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Showbiz Tonight
The Golden Voice Strikes Gold; Kristen Stewart Takes on Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston; Lady Gaga Versus Taylor Swift; Snooki, the Next Martha Stewart?; The Kardashians Take on "Saturday Night Live"
Aired January 06, 2011 - 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 -- the golden voice strikes gold. Unbelievable new offers today for the homeless man with an amazing voice.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TED WILLIAMS, FORMER RADIO ANNOUNCER: And we`ll be back with more after these words.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: But will he be able to handle his fame? And will his criminal past come back to haunt him?
Startling brand-new SHOWBIZ showdowns today. "Twilight`s" Kristen Stewart takes on Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston.
Lady Gaga versus Taylor Swift. Snooki, the next Martha? How the "Jersey Shore" star could become the next Martha Stewart. But is this a good thing?
And the Kardashians take on "SNL" today over its take on them.
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 with big news breaking today -- gold rush.
Yes. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you the remarkable story of the homeless man with the golden voice got even more remarkable today.
Ted Williams has now gone from begging to the big-time, just days after Williams was discovered on a Columbus, Ohio road, offers are flooding in.
And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has just confirmed that Williams will become the voice of Kraft macaroni and cheese. Yes. I know that sounds cheesy, but you can`t make this stuff up. And today, Ted woke up America on "Today."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over) Three days ago, he was panhandling on the streets of Columbus, Ohio. And this morning, this homeless man was opening the country`s number one morning news show today.
T. WILLIAMS: From NBC News, this is "Today."
HAMMER: And closing the number two morning show "Good Morning America."
T. WILLIAMS: Make sure you watch "Good Morning America" tomorrow.
HAMMER: It`s another wild chapter in America`s favorite rags-to-riches story. Ted Williams, the homeless man who became an Internet superstar with his golden voice --
T. WILLIAMS: You`re listening to magic 98.9.
HAMMER: Appeared this morning on both "Today" and "Good Morning America" to talk about his superstardom.
T. WILLIAMS: This is a dream come true, I`m telling you.
HAMMER: This morning, on the "Today" show, Williams made a shocking announcement.
T. WILLIAMS: The fine people at Kraft macaroni and cheese have offered me to be the official voice of their product.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT confirmed today Williams` new ad for Kraft macaroni and cheese will begin airing this Sunday on ESPN.
And more offers are rolling in, including one with the Cleveland Cavaliers who are also offering Williams a new house.
We haven`t seen such an unlikely person reach this level of instant Internet superstardom since Susan Boyle wowed the world with her voice.
(SINGING)
This morning on "Good Morning America," it appeared Williams may have something else in common with Susan Boyle.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) found out you have another talent. You can sing.
HAMMER: OK. Ted Williams may not have Susan Boyle`s voice, but today, the story of Ted Williams has become an inspirational TV sensation.
It`s hard to believe, but three days ago, 53-year-old Ted Williams was homeless and begging on the street in Columbus, Ohio holding a sign that said, "I have a God-given gift of voice."
A reporter for the "Columbus Dispatch" drove up to him and, video camera in hand, asked Williams to demonstrate that voice.
T. WILLIAMS: When you`re listening to nothing but the best of oldies, you`re listening to Magic 98.9.
HAMMER: The video of that encounter has now been viewed on YouTube more than 12 million times. This morning on "Today" show, Williams still couldn`t believe his good fortune.
T. WILLIAMS: It`s just phenomenal. I mean, there`s no way in the world that I could have ever imagined that.
HAMMER: A rare bit of good fortune for Williams after years of hard times. On the "Today" show this morning, he revealed how addiction destroyed his successful radio career and landed him on the streets.
T. WILLIAMS: Drugs and alcohol. I started snorting cocaine and then I started smoking it, the crack and all of that. And then drinking --
HAMMER: Now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you drugs weren`t Williams` only problem. "TheSmokingGun.com" posted mug shots from what it says is Williams` two-decade-long rap sheet.
T. WILLIAMS: No violent crimes at all. It is all thefts and fraud type thing.
HAMMER: But now that he`s gotten a rare second chance, could Williams face another problem, the pressure and temptation that often go with instant superstardom?
It`s an issue Matt Lauer gingerly brought up on the "Today" show.
MATT LAUER, CO-HOST, THE "TODAY" SHOW: I hope you understand what I said. Meredith and I were talking before the show. And we both worry a little that a lot is happening very quickly.
T. WILLIAMS: Yes.
LAUER: Are you emotionally ready to accept this second chance, to do the right things with this second chance?
T. WILLIAMS: This time around, Matt, I have God.
HAMMER: And this time around, an emotional Williams says he`s doing it for his 90-year-old mother.
T. WILLIAMS: I always used to pray to God -- I`m telling you religiously. I say, "Lord, please let my mom live to see another year.
Maybe this will be a year that somebody would, you know, say, "Hey, man, do you want a job or anything?" I`m just grateful to be here and I`m taking it one step at a time.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: It feels like more one giant leap at a time. The offers are just pouring in for Williams. But a lot of people are really watching his stunning turnaround and they can`t help but be a little worried like Matt Lauer that, you know, kind of like Susan Boyle, the fame may prove to be too much too soon.
