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Showbiz Tonight
Facebook Stalker Scare; Halle Berry Revelations About Being a Mother; One-on-One with Aretha Franklin; Will Christina Aguilera Redeem Herself from Her Star Spangled Flub?; Simon Cowell Takes on "Idol"; Katy Perry`s Body Bombshell
Aired February 08, 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 - Facebook stalker scare revealed today. Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg claims he`s being stalked. SHOWBIZ investigates, is Mark in danger?
BROOKE ANDERSON, CO-HOST: Halle Berry`s brand-new revelations today about being a mom, her daughter and race as her custody battle explodes.
HAMMER: An amazing showbiz exclusive. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT goes one-on-one with the legendary Aretha Franklin. Aretha with big breaking Grammy news.
Plus, will Christina Aguilera redeem herself at the Grammy Awards after her stunning star-spangled flub?
ANDERSON: Simon takes on "Idol." Simon Cowell`s explosive revelations today about his former show.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SIMON COWELL, FORMER JUDGE, "AMERICAN IDOL": You know, we`re still good friends, but we`re going to be competitive with each other, make no mistake.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: The SHOWBIZ Flashpoint today - will Simon`s "X Factor" be bigger than "American Idol?"
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 - the Facebook stalker scare, targeting the guy who created Facebook.
HAMMER: Wow, Brooke. Mark Zuckerberg, the Facebook co-founder, who is the subject of the Oscar-nominated movie, "The Social Network" is caught up in a frightening stalker scare today.
A judge has just ordered a man accused of stalking Zuckerberg to stay the heck away from him. Disturbing new details surfaced today about the potential threat to Zuckerberg.
And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that this is one story that, if made into a movie, might be called "The Unsocial Network."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JESSE EISENBERG, ACTOR (as Mark Zuckerberg): People want to go on the Internet and check out their friends. Why not build a Web site that offers that?
HAMMER (voice-over): The story of Facebook CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, makes for high drama in the Oscar-nominated movie, "The Social Network."
Now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you the real Mark Zuckerberg is starring in a real and frightening drama. An obsessed man is allegedly using Facebook to stalk the billionaire CEO of Facebook.
NINA PARKER, PRODUCER, TMZ: Mark Zuckerberg is claiming that a man is allegedly stalking him. He`s definitely afraid of this person. He feels there is definitely a threat to himself, his girlfriend and even his sister.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT confirmed today that the world`s youngest billionaire, worth more than $6 billion, has obtained a restraining order against a 31-year-old man who has been contacting him.
PARKER: The police say that he`s contacting him because of some type of financial trouble that he was in and he hoped that he would be able to get some type of loan or money from Mark Zuckerberg.
HAMMER: TMZ reports the man`s been using Facebook to message Zuckerberg and Zuckerberg`s sister, Randi. And the messages are downright creepy. One reads, quote, "Dear Mark, I am completely tired and exhausted."
The message gets even more disturbing. It reads, "Please, mark, time is running out for me. Please help me. I really need your help. Please respond in time before it get too late for us."
And there`s this desperate plea, "Please help me. Then I am ready to die for you."
PARKER: These notes and letters are very distraught. It definitely sounds, you know, kind of almost like someone who isn`t in their right mind.
HAMMER: Police in Palo Alto, California confirmed to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT an individual started showing up at the Facebook offices and was told to stay away. And TMZ reports that in January police were called to Zuckerberg`s home after the unwelcome visitor showed up there.
PARKER: They issued him a verbal warning, but of course, letters and notes still persisted, which is why Mark Zuckerberg wanted to get a restraining order. The judge ordered that the alleged stalker will have to stay at least 300 feet away from Mark, his sister and from Mark`s girlfriend.
HAMMER: TMZ`s Nina Parker tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT the alleged stalker, Pradeep Manukonda, now insists he didn`t mean any harm to Zuckerberg.
PARKER: When we talked to Pradeep Manukonda, he actually felt that he was really sorry. He said that he had no idea that Mark felt that his messages were threatening at all. He`s saying that he will not bother Mark anymore.
HAMMER: In recent years, Zuckerberg has gone from your everyday rich computer guy to superstar celebrity.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: If you guys were the inventors of Facebook, you`d have invented Facebook.
HAMMER: "The Social Network" has helped make him a household name. He was recently named "Time" magazine`s Person of the Year. And he recently appeared on "Saturday Night Live" along with the actor who played him in "The Social Network," Jesse Eisenberg.
EISENBERG: Did you ever end up seeing the film?
MARK ZUCKERBERG, CO-FOUNDER AND CEO, FACEBOOK: Yes, I did.
EISENBERG: Cool. Thanks. And what did you think?
ZUCKERBERG: It was interesting.
