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Showbiz Tonight
Charlie Sheen Rushed to the Hospital; Snooki Checks Out; Elton Censor Shocker; Kardashian Weight Confession; Jennifer Aniston Not Adopting;
Aired January 27, 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. Charlie Sheen rushed to the hospital. We`ve got all the late-breaking developments.
The Elton John cover-up. A big supermarket chain censors a magazine cover with Elton, his partner and baby boy. The explosive reaction today.
Jennifer Aniston, about to be a mommy? Aniston sets the record straight today. Will she adopt a baby?
Khloe`s stunning body image confession today. Khloe Kardashian`s emotional revelations about her lifetime struggle with her weight.
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
Hello, I`m A.J. Hammer coming to you from New York City.
BROOKE ANDERSON, HOST: Hi there, everyone. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with big news breaking today.
Sheen`s hospital drama.
HAMMER: Yes. Charlie Sheen was rushed to a Los Angeles hospital this morning. And given all of his troubles and behavior, I have to tell you everyone was fearing that something terrible had happened. Sheen was taken to the hospital after, according to his spokesman, he suffered from severe stomach pain.
Now Sheen was reportedly taken there by ambulance after someone reportedly called 911 this morning.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter is just outside the Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles.
So Kareen, it certainly has been a dramatic day there. Tell us how it`s all played out.
KAREEN WYNTER, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT CORRESPONDENT: Dramatic indeed. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT spoke with the Los Angeles Fire Department who confirmed that they did in fact respond to a call at an address SHOWBIZ TONIGHT believes to be Charlie Sheen`s address. And that it was a call for a medical run.
One truck was dispatched to the scene. They transported one individual to a local hospital. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT believes that hospital is Cedars-Sinai Hospital.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT also reached out to Charlie Sheen`s spokesperson who told us look, the only information that he had was that Charlie Sheen was taken to the hospital for severe abdominal pain.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT also reached out to the producers of Charlie Sheen`s hit show, "Two and A Half Men" who confirmed to us that this week the show is on hiatus. But clearly a very, very serious situation for Charlie Sheen.
Back to you in the studio.
ANDERSON: I`m going to say that when we first heard that Charlie Sheen had been rushed to the hospital, a lot of people were thinking that his wild ways had finally caught up with him. And it`s not really a stretch to think so considering the disturbing and frankly dangerous situations that he`s been involved in.
Let`s go to the SHOWBIZ Newsline now. On Christmas Day 2009, Charlie Sheen was arrested for attacking his wife at knife point. He later pleaded guilty to assaulting her. In Feb 2010 he voluntarily checked into rehab.
Then in October of last year, Charlie allegedly went on a rampage trashing a swank New York City hotel room. A room he was reportedly sharing with a porn star. Charlie was also taken to the emergency room after that incident.
I want to bring in Jane Velez-Mitchell now. She`s the host of "ISSUES" right here on HLN every night 7:00 p.m. Eastern.
Jane, were you fearing the worst when you heard that Charlie Sheen was rushed to the hospital?
JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, HOST, "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL": Yes. And I have to say right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT just a couple of weeks ago after the Las Vegas incident, I predicted something like this would happen, Brooke. The road gets narrower.
You can`t get away with it forever if you`re an addict. Charlie Sheen has been to rehab at least four times. He almost OD`d in 1998. He is an addict. That means he should not be using any mood altering substances or alcohol, period. Not even a single drop.
So obviously all the reports about his behavior, a party that TMZ is now saying started on Tuesday night, went into Wednesday and then went into Thursday morning, with the 911 call, that to me -- and I say this as a person in recovery -- sounds like a classic binge/bender.
ANDERSON: Yes. Not the kind of behavior an addict needs to be engaging in.
I want to go now to TV and radio host Michael Billy. He`s also joining us.
Michael, were you thinking the worst when you heard that Charlie Sheen had been rushed to the hospital?
MICHAEL BILLY, TV AND RADIO HOST: Unfortunately, yes. I think a lot of us were. I`m a recovering alcoholic as well and I can tell you after being in rehab numerous times, after crashing my car twice, after even getting arrested, I still didn`t get the message.
So I`m hoping hopefully today, you know, whatever the case may be this is a wake-up call to Charlie Sheen that, like Jane had said, you can`t keep acting like this and expect that nothing`s going to come of it.
ANDERSON: Yes.
BILLY: There are circumstances when you`re an addict.
ANDERSON: For decades he`s been acting this way.
BILLY: Absolutely.
ANDERSON: And eventually the behavior does catch up with you. But you know when it comes to Charlie Sheen, nothing he does really seems to surprise anybody. Not even Jon Cryer, his co-star on "Two and A Half Men."
Last night on Conan O`Brien`s show on PBS, Cryer joked about all of the trouble that Charlie gets into and that he gets away with. Watch what he said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JON CRYER, ACTOR: It`s always a little weird because like the stuff you hear is just unbelievable. I mean like I`m checking TMZ as I do every day to know if have I to go to work at all. There was a story they found Charlie`s car, which at that point was not yet a Maybach, but was another pricey car, at the bottom of a cliff.
