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Showbiz Tonight
Broken "Idol"?; Bristol`s Payday; Hollywood Abandons Obama?
Aired April 08, 2011 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
A.J. HAMMER, HOST: Big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. The coast-to-coast outrage over the "American Idol" shocker.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (voice-over): One of the top contenders voted off.
RYAN SEACREST, HOST: Pia.
HAMMER: How in the world did that happen? Our "Showbiz Flashpoint" today, is the "American Idol" voting system broken?
But wait, there`s more. Wendy Williams also just voted off from "Dancing with the Stars" and right here today on what it`s like to get the boot.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BROOKE ANDERSON, HOST: Bristol backlash.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON (voice-over): A startling attack on Bristol Palin today over pocketing more than $250,000 for her war on teen pregnancy.
HAMMER: Hollywood for trump? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the very first star reaction today to Donald Trump possibly running for president. Why Stephen Baldwin thinks Trump should run. Steven, right here in a headline- making "Showbiz Newsmaker Interview."
ANDERSON: And "Star Trek`s" George Takei wants to be "Spiderman." SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with George`s wild audition tape.
HAMMER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show --
ANDERSON: Breaks news right now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (on-camera): Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer coming to you from New York City.
ANDERSON (on-camera): Hi there, everyone. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with big news breaking today. Is "American Idol`s" voting system broken?
HAMMER (on-camera): Yes, Brooke. That was the burning question today as people from coast to coast were just fuming offer what may have been one of the most outrageous, confusing and baffling bootings of a contestant ever on "American Idol." There is absolute outrage today after Pia Toscano, who seemed a virtual lock to stick around, was actually canned last night by voters.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEACREST: Pia. Stefano, you are safe. You are safe.
(AUDIENCE BOOS)
JENNIFER LOPEZ, SINGER: I have no idea what just happened here. I`m shocked. I`m angry. I don`t even know what to say.
RANDY JACKSON, JUDGE, "AMERICAN IDOL": This makes me mad. It`s like what is going on?
SEACREST: Steven?
STEVEN TYLER, SINGER: I don`t know America, man. You know, mistake is one thing, but lack of passion is unforgivable. They`re wrong. I don`t know what happened with this.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, the judges not the only ones upset about Pia`s exit. Today, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT brings you this flood of tweet from stars who are also on such a tirade today. "Idol" Jennifer Hudson tweeting this, "I cannot believe they just eliminated Pia. Really?
Snooki let loose and write, "Pia should have won the whole thing. I`m not watching `Idol` anymore. I`m with J.Lo on this one."
Even Tom Hanks tweeted his outrage. "Don`t have an `Idol,` habit but how could the USA vote Pia off? I may be done for the season.
With me right now in New York, someone who knows all too well what it`s like to be kicked off a show in front of a national audience, the great Wendy Williams. Now, just a few days ago, Wendy was voted off "Dancing with the Stars." Wendy, of course, also the host of the fantastic "Wendy William`s Show," and she`s now the host of the must-see game show "Love Triangle." It debuts April 11th on GSN. First of all, it`s terrific to see you.
WENDY WILLIAMS, HOST: Thank you.
HAMMER: You look fantastic. How are you doing?
WILLIAMS: I`m doing well.
HAMMER: That`s how I say it.
WILLIAMS: How are you doing?
HAMMER: How are you doing is to my way. And I have to tell you, I was rooting for you with the "Dancing with the Stars." You rocked it completely.
WILLIAMS: Thank you.
HAMMER: We`ll get to that in a second, but were you shocked by what happened on "Idol" with Pia getting tossed?
WILLIAMS: Well, you know, I`m not shocked, and I understand when people say that the system is flawed, but, you know, Jennifer Hudson was kicked off "Idol" also and look at her career.
HAMMER: Yes.
WILLIAMS: You now, Clay Aiken was kicked off and look at his career.
HAMMER: Yes.
WILLIAMS: That`s right. This is a gorgeous, talented woman that might have been one of the best things that could happen to her because now she`s free to come back to New York and land that record deal, and she`s got the sympathy vote right now and lots of talent.
HAMMER: Yes. What a talent. Holy Moly.
WILLIAMS: Yes.
HAMMER: And I have to imagine to some degree, you`re totally sympathizing with what she must be dealing with today having gotten similar news yourself earlier this week in front of tens of millions of people when you were kicked off "Dancing with the Stars." I want to watch how that happened.
WILLIAMS: OK.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Wendy and Tony.
WILLIAMS: That`s okay. Yes.
I want to thank you also, Tony, for teaching me how to dance because you know I still can`t -- no, look, no, look, because despite stereotypes, this is one black girl who can`t even do the running man.
(LAUGHTER)
WILLIAMS: And P.S., I got a chance to do this and this in front of millions of people.
(LAUGHTER)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Absolutely.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: And America collectively cried, Wendy.
WILLIAMS: That`s fine.
HAMMER: Seriously, you handled it with such grace and such class.
WILLIAMS: Yes.
