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Showbiz Tonight
Chris Brown`s Standing Ovation; George Clooney`s Sex Trial Shocker; Charlie Sheen`s Great ChapStick Adventure; Rihanna`s Real-Life S & M Confessions; Hollywood`s Flexisexuals
Aired March 30, 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: Big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT -
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The great debate today after the Chris Brown standing ovation on ABC`s "Dancing with the Stars." Plus, his album debuts at number one today, just days after his violent window smashing temper tantrum after appearing on ABC`s "Good Morning America." Do you get it?
BROOKE ANDERSON, CO-HOST: The George Clooney sex trial shocker. The great mystery today - why is the sexiest man alive being called to testify at the sex trial of Italy`s prime minister? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is in Italy today looking for answers.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ breaks news about Charlie Sheen. Pucker up for Charlie`s great ChapStick adventure.
ANDERSON: Rihanna`s real life S & M confessions today - sexting, submission, spanking. Why the S & M TMI?
HAMMER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show -
ANDERSON: Breaks news right now.
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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 - look who`s number one.
HAMMER: Brooke, if you told me last week I`d be answering that question today with the name Chris Brown, I would have said, "Yes, right. You smoking something?" Well, here we are, just days after Chris Brown`s window-breaking rampage after appearing on "Good Morning America" and I have to tell you, look who`s number one. Chris Brown.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT got the news today that Brown`s album is America`s top album. And last night he got a standing ovation after performing on "Dancing with the Stars."
But wait there`s more. An absolutely astounding interview with Rihanna was released today with brand-new revelations about her, Chris Brown and the aftermath of that nasty beating Chris gave her.
With me in New York, Jane Velez-Mitchell, host of "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ- MITCHELL" right here on HLN. And she`s the author of an excellent book. It`s called "Addict Nation: An Intervention for America." And with me in New York, Lauren Lake, she`s a TV host and attorney and author of this fine book, "Girl, Let Me Tell You."
All right. Let`s begin with the standing ovation that Chris Brown got last night after really what was an incredible dance performance on "Dancing with the Stars." Here`s how it went down.
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All right, Jane Velez-Mitchell. Explain this to me, because you know in advance of this appearance on "Dancing with the Stars." A lot of people were demanding that ABC cancel Chris Brown`s appearance.
Tom Bergeron, the host of the show, even said that he was questioning the idea that Chris is appearing on this thing after the big "GMA" rampage. Look, you and I have been to TV tapings. We know there are applause signs and that gets people up to stand and applaud. But would you say that this was real at all? Or was this just the result of people being coached?
JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, HOST OF "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL": I think it was real because it was an amazing performance. He was at the top of his game. He was literally doing flips. He was singing his heart out. It was very coordinated.
I have no problem with Chris Brown`s performance on stage. It`s his behavior off stage that I have a problem with - I think most people would agree - his propensity toward violence and, sometimes, rage. And watching that very energetic performance it occurred to me somebody needs to teach him to channel all his anger into his art and express it in an artful way, not with fists.
HAMMER: Yes. No question about that. Lauren Lake, I mean, obviously, he`s got talent, that`s why he`s number one today with the album having just come out last week. Is there any doubt in your mind that people were standing and applauding because they loved his performance? Or do you think it was just a matter of a sign flashing in their faces?
LAUREN LAKE, TV HOST, ATTORNEY AND AUTHOR: I think there were probably people there who were uncomfortable. And yet, as Jane said, this young man was doing what he`s best at.
He`s a great performer and I think at the end of the day, when everybody stood up, they said, "OK. Well, I`ll stand, too." He was great and this is what we need to recognize and applaud him for.
HAMMER: Right. OK. Not only did Chris Brown appear to ace "Dancing with the Stars." As I mentioned, he is acing the charts with us getting the news today that his new album, "Fame," debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.
That is the first time that it`s ever happened to him in his career. This is why we`re asking today in our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive poll - Chris Brown he deserves his success? Yes, he`s talented. Or no, it`s rewarding bad behavior.
You can vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. Jane Velez-Mitchell, what`s your vote? He deserves it? He`s being rewarded for bad behavior? What do you think?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, I think, in a way, he is being rewarded for bad behavior in that it was the big elephant in the room that dancing around with him at the time.
HAMMER: Yes.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: And it would have been better somehow that we are able to address it, either an interview where he had to acknowledge it. It was sort of in a vacuum. We see this great performance, but we all know the back story of how he allegedly threw a chair and shattered a window very recently.
And then, you have the domestic violence previous to that. So I would like to see him clear that up once and for all. How can he do that?
LAKE: He did. He apologized. I think that night was about the performance. Who wants to hear about a window crashing when we`re trying to look at ballroom dancing?
HAMMER: But the truth is, even the great Russell Simmons, you know, one of hip-hop`s greatest legends in making stars like Chris Brown the stars that they are, said to me on this very program that he felt that the publicity, the collateral publicity he got from that whole incident, is what helped propel his album to number one.