So you`re thinking, wow, I sure hope Charlie`s OK. And he comes into work. And, it`s like, hey, Charlie, how`s it going man? And you`re checking for scratches because my mind had come up with this whole thing that he`d crashed the car and then clawed his way back up the cliff.
CONAN O`BRIEN, HOST: Sure, yes.
CRYER: But he said, well, I said, how you doing man? He said, I`m doing OK, except that somebody stole my car and ran it off a cliff last night. And normally you would not believe that.
O`BRIEN: Yes.
CRYER: From somebody.
O`BRIEN: That`s just sounds like such a -- yes.
CRYER: But from Charlie Sheen, you believe that. Because that happens to him.
O`BRIEN: It did happen.
CRYER: Twice.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Yes, you kind of believe it with Charlie Sheen. And actually that`s one of the tamer Charlie Sheen stories.
Jane, does it blow your mind that Charlie`s co-star is really just watching and shaking his head at Charlie`s antics the same way that we all are?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, he is hinting and telegraphing as politely as he can that he thinks Charlie has a problem when he says, I don`t know whether to come into work without reading TMZ. That says it right there. And I think it was courageous of him.
Not to do what so many others around Charlie have done say, he makes it to work and therefore it`s all OK. It has nothing to do with making it -- getting to work. That`s called a functional addict. But eventually a functional addict trips up and becomes an unfunctional addict and sometimes they die.
I`m being tough on Charlie because I don`t want him to die. I want him to walk out of that hospital and hit bottom and have a moment of clarity about his behavior.
ANDERSON: As we all do. Well, the joke up until now is that Charlie Sheen was Teflon Charlie, nothing could get to him, nothing could get him fired. He is the star of the biggest sitcom on television. Makes a reported $2 million an episode.
But I want to you take a look right now at what CBS president Nina Tassler recently said about Charlie`s troubles.
"We have a high level of concern. How can could we not? This man is a father. He`s got children. He has a family. So, obviously there is a concern on a personal level. Right now the show continues to be a hit. Everyone is doing their job and things are continuing as planned."
Michael, with what happened today, do you think that Teflon Charlie`s luck has run out and that CBS will have no choice but to do something dramatic? Especially, especially if it`s discovered that it was more than just stomach pain?
BILLY: Well, I mean I certainly hope so. But we got to understand here that no matter what the channel does, no matter what happens professional, the repercussions to Charlie, that`s not necessarily going to make him sober up. Being sober and getting sober is something that, you know, we -- the person himself has to see themselves.
They have to want it themselves. There`s only so much other people can do. That`s why I didn`t mind Jon Cryer`s remarks the other night on "Conan." There`s only so much you can do.
ANDERSON: Yes. Well, we also learned today that "Two and A Half Men" is on hiatus this week. They are not in production so Charlie`s illness is not impacting that.
Jane, if it turns out today that the hospitalization was connected to his out of control behavior, do you think CBS is going to have to finally bite the bullet?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, it`s hard to say because money talks and this guy can rake in the money and he has always had pride in the fact that no matter what he`s been doing on the weekends, he shows up to work.
But if he`s now getting physically ill, that could be something that could keep him from going to work. And so, yes, at that point it could impact.
In my new book "Addict Nation," I talk about blended cross additions. And this is where I really think Charlie is suffering from. He is suffering from an addiction to drugs, I believe, an addiction to alcohol and an addiction to sex.
And those are three very, very strong cravings that can propel one to do unimaginable things. And it`s really hard to break a triple threat addiction like this.
ANDERSON: Yes. Toxic combination. Well, I`ve got to tell that even Chuck Lorie, who`s the creator of "Two and A Half Men" seems to have had his fill of Charlie. At the end of every episode Lorie puts up an end title card with his thought of the day.
It`s really up just for a blink of an eye but it`s said from last week, "Do not attempt to replicate what you saw in tonight`s episode of `Two and A Half Men.` Despite the seemingly lack of serious consequences and regardless of the hilarity that ensued, this is extremely dangerous behavior and could result in injury or death. Please keep in mind we employ a highly paid Hollywood professional who has years of experience putting his life at risk. And sadly, no, I`m not talking about our stunt man."
Michael, what does that say to you?
BILLY: You know, it says that this is an obvious problem. That we see it right in front of our faces. I mean let`s -- Charlie, you`re an addict. I wish Jane and I could just go over to his house and say, Charlie, you`re an addict. Wake up.
ANDERSON: Yes. A lot of people have a lot of serious concerns for Charlie Sheen. We wish him well, we hope he recovers and like Jane said we hope this provides some clarity for Charlie Sheen.
Jane Velez-Mitchell, Michael Bill, thank you both.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Thank you.
HAMMER: All right. I want to move on today to the Elton John cover-up. A big supermarket chain censors a magazine with Elton, his partner and their baby boy on the cover. There is explosive reaction to this today.
ANDERSON: Jennifer Aniston about to be a mommy? She sets the record straight today. Is Aniston adopting?
HAMMER: And Khloe`s stunning weight confession today. Khloe Kardashian`s emotion revelations about her lifetime struggle with her weight.
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.
