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Showbiz Tonight
Michael Douglas` Miracle; Is Charlie Sheen Out of Control Again?; Brand-New Concerns Over Snooki`s Non-Stop Partying; When Paula Met Ellen
Aired January 11, 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, CO-HOST: We`ve got big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - Michael Douglas` miracle. Michael`s brand-new, amazing revelation today that he`s beaten throat cancer.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAEL DOUGLAS, ACTOR: The odds are the tumor`s gone, and what I know about this particular type of cancer that I`ve got it beat.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BROOKE ANDERSON, CO-HOST: Is Charlie Sheen out of control again? Startling reports today that Sheen is drinking and partying with porn stars.
HAMMER: Is Snooki out of control again?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NICOLE "SNOOKI" POLIZZI, REALITY TV STAR, "JERSEY SHORE": What up, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Brand-new concerns today about Snooki`s nonstop partying.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you have a drinking issue?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Paula`s "Live to Dance" going head-to-head with "American Idol." Our SHOWBIZ Flashpoint today - can Paula take down "Idol"?
And take a look at this. Jessica Simpson`s wild new `do. Love it or hate it?
HAMMER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show -
ANDERSON: Starts right now.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer coming to you from New York City.
ANDERSON: Hi, there, everyone. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with big news breaking today - Michael`s miracle.
HAMMER: Yes. This is just amazing. Michael Douglas today dropped a major bombshell as big as the one he dropped when he revealed to the world he had throat cancer. He`s now beaten throat cancer.
And in doing so, one of the true beloved giants of Hollywood has beaten the odds. In a remarkable interview revealed today, Douglas also shares revelations about his battle, the toll it has taken on him and his family, and how this has changed him. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the incredible story of Michael`s miracle.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over) Michael Douglas declaring an early victory in his battle with cancer.
DOUGLAS: I think the odds are the tumor`s gone, and what I know about this particular type of cancer, that I`ve got it beat.
HAMMER: In an interview that aired this morning on NBC`s "Today," Michael Douglas announced to Matt Lauer that after eight weeks of radiation and chemotherapy for stage four throat cancer, he now has a clean bill of health, and his family is rejoicing.
DOUGLAS: We`ve had a big celebration this last couple of days when we found out the tumor`s gone.
HAMMER: Now, that this movie star`s cancer fight appears won, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you Douglas is opening up about his experience. He`s sharing graphic details about his cancer treatment.
DOUGLAS: Two-thirds of the way in, your mouth is really - the sores in your mouth really continue to enlarge and you can`t swallow. It was lousy. I wouldn`t wish it on my worst enemy.
HAMMER: His frustration with the paparazzi -
DOUGLAS: There was sort of a macabre enjoyment out of sort of watching me go down for a while, I felt, by the paparazzi.
HAMMER: And the effect his ordeal has had on him.
MATT LAUER, CO-HOST, THE "TODAY" SHOW: So in what way has it changed you the most?
DOUGLAS: It`s put a time line on my life.
HAMMER: In the interview that aired this morning on the "Today" show, Douglas revealed he`s still feeling some after effects from his cancer treatment but that he`s slowly regaining his strength.
DOUGLAS: I`m working out, eating like a pig. I still - I put - I lost about 32 pounds, and I`ve put 12 back. But I`ve got another 20, 25 to go.
SHARON COTLIAR, ASSISTANT EDITOR, "PEOPLE" MAGAZINE: Michael said that the cancer, as far as they know, has not spread.
HAMMER: "People`s" Sharon Cotliar tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Douglas shared additional details about his cancer fight with "People" magazine. He reveals how he broke the news of the cancer-free diagnosis to his wife, actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, and their kids, 10-year-old Dylan and seven- year-old Carys.
COTLIAR: Michael came home and told Catherine the news, he has said her stiff upper lip kind of gave way and she had a good cry.
HAMMER: Still, in the interview the "Today" show aired this morning, Douglas said he`s taking the news a little bit more cautiously than his family.
DOUGLAS: I guess it`s not a total euphoria. It would probably take a couple of months of getting checked out.
COTLIAR: They don`t say whether he`s in remission for five years.
HAMMER: And now that he`s getting his strength back, Douglas is lashing out at the paparazzi he says hounded him during his treatment and took pictures of him that he says worried his friends and family.
DOUGLAS: I kept getting these friends - I`d talk to - how are you doing? I`m fine. Doing good. They kept saying, sure you`re OK? The amount of paparazzi that they have and these video cameras - you know, you just can`t do anything.
HAMMER: Still, Douglas tells NBC`s Matt Lauer his ordeal has yielded something positive.
DOUGLAS: All of a sudden, the affection from my family from my friends and from my fans hit me at a much deeper level than I would ever have imagined before.
HAMMER: And this Hollywood icon, blessed with fame and wealth, says he`s been given something much more valuable - time.
DOUGLAS: It`s definitely a third act, and so you`re a little more conscious of your time and how you choose to spend it.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Yes, as you heard, Michael said that cancer put a time line on his life. And it really put things in perspective for him. And like so many others, of course, I was thrilled to hear Michael Douglas say that he`s likely beaten the throat cancer.