LAKE: But that`s not his fault. We all gave it to him.
HAMMER: Well, there`s that part of that as well. That`s why, you know, that`s kind of the rewarding bad behavior. Maybe we need to keep an eye on that.
But wherever Chris Brown goes, the fact is, the shadow of his brutal beating of Rihanna and his conviction for it follows. And there was a remarkable new interview with Rihanna. It was revealed today. Brooke, tell us about that.
ANDERSON: Yes, A.J. There are incredible revelations from Rihanna about her feelings for Brown now and why she agreed to let a judge relax a restraining order against him.
Rihanna tells "Rolling Stone" magazine that she didn`t want to hurt his career and says, "We don`t have to talk ever again in my life. I just didn`t want to make it more difficult for him professionally."
"What he did was a personal thing. It had nothing to do with his career. Saying he has to be a hundred feet away from me, he can`t perform at award shows. That definitely made it difficult for him."
HAMMER: Now, Lauren, does it seem strange to you that she is talking about helping the career of the guy who abused him?
LAKE: No, I think she`s separating personal and professional. I think she`s over it. I think it was a terrible time in her life, both of their lives.
But at this point right now, she doesn`t want his career affected because she knows probably more than anyone else how much he values it and really works hard.
HAMMER: Yes, I agree with you on that. Absolutely.
ANDERSON: Gracious of Rihanna to say that sort of thing. And hey, there are more - there`s more big news breaking today about another story that has been surrounded by violence.
I`m talking about "Teen Mom 2." The reality show had its big season finale last night just days after one of its stars, Jenelle Evans, was arrested for a very nasty assault that was caught on tape.
A.J., from what we saw in the "Teen Mom 2" finale last night, that assault case is not Jenelle`s only legal headache, is it?
HAMMER: Oh, no. Not at all, Brooke. The most shocking part of last night`s "Teen Mom 2" finale was Jenelle getting arrested. But it wasn`t this week`s arrest. Oh, no.
It was her arrest last October in a totally unrelated case. I mean, it`s getting hard to keep all these arrests straight with this girl. Take a look at this.
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JENELLE EVANS, CAST MEMBER "TEEN MOM 2": I got charged with possession of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia and breaking and entering.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Now, you`ve got this charge on you. You`ve got the credit card thing hanging over your head.
EVANS: Oh, my god. Can you just leave me alone?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Don`t start this, Jenelle. Don`t start yelling at me. Don`t start arguing with me. You know what? I hope this is an awakening for you. Is this going to be an awakening for you?
EVANS: All right. Yes. No (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Are you going to start straightening yourself out? Are you going to start.
EVANS: OK. Yes, Mom. God.
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HAMMER: Jane, when we see this again as we did last night on "Teen Mom" what a troubled young girl this clearly is, does this seem like exploitation to you to have a reality show like this, or at least have this on the reality show?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: I think we should pull the plug on the show. I can`t stand it, I think it not only - talk about rewarding bad behavior. This is the ultimate example of it. And there are young girls out there trying to get pregnant just so they can be on "Teen Mom."
HAMMER: Yes.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: I mean, the whole thing is so dysfunctional. We need to be discouraging teenagers from getting pregnant. Obviously, this girl is too emotionally immature to take care of a child. The child has to listen to all the screaming. It`s an outrage.
HAMMER: Yes. It`s not entertaining at all if you ask me.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Yes.
HAMMER: It`s just a big old train wreck. Lauren Lake, Jane Velez- Mitchell, thank you both. Well, we`ve got to move on to Rihanna`s shocking bedroom confessions today.
Now, believe it or not, she doesn`t just sing about S & M. She`s sexting. She`s talking about spanking. Rihanna reveals all. But I`ve got to ask, is it just TMI?
ANDERSON: A surprising new radio interview with Britney Spears is sparking big controversy today.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You`ve got to check out your Web site. Is this the first you`re hearing about this section?
BRITNEY SPEARS, POP STAR: OK, cool.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Britney, seriously. Go check out "BritneySpears.com."
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Britney doesn`t know her own Web site? Could his bizarre new interview backfire on Britney`s big comeback?
HAMMER: And a SHOWBIZ special report -Hollywood`s flexisexual. Stars who kissed a girl and a boy and they liked it.
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ANDERSON: Some of Hollywood`s most stunning women have made it known.
MEGAN FOX, ACTRESS: I go both ways.
ANDERSON: And not just for a role.
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HAMMER: It`s an eye-popping new trend and that is still ahead. 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: Oprah wants to makeover Donald Trump for one of the last "Oprah" shows. Jimmy Kimmel debuts new tattoo in skit with Britney Spears.
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SPEARS: Oh, did you get it?
JIMMY KIMMEL, HOST, "JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE": I did get it.
