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Showbiz Tonight
Plea Deal for Lindsay Lohan; Mel Gibson`s Deal in His Domestic Violence Case; Charlie Sheen`s Shocking Lawsuit; Simon Cowell`s Diss on Elton John; LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian Set the Record Straight on Reality Show Reports
Aired March 10, 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 -- deal or no deal? Lindsay Lohan`s back in court today and saying no deal yet to a plea deal. Is this a smart move or big mistake?
Mel Gibson`s apparent deal in his domestic violence case. Outrage today because he may not get any jail time. So should this deal become a no-deal?
Sheen`s shocking suit revealed today. Charlie Sheen is suing his former "Two and a Half Men" bosses for -- wait for it -- $100 million. Does he actually have a shot at --
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHARLIE SHEEN, ACTOR: Winning!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Star salary secrets revealed. Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp, Leo DiCaprio. How much do Hollywood biggest stars really make? It`s a blockbuster SHOWBIZ special report.
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show breaks news right now.
(MUSIC)
Hi, there, everyone. I`m Brooke Anderson in New York with big news breaking today -- deal or no deal? Brand-new breaking developments today with three train wreck stars -- Lindsay Lohan, Mel Gibson and Charlie Sheen.
They are all on the verge of making big deals today that could make the difference of a lifetime. And today, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is asking, is it a deal or no deal for these guys?
All right. Today, Lindsay Lohan went before a judge. And now, she`s got to make a big decision, to accept a plea deal and go to jail, or fight a felony theft charge and potentially go to trial. So deal or no deal?
Mel Gibson has a big judgment day on Friday. He will reportedly cop a plea in his headline-making domestic violence case, possibly avoid jail time. So will the judge accept the deal or no deal?
And today, last but not least, Charlie Sheen files a $100 million lawsuit against his bosses at "Two and a Half Men." And now he`s being challenged to a big-time debate with another Hollywood star. Will Charlie accept the deal or no deal?
But let`s get back to Miss Lindsay Lohan for just a minute. Could she really go to prison? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter was at the Los Angeles courthouse today when Lindsay Lohan faced the judge. Kareen, tell us what happened today.
KAREEN WYNTER, CORRESPONDENT: Well, Brooke, the clock is definitely ticking on Lohan. She has a big decision coming up in a matter of weeks, a few weeks where she`ll have to decide if she`s going to jail, or if this case is going to trial.
Her attorney, Shawn Holley -- she asked the judge for more time today to consider that plea deal that`s on the table that, by the way, involves jail time. Yes, Holly said, in the past, that this is a case that`s entirely defensible, that Lohan maintains her innocence.
So the judge left up in the air today if Lohan accepts that plea bargain. They`ll be back in court March 25th. If not, Judge Schwartz -- he set a preliminary hearing for the end of April -- April 22nd. So this young lady -- she has so many decisions in front of her. Brooke?
ANDERSON: Kareen Wynter, thank you so much. I appreciate that. I want to bring in now HLN`s own Jane Velez-Mitchell, host of "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL" AND author of the fantastic book, "Addict Nation."
Jane, "E! Online" is reporting that a plea deal will send Lindsay to jail for six months, which is considerably less than the three years she could face if convicted of a felony. Jane, what do you think? Should Lindsay make this deal or no?
JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, HOST, "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL": She should absolutely take the deal, Brooke.
ANDERSON: I agree.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: And here`s why -- if she goes to the jail for six months -- we all know it`s never six months. Oh, there`s good behavior. There`s time served. There`s overcrowding. We`ve all heard that one before. She`ll be out in a couple of weeks or maybe a month.
But if she goes to trial, first of all, that tough judge that she`ll face could decide she has violated probation and stick her in jail pending trial.
And then, when she actually gets to trial, she could go to state prison for up to three years, and state prison is a lot tougher than county jail. She should definitely take the deal.
ANDERSON: I agree, take the deal and put this to an end sooner rather than later, so you can get on with your life. And speaking of at tough judge, Judge Keith Schwarz told Lindsay today that if she takes her chances, does not cop a plea, then a judge at a preliminary hearing will decide whether there`s enough evidence to support the theft charge and then whether she violated her drunk-driving probation as a result of those allegations.
As Kareen just said, before that though, Lindsay does have her chance at a hearing on March 25th to accept a deal. Watch the judge lay it all out there for Lindsay.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JUDGE KEITH SCHWARTZ, SUPERIOR COURT OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY: The only reason, Miss Lohan, you will appear in front of me again and you`ll ever see me again, is on that date. And the only reason you will be here is to plead guilty or no contest to the charge and accept the parameters of the court`s offer. That`s the only reason.