GRAPHICS: MTV launching of UK edition of "Jersey Shore" called "Geordie Shore."
GRAPHICS: Ke$ha sells out "Get $leazy," her first headlining tour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: A lot of Justin Bieber?
OZZY OSBOURNE, SINGER: Who?
UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Justin Bieber?
OSBOURNE: Who the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) is Justin Bieber?
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Hey, Ozzie, you better learn who Justin Bieber is, stat, because you`re starring in a Super Bowl ad with him. The Oz man didn`t have a clue how the Bieb was in that huge TV interview but today I can tell you Justin and Ozzie are teaming up in a commercial for Best Buy that`s going to air during the Super Bowl. No word yet on what they`ll be doing in the ad. Let me guess (INAUDIBLE).
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with A.J. Hammer in New York.
And A.J., Snooki, let`s talk about her. She`s like a box of chocolates, you never know what you`re going to get.
HAMMER: That`s true, Brooke. And certainly I can tell you there is a new spin on Snooki today. We got to talk about. She`s got her own spin-off show. And oh, the things we continue to learn about Snooki.
The "Jersey Shore" star has reportedly started shooting her new show. It`s called "Snooki and JWOW Versus the World." Now according to some brand new reports today, Snooki reveals on the show that she`s never written a check in her life.
I want to bring in entertainment journalist Jill Dobson.
Good to have you here, Jill.
Now given that Snooki recently and quite proudly, I believe, revealed to us that maybe she`s read, I don`t know, two books in her 23 years on earth, should we be at all surprised that Snooki has never written a check in her life?
JILL DOBSON, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: No, I`m not surprised at all. And check writing, pretty archaic. So maybe I`ll let her -- let this one slide. I mean I managed to write 2010 still and it`s late January. So if I can mess it up with a Masters degree, what Snooki to do? And she`s rich enough she can hire a business manager to write checks for her.
HAMMER: So you`re cutting her a little break. Yes.
DOBSON: I`m cutting her some slack on this.
HAMMER: Rich enough. I mean somebody should be balancing that checkbook. She`s pulling in something like $30,000 an episode right now right into that bank account for every time she shoots one of these shows.
Here`s the thing. We`re pretty quick to dismiss Snooki`s success because, let`s face it, she`s this walking, one-woman train wreck but here we are already talking about her next show. We haven`t even seen it yet.
So my question, Jill, is Snooki -- and I almost don`t want you to answer this because I`m afraid of what you`ll say. Is Snooki actually a whole lot smarter than we give her credit for or is it just a whole lot of dumb luck and she`s riding the ride?
DOBSON: Yes. Snooki is either way dumber than we think if she really can`t write a check or manage to live in a house with JWOW. But she also could be way smarter than we all give her credit for.
HAMMER: No, no, what we --
(CROSSTALK)
HAMMER: I watch the "Jersey Shore." I can`t tell. I don`t know if she`s playing us all. I don`t think so. I think this is who she is.
DOBSON: I think what you see is what you get with the Snookster.
HAMMER: All right.
DOBSON: Yes. I do.
HAMMER: Well, her other big show -- yes, and I like calling her the Snookster, too. Her other big show "Jersey Shore" is also making big news today. You got to take a look at the just-in results of our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive poll.
Here`s what we asked. Which outrageous show do you think is most toxic? Now the results are in like today. A lot of votes came in. Take a look at how this played out. Forty-four percent say "Jersey Shore," 31 percent say "Teen Mom," 25 percent say "Skins."
And I got to tell you, Jill, I was actually surprised by this. Can you believe that more people think that "Jersey Shore" is more toxic than these other shows? I --
DOBSON: I do. I do.
HAMMER: Yes?
DOBSON: I agree with the findings because when they cause trouble and get drunk, even when they get arrested, we really don`t see long-term negative consequences from the bad behavior --
HAMMER: On any of these shows.
DOBSON: Right. Especially on "Jersey Shore," though. They just keep getting more rich and more famous the more badly they behave. At least on "Teen Mom" it`s not produced the way I would produce it but it doesn`t look like a walk in the park to have a young child as a teenager.
HAMMER: No. And I still believe there`s a lot of value to some of the consequences that they`re showing because that`s the point. They show consequences, where "Jersey Shore" and actually "Skins" really doesn`t.
Jill Dobson, it`s good to see you. Appreciate it.
DOBSON: You too.
HAMMER: All right, Brooke Anderson, let me bring you back in here because we set up this big showdown on our Facebook and our Web site page. And the SHOWBIZ On-Call phone lines, all between "Teen Mom", "Jersey Shore" and "Skins," asking which show is the most toxic.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Got to go. Is she breathing?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I usually take her to the hospital. They got a detox.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How are we going to get there? Geez, somebody, how we going to get there?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That`s sweet.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Oh, brother. A.J., That`s "Skins" and I think that was pretty toxic.
HAMMER: Yes. And a lot of people are posting on our Facebook page today. Let me get to a couple of remarks. One remark from Maggie M. who says "Jersey Shore" is the most toxic, writing, "It glorifies everything that we don`t want our kids to do. It`s disturbing."
