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Showbiz Tonight
Kim K Factor in Halle Berry`s Baby Battle; The Unbelievable Cost of Charlie Sheen; Brand-New "American Idol" Controversy; Jen Aniston Versus Perez Hilton; Most Provocative Celebrity of the Week
Aired February 04, 2011 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BROOKE ANDERSON, HOST: Big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - Halle`s baby battle and the Kim K factor. Brand-new shocking details today about how Kim Kardashian has gotten in the middle of Halle Berry`s nasty custody fight.
A SHOWBIZ special revealed today -the unbelievable cost of Charlie Sheen. What his show is really worth.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is a billion dollar show and they don`t want to see it jeopardized.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: A brand-new "American Idol" controversy today. Has "Idol" gone too far with all the outrageous contestants? I`m asking you, "Idol`s" wacky contestants - love them or lose them?
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(MUSIC)
Hi, there. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with big news breaking today - Halle`s hot mess.
Today, there are brand-new dramatic revelations in Halle Berry`s battle with her ex, Gabriel Aubry, over their 2-1/2-year-old daughter. It`s becoming the ultimate star custody fight and in a town that specializes in ugly legal wars, that`s saying a lot.
Berry has filed to limit Aubry`s access to their daughter, Nahla, making pretty harsh claims about his parenting. But Aubry is not taking her slams sitting down. He denies her accusations saying he is going to fight them tooth and nail.
And in a bizarre only in Hollywood twist, somehow Kim Kardashian has popped up in the middle of this mess.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON (voice-over): Hollywood is known mostly for three things - sun, movie stars and epic thermonuclear child custody battles. And today, Halle Berry and her former boyfriend, model Gabriel Aubry, are waging a nasty Hollywood custody war for the ages over their adorable 2-1/2-year-old daughter, Nahla.
SUZANNE ZUCKERMAN, WRITER-REPORTER, "PEOPLE" MAGAZINE: The custody battle between Halle Berry and Gabriel Aubry is only intensifying and it is turning nasty.
ANDERSON: Now, the two former love birds are gearing up for a nasty court fight over their daughter. Today, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you there are brand-new details about what may have launched this epic battle. And then, there`s the biggest question of all.
ZUCKERMAN: How is Kim Kardashian involved in all of this?
ANDERSON: When Berry and Aubry split up last April after four years together, they both promised an amicable breakup.
But almost overnight, things became super nasty. Today, "People.com" is reporting a possible reason why. Reportedly, it all has to do with a dispute that caused Halle to pull out of the big movie.
ZUCKERMAN: The reason Halle pulled out of this movie was because Gabriel refused to come along to New York while she was shooting for two weeks. Halle then refused to leave Nahla alone with Gabriel.
ANDERSON: That`s when this war went public. Barry`s publicist released a statement to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT saying about her ex, quote, "Given his lack of cooperation, Halle has no choice but to seek swift judicial intervention."
For good measure, the statement adds, quote, "Halle has serious concerns for her daughter`s well being while in the care of her father for any extended period of time."
Aubry quickly fired back with his own statement to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. His rep says, quote, "Gabriel is disappointed in Halle`s decision to falsely malign him publicly and for her own purposes.
He finishes, quote, "Halle`s continuing allegations in the press are untrue and irresponsible."
ZUCKERMAN: She has questioned his sort of fitness as a father. Sources on Gabriel`s side dispute this and say that he is a wonderful and caring father. So it is definitely a case of he said/she said.
ANDERSON: The new issue of "People" on newsstands today is also reporting something else that may have caused some post-breakup tension between Halle Berry and her ex - Gabriel`s rumored rebound with Kim Kardashian.
ZUCKERMAN: Gabriel, publicly, had a couple dates with Kim Kardashian around Thanksgiving in late November. Now, a source tells "People" this aggravated Halle, that she was upset at the prospect of Nahla being exposed to a reality star.
A source on Gabriel`s side counters that neither he nor Kim ever had any intention of bringing Nahla around cameras. But all the same, this was something that was reportedly very upsetting to Halle.
ANDERSON: Today the "Chicago Sun Times" quoted sources who say Kardashian resents being dragged into this dispute. Other than their statements, neither Berry nor Aubry has said anything publicly about their custody fight.
But go to any entertainment news Web site these days and you`ll see vicious claims about Aubry attributed to sources close to Halle and equally hash claims about Halle attributed to sources close to her ex.
ZUCKERMAN: Both are throwing some pretty ugly accusations around.
ANDERSON: Now, it`s just a matter of how much damage this one-time beautiful couple will inflict on each other before this latest Hollywood war ends.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
Wow, what a difference a couple of months make. Halle and Gabriel literally went from seeing eye to eye on everything involving their daughter`s wellbeing to seeming to not bat an eyelash while they drag each other`s names through the mud publicly.