And that leads to our SHOWBIZ Flashpoint today -- can homeless guy handle instant stardom?
Take a look at what`s rolling in for Ted Williams. I love this. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT confirmed today that he accepted a job with Kraft Foods, that the Cleveland Cavaliers offer him a job as their announcer and offered him a home.
He says he`s going to take them up on that. He`s still fielding offers NFL films, a Hawaiian radio station that wants to actually fly him to Hawaii. Even MTV offered him a gig.
Let me throw this to a guy who has publicly gone through the depths of addition and emotional drama and he has come back with a massively successful career as, among other things, a big-time radio talk show host from 94.1 WYSP in Philadelphia, my friend Danny Bonaduce.
So Danny, you`ve seen this before. To our SHOWBIZ Flashpoint, can the homeless guy handle this instant stardom?
DANNY BONADUCE, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST, 94.1 WYSP, PHILADELPHIA: Well, the word "can" is rather difficult for me to say. I would say that this is super-dangerous.
There is nothing more -- and I tell you this from experience that the only thing more dangerous than a drug addict with no money is a drug addict with money.
If this guy was smoking a pipe 72 hours ago under a bridge and you hand him a house and the contract to Kraft macaroni and cheese, what I would do is quietly stash this guy away in a rehab.
If someone really cared about this guy, I would stash him away in a rehab for the next 30 days. Or if not, the Cavaliers are going to need an announcer one day, but he`s going to be held up in Motel 6 with me and Lindsay Lohan. I`m not joking around. This is a dangerous thing.
HAMMER: This is zero to 100 miles an hour in an instant. And Williams did mention this morning --
BONADUCE: Well, let me say, on a personal level, I`m kind of am at Ted Williams. Let me ask you something, A.J. Have you ever heard this before? Does this ring familiar at all?
A guy gets into radio, but then, crack cocaine and alcohol sneak up and makes him sick and crazy. And he gets homeless and hits the streets, but then makes it back in radio. Have you ever heard that story before?
Ted Williams stole my life and did a better job with it in one day than I`ve done in 24 years. I`m a little upset.
HAMMER: Let me tell you something. We have some people right around here who shall remain nameless who also are a little honked off it just because they feel like they`ve been through it before.
Yes. I was in radio, too, Danny. I know the drill. Williams, to your point, though, did mention on the "Today" show that, fortunately, he`s getting psychological help to keep him from falling off the wagon.
He also said today that he`s looking to a greater power to guide him through his instant fame. Watch that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LAUER: We both worry a little that a lot is happening very quickly.
T. WILLIAMS: Yes, yes.
LAUER: And some people might find that hard to deal with. And so, are you emotionally ready to accept this second chance?
T. WILLIAMS: This time around, Matt, I have God, you know, a God of my understanding in my life. But this time around, I`m acknowledging him in all my ways.
LAUER: So you think you can make it?
T. WILLIAMS: Yes, sir.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I do hope that people, to Danny`s point -- you know, anyone looking to cash in on Williams` newfound fame, are doing it responsibly and not taking his past problems for granted.
Let me now turn to investigative journalist, Pat Lalama, who is in Hollywood. Pat, to our SHOWBIZ Flashpoint, what do you think? Can homeless guy handle instant stardom?
PAT LALAMA, INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST: Well, let me first say I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, so I`m thrilled for all the altruistic spirit coming from there.
It`s a beautiful story, but I have to say without raining on his parade, I agree with Danny all the way around. I mean, look, fame by itself, overnight especially, is very difficult for even people without substance abuse issues to handle, all right?
So he needs to have a team of people around him to monitor him. He needs a coach. He needs a sponsor. He needs a therapist. He needs good family members.
I`m a little bit fearful because we`re the ones who are basking in the glory of this. It`s the fantasy story of 2011. We`re all so excited, but I`m a little worried for him.
HAMMER: Yes. Big double-edged sword here. And Danny, let me ask you this. If we accept the fact that he`s going to get the proper counseling and assistance, look, you know, hopefully he`ll even break a stigma that a lot of people who have had very troubled pasts like him have, who have a really hard time moving past it and a hard time having people give them an opportunity.
Do you think, assuming he gets all the right assistance, that we need to look past his past?
BONADUCE: I think and I hope and pray that that is, in fact, the case. Because you know, in Philadelphia -- that`s where I am right now -- we have a very large -- or fairly large homeless community and it`s 22 degrees outside.
And when I was homeless, the average temperature was 72. So I hope that we can put our hope in this guy. But the fact is, if Ted Williams does go bad, it`s really going to be an American heartbreak.
HAMMER: Yes.
BONADUCE: People are betting on this guy rather quickly. And any story that starts with the words "this time around" makes me very unsettled.
HAMMER: Yes. Sounds dangerous, but I know all of America is at least pulling for this guy right now. Danny Bonaduce, Pat Lalama, thank you guys so much.
