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Showbiz Tonight
Courteney Cox-David Arquette Confession Tour; Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore`s Marriage Secret; Zsa Zsa Gabor, To Be a Mom at 94?; Donald Trump`s Spin; Most Provocative Celebrity Couple of the Week
Aired April 15, 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 - the Courteney Cox-David Arquette confession tour. Their startling new confessions today about splitting up.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
DAVID ARQUETTE, ACTOR: I think you`re over it baby. You just need to admit it, and we just need to figure out the next steps.
HOWARD STERN, RADIO HOST: Is that true?
COURTENEY COX, ACTRESS: Wow, that`s heavy.
STERN: Is it over? It is over. I told David it`s over.
COX: Here`s the truth -
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Courteney and David revealing steamy, intimate details about why they broke up. Our SHOWBIZ Flashpoint today - could airing their dirty laundry actually be a good thing?
Will Courteney and David be named SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s most provocative celebrity couple of the week? Or will it be Scarlett Johansson and Sean Penn for shacking up? Or "American Idol`s" Pia Toscano and "Dancing with the Stars`" Mark Ballas - are they dating?
BROOKE ANDERSON, CO-HOST: Ashton and Demi`s marriage secret. Their remarkable new revelations today - how Post-It notes - yes, Post-It - kept their marriage hot.
And Zsa Zsa Gabor, a mom at 94? TV`s most provocative entertainment news show breaks news right now.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Hello, I`m A.J. Hammer, coming to you from New York City.
ANDERSON: Hi, there, everyone. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with big news breaking today - dirty details.
HAMMER: Yes, Brooke. Talk about TMI - too much information. The David Arquette confession tour rolled into "Live with Regis and Kelly" today - that`s just one day after David and Courteney did their first joint interview about sex, love and rocky marriage.
But wait, maybe it not TMI because SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is breaking news today that although the sometimes cringe-worthy confessions being told publicly about David and Courteney`s split by them, may actually be a good thing. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the dirty dancing around the dirty details.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COX: She`s one of the most honest people I know.
HAMMER (voice-over): On "Live with Regis and Kelly" this morning, David Arquette was quizzed once again on what`s become his favorite subject - his relationship with wife Courteney Cox since their separation last year.
ARQUETTE: I don`t know if we`ll be getting back together.
HAMMER: It`s all part of the David Arquette post-separation tour. He`s dished to Howard Stern -
ARQUETTE: My sex with Courteney is kind of - you know, it`s scheduled to a certain degree.
HAMMER: He`s shared with Oprah.
ARQUETTE: I want us to be the best people we can be.
HAMMER: But now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you Arquette has company on his post-separation tour. Now, Courteney Cox is dishing. She actually joined Arquette on Howard Stern`s Sirius XM radio show sharing intimate details about how they`re trying to work things out.
COX: Do you really, really, like, want me to come back and have it exactly the same way?
ARQUETTE: No, not exactly the same way.
COX: What on earth is going to be different?
JO PIAZZA, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: This does feel a little bit like a reality show, like reality couple`s therapy.
HAMMER: Yes. Rather than just sharing their issues with a qualified marriage counselor, like, say, Dr. Phil, David Arquette and Courteney Cox are over-sharing with Dr. America.
PIAZZA: They`re airing so much dirty laundry. This is definitely a yuck factor.
HAMMER: The biggest yuck factor Courteney and David are sharing this week - David`s unsuccessful attempt to seduce his estranged wife during a recent family trip to Disney World. Cox has talked about the attempted seduction on "The Late Show with David Letterman." Mickey, you might want to cover your ears with this one.
COX: He did try to hit on me, yes. He hit pretty hard and I said, you know, "You don`t have the facts all straight now."
HAMMER: And on the Howard Stern show, the two went into even more detail about that failed magic kingdom hookup.
STERN: Why did you reject David`s advances in Florida at Disney?
COX: Well, you see, it`s not really the place for it.
STERN: Why?
COX: First of all, it was early in the morning. It just wasn`t the right time and I don`t want to confuse the issue. We were going through a hard time.
HAMMER: This in-limbo couple also talked about their different personalities.
COX: David likes to do completely the opposite things that I do.
HAMMER: Their different sex drives. Mickey, your ears still covered?
COX: He could not literally put his arm around me for one second without completely getting a (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
HAMMER: What went wrong in their marriage -
COX: I would say, at the end, like, he had told the world. I don`t think we tried our hardest.
ARQUETTE: Just kiss her as well as I could have.
HAMMER: And how they`re trying to work things out.
ARQUETTE: I think she`s telling me it`s over.
COX: I wish it was that simple. I don`t think we`re ready to actually have - taking this to a different level. I get scared. I don`t want to do this again.
HAMMER: But above everything else, Courteney and David are making clear they still love each other.
COX: David is the most amazing guy. He`s the best heart.
ARQUETTE: We have beautiful love. She`s my best friend.
