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Showbiz Tonight
Celebrity Appresident?; The Osbournes Versus Billy Ray Cyrus; Not So Happy Days; The Winner of the CNN Royal Wedding iReporter Revealed
Aired April 19, 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 - "Celebrity Appresident"? Did Donald Trump finally reveal he might actually run for president? His contentious showdown today with ABC`s George Stephanopoulos.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS, CO-HOST, "GOOD MORNING AMERICA": What have they found?
DONALD TRUMP, BUSINESS TYCOON: Well, it`s none of your business right now. We`re going to see what happens.
STEPHANOPOULOS: Have they signed anything?
TRUMP: We`re going to see what happens.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Our SHOWBIZ Flashpoint. The Donald can dish it, but can he take it?
BROOKE ANDERSON, CO-HOST: Slamming Billy Ray. The Osbournes tear into Billy Ray Cyrus for his Hannah Montana blame game. Sharon and Kelly Osbourne take on Billy Ray today.
HAMMER: A SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive. Not so happy days. The cast of the classic TV sitcom outraged today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The people who really had nothing to do with making the show - they`re exploiting and making money on it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT investigates the unprecedented, not-so-happy days lawsuit. TV`s most provocative entertainment news show -
ANDERSON: 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 - "Celebrity Appresident"?
HAMMER: Yes. That definitely could be the name of a spin-off for a new Donald Trump reality show. I mean, think about that, "Celebrity Appresident." Well, maybe.
Today, it really seemed that Trump was even shooting the pilot for that show. It included a remarkable confrontation on live television that had some people actually asking - sure, yes, the Donald - he can dish it out, but can he take it?
America woke up this morning to what looked like twin Trumps. The Donald seen on both the "Today" show and "Good Morning America" at the same time, in explosive interviews and really seeming to come perhaps as close as he ever has to actually declaring that he intends to run.
But as we`re about to show you, the usually thick-skinned Trump got into an extraordinary confrontation tenser than any boardroom scene you will ever see on "Celebrity Apprentice."
With me right now for all the fun and games, "Inside Edition" correspondent, Megan Alexander and syndicated radio host, Ralphie Aversa.
So look, we have certainly seen Donald Trump dishing out the harsh, harsh words to all of his contestants on his "Apprentice" shows over the years. But I`ve got to tell you, Trump seemed to get a taste of his own medicine this morning.
It happened when "Good Morning America" host, George Stephanopoulos pressed Trump for claiming he is digging up new information related to the controversial and unproven claims that President Obama may not have been born in the United States. Watch what happened. This is awesome.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(CROSS TALK)
TRUMP: It`s not a big focus.
STEPHANOPOULOS: It`s been a big focus of yours as long as you continue to raise questions.
TRUMP: You make it a big focus. Let`s see what happens. Let`s see what happens. But a certificate of live birth and a birth certificate are very different.
STEPHANOPOULOS: You said he had sent investigators to lie, and you said quote, "They cannot believe what they`re finding." What have they found?
TRUMP: We`ll see what happens, George.
STEPHANOPOULOS: What have they found?
TRUMP: That`s none of your business right now. We`re going to see what happens.
STEPHANOPOULOS: Have they found anything?
TRUMP: We are going to see what happens.
STEPHANOPOULOS: What have they done?
TRUMP: We are going to see what happens.
STEPHANOPOULOS: When?
TRUMP: George, next question, George.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Wow! I love it. You can cut the tension in that studio with a knife. This leads to our SHOWBIZ Flashpoint - the Donald - he can dish it, but can he take it? I think he definitely has a really hard time taking it. He gets so flustered. What do you think?
MEGAN ALEXANDER, CORRESPONDENT, "INSIDE EDITION": Oh, that`s my new favorite line, "Next question, George."
HAMMER: Yes.
ALEXANDER: Look, I interviewed Trump yesterday and he got a little frustrated with all of us that were asking him political questions. A.J., my concern is, if he`s getting frustrated now, how is he going to endure the rigors -
HAMMER: Exactly.
ALEXANDER: Of a long presidential campaign? I mean, we`re talking about talking to the same people day in, day out.
HAMMER: Yes.
ALEXANDER: Reporters firing questions. But here`s my thought, guys - I wonder if this is his strategy. Does he want to be seen as the bulldog that can box with the media right now? He`s tough, he`s ready to go and people love it.
HAMMER: But Megan, as somebody who has interviewed him, you well know as I do, once you get him off of his talking points, which he repeats ad nauseam, he does get very flustered. Let`s find out what Ralphie thinks as an observer. I don`t know if you`ve interviewed Mr. Trump before.
RALPHIE AVERSA, SYNDICATED RADIO HOST: I haven`t yet.
HAMMER: To our Flashpoint, he can dish it out, but can he take it?
