roxy Fedaro. And I`m here to show you how you can be seductive and confident with my new DVD. Prenatal pole dancing.
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HAMMER (voice-over): Don`t adjust your TV. That`s a pregnant Christina Applegate doing stripper moves on a pole, but why? I`ll tell you next.
Now, for the showbiz news ticker, more stories from SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Music`s jamming out. We both just get low.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. Low. Up. OK. Start this way.
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HAMMER (on-camera): Time now for the showbiz buzz list. Here what`s got the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT staff buzzing all about this week. We are still buzzing about naming Lady Gaga the most provocative celebrity of the year. The worldwide reaction has been simply awesome.
Hide your picnic basket, Yogi Bear in 3d, starring Dan Aykroyd as the voice of Yogi and Justin Timberlake as the voice of Boo-Boo. That will hit theaters on December 17th.
We love that "Wipe Out" is coming back. The winter version premieres January 6th on ABC.
"Shrek," the whole story box set out on DVD and Blue-Ray.
And we say salute to Pink`s "Raise Your Glass" music video.
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN, news and views.
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HAMMER: All right. I`ve heard some pretty wild things in my life but pregnant pole dancing? This is a first for me. It`s Christina Applegate doing just that. Did you see this?
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HAMMER (voice-over): It seems to me, you know, pregnant women probably shouldn`t be pole dancing like this, but, when I learned that the funny lady and new mom to be Christina Applegate joined forces with those crazy kids over at funnyordie.com, well, let the nervous laughter begin. Watch this.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I`m Roxy Fedaro. And I`m here to show you how you can be seductive and confident with my new DVD. Prenatal pole dancing. You need something I like to call (INAUDIBLE). That`s seductive confidence put together. But just because you put on an extra 50 pounds does not mean you`re not hot. Prenatal pole dancing works because when men see pregnant women, they know she`s down for sex. So, when you start pole dancing, men can`t handle it, and they want to fondle it. That`s trademarked.
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HAMMER (on-camera): All right. Clearly, has a great sense of humor. I`m sure that at no time she or her pregnant pole dancing co-stars put their unborn babies in danger. Christina is expecting a first child. In fact, she recently revealed she`s having a girl, and she said that she`s actually picked out a name for the baby, but she is remaining tight lipped about exactly what that name is.
Well, as we move on, we have your first look at the the brand new music video from Michael Jackson`s "Hold My Hand." I know Michael Jackson`s fans, the world over are thrilled to see this. Akon collaborated with MJ on the song. I think it`s terrific. I think the video is really cool. And now, we have your first look at Michael Jackson`s "Hold My Hand," the music video. Take a look.
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(SINGING) This life don`t last forever. So, tell me what we`re waiting for. We`re better off being together. Than being miserable alone.
Because I`ve been there before and you`ve been there before but together we can be alright. Because when it gets dark and when it gets cold we hold each other till we see the sunlight
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HAMMER: Pretty good, right? "Hold My Hand" is the first single from Michael. That`s MJ`s new album, which is scheduled to be released on December 14th.
Well, the worldwide reaction is growing today because SHOWBIZ TONIGHT just named Lady Gaga the most provocative celebrity of the year, but did we get it right? Off to the showbiz Facebook page. This is where Michelle is saying, you got it wrong, you got it wrong, you got it wrong. hey, I just made up a song. Well, thank you for that.
Check out what Rose W. posted. I agree with your choice of Lady Gaga, but it remains to be seen if she stands the test of time.
That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. We thank you for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is live at 5 p.m. eastern Monday through Friday, and we are still TV`s most provocative entertainment news show seven days a week at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific right here on HLN.
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