ANDERSON: Clear as a bell. I want to bring in criminal defense attorney and TV host Lauren Lake. Lauren, what do you think? Should Lindsay take the plea deal or no deal?
LAUREN LAKE, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY AND TV HOST: You know, this is tough, because from a defense perspective, we don`t have all the facts. And this case could be very defensible, just like Shawn Holley says.
But what she faces, like Jane enumerated, is scary -- going to state prison instead of jail. At this point, I`d probably advise my client, "You may want to take the plea." After we look at all the facts, if we don`t feel like this case is truly defensible, take the plea.
ANDERSON: Yes. If after you look at the surveillance video, the police reports --
LAKE: Yes.
ANDERSON: All the facts in her previous three stints in jail -- one was 84 minutes, one was less than two weeks, one she got out the same afternoon that she was taken in.
LAKE: Yes.
ANDERSON: So Jane makes a lot of great points about that, too. All right. We`ve got to move on to the next celebrity mess we`re talking about in deal or no deal.
Mel Gibson -- he is reportedly expected to plead no contest to simple battery. Now, that is a lesser charge than spousal assault. Mel`s been under investigation after his ex, Oksana Grigorieva, accused him of brutally assaulting her.
Remember the whole thing exploded last summer when audio was leaked of Mel Gibson allegedly raging at Oksana on the phone. Listen.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (allegedly Mel Gibson): Don`t ever sleep again. Don`t sleep as long as I don`t sleep. Don`t sleep. (EXPLETIVE DELETED) get sick. You (EXPLETIVE DELETED) me up. You have (EXPLETIVE DELETED) me up. You (EXPLETIVE DELETED) me up. You (EXPLETIVE DELETED) up. I did nothing but help you. But you (EXPLETIVES DELETED) on me like a low-life (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: If you think that`s bad, it got even worse. Jane, do you think the judge is going to accept Mel`s plea and make a deal or no deal?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: I don`t think he should. This is a total joke. Mel Gibson crafting his own plea deal? From what we hear, it doesn`t involve any jail time at all and maybe some counseling. Come on, everybody in Malibu already goes counseling. That is a complete joke and it makes a mockery out of domestic violence and battering of women.
ANDERSON: Lauren, what do you think? Deal or no deal? We have to keep in mind he has not been formally charged or convicted of anything.
LAKE: Exactly.
ANDERSON: His lawyer told us that he wants to put an immediate end to all of this for the sake of his children.
LAKE: Right. And his estranged wife is also being investigated for extortion charges, so this is a hot mess. So what I would say is the judge may entertain it. And if the other side is willing, deal.
ANDERSON: All right. Let`s move on now to -- oh, yes -- our main man, Charlie Sheen. In the slew of interviews that Charlie has done over the last few weeks, he`s systematically bashed Alcoholics Anonymous, claims he was able to get and stay sober through mind control. Watch what he told NBC`s Jeff Rossen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEFF ROSSEN, NBC CORRESPONDENT: You say you`ve cured yourself of addiction.
SHEEN: Yes.
ROSSEN: Without Alcoholics Anonymous. How have you done that?
SHEEN: I closed my eyes and made it so with the power of my mind. I had to unload 22 years of fiction.
ROSSEN: What kind of fiction?
SHEEN: The fiction of AA. It`s a silly book written by a broken-down fool.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: All right. But now, a brand-new deal from Charlie Sheen, from this time Daniel Baldwin. He tells CNN`s Piers Morgan that he`s got a very special invitation for Charlie. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DANIEL BALDWIN, ACTOR: Here`s something. Charlie said to you, guys, that he would debate anybody. I`ll come on the show and debate Charlie over the 12 steps and whether he`s sober or not. And then, I`ll yank a hair out of his head and we`ll have a DNA test and see how long he`s been sober.
PIERS MORGAN, HOST, "PIERS MORGAN TONIGHT": I mean, that`s an interesting challenge. If he`s watching, let`s do that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Jane, super quick, should he take Daniel up on the deal?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Look, Charlie Sheen is the best thing to happen to recovery because he`s a living illustration of what happens when you walk away from recovery and the 12 steps. So I don`t think there is any debate necessary. He is proving with his actions that he needs to go into a recovery program.
ANDERSON: I think he definitely should take Daniel up on his offer. Maybe Daniel could talk some sense into the guy because nobody else has been able to. But Charlie Sheen is working on an even bigger deal today and we do mean big.
He just slapped $100 million dollar lawsuit on his former bosses, Warner Brothers and "Two and a Half Men" executive producer, Chuck Lorre. Does Charlie actually have a shot at winning this obscene amount of cash? Jane Velez-Mitchell, Lauren Lake, don`t go anywhere. We will have that coming up.