AVERSA: I think he can take it and I think he`s shown this in the media before. I mean, he`s always constantly getting ribbed on. Obviously, there was the roast on Comedy Central as well.
But it`s very clear, especially in particular instance - I mean, this is a very sensitive subject we`re talking about, whether the president of the United States was born in our country or not.
If, in fact, Donald Trump has something - and I`ve got to believe whether he has something true or false, he`s got something - he can`t let it out right now. He`s got to hold back a little bit.
HAMMER: Well, of course. He needs more people to tune in to "Celebrity Apprentice."
AVERSA: Exactly.
HAMMER: Listen, not everybody believes that Donald Trump is able to take it. His interview with George Stephanopoulos did not sit well with the ladies of "The View" either. On their show this morning, they basically said, "Donald, you know what? Stop dancing around already." Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ELISABETH HASSELBECK, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": If you are accusing someone of withholding some sort of information, then you cannot yourself withhold information. So if you have found something, then why are you withholding it from us if it`s that important?
JOY BEHAR, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": It`s the finale of "Celebrity Apprentice."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Megan, do you think Donald needs to show his cards already? I know he plans to on the finale of "Apprentice." But it`s getting to a point where people are really getting sick and tired of this.
ALEXANDER: If he`s serious, I think he does. If he is indeed, you know, milking this for all it`s worth and just enjoying, A.J., pretending that he`s running for president to build up ratings, he`s a genius.
HAMMER: Yes.
ALEXANDER: But if he`s serious about running for president, there`s a certain grace and finesse we also need to see in our politicians beyond just being tough. I think he needs to start showing his cards, giving us a little more serious (INAUDIBLE).
HAMMER: It does get tacky. Donald`s "Celebrity Apprentice" hit another speed bump this morning when he was basically confronted on the "Today" show. Watch what happened here.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What do you think you can do to really prove to people that you are serious, that you are a contender?
TRUMP: There`s only one thing can I do, and that`s sometime prior to June, I can announce that I`m going to run.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Listen, you know, who know what is his real plan is. But that seemed as close as he`s ever gotten to possibly saying that, yes, he is going to declare a candidacy. I`m not exactly sure.
But right now, I`d like to travel to fantasy land and lighten things up for a moment, perhaps as big a fantasy as Trump becoming president. If he wanted to blow things up, how about, I`m thinking, looking at contestants to appear on "Celebrity Apprentice" to fill his cabinet?
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has some great suggestions. Ponder this. How about current contestant Star Jones as secretary of state? Season three "Celebrity Apprentice" winner, Bret Michaels as Secretary of Defense.
How about Bret Michaels` opponent on "Celebrity Apprentice," Joan Rivers to be the White House Press Secretary. I think that would be absolutely genius. But, listen, if none of it is going - none of it is going to happen so -
ALEXANDER: The material we would have for this show, A.J. Pray it happens.
HAMMER: I want Gary Busey on the cabinet. All right. Thank you very much, guys, Ralphie, Megan. Appreciate it.
ANDERSON: Oh, yes. Talk about fireworks, A.J. OK. There`s more big news breaking today and it`s a Charlie Sheen custody shocker because it seems today that Charlie Sheen was not winning.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was right there in a Los Angeles courtroom for Sheen`s bitter court battle with his soon-to-be ex-wife, Brooke Mueller.
Charlie demanded full and exclusive custody of their twin sons after Brooke failed to take a mandatory drug test on Friday. The closed door hearing ended with Charlie Sheen reportedly losing.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter is in Hollywood right now with the late- breaking details. Kareen?
KAREEN WYNTER, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT CORRESPONDENT: Oh, Brooke, the courtroom drama. While no public announcement was made today, TMZ reports the judge decided that Charlie and Brooke`s custody agreement remain unchanged.
Now, that means Charlie Sheen will not be granted full custody of the kids. Mueller and Sheen - they hammered it out - a custody agreement. They hammered one out back in March and that stipulated both of them had to remain sober.
But get this - on Friday, Mueller reportedly failed to appear for a mandatory test. And "People.com," in fact, is reporting today that Brooke Mueller has relapsed.
Apparently, that wasn`t enough to convince a judge to give Charlie full custody. And their original custody agreement apparently remains in place today, Brooke
ANDERSON: Thank you, Kareen. OK. So the big question remains today, why didn`t Charlie at least get partial custody of his sons if Brooke did, in fact, refuse to take a drug test, which would be a violation of the custody agreement?
Let`s bring in family attorney Debra Opri who is here with me right now in Hollywood.
Now, Debra, it has not been confirmed whether Brooke refused to take that mandatory drug test. But if that were the case, wouldn`t the judge have no choice but to take the kids away? Aren`t there repercussions for violating an agreement?
DEBRA OPRI, FAMILY ATTORNEY: I do this every day and I probably appeared before this judge a number of times. And I can tell you never predict and anticipate what a judge is going to do.