HAMMER: But this stalking drama is a painful lesson to Zuckerberg, that celebrity comes with incredibly strange risks, including the risk that someone can use your own invention against you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
Wow. Truly disturbing developments, but what I want to know today is how surprising is it that Mark Zuckerberg has to deal with stalking on the Web site he created?
With me in New York, Jane Velez-Mitchell, host of "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ- MITCHELL." She`s the author of this book, now out. It`s called "Addict Nation." And right now, in Hollywood, Jim Moret, "Inside Edition`s" chief correspondent.
Jane, I`ve got to say as awful and scary as this news about Mark Zuckerberg is, you know, how ironic is it that the guy who created Facebook, where, let`s face it, people are spying on each other all the time, is getting stalked on Facebook?
JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, HOST, "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL": A.J., I predict there are going to be a lot of changes to the privacy settings in the wake of this, because this is exactly what so many people have been complaining about, that Facebook leaves you open.
It leaves your personal life exposed and that can be dangerous. So now, he is experiencing firsthand what people have been complaining about for so long.
HAMMER: Yes.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: And I think it`s going to have a big impact on Facebook.
HAMMER: Yes. And let`s face this. As far as Mark is concerned, this isn`t over for him. Maybe with this guy, but this is something he`ll deal with for the rest of his life, high profile guy with, let`s face it, a gazillion dollars.
Brooke Anderson, a really disturbing development about Mark Zuckerberg here. I do hope, as far as this guy is concerned, that this is the end of it for him.
ANDERSON: Oh, me, too, A.J. I want to move now though to more big news breaking today. A judge has just ruled that the trial of Michael Jackson`s doctor can be televised.
Dr. Conrad Murray faces charges of manslaughter. Jury selection is expected to start next month. Jim, good news or bad news for Dr. Murray?
JIM MORET, CHIEF CORRESPONDENT, "INSIDE EDITION": Well, I think it`s good news for the public, because you want to see this trial. I`m a big advocate of cameras in the courtroom and I have been for years.
It reminds me in the scope and the size of this particular trial of the O.J. Simpson coverage. I`m very disturbed to find out you were in high school at that time. But I was here -
ANDERSON: But I was (INAUDIBLE) the fascination. Yes. You covered every moment of it.
MORET: I was here, anchoring for CNN. And that trial was huge. And I suspect that given Michael Jackson`s status as a superstar, the audience is going to be massive for this case.
ANDERSON: Do you think it will be even bigger than the O.J. Simpson trial, to our SHOWBIZ Flashpoint?
MORET: Well, I think it will be bigger in the sense there are more outlets to find it on. During the O.J. trial, there were one or two games in the town. That`s it. That was before Fox, MSNBC. But now, you can find it everywhere on the Web and so forth. Yes, I think it going to be a huge audience.
ANDERSON: Yes. I do, too. Well, already today, people were saying, you know, this would be even bigger. Like you say, huge audience, bigger than the televised O.J. Simpson trial.
And I`ve got to imagine that this could turn into the ultimate reality television. And back to that SHOWBIZ Flashpoint - could Conrad Murray`s trial be even bigger, be even more outrageous than O.J. Simpson`s?
Jane, I want you to weigh in on that now, because you, too, covered every minute of the O.J. Simpson trial. What do you think?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: In a word, no. No way. No how. The O.J. Simpson trial was the trial of the 20th century. This is not going to be the trial of the 21st century. It is going to be very fascinating, however.
We are going to get a glimpse into Michael Jackson`s secret life as he was preparing for his big come back. We`re going to see his relationship with his children. We`re going to find out about his drug use, his prescription drug use.
We`re going to find out all about the milk of amnesia that ultimately did him in. Fascinating tidbits, but no, nothing on the scale of O.J. Simpson.
MORET: Hey, wait a minute. Jane, Jane, you and I covered Michael Jackson`s trial in Sta. Maria, and that was a huge media that - and look.
I`m not telling you this is entertainment but people were glued to their sets watching the reports. And everything you described, Michael Jackson`s secret life, his drugs, the inner workings of those around him - all of that adds up to a tremendous amount of interest out there in the King of Pop.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: But there`s a big difference here, Jim. Michael Jackson was alive. He walked into that courtroom every day. That`s why the fans came in from around the world because he was there.
ANDERSON: Yes.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Without Michael Jackson, I don`t think it has the same emotional impact.
ANDERSON: I covered that trial, too, in Sta. Maria, and it was a circus. But like you say, Michael Jackson was on hand. He entered that courtroom sometimes in pajamas.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Yes.
ANDERSON: But you know, some say O.J. Simpson`s trial - just once in pajamas. Some say O.J. Simpson`s trial was influenced in the end because it was televised. Jim, do you think the same could be true for Conrad Murray?
MORET: I like the camera because it`s an equalizer. No one can say this wasn`t a fair trial because you`re seeing what`s going on as opposed to being an inner sanctum and people not knowing what`s going on in that courtroom.