All right. We`ve got to move on because I`ve got to talk about Snooki. Is she the next Martha Stewart?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NICOLE "SNOOKI" POLIZZI, REALITY TV STAR, "THE JERSEY SHORE": I do (EXPLETIVE DELETED) up.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What are you doing in the bush?
POLIZZI: I`m hiding, whore. I don`t even know what`s wrong with me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. So maybe Snooki becoming Martha Stewart is a little tough to believe. But I`ve got the brand-new proof or pouf today how the "Jersey Shore" star could actually become the next Martha.
Also, startling brand-new SHOWBIZ showdowns today. "Twilight`s" Kristen Stewart taking on Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston. Lady Gaga versus Taylor Swift.
And big news breaking -- another Kardashian TV show is on the way. I`ve got to ask you in our SHOWBIZ Flashpoint today, is there just too much Kardashian out there? 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: Felony charges against Howard K. Stern in Anna Nicole Smith`s trial thrown out. "Shore`s" J-Woww files court order to stop ex from releasing nude pictures of her.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAIME PRESLEY, ACTRESS: I see how it is. I mean, you like me feeling guilty. No matter how many kids` winter coats I cut up for you, we`ll never be even because you like holding this over my head, don`t you?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, Jaime Presley certainly looked a whole lot different than that when she posed for this picture. That`s her mug shot.
The "My Name is Earl" star was arrested in Santa Monica, California, late Wednesday night on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.
Jaime spent the night in jail and she was released on $15,000 bail. We didn`t hear of a court date by show time.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. And today, brand-new Michael Jackson heartache. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you we`re now hearing brand-new dramatic details about the day Michael Jackson died.
Were Michael Jackson`s kids really in the room at the time? The disturbing details are being revealed at a hearing to determine if Jackson`s doctor, Conrad Murray, will, in fact, go on trial for involuntary manslaughter.
The hearing is happening at the L.A. Superior courthouse. That`s where Beth Karas is right now. Beth is a correspondent for "In Session" on our sister network, Tru TV.
So Beth, like so many people, I was really, really disturbed to hear about a member of Jackson`s security team testifying Jackson`s kids, Prince and Paris, actually saw Jackson`s lifeless body on the bedroom floor.
From what you`ve heard so far, Beth, is this just bad news for Dr. Murray?
BETH KARAS, CORRESPONDENT, "IN SESSION" ON TRU TV: Yes, it is bad news. Now, all the evidence being introduced is being introduced because it`s against Conrad Murray. It is being challenged on cross-examination.
But I`ve got to tell you, it does not look good for Dr. Murray. The two paramedics who testified said in their opinion Michael Jackson was dead when they arrived and had been for at least 20 or 30 minutes, could have been even longer.
He was cold to the touch. He was turning blue in the extremities. His eyes were dry. His pupils dilated and he was flat-line when hooked up to an EKG. He had not just died. It was not possible to revive him.
HAMMER: Well, we had also heard a witness saying, Beth, while Michael Jackson lay on the floor, Dr. Murray was frantically scooping up bottles of medicine and placing them in a bag, apparently.
This all happened, of course, before Murray asked a witness to call an ambulance. So given your legal expertise, Beth, do you think Dr. Murray will be ordered to stand trial?
KARAS: Yes, I do. And the judge is going to reconsider the attorney general`s motion to have his medical license suspended. He didn`t want to deal with it before the preliminary hearing.
He said, "Let me hear the proof against Dr. Murray." I think there`s a chance this judge could suspend his license, which will then have a reciprocal effect in Nevada and Texas.
HAMMER: We`ll keep watching that case. But right now, I`ve got to move on now to another story that`s making big news today. Is it good news for Lindsay Lohan?
Now, we know she`s being investigated for that reported scuffle with a woman named Dawn Holland, the worker -- a former worker at the Betty Ford Center while Lindsay was in rehab there.
In a brand-new interview out today, even Dawn is saying, leave Lindsay alone. Watch what she told TMZ about the police pursuing this case.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAWN HOLLAND, FORMER WORKER AT THE BETTY FORD CENTER: In my honest opinion, it`s a little overrated. In my honest opinion, it`s a little ridiculous. I`ve dropped the charges. Why pursue it?
The bottom line is, we are talking about a 24-year-old woman who is trying to get her life together. Jail is not going to rehabilitate her, you know. And I wish the best for Lindsay.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. That leads to our SHOWBIZ Flashpoint -- is it time to leave Lindsay Lohan alone? Beth, let me ask you. Even if she doesn`t want the case pursued, it`s not up to her. What are the chances that Lindsay will be left alone here?
KARAS: You`re absolutely right. It is up to the district attorney, even if the victim doesn`t want to cooperate. But that does weigh heavily in a district attorney`s decision.
There is a chance that they`ll decide not to pursue anything, but if a crime has been committed, the district attorney absolutely has the discretion and sometimes the obligation to go forward.
However, sometimes it is tempered with mercy so there`s a chance that she won`t be charged. Now, she could be violated in Los Angeles County and charged with assault in Riverside County.