HAMMER: Not to sound cynical, but Courteney and David`s lovey-dovey sharing and over-sharing does come at an interesting time. Their new movie "Scream 4" opens today.
PIAZZA: Going out there and airing all their dirty laundry on "Howard Stern," which has a huge audience, is a great way for them to promote the movie.
HAMMER: And even though Courteney and David may venture into TMI territory, we`ve got to say it`s better than what we`ve seen in the typically nasty thermonuclear Hollywood breakups, like Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger, Charlie Sheen and, well, every woman he`s been with.
So maybe America would much rather see Courteney and David`s everything-is-rosy tour than war of the roses.
PIAZZA: America loves both Courteney and David so their fans would be really disappointed to see them have this very vicious, violent breakup. For as much TMI as we`re seeing in all these interviews, the two seem to have a tremendous amount of respect and love for each other.
HAMMER: Mickey Mouse would definitely approve.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Would Mickey approve? The David and Courteney confession tour really does roll on with all this on-air marriage counseling. And that leads us to our SHOWBIZ Flashpoint - is it a good idea for them to air their dirty laundry in public?
Right now, in New York, is Z100 radio host Trey Morgan. Trey, first, I want to say flat out I think it`s pretty remarkable that they can be so fearlessly forthcoming with the entire country watching, the entire country listening.
To our SHOWBIZ Flashpoint - could it actually be a good thing that Courteney and David are airing their dirty laundry in public like this?
TREY MORGAN, Z100 RADIO HOST: Well, I mean, it could be a good thing and a bad thing. You know, like in the piece said, it alluded to the fact this could be a good thing because you have "Scream 4" coming out today and it could be a great publicity.
But really, to air your dirty laundry like this, these intimate relationship details in front of the world - I just can`t see that being a really god idea for either of them.
ANDERSON: Well, it is so rare that celebrities are ever this brutally honest. And you know, if they feel that good for their relationship, if both of them agree about doing this, then I don`t know. Why not?
But I want to hear what radio and TV host Amy Scott thinks about it. It`s our SHOWBIZ Flashpoint, Amy - good idea or TMI?
AMY SCOTT, RADIO AND TV HOST: I think it`s a great idea. Honestly, I think America has become desensitized to a lot of that stuff. And you know, we all love David and we love Courteney. They`re such a darn likable couple, right?
We`re rooting for both of them and I think it`s fun to see it live on TV. We love this stuff. Then, again, I am the skeptic, too. And I do think the movie opening may have a little something to do with it.
(CROSS TALK)
ANDERSON: I don`t see that at all because the previous "Scream" movies and the franchise made more than $500 million dollars at this box office. So the franchise "Scream" sells itself, don`t you think?
SCOTT: Well, I don`t know.
ANDERSON: They don`t have to do this.
SCOTT: A review I read today said it`s nothing to shout about. So maybe, you know, they need a little help.
ANDERSON: Well, maybe. I don`t know. I think their target demographic will still see it. But we shall see what happens. And speaking of "Scream," the director of "Scream 4," for the first time today, is revealing new details about Courteney and David and what they were like together when they first split up on the set of his movie. Listen to what Wes Craven just told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WES CRAVEN, DIRECTOR, "SCREAM 4": I think, genuinely, they still love and like each other immensely, so that`s got to last. Whatever else doesn`t last or does last, we`ll see. But I haven`t seen anything between them that`s anything but loving, which is quite remarkable.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Trey, so do you believe that they were still playing nice just days after their separation started? It`s incredible.
T. MORGAN: Well, look, when they first got together - what was it - 12 years ago, the world was shocked that these two people got together. So I think, really, what they were, just really good friends who got a little confused and even in this breakup, they`re still good friends.
Like Courteney said, great roommates. But the relationship - I don`t think there`s much more there. So even on set, they were still friendly because they love each other like friends.
ANDERSON: Yes. They certainly have a lot of respect for one another. Well, on Howard Stern`s show, with Courteney sitting right beside him, David revealed that he thinks Courteney is going to leave him. Listen.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
ARQUETTE: I think she is telling me it`s over.
COX: Oh, god. I wish it was that simple. I just think if I went back right now, I don`t know that I would be - I don`t know that we wouldn`t get back in the same pattern and continue to live separate lives.
Good roommates, but I don`t know that we`re ready - I don`t think we`re ready to actually have - taking this to a different level.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: OK. Amy, how long can this back and forth go on?
SCOTT: I don`t know. You know, I feel like it`s almost unfair of her at this point. It`s like, god, the guy - he`s pouring out his heart to Howard Stern. He`s pouring out his heart to America. Either, you know, leave him or don`t already because, you know - I don`t know. He seems a little too frisky for her, I guess.
ANDERSON: Yes. They split up in October. You`re like, "Make a decision already."
SCOTT: They`ve got to move on.