CNN`s chief medical correspondent is Dr. Sanjay Gupta who is in snowy Atlanta today, and he`s joining us now.
Sanjay, does it seem to you that Michael is really out of the woods here? Because he says his throat cancer can no longer be detected. So is that truly the clean bill of health? Or is there the danger, the threat it could come back?
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, there`s always that danger. If you ask anybody who`s had cancer, just about any type of cancer, there`s always the worry of what they call recurrence.
That`s not to diminish this good news. What Michael is describing is what`s called no evidence of disease - NED, they call it in the medical world.
(INAUDIBLE)
They look for the cancer and they can`t find it. Now, there`s a certain degree of limitedness to these tests. You know, something that`s smaller than 0.6 centimeters, for example, like a grain of rice.
They`re not going to see that sort of thing. And that`s why they have to believe that they have to continue searching for it, getting periodic scans, for example.
And also, I should point out, Brooke, the most common sort of things that cause this sort of cancer - tobacco, alcohol or an infection. The way the cancer behaves is different depending on what caused it in the first place.
So - and we don`t know the answer to that, what actually caused his cancer. So they`re going to monitor him just in case, to make sure it`s not recurring.
ANDERSON: Yes. He says he`s going to have regular evaluations going forward, of course, and it`s not total euphoria at this point.
In his interview he said that he lost 32 pounds while fighting the cancer, undergoing that chemo, that radiation, that he`s already gained back 12 pounds, says he`s eating like a pig, even celebrated with a glass of wine.
But Sanjay, how careful does he have to be going forward with his lifestyle, with what he does, very quickly?
GUPTA: Well, with regard to cancer specifically, it`s the monitoring more than anything else, as you mentioned these periodic exams, looking specifically at the lungs as well. That`s the most common place this cancer could recur.
But the rest of his life, I mean, you know, the goal is getting him to be doing all the things he wanted to be doing in the first place.
ANDERSON: All right. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, thanks so much for sharing your expertise with us. Always good to see you. Thanks.
HAMMER: So clearly great news for Michael Douglas. But I`ve got to tell you, the news not so good today about Charlie Sheen. It`s actually really disturbing.
TMZ reporting Charlie spend a boozy weekend in Las Vegas with some porn stars and was due to report back to the set of "Two and a Half Men" today at 10:00 a.m. in Los Angeles. He did reportedly make it back although a bit little late.
I want to bring in my good friend and colleague, Jane Velez-Mitchell, host, of course, of "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL" every night here on HLN.
And Jane, let me say right out, you know, Charlie didn`t break any laws by going out on the town and partying with a bunch of porn stars.
But you know, if that did happen, given all that has happened with Charlie Sheen, the hotel rampage with a porn star in New York City, of course, his probation because of his domestic situation with his wife, his ex-wife, clearly, partying with porn stars is not a good idea, right?
JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, HOST, "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL": This guy is a terrible risk-taker. He loves pushing the envelope. But A.J., so far he has gotten away with it.
As you mentioned, accused of assaulting his wife, he gets probation. Trashes a hotel room, they say, "Hey, would you like to go to the hospital or jail?" He chooses the hospital.
Well, I have a warning for Charlie Sheen, and I say this, Charlie, as a recovering addict/alcoholic myself, your luck will run out. And when it does, it will run out in a big way. Statistically, you cannot maintain this track record. So get help now before that big, bad thing happens.
HAMMER: Yes. Because it does seem that it would be inevitable, Jane. You know, the fact is we always talk about Sheen being Teflon Charlie. But it does have to implode add some point, doesn`t it?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: It absolutely does. The way addiction is described, whether it`s alcohol, drugs, sex, it starts out as fun. Then, it goes to fun with problems. And then it ends up being just problems.
Now, a lot of times, the addict can`t see that it`s become just the problems. They still think they`re in the fun phase.
But when they hit bottom, when something terrible happens, that`s usually when they have their moment of clarity and they can see themselves as others are seeing them. Others are looking at this guy and saying, "You`re a mess," but he can`t see it yet.
HAMMER: Yes. So strange. I mean, he really - all reports are saying everything`s just fine. We did reach out to Charlie Sheen to find out about these reports that he didn`t make it back to the set on time.
And here`s what his rep tells us, "I keep reading that Charlie Sheen did not show up for work today. I read those remarks two hours before his scheduled time of arrival. Charlie Sheen arrived at work today and is there as I send this." Memo to Chicken Little - the sky remains in place.
All right. I want to move on right now to big news breaking today about Lindsay Lohan, out of court-ordered rehab today. We learned she went out to a restaurant with her former girlfriend, Samantha Ronson.
Now, Jane, given that Lindsay`s tumultuous relationship with Sam caused a lot of drama in Lindsay`s life, is it maybe not such a good idea for them to be hanging out right now?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: I`m going to take a contrarian view here, because, A.J., we never heard about Samantha Ronson falling on the ground and passing out drunk. We never heard about her really being out of control.
It was other people around Lilo and Lilo herself. So I maintain that it`s quite possible that Samantha Ronson is a stable figure in her life. She certainly can`t turn to mom or any of her other fair-weather friends.
HAMMER: Yes, no question.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: It could just be that Samantha Ronson is going to give her the rock that she needs to maintain her sobriety.
