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Showbiz Tonight
TV Danger Zone; Charlie Sheen Tour Sold Out; Black Eyed Peas Pleas for Japan; Celebrities Call for Help Amid Japan Disaster; Trump`s Master Plan; LeAnn`s Weight Battle
Aired March 17, 2011 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
A.J. HAMMER, HOST: Big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Inside the TV danger zone. The remarkable, gripping stories today from the reporter right in the middle of the devastation in Japan.
Plus a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive with a Black Eyed Pea. What it was like to shoot a video there just days before the earthquake.
Is Trump serious? Donald Trump`s brand new revelations today about running for president but will people really take Trump seriously after his roast?
A blockbuster Charlie Sheen "SHOWBIZ Newsmaker." The guy behind Charlie`s sold-out tour is right here.
LeAnn Rimes outraged today after being criticized for being too skinny. Our "SHOWBIZ Flashpoint," should everybody just leave LeAnn alone?
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show breaks news right now.
Hello, I`m A.J. Hammer coming to you from New York City.
BROOKE ANDERSON, HOST: Hi there, everyone. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with big news breaking today.
The TV danger zone.
HAMMER: Yes, with the threat of a nuclear meltdown looming over Japan, TV reporters scrambled today to get to a safe place and out of danger.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that on TV today there has been one remarkable scene after another. High drama, nail-biting stuff that makes it hard to believe what we`re watching is real and not the work of Hollywood`s best special effects studio.
And caught in the middle, the same TV news stars who must now make the decision on whether they should be close to the story or become the story.
For days they`ve been saying do not travel, anybody outside do not travel to Japan.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN FOREIGN AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: For days, they`ve been saying do not travel. Anybody outside, do not travel to Japan.
HAMMER (voice-over): As CNN reported today, the United States is officially warning its citizens to get out of and not go to Japan. As the country remains devastated by last week`s tsunami and earthquake. Still TV reporters remain there, sometimes in the danger zone.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN`S AC 360: I think I speak for all viewers when I say if you want to go, you should go now.
HAMMER: Sunday night on CNN`s "AC 360" TV viewers watched live as CNN chief medical correspondent Sanjay Gupta reporting from Japan received an urgent and dramatic tsunami warning.
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: OK, they are still -- still saying that the tsunami is coming to this area. That`s what they`re saying. Translated from Japanese, Anderson. So we are going to move at this point.
HAMMER: That turned out to be a false alarm. What turned out not to be a false alarm the nuclear disaster brewing at Japan`s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. TV news reporters in the thick of the action.
NBC`s Lester Holt who had been reporting from the region around the nuclear plant made a shocking revelation on the "Today" show. His shoes actually set off a Geiger counter measuring radiation.
LESTER HOLT, NBC NEWS CORRESPONDENT: They are in a plastic bag and they will not be coming home with me.
HAMMER: Shoes setting off Geiger counters, aftershocks and tsunami warnings, and reporters right in the middle of it all.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you it all has some asking the same question Whoopi Goldberg posed on "The View."
WHOOPI GOLDBERG, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": Should they still be there? I mean is reporting the story worth risking your life?
HAMMER: We all know reporters often face danger when bringing us the news, whether it`s from natural disaster sites, war zones or massive unrest. But the nuclear crisis in Japan is presenting a risk we don`t often see reporters face. That of radiation.
The governments of Japan and United States can`t quite agree on how close is too close on that dangerous Fukushima nuclear power plant and reporters aren`t always sure either.
COOPER: First, I just want to ask my crews some questions, how far are we from Fukushima?
HAMMER: On his show Sunday night, CNN`s Anderson Cooper reporting from Japan asked a nuclear expert if he should leave the region he was reporting from.
COOPER: Should I get out of here?
JIM WALSH, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: My guess is that you`re OK.
HAMMER: As the situation worsened, most reporters left that region near the nuclear plant but even hundreds of miles away reporters are still wary.
MATT LAUER, "TODAY" SHOW: You`re upwind from that plant. But what are your plans of sticking around or getting out of there?
HAMMER: This morning on the "Today" show, Ann Curry reporting from Japan more than 200 miles from the nuclear plant said she`s keep an eye on the winds to make sure radiation doesn`t blow their way.
ANN CURRY, NBC NEWS CORRESPONDENT: We are making a ton of contingency plans to make sure that our team is safe.
CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, ABC NEWS: I`m very, know, aware of now the hardship and the fear that I also caused them, especially in these kinds of situation.
HAMMER: ABC anchor and former CNN correspondent Christiane Amanpour has reported from more dangerous hot spots than we care to count, including Japan. But despite the stress her travels caused for her husband and 11- year-old son, Amanpour told "The View" today that it`s a necessary part o the job.