SPEARS: You did get it.
KIMMEL: Yes, I sure did.
SPEARS: Oh, my gosh! Let me see.
KIMMEL: Great, right?
SPEARS: Really great.
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ANDERSON: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with A.J. Hammer in Hollywood. Hey, A.J., what`s the deal with George Clooney having to testify at a sex trial?
HAMMER: Yes, Brooke. We were all shaking our heads trying to understand this one. In fact, I can also tell you that even George Clooney himself is wondering what the heck is going on here.
And Clooney just learned he`s going to be called to testify at the sex trial of Italy`s Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who is accused of paying an under-aged prostitute for sex and then trying to cover it up.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT taking you straight to Italy now to try to get to the bottom of this bizarre story. I spoke with Barbie Nadeau who is a reporter for "The Daily Beast." And I had to ask her why in the world lawyers for Prime Minister Berlusconi would actually put George Clooney on their witness list.
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BARBIE NADEAU, REPORTER, "THE DAILY BEAST" (through telephone): Well, George Clooney is actually, you know, a resident of Lake Como in Italy, not far from Milan. He is often in the Milan area. He frequents, along with his girlfriend, Elisabetta Canalis, the Milan night club scene.
Silvio Berlusconi will stand trial next week for underage prostitution with a young woman named Ruby, The Heartbreaker. Ruby said that she saw George Clooney and Elisabetta Canalis at one of Silvio Berlusconi`s famous bunga- bunga parties.
And Silvio Berlusconi, who has never, according to him or according to George Clooney, invited George Clooney to one of these parties so it`s absolutely impossible this Mr. Clooney could have attended.
At such, then, it would discount potentially everything Ruby, The Heartbreaker has said about these bunga-bunga parties. And it`s a strategy that Silvio Berlusconi`s lawyers are banking on for a lot of reasons.
Having George Clooney attend a trial away will take all of the spotlight away from Silvio Berlusconi. He is known in the area.
He`s a magnet for the paparazzi in Milan. And his girlfriend is also under investigation in an unrelated case for a paid escort services by the same Milan prosecutors.
HAMMER: The story is just crazy to me. We did reach out to George. He`s telling SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, "It seems odd since I`ve only met Berlusconi once and that was in an attempt to get aid into Darfur. Barbie, does George Clooney absolutely have to show up in court?
NADEAU: No. Absolutely not. On April 6, the judge in Milan will hold the first hearing in this trial, and he will decide which of those witnesses will have to attend the trial.
George Clooney is not expected to be in court next week, but we`ll know next week whether or not he will be in court. And I can guarantee you that everyone will be following that when George Clooney shows up, if he does in the Milan Tribunale.
HAMMER: And it sounds like it`s right out of a Hollywood script. Barbie Nadeau, thank you so much. I appreciate your time.
NADEAU: Thanks.
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ANDERSON: OK. We`ve got Russell Brand`s remarkable new revelations about love and drugs. In his brand-new film, "Arthur," Russell takes on the role of the most famous drunk billionaire in the history of Hollywood films.
Even though Russell has famously struggled with addiction, he tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that this is not a case of art imitating life. That is unless you count his recent marriage to singer Katy Perry, because Arthur does fall in love.
When SHOWBIZ TONIGHT asked Russell if he thinks people`s perceptions of his outrageous ways are accurate, he explained why they`re all wrong about him.
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RUSSELL BRAND, ACTOR: I think some of it is inaccurate because I think people think I`m still a crazy drug addict who pursues women when in fact I`m a person who is very happily married, whose life has been changed by love.
That`s what helped me to play this part because Arthur`s life is changed by love and I am aware of the possibility of that happening, because it`s happened to me.
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ANDERSON: That`s sweet. And I`ve got to say, having worked with Russell Brand on his film, "Get Him to the Greek," I think he just acts outrageous to get people to laugh.
In reality, he`s kind of a normal guy who just happens to be married to a world-famous pop star. That`s normal, right? Russell`s brand-new film, "Arthur," opens on April 8th.
HAMMER: You were so good in that film, Brooke. Just saw it again, the other day.
ANDERSON: That`s fine.
HAMMER: The "Showbiz on Call" phone lines have been ringing nonstop. A lot of people are calling in about Britney Spear`s return on "Good Morning America." She sang some new songs from her new album, "femme fatale." And we asked you if Britney Spears was better than ever.
ANDERSON: Yes. We got a call in to "Showbiz on Call" from Teresa in North Carolina who says something about her performance was off.
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TERESA, CALLER FROM NORTH CAROLINA: I`ve got a real strange feeling about it all. If it wasn`t for the dancers with her, she would not have looked as great at what she did. And it just looked very remote-controlled or very robotic to me and I hate to see that.
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ANDERSON: Oh. Thanks, Theresa.
HAMMER: You can call us at "Showbiz on Call" to let us know what you think about this or anything else at all. The SHOWBIZ TONIGHT phone lines are always open.