HAMMER: Based on your experience, what do you think Pia is dealing with today having been kicked off "Idol" in front of so many people?
WILLIAMS: Well, she`s probably being petted by everybody. You know, how you pet somebody, "it will be all right, aw, aw," pet me. Now, you know, as to how she`s receiving that, well, I don`t know, but I know how I received it is, look, I`m free to go and tend to my family. I have a 10- year-old, a 12-year marriage, I have a talk show. You know, it`s very successful over on 53rd street here in New York, "The Wendy Williams Show." I have a game show that`s launching on Monday. You know, a litany of projects that I`m working on right now.
HAMMER: Right.
WILLIAMS: And a woman of a particular age, I mean, I`ll be 47 this summer. Maybe, if I was, you know, Pia`s age, I`d be able to run back and forth and just really do it. I dogged my body, my hip, my feet, my knees.
HAMMER: It sounds like it`s probably a different experience because she`s younger and because she doesn`t have all of these other things going on.
WILLIAMS: Right.
HAMMER: You`re a very strong woman. Let me bring in somebody else who knows about being eliminated from a reality show. Aubrey O`Day joining us from Hollywood today. Great to have you here again, Aubrey. Now, you were fired, of course, from the MTV series "Making The Band." Diddy himself did the firing, and now, you`re a star in your own right on the great new docu series "All About Aubrey." It airs Mondays on Oxygen. Having gone through it yourself, what`s your take on how Pia must be feeling today?
AUBREY O`DAY, OXYGEN`S "ALL ABOUT AUBREY": I mean, it`s definitely a devastating thing. It`s heartbreaking to get so close and not be able to get to that finish line, but I will say like Wendy said, J.Hud made it all the way. She turned a closed door into many open doors.
WILLIAMS: Yes.
O`DAY: And at the end of the day, Pia will be able do that, as well. And, you know, Wendy will be able to get that running man.
(LAUGHTER)
O`DAY: Pia can go get that record deal. Anything`s possible in life. There`s no such thing as a no.
HAMMER: Yes. I know Pia must have a very strong support system behind her, and quite frankly, she`s going to walk away from this whole thing with a record deal just like Jennifer Hudson, just like Daughtry and so many others. And as we know, the judges on "American Idol," they`re not the ones voting off the contestants. It`s the viewers who are doing it, get the phone and text. And this year, for the first time ever, they get to do it online.
Pia getting voted off did have a lot of people wondering today if "Idol`s" voting system might just be broken. That`s why we`re asking this in our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive poll tonight, Pia voted off "American Idol." Is "Idol`s" voting system flawed? Yes, the judges should have a say? No, it should stay as is. I love for you to vote at CNN.com/showbiztonight or showbiztonight@CNN.com. These are e-mail address.
So, Wendy, on "Dancing with the Stars," the judges did get a say in who ended up getting booted off.
WILLIAMS: Right.
HAMMER: Do you think "Idol`s" system is broken and maybe it does need to be fixed?
WILLIAMS: No. You know, their system is what it is. The judges felt as though I deserved a 15. You know, the last time that I was there, I don`t feel as though I deserved a 15. You know, and everybody else, the closest score to me was a 20. You know, Tony and I get 15 and then everybody else scored in the 20s.
HAMMER: Right.
WILLIAMS: I don`t think that that was what I deserved. However, like I said, you know, being on that show was a wonderful experience. I got a chance to stretch and work muscles I never did. I feel fantastic.
HAMMER: Perfect.
WILLIAMS: I got a chance to confirm something I`ve always known about myself. I am fearless. I`m not a dancer, but I danced in front of 40 million people three times, threw my hands in the air and shook my groove thing.
HAMMER: We watch you every day. We know you`re fearless whether you knew it or not yourself up until then, but speaking of "Dancing with the Stars" that show dealing with its own controversy today. Dancer, Karina Smirnoff has been pairing off (ph) the dance floor with Ralph Macchio this season will appear nude in an upcoming issue of "Playboy."
Now, that`s according to Hugh Hefner. Pop Eater is reporting that network execs are worried that it Karina posing nude hurt "Dancing with the Stars" family-friendly image. Aubrey, I want to ask you about this. You posed for "Playboy" back in 2009. If the Pop Eater report is true, can you understand why "Dancing with the Stars" would be concerned?
O`DAY: Absolutely not. An artist is an artist. It`s just another form of artistic expression. She dances beautifully, and I`m sure she`s going to look amazing in the spread. "Playboy" allowed me to have confidence that I never knew existed, and I hope that it has the ability to do that for her. And, hey, isn`t their host, Brooke Burke, she was on the May issue of "Playboy." She was about few years back. She was the cover model, and it`s not hurting her as the host.
HAMMER: It will be really interesting to see if ABC or "Dancing with the Stars" does make a statement about this. Even more controversy today with a former "Dancing with the Stars" contestant, Bristol Palin. The Nonprofit Candie`s Foundation does great work just confirmed to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT it paid Bristol more than $300,000 to help discourage teen pregnancy. Bristol getting slammed today because she didn`t donate any of the money back to charity. She`s being accused of profiting from being a teen mom herself.