HAMMER: Yes. And as that former worker said, it would not be the best thing for Lindsay, in her mind, to go back to jail right now. So maybe there will be mercy there. Beth Karas, thanks very much.
As we move on, the numbers for the second night of Paula Abdul`s new CBS show "Live to Dance" are out today. Paula`s ratings dropped about 25 percent from premiere night. And that`s not really good news because this show is set to go up against "American Idol" when it returns next week.
We`ve been getting lots of calls in to "Showbiz on Call" about "Live to Dance from people like Kelly in Colorado who seems to like it.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
KELLY, CALLER FROM COLORADO: I think it`s wonderful. I think there`s not enough drama for Hollywood and they don`t like it. It`s just nice and refreshing to see someone with a kind heart to give people hugs and inspire them and not have to cut them down, their confidence or their soul.
And I think it`s wonderful. My seven-year-old daughter and I are watching it and it`s really nice to see something good on TV.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: I really appreciate your call, Kelly. And we wish Paula the best. Let us know what you think about this or anything else. The "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are open all the time at 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899. That`s where you can leave us a voicemail so we can play your call here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Well, Gwyneth Paltrow is making some incredible revelations today about Tom Cruise. And I think the news might make Tom`s wife, Katie Holmes, a little jealous.
The new season of "American Idol," as I mentioned, just around the corner. A lot of changes in store. But today, I can tell you there`s some brand-new evidence that could spell bad news for the show.
Also this --
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHANTAL O`BRIEN, CAST MEMBER, "THE BACHELOR": It`s not from me.
BRIAN WOMACK, REALITY TV STAR, "THE BACHELOR": OK.
O`BRIEN: It`s from every woman in America.
WOMACK: OK!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: It was the bachelor slap heard round the world. In my SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview with the host of "The Bachelor" is making headlines everywhere today. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
It`s time for And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" -- more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Katy Perry`s "California Gurls" is the bestselling 2010 digital single. Nick Cannon buys wife Mariah Carey Rolls Royce for Christmas with license plate: MommyMC.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
O`BRIEN: It`s not from me.
WOMACK: OK.
O`BRIEN: It`s from every woman in America.
O`BRIEN: OK!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Good times. It was the slap heard round the world. A "Bachelor" contestant smacks the bachelor right in the face as you saw. But was the whole thing just a big setup?
So I had to get the host of the show, Chris Harrison, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, to ask him if the whole slap thing was staged. You know, there`s so much reaction today to my headline-making interview with Chris.
Chantal O`Brien hit Brad Womack on the season premiere of "The Bachelor" this week. And there were reports that Brad loved it, loved it so much that he actually got engaged to Chantal, that she is the one that ended up with that final rose.
So I got Chris Harrison on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT to settle this once and for all. Was the slap a stunt?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHRIS HARRISON, HOST, "THE BACHELOR": The slap that Chantal gave him -- it was kind of a playful, funny, first impression -- she got him pretty good, by the way and caught him by surprise.
But, you know, did he deserve it? No. I mean, it wasn`t one of those things like, "You deserve this. I`m actually going to hit you." It was just a cute little playful thing to get his attention.
And obviously, she did. He had no idea what she was going to do, obviously, by the look on his face. She probably knew she was going to do it before she got out of the limo.
And that`s the thing, too. They realize this is their big first impression so people come up with, "How do I stand out from the crowd? What do I do?"
You look at Kelty(ph), another girl that came out and kicked her leg up above her head because she`s a rockette. Well, this is what Chantal decided to do to get Brad`s attention.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: It got everybody`s attention. Now, after my SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview with Chris, another debate broke out. Is there a double standard here? What if a man slapped a woman like that?
I`ve got to tell you, even if a guy was being playful as it appeared that Chantal was, there would be a huge uproar. There is no way that people would be cool with that.
All right. As we move on, I just posted some new details about Snooki`s new book. Got to talk about Snooki. It`s called "A Shore Thing." And up on the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook wall, our fans are not fans of the book.
Listen to Gary B., "Who are the idiots that gave this pint-size brat money to write a book? And second, what makes them think the public is interested in reading it?"
Now, Carrie P. may be interested in the next edition of a Snooki book, "How about it be a scratch and sniff book? You smell tanning lotion, booze, and whatever else. I shudder to think about what else."
Time now for the SHOWBIZ lineup -- here`s what`s coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Oh, goody. More Snooki. The next Martha Stewart? How the "Jersey Shore" star could become the next Martha, but is this a good thing?
Startling brand-new showbiz showdowns. Today, "Twilight`s" Kristen Stewart takes on Angelina Jolie and Jen Aniston. Lady Gaga versus Taylor Swift.
And big news breaking about other Kardashian TV show. Are we maxed out on the Kardashians or what? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Time for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" -- it`s more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Suze Orman will host primetime financial show on Oprah Winfrey`s OWN network. Barbra Streisand in talks to star as "Mama Rose" in new film version of "Gypsy."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
POLIZZI: I do (EXPLETIVE DELETED) up.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What are you doing in the bush?