ANDERSON: Call us at 1-888-SBT-BUZZ. That`s 1-888-728-2899. Simply leave a message and we will play some of your calls right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
HAMMER: Moving on now to a surprising new radio interview with Britney Spears that is sparking some big controversy today.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You`ve got to check out your Web site. Is this the first you`re hearing about this section?
SPEARS: OK, cool.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No. Britney, seriously. Go check out "BritneySpears.com."
SPEARS: Thanks for letting me know.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Britney doesn`t know her own Web site? Could this bizarre new interview actually backfire on Britney`s big comeback? We`ve got the great debate today.
ANDERSON: SHOWBIZ breaks news on Charlie Sheen - his winning new idea for softer lips. I`m not kidding. Pucker up for Charlie`s great ChapStick adventure.
HAMMER: To catch a cobra that tweets. Yes, the tweeting cobra still hasn`t been found, but she is tweeting away.
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JEANNE MOOS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): She`s even on Twitter. Snake on the town has gained a mass following with tweets like, "Dear Charlie Sheen, know what`s better than tiger`s blood? Cobra venom."
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HAMMER: How on earth will they catch this slithering celebrity? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
It`s time to roll out the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - these are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Justin Timberlake to receive special Kids` Choice Award for charity work. "Glee`s" Lady Gaga "Born This Way" episode extended to 90 minutes!
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ANDERSON: Big news about Arnold Schwarzenegger just in today. Arnold is returning to Hollywood and he`s about to pump up your TV as a cartoon.
In a brand-new "Entertainment Weekly" exclusive, the former governor of California reveals he is going to star in an animated TV series called "The Governator." "Entertainment Weekly" got the exclusive scoop.
Take a look. That`s the real Arnold on the left, the animated "Governator" on the right. There will be a comic book in addition to the TV show which debuts in 2012.
HAMMER: Big Justin Bieber developments making news today. Did the Biebs really hire a bodyguard for his hair? And action - Jennifer Aniston goes behind the camera. And Lindsay Lohan avoids a big legal headache. All that making big news in "The Buzz Today."
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(voice-over) Lindsay off the hook. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can reveal that Lindsay Lohan has dodged a legal bullet. She won`t face charges stemming from an alleged assault during her stay at the time Betty Ford Rehab Center.
The Riverside County D.A.`s Office tells us, "Our office has completed review of case and we will not file charges due to insufficient evidence."
Jennifer Aniston, director? Everyone`s favorite friend is stepping behind the camera to direct "Project 5" for Lifetime. She`ll join Alicia Keys, Demi Moore and Patty Jenkins for an anthology of five short films that will focus on the impact on breast cancer.
Aniston says, "We want these films to move people and empower those affected by breast cancer to stand tall through this challenge which impacts all of our lives no matter who we are."
Bieber`s hair gets a bodyguard. Justin Bieber`s hair has always been popular, but things have just taken a dramatic turn.
Ever since the Bieb`s hair was sold at a charity auction, fans have been clamoring for pictures with the luscious locks, so much so that the hair needs its own bodyguard. Well, actually, two bodyguards.
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I`m happy a charity is benefiting from this, really I am. But it`s hair, people. You`re posing with hair.
ANDERSON: It`s unheard of, A.J. Hair that needs bodyguards? Bieber fever has gotten way out of control. But like you say, it was all for a good cause, which is nice.
All right. Now, we`re going to go to the SHOWBIZ lineup. Here`s what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Rihanna`s S & M confessions today - sexting, submission and spanking? Is this just TMI? And SHOWBIZ special report - Hollywood`s flexisexuals, stars who kissed a girl and a boy and they liked it. What the heck is flexisexuality?
And to catch a cobra that tweets. The missing New York City snake has really become a star.
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MOOS: She`s even on Twitter. Snake on the town has gained a mass following with tweets like, "Dear Charlie Sheen, know what`s better than tiger`s blood? Cobra venom."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: That`s one silly snake. And with all that tweeting, how are they going to catch it? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
HAMMER: Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Jay Mohr to play Charlie Sheen-inspired role on "Law and Order: Criminal Intent. Mother of Kardashian sisters attacks critics who say they don`t work.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - Rihanna`s real life S & M confessions today. Sexting, submission, spanking. Is all of this S & M talk just TMI?
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You`ve got to check out your Web site. Is this the first you`re hearing about this section?
SPEARS: OK, cool.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Britney, seriously. Go check out "BritneySpears.com."
SPEARS: Thanks for letting me know.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Britney Spears rambles on the radio today. A shocking new interview. Is Britney Spears really ready for her comeback?
HAMMER: Have you heard of flexisexuals? Some are calling it Hollywood`s new sex trend. Lindsay Lohan may be considered one.
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ANDERSON: Some of Hollywood`s most stunning women have made it known.