I like cameras in the courtroom. I think, eventually, they become invisible. I know some people think that prosecutors, defense attorneys play up for the camera.
But cameras are a way of life now. I think that it`s important to have a camera in the courtroom.
ANDERSON: The judge has said he wants the cameras to be used in the least intrusive way possible. But I say good luck with that. Jane Velez- Mitchell, Jim Moret, thank you both.
HAMMER: A blockbuster SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview today about Halle Berry`s big new revelations on being a mom and what role race plays in raising her daughter.
ANDERSON: And next, a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive. A.J.`s amazing interview with music legend, Aretha Franklin. Aretha with big breaking Grammy Award news.
Also this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOAN RIVERS, ACTRESS: My body`s a temple and here`s the gift shop.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Is that really Joan Rivers` 77-year-old body? Come on. Everyone today wants to know if that was really Joan in the "GoDaddy.com" Super Bowl commercial.
I actually sent the SHOWBIZ truth squad out on this. And oh, oh! They have the shocking answer, coming up. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
It is time for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - these are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Bristol Palin reportedly working on a memoir. "Glee" cast going back on tour this summer.
(MUSIC)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: This just in. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has learned that Lindsay Lohan will be charged with one count of felony grand theft for allegedly stealing a $2,500 necklace from a Venice, California jewelry store.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney tells us Lindsay will be arraigned on Wednesday. Now, Lindsay`s on probation connected to a 2007 DUI case. If she`s convicted on this charge, she could be sent to prison.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood, A.J. Hammer in New York.
And right now, we are breaking big Grammy news with the amazing Aretha Franklin. It`s a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive.
HAMMER: And it is big, Brooke. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT learned today there is going to be a remarkable tribute to the legendary Aretha Franklin, the queen of soul, at the Grammy Awards on Sunday night.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is also breaking the news today that Christina Aguilera will be a part of that tribute. This will be her first performance since her big Super Bowl star-spangled flub.
Fifty-eight-year-old Aretha Franklin holds the record for the most Best Female R and B vocal performance Grammys. Incredible. Aretha has 11 of those for a total of 18 Grammy Awards.
Well, I had the great pleasure of speaking with Aretha exclusively late today from her hometown of Detroit.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
So Aretha, you have won Grammys every decade of your amazing 50-year career. You`re up for another one this year. And as if that`s not enough, there`s going to be this amazing tribute that`s going to include Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson and Martina McBride.
I`ve got to ask you, what was the first thing that went through your mind when you heard about what the Grammy folks are doing for you?
ARETHA FRANKLIN, SINGER (through telephone): I was just thrilled and bowled over at the same time. Just thrilled and bowled over. I hardly know what to say.
HAMMER: Yolanda Adams and Florence Welch are going to be joining up with Christina and Jennifer and Martina. I understand, though, Aretha, you`re not going to be there? You`re going to be watching from home?
FRANKLIN: I will be at home. I won`t be there, but I will be in the middle of the telecast.
HAMMER: Fantastic. I can picture you sitting on your couch, some great food, some good friends, perhaps. Is that about right?
FRANKLIN: Absolutely. The important popcorn`s popping are the Grammys are coming on.
HAMMER: Nice. Nice. Well, the Grammy`s executive producer, Ken Ehrlich, told us today that instead of calling this a tribute, that`s not what they`re doing. They`re calling it more of a Valentine to you. He actually also called it a get well card.
Obviously, Ken there referring to some health issues that you`ve had recently. So tell us how you`re doing. You sound terrific.
FRANKLIN: I`m feeling super, absolutely super. I`m doing very, very well and I cannot wait to get back up and get out there.
HAMMER: Yes. Everybody is looking forward to your return. It is going to be dynamite. Now, Aretha, this is going to be Christina Aguilera`s first performance since she performed at the Super Bowl, flubbing a couple of the lines on Sunday. We all know what happened.
She was singing the National Anthem. Aretha, you sang "The Star Spangled Banner" at the Super Bowl five years ago. It is a tough, tough gig. Do you think people need to cut Christina a little break here?
FRANKLIN: Yes, I think so, because I think she did a beautiful job. It was just one line.
HAMMER: I`m right there with you. I`m thinking, you know what? There can`t be tougher live performance.
FRANKLIN: Yes. It was just one line. And clearly, the crowd still enjoyed it.
HAMMER: Well, I also know there`s a film about your life in the works right now. Now, you`ve said that you want the great Halle Berry to play you in the movie. I think that would be terrific.
Now, Halle has said she can`t sing. But I`ve got to ask you, Aretha. Are you still working behind the scenes trying to convince Halle to do this role?
FRANKLIN: Oh, no, definitely not. She was one of the people that I had in mind. She was not the only person I had in mind.