HAMMER: Maybe she`s influence. Let`s hope so. Jane Velez-Mitchell, I thank you as always.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Thank you, A.J.
ANDERSON: All right. Is Snooki out of control again?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you have a drinking issue?
POLIZZI: No.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No?
POLIZZI: I`m 23 years old.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A lot of 23-year-olds have drinking issues.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Brand-new concerns today about Snooki`s nonstop partying.
HAMMER: Jon and Kate Gosselin. I can tell you there are reports these two are in a brand-new nasty war today over their kids. Why Jon is getting yelled at by Kate, coming up next.
ANDERSON: The raging to do over Jessica Simpson`s new `do. Take a look at this. Love it or hate it? We want to know what you think. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
HAMMER: And this is the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Dr. Conrad Murray says Michael Jackson begged for Propofol on the day he died. Daniel Craig set to return for "James Bond" movie to come out in 2012.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: We welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood, A.J. Hammer in New York.
HAMMER: And there`s big news in the buzz today. Brooke, the Kardashian sisters are fighting mad over all those baby rumors.
Also, there are wild reports that Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes are skipping the Oscars this year because of Anne Hathaway.
And Jon and Kate Gosselin at war again over their kids. It`s all happening in "The Buzz Today."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over) Kardashians` pregnant defense? Kim Kardashian came out swinging in defense of her little sister, Khloe, against reports that Khloe is pregnant.
In a brand-new interview with "AccessHollywood.com," Kim says the entire Kardashian clan is fed up with baby bump rumors, "I don`t know why those rumors always come about and I don`t know when they`re going to stop, until she really gets pregnant."
Kim did confirm Khloe and husband, Lamar Odom, are trying for a baby. And all will be revealed on the couple`s upcoming reality show, "Khloe and Lamar."
Tom and Katie`s Hathaway huff? Tom Cruise is slamming reports claiming he and Katie Holmes are skipping the Oscars because they`re mad at Anne Hathaway.
Hathaway is co-hosting the Oscars, and "The Daily Mail" reported that the couple was boycotting because of Anne`s recent spoof of Katie on "Saturday Night Live."
ANNE HATHAWAY, ACTRESS: To me, she looked incredibly complicated and intelligent woman.
HAMMER: But Cruise`s rep tells "PopEater.com" that the story is, quote, "not true and made up" and that the pair planned to skip the Oscars long before the "SNL" skit.
Gosselin epic custody battle. Jon and Kate Gosselin`s custody war has just reignited. TMZ is reporting that Kate is asking a judge to hold ex- husband Jon in contempt of court for tweeting details allegedly selling information about their case and disobeying the judge`s orders.
Kate is reportedly asking the judge to modify the custody agreement to protect their kids from their dad. TMZ says a hearing is set for this month.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: So will Kate win her latest reported war against Jon? I want to bring in Sunny Hostin, who is a legal contributor on "In Session" on our sister network, Tru TV.
And Sunny, I agree with Kate if all this is so. Nobody involved should be disclosing private information about those innocent children.
But what could the judge actually do to Jon if it is found that Jon really is cashing in by sharing private information?
SUNNY HOSTIN, LEGAL CONTRIBUTOR, "IN SESSION": Well, my understanding, Brooke, is that they really do have this contempt order in place and they aren`t supposed to speak about the custody case neither.
And so if he is selling information as she alleges, if he is tweeting about the custody case and the judge could find him in contempt, the judge could put him in prison. The judge could fine him. The judge could change the custody arrangements.
Those are all things that judges can do. But I have to tell you, I was surprised at this. I mean, most people know that Jon didn`t want his children on television anymore, allegedly. That`s been his position.
And she`s got them on television. So if anyone has sort of been, I guess, gaining fame and fortune from their children, the court of public opinion thinks it`s Kate. And so this was sort of shocking to me.
ANDERSON: Yes, it`s pretty interesting. You`re right. And if there is jail time, one thing is sure. No tweeting is going to happen from jail.
HOSTIN: That`s right.
ANDERSON: Yes. I`ve got to get to another new star legal battle today. The Kardashian sisters have been slapped with a tremendous lawsuit for pulling the plug on a prepaid credit card deal.
The girls, you may remember, severed ties with the credit card after they got slammed for the card`s outrageous hidden fees. Well, now, the card company says that the Kardashians breached their contract and wants them to hand over $75 million.
OK, the Kardashian reps tell SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that they have no comment here. But Sunny could the Kardashians end up having to pay up?
HOSTIN: They very well could end up having to pay something. When you have a contract, you`re really supposed to stay with it. You`re supposed to keep with it.
And breaching the contract is sometimes very difficult. It`s very difficult to get out of a contract. But I will say this. I mean, these cards are - this card, in particular, was allegedly predatory, charging these predatory fees.
And if that is the case, then they`ve got a pretty good defense because it is a defense if the contract is unconscionable. You don`t have to be a party to it. And so I think they`ll have to defend this case. Who knows what happens? It`s too soon to tell.
ANDERSON: All right. Well, the Kardashians aren`t the only stars in legal limbo today.