Here`s another one. Kerry A who says, "`Teen Mom` is not toxic or glamorizing teen pregnancy. It shows it like it is."
I want to get to this one from Debbie A. who says I want my MTV as in music. Almost everything on MTV is toxic. Bring back the music videos and you will still be popular with the teens. The new shows glorify drinking, sex and fighting. They need to go."
ANDERSON: SHOWBIZ On-Call now, Mary calling from Oklahoma thinks all of these shows are equally bad.
MARY, CALLER FROM OKLAHOMA: These toxic TV shows are absolutely nothing but filth and I think it`s a disgrace and a sin and people just need to not watch it.
ANDERSON: Thank you, Mary.
HAMMER: So what you think? Well, the SHOWBIZ On Call phone lines remain open. Give as a buzz. 1-888-SBT-BUZZ, 1-888-728-2899. That`s where you can leave us a voicemail. We would love to play your call right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
ANDERSON: Speaking of reality shows, what do you think of "Keeping Up with the Kardashians"? A lot of people think it`s pretty cool. And listen to this. Khloe Kardashian just revealed a stunning body image confession today. Wait until you hear about her lifetime struggle with her weight.
HAMMER: And wait until you see this. There is a dramatic smackdown today between the super popular band Kings of Leon and the show "Glee." Charges of homophobia here.
ANDERSON: And here`s a bizarre dinner get-together. John Travolta and the son of the late mob boss John Gotti. We`re going to let you know why these two are breaking bread.
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN, news and views.
HAMMER: Time now for the SHOWBIZ News Ticker. Here come more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
GRAPHICS: Will Ferrell to guest star in four episodes of "The Office."
GRAPHICS: NFL star Char Ochocinco to change his name back to "Johnson."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALFRED HITCHCOCK, FILMMAKER: Good evening. I hope you`ll excuse me if I appear a trifle excited but I`ve just come into possession of a cure for insomnia.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The suspense is over. I can tell you who may be playing the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock. SHOWBIZ breaks news today.
I thought Hitchcock was just brilliant. Definitely a little creepy but really, really talented. Some of those famous film, "North by Northwest", "The Birds", "Psycho." There`s a movie in the works now about Alfred Hitchcock himself and the making of "Psycho." The famous 1960 thriller which starred Janet Lee.
And right now SHOWBIZ breaks news. Anthony Hopkins tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT he`s in talks to play Alfred Hitchcock. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANTHONY HOPKINS, ACTOR: It`s on the (INAUDIBLE). Yes. It`s a very good director who`s taking it up. And it`s been around a few years. And I -- you know, I roll with the punches and if it shows up it`s going to be fine. And if it doesn`t, on with the next thing.
UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Would you put on all that weight? Because Sir Alfred was a very heavy person.
HOPKINS: I made that -- no, I`m not going to put on that weight. I`ll wear a big cushion. And say, good evening. With a big cushion on. Good evening, everyone. Very happy that you`re all here. I hope you enjoy the movie.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That`s a pretty good impersonation right there. Hope it gets made and I actually think Hopkins would be perfect for that part -- Brooke.
ANDERSON: A.J., I agree. He would be a terrific choice.
All right, did you see this? Ellen got a big surprise on her 53rd birthday. She was blindfolded and had to guess the A-list star on her show. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ELLEN DEGENERES, HOST, "THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW": Have we ever worked together?
JULIA ROBERTS, ACTRESS: No, but we`ve flown together.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, but we`ve flown together.
DEGENERES: We`ve flown together? Hmm. Literally or figuratively?
ROBERTS: Literally.
DEGENERES: Wow.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: You know, Brooke, that was the first time Julia had ever been on Ellen`s show. And she wasn`t the only huge star showing up, of course. Colin Farrell brought up the cake.
ANDERSON: Yes.
HAMMER: And Pink and Jaden Smith also stopped by.
ANDERSON: Yes. And I want to tell you that guy who was Julia`s mouth piece is actually a fan who wanted to spend his birthday with Ellen. Nice present for him, right?
HAMMER: Really nice. All right. Time for the SHOWBIZ Lineup. Here`s what`s coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Jennifer Aniston about to be a mommy? Well, she`s setting the record straight today. Is Jen about to adopt?
Now it`s Levi`s turn. Bristol Palin just slammed the father of her son, Levi Johnston. She pretty much said Levi is a bad dad. I`m very surprised by Levi`s responses. That`s coming up.
Also the Kings of Leon versus "Glee." Charges of homophobia here.
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN, news and view.
Time for the SHOWBIZ News Ticker, more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
GRAPHICS: Jason Bateman, Nicole Kidman, Jon Hamm to present at SAG Awards.
GRAPHICS: Jimmy Buffet released from hospital after falling of concert stage.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Is Jennifer Aniston about to be a mother? Jennifer sets the record straight today. Is she adopting?
ANDERSON: Khloe Kardashian`s dramatic weight confession. Khloe reveals today shocking new details about her personal battle with her weight.
HAMMER: The Elton John cover-up. A big supermarket chain censors a magazine cover with Elton and his partner and their baby boy. The explosive reaction today.
Plus breaking today from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT News Ticker, a "Teen Mom" is now a model.