FOX: I go both ways.
ANDERSON: And not just for a role.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: It`s an eye-opening SHOWBIZ special report today. Plus, breaking today from the SHOWBIZ News Ticker," Snooki`s new gig and behind the scenes with Katy Perry.
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
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HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It`s 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 - Rihanna`s bedroom confessions. Boy, what a difference an interview makes. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT obtained today a very first remarkable look at a brand-new interview Rihanna did with "Rolling Stone" magazine.
And I can tell you that the singer talked about sex, sex and more sex. And Rihanna is not leaving anything to the imagination about what she likes when it comes to sex. So let`s start with sexting. In her brand-new interview with "Rolling Stone," Rihanna reveals she`s not shy about sexting.
Here what`s she says, "When you`re not with the person you want to be intimate with, a picture is the next best thing. Well, Skype is safer, but a picture lasts a long time. When you`re alone in those (EXPLETIVE DELETED) moments come up, pictures can be very handy."
OK. Well, she also talked about how embarrassed she was, how humiliated she was two years ago when some photos of her in various stages of undress leaked on to the Internet.
I want to bring in Lauren Lake, who is a TV host, attorney and author of "Girl, Let Me Tell You." Lauren, girl, let me tell you, yikes! I guess she got over being embarrassed. What a thing to confess. Is this too much information?
LAKE: Way TMI. And you know what? How quickly we forget. But I don`t know really what Rihanna`s point is besides just trying to get attention, trying to be provocative. She`s already a sexy, beautiful girl that sells a ton of records.
You don`t have to go out like this. And it irresponsible, because there`s too many young girls right now that idolize her, want to do whatever she`s doing. And now, they`re going to be looking at sexting going, "Hmm. Maybe I`ll try it. Maybe I`ll do it."
ANDERSON: I agree. Yes, it`s not the message you want to put out.
LAKE: No.
ANDERSON: And you`re right. She does not have to do this. But Lauren, wait, there`s more. Rihanna reveals so much more in this brand-new interview with "Rolling Stone." Rihanna says that she is into being submissive in the bedroom.
She says, "I like to take charge but I love to be submissive. Being submissive in the bedroom is really fun. You get to be a little lady to have somebody be macho and in charge of your (EXPLETIVE DELETED). That`s sexy to me." Had enough yet? No?
LAKE: I don`t know -
ANDERSON: All right. More of Rihanna`s bedroom confessions now -
LAKE: Oh, gosh.
ANDERSON: In her own words. Here we go. This wasn`t my idea, Lauren. All right. Here it is, "I like to be spanked. Being tied up is fun. I like to keep it spontaneous."
"Sometimes whips and chains can be overly planned. You`ve got to stop, get the whip from the drawer downstairs. I`d rather have him use his hands."
Let`s bring in Jacob Bernstein now. He`s a senior writer with "Newsweek" and "The Daily Beast." Jacob, are you entertained or are you just uncomfortable?
JACOB BERNSTEIN, SENIOR WRITER, "NEWSWEEK" AND "THE DAILY BEAST": No, I`m not uncomfortable or even shocked by it. I actually think that Rihanna has been marketed as this for quite a while now.
And so I`m not sure that even find it revealing. It seems like - it seems like how they are -
(AUDIO GAP)
With Rihanna is who the real person is. And the Chris Brown stuff was interesting to read because it told you a little bit for the first time about who she might actually really be and how she felt about all of that. But the S & M stuff - it really seems like marketing to me.
ANDERSON: Oh, so you think she`s just putting on here, that it`s not an authentic version of who she is. Well, I think - talk about what happens in the bedroom. I think no matter what, it should remain in the bedroom. It`s private.
And Lauren, it is me, or do you find it a bit strange that Rihanna, who became a symbol of domestic violence against women, unfortunately, after Chris Brown beat her up, would talk about getting pleasure from these sorts of things?
LAKE: That`s the part that really bugs me. She stopped seeing Chris Brown because she said some of her young fans - she really needed to set an example for them and say that domestic violence is not tolerated. I`m not going to have it.
Now, we`re talking about men putting their hands on you in the bedroom. It`s too much. The line is too sketchy and young people cannot decide beside the two. It`s too much. I don`t like it.
ANDERSON: Yes. She`s talented. She`s beautiful. She does not have to do this.
LAKE: No.
ANDERSON: Well, in this brand-new interview today with "Rolling Stone," Rihanna also says that she takes pleasure in the negativity and her love- hate relationship with the media and says that she`s turned on by it.
And A.J., while Rihanna was telling all today, Britney Spears seemed to be doing just the opposite, telling too little.
HAMMER: Yes. She didn`t have a lot to say at all, it seemed to me. Britney is, of course, promoting her new album "Femme Fatale." Well, this morning, she called into the most excellent "Elvis Duran and the Morning Show" on New York City radio station Z100.