Eva Longoria`s former business partner is suing her for more than $4 million over her Las Vegas restaurant, Beso. He accuses Eva of illegally cashing in from a loan that she made to the restaurant which has just filed for bankruptcy.
In a brand-new statement to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Eva`s rep tells us this, "This a desperate reaction in a lawsuit without merit by prior partners who, through their unauthorized and fraudulent actions, required Eva Longoria to seek reorganization protection through bankruptcy court in Nevada."
OK, very quickly, is Eva in real legal trouble here, Sunny?
HOSTIN: It`s possible. I did read the lawsuit. I have a copy of it. And they say she got too much interest, that this agreement violated California`s laws. And if that is true, then there is a problem here.
She may have to pay back some money. So does the lawsuit that I reviewed sort of pass the Hostin smell test? I think it does. I think it does.
ANDERSON: All right. Sunny Hostin, good to see you as always. Thank you so much.
HOSTIN: Good to see you.
HAMMER: As we move on, I think Kim Kardashian is one tough cookie. So why is she bursting into tears on her new show?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KIM KARDASHIAN, REALITY TV STAR: I`m excited to be single and do whatever the hell I want. Mr. West is in the building.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You`re supposed to open this door in two weeks?
KIM KARDASHIAN: We need to make $100,000 a month. This is not good. I feel so taken advantage of.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Is Kim really cracking? Say it isn`t so. We`ll reveal what the deal is with the waterworks, coming up.
ANDERSON: A big royal uh-oh today. Why Kate Middleton`s controversial outfit is not OK in the U.K. but we`re asking here, love it or hate it?
HAMMER: And take a look at this - Jessica Simpson`s wild new `do. Love it or hate it? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - these are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Lady Gaga`s new single, "Born This Way" to be featured on "Glee." "Country Strong" soundtrack is the number one album on the iTunes album charts.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANNOUNCER: It`s the final episode of "Hannah Montana Forever."
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: This is going to be the best four years of our lives.
ANNOUNCER: And it`s the biggest decision ever.
MILEY CYRUS, SINGER AND ACTRESS: What?
ANNOUNCER: Movie or college?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: This is it. The end of "Hannah Montana." This is your first look at the very last episode of the Disney show that launched Miley Cyrus into superstardom four years ago. The finale airs this Sunday.
A.J., switching gears here, do you think Whoopi Goldberg should run for office?
HAMMER: Well, Brooke, Whoopi is one of my favorite people on the planet. She`s honest. She speaks her mind. So maybe it`s not such a bad idea. And maybe she may get a shot.
Today on "The View," former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, who is seriously considering a run for president in 2012, may have already picked a running mate. Take a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ELISABETH HASSELBECK, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": If you were to decide -
BARBARA WALTERS, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER AND CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": Yes. Which he will -
HASSELBECK: Potential running mate, who would be ideal for you, do you think?
FMR. GOV. TIM PAWLENTY (R-MN): Whoopi.
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
(CROSS TALK)
WALTERS: You`re Republican? You`re Republican?
PAWLENTY: She`s got a purple ring. I`ve got a purple tie.
WALTERS: No. It would be the first time - not the first time. But when we`ve had people of different - I don`t know what your political party is. I`m not sure it`s the same as his. But you know, it`s possible.
WHOOPI GOLDBERG, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": I`m an American. I`m all about America.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I agree. Let`s get beyond the labels. And the purple party has kind of a nice ring to it.
ANDERSON: OK. I just checked our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook wall. Lots of posts there about Sarah Palin`s reality show, "Sarah Palin`s Alaska," reportedly not coming back for another season.
Kelly P. is not sad to see it go, "Sarah`s show was nothing but a waste of time. Sarah should stick to politics instead of trying to become the star that she really isn`t."
But Della C. says this, "I would rather watch `Sarah Palin`s Alaska` than `Kate Plus 8.` At least Sarah`s show is much more interesting than watching Kate whine."
Connect with me. Join our debates on Facebook. We`re ShowbizTonightHLN there. Follow @showbiztonight on Twitter for breaking entertainment news alerts.
HAMMER: And now, the SHOWBIZ lineup - here`s what`s coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Paula Abdul, Ellen DeGeneres - the first time they`ve come face- to-face since Ellen took Paula`s seat on "American Idol."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ELLEN DEGENERES, HOST, "THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW": You left the show and then they asked me to - and I kept trying to explain to people, I didn`t take her job. She was gone.
I mean, all of a sudden - and I felt weird. And it felt like - was it weird for you to watch the show and see me there?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Paula reveals what she really thinks about seeing Ellen in her old gig.
Is Snooki out of control again? Brand-new concerns today about Snooki`s nonstop partying.
And Jessica Simpson`s wild new `do. Love it or hate it? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Now it`s time for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - these are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Jewel and husband Ty Murray are expecting their first child. Owen Wilson and his girlfriend are also expecting a baby!
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you have a drinking issue?
POLIZZI: No!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No?
POLIZZI: I`m 23 years old.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A lot of 23-year-olds have drinking issues.
HAMMER: Big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Is Snooki out of control? Brand-new concerns today about Snooki`s nonstop partying.