I think it would have been great if Bristol did donate at least some to charity, particularly, given how much she did get paid, but, Wendy, do you think it is so much, I got to ask you this quickly, for her to be paid so much for this charity work and not donate a penny to that charity?
WILLIAMS: There`s nothing wrong for her to be getting paid the money, but she should have donated something and being that she didn`t because she`s young and she might not know better, where was her mother to call her up and say, you need to save face and donate, young lady.
HAMMER: Well, I can tell you that Candie`s is standing behind Bristol. They`re supporting her. They feel that Bristol has nothing to apologize for. Joining us now for a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsmaker interview here in New York, Neil Cole. Neil is the founder of the Candie`s Foundation.
Neil, I got to say, there are a lot of tough questions and some criticisms that you`re facing. We definitely want to get your side of the story. So, you guys stay right where you are.
ANDERSON: OK. Donald Trump is convinced that he is not going to have a Pia problem.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON (voice-over): He is sure that plenty of people will vote for him if he runs for president. We`ve got the very first star reaction today to Donald possibly running for president. Stephen Baldwin thinks Trump should run. Steven is right here in a headline-making "Showbiz Newsmaker Interview."
HAMMER (voice-over): The showbiz royals watch today. The remarkable connection between the royal wedding and the Kardashians revealed.
ANDERSON: "Star Trek`s" George Takei wants to be "Spiderman." SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with George`s wild audition tape.
GEORGE TAKEI, ACTOR: Watch and learn Peter Parker.
ANDERSON: OK. Our executive producer is huge Trekkie, can`t stop talking about this today.
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN, news and views.
HAMMER: It is time to roll out the "Showbiz News Ticker," these are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I`m the kind of manager in training. We`re kind of cut from the same cloth, so to speak.
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(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRISTOL PALIN, DAUGHTER OF SARAH PALIN: What if I didn`t come from a famous family? What if I didn`t have all their support? What if I couldn`t finish my education? Believe me, it wouldn`t be pretty.
ANDERSON: Bristol Palin in one of her PSA`s about teen pregnancy, and there`s big controversy today over how much Bristol got paid for her work to convince teens to be careful.
(END VIDEO CLIP) ANDERSON (on-camera): Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. A.J. Hammer is in New York. And A.J., a lot of people are calling it the cashing in controversy.
HAMMER (on-camera): Yes, Brooke, the nonprofit group responsible for Bristol Palin`s PSA, the Candie`s Foundation is confirming today to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that Bristol has been paid more than $300,000 by them for her work to fight teen pregnancy, but, Bristol today being slammed, accused of profiting unfairly from her work.
Neil Cole is the founder of the Candie`s Foundation joins me for a "Showbiz Newsmaker Interview. And Neil, I know, you`re dealing with quite a bit here. This whole controversy really flared up today after this explosive blog appeared on Tina Brown`s website, "The Daily Beast." The blog written by Michelle Goldberg (ph).
I want to read a little bit of what was written about Bristol. "She might say that pregnancy is something to be avoided, but the story of her life speaks louder." If you`re cute and lucky, it says, "getting pregnant can be a way to get paid a lot of money for doing nothing at all." Well, we know she didn`t do nothing at all. We know she`s helping out your foundation and your message, but she`s basically saying in the squad that Bristol`s big paycheck is sending a bad message. What do you say to that?
NEIL COLE, CANDIE`S FOUNDATION FOUNDER: I really disagree. I mean, Bristol could have stayed home and not talked to teenagers and traveled around the country and did all the things she`s did for us, but this was a courageous woman who, yes, she had a baby and it was unfortunate, but she decided to, you know, go and talk to teenagers about it.
HAMMER: But you have to imagine, like, you know, certainly that there was this controversy over teens potentially trying to get pregnant to be reality show stars on a "Teen Mom" type show. You know, what if somebody is looking at this is saying, oh, maybe, you know, look at the pay day she`s getting. I think that was the point the show was making her, maybe that can happen to me just from getting pregnant.
COLE: Maybe if their mother runs for vice president, it could happen to them. I think Bristol is a unique individual and a unique family and a unique situation, and she creates a tremendous amount of press, and she was wonderful for the Candie`s Foundation.
HAMMER: Well, there`s another point that is a big sticking point to a lot of people, talking about the fact that Bristol should have donated the money she made back to Candie`s nonprofit group, which is not unheard of. A lot of celebrities do donate money that they`ve made working with the charity, back to the charity they support.
Here`s what was written in another blog that`s on "The Daily Beast" today. In this situation, it`s about making a profit rather than contributing. It makes me think of late-night infomercials. This is a paid endorsement. That`s a pretty harsh statement. What do you say to that?