With me right now from New York, Ben Widdicombe, who is a celebrity journalist. Also in New York, Midwin Charles, who is an attorney with Midwin Charles and Associates.
Ben, Midwin, according to that brand-new issue of "People" magazine, Halle was also furious with Gabriel for filing court papers so that he could be formally recognized as Nahla`s father, get legal custody.
Midwin, listen, I don`t know what is going on with these two behind closed doors, but he is the girl`s father. He does have rights. Can you blame the guy?
MIDWIN CHARLES, ATTORNEY, MIDWIN CHARLES AND ASSOCIATES: I don`t blame him. But what makes this all the more surprising is that he obviously is probably not listed on the birth certificate as her father and this really is the preliminary step to fighting for custody which is filing for paternity.
But I think the innocent bystander here that is really going to hurt is that little girl. Custody disputes never have a clear and distinctive winner. They only have a casualty which, unfortunately, is the child.
ANDERSON: A 2-1/2-year-old beautiful little girl. Sweet little girl. And apparently adding fuel to the fire, there are reports that Halle`s jealousy got the best of her when Gabriel began dating Kim Kardashian.
Ben, would you ever imagined that Kim Kardashian would wind up becoming a factor in a Halle Berry custody battle?
BEN WIDDICOMBE, CELEBRITY JOURNALIST: Well, it is one of those Hollywood surprises. You know, what is so shocking about this fight is how ugly it got so quickly. It`s almost like Mel Gibson and Oksana.
And I think if jealousy is one of the contributing causes, then I can see maybe that`s why it got so nasty. Kim Kardashian, of course, loves publicity. I don`t really buy that she doesn`t love that her name is all over this, because any kind of press is good press if you`re a Kardashian.
But I think jealousy is probably the element why it got nasty so quickly.
ANDERSON: When there is a child involved, it is really imperative to try and not let jealousy interfere with that child`s wellbeing. My goodness.
Well, that`s not the only big news breaking about Kim Kardashian today. I`ve got to move now to Kim`s brand-new comments today about her racy photos in the November issue of "W" magazine.
Remember, Kim was seen sobbing in the latest episode of her reality show, "Kourtney and Kim Take New York," calling the pictures full-on porn.
I want to bring in SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter. Now, Kareen, what is Kim saying today?
KAREEN WYNTER, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT CORRESPONDENT: Well, Brooke, Kim - she is singing a totally, totally different tune today.
In fact, in a brand-new interview with "Us" magazine, well, Kim says, "Looking back I loved the photos. `W` magazine is iconic, so I`m really happy that I did it and that those are the photos."
When asked about the tears on her reality show, she now says, "It`s just that that`s not what I thought they were going to be. Obviously, I`m comfortable posing nude, but that`s probably not the direction I would have wanted to go if I thought that that was going to be the case. I do think the pictures are beautiful."
So Brooke, clearly, it`s a little bit of a dramatic change here on Kim`s part.
ANDERSON: Yes. It certainly is. And I like that she admitted, yes, obviously she is comfortable posing nude. Thanks, Kareen.
And I`ve also got to wonder if Kim K`s sexy new Super Bowl ad had something to do as well with her changing her tune over the "W" magazine photos.
Midwin, do you think that Kim maybe realized here that, ah, she just can`t have it both ways?
CHARLES: She can`t have it both ways and I think she`s been outed in the sense where it makes complete common sense that if you show up to a photo shoot and you take photographs butt naked, chances are those photographs will be published in said magazine.
What else would you be taking your clothes off for? And so I think she got hit with that kind of common sense "you can`t fool us" kind of thing, and that`s what`s going on here.
ANDERSON: Yes, Ben. It was kind of a hard lesson learned. And like Midwin says, you take your clothes off, what do you expect?
CHARLES: And pose. And pose.
WIDDICOMBE: Well, this is a woman who began her career as a celebrity with a sex tape.
CHARLES: Yes.
WIDDICOMBE: We`ve already seen her having sex on video, if we care to look. And "W" magazine is a very elegant magazine. She was with Barbara Kruger who is a very senior and well-respected contemporary artist. For her to complain about that - the production of any of that is just ridiculous.
ANDERSON: And I`m sure that having a beef with "W" magazine - she probably didn`t think that was such a good idea if she ever wanted to work with them again.
CHARLES: Well, Brooke, it`s called - they needed a topic for her reality show and that`s what they decided to go with.
WIDDICOMBE: Exactly.
ANDERSON: Yes, it made good TV. Midwin Charles, Ben Widdicombe, Kareen Wynter, thank you all.