All right. On to big star feuds today. Simon Cowell`s unbelievable new attack on Elton John today to CNN`s Piers Morgan.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SIMON COWELL, FORMER "AMERICAN IDOL" JUDGE: This is somebody who charges, what, $1 million dollars a private gig. $2 million? I don`t know whether he`s considered that himself.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Why is Simon dissing Elton? And is he way out of line? Another vicious round in the Nene Leakes-Star Jones feud. Nene goes off on Star to HLN`s Joy Behar.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOY BEHAR, HOST, "THE JOY BEHAR SHOW": You said something a little bit nasty against Star.
NENE LEAKES, REALITY TV STAR: You think so?
BEHAR: You said, "I wouldn`t spit on Star if she was fire." There`s no love there exactly.
LEAKES: No. I would sprinkle a little water, I guess.
BEHAR: A little water --
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: "Real Housewives" star Nene is not letting up on Star Jones one bit.
And next, star salary secrets revealed. Johnny Depp, Jennifer Aniston, Angelina Jolie. 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: Steve Carell`s last episode on "The Office" airs April 28th. SHOWBIZ first look! Snoop Dogg roasts Donald Trump.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SNOOP DOGG, RAP ARTIST: Now, he`s saying he wants to run for president and move on into the White House. Why not? It wouldn`t be the first time you pushed a black family out of their home.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: The fascinating Forbes billionaires list is out today. Let`s check on a couple of stars who are making oodles and oodles of money.
Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg is the 52nd richest person on the planet. He`s worth $13.5 billion. You can find $3 billion in director Steven Spielberg`s bank account. And just a bit behind him -- well, $300 million, but who`s counting -- is mighty Oprah coming in at number 420 with $2.7 billion.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in New York. And now, we`ve got a blockbuster SHOWBIZ special report -- star salary secrets revealed -- Johnny, Jen, Angelina.
All right. So maybe these stars aren`t billionaires, but they`re not taking home chump change either. And wait until you hear some of the unbelievable ways these stars are spending their cash. Check it out.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over) For Hollywood`s elite, the money is awesome.
ANGELINA JOLIE, ACTRESS: I have a stupid income for what I do for a living. You know what I mean?
ANDERSON: How stupid are we talking? Angelina Jolie stocked away more than $23 million from her movies in 2010. That`s according to a blockbuster new "Vanity Fair" survey of Hollywood`s highest paid talent.
But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you Angelina is practically in the poor house compared to some stars.
ADAM SANDLER, ACTOR: I wouldn`t have done it for $500.
ANDERSON: The hot list puts Adam Sandler way ahead of Angelina with $50 million in earnings. And the magazine says Leonardo DiCaprio pulled in a cool $62 million. How did he get there?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This last job -- that`s how I get there.
ANDERSON: His last two jobs paid off big time says "MovieLine.com`s" S.T. VanAirsdale.
S.T. VANAIRSDALE, "MOVIELINE.COM": He made "Shutter Island" and he made "Inception." Both were massive successes.
ANDERSON: Massive success also came Johnny Depp`s way. He is number two on "Vanity Fair`s" list with serious money, $100 million.
VANAIRSDALE: Johnny Depp is the top-earning actor in Hollywood right now.
ANDERSON: But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT wants to know with all that money to burn, how do stars spend their loot? Depp reportedly dropped $13.5 million recently for a fixer-upper in Venice, Italy.
JOHNNY DEPP, ACTOR: I should be captain on this one.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: The "Pirates of the Caribbean" star also owns a piece of the Caribbean, according to J.D. Heyman, executive editor of "People" magazine.
J.D. HEYMAN, EXECUTIVE EDITOR, "PEOPLE" MAGAZINE: He lives actually relatively simply. He does have his own island in the Bahamas.
ANDERSON: The Island of Manhattan is also popular with super rich celebs. Sabrina Kleier, one of the stars of HD TV`s "Selling New York," is a real estate pro.
SABRINA KLEIER, "SELLING NEW YORK" ON HD TV: Nicole Kidman, Kelsey Grammer and a lot of fabulous stars are purchasing in New York City right now.
Jennifer Aniston has been looking all over town. She supposedly is very close to a penthouse in the coveted neighborhood in New York City, the West Village.
ANDERSON: Aniston, who is 18 on the hot list, may want to sign up for the luxurious amenities.
KLEIER: They have a butler. They have dry cleaning service. They have a barbershop there. It really is like staying at a fabulous hotel.
ANDERSON: Money is no object to Oscar-winning director, James Cameron. Sure, he`s got Malibu ranch lands, but it`s his personal fleet of mini- submarines that really says megastar-rich.