AMANPOUR: They do need to be there to cover the news. I strongly believe that those of us who cover the news actually have to meet the news.
HAMMER: It`s a view many other reporters share. That`s why they`ll continue to report from the hot zones like Japan despite how hot it might get.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: As the situation deteriorates in Japan, how are reporters dealing with the very real dangers there?
Joining me right now from Tokyo is senior international correspondent for CNN International, Stan Grant. And right now in New York, Steve Kastenbaum who is the CNN Radio national correspondent. He just returned from reporting in Japan.
Stan, Steve, as we know there`s a great risk of nuclear radiation right now as authorities work around the clock to stave off a total nuclear meltdown on damaged reactors.
Stan, do you feel like you are in danger right now and what precautions are you taking to protect yourself?
STAN GRANT, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: No, we don`t feel as if there`s a danger here in Tokyo. The evidence that we`re getting from the radiation levels in the plant while they peak very, very quickly, they also drop very quickly, Brooke.
You know it does get dangerous in the plant. There is no doubt about that. They`ve had to evacuate the skeleton crew that are working there. 200,000 people have been moved from their homes in a 12-mile radius around the plant and there`s even calls for that to be extended.
So certainly there remains a threat. But in Tokyo for the radioactive elements to get here and to get here with any strength to do some damage is probably not looking likely right now. But we do have contingencies in place.
There are plans for us to take iodine tablets if we did actually come in contact with some radioactive material. And of course there are the ultimate contingency and that is to get out of here before it ever got to that point, Brooke.
ANDERSON: All right. Well, Stan, stay safe no matter what you do.
And I have to tell you, the images that we`re looking at now of the sheer devastation that`s coming out of Japan are capturing the attention of people around the world. Reporters are broadcasting on this disaster day in, day out. The stories, well, they`re heartbreaking.
I want to take a look now at some of that reporting.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (Through Translator): I`m alive but I don`t know if it`s good or bad. I don`t know if it`s good or bad that I survived.
UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Of his 50 employees, Kuno could reach only 22 up to yesterday. He is visiting public shelters and other places every day, searching for the remaining employees. And he found one.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Steve, you just returned from Japan last night. You witnessed the devastation firsthand. We`re looking at photos right now that you took in northeastern Japan. They`re just awful to see this catastrophe.
How difficult is it for you to have to deal with it firsthand and then pull yourself together to report on it?
STEVE KASTENBAUM, CNN RADIO CORRESPONDENT: It really is hard to separate yourself from the story at first, you`re right, because you`re faced with this incredible amount of destruction and then there`s the human toll. And you see the distress on people`s faces and it`s hard not to absorb all that on a personal level. And you have to get to work right away.
The second you hit the ground in a location like this, you really have to start reporting right away to bring the story to our viewers and to our listeners. And you really have to separate yourself from it. And also be aware of the safety necessities as well as you`re going around an area that was just completely devastated, literally wiped off the map by a tsunami.
ANDERSON: Well, Stan, what are you hearing from other reporters on the ground in Japan right now? How are they dealing with this death and destruction?
GRANT: Everybody is really -- facing something I don`t think any of us have really had to go through before. You know we`ve covered disasters, we`ve been in conflict zones and so on, but to have this all happen at once, absolutely extraordinary.
First you get an earthquake, the likes of which Japan hasn`t seen before. Then you get a tsunami, which was absolutely devastating, as Steve has spoken about. And now a nuclear crisis has potential to be catastrophic.
You put those things together and reporters -- really, I mean you certainly have no shortage of stories to tell --
ANDERSON: Right.
GRANT: But the sheer magnitude of the stories sometimes can be absolutely overwhelming.
ANDERSON: Yes. It is one thing after another. It is a terrible tragedy and our prayers go out to all of those people who are suffering.
Stan Grant, Steve Kastenbaum, thank you both, great job.
KASTENBAUM: Thank you.
HAMMER: All right, moving on right now to Donald Trump. Is he really serious today about running for president?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT, TRUMP ORGANIZATION: Over the years a lot of people have asked me whether or not I was going to run. They wanted me to run. But I have never been so serious as I am now.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Here`s what we`re asking. Will people actually be able to take Donald seriously just after that brutal Comedy Central Roast? I mean we`re talking president of the United States here after all.
ANDERSON: Next, a blockbuster Charlie Sheen "SHOWBIZ Newsmaker." The man behind his sold-out tour is right here.
HAMMER: And coming up, how you can enter to win a chance cover the royal wedding. Send us an iReport just like this one from Janice in Washington, and we may be sending you to London.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JANICE, IREPORTER FROM WASHINGTON: I feel a special connection with the royal family. The day that I got married the day was that Princess Diana died. So that`s something that I will never forget.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Time for our "SHOWBIZ News Ticker," more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
GRAPHICS: L.A. Reid steps down as president of Island Def Jam, he may be joining "X Factor."