OK. SHOWBIZ special report today, the unbelievable cost of Charlie Sheen. What his show is really worth and what his reported porn and rehab scandal could cost.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is a billion-dollar show and that is also a big concern. And they don`t want to see it jeopardized.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: We`re also asking today, should Charlie pay his crew`s salaries while he is in rehab?
And a brand-new "American Idol" controversy today. I think the whole wacky contestant thing has gotten a little bit out of control. So I`m asking you, "Idol`s" wacky contestants - love them or lose them?
The Hollywood baby boom. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you it is happening right now.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think seeing the amount of celebrity pregnancies at the moment, it really kind of helps the argument that women really can have it all.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views. And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Gwyneth Paltrow, Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi, to perform at this year`s Oscars. Amy Adams talks about her love for reality TV shows, "American Idol" to Ellen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ELLEN DEGENERES, HOST, "THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW": You`re a huge reality show fan.
AMY ADAMS, ACTRESS: I am. I miss you on "Idol."
DEGENERES: Oh, thanks.
ADAMS: But I agree - I really think you`re doing a good job. I do miss you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
I`m talking about "Idol`s" big score. "American Idol" scored big-time in the ratings winning Thursday night with a reported 21.8 million viewers. Whoo!
But I`ve got to ask, is the show crossing the line with bizarre and wacky contestants like this?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JENNIFER LOPEZ, "AMERICAN IDOL" JUDGE: How old are you?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Fifty nine, I think. I`m not for sure.
LOPEZ: You`re not for sure?
COOPER ROBINSON, "AMERICAN IDOL" CONTESTANT: Hey, I feel good! Hey! I want to be the American - the next American star for America. I`m going to be that man, the next movie star. In real life, this would be me. You think I`m lying? I feel good! Whoo!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: OK. OK. I love, love, love, love "American Idol" and I get that bizarre contestants like 59-year-old - or however old he is - Cooper Robinson make for great TV.
But I think that "Idol`s" casting is getting a little too crazy for comfort which leads me to the SHOWBIZ Flashpoint - "Idol`s" wacky contestants, love them or lose them?
Journalist and comic, Brian Balthazar, editor of "PopGoesTheWeek.com," what do you say? Love them or lose them?
BRIAN BALTHAZAR, EDITOR, "POPGOESTHEWEEK.COM": Lose them. The funny thing is we know going in that all these thousands of people that audition - they don`t go all in and see these judges.
So the producers picked this guy and they all know that he`s not going to make it. So he is either going to be kind of a freak of nature, like this guy was. Or he`s just going to be so bad that he`s not going to make it.
ANDERSON: Yes -
BALTHAZAR: And when you get this crazy, something could go wrong, eventually.
ANDERSON: Yes. And you make a good point because "Idol" has made off-the-wall auditions an art form. It has worked for them and we know that these contestants are pre-screened before they go in to see Steven, J. Lo and Randy.
But it makes me uncomfortable when it seems contestants are taken advantage of, made fun of for entertainment. Brian, has "Idol" crossed the line?
BALTHAZAR: I think they are very close to crossing the line. Usually, it goes one of two ways. There is someone who goes in who thinks they are really good and they`re not and it makes a fool out of them.
Or they know they`re not good and they`re just going to be crazy just to get attention and be on TV. And I don`t think either of them makes for a great show. We`ve seen 10 seasons of this.
It is not our first time at the rodeo. We`ve seen it, done it, let`s move on and see some real talent.
ANDERSON: Yes. I want to see more talent - a little more talent, a little less crazy, going forward.
BALTHAZAR: Thank you very much.
ANDERSON: And I`ve got to talk about the new judges, Brian - Steven Tyler and J. Lo. I really think they are great additions to the show. It all seems natural. It doesn`t seem forced.
But there is no Simon to stir up the controversy. Do you think that "Idol" is overcompensating post-Simon? Quickly.
BALTHAZAR: I think they are very concerned about losing Simon. They want to do anything to make it bigger and better. So I think they are a little bit concerned. Absolutely.
ANDERSON: Like I`ve said, I`m enjoying "American Idol" though. I think they`re doing a good job thus far all in all.
BALTHAZAR: Absolutely.
ANDERSON: Brian Balthazar, thank you so much. Good to see you. Now, I want to hear from you. It is our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive poll - wacky "American Idol" contestants, love them or lose them? Vote, CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. E-mail us, showbiztonight@cnn.com.
Now, "The Buzz Today." Camille Grammer has got a new gig. Russell Brand kissed a girl, Ben Affleck`s wife, Jennifer Garner, and liked it. Maybe a little too much. And Dr. Phil being sued over his dog. It`s all making big news in "The Buzz Today."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over) Dr. Phil in the doghouse. Dr. Phil McGraw and his wife, Robin, are reportedly being sued for a dog attack. "Radar Online" reports the McGraws are being accused of gross negligence causing bodily injury to their former best friend.