Cameron`s income towered above everyone else in Hollywood. "Vanity Fair" says he was the town`s top-earner with an astonishing $257 million.
Most of that came from his share of profits from the mega-hit "Avatar." And don`t think he isn`t keeping score, as I learned when I talked with him just before I joined him on a zero-gravity flight.
(on camera) "Avatar" grossed $2.7 billion worldwide.
JAMES CAMERON, DIRECTOR: $2.75 billion, but who is counting?
ANDERSON: Who`s counting? Right.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
And those mega-checks will keep on coming for James Cameron. He`s got two more "Avatar" films coming in 2014 and 2015. And in case you`re wondering, where is Oprah on this list? "Vanity Fair" focused on stars who make money from movies.
All right. Lots of calls coming in to "Showbiz on Call" today about this week`s "Glee" episode where guest star Gwyneth Paltrow`s character gives some controversial sex advice. Penny calling from Canada doesn`t understand why some people are outraged.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
PENNY, CALLER FROM CANADA: It was rated 14-A before the show began, and hats off to them for being a sex education show and the prior week for the drinking show. This was one of the best two episodes we`ve seen on "Glee."
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Thanks, Penny. Jackie from California agrees.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
JACKIE, CALLER FROM CALIFORNIA: I loved it and I don`t understand why there`d be a brouhaha about it. I don`t know anybody who lets their little kids watch that show. I always thought it was geared toward teenagers and young adults, in which case sex education is needed desperately. I thought it was really well done.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Thank you, Jackie, for your opinion. All right. Smoke them if you got them. That`s what Charlie Sheen seems to be doing anyway.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Some say this mad man is the new poster boy for cigarettes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Every time we see Charlie, he`s got a ciggy in his mouth. Is Charlie the new poster boy for cigarettes?
And are LeAnn Rimes and her fiance, Eddie Cibrian, really going to do a reality show about their controversial relationship? Today, LeAnn sets the record straight.
And shocking news today about who is going to play Sarah Palin in a movie. 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: Miley Cyrus yells at a paparazzo for the second time in a week. Nickelodeon to re-air `90s programming including "Rug Rats" and "All That."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: What`s this red button right here?
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD ACTOR: Gee, I don`t know. Why don`t you push it?
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: All right.
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD ACTOR: Adios, sucker!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Did you see this? It`s Kim Kardashian and Nicole Ritchie on high school. Kim just posted this on her Web site. She is on the left. Nicole is on the right. Kim says she was just 13, Nicole 12, when the picture was taken.
They were pals in high school in Sherman Oaks, California. And it looks like Kim was practicing her puckering for the red carpet even back then.
All right. If you bet on the Star Jones-Nene Leakes feud dying down, you`d lose. Let me bring you up to speed. Both Star and Nene, who is from the "The Real Housewives of Atlanta," are "Celebrity Apprentice." Nene launched the first attack saying she would not spit on Star if she were on fire. That`s harsh.
The big question is, what the heck set Nene off? Well, Nene was on HLN`s Joy Behar show tonight. And check out what she just told her.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LEAKES: We were trying to form a relationship outside of "The Apprentice." So I`d go to dinner with her, and I`d go to lunch with her. She met my husband, my children. I double-dated with her and her fiance, Herb or whatever.
And I just learned that she -- look, I just really believe -- I try and give everybody a chance, and that`s what I was trying to do. And when she showed me her true colors, I lost it.
I really had to straighten her out on it because I just think that anybody that has ever worked with Star would side with me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: So what triggered the feud really? And Star, if you want to come on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT to tell your side of the story, you`ve got an open invite.
I`ve posted on our Facebook wall -- is Charlie Sheen playing us? Is all this outrageous behavior just acting or does the guy really need help? Tons of posts coming in today on this.
Linda J. writes, "After watching `Sheen`s Korner,` I believe he has lost his mind. He`s not normal and needs help ASAP. Intervention is required."
Jennifer M. says, "I believe that Charlie Sheen is playing all of us. He knows exactly what he is doing."
And now, the SHOWBIZ lineup -- here`s what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Stay tuned for this. Simon Cowell`s unbelievable attack on Elton John.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
COWELL: This is somebody who charges, what, $1 million dollars a private gig -- $2 million? You know? I don`t know whether he`s concerned about himself.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Why is Simon dissing Elton? Is he out of line?
Charlie Sheen in the kitchen doing cooking show?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHEEN: Hello, I`m Charlie Sheen, and this is "Charlie Sheen`s Winning Recipes." Yes, I`m doing a cooking show. Why? Because you haven`t noticed I`m winning television right now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Can you even imagine who would be at a Sheen dinner party? Wait until I show you more of this. 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: Ashley Olsen and boyfriend Justin Bartha break up. A movie about Macy`s Thanksgiving Day parade is in the works.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT -- $100 million Charlie Sheen war. Charlie Sheen is suing his ex-bosses for $100 million. Does he have a shot the winning? Plus, Charlie`s lungs losing.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS: Some say this new mad man is the new poster boy for cigarettes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Charlie`s nonstop smoking. What message is he sending?