GRAPHICS: Disney star Selena Gomez reveals how she wants to help Japan.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
Selena Gomez, Disney star: Have this water bottle that they`re going to sell to everybody. All of it is recycled and it has a little thing on it and you can design and stuff. So my fans or people who just want to donate can purchase this water and every single -- every single purchase goes straight to our fund into building clean water.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with A.J. Hammer in New York.
And, America, you asked for it and now Charlie Sheen is coming to a city near you.
HAMMER: I say thank goodness. Yes, it turns out Charlie`s big stage tour is a sellout. Sheen is gearing up for "My Violent Torpedo of Truth" tour Tickets are being sold out in minutes for this thing.
Charlie claims you`re going to hear his real story when he takes the stage. But what does that mean? And what surprises should we expect?
Well, the man who`s been working very closely to Charlie on the upcoming tour is Joey Scaleri. Joey is the senior vice president of Market Tour Promotions at Live Nation. He joins us now for this "SHOWBIZ Newsmaker" interview.
All right, Joey, we know that Charlie hasn`t shied away at all from the spotlight recently but a live tour, I got to tell you, it`s something that I didn`t expect to happen. Did you have to convince Charlie this would be a good idea?
JOEY SCALERI, SENIOR VP OF MARKETING FOR LIVE NATION: Well, it wasn`t something that, you know, was conceived months ago or anything. But when you have a moment sometimes things drop out of the sky and you kind of catch lightning in a bottle and Charlie is nothing if not an entertainer so there was an opportunity there.
HAMMER: Yes, no kidding. You got to seize the moment to be sure.
All right, let me run down some of what people can get. Because not only can you buy a set for the show but for a mere 750 bucks, you can purchase the meet-and-greet package. Here`s what it`s going to get you. Your own personal one-on-one with Charlie Sheen, a ticket in the first 10 rows, your picture with Charlie, an autographed picture, a collectible tour poster.
What a package already. But it wouldn`t be complete without the official meet-and-greet laminate. And on the tour, I`m happy to inform everybody Charlie is going to be selling t-shirts like this, sporting the quotes that he made famous. Maybe you want the, "I`m not bipolar, I`m by winning" shirt. Maybe you want the -- the one that reads, "I got tiger blood and Adonis DNA."
So, Joey, what I need to know is what can people expect to see from Charlie when he`s actually up on that stage? What are they getting?
SCALERI: Well, I think people need to remember first and foremost, and again Charlie is the guy promoting this. He doesn`t need any help as you can tell. The guy has got 2.8 million Twitter followers. The minute he tweets something, he gets re-tweeted like mad.
The most important part is he wants to connect with his fans. As you know, he`s currently unemployed. He`s not on television anymore so everyone has to make a living so he`s going out and making a living and he`s going to go out and meet people. He`s going to do live shows. And what you can expect is entertainment.
I mean that`s the bottom line here, is the guy is nothing if not entertaining. He`s been an entertainer for his entire life. And having sat with him and talked to him about what the show is going to be, he`s going to go out there and you`re going to hear stuff that will make you laugh, you`re going to hear stuff that`s going to surprise you.
You will scream, the audience will be involved.
HAMMER: I mean is he --
SCALERI: It`s going to be fun.
HAMMER: Is he just going to get up there, Joey, and kind of ramble on? And how long is he going to be up on stage for?
SCALERI: I don`t think he`s going to -- ramble on is probably a complete misnomer. It`s prepared. He`s preparing for it.
HAMMER: OK.
SCALERI: Again, this is a guy who has been an entertainer his entire career. And he`s been nothing if not prepared during that part of his career. Now obviously, you know, the last couple of months there`s been a lot of wild cards thrown in. But when he`s going on the road there`s going to be a prepared show.
And you know what? He may go off on a tangent here and there, but it`s going to be entertaining and it`s going to be something that people will be talking about when they leave the show. And as you know, he has no problem getting people to talk about him.
HAMMER: No kidding. Very quickly. I know not all the money is going to his bank account, $1 from each ticket sold is going to the Red Cross Japanese earthquake relief. Very quickly, Joey, any idea how much money he`s raised for the Red Cross so far?
SCALERI: Well, so far he`s sold out the first two shows in Detroit o and Chicago, so that`s about $8,000, $8500.
HAMMER: Right on.
SCALERI: We put six shows on sale today. They are close to sold-out. Two Radio City Music Halls, which is like $12,000.
(CROSSTALK)
HAMMER: Sounds like -- it sounds like he`s on to a lot of money. I do have to end it there.
Joey Scaleri, good luck with this. Thanks so much, man.
SCALERI: Thanks. Thanks for having me.