What Charlie should have realized and in California today even with domestic violence cases, the parties can reach an agreement. Charlie entered an agreement and that judge is holding him to it.
Just because Brooke may have fallen off the wagon - may have, and there`s probably insufficient proof - the judge wasn`t convinced enough.
ANDERSON: OK.
OPRI: And probably, what he`s saying is, look, she had one slip up, but you haven`t shown me anything and you`re going to live up to your agreement.
The other element, Brooke, is that she has a grandmother living at the house. And the health, safety, welfare is not that challenged in the judge`s mind.
ANDERSON: OK. So the grandmother is caring for the kids. OK. Well, let me say this, though. Charlie is not an angel himself.
OPRI: No.
ANDERSON: He showed up in court today with one of his goddesses, for crying out loud, draped around his arm. But his drug tests are coming in clean. He claims he`s pulled himself together.
He was in full war mode at his "Torpedoes of Truth" show in Connecticut last night, and he had fighting words for Brooke. Kareen, back over to you. What did he say?
WYNTER: Oh, a mouthful, Brooke. He said and I`m quoting here, by the way, "She convinces a (EXPLETIVE DELETED) judge while she`s in rehab coming off crack that she`s the better parent. Only in L.A., right? I pay her a ton of dough and have zero custody. Wow. It`s so cool to be me, great to be me right now. Defeat is not an option." Ay-ay-ay, Brooke.
ANDERSON: Just dripping with sarcasm. What a mess. We`re going to leave it there. Kareen Wynter, Debra Opri, thank you both.
HAMMER: Moving on now to the Osbournes slamming Billy Ray Cyrus over his Hannah Montana blame game.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KELLY OSBOURNE, REALITY TV STAR: That`s a really inappropriate thing for someone to say especially when what they did together gave that person their career back.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Sharon and Kelly Osbourne take on Miley`s dad today.
ANDERSON: A SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive - we are about to reveal the winner of the CNN royal iReporter contest. You could be going to London.
HAMMER: And in another SHOWBIZ exclusive, "not so happy days."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Somebody came up to me and said, "You must be cleaning up on those casinos." I said, "What are you talking about?" Yes, if you get five Marions(ph), you hit the jackpot.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The cast of the iconic TV sitcom has been waiting all week to sue. We`ll tell you why. 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: Production of Nic Cage`s film "Medallion" not affected by weekend arrest. Tina Fey says she`s not finding out the sex of her baby.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ELLEN DEGENERES, HOST, "THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW": And do you know the sex of the child?
TINA FEY, ACTRESS: We decided we`re going to wait. We`re just going to find out never, OK? Not even after it`s born.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York with Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. And Brooke, there is some breaking royal bachelor news today.
ANDERSON: There is indeed, A.J. Wild about Harry. Now, Prince William says goodbye to bachelorhood in just 10 days, and ladies around the world are grieving.
So we`ve launched an investigation into whether William`s younger Harry has what it takes to be the next world`s hottest royal bachelor.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over) Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the hottest royal of them all? We hear Prince William`s taken, so is Prince Harry the hottest one of all?
Kate Middleton stole the heart of the most famous prince in the world. So SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has got to ask, is William`s red hot, red-headed brother, Harry, worthy of the title of world`s hottest royal bachelor?
Nancy Jeffrey, senior editor of "People" magazine, says, absolutely.
NANCY JEFFREY, SENIOR EDITOR, "PEOPLE" MAGAZINE: Prince Harry is the number one royal bachelor in the world.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Did you ever wish that you weren`t a prince?
PRINCE HARRY, BRITISH ROYAL: I wish that quite a lot, actually.
ANDERSON: Harry may be a Prince Charming, but this royal bad boy hasn`t always had the best reputation. Known for his wild partying ways, Harry`s not your run-of-the-mill prince.
So SHOWBIZ TONIGHT and "People" magazine just had to break it down for all the Cinderella wannabes out there, what makes Harry the hottest royal bachelor of them all?
First of all, Harry`s a prince who is easy on the eyes.
JEFFREY: Whether he is on a polo pony or out at a club or in his army uniform, or his prince`s regalia, he is very handsome. He is very self- assured and he always seems to be happy.
ANDERSON: Harry`s hot. Check. And of course, a royal bachelor has to be funny. Prince Harry funny? Check.
JEFFREY: Prince Harry always has a sort of devilish squint in his eye. And you can see that he doesn`t take himself too seriously.
Already, he`s gearing up to make a funny toast about Prince William. And he`s actually said he plans to embarrass his big brother just a little.
ANDERSON: Harry`s hot. He`s funny. But what would a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT hottest royal bachelor be without a sense of adventure?
PRINCE HARRY: (INAUDIBLE) gets hysterical (INAUDIBLE). But they have yet to see why.