The friend, Janet Harris, alleges the couple`s dog attacked her without provocation. The attorneys for Harris tell "Radar Online" that "The McGraws allegedly refused to provide compensation or assistance to Janet to aid with her illness." Harris is seeking damages and other compensation.
Russell Brand`s warning to Ben Affleck. Brand just revealed he enjoyed kissing "Arthur" co-star, Jennifer Garner, a little too much telling "NextMovie.com," "There is a brand of red velvet cake: her mouth is made of that. She smashes you in the mouth in those kissing scenes."
He warns Garner`s husband, Ben Affleck, "If I was Ben Affleck, man, I`d be P.O.`d."
Camille returns to TV. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can reveal that "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star, Camille Grammer will appear on the season finale of "Bleep, My Dad Says." according to CBS, Camille will play, what else, a reality television star. You can catch her episode February 17th.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: And late today we heard back from Dr. Phil McGraw`s wife, Robin, regarding that dog bite. She confirms SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that, yes, the incident did, in fact, take place.
She says she and her husband took care of their friend and offered her a chance to make a claim with their homeowner`s insurance, which the friend did not do. Robin says they wish their friend well.
All right. The dramatic Jennifer Aniston-Perez Hilton face to face showdown. Today, celebrity blogger, Perez, is revealing what went down when Jen confronted him about slamming her and other stars.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PEREZ HILTON, CELEBRITY BLOGGER: That`s why when I first met Jen, it was in August, and I had already been thinking about this, like, do I want to make this change publicly?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Plus, Perez`s stunning apology to another big star who he used to diss over and over again.
A showbiz special report today, the unbelievable cost of Charlie Sheen. What his reported porn and rehab scandal could end up costing.
And Ellen DeGeneres right in the middle of a nasty "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" fight. That`s next. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Miley Cyrus gets her fifth tattoo. It`s on the side of her body near her rib cage. Britney Spears tweets first of 14 teasers for her new album.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DEGENERES: I didn`t set the lunch up. They invited me. So when the bill finally came, Camille did that thing where, "Oh, I forgot my wallet. I`m so sorry. Kim stayed in the bathroom. I ended up paying. I had a salad and someone had eight martinis."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Lisa drank but didn`t pay. Did you see this? Ellen DeGeneres on "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills." The entire cast of "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" just stopped by Ellen`s show so she did this really funny spoof and she cut herself into one of the nastiest moments of the show. I can`t forget this. The big fight between Kyle and Camille at the restaurant. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DEGENERES: Actually, I was on the show, just a tiny, tiny bit, because I was at that lunch when the big fight broke out between Kyle and Camille. And, oh, that was uncomfortable. And so I have the footage. I`ll show you.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I just didn`t know why you think I`m so insecure. You said it. I didn`t say it.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Why are you just digging? These are such mean things to say. Get your story straight.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I seen Kyle get upset before, but she was really attacked.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I was asking everybody about what are you doing for your spring break. That`s a normal conversation between friends, Camille.
DEGENERES: Yes, it was awkward. I mean, I just wanted a nice meal.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: That is so funny. She looks great as a Beverly Hills housewife.
All right. Moving on, have you ever wondered how Eva Longoria stays so thin? Eva says, today, it is what she cooks. "People" magazine is out with a special "Cooking with the Stars" issue.
In it, the "Desperate Housewives" star reveals she keeps her sexy body by making and eating the food she loved as a child.
Eva says, "I grew up eating fish and vegetables. I don`t eat a lot of pasta and I don`t like bread." Well, that will do it. There are more big stars in "People`s" "Cooking with the Stars" issue like Sherri Shepherd and even Mike "The Situation." It`s on newsstands Friday.
And now, the SHOWBIZ lineup - here`s what`s coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
A SHOWBIZ special report. The cost of Charlie. The unbelievable amount of money Charlie Sheen`s reported porn and rehab scandal could cost.
Jen Aniston versus Perez Hilton. The star blogger reveals today what really went down when he went face to face with Aniston over bullying.
And your first look at Katie Holmes` "The Kennedys," which finally found a home. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Holly Madison says she will not attend former boyfriend Hugh Hefner`s wedding. Spoiler alert! Justin Bieber`s character on "CSI" will be killed off.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JUSTIN BIEBER, POP STAR: When the cops arrested Ralph, Alex snapped. Ralph was like a father to us. He`s a decent man. And the cops showed him like a low life.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - revealed today, the unbelievable cost of the Charlie Sheen. What his reported porn and rehab scandal could end up costing.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is a billion dollar show and that is also a big concern. And they don`t want to see it jeopardized.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: It`s a showbiz special report, the cost of Charlie.