LeAnn Rimes, Eddie Cibrian -- outrage over reports they are doing a reality show. LeAnn sets the record straight today.
And a brand-new Simon Cowell-Elton John smackdown today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
COWELL: This is somebody who charges what, $1 million dollars a private gig -- $2 million? I don`t know whether he`s concerned about himself.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Simon slammed Elton but why? And is Simon way out of line here?
Plus, breaking today from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" -- Britney`s new presidential mission. And big baby news for Kelsey Grammer.
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC)
ANDERSON: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It is 30 minutes past the hour. I`m Brooke Anderson in New York with big news breaking today -- Charlie Sheen`s $100 million mess. I can hardly say it with a straight face. Today,
Sheen filed a whopping nine-figure lawsuit against his old bosses at "Two and a Half Men," show producers Chuck Lorre and Warner Brothers Studios. I should point out Warner Brothers is owned by Time Warner, which also owns this network.
Sheen says his bosses unjustly fired him from "Two and a Half Men" and made him the fall guy in the press. Didn`t he do that to himself? He wants to be paid for the eight episodes that were scrapped.
He also wants the rest of the cast and crew compensated. And for good measure, he wants $100 million in punitive damages.
Attorney and TV host Lauren Lake joins me here now in New York.
And Lauren, I think this may be the most outrageous lawsuit, one of the most outrageous lawsuits I have ever seen. We have seen Charlie insult his bosses time and time and time again.
We have seen him come completely unhinged in public, seen him brag about doing drugs. They fired him after they got their fill of his antics. And now, here he is with this lawsuit. $100 million is ludicrous. Does he stand a chance at winning?
LAKE: It sounds crazy to us, but if you make almost $2 million an episode, and you can do 24 episodes in a year, you do the math.
$100 million comes a lot faster than what we think. At the end of the day, there needs to be a settlement. That number is outrageous. His behavior is outrageous. And they need to come to some type of agreement, so that they can part ways as friends.
ANDERSON: Warner Brothers planning to seek lost revenue from Charlie, so they are both going head-to-head with this thing.
LAKE: Yes
ANDERSON: And you know, this lawsuit is not exactly a surprise. In Charlie`s interview with ABC`s "20/20," Sheen all but held up a neon sign that said, "I`m suing." Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDREA CANNING, ABC CORRESPONDENT: Are you going to sue?
SHEEN: Well, I mean, wouldn`t you? I don`t have a job. A have a whole family to support and love.
CANNING: What are you going to sue for?
SHEEN: Tons. I`m going to actually put a scale on there, a little more, a little more. Add some gold. Add some gold. All your toupees. Bingo.
So I`m here to collect, you know. They`re going to lose. They`re going to lose in a quorum. I would recommend that they do another core settlement and fix this whole thing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, he`s got confidence. Today, Sheen kept that promise to sue and he`s keeping up the tough talk. Minutes after filing the suit today, Sheen tweeted this, quote, "Torpedo away. You corporate trolls were warned. And now, you`ve been served."
Let`s go to radio and television personality, Cooper Lawrence. Cooper, by going after his ex-bosses, is Charlie Sheen completely ignoring his own role in this entire mess?
COOPER LAWRENCE, RADIO AND TELEVISION PERSONALITY: No, no. His role is to protect the cast and the crew.
ANDERSON: Oh, I forgot. You`re right. You`re right.
COOPER: He`s asking money for the crew as well.
ANDERSON: Yes. He`s been thinking about this entire time. He`s very generous.
COOPER: Well, here`s the thing. When we did my show, "Confessions of a Teen Idol," I was on the show with all these guys from the `70s and `80s who didn`t make these kind of salaries. The producers made all the money, you know, the big production companies.
ANDERSON: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) production, yes.
LAWRENCE: Exactly. This is the first time that you see these types of salaries. And I think it behooves him to take some responsibility. You`ve got to make that kind of money. You`d better protect the people that got you there.
ANDERSON: He is deflecting all the blame, taking no responsibility. He`s the one who imploded, not Chuck Lorre.
LAWRENCE: He`s responsible.
ANDERSON: Yes. Yes. And speaking of Chuck Lorre -- both Chuck and Warner Brothers tell SHOWBIZ TONIGHT they`ve got no comment.