COLE: It kind of is, but Bristol went far above and beyond what we asked her to do. And she did many morning shows, evening shows. She really worked hard. And yes, it`s a lot of money, but the benefit -- we got over one billion impressions. One people talked about teen pregnancy. And teen pregnancy we`re going to talk about it right now, hopefully, if I get a chance. But that`s what Bristol did. She created a tremendous dialogue, and she was a vehicle because of her last name --
HAMMER: But what about her not giving something back, because, honestly, I`m just saying, from my stand point, if somebody is paying me $300,000 to do something for a charitable effort that I`m interested in --
COLE: Right.
HAMMER: They`re getting some of that money.
COLE: You know a lot of celebrities get an extra 50,000, and they give it back, and then it goes back to the same place. If I gave Bristol an extra 50,000 and she donated it back to the Candie`s Foundation, is that giving back? She gave a lot of time and energy, and over and above what we asked.
HAMMER: I do want to show a little bit of the PSA right now, if you could roll that, Charles.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PALIN: I hope you`re as committed to safe sex as you are those abs.
THE SITUATION, REALITY STAR: I know you`re all about that abstinence thing, you know, but, come on, B. Palin, are you serious, like, you`re not going to hook up like before you`re married for real?
PALIN: For real.
THE SITUATION: For real, for real?
PALIN: For real, for real, for real.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: So, what`s your message about teen pregnancy, quickly?
COLE: Don`t have a baby if you`re a teenager, and Bristol has brought it into the national consciousness.
HAMMER: So, it was worth it for you to have --
COLE: It was wonderful for us, and she`s been a wonderful spokesperson.
HAMMER: Neil Cole from the Candie`s Foundation. Thank you so much, Neil.
COLE: Thank you, A.J.
ANDERSON: All right. 2012 is still a long way off, but today, Donald Trump is in the running to be named SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s " Most Provocative Celebrity of the Week." The other nominees --
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON (voice-over): Pia Toscano for her shocking elimination from "American Idol" and Mariah Carey for the controversy over her nude baby bump photos.
HAMMER (voice-over): Kate plus lawsuit. Why Kate Gosselin is being accused of skipping out on a big bill.
ANDERSON: And a revealing showbiz special report, the brand new Hollywood war over President Obama. Why some of his biggest star supporters may be bailing on him.
MATT DAMON, ACTOR: I really think he misinterpreted his mandate.
ANDERSON: Others don`t like his Mideast policy.
MICHAEL MOORE, DIRECTOR: We didn`t want another war.
ANDERSON: This could be a big problem for the president because a lot of stars pushed to get him elected.
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN, news and views.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (on-camera): And this is the "Showbiz News Ticker," more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
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EVA LONGORIA, ACTRESS: It was disappointing because I had such an identity in being Mrs. Parker and being a wife and that`s taken away from me, you go, who am I? And it`s hard.
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(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON (on-camera): Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson. And hey, there is big news today about the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Amazing new information that it could be a record breaker in a whole bunch of ways, even breaking the record for the most expensive price of wedding cake. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is teaming up with "People" magazine to bring you the best coverage of the upcoming royal wedding.
Joining me now is "People" magazine`s assistant editor, Blaine Zuckerman. Blaine, let`s take a look at some of the records that are up for grabs. First off, biggest TV audience for a wedding. Now, the record for that was set back in 1984, the wedding of William`s parents, Charles and Diana. Blaine, how many people would need to watch around the world to break that record?
BLAINE ZUCKERMAN, ASSISTANT EDITOR, "PEOPLE" MAGAZINE: Well, 750 million watched that wedding, which was a pretty good number if you think about it. We are expecting it`s probably going to be around a billion for this wedding, you know? If there could royal fatigue (ph), the number could drop off, but we think it`s going to knock that record out.
ANDERSON: Predicting about a billion people to watch the wedding. I believe it. All right. Another record up for grabs is most searched for celebrity wedding on the internet. Which wedding currently holds that title?
ZUCKERMAN: I was blown away by this one. I thought it was going to be Tom and Katie or something like that. Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom are currently the most searched on the internet.
ANDERSON: Really?
ZUCKERMAN: Yes. So, I got to assume that this royal wedding is going to knock that one out, as well.
ANDERSON: Yes. People fascinated by those Kardashians. Whoo! All right. And to prove that there is a record for everything, Blaine. There is actually a record for most expensive slice of wedding cake. Blaine, what is the record for that one?
ZUCKERMAN: $29,900. Basically, what happened was the duke and duchess of Windsor, when they got married some 60, 70 years ago, saved that piece of cake and then auctioned it off at Sotheby`s. So, I think there`s a good chance if William and Kate feel that there, you know, little cash strapped, if they just hold on to that cake for a little while, I bet they could knock that one out, as well.
ANDERSON: And what did you say, $29,000 for a piece of cake?
ZUCKERMAN: $29,900. And I got to imagine, it probably wasn`t tasting very good after that many years.
ANDERSON: No.
(LAUGHTER)
ANDERSON: I hope no one ate it. Oh, my goodness. Unbelievable. We probably might see that record fall as well someday. Blaine Zuckerman, good to see you. Thanks so much.
ZUCKERMAN: Thank you.