And Bruno Mars is number one again.
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It is 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer coming to you from New York City.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with big news breaking today.
The Elton cover-up. There`s absolutely outrage today over the apparent censorship of the brand new cover of "US Weekly" magazine featuring Elton John with his partner and newborn son.
The offense? An Arkansas supermarket put a shield over the cover that featured a picture of Elton, his partner and their son. The controversy exploded around the world today from the morning talk shows to religious leaders to magazine editors.
The big question today, is the cover really offensive?
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON (voice-over): This little flap of plastic is causing international outrage today. It all started when a customer at an Arkansas store tweeted this photo to Ellen DeGeneres and other big celebrities. It show a family shield over the brand new "US Weekly" magazine cover featuring Elton John and his husband with their newborn boy baby boy.
ROB SHUTER, COLUMNIST, POPEATER.COM: And what`s fascinating about this is that, you know, you can`t see two men who have been together for 17 years and their little baby boy, but you can watch the "Jersey Shore" or "Teen Moms."
ANDERSON: Family shields are usually used to cover magazines with sexually suggestive covers that might be too racy for children. One Harps Food Store put that same shield on Elton`s photo because they had received complaints.
The reaction? World wide outrage.
SHUTER: The store was definitely surprised by this reaction.
ANDERSON: The ladies of "The View" had a lot to say about the matter.
ELIZABETH HASSELBECK, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": I mean in a way that sign is more of a protest than a protection in some way, correct?
BARBARA WALTERS, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": It`s a protest against homosexuality.
JOY BEHAR, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": That`s right.
ANDERSON: But Harps Foods tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT it was one manager in one store responding to some complaints. They say, quote, "In this case our store manager received some complaints and has been our custom, placed the shield over the cover of the magazine. Our true intention is not to offend anyone in our stores and this incident happened at just one of 65 locations, which when brought to our attention we reversed."
But "US" magazine West Coast bureau chief Melanie Bromley tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT there`s absolutely nothing wrong with the cover.
MELANIE BROMLEY, WEST COAST BUREAU CHIEF, "US" MAGAZINE: There`s nothing. It`s -- nothing. The two people who are completely in love and they`ve had a child together and who (INAUDIBLE) incredible talent.
ANDERSON: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you this cover might represent a happy family to some, but to others it shows an unacceptable lifestyle choice.
SHUTER: I think that`s very hard for me to sit here in New York and judge what a local community things. You have to remember that America is so large and full of such diverse opinions.
ANDERSON: And it`s those opinions that caused major sparks this week on CNN`s "Piers Morgan Tonight." Watch what happens when conservative Christian pastor Joel Osteen responds to questions about his stands on homosexuality and Elton John.
PIERS MORGAN, HOST, "PIERS MORGAN TONIGHT": Who are you to call them a sinner? But why are they sinners in your eyes?
JOE OSTEEN, CHRISTIAN PASTOR: It goes strictly back to what the scripture says. It comes back to the scripture. I`m not the judge. You know God didn`t tell me to go around judging everybody.
MORGAN: I`m not so sure, though, you see. I think you are a kind of judge. And I think you can`t aggregate that responsibility. I think what -- because of your influence.
OSTEEN: We have gay people that come to our church and sit there. We have people from different faiths and so it`s an issue that -- you know, it`s a hard issue and I don`t know that I fully understand it.
ANDERSON: And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you Elton John doesn`t seem to understand why it`s such a big deal. At a private fundraiser in California this week, Elton spoke out against the criticism against his lifestyle, saying, "As a gay man I think I have it all. I have a wonderful career, a wonderful life. I have my heath, I have a partner of 17 years. And I have a son. And you know what? I don`t have everything because I don`t have the respect of people like the church and people like politicians who tell me that I am not worthy or that I am less than because I am gay."
SHUTER: I think this is even took Elton John by surprise.
ANDERSON: What`s most surprising is just how passionately both sides are arguing over this simple cover. But Popeater`s Rob Suter tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT this all-out debate isn`t a bad thing.
SHUTER: Ultimately what this cover has done has given us all an opportunity to talk about this. I think this debate can be nothing but good.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: So it has the Elton John magazine cover-up really done nothing but good or has it uncovered a disturbing reality? The supermarket did say they uncensored the cover after reviewing it. Thank goodness. But somebody there obviously made an enormous error in judgment, blocking it to begin with.
I want to bring in Jane Velez-Mitchell, host of "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ- MITCHELL" here on HLN.
You know, it`s sad to both of us, Jane, that any bigotry exists in this country at all. Both of us think it is obviously insane that the magazine was covered up. But should at least we be heartened by the fact that as far as we know, out an entire nation, this isolated incident which was quickly corrected, thank goodness, only happened in one supermarket in a little town somewhere?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, A.J., I have to say, kudos to the shopper who saw this, was offended by it, took a photo of it and then made it viral because she really took action. And that`s what people have to do. When they see something that is bigoted, whether it`s racism, sexism or homophobia, they need to act.
HAMMER: Yes.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: And this woman acted. And that`s the great thing about our culture today. You can`t get away with it when there is the Internet. It will come out.