ANDERSON: The 25-year-old even treks to the North Pole for charity and had time to joke with the "Today" show.
PRINCE HARRY: There are things happening in that tent I never want to think of again.
JEFFREY: Prince Harry definitely has a taste for adventure. He`s a soldier. He pushed to fight and serve in Afghanistan alongside his fellow soldiers and easily could have gotten out of it.
ANDERSON: So now we know Prince Harry is tough. But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has to ask, does this eligible prince have a soft side?
PRINCE HARRY: I enjoy it. I enjoy looking after people.
JEFFREY: Harry has a huge heart. When you see him in Africa doing charity work, getting down on the ground level just to talk to children, to hug children, he is totally in his element. And in that, you absolutely see his mother, Princess Diana.
ANDERSON: Looks like Prince Harry is a prince that`s too good to be true. But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT needs to know one more thing before we crown this prince with the hottest royal bachelor title. Is he single?
JEFFREY: He may not be completely free because he seems to be on again with his on again/off again girlfriend Chelsea Davy.
ANDERSON: Oh, that. Well, until Harry puts a ring on it, all the single ladies, rest assured the first Prince of Wales may be off the market but he`s got a brother who is just as funny, good-hearted and adventurous. So SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can now declare Harry the hottest royal bachelor of them all.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Harry`s hot all right. And you know who else is on a hot streak? The winner of the CNN royal iReporter contest.
We`re moments away from revealing who is going to London on us. I will be in London to cover the royal wedding beginning April 25th. So keep it right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT and HLN for the biggest and best coverage.
HAMMER: All right. Let me sing for you now. Sunday, Monday - not so happy days The "Happy Days" cast has been waiting all week to sue. It`s a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It represented to the public the best of what America has to offer. I mean, all the opportunities, the friendships, the warmth. Unfortunately, "Happy Days" now also represents the worst of America.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. I`ll stop singing. The "Happy Days" cast sues for millions inside their big money showdown today.
ANDERSON: Mariah Carey has a vision of love for the "X Factor." Hey, "American Idol" turned J-Lo`s career around. So will Mariah be bigger than J-Lo? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
HAMMER: Time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - here come more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Hoover pulls ads from ABC in protest of soap opera cancellations.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANNOUNCER: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome your judges, Randy Jackson, Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Jennifer Lopez may have some new competition for her title as hottest reality TV judge. Simon Cowell has announced soon-to-be mommy, Mariah Carey, will be joining Cowell`s upcoming show, "The X Factor."
Mariah Carey, who will be giving birth to twins any day now, is going to be one busy mama. Simon Cowell has confirmed Mariah will join his upcoming new TV show, "The X Factor" in September. And Simon says that Mariah wants to judge the judges. Not sure how that works. How about we`ll wait and see?
Joining me from New York is syndicated radio host Ralphie Aversa. Ralphie, we know that "Idol" has put J-Lo back on top. So could "The X Factor" do the same thing for Mariah?
AVERSA: Brooke, I think Mariah is already on top. I mean, when you`re comparing Mariah and J-Lo - J-Lo has sold about half the albums that Mariah has sold in the States. So for me, Mariah doesn`t need the TV show. But obviously, what the "X Factor" and the hype behind it, it`s going to push her way over the top. But I think she`s the bigger artist now anyway.
ANDERSON: Well, we`re asking in our exclusive poll today, "Mariah Carey on `X Factor`: Will Mariah be bigger than J-Lo on `American Idol`?"
Personally, I think there is room for both of these ladies. They are both so talented. They both can get a big boost from these respective projects. But Ralphie, what do you think?
AVERSA: Well, you know, the same way that "Idol" has kind of un-stripped that diva perception we had of Jennifer Lopez, Mariah`s already had that diva perception stripped with the fact that she`s settled down now, starting a family with Nick Cannon and having twins.
The "X Factor," I think, will only help that, and again, will just push her way over the top.
ANDERSON: Speaking of people perceiving her to be a diva, Mariah and Simon Cowell both have larger-than-life personalities. Do you think, very quickly, that`s a recipe for disaster or just good TV?
AVERSA: I think it will be great TV. But I think they have a mutual respect for each other professionally, so we won`t see those other debacles that we saw like with Simon and Ellen.
ANDERSON: Yes. I can`t wait to see it either. Ralphie Aversa, thank you so much.
HAMMER: And now, the SHOWBIZ lineup - here`s what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
The Osbournes slam Billy Ray Cyrus over that whole "Hannah Montana" blame game.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
K. OSBOURNE: That`s a really inappropriate thing for someone to say especially when what they did together gave that person their career back.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Sharon and Kelly Osbourne take on Miley`s dad today.
A SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive - the CNN royal iReporter winner. You submitted your videos. Now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is about to reveal who`s going to London on us.