HAMMER: Can you give as you little hint as to who we may see playing Aretha Franklin?
FRANKLIN: Well, maybe it could be Fantasia. It could be Jennifer. I don`t know. We`ll see.
HAMMER: Great choices all, but of course, there`s only one Aretha Franklin. And Aretha, we really appreciate you checking in with SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. So great to hear your voice. So great to hear you`re doing so well.
FRANKLIN: Thank you, so much, A.J.
HAMMER: You got it.
FRANKLIN: My pleasure.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: And make sure before you tune in to the Grammy Awards, tune in to a simply amazing special edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It`s SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s great Grammy showdowns.
Now, we`ve teamed up with the Recording Academy, the people behind the Grammys, to reveal the biggest battles this year, like Lady Gaga versus Katy Perry, even Susan Boyle versus Justin Bieber.
Make sure you watch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s great Grammy showdowns, Saturday, February 12th, 7:30 p.m. Eastern on CNN. And then, again, this Sunday, February 13th, at 5:30 p.m. Eastern on HLN.
ANDERSON: Simon is taking on "Idol." Simon Cowell`s explosive revelations today about his former show and the new judges. The SHOWBIZ Flashpoint today - will Simon`s "X Factor" be bigger than "American Idol?"
HAMMER: You`ve got to see this. I`ve got the dramatic proof today that Christina Aguilera did know the words to "The Star Spangled Banner." So what happened?
And the results of our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive poll, is it fair to criticize Christina?
ANDERSON: Katy Perry`s body bombshell. I think what Katy is saying about her body today will definitely set off some fireworks. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
It is time for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: "Ugly Betty" star, America Ferrera, returning to TV on "The Good Wife." Keri Hilson, Bruno Mars to perform at NBA all-star pre-game show.
(MUSIC)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Now, my SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview with Oscar nominee, Amy Adams. Amy is up for best supporting actress for her role in "The Fighter."
I just went one-on-one with her at the annual Oscar`s luncheon. And Amy had this shocking revelation for me. She actually knows a thing or two about fighting.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: You`re most known for sweet, optimistic, mild-mannered characters. And yet, here, you have a major backbone. Is this closer to your spirit personally as a person? Is this (INAUDIBLE) picked.
(CROSS TALK)
AMY ADAMS, ACTRESS: I`m going to plead the Fifth on that one. I think there`s definitely an aspect of my personality. I`m - yes. I would say this is -
ANDERSON: Tough cookie.
ADAMS: Yes. Yes. I`m scrappy. Like the fist fight - everyone`s like, oh, you`re gotten in a fist fight. I was like, I`ve gotten in lots of fist fights with my siblings.
ANDERSON: How many brothers and how many sisters?
ADAMS: Four brothers and two sisters.
ANDERSON: Ah, so you had to be tough growing up.
ADAMS: Yes. There was some wrestling.
ANDERSON: Talk to me about working with Christian Bale.
ADAMS: Christian is 100 percent there, very generous. I had a blast working with him. I think that his commitment is unparalleled and I just had a great time.
ANDERSON: I know it`s been a while since you filmed, but can you finish this line from the movie?
ADAMS: Oh, no.
ANDERSON: You said in the movie, "I know that going to Vegas and getting paid to train year round sounds -"
ADAMS: Oh, it sounds a hell of a lot better than what you got him doing here.
ANDERSON: Nice. Perfect. You`ve got a great memory.
ADAMS: I had to, with the accent. It makes you memorize differently.
ANDERSON: Good job. High five.
ADAMS: Thank you.
ANDERSON: OK. I have to ask you. You`re a new mom.
ADAMS: Yes.
ANDERSON: How do you balance it?
ADAMS: I think during this season, I did a round table with Annette Bening, and somebody was asking her about that. And she said, "I just learn to embrace the chaos and to understand that balance was about embracing chaos."
And that was the most important thing that I`ve heard since having a baby. It doesn`t have to be perfect. Balance isn`t about having everything be perfect. It`s about accepting the chaos. It about loving how crazy life has become and seeing that as a full and rich experience.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: She was such a pleasure to speak with. And I had the chance to interview a bunch of other nominees, too. On Wednesday, my SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview with another best supporting actress nominee, Helena Bonham Carter. Thursday, best supporting actor nominee, Jeremy Renner. And Friday, best actor nominee, Geoffrey Rush.
HAMMER: Can`t wait to see those. Time now for the SHOWBIZ lineup - here`s what`s coming on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Halle Berry`s brand-new revelations today about being a mom, her daughter and race as her custody battle explodes.
Katy Perry`s body bombshell. Katy says she actually wanted smaller breasts.