Penelope, Pink, Natalie - the Hollywood amazing baby boom. A revealing look today at the growing trend in Hollywood.
a kinder, gentler Perez Hilton? All thanks to Jennifer Aniston.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PEREZ HILTON: that`s why when I first met Jen - it was in August - and I had already been thinking about this, like, do I want to make this change publicly?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: The remarkable story about what happened when Jen came face to face with a take-no-prisoners star blogger.
Plus, breaking today from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker," George Clooney`s girlfriend gets racy. And John Mayer teams up with Tiger Woods.
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC)
ANDERSON: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It`s 30 minutes past the hour. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with big news breaking today - the staggering cost of Charlie Sheen.
His most recent alleged drug-fueled, porn star partying has Charlie homebound in rehab for now. That means nobody on his hit show "Two and a Half Men" is working right now.
And lots of people involved aren`t getting a paycheck. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you there`s $1 billion - yes, billion with a B - at stake if Charlie doesn`t get his act together and get back to acting.
Here`s SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter with a SHOWBIZ special report.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHARLIE SHEEN, ACTOR: Before you say anything else, I want you to know I`ve anticipated problems just like this.
WYNTER (voice-over): Just like the character, Charlie, he plays on "Two and a Half Men," the real Charlie, Charlie Sheen, can`t seem to stay out of trouble.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Boy, you`re on thin ice.
WYNTER: But while it would seem that Sheen has been on thin ice over and over again, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you he`s always managed to rebound, earning him the nickname Teflon Charlie.
BRAD ADGATE, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH, HORIZON MEDIA: It is a crazy notion. I mean, things just kind of bounce off of him. It is Teflon.
ANDERSON: For decades, Sheen has made headlines as one of Hollywood`s most notorious bad boys from his rehab stints to run-ins with the law including pleading guilty last year to attacking his wife. So why is it CBS doesn`t fire him from his role on TV`s popular sitcom?
SHEEN: I`ve got the job done twice.
ANDERSON: Yes, he sure does get the job done. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT reveals the remarkable numbers that explain why Sheen gets to keep his day job.
MARISA GUTHRIE: It all boils down to money. Charlie Sheen is "Two and a Half Men."
WYNTER: The "Hollywood Reporter`s" Lisa Guthrie reported if "Two and a Half Men" is canceled, it could cost CBS and Warner Brothers, which produces the show a mind-boggling $250 million they`d make by putting more rerun episodes in syndication.
Not to mention millions more they make from the commercials. Warner Brothers` parent company, Time Warner, also owns CNN.
GUTHRIE: They would rather not have to put up with Charlie Sheen`s behavior, but they`re sort of stuck. It makes enormous amounts of money for CBS and ad revenue - $155 million last season, all told. It makes billions of dollars for Warner Brothers.
WYNTER: It is not hard to get why every 30-second commercial you see, someone paid $200,000 to run that. Charlie`s a cash cow, which is why he gets paid a reported $2 million an episode.
ADGATE: You can`t write him out because CBS knows that the viewers wouldn`t stand for that.
WYNTER (on camera): Yes, it sure seems they won`t stand for it. "Two and a Half Men" remains the highest rated sitcom on TV with about 14 million people watching a week. And they don`t seem to care what Charlie does in his personal life.
(voice-over) CBS tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, "`Two and a Half Men` has always performed well in repeats and that, looking forward, the financial impact of the shutdown is not material to CBS."
"Any ratings declines will be more an offset by the reduced programming costs for episodes lost this season."
GUTHRIE: That show just seems to have so much life in it. It still gets over 10 million viewers in reruns. But honestly, this is a billion- dollar show and that is also a big concern. And they don`t want to see it jeopardized.
WYNTER: And apparently, neither does Sheen. Sheen just released a statement to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT saying, "I have a lot of work to do to be able to return the support of so many people."
And his rep now says Sheen could be back on the set by the end of the month, a set Sheen beamed about when SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was there for a party in 2007 celebrating the show`s 100th episode.
SHEEN: This type of lightning usually doesn`t strike twice in the same lifetime.
WYNTER: For Sheen, it seems he`s had a lifetime of second chances thanks to a career that has capitalized on him being the bad boy, both on screen -
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The way he drinks? There is a good chance he doesn`t remember coming down the stairs.
WYNTER: And off screen.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: That was SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter. Sheen`s wild antics have literally become part of his calling card. Despite that, he continues to be wildly successful.
Still, I was amazed when I saw the cost of Charlie Sheen. Let`s take a look at these numbers, all right? Charlie makes a reported $2 million per episode of "Two and a Half Men." The show brought in $155 million in ad revenue just last year.