She wanted to talk about the new album or at least would you think she wanted to talk about it. But I`ve got to say, the interview started off with quite a bang when Britney revealed in not so many words that, well, she has no idea what goes on, on her own Web site. Listen to what she says.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The cool things on your Web site, Britney, is you dispel all these rumors with the B.S. section, you know, where you actually show the articles from the Web and you say "B.S." right on top.
SPEARS: OK.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That`s my favorite part of your Web site. It says "B.S. alert." And any rumor value, like, that you had an intervention, that you`re pregnant, that you`re not dancing - there`s a big thing that says "B.S." and it basically tells us that it`s not true.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You`ve got to check out your Web site. Is this the first you`re hearing about this section?
SPEARS: OK, cool.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK. What? Jacob, you just wrote a very controversial blog for "TheDailyBeast.com" suggesting that Britney`s being propped up like a puppet by her handlers, suggesting she has no interest even in being famous anymore.
I`ve got to believe you listen to that interview on "Elvis Duran and The Morning Show," and you`re thinking, "Yes, I`m right about what I`m saying here."
BERNSTEIN: I think that with Britney Spears, the frightening thing is that she seems to be this person who didn`t quite have a childhood because of her fame. And now, she`s not quite having an adulthood because of her fame.
And she just seems totally disconnected from reality in any sort of way. You have this father who - you know, who is in charge of her conservatorship, who has been making money off of her since she was a little girl. And now, she is a woman, and in some ways, she`s still a little girl.
HAMMER: Yes. I mean, it really was unusual this woman who used to walk into an interview full of energy and giving great answers. And now, it`s like, what? I mean, answer the question at least with some sign that you`re interested in what`s going on.
And here`s the thing - we`ve been seeing signs of Britney`s management team trying to control what Britney says and does. We`ve just learned that Carson Daly bashed Britney`s team for trying to restrict his interview with her in a series of angry tweets.
Listen to what Carson writes, "I was just told my Britney Spears interview tomorrow on Amp Radio must be prerecorded and submitted for approval by her management before it can air. (EXPLETIVE DELETED) that."
And Britney also appeared on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" last night performing from her new album. No interview, just the performance. Watch.
(MUSIC)
Lauren, again, no interview for Britney there. Do you think she`s being over-controlled? It kind of looks that way.
LAKE: I do. The mysterious Prince Michael Jackson thing is not going to work on her. She needs to get herself together and conduct interviews because people want to know her.
HAMMER: Man, it`s disappointing to see. At least, the music sounds pretty good to me anyway. Lauren Lake, Jacob Bernstein, thank you both so much.
ANDERSON: OK. Is Charlie Sheen set to be winning with an all-new career? SHOWBIZ breaks news today - Charlie`s new career (INAUDIBLE). We`ve got the details just ahead.
And from Charlie`s tiger blood to a real life cobra. That snake that went missing from a New York zoo is still on the loose. And today, she`s got a message for Mr. Sheen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS (voice-over): She`s even on twitter. Snake on the town has gained a mass following with tweets like, "Dear Charlie Sheen, know what`s better than tiger`s blood? Cobra venom."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Wow! This cobra has become a superstar. I don`t think she`s ever going home.
And you have heard of flexisexuals? Lindsay Lohan may be one, but she may not be alone.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Some of Hollywood`s most stunning women have made it known -
FOX: I go both ways.
ANDERSON: And not just for a role.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: It is a SHOWBIZ special report, and that is coming up next. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
HAMMER: Time for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - here come more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Nick Cannon reveals Mariah Carey`s due date is May 14th. Snooki to get into the ring at Wrestlemania XXVII.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NICOLE "SNOOKI" POLIZZI, REALITY TV STAR, "THE JERSEY SHORE": When they approached me, I was thinking, I don`t know. So instead of watching (INAUDIBLE) episodes, I said, you know what, this is sick. And all these divas fighting, and I was like, I really think I can pull it off.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood, A.J. Hammer in New York. And SHOWBIZ breaks news today. We`re talking about Charlie Sheen, the entrepreneur, A.J.
HAMMER: Yes, Brooke. Charlie`s good friend, Dallas Mavericks` owner, Mark Cuban, just revealed to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that Charlie and his tiger blood are heading to ABC`s "Shark Tank."
You heard me right. Now, Cuban is one of the billionaires giving out advice and money to entrepreneurs on this show. Well, he just told us last night on the set of "Dancing with the Stars" that Charlie`s got a shot at a whole new career. Listen to what he said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARK CUBAN, OWNER, DALLAS MAVERICKS: We`re going to bring Charlie on "Shark Tank" next week because he actually has a patent for a ChapStick dispenser. Obviously, I want to work with Charlie. He`s a smart guy. We`ll see what happens. But he`s a huge "Shark Tank" fan so I know he`s going to come out and support us.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: A ChapStick dispenser? Is that what he said? Is that like a Pez dispenser? Maybe, you know - I don`t know. Some of the blood or the Adonis DNA pops out of that? Really, Charlie? ChapStick?