ANDERSON: Well, today, we`re also learning Courteney insists she is not in the driver`s seat with David just getting taken along for the ride. So Trey, quickly, do you get the feeling that nobody`s in the driver`s seat?
T. MORGAN: Well, I think actually they`re both in control of themselves. If David really wants to work this out, then he`ll keep trying. If Courteney wants to work this out, she`ll keep trying. They`re both in control. And ultimately, they`re going to have to make this decision together.
ANDERSON: I hope they can reconcile. Trey Morgan and Amy Scott, good to see you. Thanks.
HAMMER: All right. Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore - their marriage secrets revealed today. How Post-It notes - yes, I said Post-It - keeps their marriage hot.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PIERS MORGAN, HOST, "PIERS MORGAN TONIGHT: Is he romantic?
DEMI MOORE, ACTRESS: I would say so.
MORGAN: Or is he ruggedly - you know, take you over his shoulder -
MOORE: I think he`s a little bit of both.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: We`ve got more what they just told CNN`s Piers Morgan. But is this another case of TMI?
ANDERSON: Zsa Zsa Gabor, a mom at age 94? What? Why her 67-year-old husband says Zsa Zsa wants to be a mother again. Is this just beyond bizarre or what?
HAMMER: No, it`s perfectly normal. Donald Trump`s incredible spin today. Why he`s really holding off on announcing whether or not he`ll run for president. The SHOWBIZ spin doctor is in. Coming up, is the Donald making a big mistake? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
It`s time for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: $100,000 in jewelry allegedly stolen from Jon Bon Jovi`s New Jersey home. Students at Prince William and Kate Middleton`s Alma Mater perform Lady Gaga tribute.
(MUSIC)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: A royal rehearsal today. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that the very first rehearsal for the royal wedding was held today at London`s Westminster Abbey.
The wedding party was there. Prince Harry was there. Kate Middleton there was. But someone pretty important wasn`t - the groom. Yes. Prince William - he reportedly had to take care of some of his royal air force duties.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York with Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
ANDERSON: Right now, royal bestsellers. With all the hype and only two weeks left until the royal wedding, William and Kate are now a fixture on magazine covers around the world.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is teaming up with "People" magazine to bring you the best coverage of the royal wedding. And today, we bring you "People" magazine`s top selling royal covers of all time.
Joining me now is "People" magazine staff writer, Blaine Zuckerman. Blaine, I think a lot of people will agree Prince Charles and Princess Diana`s fairytale wedding was easily the most memorable royal moment of the last generation.
And sales of that issue really proved that point. "People" magazine`s cover from August 3rd, 1981 sold more than 2.5 million copies.
Considering the wedding was watched by over 750 million people worldwide, Blaine, did the "People" magazine team really have to work overtime to keep up with the demand?
BLAINE ZUCKERMAN, STAFF WRITER, "PEOPLE" MAGAZINE: You know, we did have to keep up and it was difficult. But really, the most interesting thing is that, since then, there have been many royal covers that have done even bigger numbers.
That was really the point when America fell in love with these two. There was so much hype leading up to it. And I`ve got to say while it was a huge seller for us, we`ve had even bigger numbers with the royals since then.
ANDERSON: Really? Incredible I couldn`t get enough of the wedding as a child and that long 25-foot train. OK. Got to move on, though.
Next on the list of "People" magazine`s bestselling royal covers - let`s take a look, the cover from July of 1982 announcing the birth of Prince William sold well over two million issues.
There had to be a lot of buzz around this issue considering that this little boy would be heir to the throne, Blaine.
ZUCKERMAN: Exactly. Well, here`s the situation where, again, people had met this new couple and they were so excited. And obviously, with a child, you know this is coming up.
So it wasn`t that this was a surprise. But by the same token, the world was just so excited with this beautiful baby. And that was a huge seller for "People" magazine. We were really excited.
ANDERSON: People love babies and here was a baby who would be king quite possibly. OK. In August of 1986, a photo from Prince Andrew and Sara Ferguson`s wedding was the cover of "People" magazine. Were you surprised that this cover did so well?
ZUCKERMAN: Well, frankly, I mean, it`s just shocking to me that did better than Prince Charles and Diana`s. And it`s so interesting because when you think about it nowadays, first of all, marriage didn`t last.
And certainly, Fergie and Andrew are not quite the royal couple that we think of when we think of that family at this point. But back then it was a huge deal and I think the world was still so excited from Prince Charles and Diana`s wedding.
ANDERSON: Well, the top selling "People" magazine royal cover of all time, speaking of Diana, was the 49-page special edition that was released September 1997 after her funeral. It sold almost three million copies. Blaine, very quickly, it just shows how beloved she was.
ZUCKERMAN: You know, America fell in love with her just as much as they did all over the world. And sadly, a tragic, tragic ending. But when there`s something surprising like that, the whole world stops.