And big news breaking today - is there a deal in the nasty Camille/Kelsey Grammer split? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Time for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Barbara Streisand to perform at the Grammy Awards this Sunday. First look: Meryl Streep as British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - Halle Berry`s brand- new revelations today about being a mom, relationships and race as her custody battle explodes.
ANDERSON: Katy Perry`s body bombshell today. Why Katy actually hated her breasts.
Plus, the truth behind Joan Rivers` dramatic body transformation.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOAN RIVERS, COMEDIENNE: Just go visit Go Daddy, (EXPLETIVE DELETED). Oh, (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That`s Joan`s head, but is that her 77-year-old body? The SHOWBIZ truth squad sets the record straight today. Plus, breaking today from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker," Matthew Perry reveals a secret about Justin Bieber, and big baby news for Cynthia Nixon.
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 - Halle Berry unplugged. Halle Berry opens up in a brand-new, very candid interview out today.
Halle gets personal about her own racial identity and how that affects her two-and-a-half-year-old daughter. The interview is revealed with "Ebony" magazine just as Halle wages a bitter custody battle with her ex, Gabriel Aubry, over their little girl.
Joining me now from Chicago for a SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview, Amy DuBois Barnett, who is the editor-in-chief of "Ebony" magazine.
Amy, before I get to Halle`s brand-new revelations to "Ebony" magazine, I`ve got to ask, when you spoke with her, when you spent all that time with her, did you have any inkling that she was preparing for what looks like a really ugly custody battle with her ex over their daughter, Nahla?
AMY DUBOIS BARNETT, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, "EBONY" MAGAZINE: You know, we had a great time on that shoot. I have to say she was happy and relaxed. We had a fabulous time. She was laughing all day.
So I had no indication that there was anything going on in her personal life other than happiness and joy. As a matter of fact, I talked to her, not only in afternoon at the shoot, but in the evening on the phone.
I heard her daughter in the background laughing. And so, everything appeared to be all good in her personal life.
ANDERSON: Well, she got very personal in "Ebony`s" news interview just revealed today. Clearly, she embraces her own multi-racial background.
As we know, her daughter Nahla also has a mixed background. Nahla`s dad, Gabriel Aubry, is French Canadian.
In "Ebony`s" brand-new interview with Halle Berry, she talked about how she identifies Nahla`s racial heritage. She says this, "I`m not going to put a label on it."
"I had to decide for myself and that`s what she`s going to have to decide, how she identifies herself in the world. But I feel like she`s black. I`m black and I`m her mother and I believe in the one drop theory."
Amy, why do you think that Halle wanted to make that point, particularly regarding her daughter?
BARNETT: Well, I think that her overarching point was about how her daughter was going to walk through the world and the ways in which her daughter was going to be allowed to choose her own identity, which is actually what Halle said.
She said Nahla would be given the opportunity to choose for herself how was it she identified herself. But I think that it`s important for Halle, particularly as a biracial woman who identifies as an African-American, to make clear that she personally feels that she`s an African-American and that because she`s believes in the one-drop rule, she thinks her daughter is, as well, an African-American girl.
ANDERSON: Well, it also seems very important to Halle, Amy, to explain to the African-American community why she dates people outside of her race.
She said this, "I`m very connected my community and I want black people to know that I haven`t abandoned them because I`ve had a child with man outside of my race and I`m dating someone now outside of my race who is Spanish and French."
"The people I have dated sort of hold up a mirror to me and help me realize more of who I really am." Very quickly, Amy. Did you get the sense Halle was trying to apologize, in a way, for dating outside her race?
BARNETT: No, it didn`t feel like an apology at all. It really felt like a statement of strength and purpose. She was identifying herself and she wanted to make clear to her community and to her - really, her poor community of African-American fans that she feels very strongly about herself as an African-American woman and that she wanted to really be sure that everybody knew that even though she has a diversity of relationship, that she still feels very strongly about herself and her community.
ANDERSON: Well, great job with the interview. Amy DuBois Barnett, we really appreciate it. Thank you so much. And you can pick up a copy of "Ebony" magazine. It is on newsstands today.
HAMMER: I want to move now from Halle`s bitter custody battle to a "Real Housewives" divorce work. Camille Grammer, one of the stars of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills," appears to be turning her nasty divorce battle with her soon-to-be ex-husband, Kelsey Grammer, into kind of a nice pre-wedding gift for Kelsey and his 29-year-old bride-to-be, Kate Walsh, who, just a couple of months ago, was Kelsey`s mistress.
Now, according to a brand-new report today, Camille was clearing the way the way for Kelsey to marry his former mistress.
Well, who better to dish on this one than former "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" star, Danielle Staub, joining me right now. It`s always good to see you, Danielle.
Well, you`re no stranger to ugly divorce battles. I mean, your divorce from the father of your two kids - this thing took years to settle. You were very open talking about this on your reality show.