And another SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive, the not so happy days lawsuit. Why the cast of the iconic TV show is demanding millions today. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Royal wedding to broadcast live on YouTube. Jeff Bridges signs a record deal, solo album to be released this summer.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - the Osbournes defending Madonna. Sharon and Kelly take on CNN`s Piers Morgan.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PIERS MORGAN, HOST, "PIERS MORGAN TONIGHT": Making your daughter at 14 a celebrity.
SHARON OSBOURNE, REALITY TV STAR: She didn`t make her.
K. OSBOURNE: She`s Madonna`s daughter.
S. OSBOURNE: She was born a celebrity, Piers.
K. OSBOURNE: You just doesn`t like her.
HAMMER: Plus the Osbournes` new war against Miley Cyrus` dad today.
ANDERSON: A SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive. The intense coast-to-coast search is over. CNN`s royal iReporter revealed. The contest winner announced today.
HAMMER: Not so happy days. The cast of the TV classic suing for millions claiming they`ve been stiffed for more than three decades.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Somebody came up to me and said, "You must be cleaning up on those casinos." I said what are you talking about? And he said, "Yes, you get five Marions, you win the jackpot."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The legendary cast speaks out in a SHOWBIZ exclusive. Plus, breaking today from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - Demi Lovato`s big announcement and Miley`s new ink.
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 come to you from New York City.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with big news breaking today - a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive, not so happy days for the former stars of "Happy Days."
HAMMER: Yes, Brooke. They are some of the most iconic faces and names in television history. I`m talking about Potsie, Mrs. Cunningham, Joanie Cunningham, Ralph Malf, the stars of "Happy Days."
The show aired from 1974 to 1984, still airs endlessly in reruns, and it really remains one of the most beloved TV sitcoms of all times. But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that those happy days have turned into bitter days for some of its former stars.
Today, they filed a remarkable lawsuit claiming that they`ve been cheated out of money that others are making off of their characters. CNN`s Poppy Harlow for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(MUSIC)
POPPY HARLOW, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: This is the "Happy Days" known and beloved worldwide. This is "Happy Days" today, the show`s cast on slot machines, Potsie, Ralph, Joanie, even the Cunninghams.
MARION ROSS, ACTRESS: Somebody came up to me and said, you must be cleaning up on the casinos. I said, "What are you talking about?" And he said, yes, you get five Marions, you will hit the jackpot.
HARLOW: The slots represent what the actors say is a merchandising bonanza that began 37 years ago when the show first hit the airwaves.
But those same actors also say they haven`t been paid for the continued use of their images, as their contracts require, and now they preparing to sue CBS, which owns the show.
ANSON WILLIAMS, ACTOR: They`re representing to the public the best of what America has to offer - I mean, all the opportunities, the friendships and the warmth. Unfortunately, "Happy Days" also represents the worst of America, of what major companies are trying to get from it.
HARLOW: In exclusive interviews, we spoke with four members of the cast - Anson Williams, Don Most, Marion Ross, and Erin Moran at a 1950s-style cafe in Los Angeles. The estate of Tom Bosley, who died last October, is also part of the lawsuit. And for these actors who are like family it was a very emotional reunion.
MORAN: This is the best part. This is the best part.
HARLOW: The issue, they argue, is simple. They want to be paid for the use of their images.
DON MOST, "HAPPY DAYS" CAST: There`s something skewed in that the people who really had nothing to do with making the show, they are exploiting and making money on it by using our face, our pictures, and all that.
HARLOW: After hearing about the "Happy Days" slots, they began asking questions about where all of the money went.
JOHN PFEIFFER, ATTORNEY: "Happy Days" has turned into unhappy days.
HARLOW: John Pfeiffer is the actors` attorney in the suit against CBS.
PFEIFFER: They made a promise to pay. They broke the promise. That is breach of contract. Number two, they made a promise to pay. They purposely did not pay. They broke their promise, and that is fraud.
HARLOW: Under their contracts, the actors were to be paid five percent from the net proceeds of merchandising if the sole images were used, and 2.5 percent if they were in a group. The studio has the right to deduct 50 percent off of the top as a handling fee.
PFEIFFER: We have here iconic actors. I mean, I grew up watching these people. And yet, they got stiffed.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You haven`t seen a dime for this.
HARLOW: The actors argue the studio knew it owed them money, because in 1999 after Moran asked the studio which was then Paramount then paid her $692 for merchandising. This document also shows she was previously paid more than $8,000, which she claims she never received.
ANSON MORAN, "HAPPY DAYS" CAST: Bull. No I didn`t. No, I did not.
HARLOW: The merchandising proceeds are especially personal for Moran who lost her California home to foreclosure last year. In documents provided to the actors, CBS says that it only owes them between $8,500 and $9,000 each, and most of that from the slot machines. But the actors argue they`re owed millions.