HAMMER: Yes, you can`t get away with anything.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Yes.
HAMMER: I want to bring in Ben Ferguson. Ben is a conservative radio host.
And even though the conservative word is in your title there, Ben, I have to believe that you even believe that it is ridiculous that this thing wound up with that shield on it fortunately to be later taken away from that shield.
BEN FERGUSON, CONSERVATIVE RADIO HOST: Look, you know the reality of this is, it was one store. And I think we`re all overreacting. It is one store at the end of the day. Did it offend me the cover? No, it didn`t offend me. But at the same time if people were offended there, why can`t the other side of the issue respect the fact that they were offended by it?
I mean remember, whether we like it or not, 70 percent plus of every state, including California where gay marriage is on the ballot just a couple of years ago, it failed when people went to the voting block. So if somebody did find this --
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Because it`s homophobia.
(CROSSTALK)
FERGUSON: Let me fin, let me finish.
(CROSSTALK)
VELEZ-MITCHELL: It`s bigotry. What if I was offended by having a person of color on a cover and me saying, I don`t want a person of color on the cover.
FERGUSON: Let me finish.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Please cover that up. Does that give you the right to have it done? Of course not.
FERGUSON: This is a classic -- this is a classic argument. You know what? We want people to be tower of a lifestyle, but if you don`t like our lifestyle or you disagree with our lifestyle, even if it`s a respectful way, you automatically throw out the words bigot, homophobic and racism.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: It is.
FERGUSON: And everything else.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Because it is.
HAMMER: What about the point that Jane just --
FERGUSON: No, no, you can`t --
HAMMER: Wait, wait, wait. Ben --
(CROSSTALK)
HAMMER: Ben, what about the point that Jane I think just very eloquently said. What if it was a person of color and somebody happened to be offended by the fact that there was a cover of a magazine with the person of color on it and said, you know, I don`t want to see that. I mean that is clear bigotry.
FERGUSON: Look, I`ll go back to the main issue here. It`s in one place. They corrected --
HAMMER: Can you answer that question for me?
FERGUSON: No, I`ll answer the question but hear me out for a second. I think it didn`t offend me and I think it didn`t offend a lot of others. I think at the end of the day when we act like this is widespread when it`s one place, and they corrected the problem, so let`s let it go at the end of the day.
I mean you can`t just say that everyone thought this way. Maybe it was a couple of people. And you know what? Maybe we disagree with the way they did it. I wouldn`t have complained about it. I wasn`t offended by it. But at the same time I don`t think it was somebody who was homophobic at the same time either. We don`t know who complained at the end of the day.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, I think to cover up a photo of two men who are celebrating something -- they`ve been together 17 years, they`re celebrating something that`s very beautiful. To say you find that offensive is homophobic and is bigoted.
FERGUSON: I don`t.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: I`ll tell you what they need to be covering up. They need to be covering up horrific violence. I go into stores all the time and I see all sorts of violence on the cover. There`s no cover there. I go and I see the denigration of women. There`s no cover there.
FERGUSON: I agree with you. I agree.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: We need to focus on problems, not solutions.
FERGUSON: I couldn`t agree with you more.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Not on lifestyle.
FERGUSON: If I`m in a store --
VELEZ-MITCHELL: If somebody doesn`t like the gay lifestyle, then don`t be gay. But they don`t have to cover up a photo of a gay couple.
HAMMER: And we are going to leave it there.
FERGUSON: Look, I`m more offended --
HAMMER: This conversation will continue.
Jane Velez-Mitchell, Ben Ferguson, I thank you both.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Thank you.
FERGUSON: Thanks, man.
HAMMER: Want to move to brand new Jennifer Aniston news. Breaking today. Is Jennifer adopting a child? What`s going on here?
Well, Jen is setting the record straight today.
ANDERSON: Khloe Kardashian`s emotional weight battle confession. Khloe reveals she has struggled with her weight all her life.
HAMMER: And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT solves a mystery. Why was John Travolta breaking bread with John Gotti, Jr., the son of one of the biggest mob bosses ever.
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.
GRAPHICS: Items belonging to Ted "Golden Voice" Williams now up for auction.
GRAPHICS: "Teen Mom" star Farrah Abraham debuts her new modeling pictures.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANNE MEARA, ACTRESS: I want to talk about the Kardashians.
JERRY STILLER, ACTOR: You want to go into Kardashians?
MEARA: Yes. Because I don`t know what happened to Bruce Jenner`s face.
STILLER: Well, let me try to explain. There was a Robert Kardashian. He was the guy who --
MEARA: He was at OJ`s thing.
STILLER: Right. Right. He marries a woman named Chris. OK? They have two kids, Khloe and Kiley. Then what happens, Kardashian dies, she marries Bruce Jenner, and he`s got Kendall and Kiley and there`s Kourtney in there from the first marriage.
MEARA: Where did you get all this information?
STILLER: No, no, no. I`m good at this sort of thing. So --
MEARA: I`ve never heard him speak like this about dreki ph) people. I can say dreki.
STILLER: That`s not nice to say. They are --
MEARA: I don`t care.