And if "Two and a Half Men" is canceled, it could cost CBS and Warner Brothers an astounding $250 million. Whoo!
I`ve got to bring in celebrity journalist Ben Widdicombe now.
Ben, a lot of people are wondering why CBS just doesn`t fire Charlie Sheen? But hey, when you look at the millions and millions of dollars that are at stake here, it`s a little easier to understand why they keep him around, isn`t it?
WIDDICOMBE: Absolutely. You know, CBS is not the church. It is not its job to sit in moral judgment of Charlie Sheen. And when Charlie Sheen is making so much money, not just for himself, but for everyone around him, that`s the reason he`s still there.
I`ve seen people say, well, why is Lindsay Lohan always beat up on, when Charlie Sheen is doing the same thing? And that`s because Lindsay Lohan lost her ability to earn money, so no one else is benefiting from her.
As long as he shows up to work, people make money. And that`s why they give him this extra piece of rope.
ANDERSON: Yes. Lindsay Lohan not supporting as many people as Charlie Sheen. He`s the bread and butter for hundreds of other people.
And you know, while he works on his personal problems, "Two and a Half Men" has been forced to stop shooting new shows which does mean a lot of people are out of a paycheck.
We got this call into "Showbiz on Call" from Susan, and she says the show should go on even without Charlie.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
SUSAN, CALLER: I am really disappointed to hear that the producers have stopped "Two and a Half Men." I don`t see why they can`t work around it with the other actors.
They could treat him with the true story that he does have an addiction, either a sex addict or alcohol, because he plays those parts on the show anyway. So there wouldn`t be anything wrong with working around that. Actually, I think they`d be smart to do that.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Susan, I`ve got to say, I agree with you. That`s a great idea. Write around the guy for a while. See what happens. And I am betting that some of his out-of-work crew might be willing to move on without him if it means that they get a paycheck again.
I want to bring in attorney Midwin Charles now. Midwin, do you think Charlie should be paying the salaries of the people out of work right now because of his antics?
CHARLES: Well, it would be quite benevolent of him to do so, should he choose, but I don`t think he has to do it. But I think it would be a wonderful thing.
Remember when Conan O`Brien had that problem with NBC? He decided to pay his staff as well during that hiatus. And so it`s always a wonderful gesture particularly since these people are out of work because of his shenanigans.
ANDERSON: Yes. Cut him some checks, Charlie. I`m sure that their perspective on you might change right now. And Charlie, I`m sorry to tell you this, but your recent antics have put you in the running for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s most provocative celebrity of the week.
Check out our other nominees. Kim Kardashian for crying over a naked magazine cover she did even after she`s done "Playboy." Halle Berry as well for her nasty battle with her ex over custody of their daughter.
Ben, you first, who gets your vote for most provocative?
WIDDICOMBE: I`m definitely voting for Charlie Sheen because it`s such an explosive story. There`s such human interest. He`s such a talented guy and he`s facing a big personal crisis.
So I think all the issues in play, it has to be Charlie Sheen.
ANDERSON: And you make a great point. He is such a talented guy and he goes to work. He gets his job done. But think about his potential. Think about what he could be accomplishing if he didn`t have all of these things outside of work that were slowing him down.
Well, we asked you to text your votes and also to vote on the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook fan page as well. We got the results in late today.
And Charlie won the text vote, 51 percent on our Facebook fan page. The majority agree, yes, Charlie, 52 percent of the vote there. Midwin, what about you?
CHARLES: I agree. I`m going to have to vote for Charlie Sheen. I mean, my goodness, this guy really is Teflon Charlie.
I mean, who other person could do what he does and still get to keep their job? There is no other American that would be afforded such a wonderful luxury.
I think it`s unfortunate. He clearly has anger management issues and he clearly has issues with women. So I have a problem with that and I do think that CBS should stand in moral judgment of their employee. All employers do it for other employees as well.
ANDERSON: All right, the wait is over now. Drum roll, please. Charles, let`s hear it. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT names Charlie Sheen the most provocative celebrity of the week. No surprise.
But Ben, what do you think? Do you think Kim Kardashian is crying over this loss?
WIDDICOMBE: Well, I don`t think so really. You know, one of the reasons I voted for Charlie is he has so much more talent than Kim does. So you know, I think the issues at stake for him are much more important than anything that`s going on in Kim Kardashian`s life at any given moment.
ANDERSON: There`s really no way we could have bestowed this honor on anyone else this week other than Charlie Sheen. Ben Widdicombe, Midwin Charles, thanks, guys.
All right. Mariah`s doing it. So is Natalie Portman. Even Elton John. What is it? They`re all part of Hollywood`s amazing baby boom.