ANDERSON: And to read more about William and Kate`s big day, just check out "People" magazine that`s on newsstands now. And of course, I am counting down the days until I am off to London to cover the royal wedding. I`ll be there beginning April 25th and right on through the wedding on the 29th. So, be sure to keep it on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT for the biggest and best coverage.
HAMMER: time now for the showbiz lineup. Here`s what`s coming up on Showbiz Tonight.
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HAMMER (voice-over): The very first star reaction today to Donald Trump possibly running for president. Why Stephen Baldwin thinks Trump should run? Steven right here in a "Showbiz Newsmaker Interview."
HAMMER: "Jersey Shore" is multiplying today. Yes, a spinoff for Snooki is coming. The "Showbiz Flashpoint" today, does Snooki have staying power?
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.
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(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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HAMMER: Big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Hollywood for trump? Very first star reactions today to Donald Trump possibly running for president. Stephen Baldwin supports Trump 2012. Steven`s breaking news right here today in a "Showbiz Newsmaker Interview."
ANDERSON (voice-over): Will Trump be elected SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s "Most Provocative Celebrity of the Week. He`s a nominee today or will we name Pia Toscano after her shocking "American Idol" elimination? how about Mariah Carey`s naked baby bump controversy?
HAMMER: "Star Trek`s" George Takei ditching "Star Trek" for "Spiderman"? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with George`s wild audition tape.
Plus, breaking today from the `Showbiz News Ticker," Lindsay Lohan, a mobster`s daughter? And good news for "Jersey Shore" fans.
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (on-camera): 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 (on-camera): And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with big news breaking today, a showbiz special report, is Hollywood`s love affair with President Obama over? In 2008, remember, there were songs, t-shirts, documentaries, big money fundraisers, there wasn`t anything a lot of Hollywood stars would not do to get Barack Obama elected.
But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you today that now more than ever, some of President Obama`s biggest fans are becoming his most outspoken critics. So, how will this made-for-Hollywood drama end? We`ve got some stunning predictions.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I`m for Obama. That`s what I`m coming. I`m all about Obama.
ANDERSON (voice-over): In 2008, Hollywood was all about Obama. Stars saluted him in song.
(SINGING) Yes, we can.
ANDERSON: And adopted his talking points.
DAMON: This change that we`re all working for and that we all believe in cannot come fast enough.
ANDERSON: But as 2012 approaches, the president`s Hollywood support may be softening.
PIERS MORGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Are you happy with the way that Obama has been running the country?
DAMON: No.
ANDERSON: Matt Damon was an early and active backer of candidate Obama, but recently, he told CNN`s Piers Morgan, he`s become disappointed.
DAMON: I really think he misinterpreted his mandate.
ANDERSON: Some stars believe the president`s been too timid.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Be bold in thought.
ANDERSON: Others don`t like his Mideast policy.
MOORE: We didn`t want another war.
ANDERSON: Singer, Will I. Am, who was so jazzed about Obama in 2008 he created a video to celebrate him --
(SINGING) Yes, we can, yes, we can.
ANDERSON: Is dismayed over the president`s handling of Libya. He tweeted last month, quote, "we can`t and shouldn`t fix anyone`s problems until we fix our own. We learned that from Iraq -- ahhhh. What are we doing?"
MOORE: We say we`re going to close Guantanamo, we don`t.
ANDERSON: Michael Moore didn`t use Twitter, but "Joy Behar`s Show" on HLN to voice his complaints. He suggested Obama has lost his moral compass.
MOORE: I wish he`d start listening to himself and his wife.
ANDERSON: For environmentalist, Robert Redford, the issue that got him upset was the Gulf oil spill. He spoke out last year.
ROBERT REDFORD, ENVIRONMENTALIST: The administration is caught off guard because they have brought this on for so many decades. Now, they are trying to scramble to take a leadership role.
ANDERSON: "Variety`s" Ted Johnson notes the criticism of Obama from some stars only goes so far.
TED JOHNSON, "VARIETY`S" DEPUTY EDITOR: They are stopping short of saying I`m not going to vote for him.
ANDERSON: In fact, we found plenty of support for the president among stars we spoke with.
How do you think he`s doing?
REESE WITHERSPOON, ACTRESS: I think he`s doing a great job. I mean, I can`t imagine the difficulty of being a president in this day and age where our country is going through so much and the world is going through so much.
ANDERSON: And comedienne, Sarah Silverman, who made a video on behalf of Obama in 2008 defended him on CNN`s "Piers Morgan Tonight."
SARAH SILVERMAN, COMEDIENNE: Let`s not forget that he inherited a (EXPLETIVE DELETED) storm. Can we remember that for two seconds?
ANDERSON: Johnson notes it`s unlikely Hollywood liberals will suddenly leave the democratic fold.
JOHNSON: They still see Obama as kind of the defense against a Republican Party that has gone even further to the right.
ANDERSON: What remains uncertain is whether the president can unleash the kind of enthusiasm in Hollywood that greeted him in 2008.
(SINGING)
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: One person certainly could complicate Hollywood`s support for Obama is Donald Trump. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT breaks news today the Donald may want to run for president, but could Trump actually split the Hollywood vote?