ANDERSON: Now more of that great iReport from Janice today. She`s telling us why she wants to the official royal wedding iReporter.
HAMMER: Yes, Brooke. This is part of a great contest. You can enter to win your chance for a trip to -- for two to London. You get to cover the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Here`s Janice from Washington.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JANICE: I feel a special connection with the royal family. And I know that might sound sill but I was very close with my grandparents when I was growing up and my grandmother was - she always was talking about the royal family. I knew everything that was going on because she kept me up to date.
The day that I got married was the day that Princess Diana died. So that`s something that I will never forget. It was such a sad day, even though it was wonderful for me. And then a year later my grandmother died. So I thought maybe she didn`t want to stick around after Diana was gone but she would be very proud to see me in London still carrying on her joy for the royal family. Thank you.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thanks, Janice.
Head to iReport.com/royalwedding to send us your video today, tell us why you would be the ideal royal wedding iReporter. You could be on your way to covering it.
ANDERSON: That`s right. And remember I will be heading to London to cover the Prince William-Kate Middle wedding. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is teaming up with "People" magazine to bring you the best coverage. So keep it right here.
HAMMER: LeAnn`s big new weight battle. LeAnn Rimes` outrage today after being criticized for being too skinny.
The "SHOWBIZ Flashpoint", should everyone just leave LeAnn alone?
ANDERSON: Kim Kardashian`s startling confession today about all those rumors you hear about her.
HAMMER: And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Black Eyed Peas exclusive interview today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FERGIE, BLACK EYED PEAS: It`s really mind blowing that we were in Japan filming our video a week before the tsunami hit.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Time for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker," more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
GRAPHICS: Lady Gaga to receive Fashion Icon Award at 2011 CFDA Awards.
GRAPHICS: Kate Hudson and boyfriend Matt Bellamy catch a taping of "American Idol."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RYAN SEACREST, "AMERICAN IDOL" HOST: Back with you here live on "American Idol." As you see, one of Hollywood` big stars here. You Kate Hudson fan?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Huh?
SEACREST: Kate Hudson fan?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. I hear she`s here tonight.
SEACREST: Got to get you better seats.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Big news breaking in "The Buzz Today." Kim Kardashian has had it with all those rumors that she reads about herself. This is tasty.
Another big slice for "American Pie" and today a big brand new royal wedding announcement.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON (voice-over): Royal wedding round the world. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has learned the BBC plans to broadcast the big wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton around the globe.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT will be right there in London the week leading up to the April 29th event. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT also teaming up with "People" magazine for full coverage so tune to HLN.
"American Pie" reunion. Another piece of "American Pie"? "Entertainment Weekly" reports the original cast is on its way back for a fourth installment of the huge franchise called "American Reunion."
Jason Big, Sean William Scott and Eugene Levy are already signed up and the others are close to jumping on board. Shooting starts May 24th.
Kim Kardashian zen? Kim just revealed that she`s made peace with being picked on publicly. In a brand new interview, Kim says she stopped letting gossip get under her skin and is letting plastic surgery rumors roll off her back.
She tells "Self" magazine, quote, "Rumors don`t bother me anymore. I`ve read that I`ve had my lips done. I`ve always had big lips. Look at my baby pictures. It`s ridiculous. You can`t worry about all the gossips."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: And, A.J., Kim also says that she has to deal with untrue rumors that she`s gotten her nose done and her butt done but it sounds like she`s fine with it all and she`s got a thick skin.
HAMMER: Yes. A healthy attitude about it for sure.
All right, moving on to a big debate right now on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook wall. After a shocking new claim that FOX`s hit show "Glee" has lost its mojo.
Karen Z. thinks so, "The show was great when it first started but has declined this season. It isn`t enjoyable to watch anymore." But Brazil C. writes, "`Glee` is just fine, I think people need to get a clue. I love the show and hope it continues to push the envelope."
And I say me too.
ANDERSON: Now the SHOWBIZ lineup. Here`s what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Is Trump serious? Donald Trump`s brand new revelations today about running for president.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: Over the years a lot of people have asked me whether or not I was going to run. They wanted me to run. But I have never been so serious as I am now.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: But will people take Trump seriously now after his brutal Comedy Central Roast?
Tiger Woods`s very first late-night interview since his whole sex scandal broke. Tiger reveals how he has dealt with all the jokes about it.
And Sandra Bullock`s remarkable revelation today about what she is doing to help the people of Japan.
This on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Here comes the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker," more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
GRAPHICS: Jennifer Lawrence scores lead role in "The Hunger Games."
GRAPHICS: "Jersey Shore`s" Sammi "Sweetheart" launches jewelry line.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Trump`s tough talk. New proof today that the Donald is very serious about a presidential run.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: Over the years a lot of people have asked me whether or not I was going to run, they wanted me to run. But I have never been so serious as I am now.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: But Donald just got brutally roasted. So we`ve got to ask, will anyone really take Trump seriously?