We`ve got a revealing look today at what seems to be the growing trend in Hollywood.
And Perez Hilton`s dramatic meeting with Jennifer Aniston. Perez is revealing today what really went down when Jen confronted him about being a bully.
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PEREZ HILTON: That`s why when I first met Jen - it was in August - and I had already been thinking about this, like, do I want to make this change publicly?
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ANDERSON: Is Perez really done dissing stars for good?
And coming up, your showbiz first look at Katie Holmes` "Kennedys" movie that was almost kicked off TV. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Panhandling sign used by Ted "Golden Voice" Williams to be auctioned. George Clooney`s girlfriend, Elisabetta Canalis in Roberto Cavalli underwear ads.
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TAYLOR SWIFT, COUNTRY SUPERSTAR: I said excuse me, you`re a hell of a guy. I mean, what am I like, like pelican fly? I mean, so shy and I`m loving you, Ty.
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ANDERSON: Oh, everybody, Taylor`s rap. Did you see this? Country pop star, Taylor Swift, raps the Nicki Minaj song, "Super Babes."
Taylor says until this point she`d only rapped in the car alone. But on the Nashville radio station, Taylor kicked a few bars a capella. I`m thinking a T. Swift/Nicki Minaj collabo could pretty awesome. Collabo - what am I even saying?
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
Tonight we`ve got Hollywood`s baby boom. Natalie Portman is sporting a baby bump. Nicole Kidman and Elton John are new parents. It seems like every other Hollywood star is pregnant right now or just welcoming a new baby.
But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you there is way more to this big boom than meets the eye. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with a special report on the story behind Hollywood`s brand-new baby boom.
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(voice-over) From Nicole Kidman to Penelope Cruz, Alicia Silverstone, to Kate Hudson, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that it would seem that everyone who is anyone in Hollywood is having a baby, including Natalie Portman.
NATALIE PORTMAN, ACTRESS: There`s so much going on, just trying to not trip at any point, trying to protect my future child.
ANDERSON: Younger, older, single, married. It appears nothing is stopping Hollywood`s biggest stars from joining in a Hollywood baby boom.
MELANIE BROMLEY, WEST COAST BUREAU CHIEF, "US WEEKLY": Like Natalie Portman and also Nicole Kidman who`s obviously just got her new baby girl. Women can be mothers and have successful careers. They`re really, really good mentors. But people -
ANDERSON: Melanie Bromley is the west coast bureau chief for "Us Weekly" magazine.
BROMLEY: I think, seeing the amount of celebrity pregnancies at the moment, it really kind of helps the argument that women really can have it all.
ANDERSON: But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell that you that if there is a baby boom in Hollywood, not so in the rest of the country. Dr. Robert Boostanfar is a fertility specialist in Los Angeles.
DR. ROBERT BOOSTANFAR, FERTILITY EXPERT, LOS ANGELES: Statistically, actually, conceptions and births are actually down.
ANDERSON: Dr. Boostanfar tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that when women having trouble getting pregnant see all these star pregnancies, they may be getting the wrong message.
BOOSTANFAR: Many of them don`t know that these women have accessed care and have gone through a lot of energy, expense and heartache to try to get pregnant.
ANDERSON: Dr. Boostanfar says when stars like Nicole Kidman or Elton John are forthcoming about using a surrogate, the public knows it took a lot of resources, maybe resources they don`t have to make that baby.
But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can also tell you that, in most cases, famous moms who use some sort of reproductive assistance keep it a secret.
BOOSTANFAR: It sets up a very interesting dilemma, though, because we see our very famous women in Hollywood that are happily pregnant at 40 and 41 and 42 and 43 which lulls most women into the false sense of security that they can wait until their 40s before they get pregnant.
ANDERSON: Christina Applegate, who just gave birth, and pregnant reality TV show Rachel Zoe are both 39. "Thirty Rock`s" Jane Krakowski is pregnant at 42 and 41-year-old Mariah Carey is having twins.
There are other stars, also part of the Hollywood baby boom, Jewel, Marion Cotillard, and Pink is pregnant, too. So whether it`s a surprise or planned, with a little help or not, just about everyone agrees that it`s worth a toast to celebrate, and as Pink, herself, would tell you -
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ANDERSON: Yes, congratulations to all the new parents. Right now, a SHOWBIZ first look. "The Kennedys," an eight-part epic starring Katie Holmes and Greg Kinnear, almost never saw the light of day after the History Channel pulled the plug on it.
Then, it got rescued by Reelz Channel. And today, "Radar Online" got hold of the trailer. Here`s your SHOWBIZ first look at "The Kennedys."