Mark Cuban, by the way, is also supporting Charlie`s "Violent Torpedo of Truth" tour, Brooke, that starts this weekend in Detroit. And Mark says that he and Charlie may actually turn the whole thing into a movie. I`m about to guarantee you that`s going to happen.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, of course, will be right there at Charlie`s concert or whatever the heck it is.
ANDERSON: Yes, whatever.
HAMMER: And we`ll have all the details for you on Monday. I don`t know exactly what it is, though.
ANDERSON: I`m not sure, but we will find out this weekend and we will report it on Monday.
OK, A.J. Right now, a SHOWBIZ special report, flexisexuality. Yes, flexisexuality. What the heck is that? Really great question.
Well, it`s a new kind of sexuality that has some of Hollywood`s biggest stars front and center and not just Hollywood. It is a trend that some in Hollywood have embraced and it could redefine how we all talk about sex forever.
And we do want to let you know that this is a story that does touch on topics of an adult nature.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over) Some of Hollywood`s most stunning women have made it known.
FOX: I go both ways.
ANDERSON: And not just for a role. From Megan Fox to Drew Barrymore, they`ve all spoken candidly of their attraction to men and women.
(MUSIC)
Katy Perry sang about it.
KATY PERRY, SINGER: I`ve tried that before. I did kiss a girl.
ANDERSON: Lady Gaga reveals her song, "Poker Face," is about wanting to be with a woman and she has been very open about her feelings. These outspoken stars are saying they won`t be confined or defined by society`s traditional categories straight, gay or bi. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you -
(AUDIO)
ANDERSON: Flexisexuality.
DR. REEF KAREEM, PSYCHIATRIST AND RELATIONSHIP EXPERT: The concept of flexisexuality essentially is a flexible sexual orientation.
ANDERSON: Psychiatrist and relationship therapist, Dr. Reef Kareem, tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT flexisexuals don`t want to play by the rules.
KAREEM: Flexisexuality seems to be much more about sex, about just eroticism, about doing whatever you want to do without being labeled.
ANDERSON: In fact, there are entire Web sites devoted flexisexuality, so that may have you asking, just what is the difference between being bisexual and flexisexual?
Well, "UrbanDictionary.com" explains it this way, "A flexisexual will try to attract both sexes yet refuses to identify as bisexual. This person will constantly alter which gender they are more attracted to."
Lindsay Lohan could be called a flexisexual. She`s dated guys like Colin Farrell, but for several years, she has been in an on again/off again and very volatile relationship with deejay Samantha Ronson. She acknowledged that relationship in an interview back in 2008.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You and Samantha have been going out for how long now?
LINDSAY LOHAN, ACTRESS (through telephone): A very long time.
ANDERSON: Faith Cheltenham, who is the head of the bisexual advocacy group, BiNet tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT flexisexual stars are having an impact.
FAITH CHELTENHAM, HEAD, BINET USA: That shows the world that this is acceptable, that this is OK. So it makes it a lot easier for kids to accept themselves.
ANDERSON: But psychologist Dr. Judy Kuriansky has concerns.
DR. JUDY KURIANSKY, PSYCHOLOGIST: The danger, potentially, is for those people who want to copy, who don`t really feel that way inside, but just want to be cool, just like their celebrity role models.
ANDERSON: And is it possible that when stars flaunt their sexuality they are doing it for the publicity? Kelly Osbourne says don`t rule that out.
KELLY OSBOURNE, REALITY TV STAR: They like the attention that it gives them. Know why you`re doing it. Don`t do it for attention.
ANDERSON: And Dr. Judy agrees.
KURIANSKY: Now, it`s become in, hip, cool, something to get attention for, and certainly puts them in the headlines.
ANDERSON: Faith Cheltenham of BiNet calls that criticism unfair.
CHELTENHAM: Disrespectful not to appreciate their courage. This is a person who went out of the way to show the world who they were and we should celebrate that.
ANDERSON: And to "Sucker Punch" stars Emily Browning and Abby Cornish, there`s no question flexisexuality is legit.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The opinion that everybody is somewhat flexisexual and it just depends how in touch with it you are.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes. 2011, open your mind.
ERIC DANE, ACTOR: Holy crap?
SARA RAMIREZ, ACTRESS: Yes.
ANDERSON: And with scenes like this in "Grey`s Anatomy," SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that Hollywood is definitely remaining flexible about being flexisexual.
JESSICA CAPSHAW, ACTRESS: I am in love with you, Calliope, and you are in love with me.
RAMIREZ: Today, I found out I`m pregnant with Mark`s baby.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: And now for something completely different. Now, Brooke, do you still use the good old, regular U.S. mail, you know, the snail mail?
ANDERSON: I do.