STILLER: No, they --
MEARA: That`s Snooki stretched out.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: That`s Anne Meara and Jerry Stiller. Did you see this? They know about Snooki. And they`re definitely keeping up with the Kardashians. This is just the latest Web-isode from Anne and Jerry`s new online series called "Stiller and Meara." Check it out. They are hilarious funny.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. A.J. Hammer in New York.
HAMMER: And today Khloe Kardashian opens up about her weight struggles. Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem have big baby news. And is Jennifer Aniston getting ready to adopt?
All that`s making big news in "The Buzz Today."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER (voice-over): An Aniston adoption? Not so fast. Jennifer Aniston has just blasted widespread reports that she`s about to adopt a baby. The story went that Aniston visited an orphanage in Mexico and considered adoption but her rep tells "People" magazine, "Jennifer is not adopting a baby from Mexico, nor does she have a nursery in her home and she has not hired a nanny. It is all a work of fiction."
Breaking baby news. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that Oscar winners Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem are first-time parents. Their rep tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Penelope and Javier welcomed their first son into their family last week. Both parents and baby are doing great.
Khloe`s weight confessions. Khloe Kardashian has just revealed intimate details about her lifelong weight battle in a new video blog on her Web site.
KHLOE KARDASHIAN, REALITY TV STAR: My other biggest struggle in my life is my weight. My weight is always going up and down. I`m always fighting back and I feel like no matter what I do I never look good enough to everybody else.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: That`s sad. But I do think it`s great that Khloe Kardashian is opening up to her fans about her weight struggles. A lot of people wonder why people are so obsessed with the Kardashians and I think this is why. They really are an open book.
I want to bring in Kelli Zink who is the host of CelebTV.com.
You know, Kelli, some people might think Khloe has it all, fame, a great marriage, stability. But Kelli, a lot of people can really relate to Khloe`s weight struggle, can`t they?
KELLI ZINK, HOST, CELEBTV.COM: Of course, Brooke. All of us have what we call our fat days where we don`t feel so good, our clothes don`t fit. And unfortunately for someone like Khloe, if she looks or feels that way, we say is she pregnant, what`s going on with her, is her marriage falling apart? So I really feel for her. Because at the end of the day she`s a regular girl just like all the rest of us.
ANDERSON: Khloe also confesses in her video blog out today that she tries to let the scrutiny over her weight not get to her. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KARDASHIAN: The struggle that I`ve -- I think I`ve gotten a hold up is not caring what other people think. Now I just have my body to how I like it. But as much as I say that still, you know, other people`s words eventually do come and hit you hard.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Yes, still gets to her sometimes.
I want do bring in Bonnie Fuller, who is the president and editor in chief of Hollywoodlife.com.
Bonnie, it`s got to be hard for Khloe to constantly be dealing with such scrutiny over her weight, not to mention she`s always being compared to her sisters Kim and Kourtney.
BONNIE FULLER, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF HOLLYWOODLIFE.COM: Well, that`s absolutely true. And I agree that that is why audiences, including ours on HollywoodLife, they love her, for confessing things like this because everyone -- every woman can relate to not feeling like her body is good enough for everybody.
But you know what, she looks fantastic. And the recent rumors were really sparked when she wore a dress that just showed her looking even more voluptuous than normal. And there were pregnancy rumors. And this is about the second time she had to respond to that. But you know I say hooray for her for coming out and discussing it.
ANDERSON: I do, too. I really admire her honesty. And I agree with you. She looks fantastic and she should never think otherwise.
All right. Another story just in today, is Jennifer Aniston adopting?
A.J., for years I`ve been hearing reports that Jen is planning to adopt a baby.
HAMMER: Yes.
ANDERSON: So I wasn`t surprised when the report surfaced again but this time Jen is speaking out and she`s denying it.
HAMMER: Yes. She is, Brooke. Jennifer Aniston wants to set the record straight this time around. She is not welcoming a bundle of joy anytime soon at least. Listen to what Aniston`s rep told "People" magazine.
"Jennifer is not adopting a baby from Mexico, nor does she have a nursery in her home. And she has not hired a nanny. It is all a work of fiction".
Sadly so much of what is put out there but a lot of stars, works of fiction.
But Kelli, if Aniston`s people wasted their time shooting down every baby rumor about Jen Aniston, I`m thinking this is all they would do. Why do you think Aniston is speaking out now?
ZINK: A.J., in my opinion, she is not speaking out. She`s having her people do it. If Jennifer Aniston wants us to believe it, go on a show like "Piers" show. It`s a win-win for both of them. She can tell us about her movie, he can get the ratings. Jennifer Aniston needs to sit there and tell the people I`m not having a baby or maybe I am, just not yet. But doing it through her reps, it just doesn`t cut it for the public because we want her to have a kid.
HAMMER: Do you buy that? I mean why do you think she`s talking now, quickly?
FULLER: I`m not sure why she`s talking so quickly. But the thing is, she has said many times I want a family.
HAMMER: Yes.
FULLER: I`m on the verge of it. I`m really excited about it. I mean she shut down the other side of the rumors that she didn`t want a family, especially when it related to her breakup with Brad.
HAMMER: Well, these stories are going to go on forever.