ANDERSON: Jessica Simpson`s wild new `do. I know. I know. Things are bigger down in Texas. But I`ve got to ask, love it or hate it?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DEGENERES: You left the show. Then they asked me to - and I kept trying to explain to people, I didn`t take her job. She was gone. And then, all of a sudden - and I felt weird. And I felt like it`s - was it weird for you to watch the show and see me there?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: When Paula met Ellen. The two former "American Idol" judges face- to-face for the first time since they both left American Idol. Confessions, more stories, and Simon`s secrets revealed.
ANDERSON: Plus, breaking today from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker," Oprah says g`day and Shakira says adios.
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.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with big news breaking today - Paula and Ellen face off.
In the surprising reunion today, Paula Abdul shared secrets today with Ellen for the very first time since the "Idol-gate" controversy of 2009. That`s when Ellen took Paula`s seat at the judge`s table on "American Idol."
Well, in a brand-new interview on the "Ellen DeGeneres Show," Paula reveals how she really felt watching Ellen do her old job. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DEGENERES: You left the show and then they asked me to - and I kept trying to explain to people, I didn`t take her job. She was gone. And then all of a sudden - and I felt weird and I - was it weird for you to watch the show and see me there? Or did you watch, or -
PAULA ABDUL, FORMER "AMERICAN IDOL" JUDGE: Actually, I can watch the show objectively and I watched as a fan, as I normally do. I`m able to watch the show and say, "wow."
And you know, I thought you did a very good job. I thought you handled yourself with poise and elegance. And it was - you handled yourself the right way that is authentic to who you are.
DEGENERES: Right.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: You know, I think Paula is being sincere here, especially since she left the show on her own accord. It had to be a little bit awkward to watch Ellen at first, but I think that she got over that pretty quickly.
But let me bring in "Idol" expert and New York Hot 97 morning radio host, K. Foxx, right now.
K, Paula`s "Idol" departure was controversial. Ellen said she even felt weird about the whole thing. So I`ve got to ask, do you buy that Paula didn`t feel at least a little weird watching "Idol"?
K. FOXX, MORNING RADIO HOST, NEW YORK HOT 97: I don`t think she felt weird in the least bit because she`s laughing all the way to the bank. And everybody knows people tuned in to watch Paula and Simon argue.
I mean, that`s why people tuned in to watch "American Idol." Now, it`s going to be a little bland to me, to say the truth. It wasn`t that exciting.
ANDERSON: Oh, so you miss Paula on "American Idol."
FOXX: I do. I like their conflict.
ANDERSON: Now, I`ll have to tune in to "Live to Dance." Yes, I did, too. Well, I`ve got to say that Paula really does have a sense of calm about her these days.
But let`s not forget, her new show, as I mentioned, "Live to Dance" is going to be on at the same time on Wednesday as "Idol" when "Idol" returns next week.
Let me throw it now to Brian Balthazar, comedian and editor of "PopGoesTheWeek.com." Brian, should Paula be a little worried that she`s going to get an "Idol" ratings beat-down? "Idol`s" got that built-in fan base. She`s got the challenge of a new show.
BRIAN BALTHAZAR, EDITOR, "POPGOESTHEWEEK.COM": I think anyone going against "American Idol" has to be nervous. And Paula has already seen a dramatic dip from her first and second episodes with the show.
"American Idol" has a lot of buzz with new judges. How can you not be a little bit nervous that this juggernaut is going to come at you and really affect her new project?
ANDERSON: Paula is very determined, so I hope she keeps going and I hope she does really well. And I want to move now, though, to big Snooki news breaking today because, there she goes again.
Wait until you hear what she said this time in a brand-new interview today. And A.J., how about that book signing that Snooki did last night in New York for that awful new novel of hers?
HAMMER: It was a Snook signing or something like that, Brooke. Yes. Snooki`s book signing was actually in the same building where we`re located, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT world headquarters here in New York City.
So of course, we turn on the SHOWBIZ Snooki cam. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT right there - yes, we were fist pumping along with Snooki at the big book signing for her just-released, as Brooke called it, awful novel, "A Shore Thing."
Now, we know Snooki is a pouf-tastic character on "Jersey Shore." But has the pint-sized star had, I don`t know, one too many pints? Snooki was arrested back in July for disorderly conduct while drunk at the Jersey Shore.
So on the "Today" show this morning, Matt Lauer naturally grilled Snooki about that and about her drinking habits. Watch what happened.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
POLIZZI: Well, obviously, it`s a lesson learned. You know, I don`t regret it because it`s a lesson learned pretty much, like I just need to watch my drinking when it comes to partying during the day in the summer. Like, I`m definitely not going to do it anymore.
LAUER: Do you have a drinking issue?
POLIZZI: No!
LAUER: No?
POLIZZI: I`m 23 years old.
LAUER: Well, a lot of 23-year-olds have drinking issue.
POLIZZI: Well, not me.
LAUER: No? So it`s not a problem for you?
POLIZZI: I`m good.
LAUER: So you can stop it when you want to stop it?
POLIZZI: I only party - I only party during the summer like that. It`s never like this all year round.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK. So maybe the drinking has nothing to do with her lack of eloquence. But despite that fact and the fact that Snooki just publicly revealed to Ellen DeGeneres that, you know, she passes out in garbage cans every month, she says she`s no drunk, K. Do you buy that?