We asked in our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive poll, Donald Trump, what would you rather see him do? Thirty percent said they want to see Trump run for president. So, an overwhelming 70 percent said he should keep on hosting "Celebrity Apprentice."
While most people think Trump should stay on "Celebrity Apprentice," I can tell you, there are certainly a lot of celebrities lining up to support Trump. One of those celebrities is conservative actor and activist, Stephen Baldwin. I spoke with Steven today in a "Showbiz Newsmaker Interview."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: So, you were a contestant on "Celebrity Apprentice" back in - -
STEPHEN BALDWIN, ACTOR: I was fired!
HAMMER: You were fired by Donald Trump.
BALDWIN: I was.
HAMMER: I want to actually take a look at a little bit of you on his show. Let`s roll that.
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BALDWIN: In your career, had you always regardless done anything to win even if it meant hurting someone?
DONALD TRUMP, BUSINESS TYCOON: I have no comment.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: You`re so serious with him. Look, looking back on the time that you spent with Donald Trump on "Celebrity Apprentice" and you really beyond how you may have known him in the past really got to know him a lot better, I`m sure. What did you see about the guy that made you think, yes, this guy actually could be president and run our country?
BALDWIN: I think Donald Trump is, first and foremost, he`s very real. He`s very tough. The act that people think about is he really as tough as his, you know, mouth as he talks about this and that. Donald Trump`s, for the success he`s had, he`s pretty down to earth and regular Joe. He`s family man, this and that, he loves this country. And right now, in the playing field of what`s happening for presidential election 2012, it`s anybody`s game.
Now, I`ll be honest with you. I think that the things that matter most to Middle America are jobs and the ability to make money, and I think there`s a lot more patriots out there than people realize. They want this country to get back to the place it once was, and Donald Trump`s the kind of guy that represents that.
HAMMER: Yes. And there`s no denying his passion. When he talks about it, when he talks about what he thinks we need to do to make this country better, you see that he really cares, and it`s not all just blowing smoke like he does sometimes. I mean, that is definitely part of his routine, but he`s been getting a lot of heat, Stephen, for not simply coming out and saying, yes, I am going to run for office.
And on the "Today" show, he actually blamed "Celebrity Apprentice" saying, well, if I were to announce my candidacy, then I`d have to, you know, shut down the NBC show for equal time reasons. Let`s look at what he said about that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MEREDITH VIEIRA, HOST: What are you waiting for? What are you waiting for?
TRUMP: Well, I hate to say it, I have the number one show on NBC.
VIEIRA: What does that have to do with --
TRUMP: It has a lot to do with it. It sounds so trivial, and I hate to even bring it up, but I`m not allowed to run during the show. You`re not allowed to have a show on and be a declared candidate. It`s a great show, and it`s got phenomenal ratings, and until that show is over, I can`t declare, because, otherwise, NBC would have to take the show off the air, and I think that would be very unfair to NBC.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK. First of all, I`ve said this before, I`m pretty clear he`s not going to actually run, but I`m also thinking that once the "Apprentice" does end its run next month, he`d better either come out and announce his candidacy or say that he`s not running and stop making excuses or else, you know, people aren`t really going to take him that seriously anymore.
BALDWIN: Look, Mr. Trump has a reputation of trying to hype, trying to do publicity, trying to get, you know, self-promotion, et cetera, et cetera. I think that`s part of his genius. I`m sitting here today with you today, A.J., to say this, I think he`s really seriously thinking about it. What the timing of it`s going to be and whether or not he has the ability to actually make a run for it that matters that could really make a difference and be serious for him, I think it`s still up in the air.
HAMMER: All right. Let me move on to another potential political candidate. Your brother, Alec. Now, listen, he just made the big news saying he`s not going to be returning to "30 Rock" next season or after next season.
BALDWIN: Season seven.
HAMMER: So, the question is, would he actually run because he certainly hinted at it before. What do you think he should do?
BALDWIN: I think it`s a similar dynamic as to the one we just discussed.
HAMMER: Let me jump and just ask you this. What should he run for if he would run for something?
BALDWIN: I wouldn`t really be able to comment.
(LAUGHTER)
HAMMER: No real thought on that. I know you guys aren`t politically aligned, but come on.
BALDWIN: It would be for some position.
HAMMER: Do you think he`s electable?
BALDWIN: Absolutely. There`s no question. I think if Alec were given the opportunity to express his views, he would, first of all, have a lot of support here on the East Coast.
HAMMER: No question.
BALDWIN: And I think he could be a wonderful politician.
HAMMER: Stephen, always great to see you.
BALDWIN: Thank you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Stephen Baldwin is firmly team Trump 2012, but there`s another big prize that Donald Trump could walk away with today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON (voice-over): Trump is a nominee for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s "Most Provocative Celebrity of the Week," or hey, will we name Pia Toscano after her shocking elimination from "American Idol?" How about Mariah Carey for her naked baby bump controversy?