POLIZZI: I`m hiding, whore. I don`t even know what`s wrong with me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT -- stunning new evidence "Jersey Shore`s" Snooki could become the next Martha Stewart.
Startling brand-new showbiz showdowns today. "Twilight`s" Kristen Stewart takes on Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston. Lady Gaga versus Taylor Swift.
Big news breaking today about a brand-new Kardashian reality TV show. Our SHOWBIZ Flashpoint -- is this just too much Kardashians?
Plus, breaking today from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker," Victoria Beckham`s breast implant bombshell and Justin Bieber`s hair-raising wish.
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.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Who are you talking to?
POLIZZI: I`m talking to you, Diane and Dina(ph). You know, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) name is. First of all and second of all, don`t talk to me.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: First of all, second of all.
POLIZZI: You are a (EXPLETIVE DELETED)!
(CROSS TALK)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Step out of it.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Put your hands on me again.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Stop.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The dynamics have changed. It`s not one big happy family anymore.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Oh, goody! They`re back. Snooki and the cast of "Jersey Shore" back in Seaside Heights, New Jersey ready to stir up all kinds of trouble as a brand-new season of the show begins tonight on MTV.
But get this, move over Martha, the pint-sized pickle-obsessed Snooki, who just revealed how she sometimes winds up in garbage cans when she`s drunk -- well, she now says that she may want to be the next Martha Stewart. Good thing or good grief?
There was a time in her life when it seemed Snooki`s greatest aspiration was to go clubbing. But I`m here to tell you there`s more to Snooki than simply being a fist-pumping, overly tan, hair pouf party girl.
Watch what she told "Access Hollywood Live" when she was asked what her dream job would be.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
POLIZZI: My dream job? I kind of want to like just have a brand for myself, so like starting with the slippers I have, then my jewelry line and my book out that`s today.
And I just want to have it all, just to say I did. And if it`s successful, thank god, because then I never have to get a job again.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: So could Snooki be the next Martha Stewart? Hey, she`s been in jail, too.
Danny Bonaduce, superstar radio talk show host with 94.1 WYSP in Philadelphia, what do you think? Is the idea of Snooki being a big brand a good thing or good grief?
BONADUCE: All right. I`ve got to say this. When I think of Snooki and the word "brand," I think of one being pulled out of a fire on a ranch in Texas.
Now, I certainly didn`t say touch the woman with it, so save your letters. No, this is horrifying. Water will seek its own level. I was talking about my past problems and things I`ve done.
But the fact is, I`m also the father of a teenage daughter and when she looks at television, which she does, and says, "Look at that. That illiterate, drunk, violent tramp is also a multimillionaire," that makes me very uncomfortable and very unhappy.
What has happened to my beloved show business? I`m going to try to get slapped in the face by a homeless guy on the way home because I`d like a raise.
HAMMER: Yes. Danny, I`m thinking back to when you were doing "The Partridge Family" all those years ago. It was nothing like this, no nights out on the town like Snooki has with the "Jersey Shore" gang.
But maybe, Danny -- hang in with me because maybe I`m going to sway you. Our fantastic SHOWBIZ TONIGHT merchandising department has been working very hard on a product line for Snooki to perhaps help jump-start her brand today.
Maybe this will change your mind. I think we`ve come up with a couple of bonanza ideas for Snooki. Let`s put the first one of them up, Chris.
The first one our list -- it`s the Snooki garbage can, complete with all the razzle-dazzle that only Snooki could supply.
Let me take this to Chicago and Kelli Zink, host from "CelebTV.com."
Kelli, I think Snooki, at least, has the potential, whether Danny Bonaduce likes her or not, if she surrounds herself with the right people to build a brand kind of like Martha Stewart. So this garbage can idea, good thing or good grief?
KELLI ZINK, HOST, "CELEBTV.COM": Oh, good grief, A.J. Come on. She says she was in garbage cans for being drunk but I will hand it to her.
She`s saying she`s turning her life around. She`s working with a trainer which means she`s going to drink less.
I totally agree with Danny, though. She`s a horrible role model for young kids. She even said, "I don`t want a job when I grow up." We want young women to have careers, not to want to just get drunk and fist-pump and meet juice heads.
HAMMER: All right. I`m not getting anywhere with either one of you. Let me get to our next idea. Now, this particular idea for Snooki`s brand came to us after we saw her on "Jimmy Kimmel Live."
She was there plugging her new book called "A Shore Thing." And she was explaining or trying to explain to Jimmy her whole creative process when Jimmy kind of stumped her with this comment. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
POLIZZI: OK. All you want to do is talk about my book. I want this in there, that in there. And then, I would proofread everything, make sure everything is how I want it to be. And then --
JIMMY KIMMEL, HOST, "JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE": Just as Hemmingway did it.
POLIZZI: Who`s Hemmingway?
KIMMEL: He`s a guy. He`s an old guy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: She said, "Who`s Hemmingway?" But she knows about books and we know about her penchant for pickles. So we have this though, how about another book for Snooki, this one to help out with those nasty hangovers after you pull yourself out of the Snooki garbage can?