And yes, it was a big, big moment for the whole world. And we all remember when it happened and we just wanted to grieve and look at beautiful pictures of this amazing woman.
ANDERSON: Blaine Zuckerman, thank you so much. Good to see you. To read more about all the preparations leading up to William and Kate`s wedding, make sure you pick up your copy of "People" magazine. It is on newsstands now.
And I will be in London covering the royal wedding beginning April 25th, so keep it right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT and HLN for the biggest and best coverage.
HAMMER: So Zsa Zsa Gabor wants to be a mom at the age of 94. That`s what his 67-year-old husband says, "I vant to be a mom." They sound serious. Wait until you hear how they want to make this happen.
ANDERSON: Taylor Swift`s unbelievable shopping spree. She just bought her parents a stunning gift and she dropped a boatload of cash on it.
And I`m getting ready to head to London, as I said, to cover the royal wedding. But I`m still not real clear on all this royal etiquette stuff.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(on camera) I did hear there`s a particular way to address the court. When you first meet the queen and then on second (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: You may think it`s all stiff and stuffy, but actually, it`s not at all. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
HAMMER: And now, it`s the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Scandal-plagued designer John Galliano fired by his own label. Rihanna`s "S & M" remix with Britney Spears tops iTunes singles chart.
(MUSIC)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(SINGING)
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ viral video. This is so cool. It`s the remarkable performance of Katy Perry`s huge hit "Firework" by some pretty remarkable kids in Philadelphia.
Brooke, this is just an amazing story of how kids, led by a teacher, who wouldn`t say no got to live - or perhaps I should say sing their dreams.
ANDERSON: Yes, A.J. Two years ago, Michael Leibowitz started teaching at an inner city high school in Philadelphia that did not have a music program. With little or no supplies, Michael pushed on and his school chorus named the Taggart Chorus was just invited to perform at the Philadelphia Union League. Watch this.
(SINGING)
ANDERSON: What a perfect choice that they would sing "Firework" off Katy Perry`s album, "Teenage Dream" because this really did become a dream come true. Watch more of this SHOWBIZ viral video on YouTube. Search for Mister Leibowitz`s channel.
OK. Did you happen to catch Will Farrell on "The Office" last night? He made his first guest appearance. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WILL FERRELL, ACTOR AND COMEDIAN: We`re kind of cut from the same cloth, so to speak.
STEVE CARELL, ACTOR AND COMEDIAN: Why did you have to be so damn good?
FERRELL: Why? I`m adequate.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: I cannot even handle it. He`s so funny. Will Will be the guy who replaces Steve Carell`s Michael Scott who is leaving the show at the end of the season? Who do you think should take over? Will Farrell?
How about original "Office" creator, Ricky Gervais? Or will Rainn Wilson get the promotion? Text me right now. The number - 45688. Type SBT1 for Will Ferrell, SBT2 for Ricky Gervais, SBT3 for Dwight Rainn Wilson.
Standard text messaging rates still apply. We will reveal the results on Monday, or at least that`s what she said.
HAMMER: Well, I just posted our nominees for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s most provocative celebrity of the week on Facebook. Huge response. Our nominees - Courteney Cox and David Arquette for airing steamy split secrets to Howard Stern. Fifty-year-old Sean Penn reportedly shacking up with 26- year-old Scarlett Johansson.
And is booted "Idol" star, Pia Toscano, dating "Dancing with the Stars`" Mark Ballas? We reveal who named, coming up.
But check out these Facebook posts. Sue S. writing, "Love Pia and Mark. Seems to be what the doctor ordered. She is lovely and Mark is available. Why not?"
This is Patty S. who writes, "Sean Penn and Scarlett Johansson? Seriously? Isn`t he old enough to be her grandfather?"
The always provocative Donald Trump making news today. Donald`s incredible spin - why he`s really holding off on announcing whether or not he`ll run for president. Is the Donald making a big mistake? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
And this is the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Samuel L. Jackson to play Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in his Broadway debut.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - brand-new marriage secrets from Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
P. MORGAN: Is he romantic?
MOORE: I would say so.
P. MORGAN: Or is he ruggedly - you know, put you over his shoulder -
MOORE: I think he`s a little bit of both.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Even how Post-Its keep there marriage hot.
ANDERSON: We`re naming the most provocative celebrity couple of the week. Will it be Courteney Cox and David Arquette for airing their dirty laundry? Or the reported new odd couple, Scarlett Johansson and Sean Peen? How about booted "Idol" Pia and "Dancing`s" Mark Ballas? Are they dating?
HAMMER: Spin, Donald, spin. Donald Trump`s spin on the timing of his big presidential announcement. Is he making a mistake?
Plus, breaking today from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker," big Christina Aguilera relationship news. And Lady Gaga music that`s new.
ANNOUNCEMENT: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It is 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer coming to you from New York City.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with big news breaking today - the big spin from Courteney Cox and David Arquette.