ANDERSON: LeAnn lashes out. LeAnn Rimes` outrage today after being called too skinny. The "SHOWBIZ Flashpoint", should everybody just leave LeAnn alone?
HAMMER: A SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive today with the Black Eyes Peas. Their emotional revelations after shooting a video in Japan just days before the earthquake.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FERGIE: It`s really mind-blowing that we were in Japan filming our video a week before the tsunami hit.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: On SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, the passionate plea by Peas.
Plus breaking today from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT news ticker, more "Glee" from Gwyneth.
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It is 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer coming to you from New York City.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with big news breaking today. A SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive with the Black Eyed Peas.
HAMMER: Yes, today the Peas explained in emotional detail while the Japanese earthquake and tsunami has affected them so deeply. They shot their brand new video right there just one week before the disaster took place.
Their amazing video for "Just Can`t Get Enough" is out today. And as the band explains exclusively to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter, the video, the people of Japan and this awful event have changed them forever.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KAREEN WYNTER, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT CORRESPONDENT: Well, first of all, we`re so happy that, you know, you guys made time to speak to us about the tragedy that`s going on. With the Black Eyed Peas it seems as if you`re always on the front lines when it comes to natural disasters, really reaching out to the public, tapping into your fans to help out.
WILL I AM, BLACK EYED PEAS: I was just blown away because we were just there and we were just with friends there in Japan walking around filming a video in the beautiful streets of Tokyo and on a boat. And Taboo went to Disney Sea.
TABOO, BLACK EYED PEAS: I found out that it was flooded. And for us it`s been a place that really hits home. You know we`ve been going there since, what, 1999?
WILL I AM: Since 1999.
TABOO: And when we first went there, we fell in love with Japan. And we always said, you know, we have a special place in our heart for Japan.
WYNTER: Well, I just took a look at your new video. It`s so beautifully directed, so raw. I think everyone is going to really connect, you know, with what they`re seeing. But you brought up something that was really important, Fergie, about this being your favorite shoot.
I know going into this, no one knew this would happen. But is this what, you know, this environment really, really brought when you went there to tour or, you know?
FERGIE: It`s really mind-blowing that we were in Japan filming our video a week before the tsunami hit. It`s just crazy. It`s crazy to think of it like that. For us it`s just this video now is dedicated to Japan and all of its beauty and all of its people and just the wonderful connection we`ve always had with Japan and how wonderful they`ve been to us.
And it`s just such a loss. So please, if you watch the video at the end of the message, please contact Red Cross, whatever you can do. These are people`s lives, people`s families and it`s just horrific.
APL DE AP, BLACK EYED PEAS: And also, you know, I`m Asian and I want to encourage all the Asians out there to please support what happened in Japan and it`s very important for us. That`s our, you know, just like everybody said, it`s almost like our second home. And I`m from Asia, from the Philippines and we go through these disasters. So I want to encourage everybody to help out.
WYNTER: There`s so much work to be done. What`s your one message?
FERGIE: I say let`s take care of those who have lost family members, those children who are out there stranded who have lost their parents. I mean, what can we do for them? You know these helpless, beautiful people, you know, who have seen such a tragedy happen in their lives and need help.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Black Eyed Peas doing what they can and one of Hollywood`s biggest stars just opened her heart and checkbook in a big way to help the Japanese earthquake and tsunami victims.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that Sandra Bullock just donated $1 million to the American Red Cross to help with the relief effort.
ANDERSON: Sandra Bullock is not the only big star doing her part. Entertainment icon George Takei who is best known as Mr. Sulu from "Star Trek" has been at the forefront of the crisis and in a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsmaker interview with me, George revealed what he has been doing to help the people in Japan and just how thankful he is to Sandra Bullock. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE TAKEI, ACTOR: Bless her generous heart. That is a fantastic aid to the people of Japan. And certainly I hope that more and more people will contribute and share in the effort. You know, we Americans are so blessed. Brad and I always say that. We are so blessed. And when you see those pictures on the TV screens, it really moves you.
ANDERSON: It`s unimaginable, the images.
TAKEI: People who have lost their family and loved ones, searching for them in that cold, that bitter cold of northern Japan.
ANDERSON: It`s really hard to wrap your mind around the suffering, the heartache that those people are experiencing. And yes, Sandra Bullock has got a huge heart. But I have to tell you, George.
TAKEI: She does.
ANDERSON: That not every celebrity has been showing such great judgment. Gilbert Gottfried of course was fired for making insensitive tweets about the tragedy.
What do you make of that?
TAKEI: Well, I know Gilbert. He`s a friend, we`ve worked together on the "Howard Stern Show" and he roasted me --
ANDERSON: That`s right.