And we`re calling this book, "Home Remedies with Pickles and Paprika." Danny, are you with us yet? Good thing?
BONADUCE: All right. On a hangover cure, I`ve got to give it to you. You might have something I can relate to. I`ve got to tell you when somebody is talking about their own book and they`re talking about proofreading it.
I wrote a book. And when somebody said a ghostwriter is going to cost you 40 percent, I sat down at the keyboard and I wrote every single word myself.
I don`t want to see this woman. I`m sorry, Snooki. I`ve had every member of the "Jersey Shore" on my show. And they couldn`t be a bunch of nicer kids.
But the fact is, the more she succeeds, the less young impressionable Americans are going to try hard. I don`t wish her best at this endeavor.
HAMMER: Yes. All right. And to be clear, I think Snooki meant to say she had a pouf-reader, not a proofreader. Just to be clear on that.
BONADUCE: Nice!
HAMMER: Let me show you -- there we go. Let me show you one more before we leave this alone. This is for anyone who likes to get a little punchy during their night out on the town. Can we put this up, Chris?
It`s a new makeup collection called "From Bar Fight to Beautiful." And as Martha Stewart would say, I think that`s a good thing.
All right. Let`s move it along to even more big news breaking today. The Kardashians are expanding their empire again. Eminem has serious celebrating to do today. And whoa, whole new set of woes for "American Idol." All this making news in "The Buzz Today."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over) Is "Idol" getting old? A brand-new poll reveals that a whopping 67 percent of "American Idol" viewers say the show`s best days are behind it, and that`s despite the addition of new judges, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler.
The just-released "Hollywood Reporter" poll also made the shocking discovery that only 21 percent of viewers remember the name of last season`s winner, Lee DeWyze. But the good news for "Idol" is that four out of 10 hardcore fans said Ellen DeGeneres` departure make them more likely to watch this season.
Eminem`s monster milestone. Eminem`s "Recovery" has just been confirmed as the bestselling album of 2010. Nielsen Soundscan says he sold 3.42 million copies and that makes "Recovery" the biggest selling album of a year since 2007.
Behind him on the list of last year`s gigantic sellers, Lady Antebellum`s "Need You Now," Taylor Swift`s "Speak Now" and Justin Bieber`s "My World 2.0."
Another Kardashian reality show. Khloe Kardashian just announced she and her husband, Lamar Odom, will have a reality show together on E!
Khloe broke the big news on her blog saying, quote, "OK, dolls. It`s official. Lamar and I will soon begin filming our very own show on E! called `Khloe and Lamar.` Woohoo! How exciting is this?"
"With `Keeping Up with the Kardashians,` only a very small part of our life together is shown. But with this show, we are putting it all out there. LOL."
Her sisters also have a new reality show, "Kourtney and Kim Take New York, which debuts January 23rd.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
All right. I get the fascination with the Kardashians. I give them credit for all they`ve achieved. But another show featuring this family? Another one? Really?
Here`s what I want to know in our SHOWBIZ Flashpoint today -- is this just too much of the Kardashians? Danny Bonaduce, back to you. You, of course, starred in your own reality show, "Breaking Bonaduce." These guys have so many shows going on. Do you think another one would be just too much of this family?
BONADUCE: Well, let me just say that Khloe and her husband with their own reality show -- when I had a show with my wife, it folded and she became my ex-wife.
Then, I married a wonderful young lady who is a school teacher who actually loves the Kardashians, can`t get enough of the Kardashians.
And I`m with you. They`re very clever businesspeople, but the most clever Kardashian, when you watch the show -- and I had to make concessions when I got married. I watch it with my new wife, Amy, and she loves them.
But the only truly clever one that really delivers a great one-liner, the smartest Kardashian is named Bruce Jenner. Let`s put a little more focus on Bruce Jenner and how downtrodden that poor man is.
HAMMER: Yes. Great perspective, Danny. I appreciate it. One thing for certain about these Kardashian sisters, they certainly know how to stick together.
On the red carpet at the People`s Choice Awards, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, of course, was right there. And let me tell you did they give us an earful about that hilarious spoof of them that appeared on "Saturday Night Live." Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That card was a great and easy way to transfer money to young people without bank accounts. But it was also full of predatory hidden fees.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, that`s a pretty big but.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Wait until you see what they told us about that. But right now, are you ready to rumble? There are some startling, absolutely outrageous showbiz showdowns today.
"Twilight" star, Kristen Stewart, takes on Angelina Jolie and Jen Aniston.
But wait, there is another startling showbiz showdown today. I`m talking Lady Gaga versus Taylor Swift. This is going to be good.