HAMMER: Yes. David`s confession tour, Brooke, about his split and sex life, or lack thereof, with Courteney kept on going this morning on "Live with Regis and Kelly."
David`s appearance came just one day after he and Courteney appeared for the very first time together since their split on Howard Stern`s radio show on Sirius XM, talking about David putting the moves on her at Disney. Listen.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
ARQUETTE: I think you`re over it, baby. You just need to admit it and we just need to figure out, like, next steps.
STERN: Is that true?
COX: Wow, that`s heavy.
STERN: Is it over?
COX: That`s heavy.
(CROSS TALK)
You know what? Here`s the truth -
ARQUETTE: You would have been with me. You would have wanted -
COX: Not at Disney World. You can`t count that as the place where you know I`m not into you.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, these people definitely need some serious help. Seriously, is there a doctor in the house? Actually, there is.
It`s the spin doctor, P.R. guru, Howard Bragman, who is the founder of Fifteen Minutes Public Relations. Howard, it`s great to you have here. You got your work cut out for you now as resident spin doctor.
Here`s what we`re going to do. We`re going to put you to the test today. We`re taking a look at how Courteney and David and other stars have managed their crisis and how they`re spinning their stories.
And then, we want to you spin it within a minute. And I want to start off with Courteney and David and their outrageous interview on Howard Stern`s radio show. We heard their spin. Now, you spin it. What do you think?
HOWARD STERN, FOUNDER, "FIFTEEN MINUTES PUBLIC RELATIONS": Well, first of all, if you want to do therapy, don`t do it in the national media. Go see a couple`s counselor, A.J. It`s a lot more productive, OK? That`s the first thing.
Second thing is, she`s far too smart, far too rich, far too famous, far too savvy to fall for this. I mean, she knows better.
And the third thing, I`m going to tell you is everybody thinks Howard Stern`s just raunchy. Howard Stern`s one of the best interviewers in the media today.
HAMMER: Brilliant. Brilliant.
BRAGMAN: I spend a lot of time cleaning up messes when my clients go in there and say things they never intended to say.
HAMMER: Yes. He makes everybody very comfortable. And he knows what he wants to get out of it.
BRAGMAN: Too comfortable.
HAMMER: And people love talking to him. And look, you did that in 30 seconds, Howard. But here`s the thing. David I expect this from.
Courteney, I actually heard her on this interview with Howard Stern acknowledging the fact that she was a little afraid of what her publicist was going to say to her when she walked out of the studio. Should she have been worried?
BRAGMAN: Well, publicists don`t like it when their clients go guerilla on them. And no serious publicist would have said, "Yes, you should go on `Howard Stern` and talk about your sex life." Bad thing to do, and the publicist, I`m sure, didn`t approve it.
HAMMER: All right, Howard. So when it comes to all the spinning, bottom line, of course, what`s your spin advice, moving forward, for Courteney and David?
BRAGMAN: Well, really, it`s my favorite motto, and that is silence is golden, duct tape is silver, A.J.
HAMMER: OK. That`s a beautiful thing. All right. Got to move on right now to our next spin mission for you, doctor. Now, we`ve got to talk about Donald Trump. He says that he is serious about the possibility of running for president, of course.
But he`s not going to announce what he`s doing until the season finale of "Celebrity Apprentice," which is on May 22nd. And of course, he`ll do it at the very end of the show.
I can`t imagine anybody taking this guy seriously, making a big announcement like this on a reality show. So spin doctor, spin it within a minute for us here.
BRAGMAN: You are so wrong. The media is lapping this up like strawberry ice cream.
HAMMER: Not me, man. Not me.
BRAGMAN: But the rest of them - they have this guy - he has you wrapped around his finger, number one. His ratings are a million viewers. He`s one of the top shows in NBC all since he started his birther controversy.
HAMMER: Yes.
BRAGMAN: It`s booming in the ratings. And I can tell you this guy could teach the spin doctor a few things about P.R. He`s like the savviest guy out there. He`s using his final episode, not to announce his run for president, but to talk about the announcement he`s going to have.
HAMMER: All right. So bottom line, would you spin anything differently for Donald Trump?
BRAGMAN: Listen, Donald Trump comes to me for a job, he`s hired.
HAMMER: All right. Good enough. All right, doctor, we`ve got to move on right now to somebody in need of some major spin doctor healing.
Kobe Bryant - he`s just apologized for making this gay slur at a referee. Thank you for helping out on the wall here. He said this during the game, but he said it was the heat of the game. He`s appealing the NBA`s $100,000 fine. Spin it within a minute, very quickly.
BRAGMAN: First thing, his apology was half-assed. Apologies include the words "I`m sorry" without equivocation. Number two, $100,000 to Kobe - that`s Happy Meal money to us, A.J.
HAMMER: Yes, no kidding.
BRAGMAN: Let us be clear. And he wants to be, like, the greatest basketball player of all time. That includes leadership and character. I`m not seeing it.