CBS sent us a statement saying, "We agree that funds are owed to the actors and have been working with them for quite some time to resolve the issue."
HARLOW (on camera): Is it possible that CBS-Paramount may have just made a mistake?
(CROSS TALK)
MOST: Then I`d like to answer that question.
HARLOW: That is funny.
WILLIAMS: I`d like to answer that question. Let`s see, made a mistake for 37 years?
HARLOW (voice-over): A generation after the show ended, these actors all say this case is bigger than "Happy Days" and will set a precedent for the industry.
(on camera) People watching may be asking, you know, "Happy Days" started 37 years ago, and why are they just now bringing this suit now?
WILLIAMS: Well, because when we started the show, we were just kids. Actors - you know, we weren`t business people. And we signed, and we assumed, oh, they will send you to the checks and that`s it. We didn`t think about it.
HARLOW: Are you fighting for more than money?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We`re fighting for fairness?
MORAN: It`s principle.
ROSS: Can you think of all of the different shows that must be having the same argument about this? Maybe it is for the future that we are doing this.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: That exclusive report from CNN`s Poppy Harlow who is with me now in New York. So Poppy, what exactly are these former stars of "Happy Days" asking for?
HARLOW: That`s a good question. I mean, we`ve got the lawsuit filed here. Today, they`re asking for more than $10 million in damages. They say that`s what they`re owed. They`re also asking for a specific breakdown of how much each licensee that deals with "Happy Days" earn from sales and, of course, how much CBS took in.
They filed the suit just a few hours ago in Los Angeles Superior Court. These deals - these merchandising deals continue. What CBS recently announced is a number of new licensing deals of clothing manufacturers across Europe.
And A.J., here in the U.S., there are even deals for a lottery game with "Happy Days" characters on them. So we`ll see if that happens.
And finally, you`re probably wondering, folks, about Henry Winkler who, of course, played the Fonz and Ron Howard, the Academy Award-winning director who played Richie Cunningham. Neither of them is part of this case. We did hear back from Ron Howard`s publicist, A.J., who said, no comment at that time. We`ll keep on top of it, though.
HAMMER: It`s going to be fascinating to find out what happens here. This is absolutely a precedent -
HARLOW: It`s going to set a precedent either way. Yes, no doubt about it.
HAMMER: Poppy Harlow, great to see you. Thanks so much for that. And you can find full coverage on this story on "CNNMoney.com" including behind- the-scenes look at the "Happy Days" shoot.
ANDERSON: The Osbournes are a TV family of a very different sort. And today, they`re ripping into another famous clan. The Osbournes slam Billy Ray Cyrus. Sharon and Kelly Osbourne go off on Miley`s dad today saying that he`s got no right to fame them for their family meltdown.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
K. OSBOURNE: That`s a totally inappropriate for someone to say, especially when what they did together gave that person their career back.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: But considering the Osbournes are not exactly the Cleavers, do they have the right to bash Billy Ray?
HAMMER: Another star of "True Blood" making a major sexuality confession today. New details ahead.
ANDERSON: A SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive. The wait is finally over. I can`t wait to reveal the winner of the amazing CNN royal iReporter contest in just moments. 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: Demi Lovato leaving Disney`s "Sonny with a Chance." Darren Criss and "Glee`s" Warblers sing "Hey, Soul Sister" on "Today."
(MUSIC)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Lady Gaga lashes out. In an F-bomb laced new interview, Gaga responds to critics who say that her work is not genuine.
In an interview with England`s "NME Magazine," Gaga says this, "If you want me to be an manufactured act, you can (EXPLETIVE DELETED) off."
Gaga`s cover shot leaves little to the imagination. Inside the magazine, she also compares herself to John Lennon, "I am perpetually unhappy with what I create. When it`s all said and finished there will be things I dread."
"In John Lennon`s 1980 `Playboy` interview, he talked about how he hated certain songs because of the way they were finished. And they might be my favorite songs, but Lennon couldn`t listen to them."
HAMMER: Just in today, the Osbournes at war with Miley Cyrus` family? One of the most unique Hollywood families is now slamming another today. Sharon and Kelly Osbourne sound off.
Also, "True Blood" sexuality revelations. You have got to hear what this self-professed romantic is saying today. And Monday night fever - John Travolta giving Kirstie Alley a dancing boost, all making big news in "The Buzz Today."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over) Travolta twirls Kirstie. John Travolta made a special appearance on "Dancing with the Stars" Monday night to support long-time pal, Kirstie Alley. And as Kirstie tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Travolta gave Kirstie`s dance partner, Maksim, his stamp of approval.
KIRSTIE ALLEY, ACTRESS AND "DANCING WITH THE STARS" CONTESTANT: He said that Maks is the best thing to happen to dance since him.