FOXX: No, I don`t buy it. And that`s what they get paid to do, to make public fools of themselves. If not, we wouldn`t tune to watch "Jersey Shore" which just brought in, what, 8.5 million viewers. They get paid to make public fools of themselves. Could use a liquor.
HAMMER: But to her point, you know, we`re seeing a very condensed version of their lives that plays out. And yes, if you watch the show, it looks like that`s all they do, is get drunk.
So Brian, we all know, particularly in your teens and early 20s, it`s nothing to go out and do what they do for a lot of people, although we see her getting completely, completely bombed many other times. Do you buy that she says she`s no drunk and it`s the truth?
BALTHAZAR: Well, I think if there`s a lesson that she has learned, it`s that this behavior rewards her. And so, you know, I think she`s certainly doing it partially for the cameras.
But I don`t buy for one minute that she hasn`t gotten plastered during the winter or fall. She just does it during the summer.
HAMMER: You`re not buying that, huh?
BALTHAZAR: On New Year`s Eve, when she came down that crystal ball, which I`m thankful it had air holes for her sake, that she didn`t have a drink afterward, that she didn`t, you know, get hammered. I don`t believe it for one second.
HAMMER: You`re not buying that?
BALTHAZAR: No, I don`t buy it.
HAMMER: OK. Well, I`m going to put that out to Snooki and I`m going to send her an E-mail after the show and just check back on that.
And yes, I agree with the whole point of rewarding bad behavior. Obviously, it sets a pretty terrible example. But Snooki says, in five years, despite all of the drama now, she hopes she`s still going to be around and promoting her brand.
You know, she`s got the slippers. She`s got the jewelry, the book. But I have to wonder if she can keep the "Jersey Shore" momentum going. Really.
Well, here`s why. "Jimmy Kimmel Live" just revealed that Snooki may have some major competition that could put her career in jeopardy. Watch this carefully.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Introducing a new house mate, Snooki`s twin sister, Franky Four Eyes.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: I am so enthused to be on the show. I like music, and I love to dance. I can solve a Rubik`s cube in 17.40 seconds. And I enjoy GTL, gardening, tea, and literature. I don`t have skills with the opposite sex.
POLIZZI: That`s OK, Franky. I will teach you.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Snooki got the looks of our family.
POLIZZI: Well, you know what? You got the talent. She plays the clarinet.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Who stuck a pickle in my clarinet?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Loser. You freaking nerd.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I`ve got to say, you know, Snooki was actually pretty funny in that little skit right there. And as scary as this may sound, K, could she potentially have a future in, I don`t know, sitcoms or in comedies, you know, doing something like that?
FOXX: You know what? I think that what she`s very smart in what she`s doing is enjoying her 15 minute of fame. She`s milking every inch of it. And that`s what she should be doing. Enjoy it now, because five years down the line, I don`t think anybody is going to be talking about her.
HAMMER: I don`t know. You know, she`s got enough momentum right now, Brian. What do you think? I mean, looking at her in that, I actually thought for a moment, maybe not such a stretch to see her on TV.
BALTHAZAR: She`s got to prove she`s more than one note. And right now, her note is getting drunk. And you don`t want to see a 40-year-old getting drunk at spring break doing body shots.
HAMMER: Oh, no, we don`t, Brian.
(CROSS TALK)
BALTHAZAR: If she can do characters, maybe there`s something there.
HAMMER: Maybe she`s on to something. We`ll leave it there. K. Foxx, Brian Balthazar, thanks, guys.
ANDERSON: Kim Kardashian in tears. New details today about why Kim K. just had a full-on meltdown.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KIM KARDASHIAN: I`m excited to be single and do whatever the hell I want. Mr. West is in the building.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You`re supposed to open this door in two weeks?
KIM KARDASHIAN: We need to make $100,000 a month. This is not good. I feel so taken advantage of.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Is it business pressure, a Kardashian catfight gone too far, a horrible heartbreak, all of the above?
HAMMER: Is Jessica Simpson channeling Marge Simpson? Take a look at this. Jessica`s new `do. Love it or hate it?
ANDERSON: And love it or hate it, royal edition. Why Kate Middleton`s new controversial outfit is causing some to say uh-oh in the U.K. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
HAMMER: Let`s roll out the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker." Here come more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: "American Idol" top 10 finalists to be split by gender: five men and five women. "Oprah`s Ultimate Australian Adventure" begins airing January 18th.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Vanilla Ice`s Madonna sex confession. Listen to this. You know, the guy who made suburban MTV watch and kids want to rap back in the early 1990s with "Ice, Ice, Baby"?
Well, he dated Madonna for nearly a year. But now, Vanilla Ice is revealing they broke up over anything but vanilla sex.
Now, that`s not exactly what you may think. Ice was ticked off about Madonna`s book called "Sex." Ice, Naomi Campbell and a bunch of other celebrities were featured naked and simulating sex acts in this book that caused a massive uproar back in 1992. And I have one lying in my attic somewhere.
Ice tells the U.K.`s "News of the World" today, "I broke up with her after she printed the book because I was hurt to be an unwitting part of this slutty package. It was disgusting and cheap."