HAMMER (voice-over): Kate plus a lawsuit? Will Kate Gosselin have to fork up some big money for allegedly skipping out on a big bill?
ANDERSON: Mr. Sulu wants to be "Spiderman"? Legendary "Star Trek" star, George Takei, has his eye on a high flying new gig today. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with George`s wild audition tape.
TAKEI: Now, you`re probably thinking, isn`t George Takei a bit mature for the role? Well, as you can see, I`ve got the whole package.
ANDERSON: This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN, news and views.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (on-camera): You got to love George.
Time for the "Showbiz News Ticker." These are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The girlfriend is not in love with you. The roommate is in love. I say, you`ve got a big decision to make.
ANDERSON: We`ve got your showbiz first look today. It`s the wonderful Wendy Williams hosting the brand new show "Love Triangle" on GSN. It`s one-part game show, one-part talk show, and on it, Wendy gets contestants to reveal which mate they really want to be with the help of a lie detector. "Love Triangle" premieres this coming Monday, April 11th on GSN
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ANDERSON (on-camera): And Wendy will be joining us in just a moment because she`s got a whole lot to say about the big "Jersey Shore" news that broke today. Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. A.J. Hammer is in New York.
HAMMER: Yes, Brooke. Right now, gym, tan, spinoffs, a double dose of the "Jersey Shore`s" most famous resident is on the way. First, the government shutdown drama, and now this, the DC housewives are unemployed.
And did Kate Gosselin actually skip out on a big bill? We`ve got new details in the buzz today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER (voice-over): Real housewives shut down. Say goodbye to the Salahis (ph) and the rest of the cast of the "Real Housewives of D.C." SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has just confirmed that after just one season of OK ratings and lackluster drama, Bravo`s DC housewives are moving out. "Watch What Happens Live" host and Bravo exec, Andy Cohen, tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, we had an amazing season, and we told stories that were unique to any other in the franchise. I wish all our DC wives the best and hope to work with them again in another capacity.
Gym tense and ups (ph). SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can reveal that MTV is creating two new "Jersey Shore" spinoffs featuring Snooki, JWoww and Pauly D. MTV tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi and Jenni "JWoww" Farley will start in one show together and Paul "DJ Pauly D" Delvecchio will start on his own. The spinoffs will follow their situations away from their tanned and toned friends. Both shows are set to debut next year.
Kate plus lawsuit. "Kate Plus 8" star Kate Gosselin is being sued for allegedly skirting a big bill. Kate`s former marriage counselors are suing the reality star for reportedly not paying over $10,000 for marriage counseling. Creative Energy Options filed the lawsuit claiming Kate skipped out on paying for services rendered back in 2009. Kate divorced John Gosselin in December of that same year.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER (on-camera): I got to talk about these "Jersey Shore" spinoffs. Now, I think we know what`s really responsible for the government potential shutdown. "Jersey Shore" and Snooki certainly everywhere these days from the new "Jersey Shore" spinoff that`s in the works to Wrestlemania. It Snooki-palooza, I tell you.
That leads us to our "Showbiz Flashpoint," does Snooki have staying power? With me in New York, Wendy Williams, host of the fabulous "Wendy Williams Show," also now, the host of GSN`s great brand new show "Love Triangle" debuting on Monday. Wendy, I think for better or for worse that Snooks is here to stay. I know you`ve had her on your show several times.
WILLIAMS: Yes.
HAMMER: Including the great Snooki-like contest.
WILLIAMS: Yes.
HAMMER: What do you think to our "Showbiz Flashpoint," does she have staying power?
WILLIAMS: Staying, yes. For how long, you know, Snooki is not going to be around like a Barbra Streisand, necessarily, but I think that she`s doing very well as a fellow "Jersey Shore" native.
HAMMER: Yes.
WILLIAMS: You know, I look forward to seeing her spinoff, but she`s got to hone in and cash in on other things besides being on the "Jersey Shore" and drinking. Instead of drinking vodka, she`s going to turn it into vodka-vodka (ph). Like, definitely did the skinny girl in martini and things like that.
HAMMER: She`s got to evolve. There`s no question about it.
WILLIAMS: Yes.
HAMMER: All right. The poof will only get her so far.
WILLIAMS: Yes.
HAMMER: Let me go to Aubrey O`Day, host of Oxygen`s "All About Aubrey." She`s in Los Angeles. What do you say, Aubrey? Does Snooki have staying power in your mind?
O`DAY: You know, Snooki is an incredible person to watch on television, but I agree with Wendy. Celebrity nowadays is so fleeting. You really have to have a legitimate talent to back it up. But I will say, I watched her on Wrestlemania. She was knocking girls down.
HAMMER: Wow.
O`DAY: So, maybe, she has potential of being a future wrestler.
HAMMER: It was pretty amazing. She`s doing back flips and everything because she actually was a --
O`DAY: It was.
HAMMER: I mean, look at this. Here we go. She`s lining it up, and this is not a double. This is not a stand-in. That`s Snooki. Holy Moly.
WILLIAMS: She was a high school cheerleader.