HAMMER: Not at all. All right. Just bottom line it for us, Howard Bragman.
BRAGMAN: Bottom line is, Kobe Bryant, you`re no Magic Johnson.
HAMMER: Not at all. Doctor, spin doctor and P.R. guru, Howard Bragman, thank you very much.
ANDERSON: Great job, guys. OK. I`ve got to tell you I am bursting at the seams with excitement. I head over to London in just a week to cover the royal wedding for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT and HLN.
And there is so much to do. And one of the most important things I will need to do is brush up on my royal etiquette. I mean, what do I do if I cross paths with royalty?
Well, I just spoke with Her Majesty the Queen`s British Consul General Dame Barbara Hay. And I learned that it`s not at all as stuffy as you might think.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(on camera) In America we are going crazy over this. But I want to know, in the U.K., is this as big a deal for everyone?
DAME BARBARA HAY, BRITISH CONSUL GENERAL: It`s huge, yes. And everyone`s looking forward to it enormously. I`m old enough to remember the razzmatazz when the Prince of Wales married Lady Diana Spencer. But it`s going to be much bigger than that.
ANDERSON: If I were to meet the queen while I`m in London for the wedding, how should I greet her? No touching, right? We, Americans, like to shake, hug, but that`s not appropriate.
HAY: What you would find if you were to meet the queen would be that she would put you at ease. People think that there`s a written (UNINTELLIGIBLE) rules about this kind of thing. Actually, there isn`t.
ANDERSON: Would I curtsy or is that just for the British?
HAY: You don`t even need to do that.
ANDERSON: OK. Maybe a slight nod?
HAY: Absolutely what you`re comfortable with.
ANDERSON: So if we`re in the crowd on the parade route and we see the carriage come by carrying the newlyweds William and Kate, we can whoop and holler? Or would that be crass?
(CROSS TALK)
HAY: Just go with the flow.
ANDERSON: What`s the appropriate attire for the wedding?
HAY: My advice to the girls, actually, would be have comfortable feet.
ANDERSON: It`s going to be a long day.
HAY: It`s going to be a long day.
ANDERSON: When Lady Gaga met the queen, she wore this ridiculous red latex getup. Is there protocol about what you should wear to meet the queen? I have to imagine the queen thought, "What in the world was happening?"
HAY: I`d just say that the queen was probably prepared for it. She would absolutely be prepared for people to appear in costume, as it were. I`m sure she wouldn`t turn a hair.
ANDERSON: So nothing fazes the queen?
HAY: No, no.
ANDERSON: Dame Barbara, what are your own personal impressions of the queen?
HAY: I`ve been lucky to meet the queen two or three times. She`s always a real pleasure to talk to and to be with.
ANDERSON: I did hear there`s a particular way to address the queen when you first meet the queen and then on second record.
HAY: Yes. When you first meet the queen, you call her your majesty. And after that, you call her mum.
ANDERSON: Mum?
HAY: Yes.
ANDERSON: That`s nice.
(CROSS TALK)
HAY: Very easy to remember.
ANDERSON: It is.
HAY: Very easy to remember. And if you don`t remember, it doesn`t matter. It really doesn`t matter.
ANDERSON: No one will say "off with your head"?
HAY: Absolutely not. Absolutely not.
ANDERSON: You`re forgiven.
HAY: Yes. Just enjoy yourself.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Seems pretty easy, right? I`ll try to remember it all when I`m in London covering the royal wedding beginning April 25th. Keep it right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT and HLN for the biggest and best coverage.
HAMMER: You`re going to have so much fun. Moving on now to Zsa Zsa`s new baby bombshell? Yes, the legendary actress has been deathly ill. Now, Zsa Zsa Gabor wants to be a mom again at 94 years old. Oh, and that`s only part of this very bizarre story.
ANDERSON: Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore`s intimate new interview. Their marriage secrets. How they keep things hot.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
P. MORGAN: Is he romantic?
MOORE: I would say so.
P. MORGAN: Or is he ruggedly - you know, take you over his shoulder -
MOORE: I think he`s a little bit of both.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Even how Post-Its play into keeping their marriage strong.
HAMMER: We are naming the most provocative celebrity couple of the week. Will it be Courteney Cox and David Arquette for their public marriage counseling session with Howard Stern? Scarlett Johansson and Sean Penn reportedly shacking up? Or red-hot rumored reality TV couple Pia Toscano and Mark Ballas? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Christina Aguilera`s five-year marriage is officially over, divorce finalized. Original "American Idol" Kelly Clarkson returns to "Idol" stage.
(MUSIC)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: We welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. A.J. Hammer is in New York with Zsa Zsa`s baby bombshell.
HAMMER: You`ve got to love this story, right. Bizarre news in "The Buzz Today." Ninety-four-year-old Zsa Zsa Gabor wants to be a mom again.