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Brooke Anderson is in Hollywood.
ANDERSON: Yes. We`ve got three incredible new stories just in today. And we want to know, do you love it or hate it? I`m talking Jessica Simpson`s crazy new `do. Royal Kate Middleton`s saucy and controversial outfit, and Britney Spears` new song. Do you love it or hate it?
Let`s get started right away with Jessica Simpson`s really crazy new hairdo. Check it out. Her publicist tweeted this photo of Jessica a really bizarre hairdo.
It turns out Simpson was in the middle of getting her hair done for a top-secret magazine photo shoot. I want to bring in Kelli Zink right now. She`s the host of "CelebTV.com." Kelli, are you loving or hating Jessica`s `do here?
KELLI ZINK, HOST, "CELEBTV.COM": Brooke, hate is a strong word. And a few years ago, anything Jessica Simpson did or wore, I loved. But I hate it. I just hate it, OK?
And it`s not just the hair. It`s that I feel like we have lost the Jessica Simpson we used to know. I don`t know if there`s facial fillers or what`s going on. I still love you, Jessica, but I hate it.
ANDERSON: Yes. And hate is a strong word. I`m sorry for forcing you to use it there, Kelli.
ZINK: OK.
ANDERSON: But my vote with Jessica Simpson here is - I`m going to go with love. I was on the fence about this, but I bet if we knew the context of this photo shoot, this Marge Simpson look would make perfect sense.
Let`s bring in contributing editor of "Life and Style Weekly," Rachel Zalis.
Rachel, are you with Kelli and hate the look, or do you love it like me? Why not?
RACHEL ZALIS, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, "LIFE AND STYLE WEEKLY": I love it. First of all, we`re girls, Brooke. We know the bigger the hair, the skinnier the body looks.
I mean, clearly, her waist is looking much trimmer all of a sudden. Plus, it`s a perfect place to stash her millions of dollars.
ANDERSON: Oh, good idea!
ZALIS: I think it`s multipurpose.
ANDERSON: Yes. And it could be a creative "Bride of Frankenstein" recreation. We just don`t know at this point.
OK. Let me move on now to the next item in our "love it or hate it" showdown. Check out princess-to-be, Kate Middleton`s saucy, partly sheer top that she wore to a wedding. This is causing absolute outrage England. Kelli, are you loving it or hating it?
ZINK: I love it and I love the outrage. You know what? It`s like Katy Perry`s dress on "Sesame Street." It`s really no big deal.
She said that she went shopping in her own closet to get it. So I love that she`s being thrifty and she`s recycling her clothes. And come on, a little skin - she`s a young, hot, hip princess-to-be. I love it.
ANDERSON: Yes. And Rachel, just because she`s about to be a royal officially doesn`t mean she has to be stuffy and uptight. Do you love it or hate it?
ZALIS: I love it. I was so worried that she was going to be this prim and proper princess. But oh, my god. This is sheer genius. Hopefully she`ll be dancing on the tables with Tara Reid soon. It would be fun.
ANDERSON: Oh, don`t go that far. Don`t go that far, Kate. But A.J., about her outfit, I have to say, I think it`s elegant. I think it`s edgy at the same time. I can`t wait to go to London to cover her wedding to Prince William. I`m psyched about it.
HAMMER: Yes. You`ve got to be psyched. How much fun is that going to be, Brooke? Something definitely to look forward to. And that, of course, not the only thing we`re looking forward to, however.
There are brand-new reports - I`m very excited about this today. Britney Spears may be performing at the Grammys come February. Now, she`s got this hot new song called "Hold It Against Me." It`s causing a lot of buzz.
She`s already shattered records with the most first-day plays. So the question is, do you love it or hate it? Let`s listen to it.
(MUSIC)
Well, personally, I`ve got to say I`m loving it. Rachel, what about you, loving or hating Britney`s new song?
ZALIS: I love it. Britney is back, although how many times can we actually say that? I feel like we`re in "Ground Hog Day." Britney is back. Lindsay is back. Charlie is partying with porn stars. It`s like the same story every year. But I`m really happy. I think the song`s cool.
HAMMER: Yes. I`m putting a moratorium on "Britney`s back," OK? She`s been back. She`s back now. Hit us baby one more time.
All right. The "Showbiz on Call" phone lines ringing nonstop about Britney`s new song. But we have pretty mixed reviews coming in.
Now, Sonia, in California loved it.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
SONIA, CALLER IN CALIFORNIA: It is awesome. Her music is maturing as she is maturing, and I think that is great.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: It`s not the universal opinion out there. We heard from Bonnie Jean in Massachusetts who hated it. Listen to Bonnie Jean.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
BONNIE JEAN, CALLER FROM MASSACHUSETTS: I think she`s a washed up has- been. She should have put in the towel a long time ago.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: We love it when they tell us exactly how they feel. Kelli, what about you? Where do you fit in? Love it, hate it, washed-up has been? What are you thinking?
ZINK: You know, A.J., I love it. I can`t say I hate it because I have more threats than Kim Kardashian after a Justin Bieber photo. Let`s be honest. I`m not going to ever bash Britney Spears. I am team Britney, so I`m going to go with I love it.