All right. Nobody knows when or even if "Two and a Half Men" will continue. But today, we are learning that Rob Lowe, who has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Sheen, may be out of the running, and that is because he is currently on the NBC sitcom "Parks and Recreations."
That show`s producer told "Hollywood Reporter" that Lowe is under contract with that show, and he`s not going anywhere. Lauren, Lowe appears to be out of the mix. Are you disappointed?
LAKE: No, I`m not. No one`s going to be able to replace him. They maybe need to create a spin-off or something, go in a new direction, because "Two and a Half Men" is always going to read "Charlie Sheen."
ANDERSON: OK. So you think he is irreplaceable? Cooper, what do you think? I think, you know, Rob Lowe would have been great. I think John Stamos would be great. I think he`s replaceable.
LAWRENCE: Yes. I want to see Rob Lowe just because he`s so dreamy. I just want to look at him. But I`ve got to tell you, that`s a role for James Franco. He needs to be loved again after that debacle --
ANDERSON: Yes. He needs a comeback after the Oscars.
LAWRENCE: Yes. He needs a comeback and I say he should take over that role.
ANDERSON: I haven`t heard that suggestion yet. All right. We`ll throw it in. Lauren Lake, Cooper Lawrence, thanks, ladies.
Well, we all know that Charlie doesn`t believe in the word "sober" anymore. And I can tell you the guy doesn`t believe in putting down his cigarettes either. Sheen is a smoking machine. Here`s CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MOOS (voice-over): No one would ever accuse party boy Charlie Sheen of being a drag. But he`s been doing nothing but dragging on butts, exhaling streams of smoke.
SHEEN: Hi, you Chucky-Cheese mouth.
MOOS: Smoking while hugging, smoking while talking.
SHEEN: Built my trolls -- keep that in mind. Phones were built by trolls.
MOOS: Pointing while smoking.
SHEEN: One final note --
MOOS: Lighting cigarettes after cigarettes, putting the mouth in a glass of who knows what. It used to be Don Draper who inspired smoking montages --
(MUSIC)
From the series "Mad Men," but some say this mad man is the new poster boy for cigarettes, or when he gets crass, against cigarettes.
SHEEN: I like the way you go to UStream and you see -- when are you going to "UStream.com"?
(on camera): Oh, that gross thing with the cigarette up his nose has spawned imitators.
(voice-over) From a YouTuber`s snorting smoke from an E-cigarette, to a woman repeatedly snorting regular tobacco smoke.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, it hurts. This is the dumbest thing I`ve ever done on video.
MOOS: In an era where they`re banning smoking even outdoors in parks, Sheen`s been puffing away during network interviews.
SHEEN: Hey, they`ll lose in a quorum.
MOOS: And between interviews, he`s stalling, causing to suck in one last drag before he has to go in. While everyone wonders if he`s still on drugs or off, there`s one drug habit he`s flaunting.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Have you had your breakfast yet, my friend?
SHEEN: No, I`m smoking a cigarette and drinking something I won`t reveal unless they pay me.
MOOS: And to think that in the movie, "Platoon," he played a rookie pot smoker --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: First time?
SHEEN: Yes.
MOOS: Who could barely --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Put your mouth on this.
MOOS: Keep his smoke down.
(MUSIC)
Oh, he still occasionally complains about his own smoke and verbally assaults his lighter.
SHEEN: Light, you whore.
MOOS: But like some sort of smoking machine, Charlie Sheen drags and dangles --
SHEEN: Take it, or die violently.
MOOS: And makes his cigarettes part of his body language.
SHEEN: Godspeed.
MOOS: Charlie Sheen even had the nerve to show his ash.
SHEEN: Take a little bit of smoke between you and the people so that you`re just not, you now, exposing yourself.
MOOS: Nice ash, Charlie.
SHEEN: Everybody wins!
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Well, I guess it`s good he`s smoking cigarettes and not crack. That was CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
It is a smackdown of "Idol" proportions. Simon Cowell slamming Elton John.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
COWELL: This is somebody who charges, what, $1 million a private gig -- $2 million? You know, I don`t know whether he`s concerned about himself.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Why is Simon going after Elton? Is he totally out of line?
LeAnn Rimes, Eddie Cibrian -- are they getting their own reality show? Today, LeAnn sets the record straight. We`ve got that.
And which Oscar-nominated actress is taking on the role of Sarah Palin. That`s coming up. 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: Britney Spears tweets that she is joining President Obama`s anti- bullying campaign. Video for Michael Jackson`s next posthumous single "Hollywood Tonight" debuts.