What`s your take on Kelsey now jumping into this, his fourth marriage, when the ink isn`t even dry on the divorce papers from his third marriage?
DANIELLE STAUB, REALITY TV STAR, "THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF NEW JERSEY": I think he`s just setting himself up for disaster, but it looks like he`s ready to do it again. And I feel for Camille. I really, really do. I think that Kelsey is much like many other males that I`ve known, no offense.
But I just feel like you guys just really can`t wait to get back into that fire. You`ve got to really take time to be alone and he hasn`t done that.
HAMMER: He was in the fire before the other fire went out. It seems -
STAUB: Yes. When is he going to be alone with himself? I think he needs to figure out how to be alone with himself first. And I think he made a good choice by staying with Camille.
But you know, now, it`s over and it`s very public. And I hope that they both survive it with ease. But Camille is going to take some hits, unfortunately, and it`s not her fault. I feel for her.
HAMMER: Well, I was happy to see how things are kind of smoothing out a bit as far as this is concerned. I mean, Kelsey has kind of kept quiet about the whole thing.
Camille, you know, she was a jilted woman. She obviously had a lot to say about it. But it`s not been confirmed yet that Camille will be returning if there is another season of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills."
However, if there is, and if she does return, do you think the fact that she has now sort of mellowed out and cleared the way for his divorce to go through - do you think she would play out as a more sympathetic character? Because we all know that she did not come across as very well-liked or likable in the show.
STAUB: No. No, she didn`t. But I don`t think that that`s her fault. I think that part of it is the character that was chosen for her.
HAMMER: Yes.
STAUB: And some of it played upon the real her as well as they did to me.
HAMMER: So she would be more sympathetic because of what she`s doing now, the way she`s handling things.
STAUB: I don`t think that anyone`s going to have sympathy on her because they just doesn`t take it that way. Once you`re vilified, that`s your role. She has to embrace it and roll with it. And you know what? Just know in her heart who she is and she does.
HAMMER: And she does. I`m surprised by that, because, you know, women don`t like to see other women getting treated the way she was treated or as it appears.
STAUB: You would think.
HAMMER: Let me just move on right now, because there is another reality show star who is making some news today. A brand-new interview is out with J-Woww, starring, of course, in MTV`s hit reality show, "Jersey Shore," confessing today that she wants to be just like Angelina Jolie, doing some charity work.
Listen to what she tells "The New York Post," "Whatever charities I pick, I`ll be fully hands-on with and not just write a check. Definitely an animal charity and a cancer one as well, but I don`t want to jump into it now because I can`t be as dedicated as I want to be."
I`ve got to tell you, I`m happy to see J-Woww talking about this at least because "The Jersey Shore," let`s face it, gets a lot of attention for all the wrong reasons.
STAUB: Right. But I think that I would be more impressed when she`s not talking about it, when she`s actually applying. You know, people can see what you`re doing better than they can hear it.
HAMMER: Yes. Actions speak louder than word.
STAUB: You know, it will be evident. They speak much louder than words. And I`ll be really impressed when she starts doing that. I do a lot of charities. And I don`t really talk about it that much, but I haven`t seen her in a few. So you do have the time. Make the time.
HAMMER: We`ll see what happens. Danielle, great to see you. You can catch Danielle Staub on her new show. It`s terrific. It`s called "Social" on Well TV tomorrow night.
ANDERSON: Simon is taking on "Idol." Simon Cowell`s incredible revelations today about his old show. The new judges. To our SHOWBIZ Flashpoint - will Simon Cowell`s the X Factor be bigger than "American Idol."
Katy Perry`s body bombshell. Why Katy didn`t like her breasts at one point, coming up.
Speaking of body bombshells, check out 77-year-old Joan Rivers` in the Go Daddy Super Bowl commercial.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RIVERS: My body`s a temple and here`s the gift shop.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes, that`s Joan`s head all right. But rest of her - the SHOWBIZ truth squad setting the record straight today. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and view.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: SHOWBIZ truth squad confirms Josh Duhamel not taking over for Regis Philbin. Matthew Perry tells Ellen one of Justin Bieber`s secrets.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MATTHEW PERRY, ACTOR: I found out that he, when he checks into a hotel - you know, we all use fake names.
ELLEN DEGENERES, HOST, "THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW": Right.
PERRY: He uses Chandler Bing.
DEGENERES: Really?
PERRY: Yes.
DEGENERES: Well, now, people know -
PERRY: I know. You`ve got to find a new one, pal.
DEGENERES: Yes.
PERRY: Yes.
DEGENERES: And now, you can use Justin Bieber.
PERRY: Yes.
DEGENERES: You`ll never get bothered.
PERRY: No, I would never - that`s the worst name I could use.