HAMMER: Oh, good.
ANDERSON: I love to send letters. I love to send cards. I think it`s really personal.
HAMMER: What an idea I have for you to get you in the royal wedding spirit before you head over there. New stamps commemorating the royal wedding going on sale, April 21st. They feature Prince William and Kate Middleton`s official engagement photos, Brooke.
ANDERSON: Wonderful, A.J. But hey, if the stamps aren`t enough for you, here`s your chance to enter to win a trip for two to cover the excitement of the royal wedding. All you have to do is send us a video of why you think you should be CNN`s royal wedding iReporter, like this video from Annie in Ohio.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANNIE, IREPORTER FROM OHIO: I currently work here in Columbus, Ohio in digital media, blogging and television. I have had some pretty cool interviews in my day, artists like Mike Posner, Grammy winners train and even the queen of all media, Wendy Williams.
But nothing comes close to having the opportunity to be in the action at one of the biggest weddings of the year. I`m a graduate of Ohio University in broadcast journalism. I love entertainment and me and Anderson Cooper are pretty good friends.
I`m kidding, we`ve only met once. But Anderson, call me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: She`s good. Thanks, Anne. Here`s how to enter. Head over to "iReport.com/RoyalWedding." Send us your iReport. If it`s picked as the big winner, you are off to London. And remember, I will be there, too, covering the royal wedding, so keep it on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT for the biggest and best coverage.
HAMMER: You know that cobra what has escaped from a zoon in New York City? She`s become a celebrity, even hanging with Charlie Sheen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS: She`s even on Twitter. Snake on the town has gained a mass following with tweets like, "Dear Charlie Sheen, know what`s better than tiger`s blood? Cobra venom."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes, this can`t be good. More cobra tweets and the very latest on the missing snake, next. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
This is the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Gwyneth Paltrow in talks to start her own food magazine. SHOWBIZ first look: Behind the scenes of Katy Perry`s "California Dreams" tour.
(MUSIC)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: The cobra who escaped from the Bronx zoo here in New York has become a rock star, really. Even tweeting about her exploits in the big city, writing, "On top of the Empire State Building, all the people look like little mice down there. Delicious little mice." CNN`s Jeanne Moos tries to catch a cobra.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MOOS (voice-over): Everybody has a theory on how to catch a cobra, like the Egyptian cobra still on the loose, apparently slithering around inside the Bronx Zoo`s reptile house.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: If you zoo people will put my 50 baby mouses in a cage where the snake can crawl into the cage but it can`t crawl out -
MOOS: Even Steve Martin tweeted, "I`m sitting in my King Tut hat by the phone awaiting their call for help.
(MUSIC)
MOOS: What`s really funky is how the missing cobra is being pictured.
MATT LAUER, CO-HOST, THE "TODAY" SHOW: The search for a poisonous Egyptian cobra -
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The venomous cobra that escaped in the Bronx Zoo.
MOOS: Note how big these cobras are, how scary.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: On the loose.
MOOS (on camera): In reality, the snake`s only months old. She`s 20 inches, thin as a pencil and weighs less than three ounces. So is her bite as bad as a big snake`s would be?
(voice-over) Reptile expert Terry Phillips says -
TERRY PHILLIPS, REPTILE EXPERT: Bigger snakes have bigger fans and inject venom deeper, more venom. It`s always better to be bitten by a baby snake than a big one because of the quantity of venom.
MOOS: The venom is just as toxic but there`s less of it. Even the Bronx Zoo has a photo of a larger cobra on its Web site. The problem is the smaller missing snake doesn`t seem to have a mug shot so we`re all using foul footage.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This venomous Egyptian cobra -
MOOS: She`s even on twitter. Snake on the town has gained a mass following with tweets like, "Dear Charlie Sheen, know what`s better than tiger`s blood? Cobra venom."
There`s also a fake Bronx zoo keeper tweeting, "Oh, like you`ve never lost anything." Bronx Zoo excuses made letterman`s top ten.
DAVID LETTERMAN, HOST, "THE LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN": Cobra met a copperhead on "ReptileMatch.com."
MOOS: The reptile expert says it`s hard to convey how un-dramatic the cobra`s escape is.
PHILLIPS: If it was loose in my house with my children, I wouldn`t give it a whole lot of worry.
MOOS (on camera): You`re kidding?
PHILLIPS: No. I certainly would look for it but I wouldn`t go check into a hotel.
(voice-over) Check out how comedians on shows like Jimmy Kimmel`s are milking the cobra.
JIMMY KIMMEL, HOST, "JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE": They say it`s nothing to worry about, but are you afraid they (INAUDIBLE)?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think they`ll find it.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: That was CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Sorry, I can`t resist. And that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thank you for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is live at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Monday through Friday.
HAMMER: And don`t forget, we`re still TV`s most provocative entertainment news show at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific right here on HLN.
END