Gwyneth Paltrow, Tom Cruise. I`m going to tell you the blockbuster revelations Gwyneth just put out about Tom. Let me tell you, his wife Katie Holmes may get jealous. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" -- these are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Victoria Beckham confesses she had her breast implants removed. Justin Bieber says he is considering a new hairstyle for 2011.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You`ve got to help me, guys. Which Kardashian is which?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I`m Kim, the pretty one.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I`m Kourtney, the smart one.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And I`m Khloe.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Famously famous-for-nothing Kardashian sisters are speaking out for the very first time about that hilarious spoof of them on "Saturday Night Live." The sisters sound off today to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT saying that`s not funny.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
You know, they say you know you`re really famous when you`ve been spoofed on "SNL." So when SHOWBIZ TONIGHT caught up with Kim, Kourtney and Khloe last night on the red carpet at the People`s Choice Awards, we had to ask just what they thought about being skewered by "Saturday Night Live." Take a look at what they told us.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I thought they could have done better.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I thought it was funny and it`s an honor to be on it. But Kourtney thinks --
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it`s an honor just to be on it and mention it`s "Saturday Night Live." It`s amazing.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: But it didn`t -- to me, like -- they didn`t capture us. I didn`t feel like they`ve seen our show.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Are they serious? Kourtney`s kind of ticked off there because she felt the spoof wasn`t accurate enough? Let me bring in investigative journalist, Pat Lalama, right now. Pat, can you believe the reaction? They should be over the moon about this.
LALAMA: These girls -- women, I should say -- have had a ridiculous and obscene amount of the attention paid to them. I`m in the major chain bookstore the other day and the clerk tells me they had a book signing and it was the biggest event ever in the history of this particular store.
Young women are modeling themselves after them, I want to say, unfortunately, because I think rather they become doctors or lawyers.
Anyway, these women are taking themselves far too seriously. You know, you`re going to be unhappy if you don`t get spoofed on "SNL." Come on! Unbelievable.
HAMMER: Celebrity journalist, Ben Widdicombe, you know, these ladies are all about brand-building and all about keeping your name out there. You can`t do it better than "SNL." I was a little surprised that they were like, "It was OK."
BEN WIDDICOMBE, CELEBRITY JOURNALIST: It makes me think Kourtney doesn`t watch their own show. They were nailed on "SNL." And as you implied, that mention on the show will probably sell another 10,000 books for them, another 10,000 pieces of their fashion line or their cosmetics line. They`re taking over the culture. They should be happy they`re on "SNL."
HAMMER: I started paying more attention to them after they were on "SNL." All right. Let me move on right now to brand-new showbiz showdowns today. "Twilight`s" Kristen Stewart takes on Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston, two biggest stars on the planet. Plus, Lady Gaga versus Taylor Swift.
Let me start out with Kristen Stewart. She was crowned last night favorite movie actress in the nation. Angie and Jen left in the dust by Kristen at the People`s Choice Awards.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KRISTEN STEWART, ACTRESS: Thank you so much. I`ve never been to the People`s Choice Awards. This is very exciting. It`s surreal to be in places like this, but I was a vampire this morning in Baton Rouge, so it`s really weird. Anyway, thank you so much. I`m going to get out of here.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That has got to be very exciting. Pat, the people have spoken. Are you on team Kristen in this showbiz showdown?
LALAMA: Well, here`s the deal. I mean, it`s the freshman class. Jennifer has had her day. Now, you and I have discussed our different opinions about Jennifer in the past. I think she`s a lovely woman, but I think she`s a one-note wonder, does the same movie over and over again.
You know, Angelina, of course -- you know, she is who she is and we respect her. But this young lady is the new guard, the freshman class. And that`s what the audiences tend to follow every year. It doesn`t surprise me one bit.
HAMMER: Yes. I`m thinking that Kristen Stewart is actually following in Jennifer Aniston`s and Angelina`s superstardom formula.
I mean, think about it. She`s got the heartthrob boyfriend, her "Twilight" co-star, Robert Pattinson. She`s in a hit movie series right now and she`s now raking in awards.
Ben, do you think that Jen Aniston and Angelina should be shaking in their stilettos right about now?
WIDDICOMBE: No. You know, the People`s Choice are very populist awards. They will get to vote directly. It`s a democracy. Of course, she should win. I mean, the "Twilight" series has been the biggest thing to come in a long time.
I`m a little shocked that she let that spoiler out, that she became a vampire. I haven`t read the books. I haven`t gone to the movies. That she became a vampire has ruined it for me. So why not? I think she deserves it. Everyone loves her.
HAMMER: You know, that almost went right by me. Now, Ben, you sort of amplified that a little bit.
All right, another huge showbiz showdown today -- Taylor Swift versus Lady Gaga. Now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s most provocative celebrity of 2010 has another big 2010 honor.
We have just learned Gaga outsold every other star who graced covers of magazines last year. Who can forget Gaga`s bullets and bare butt "Rolling Stone" cover? And then, of course, "Vanity Fair," "Cosmo," "Elle." Nobody topped Gaga.
On the other end of the spectrum, you had Taylor Swift. Her three magazine covers this year bombed, including her "Elle" magazine cover.
Ben, let me go back to you. This actually surprises me because, obviously, Gaga is a phenomenon, but Taylor Swift is wildly popular.