TAKEI: At the Friar`s Club. So you know, I know his humor. And, you know, he`s very successful at that, but there is a certain line good sense and but Gilbert is bigger than life and he doesn`t have that good sense.
ANDERSON: Yes, it was the perfect example of too soon, Gilbert. You`ve done so much, George, for the people who are suffering. What are you planning to do in the days and weeks ahead as well?
TAKEI: Well, I`ll continue to work and then there are NGOs, nongovernmental organizations in Japan that are starting up and we want to support them. But the support is needed by the established organizations that have -- organization that have the infrastructure and are on the ground now.
The Red Cross is what we`ve been recommending but also Doctors without Borders and Save the Children.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: The great George Takei there. And another big star working to help Japan is Masi Oka who co-starred with George on the NBC TV series "Heroes."
Takei played Masi Oka`s father in the show which is why, you might say, like father, like son. This afternoon I spoke with Masi Oka in another SHOWBIZ Newsmaker interview to find out how his own family and friends in Japan are doing.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MASI OKA, ACTOR: My family and friends are doing fine, thank you very much for asking. I was actually up until like 5 a.m. because some of them were stuck in the subway with the power out as well for about three hours. So that was kind of a scare. But I got off, you know, fortunately and my family unscathed.
Unfortunately some of my family members of my friends are -- you know some of them are not in contact, some of them are still secluded in that Fukushima-Sendai area.
HAMMER: I`m sorry to hear that. And I know it must just be such a relief that you were able to be in touch with your family throughout this time. And I know that you`re doing everything possible to help out however you can and I do understand you`re working on a major fundraiser right now. I realized it`s all just coming together, Masi, but what can you tell us so far about what this should shape up to be?
OKA: Well, right now -- well, there`s two things. I`m working with the American Red Cross, being part of their national celebrity and trying to spread the word out and try to raise funds that way and personally volunteering.
Another thing is I am trying to get a telethon going, hopefully in the (INAUDIBLE) of "Hope for Haiti Now" and the other amazing fundraisers when the Hollywood community came together and America came together to give.
So still in the planning phases. I have gotten some wonderful support and responses from A-listers. So you know still in the planning phases. But I`m hoping, you know, with a lot of support from the community and American people, we can make this happen.
HAMMER: What else do you think that celebrities can do to help besides just donating their own money and starting up fundraisers?
OKA: I think it`s just awareness, you know, just -- you know, in terms of crisis, you know a country comes together, in this case our whole world is coming together. Mother Nature is ailing and whatever we can do to get, you know, people more aware and just understand each other.
HAMMER: Well, Masi, I do appreciate your being with us in this really, truly, unbelievably difficult time, and we will certainly do whatever we can to help spread the word about whatever fundraiser you and your colleagues take on.
Masi Oka, thanks so much.
OKA: Much appreciated.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: It`s wonderful to see so many people coming together to help out.
All right, President Donald Trump? How do you like sound of that? Just days after being roasted in Hollywood, the Donald is making new revelations today about running for president.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: Over the years a lot of people have asked me whether or not I was going to run, they wanted me to run. But I have never been so serious as I am now.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: But will people take Donald seriously after getting roasted, toasted and grilled? Next.
HAMMER: LeAnn`s weight outrage today. LeAnn Rimes lashing out after being criticized. Some people think she looks too skinny. But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT dares to ask, is it just absurd that LeAnn has to defend her weight?
ANDERSON: Tiger`s last laugh? Tiger Woods makes his very first late-night TV appearance since his explosive sex scandal and Jimmy Fallon does not let Tiger off the hook. You have got to see that next.
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
HAMMER: It`s time for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker," more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
GRAPHICS: Owner of jewelry store in Lindsay Lohan theft drama considering book deal.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JIMMY FALLON, "LATE NIGHT WITH JIMMY FALLON" HOST: Tiger Woods, thanks for coming back to our show.
TIGER WOODS, GOLF CHAMPION: Thanks for having me.
FALLON: It`s been a year and a half since you were on our show.
WOODS: Yes. Yes.
FALLON: What have you been up to?
WOODS: Oh, nothing.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes, nothing except for a little mistress mayhem and ugly divorce. Did you see this, Tiger Woods on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon." It`s his very first talk show interview since the Thanksgiving car crash back in `09 that erupted into that explosive sex scandal.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Brooke Anderson is in Hollywood.
ANDERSON: Yes, A.J., I`ve got to hand it to Tiger for even going on "Late Night" because Jimmy and every other comedian had a field day at Tiger`s expense. And even though direct talk of the scandal was off limits last night, Jimmy did not let Tiger off the hook completely. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FALLON: You must have heard every golf joke in the history of -- but that is like a magical thing to happen, your awful pain and we laughed at your pain. And I mean, just -- I mean that would be making jokes that kind of wrote itself. I mean, balls, ass, set, holes, foursomes, I mean, it really writes itself. I just want to say thank you, thank you, thank you.