Also, home Swift home. Taylor Swift reportedly buys two multi-million dollar homes. And a "Teen Mom" star faces the music after getting arrested on drug charges.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over) Teen mom guilty confessions? "Teen Mom 2" star, Jenelle Evans, has just reportedly pleaded guilty to possession of drug paraphernalia. A judge ordered her to complete 24 hours of community service. And she must be tested monthly for drugs and alcohol as part of her probation.
The charge stems from an incident in October when Evans and her boyfriend were arrested for breaking and entering and marijuana possession.
Swift`s gift. Taylor Swift has just given her parents a huge present. The 21-year-old dropped a reported $1.4 million on brand-new digs for her mom and dad.
"Us Weekly" is reporting Taylor bought her parents a three bedroom, 5,000 square-foot, recently renovated 1920s estate in Nashville. And Taylor`s real estate spending spree did not end there. She also reportedly just bought herself a house in Los Angeles.
Zsa Zsa`s new baby bombshell? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has confirmed that 94- year-old Zsa Zsa Gabor is making plans to have a brand-new baby. Gabor`s husband, Prince Frederic Von Anhalt tells CNN says the couple will be using an egg donor, artificial insemination and a surrogate mother, and says the donation process starts next week.
Zsa Zsa only child Francesca Hilton tell us she was shocked by her mom`s unbelievable plan, adding, quote, "That`s just weird."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
You think? Look, I don`t think anybody can deny it is just plain weird that 94-year-old Zsa Zsa Gabor wants to have a baby.
With me now, in New York, Trey Morgan, he is a Z100 radio host. Also with us in New York, Lisa G., who is a reporter at "Howard 100 News" on Sirius XM Satellite Radio.
So Zsa Zsa`s 67-year-old husband, the prince, is moving full steam ahead with the plans to have this baby with Zsa Zsa. He confirmed to CNN he`s working with the Southern California Reproductive Center in Beverly Hills to get this done. Lisa G. -
LISA G., REPORTER, "HOWARD 100 NEWS" ON SIRIUS XM SATELLITE RADIO: Yes?
HAMMER: Are you going to throw the baby shower for these guys?
LISA G.: Yes, I`m going to shower them with a couple of straitjackets and take them to the loony bin, A.J. I mean, come on. What, he can`t live in the limelight for two seconds? Or does he want to produce an heir so he can keep the money and the family?
HAMMER: This is Prince Von Anhalt we`re talking about. This is the guy, of course, who had claimed that he was the father of Anna Nicole Smith`s baby. Let us not forget that little gem of pop culture history.
Well, what do you think about that suggestion by Lisa G., Trey, that maybe he`s trying to foster an heir? Do you think there`s something sinister going on here? Is this all crazy talk?
T. MORGAN: Well, I can`t imagine any other explanation. The explanation that he gave just to carry on the Gabor name - I mean, build a statue. Donate a building, something, if you want to carry on the name. But having a baby at that age?
ANDERSON: And what if it`s a girl? Game over. They`ll try again?
LISA G.: She`ll have a lot of great jewelry.
HAMMER: No kidding. All right. We`ve got to move on to another star couple making big news today. Brooke, what is happening with Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore?
ANDERSON: Well, Demi Moore and Ashton are revealing their secrets to keeping romance alive. They`re revealing it to CNN`s Piers Morgan. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
P. MORGAN: Is he romantic?
MOORE: I would say so.
P. MORGAN: Or is he some ruggedly - you know, put you over his shoulder and -
(CROSS TALK)
MOORE: I think he`s a little bit of both. But I`ll say, you know, the type of romantic is, I have - if you go to our house I have Post-It notes that are placed in various locations all with messages of encouragement or love or just thoughts. And some have been there, I don`t know, seven years?
P. MORGAN: Really?
MOORE: Yes.
ASHTON KUTCHER, ACTOR: Post-It notes are much cheaper than diamond rings.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Demi and Ashton are clearly head over heels. I think it`s nice. But I`ve heard some guys, mostly men, say that it`s too much for them. It`s too sugary sweet. I say more power to them. Trey, what do you say?
T. MORGAN: I think it`s way too much. I mean, Post-It notes? If you`re going to get your cereal in the morning you see a Post-It note, that`s sweet.
You see it when you get your toothbrush, it starts to get a little annoying. And then, it becomes stalkerish when you open up your underwear drawer and there`s another Post-It note.
LISA G.: Well, at least she`s not saying, "Take out the garbage," right, on the Post-It note.
ANDERSON: That`s true. At least, it`s not a honey do-list.
LISA: Exactly.
ANDERSON: I think they clearly work on their marriage and that`s important. I say it`s great. And I would like some Post-It notes every now and then.
LISA G.: Yes. It`s very 80s. I love it.
ANDERSON: A.J., but Demi and Ashton did not make the cut for this week`s most provocative celebrity couple of the week. Who did?