HAMMER: "True Blood" sexuality revelation. "True Blood" star Evan Rachel Wood is revealing that she is bisexual. Evan tells "Esquire" magazine, "I`m up for anything. Meet a nice guy, meet a nice girl."
Evan isn`t the only "True Blood" star to open up recently about her sexuality. Her costar, Anna Paquin spoke about her bisexuality last year.
Osbourne slams Cyrus. Sharon and Kelly Osbourne are taking aim at the troubled family of former "Hannah Montana" star, Miley Cyrus.
In an appearance on CNN`s "Piers Morgan Tonight," Kelly and Sharon slammed Miley`s dad, Billy Ray, for telling "GQ" magazine the show "Hannah Montana" ruined his family, comments he has since apologized for.
K. OSBOURNE: That`s a really inappropriate thing for someone to say, especially when what they did together gave that person their career back. And it`s not fair to do that to your own child.
MORGAN: Really?
K. OSBOURNE: I think it`s a really inappropriate thing to say.
S. OSBOURNE: I do, too, and I don`t think he should have especially done that in print.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Well, the celebrity family face-off did not stop there. The Osbournes continued to rip into Billy Ray Cyrus for saying that he wished his daughter had never become famous. Listen to what else Sharon and Kelly Osbourne told CNN`s Piers Morgan.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
S. OSBOURNE: I don`t think he should have especially done that in print. He might think it. It might be, you know, that`s him.
K. OSBOURNE: He might have meant it in a different way, but in black and white, it seems so just harsh, especially because I love Miley. She`s a dear friend of mine. And I know how hard she works and she works so hard.
And I just think that that discredits everything that she`s done in her life, not just for herself but her whole family. And it`s disrespectful to say that kind of thing.
MORGAN: It seems strange because she`s built an incredible career for herself and she`s so young.
S. OSBOURNE: She`s very talented.
K. OSBOURNE: And him.
S. OSBOURNE: She made him relevant again.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I`ve got to say who knows more about how hard fame can be on a family than the Osbournes? They`ve overcome their very public battles with addiction, cancer.
Let me bring in syndicated radio host, Ralphie Aversa. Look, Ralphie, Billy Ray has already apologized. Why do you think this is so getting under Sharon`s skin still?
AVERSA: Because I think they`re trying to deflect attention off of themselves. I mean, whether you`re talking about their IRS issues or maybe the past drug things. Obviously, Sharon got a little testy, too, last night with Piers about her plastic surgery.
Maybe they`re sick of talking about themselves so they`re talking about somebody else. But I think they`re definitely out of line because I don`t know if Miley has that career without her father who had been done that road already.
HAMMER: Let me bring in "Inside Edition" correspondent, Megan Alexander. Do you think that Kelly and Sharon took this a little too far? Those were some pretty intense moments and some pretty harsh words there.
ALEXANDER: I think so. And look, I respect the Osbournes. I respect their candor and their honesty. They have a unique perspective.
But A.J., I still see this as Billy Ray did nothing wrong in voicing his opinion in that interview. And I don`t see it from a professional viewpoint, I saw it from a personal viewpoint. He is still her father.
And at the end of the day, even if she helped out his career, even if she`s making tons of money, he`s her father. And he felt that maybe, personally, that wasn`t the best for his family. And I think it gave us a great insight into raising a child in the showbiz industry.
HAMMER: Yes.
ALEXANDER: So I still say there`s nothing wrong with what he said. And they can still have a great relationship with him doing that interview.
HAMMER: Yes. I guess the Osbournes see how they sort of relate to it also having raised their kids with the spotlight around them as well. I don`t know. It was pretty intense though.
ALEXANDER: Yes.
HAMMER: Sharon really was pretty bitter about the whole thing. While they were slamming Billy Ray, however, they were defending Madonna.
CNN`s Piers Morgan has made it very clear that he does not like Madonna. He calls her boring. He says he`ll never have her on his show.
But Kelly Osbourne now happens to be the celebrity face of Madonna and her daughter Lourdes` fashion line. Kelly had some choice word for Piers. Look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
K. OSBOURNE: Madonna, from what I gathered, from the short time I spent with her, was that - it`s about, you know, she takes - her daughter goes to school. That comes first and everything else is after.
MORGAN: But making your daughter at 14 a celebrity -
K. OSBOURNE: She didn`t make her.
S. OSBOURNE: She`s Madonna`s daughter. She was born a celebrity, Piers.
K. OSBOURNE: You just don`t like her, so stop.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: You know, it kind of seems to me that Kelly knows what Lourdes is going through here. What do you think is going on with that little interaction and all this defense of Madonna and Lourdes from Kelly Osbourne?