WOODS: You got it.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: There was also a subliminal dig by Quest Love and Jimmy`s "Late Night" band The Roots, as Tiger walked on set they played the song "Creeping" by Stevie Wonder. Tiger was a good sport.
HAMMER: Right.
All right, big news just in about Donald Trump`s presidential master plan. It`s Donald Trump`s tough talk. In a brand new exclusive interview today with ABC News, the Donald doesn`t hold back on anything.
Is he serious about running for president or is it all just a big publicity stunt? And what does he really think about Charlie Sheen?
Well, the Donald told all to ABC News correspondent Ashleigh Banfield who got just incredible, exclusive access to Trump. Ashleigh`s exclusive is making very big news everywhere today. She is here with us for the SHOWBIZ Newsmaker interview.
Congratulations, Ashleigh. Great interview, great access.
ASHLEIGH BANFIELD, ABC NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Thanks.
HAMMER: And look, a lot of people think that Trump has been teasing us about this run for president, he`s trying to promote his new season of "Celebrity Apprentice" that just started. But on "Good Morning America" today we saw him tell you he`s dead serious. Let`s watch that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: Over the years a lot of people have asked me whether or not I was going to run, they wanted me to run. But have I never been so serious as am now.
BANFIELD: You put up 600 million for this?
TRUMP: Absolutely, assuming I`m doing well.
BANFIELD: Do you have 600 million to spare?
TRUMP: I have much more than that. Part of the beauty of me is that I`m very rich. So if I need 600 million, I can put up 600 million myself. That`s a huge advantage.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Very high opinion of himself. Look, that`s a lot of cash obviously, but Ashleigh, you were right there face to face with him. Are you buying what he`s selling? Because all along I say there is no way this guy is going to do a financial disclosure like you have to if you`re running for president.
BANFIELD: Very, very clever, my friend. But you and I have both been around the block. You were around for `88, you were around for `99, those two times when he sort of sampled the idea of running for president.
I think it`s different this time, A.J. Look, I may eat my words in a year but I really get the impression he`s had it and he thinks he can make a difference and I think he thinks he can get the voters to believe in him.
And I think that`s where it all really falls into place for him. If he thinks he can do, it I think he`s going to do it.
HAMMER: All right. You and I may have to place a friendly wager on that. It ain`t happening if you ask me. But another reason that people really think the Donald is not serious about his presidential run or they can`t think he`s serious about is because we just saw him doing something that no presidential candidate would ever put themselves through. He got grilled on Comedy Central`s "Roast" of him that just aired.
Let`s take a look at some of that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That`s right, Trump says -- he says he`s going to run for president in 2012. But for me it`s kind of tough to vote for a guy whose resting facial expression is who farted?
LISA LAMPANELLI, COMEDIAN: Donald is very happy with his new wife "insert name here."
SNOOP DOG, RAP ARTIST: Donald said he wants to run for president and move on to the White House. Why not? It wouldn`t be the first time he pushed a black family out of their home.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. No, so naturally, a lot of people are asking today, why would he let that happen if he really wanted to run, let himself not only be roasted, but really putting all his flaws out there like that to be lampooned, or do you think that matters, Ashleigh?
BANFIELD: Well, I think you make a very good point. Is that presidential? And I asked him that very question. He said well, how presidential do you need to be to be paid several million dollars and give that all to charity?
I couldn`t argue with that, A.J. I agree. I mean look, he did something really terrific. He turned that money all over to a good cause.
HAMMER: Yes.
BANFIELD: And just got roasted for it. So look, I think we`re getting really used to the idea of all these candidates on TV. Count him in the Republican group of potential candidates. Almost everyone of them is on either FOX as a pundit or has a TV show.
HAMMER: Listen, you talked to him about everything, you got this amazing access, as I mentioned. You got his take on Charlie Sheen, everybody has been asking him about Sheen but he went into it a little more in depth with you saying that he has known Sheen, he knew his soon-to-be-ex or his ex- wife and he said that he knew long ago that Charlie was a disaster.
What do you think he meant by that?
BANFIELD: I think he had the inside track that maybe a whole bunch of us had maybe heard rumor about, but more importantly, he knew -- he knows Brooke`s parents and they`re members of Mar-a-Lago, and he said, I spoke to them at length, saying look, keep your daughter away from this guy. He may be a whole bunch of fun to hang with but marriage is a big proposition. I know, I`ve been there.
(LAUGHTER)
HAMMER: Yes.