HAMMER: Well, Brooke, our nominees are Courteney and David, of course, for airing their dirty laundry about why they broke up on Howard Stern`s radio show. Scarlett Johansson and Sean Penn for reportedly shacking up. Or maybe it will be "American Idol`s" Pia Toscano and "Dancing with the Stars`" Mark Ballas. They`re being very coy about whether or not they`re a couple. Lisa G., who do you think it should be?
LISA G.: Well, I think it`s Scarlett and Sean, because - I mean, this woman went from one hunk. And I saw him run the New York City marathon. I would have chased him for 26 miles. She leaves him. She doesn`t even take a breath and she goes right into the arms of Sean Penn who`s much older.
I don`t think it`s a good mistake. And as for Courteney and David, I so respect their honesty. And I think more celebrities should follow in their footsteps.
HAMMER: Yes. Well, you were right there watching this interview unfold on Howard`s show, so you have a very interesting perspective on that.
But right now, may we have a drum roll, please? There it is. All right. We are naming SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s most provocative celebrity of the week as Courteney and David. So Lisa, not your choice. Trey, do you think we got it right?
T. MORGAN: Actually, I was right on with her. I think Scar Jo and Sean Penn - I thought that was the pick.
HAMMER: All right. You know, I personally think that these guys are actually going to make it together.
LISA G.: Really?
HAMMER: For some reason. I think they`re bright. I think they`re intelligent. I think there`s something really weirdly interesting. But I also thought Courteney and David would make it, too. Trey Morgan, Lisa G., thanks, guys. I appreciate you being here.
ANDERSON: All right. Kelly Ripa`s warning for young Hollywood today. She`s not naming names, but the former soap star is revealing a really interesting solution for stars to avoid train wreck city.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KELLY RIPA, CO-HOST, "LIVE WITH REGIS AND KELLY": I always think when you hear about young Hollywood and, you know, if they`re not showing up on time or whatever, I always say, "Make them work on a soap."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Plus, Kelly`s emotional farewell to "All My Children," 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.
TEXT: Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp and Brad Pitt to attend Cannes Film Festival. SHOWBIZ first listen: Lady Gaga`s new song, "Judas."
(MUSIC)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: It`s a sad day for stars from coast to coast today. Many of them are taking to Twitter to mourn the end of the two legendary ABC soap operas "All My Children" and "One Life to Live."
Original "All My Children" cast members, Susan Lucci tweets, "I loved playing Erica Kane." Rosie O`Donnell who guest starred on "All My Children" in 1996 tweets, "`All My Children` and `OLTL` officially cancelled. Boo hoo."
And Kelly Ripa tweeted this, "Sad day." But Kelly`s not only letting her tweets do the talking today. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT actually caught up with the host of "Live with Regis and Kelly" this morning.
As we said, so many big stars got their start on soap. Kelly, of course, landed her job on "Live" while she was still on "All My Children." Kelly tells us in this SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview today that soap operas are the best training ground for any actor who does not want to become a train wreck. Young Hollywood, listen up.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RIPA: As a young actor, for me, it was a training ground that is second to none. It teaches you really how to be a professional. It teaches you work ethic. It teaches you how to organize your life.
And always, you know, when you hear about like young Hollywood and, you know, if they`re not showing up on time or whatever, I always say make them work on a soap because you have to be punctual.
You have to know your lines. You have to be on time. You have to do all of these things because the merry go-round does not slow down for you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Very good advice. Kelly also tells us that if she is asked, A.J., she will return to the fictional town of Pine Valley to say goodbye for the show`s finale.
"All My Children" is going to end in September. "One Life to Live" goes off the air in January. And A.J., it really is the end of an era. A lot of people are very serious about their soaps or their stories, as my grandmother used to call them.
HAMMER: Oh, yes. Yes. The soap fans are pretty fanatic. I`ve hung out with a lot of them at events involving soap opera stars. I`m also particularly sad for a lot of people who are going to be out of work -
ANDERSON: Yes.
HAMMER: Literally thousands of people are affected by this. All right. Thursday, we asked to you vote in our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive poll. Moments ago, I was handed the final results, and boy was it noisy.
Donald Trump may be running for president. Do you think it`s a publicity stunt? Yes, 75 percent said yes, he loves making headlines. Twenty-five percent said, no, he`s serious this time.
Here`s some of the messages that were posted on our Facebook wall. This one from Jennifer C. who writes, "Stop the insanity."
Della C. chimes in with, "Trump for president? No, thank you."
T.B. is team Trump writing, "I would vote for him in a heartbeat."
You know, Brooke, I don`t know if you realize it takes a lot of noise to put this show together every day. A lot of noise.
ANDERSON: You`re doing a great job. A plus.
HAMMER: A lot of blue trees have died for this show. That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is live at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Monday through Friday.
HAMMER: And we are still TV`s most provocative entertainment news show at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific right here on HLN. Go save a blue tree today.
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