AVERSA: Well, I think she can certainly relate growing up, again, in a celebrity family. It`s kind of interesting, though. I`m surprised that the Osbournes are speaking out because you would think if anybody would be sensitive to a criticism of a family from an outside source, it would be the Osbournes because of everything that they`ve gone through.
But certainly, Kelly can relate. Let`s face it. Kelly`s looking great right now. She`s (INAUDIBLE) the other time. So she`s very comfortable in speaking both in and out of her own skin.
HAMMER: Yes. She`s come a long way. There`s been a huge transformation there. And quite frankly, they were asked the questions. And really, I think, speaking from a lot of experience. Ralphie Aversa, Megan Alexander, thank you both so much.
ANDERSON: I am very excited about what`s coming up next. It`s the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive. Just moments from now, one very lucky person will find out if they`re going to be CNN`s royal wedding iReporter.
They`ll be there at the same time I`m in London to cover the royal wedding. The big reveal is next.
But now, it`s the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Elton John returns to Las Vegas for a three-year run at Caesars Palace. Miley Cyrus shows off her new tattoo.
HAMMER: It is time now for the SHOWBIZ buzz list. Here what`s the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT staff is buzzing all about this week. We`re just jamming to Jill Scott`s great new song, "Shame." It`s from her upcoming album, "The Life of The Sun."
For TV junkies who have no time to watch everything, well, we`re loving "Prime Time in No Time." It`s on "Yahoo.com."
Also buzzing about the Flipboard iPad app and the brand-new Oprah section. It features messages from Lady O herself.
We`re also stepping out with "TheFabEmpire.com." This happens to be your VIP invite to the hottest events and parties.
And we just can`t wait to see "Jumping the Broom," the hilarious comedy starring Angela Bassett and Loretta Devine. It opens up on May 6th.
Now, Loretta just told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT what makes this movie so special. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LORETTA DEVINE, ACTRESS: Well, you don`t usually see characters like (INAUDIBLE) in movies where they have a beautiful home -
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Absolutely.
DEVINE: Exactly. So I think people are going to be so surprised by that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
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HAMMER: Right now, a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive. So, Brooke, CNN`s royal iReporter contest has been this blockbuster success. So many people sent us these really creative, hilarious, heartwarming videos all about why they should jet off to London like you for the royal wedding.
ANDERSON: Yes. There were some fantastic submissions. And A.J., I am just glad that I am not the person who had to pick the winner. Everybody was so spectacular, but there could only be one winner. So Charles, drum roll, please.
The winner of the CNN iReporter contest is Jason Sauter from Orlando, Florida. Jason wins a trip for two to cover the excitement of the royal wedding. Here is his iReport.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JASON SAUTER, WINNER, CNN ROYAL WEDDING IREPORTER: Hello, CNN. This is Jason Sauter, reporting live for all the guys out there.
You need to pick me to be the next iReporter, representing the huge audience of guys that just can`t catch a break. We finally get past the vampire craziness and what do we get handed? The royal wedding.
Now, all of our girlfriends have childhood dreams of becoming a princess. The only problem is, now, there are two princes, their ages, that can actually make this happen.
As many girls out there are like my girlfriend, they have been following Prince William since the first time they realized who he was, swooned in over magazine pinups, cried for him when he lost his mom, cheered for him when he graduated Eaton and St. Andrew`s University and, secretly, hoped they would meet him.
And the fact that he`s marrying a commoner just like them - well, that`s just icing on the obsession cake. Now, my girlfriend is no exception. While she`s always loved British history, I knew her trip to London last year went far beyond wanting to study a text book.
She was searching for the royals. As she heard the rumored engagement of William and Kate was to occur last year, she was there. The only reading material at my place is magazines on the event or books on the royals.
So please, CNN, give me the opportunity to be the voice of countless males in my shoe. I have a background on reporting and while my girlfriend would love the opportunity, she`d just be too overjoyed to handle it.
Send us to London and I will do an amazing job reporting on the event and, CNN, you`ll make a girl very happy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Perfect. Congratulations, Jason. And yes, Jason tells us he will take his girlfriend, Nancy. And I assume, Brooke, if he didn`t do that, it would be his ex-girlfriend.
ANDERSON: Big trouble. Yes, he would have been in big trouble. And we need a male perspective like Jason`s over there -
HAMMER: Yes.
ANDERSON: Because I will be the one who is so giddy like his girlfriend, Nancy, so he needs to balance me out a little bit.
HAMMER: Now, there is a chance for you to be involved with the royal wedding as a CNN iReporter, so head to "iReport.CNN.com," submit a video about how you`re celebrating the royal wedding, maybe a big breakfast, a royal reenactment. Whatever you`re doing, we want to hear about it.
ANDERSON: Yes, we do. And be sure to watch me here on HLN. I will be in London beginning April 25th, so keep it right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT and HLN for the biggest and best coverage.
HAMMER: 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.
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