Bonnie Fuller, Kelli Zink, thank you both so much.
ANDERSON: Just in today, whoa, John Travolta, John Gotti, Jr. spotted having dinner together?
A.J., what the heck is going on here?
HAMMER: Well, here`s the deal, Brooke. Travolta and the son of the late John Gotti, Sr., convicted murderer and one of the biggest mob bosses of all time, were breaking bread and this is why.
Travolta and Gotti were talking about Travolta possibly starring in a movie about Gotti Senior. Junior tells TMZ Travolta would be perfect as the Teflon don.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Why do you think John will play your father well?
JOHN GOTTI JR., SON OF MOB BOSS JOHN GOTTI, SR.: I`m sorry, I didn`t hear you.
UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Why do you think John will be a big -- big time Gotti?
GOTTI: Because he`s a tremendous actor and he`ll feel the part.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: I think Travolta can pull it off, A.J. What do you think?
HAMMER: Yes, Brooke, you know, think if about it, John has played a sweat hog in "Welcome Back, Kotter," of course. He played that overbearing mother in "Hairspray." I think he could do pretty much anything and he could even look the part here, too.
ANDERSON: Yes.
HAMMER: Junior Gotti also said this to TMZ.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOTTI: Over the years, you ever seen all the roles that John`s played? Nailed them all. A-list all the way across the board. Nailed every single one.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Totally confident. Travolta is reportedly really close to signing on to this project which would be directed by Nick Cassavetes.
ANDERSON: And there`s also talk that Oscar nominee James Franco may play Junior Gotti.
HAMMER: Now that is perfect casting there.
All right. Moving on now to the outrageous totally shocking, brand new war of words between Bristol Palin and her ex, Levi Johnston.
Bristol just slammed Levi saying he`s a bad dad. What`s Levi saying? That`s next.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN, news and views.
And this is the SHOWBIZ News Ticker, more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
GRAPHICS: Lifetime is creating new movie about Prince William and Kate Middleton.
GRAPHICS: Bruno Mars` "Grenade" returns to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 list.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: So Wednesday we asked to you vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive poll. I just received the shocking final results. We asked which outrageous show do you think is the most toxic? Look at this, 44 percent think "Jersey Shore" is most toxic, 31 percent think it`s "Teen Mom", 25 percent say it`s "Skins."
Well, there`s a bombshell new development today in the knockdown drag-out war of words between Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston.
ANDERSON: A.J., the way these two fight, it`s hard to believe that they were engaged twice. Bristol blasted Levi during a scathing radio station interview this week about how much time he spends with their son, Tripp.
Bristol pretty much said Levi is not a good dad. How much time does he spend with their son Tripp? Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRISTOL PALIN, SARAH PALIN`S DAUGHTER: Since "Dancing with the Stars" he`s seen him at the most three times.
UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: And does he spend like the weekend or --
PALIN: No, it`s like four hours, I think.
UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: OK. Now --
PALIN: Yes, it`s unfortunate for Tripp.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, check out this response from team Levi. "The Palins need it take the high road. There`s a child involved in this and Levi is not going to stoop to this level. The Palins like to fight. They can say whatever they want to say but Levi is not going to dignify their comments with a response."
A.J., what I find so interesting here in this statement is that Levi says he would not, quote, "dignify" any comments from the Palins with a response. But his statement about not stooping to their level.
HAMMER: Yes.
ANDERSON: It`s kind of a response.
HAMMER: Yes, there is that. All right. Let`s move on now to your SHOWBIZ first look at James Franco and Ann Hathaway getting all set to host the Oscars. These two crazy kids are working over time right now preparing for one of the biggest gigs of their career. But I think James might be taking his Oscar prep a bit too far.
Check this out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: James Franco and Anne Hathaway are rigorously preparing for every possible Oscar emergency.
ANNE HATHAWAY, ACTRESS: Truly, this is a great year in film.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Now I`ve actually heard Franco say that his hosting gig is going to be a great distraction for him on Oscar night. He`s nominated for best actor in "127 Hours." The Oscars take place February 27th. And of course SHOWBIZ TONIGHT will be right there live.
ANDERSON: Yes, James Franco told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that it`s going to be distraction.
OK, we`re about to name the most provocative celebrity of the week. And the nominees are Oprah for revealing the half sister she never knew existed. Sandra Bullock`s ex, Jesse James, a disturbing new Nazi photo scandal involving him surfaced this week. And Charlie Sheen for being mysteriously rushed to the hospital today with stomach pains.
Here`s your chance to vote. Text me right now at 45688. Text SBT1 to vote for Oprah, SBT2 for Charlie, SBT3 rings up a vote for Jesse James. Standard text messaging rates do apply. We will reveal who we name and see if you agree with our pick on Friday.
HAMMER: That`s going to be a tough one. I`m not sure who to pick there.
Well, Brooke, I`ve got my hot tea and I`m going home. That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
ANDERSON: I hope you feel better.
HAMMER: I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is live at 5:00 p.m. Eastern, Monday through Friday.
HAMMER: And we`re still TV`s most provocative entertainment news show seven days a week at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific.
END