(MUSIC)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: We welcome you back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in New York. Hey, what does Simon Cowell of "American Idol" without him? Are LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian really going to do a reality show? And who`s playing Sarah Palin? It`s all making big news in "The Buzz Today."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over) Is Julianne Moore going rogue? You betcha. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT breaks big news confirming Oscar nominee, Julianne Moore will play former Alaska governor and vice presidential nominee, Sarah Palin in the new HBO film, "Game Change." The film is based on the bestselling book by the same name and will follow Sen. John McCain`s 2008 presidential campaign.
Are LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian doing a reality show? No way, says LeAnn. The country singer is slamming reports that she and Eddie are putting their controversial relationship on TV.
Just hours after "Us Magazine" reported the two are negotiations to star in a show based upon their upcoming wedding, LeAnn took to Twitter to shoot down those reports, "I don`t know how many times I have to say Eddie and I would never do a reality show about our lives."
Simon spills on "Idol." "American Idol`s" former king of mean is actually saying something nice about his old job. In a blockbuster new interview, Simon Cowell tells CNN`s Piers Morgan that his old show is better off without him.
COWELL: I personally think it is a better show than last year. I think what they`ve got is that -- it feels to me that they`ve got their energy back, that they`re confident, they`re competitive. And I said to everybody on my show, if you think that "Idol" is going to be the same as last year, think again.
Simon`s revealing interview on "Piers Morgan Tonight" airs Monday on CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
Simon may be singing "American Idol`s" praises today, but I`ve got to tell you, Simon is certainly not doing the same when it comes to Elton John.
Elton just slam shows like Simon`s "X Factor" because he claims those kinds of shows kills talent and suggested that none of winners are really that good anyway. Watch what happened when CNN`s Piers Morgan told Simon what Elton said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
COWELL: This is somebody who charges, what, $1 million a private gig -- $2 million? You know, I don`t know whether he`s concerned about himself. Maybe it is, but they always bleat on that we`re not giving other people a chance.
And I always want to say to them -- I`ll tell you what. You just made $1 million off your last private gig. Go and give it to a bunch of young musicians you care about, put them in the studio, go and nurture them, go and spend some time looking after them. Then, I`ll buy your argument. He`s only worried about himself.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: All right. Let`s bring in celebrity journalist, Ben Widdicombe. Now, Ben, can you blame Simon for saying that? He was really just defending his babies.
BEN WIDDICOMBE, CELEBRITY JOURNALIST: Well, I`m kind of with Elton John on this. I have to say Elton could have been a little nicer about it maybe.
But the general point that this show has produced a lot of mediocre talent, I think, is true. And I didn`t really get Simon`s point about the million dollars.
Elton John does a massive amount of charity work, so he does his bit. But I think Elton`s right. Maybe the quality could be a little bit better on this show.
ANDERSON: He does charity work. But for this specific purpose, I think that is what Simon was saying. I want to bring in Jessica Coen right now. She is the editor-in-chief of "Jezebel.com."
Jessica, do you agree with Simon that Elton should put his money where his mouth is.
JESSICA COEN, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, "JEZEBEL.COM": Absolutely not. It is not Elton`s job to do that. It`s Simon`s job to nurture talent and Simon`s failing. And Elton doesn`t have time to do that.
ANDERSON: I would say --
COEN: Absolutely.
(CROSS TALK)
ANDERSON: Carrie Underwood -- they`re reeling in more than 20 million viewers.
(CROSS TALK)
COEN: For how many seasons at this point?
ANDERSON: All right. You`re over it. Well, I really appreciate the candor of both Simon Cowell and Elton John. I think we should get those two together for a really lively dinner sometime.
All right. I`ve got to move now, though, to another slam making big news today. LeAnn Rimes is slamming the new reports today that she and her fiance, Eddie Cibrian, plan to do a reality show about their relationship.
I`ve got to say I`m really glad this is not true. I spoke to LeAnn at the Grammys about how she`s been handling the criticism that she and Eddie began their relationship while they were still married to other people. Watch what she told me.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LEANN RIMES, SINGER: You know what? Life`s life. I mean, life is messy. And you know, I`m taking it as it comes. I`m really happy. Eddie`s really happy. The kids are really happy.
You know, I hope one day everything can be one cohesive unit. I think I`ve had to address it just because I`ve been in the public eye since I was 13. And you know, I think it`s time to move on.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: All right. I, for one, am so relieved that these two are keeping their relationship private, because, Ben, if they did a reality show, all bets would then be off, wouldn`t they?
WIDDICOMBE: Of course, she says they`re not doing it. But I`m a little bit surprised that she thinks it`s out of the question, because, let`s face it, they`re a pretty shameless couple.
They know what they want and they both dissolved their previous relationships to get together. They`ve got pretty thick skins. I don`t think it is that ridiculous if, in 2011, a couple like them would have a reality show. I think that`s mainstream celebrity focus.