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KATIE HOLMES, ACTRESS: The Kennedys. Sometimes, the image of the candidate is quite different from the reality. He`s exactly what he appears to be.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This country is ours for the taking.
GREG KINNEAR, ACTOR: Our nation is founded on the principle that no man, however prominent, or powerful, is entitled to defy the court of law.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I want to make Jack Kennedy president because he`ll make this country a better place.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We need to hear the truth from you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You think you can take over my bureau?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have a serious problem.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You have put this family in a very dangerous position.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The man that we`ve married have great gifts.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Doesn`t your dad want you to be attorney general?
KINNEAR: I can hardly survive a day without hearing his opinion on my life.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And great flaws.
HOLMES: Do you really think everyone can be bought?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I haven`t met the exception.
HOLMES: Well, you have now.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They are the men we have chosen -
KINNEAR: My intention is to have you fight the battles and I`ll set the policy. Does that work for you?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, sir.
KINNEAR: Good.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Help me protect my sons.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I can`t do it.
HOLMES: I`m not leaving you, Jack.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: "The Kennedys" premiers on Reelz Channel April 3rd.
All right. Perez Hilton`s dramatic bullying showdown with Jennifer Aniston. Perez is revealing today what really went down when Jen confronted the celebrity blogger about being a big star bully.
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PEREZ HILTON: That`s why when I first met Jen - it was in August - and I had already been thinking about this. Like, do I want to make this change publicly?
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ANDERSON: Yes, he`d been thinking about it. And Perez makes a stunning apology to another big television star. He used to diss her a whole lot. We`re going to tell you who that is and what he`s saying now. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
TEXT: John Mayer and Keith Urban performing at Tiger Woods` charity event. Maroon 5 debuts video for "Never Gonna Leave this Bed."
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JENNIFER ANISTON, ACTRESS: I ran into Perez Hilton in a garage. It`s one of those moments you just don`t ever expect to happen. And I just said, "Come here, just talk to me for a second." It was one of those just great moments. It was a lovely meeting and I was just like, "Why are you so mean?"
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ANDERSON: That`s Jennifer Aniston revealing on Ellen how she confronted blogger Perez Hilton and made him stop bullying celebrities on his Web site.
And in a new interview with HLN`s Joy Behar, Perez is telling his side of this dramatic story and offering an apology to one of his biggest frenemies today.
So what did Perez say when Jen asked why he`s so mean? Perez admits that, yes, he squirmed when Jen gave him that tongue lashing, but says it really was time for him to change his nasty ways. And Perez reveals he and his fans are better off for it.
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PEREZ HILTON: When I first met Jen - it was in August - and I had already been thinking about this, like, do I want to make this change publicly? Because I had already been going there privately, but I just had to after all these gay teenagers were committing suicide and I was speaking out about it and people were calling me a bully.
JOY BEHAR, HOST, "THE JOY BEHAR SHOW": Right.
PEREZ HILTON: So you know, if I did lose any readers, that would have been fine by me. But thankfully, I`m so thankful and it warms my heart that traffic has not gone down.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Another one of Perez`s big targets had been Joy`s "View" co-host, Elisabeth Hasselbeck. Of course, Joy had to point that out and Perez made a stunning apology.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PEREZ HILTON: I had a not-so-nice name for her, which I don`t use anymore. I will say right here, right now, Elisabeth, first of all, you were right, because when I was on "The View" once, Elisabeth told me backstage, "You know, I don`t think this is really you," meaning that nasty persona.
BEHAR: You love Elisabeth now and you apologize to Elisabeth.
PEREZ HILTON: No, I`m not saying that. I`m not saying I love her. I`m saying she was right, that Perez was an act and the real me is this kinder person.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: OK. Well, I really hope the kinder, gentler Perez Hilton is here to stay.
On Thursday, we asked you to vote in our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive poll. Just moments ago, we got those final results.
Jennifer Aniston revealed that she turned down a full-time "Saturday Night Live" gig for "Friends." Good move? 92 percent of you say yes, of course. "Friends" made her a star. Only eight percent of you say, no, no. "SNL" would have been better for her.
Here are some E-mails we got. Suzy from Massachusetts, "I`m so glad Jennifer Aniston didn`t go with `SNL.` `Friends` catapulted Aniston into superstardom. I don`t think `SNL` would have had the same effect."
And Corinna from Michigan says, "`Friends` made Aniston famous. If she went on `SNL,` the show wouldn`t be as funny."
I agree. I think choosing "Friends" was the biggest and best gamble of Jen Aniston`s career.
And that is a wrap for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thank you so much for watching. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is live 5:00 p.m. Eastern Monday through Friday. Don`t forget, we are still TV`s most provocative entertainment news show seven days a week at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific. Take care.
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