DEGENERES: Yes.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York with Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
ANDERSON: A.J., there`s big news breaking in "The Buzz Today." Simon Cowell`s "X Factor" shocker. Will he be a judge on his new show?
Justin Bieber`s girlfriend bombshell. The Bieb tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT what kind of girl he is looking for. Plus, Mel Gibson`s movie mess. Why Mel`s new movie, "The Beaver" was delayed again.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over) Mel`s major movie mess. Mel Gibson`s brand-new movie, "The Beaver," is getting booted back again. "The Beaver`s" distributor has announced the movie is a no-go for its planned March 23rd release date.
The film`s now been pushed back six more weeks to May 6th. The drama, which stars Mel as a man with depression and was directed by his pal, Jodie Foster, was originally supposed to be out last year, but the release was moved after Mel`s messy public dispute with his ex, Oksana Grigorieva.
Bieber`s girlfriend bombshell. In a brand-new interview with SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Justin Bieber reveals what a girl needs if she`s going to be with the Bieb.
JUSTIN BIEBER, POP STAR: I look for a girl who is funny and who I can talk to, because if I can`t talk to her and have a big conversation, you know, it`s not going to be really fun. And you have to have a nice smile and nice eyes.
ANDERSON: Simon`s "X Factor" shocker. Simon Cowell has just revealed the first judge for his brand-new talent show, "X Factor." And Simon says it`s Simon.
Cowell just announced to the world, quote, "Yes, I am judging," and wouldn`t utter another word about the identity of the other judges. He also says that "X Factor" promises its winner a $5 million record deal, the largest guaranteed prize in TV history.
"X factor" kicks off auditions in Los Angeles, March 27th.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
So the big "X Factor" for Simon Cowell is this, will his new show sell big trouble for his old show "American Idol"?
On the "Today" show this morning, Simon revealed that he has seen the new "Idol" with the new judges, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler, and he thinks they`re good. He thinks they`re doing a fine job. But he`s respectfully prepared for a big old face-off. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
COWELL: I think they`re doing fine. You know, they have a different approach to, you know, what I used to do before. I think the show had to reinvent itself.
And I think it`s right for - it a different show to what we made before. And you know, I left the show on fantastic terms. I still talk to Randy and Ryan. I still talk to Kenny, one of the executive producers.
So you know, we`re still good friends, but we`re going to be competitive with each other. Make no mistake.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Yes. I had to get that in there. So Simon says he`s ready for a throw-down with his "Idol" pals, which leads to the SHOWBIZ Flashpoint - will Simon`s "X Factor" be bigger than "Idol"?
Let me bring in our good friend, Jenn Hobby, who is the co-host of radio`s "The Bert Show" on Q100 in Atlanta. Jenn, what do you think?
JENN HOBBY, CO-HOST, "THE BERT SHOW" ON Q100: You know what? I absolutely think this is going to be a steep competition. Simon Cowell is a record label guy. He likes to be behind the scenes, the puppeteer, but he likes to be in front of the camera, too. And he likes to win and he hasn`t been wrong so far.
ANDERSON: Yes. You can bank on Simon Cowell to be a success. Good point.
HOBBY: Yes.
ANDERSON: And I do think, though, he does have a big challenge on his hands here because, look, "Idol" has been doing very well this season. Their ratings are strong. They`re solid, winning Thursday night with over 20 million viewers, Wednesday night more than 25 million viewers.
Let me go to Hyla now, co-host of the nationally syndicated radio show, "The Hollywood Five Countdown." Hyla, to the SHOWBIZ Flashpoint, will Simon`s "X Factor" be bigger than "American Idol?"
HYLA, CO-HOST, "THE HOLLYWOOD FIVE COUNTDOWN": This won`t even be close. This is not even a competition.
ANDERSON: They`re going to leave them in the dust? Do you think it`s going to leave them in the dust?
HYLA: Absolutely. There`s a reason why the U.K. version of "Pop Idol" is not on television anymore. It`s the single ingredient, Simon Cowell.
All the networks have the opportunity, if they wanted, to bring "Pop Idol," back but they can`t, because they know "X factor" will destroy "Idol," and this is what`s going to happen.
And if you had to bet money, where would you put your money? Are you going to put with the old show or are you going to put it with Simon Cowell?
ANDERSON: I think they both can do very well, but you`re predicting maybe 30 million or more viewers for "X Factor?"
HYLA: Oh, absolutely. It`s going to be huge.
ANDERSON: All right. I can`t wait for it in the fall. Well, I`ve got to move now from shows fighting over Super Bowl-sized ratings to Christina Aguilera still getting flak over her Super Bowl National Anthem flub.
But A.J., a new video out today might change some people`s minds.
HAMMER: Yes. I kind of hope it does, Brooke, because I`ve been saying all along people need to cut her a break. Well, today, a rehearsal video posted on TMZ reveals Christina definitely knew the words to the "Star Spangled Banner."