BANFIELD: And I think he was trying to give them the warning whether they could have passed that on to her successfully or not --
HAMMER: Hey --
BANFIELD: Obviously we know the answer.
HAMMER: He had the inside track on Sheen, maybe he can be president.
Ashleigh Banfield, always great to see you. Thank you.
BANFIELD: My pleasure.
ANDERSON: LeAnn weight loss shocker. LeAnn Rimes fighting back today after some people criticized her for looking too skinny. You can judge for yourself next. We have dug up some before-and-after pictures but SHOWBIZ TONIGHT dares to ask, is it absurd that LeAnn has to defend her weight in the first place?
HAMMER: It`s time now for "SHOWBIZ News Ticker," more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
GRAPHICS: Billy Ray Cyrus will reveal on "The View" he`s calling off divorce.
GRAPHICS: Lupe Fiasco tops Billboard 200 Album Chart with "Lasers."
HAMMER: The South by Southwest Film and Music Festival still in full swing and SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is right there in Austin, Texas. The amazing new thriller starring Jake Gyllenhaal called "Source Code" just premiered. He told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT he hopes the film inspires the hero in all of us.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAKE GYLLENHAAL, ACTOR: I try to define what the movie is about by saying, you know, I think if you had the opportunity, wouldn`t you take it? You know? Wouldn`t you do something? Wouldn`t you sacrifice yourself to help hundreds of thousands of people, you know?
And I think that`s what`s amazing about, you know, I think all the people who are helping everybody in catastrophes around the world.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: "Source Code" opens April 1st.
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Big outrage just in today as LeAnn Rimes strikes back on Twitter and reports that she is looking super skinny. The country star was just photographed looking slim and trim but some say she has lost way, way, way too much weight.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT dug up a photo of LeAnn from June of last year. Take a look at that photo with a more recent picture of LeAnn. There they are.
I want to bring in Dawn Yanek now, who is an editor-at-large for "Life & Style Weekly."
Dawn, LeAnn just tweeted this, "I take care of myself, eat what I want without putting crap into my body, and am at a healthy weight."
Dawn, looking at those pictures, what do you think? Is it absurd that she`s got to defend herself or do people have a legitimate reason for being concerned?
DAWN YANEK, EDITOR-AT-LARGE, LIFE & STYLE WEEKLY: You know, it may seem a little bit crazy that she has to address these rumors but it`s not unfair. Look, she`s a public figure, she`s a celebrity, she courts fame. So it would be weird if people didn`t notice this huge physical transformation that she`s gone through.
And we`ve kind of seen it again and again with celebrities. Two that come to mind are Angelina Jolie and Nicole Ritchie. These are women who lost a few pounds, they looked amazing, and they got a lot of public amazement from it. And then all of a sudden they kind of crossed that line and lost a little too much weight and people were worried.
And I think that`s what`s going on here. She looked amazing. No matter what you thought of her personal choices, she looked healthy, she looks strong, now she`s looking kind of gaunt.
ANDERSON: Well, LeAnn also tweeted that people should see her in person and not judge by photos.
Back in October LeAnn was featured on the cover of "Shape" magazine. Can we put that back up? There it is. Looking like the picture of health. I saw LeAnn in person at the Grammy Awards just about a month ago and I remember thinking, whoa, she has gotten pretty skinny. But that`s no reason for people to be mean to her.
So, Dawn, does LeAnn need to do or say anything else to prove that`s she`s OK? Or has she said enough?
YANEK: I think she`s said enough and I think she handled it very, very well on Twitter. She kind of made a joking comment. She said, look, maybe I should pose nude, you know, so people could see my flaws really up close, just kidding of course. But she did it in a good way. She said I`m healthy and I eat. But you know what? Maybe she won`t feel so guilty if she picks up an extra piece of cheesecake next time.
ANDERSON: Yes. She`s definitely got room to eat a burger or some cheesecake right now.
YANEK: Definitely.
ANDERSON: And you know, Dawn, I have to mention this, LeAnn certainly has received her fair share of criticism over the past year over for the affair that she had with actor Eddie Cibrian. That led to the end of both of their marriages. Now they`re getting married to each other.
Very quickly, Dawn, what will it take for LeAnn to get the public back on her side again because there are a lot of haters right now?
YANEK: But you know what? Anyone can make a comeback. And I think once we see those beautiful wedding photos and she`s just out there being strong, being healthy and being herself, people can love her all over again. It`s just going to take a little bit of work.
ANDERSON: And we know a lot of brides lose weight before their wedding.
YANEK: Very stressful.
ANDERSON: And that`s what`s happening. Dawn Yanek, good to see you. Thanks.
YANEK: You, too.
HAMMER: And that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. We thank you for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT live at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Monday through Friday.
HAMMER: And don`t forget, we`re still TV`s most provocative entertainment news show at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific.
END