HAMMER: Snooki is great as you were in that. I`m sorry to say you`re not one of our nominees to be named SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s "Most Provocative Celebrity of the Week." The honor that it is, but here`s who did the make the list. Maybe, it will be Donald Trump for making so much noise about the presidential run, maybe Pia Toscano and her shocking "American Idol" elimination, Mariah Carey for getting nude and baring her baby bump on the cover of "Life & Style" magazine. Wendy, who do you think it should go to?
WILLIAMS: I think it should be Pia. You know getting naked and being pregnant on the cover is not new. Donald Trump has been talking about the presidential thing, but I think the nation is shocked that Pia was eliminated, and since this is the celebrity of the week, I think that, you know, people will be talking about her for a week.
HAMMER: All right. Well, I got to tell you, we put it out on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook wall. Everybody is telling us who they think should be named SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s "Most Provocative Celebrity of the Week."
Brian B. says, "My vote is for Pia." Just like you Wendy, "very shocking, indeed." Brenda M. says, "Mariah Carey. Looks beautiful. She is a proud mama, and I agree with her posing." But who did we go with? Drum roll, please.
Yes, it`s Donald Trump. Come on, Donald, tell us, are you running or not? Aubrey, what do you think? Did we get it right out of these three?
O`DAY: Absolutely. I think Donald is notorious for doing stunts like this. He`s promoting his brand. It`s a smart move. And I also think if he is going to run for president, he needs to go on "Hair Battle Spectacular" and get a new do because that one is not working.
HAMMER: Wendy, I got to put you on the spot here for a second.
WILLIAMS: Aha.
HAMMER: It seems like there is some of Hollywood that would get behind the idea of a Donald Trump presidential run in 2012. He knows how to run a business, obviously. Look, Michael Bloomberg running New York City, doing pretty good job at that. Would you get behind a guy like Trump for president?
WILLIAMS: I don`t even think it seriously that he`s going to run.
HAMMER: Yes.
WILLIAMS: I`m not paying any attention to Donald, but I do love "Celebrity Apprentice," and you know, he`s a respected businessman.
HAMMER: And you can appreciate the level of promotion because the timing is just perfect.
WILLIAMS: He`s fabulous at promoting. He`s fabulous.
HAMMER: Keep the buzz going.
WILLIAMS: Yes!
HAMMER: Wendy, it`s great to see you. Congratulations again on everything.
WILLIAMS: Thank you, A.J.
HAMMER: Aubrey O`Day, thank you, as well. You can catch Aubrey on Oxygen`s "All About Aubrey" and Wendy Williams on GSN`s "Love Triangle."
ANDERSON: OK. Mr. Sulu wants to be "Spiderman"? Legendary "Star Trek" star, George Takei, suits up for the role of a lifetime.
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TAKEI: Watch and learn, Peter Parker.
ANDERSON (voice-over): I must say, this is cringe worthy and hilarious all at the same time. You have got to see it, and it`s coming up next.
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN, news and views.
HAMMER (voice-over): Time for the "Showbiz News Ticker, more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
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HAMMER (on-camera): So, the question is could Mr. Sulu actually save "Spiderman." The Broadway show "Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark" with music by U1 has been caught up in a web of controversy from actors getting seriously hit to scaling (ph) reviews, but did you see this? George Takei who, of course, is best known for his legendary role as Mr. Sulu on the original "Star Trek" has his own plan to save "Spiderman." Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TAKEI: I`m George Takei, and this is my audition reel for the new Broadway blockbuster, "Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark." Now, you might be wondering why is George Takei auditioning for a Broadway musical? It just so happens that I am in a Broadway bound musical titled "Allegiance" with the incomparable, Lea Salonga coming in 2012, but I want to be in a Broadway musical now.
So, I thought to myself, what show is in desperate need of actors with great moves and great musculature? Why "Spiderman," of course. Now, you`re probably thinking, isn`t George Takei a bit mature for the role? Well, as you can see, I`ve got the whole package. Watch and learn, Peter Parker.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: "Spiderman!"
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: "Spiderman!"
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: "Spiderman!"
(SINGING) "Spiderman." "Spiderman." George Takei should be "Spiderman." Not only do I have great vocals, I`ve got great insurance.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: George, I love you. You`ve got my vote.
ANDERSON: Good job, A.J. Yes, me, too.
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ANDERSON (voice-over): OK. Actress, Jane Seymour is honoring people who have opened their hearts to help others today. Jane`s Open Hearts Foundation donates money to organizations that help kids have better lives through the arts, sports, health care, and education. In the first star- studded gala in Malibu hosted by HLN`s own Christi Paul, Jane honored four outstanding people with open heart like "Good Morning, America" co-host, Robin Roberts. Robin got a serenade from India Arie who presented her award.
(SINGING) I am not my head. I am not the skin. I am the soul that lives within.
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ANDERSON (on-camera): Beautiful. Others honored are Susan Rizzo Vincent and football great, Emmitt Smith.
HAMMER: And that`s it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Take care.
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