(SINGING)
Now, for me, judging from that video, she potentially could have delivered one of the greatest "Star Spangled Banners" ever. Do you think, Jenn, that people seeing that are now going to be angrier that she messed up the real thing, or they`re going to cut her some slack?
HOBBY: You know, A.J., I tend to agree with you. Everybody needs to cut her some slack. But her haters are going to hate her more and try to vilify her. I just don`t understand why folks can`t say she`s a human being and she made a mistake.
HAMMER: Yes.
HOBBY: And why they`re trying to turn her into this anti-American villain. It doesn`t make sense to me. And hopefully, this will prove to them that she did know the words. She just made a mistake.
HAMMER: Well, Christina`s still getting major heat for this. And I just received the results of our exclusive results of our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive poll. Look at this. Christina Aguilera flubs "The Star Spangled Banner" at the Super Bowl: Is it fair to criticize her?
The results in late today, and look at that. Seventy-one percent say, yes; 29 percent say no. Jenn Hobby, Hyla, the people have spoken. Thank you very much.
ANDERSON: Moving on now to Joan Rivers` body. Do most 77-year-olds look like this?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RIVERS: Just go visit Go Daddy - (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: That`s Joan`s head all right but what about that banging body? Is that Joan? The SHOWBIZ truth squad sets the record straight today about Joan Rivers` shocking Super Bowl commercial.
HAMMER: Time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: "Sex and the City" star, Cynthia Nixon, and fiancee are new parents of a baby boy. Aerosmith sales up to 20 percent since Steven Tyler became an "Idol" judge.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: It`s time now for the SHOWBIZ buzz list. Here`s what`s the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT staff is buzzing all about this week.
Of course, this Sunday, it`s the Grammys. We can`t wait to see Gaga, Bieber and CeeLo performing. They`re buzzing about "Everyday Icon," the new book about First Lady Michelle Obama`s great fashion sense.
"Never Say Never," Justin Bieber`s new movie, arrives in theaters Friday. It`s going to be huge. Verizon`s iPhone is out this week. Sales are already soaring.
And we are thrilled Matthew Perry is back on TV. His new ABC show, "Mr. Sunshine." This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KATY PERRY, SINGER: My landlord, he even installed a security camera in the shower.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Oh, honey.
PERRY: Maybe I should feel weird about giving a stranger my social security number. But the guy is a Nigerian prince.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Did you see this? Katy Perry traded in a microphone for a punch line. I thought she did a pretty good job guest starring on the CBS hit show, "How I Met Your Mother."
But it`s Katy`s brand-new jaw-dropping body bombshell revelation that has everybody buzzing today. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT just received an advanced copy of the brand-new issue of "Elle" magazine. And in it, Katy Perry sets the record straight about her bodacious bod, especially her, quote, "enormous breasts."
Katy says, "I was shaped like a square at one time. I`m generally around 130 pounds. But when I was a kid I was the same height and weighed more like 145. And I had enormous boobs that I didn`t know what to do with so I wore minimizers, which were not cute. Little did I know that these things would come in handy someday."
Read more about Katy Perry`s breast revelations in the March issue of "Elle" magazine. It`s on newsstands, February 15th.
HAMMER: How about that? Let`s move now from Katy`s breast bombshell to Joan Rivers` smoking hot body bombshell. How in the world did 77-year-old Joan Rivers get a body like this in the Super Bowl ad for "GoDaddy.com."
Yes, it is Joan`s head, but what about that body? Time for the SHOWBIZ truth squad to set the record straight.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RIVERS: When I first got the call for Go Daddy, I thought, "Well, yes, my breasts can still do it." That was so much fun because we all knew the surprise that was coming.
Is it hot in here or is it just me?
Is it hot in here or is it just me?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know Joan Rivers. I mean, she`s feisty. she`s been a presence in Hollywood for many, many years. She`s outspoken. She`s in your face.
RIVERS: My body`s a temple and here`s the gift shop.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Wow.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: As can you see, all clever editing and other TV magic. Shocking.
ANDERSON: Shocking, A.J. All right, the Grammy Awards are coming up this weekend, A.J. And we put together an incredible special edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
HAMMER: Yes. It`s really cool, Brooke. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s great Grammy showdown. We`ve teamed up with the Recording Academy - those are the people behind the Grammys - to reveal the biggest battles at this year`s Grammy Awards.
ANDERSON: Lady Gaga versus Katy Perry, Eminem versus Jay-Z.
HAMMER: Watch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s great Grammy showdown. It airs this Saturday, February 12th, 7:30 p.m. Eastern on CNN. And again, this Sunday, February 13th right before the Grammys at 5:30 p.m. Eastern on HLN.
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 television entertainment show seven days a week at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific right here on HLN.
END