HAMMER: And of course, we`re loving the buzz about Britney possibly performing at the Grammys. So right away, Rachel, I have to imagine you`re hoping those reports are true?
ZALIS: Oh, absolutely. I mean, we`re going to be, with bated breath, seeing what she`s going to pull out for that performance. So, I`m excited.
HAMMER: All right. Everybody is excited. That`s a lot of love in the room. Kelli Zink, Rachel Zalis, thank you very much.
I want to remind you, you can always call us at "Showbiz on Call" to sound off on Britney`s new song or anything else at all.
The "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are open all the time. This is the number, 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899. You can leave us a voicemail so we can play your call right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
ANDERSON: A Kardashian meltdown. Kim K. brought to tears. Brand-new details about why she is crying her eyes out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KIM KARDASHIAN: I`m excited to be single and do whatever the hell I want. Mr. West is in the building.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You`re supposed to open the store in two weeks?
KIM KARDASHIAN: We need to make $100,000 a month. This is not good. I feel so taken advantage of.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Oh, brother. Is it a man? A Kardashian catfight? What is it? Kim reveals why she lost it.
HAMMER: It is time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker." These are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Shakira reveals she has split from boyfriend of 11 years. Kevin Bacon, Helen Mirren, Kevin Spacey to present at Golden Globes.
HAMMER: It is time now for the showbiz buzz list. We`re calling this the TV edition. All right. Here is what the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT staff is buzzing all about this week on TV.
And naturally, we`re absolutely thrilled about "Piers Morgan Tonight." It starts Monday on CNN. And in case you haven`t heard, Piers` first guest is pretty incredible - it`s Oprah Winfrey.
We`re buzzing about "V." The visitors are back for a second season on ABC. I hope you`re ready because they`re ready to scare the skin off of us.
Ball players, bling and drama. Oh, my. The long-awaited season of "The Game" kicks off on BET.
You know what they say about one man`s trash. We are loving the thrill and the hunt on A & E`s "Storage Wars."
And we`re all wrapped up in the new NBC series, "The Cape."
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The suspect is former police sergeant, Vince Faraday.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE CHILD: She said Dad was (INAUDIBLE).
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Did you see this? No, no. It`s not a scene from the "Avatar" sequel. Under all that blue makeup is "90210`s" Annalynne McCord. Her character on "90210," Naomi, goes all out to impress an "Avatar" obsessed nerd that she has a crush on in an upcoming episode.
To find out if they locked tails, you`d have to check out "90210" when it returns to the CW Network on January 24th.
OK. From turning blue to seeing red, Kim Kardashian in tears. Making news today, Kim K., A.J., brought to tears on "Kourtney and Kim Take New York."
HAMMER: Yes, Brooke. This mystery begins with Kim crying in the previews for the latest Kardashian spin-off. Take a look at what happened.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Kardashians are here!
KIM KARDASHIAN: This store needs to be our signature look.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do I make you horny?
KIM KARDASHIAN: Seriously? This won`t happen all the time. Yes. I`m excited to be single and do whatever the hell I want. Mr. West is in the building.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You`re supposed to open this door in two weeks?
KIM KARDASHIAN: We need to make $100,000 a month. This is not good. I feel so taken advantage of.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I find myself not being able to control my anger.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: There`s so much going on there it`s enough to make me cry. So is Kim crying about her love life, or did she clash with Kourtney`s out-of- control boyfriend?
Well, Kim tells "Us Magazine" the waterworks were from stress. Kim crashed under the pressure while inking the deal for the New York outpost of her glitzy boutique, Dash.
Here`s what Kim tells "Us," "It`s me being told one thing and something coming out a complete different way. I just felt so taken aback and so betrayed. It was the right decision in the end, but at the same time, I freaked out."
Brooke, these ladies and their drama really know how to get us sucked in. Don`t they?
ANDERSON: Yes. No kidding. It`s like a soap opera, A.J. They certainly know how to bring the drama like you say and they know how to make entertaining reality television, like it or not.
HAMMER: And that`s why lots of people will be watching. On Monday, we asked you to vote in our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive poll. Just moments ago, we got the final results.
Sarah Palin`s reality show, reportedly not coming back for season two. Are you bummed or happy? Well, look at that. Only 13 percent of you say, "I`m totally bummed." Eighty-seven percent of you say, "Good riddance. "I`m happy it`s over."
Here are some of the E-mails we got. Barbara from California, not a fan. She writes, "I believe Sarah Palin needs to get a 9:00 to 5:00 job and practice being disciplined in one job. She`s all over the place."
But Alice from Pennsylvania was a huge fan, writing, "Putting politics aside, I found `Sarah Palin`s Alaska` very entertaining and want to see more. I learned a lot about Alaska, things in my 84 years I never knew before."
And Shawn from Ontario, Canada says he`s going to have a tough time saying goodbye, "I must say that I just loved every second of `Sarah Palin`s Alaska.` I don`t know what I`ll do on Sunday nights if you don`t make any new episodes."
Well, that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thank you for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is live at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Monday through Friday.
HAMMER: And we are still TV`s most provocative entertainment news show seven days a week at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific here on HLN.
END