WIDDICOMBE: I think this is surprising for two reasons. Gaga is fascinating, but she is a bit counter cultural, too. So I`m surprised that she struck that chord with the mainstream.
Taylor Swift, I thought, would be very mainstream. And she`s had a number of high-profile romances, which I thought would help her, the Taylor Lautner thing which you may or may not believe, but it got in the headlines. Later -- Jake Gyllenhaal may be too late to help her. I`m surprised that Middle America has not embraced her more as a magazine seller.
HAMMER: Yes. That`s really surprising. I had no idea. Bottom three. There it is. All right. Ben Widdicombe, Pat Lalama, thank you both.
Moving on, this just in today. Michelle Williams says her interviewing days may be numbered. And Heath Ledger`s ex says it was devastating to watch her December "Nightline" interview.
Michelle claims "Nightline" exploited her response to a question about her life after Heath`s death for the ratings.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHELLE WILLIAMS, ACTRESS: In a strange way, I miss that year because all those possibilities that existed then are gone. It didn`t seem unlikely to me that he could walk through a door.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, Michelle says that "Nightline" took her words out of context and hints that she may stop doing interviews.
But first, she did give an interview to "The Daily Beast" to slam "Nightline." Listen to what Michelle says, "It was edited in such a way that was devastating to me. The way they edited the piece to sell the interview and it appeared as if I were breaking some kind of silence and sitting down with the express purpose to discuss something that is very private to me."
"I don`t want to go too far. Just recently I felt as if I did cross a line about all this."
Moving on to Gwyneth Paltrow`s stunning Tom Cruise confession. What Gwyneth is revealing about Tom just may surprise you. 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.
TEXT: Tiger Woods will not appear on the cover of new videogame bearing his name. Kanye West sued by photographer who claims West attacked him in 2008.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: I am so psyched about this. Piers Morgan, who is about to launch his new show, "PIERS MORGAN TONIGHT," on CNN just made a huge announcement today at the Television Critics Association press tour. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PIERS MORGAN, HOST, "PIERS MORGAN TONIGHT": I`d like people to watch on January 17th when I interview Oprah Winfrey who`s been interviewed by a lot of people.
And I think when they see the dynamic between Oprah and I, they will get it. They will get what my style is. I think it`s fairly unique. I think it`s different. I think it`s fresh. It`s something American audience probably hasn`t seen quite like this before.
And as the promo says, it`s a bit unpredictable. It`s a little bit dangerous perhaps. But essentially, it`s entertaining and fun.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Now, I want you to listen to what Piers had to say about how he got Oprah on his show.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MORGAN: I had to seduce Gayle King by E-mail, which I did very successfully, for a sustained period of time. It was a great sort of digital courtship. And if you get to Gayle, you get to Oprah.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Somebody get me my phone. I need to get Gayle King, give her a call or something. But Piers Morgan and Oprah Winfrey -- that is going to be great. So mark your calendar, "PIERS MORGAN TONIGHT" premiering January 17th on CNN at 9:00 p.m. Eastern.
Well, from Piers` awesome Oprah news to Gwyneth Paltrow`s stunning Tom Cruise kiss confession. Now, Gwyneth has locked lips with many a Hollywood hunk on the big screen. And of course, you remember when she and Brad Pitt used to date.
But Paltrow just revealed to Rachael Ray today, locking lips with Tom Cruise in "Austin Powers 3" was her favorite onscreen kiss ever.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GWYNETH PALTROW, ACTRESS: I did a little cameo once at the beginning of "Austin Powers 3," I think it was, and I got to make out with Tom Cruise.
RACHAEL RAY, HOST, "RACHAEL RAY SHOW": Wow!
PALTROW: And he was an amazing kisser.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: There you have it. Gwyneth`s role in "Austin Powers 3" -- it was just a cameo. In fact, it was one of the shortest scenes of her entire career. To see what else Gwyneth told Rachael, make sure you tune into "Rachael Ray" on Friday.
Wednesday, we asked you to vote in our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive poll. I just received the huge final results. Snooki has a new book. We asked if you think Snook`s book will be a bestseller or a big bust.
And look at how one-sided that is -- 93 percent of you say big bust; seven percent say Snook`s book will be a bestseller.
OK. Here`s some of the E-mails. This is from Tim in Nevada who writes, "I`m not reading that garbage."
We have Julie in Illinois who says, "Anyone who would buy that Snooki book needs to have their head examined."
However, we have Roman from Colorado who thinks Snooki`s book is going to be a real page-turner writing, "I can`t wait to read her book."
And wouldn`t you know there is also a big Snooki battle happening on the SHOWBIZ Facebook wall. Snooks out with her brand-new book.
And Allure says this, "I think that her book would be a bestseller. I haven`t read her book, but it sounds cool to me and I think she would be a great author."
OK. Carolyn F. says, "There are a lot of people that will buy Snooki`s book. I think it could possibly be a bestseller."
Well, that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thank you for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is live at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Monday through Friday. We are still TV`s most provocative entertainment news show seven days a week at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific here on HLN.
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