ANDERSON: Shameless, thick skin -- you`re thinking a reality show might be on the way. All right. Well, now, I`ve got to move to the big news today about who will be playing Sarah Palin in the upcoming HBO movie, "Game Change."
It`s Julianne Moore who got that Golden Globe nomination for "The Kids are All Right." What do you think, Jessica? Is this the right casting? I love it.
COEN: I think she`s incredibly talented. She`s wonderful onscreen. If you`re a fan of Sarah Palin, you cannot ask for a better casting.
Julianne Moore is going to take it very seriously as opposed to someone who is more of a parody of Sarah Palin. And "Game Change" is a pretty serious book.
ANDERSON: Serious book.
COEN: Right.
ANDERSON: Really made a mark. Well, the movie will be based on that bestselling book. "Game Change" is about Palin`s campaign with John McCain. Ben, very quickly, is Julianne the right choice?
WIDDICOMBE: I think she`s an amazing choice. She`s 50 years old, can you believe it?
ANDERSON: I can`t.
WIDDICOMBE: She looks very 40. If you see her doing Sarah Palin -- I think she`s an amazing actress.
ANDERSON: Whatever she`s doing, she`s doing it well. Jessica Coen, Ben Widdicombe, thank you both. We move on now to a Charlie Sheen cooking show.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHEEN: Hello, I`m Charlie Sheen and this is "Charlie Sheen`s Winning Recipes." Yes, I`m doing a cooking show. Why? Because if you haven`t noticed, I`m winning television right now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: I don`t think I`ll be making any of these recipes. You`ve got to see this wild new video that Charlie just cooked up. That`s next.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" -- more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Kelsey Grammer to be a grandfather! Daughter Spencer is pregnant. Sneak peek of Beyonce and Alicia Keys` music video for "Put It in a Love Song."
(MUSIC)
ANDERSON: It is that time of year. We are so pumped from the start of the South by Southwest Film Festival. Great films to see like Billy Bob Thornton`s "The King of Luck." It`s a documentary about Willie Nelson.
Paul Reubens brings his Broadway show, "The Pee-Wee Herman Show" to HBO.
R.E.M.`s "Collapse Into Now" features songs on the band`s new album.
And Jodie Foster directs the one and only Mel Gibson in "The Beaver." This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Did you see this? A Charlie Sheen cooking show. Now, it`s still not clear if Charlie Sheen is in serious meltdown mode, or if he`s just playing us all.
But in a brand-new video posted on "FunnyOrDie.com" today, Charlie is definitely poking fun at himself -- I think -- in the kitchen. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHEEN: Hello. I`m Charlie Sheen, and this is "Charlie Sheen`s Winning Recipes." Yes, I`m doing a cooking show. Why? Because, if you haven`t noticed, I`m winning television right now.
My plan is to be the first person to have made an appearance on every television network. The first decision you have to make is which kitchen to use -- the indoor kitchens, so it`s in the comfort zone, or the outdoor kitchen, because the spirits of my Adonis ancestors can fly above me and breathe fire onto the meal.
Outdoor wins. I just teleported myself here. I did it again. This is not a spatula -- it`s a cooking wand for a warlock. This is not a bowl -- it is a cauldron of awesomeness. All green things must die.
This won`t be a kosher meal, not because I`m anti-Semitic, but because my tiger blood needs meat. I killed this cow myself. Winners stalk and kill their own food without earthly weapons. My hands are (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Who am I?
Now, garnish it with the secret ingredient -- Charlie Sheen. Tastes like winning.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: I`m sorry, that does not look appetizing. And on Thursday, we asked you on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive poll -- Charlie Sheen`s Out- of-Control Behavior: Is he playing us? Startling results just in. A whopping 74 percent of you say, no, he needs mental help.
We got this E-mail from Laurie in Wisconsin, "Charlie Sheen is not playing anyone. It`s been a long time coming, but the real Sheen is finally coming out."
Big news today in the SHOWBIZ royals watch. It`s the Kate Middleton fashion frenzy. Take a look at this photo. The stylish princess-to-be sparked another fashion trend with this Burberry trench coat.
"New York" magazine says ever since Kate sported the flirty trench, Burberry`s Web site sold out of three sizes. I love the look. And look, it looks like Prince William adores his beautiful Burberry bride-to-be. I will be in London for the royal wedding on April 29th and the week leading up to it. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is teaming up with "People" magazine. We`re going to have the very best coverage of the wedding of the year, so keep it right here on HLN.
And that is a wrap for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thank you so much for watching. I`m Brooke Anderson in New York. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is live at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Monday through Friday. And don`t forget, we are still TV`s most provocative entertainment news show seven days a week. That`s at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific. Take care.
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