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Showbiz Tonight
Donald Trump`s Stunt?; "Mob" Mayhem; Disturbing Death Threats Against Rebecca Black; Courteney Cox`s iTunes Shocker
Aired April 20, 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 - Donald Trump`s stunt? The startling claim today from Trump`s inner "Celebrity Apprentice" circle that his possible presidential run is just a giant publicity stunt. Our SHOWBIZ Flashpoint today - does Donald have no choice but to run now?
BROOKE ANDERSON, CO-HOST: "Mob" mayhem. Italians outraged over the controversial new reality show "Mob Wives." Plus, big controversy over John Travolta playing John Gotti. So what does former "Sopranos" star, Steven Van Zandt think? He`s here for a headline-making SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsmaker interview.
HAMMER: Reports of disturbing death threats against Rebecca Black, the girl behind "Friday."
(MUSIC)
ANDERSON: A SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive - the guy just named the winner of our royal iReporter contest. He`s headed to London with us to cover the royal wedding. Today, his very first interview only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
HAMMER: 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 - A Trump stunt shocker?
HAMMER: Yes. We`ve got remarkable news today about the suspicions that Donald Trump`s rumblings about possibly running for president may all indeed be a publicity stunt.
In an explosion of "Entertainment Weekly" report, an NBC executive suspects Donald is stirring the presidential pot to help hype "Celebrity Apprentice."
Now, Trump has repeatedly denied that, denying it even as he announced he`ll reveal his next steps on the season finale of "Celebrity Apprentice." And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can now reveal that Trump may now have no choice but to run.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over) He`s acting like a candidate. He`s talking like a candidate.
DONALD TRUMP, BUSINESS TYCOON: And we`ll rebuild our country.
HAMMER: And his poll numbers sure are looking like a candidate`s.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Huckabee and Trump up by the top.
HAMMER: But as Donald Trump publicly considers whether he wants to turn the White House to the Trump house, today SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s crack political unit can tell you Donald Trump`s having serious problems with a key voting constituency, 84-year-old peacocks.
Executives at the peacock network, NBC, which airs Trump`s hit show, "Celebrity Apprentice," reportedly doubt Trump`s presidential intentions as much as Trump said he doubts the president`s birth certificate.
In an article appearing on "Entertainment Weekly`s" Web site, an unnamed NBC executive says about Trump, quote, "If he wants to spout off about thing, we`re happy to let him. But our inclination is that he`s not serious about running for president. We think it`s a stunt."
KIM SERAFIN, FORMER POLITICAL SPOKESPERSON: When you have people at his own network, when they think that he`s doing it for publicity, it probably tells you that they think that he`s in this for his branding, for his show to get more publicity.
And I think that`s what a lot of people do believe about Donald Trump`s intentions.
HAMMER: The NBC executive "Entertainment Weekly" talked to isn`t the only one in the NBC family to dump on Trump.
BILL COSBY, ACTOR: He`s full of it.
HAMMER: Bill Cosby, an NBC icon from his days on "The Cosby Show," went after Trump for his "I might run for president" media tour.
COSBY: The only thing he`s running is his mouth.
HAMMER: You`d think Trump would get more love from NBC considering the network is enjoying the fruits of Donald`s presidential dance.
Ratings for "Celebrity Apprentice" have been up as much as 20 percent since Trump began his 2012 presidential flirtation.
SERAFIN: It`s great for NBC. It`s great for Donald Trump.
HAMMER: It certainly is the question that`s united Hollywood and Washington.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You`re hired!
TRUMP: You`re hired.
HAMMER: Is Trump actually serious about running for president? Or is he using all this presidential talk to get attention for himself as some say he did in 1999 when he publicly flirted with running for president?
TRUMP: I am going to form a presidential exploratory committee -
HAMMER: Only to back away. Now, Trump is saying there`s a perfectly good reason he hasn`t outright announced whether he`s running for president in 2012.
TRUMP: You`re not allowed have a show on and be a declared candidate.
HAMMER: He tells NBC`s "Today" show that if he were to announce as a candidate, federal equal time rules would require NBC to yank "Celebrity Apprentice" off the air.
TRUMP: I think that would be very unfair to NBC.
HAMMER: So Donald says on the season finale of "Celebrity Apprentice," he`ll announce when he`ll be making an announcement on his political future.
And even NBC doesn`t know what he`ll do. That unnamed NBC executive tells "Entertainment Weekly," "We at the network have no idea whether Trump is serious about running for president or not. He won`t tell even us. And we haven`t pushed because we`ve just decided it is whatever it is."
SERAFIN: I think he`s going to drag this out as long as he can.
HAMMER: And with Trump`s bosses at NBC reportedly questioning Trump`s intentions, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is asking, to save his credibility, will Donald Trump actually have to run for president this time?
SERAFIN: The more they throw water on it, the more he`s going to fight back and say he is.
HAMMER: Kim Serafin, "In Touch Weekly" editor and former political spokesperson tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT now that Trump has once again whipped up all this presidential attention, he may have to run.
SERAFIN: I think if he does decide to run, I think it`s almost beyond his control. I think that maybe he will just get sucked into it.
HAMMER: And that`s the wildest thing about Trump`s White House to Trump house quest. If he runs, he may not just do it to save America, as he says in his speeches -
TRUMP: If I run and win, our country will be respected again.
HAMMER: He might just have to do it to save his credibility.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
And Trump`s wife speaks today. Melania Trump`s very first interview since her husband started talking about possibly running for president. Well, Melania spoke with HLN`s own Joy Behar. Joy is right here with the secrets of that interview, coming up.
ANDERSON: Now, a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive. Right now, for the very first time, the guy whose dream just came true. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was the first to break the news to the world about who won the CNN royal iReporter contest.
Jason Sauter of Orlando, Florida is the winner. And just like me he`s going to be heading to London to cover the royal wedding.
And this is a real treat. Jason is with us now for a SHOWBIZ exclusive newsmaker interview. There`s his girlfriend, Nancy Vidardi(ph), who will be going with Jason to London. Hey, guys, congratulations to you.
JASON SAUTER, WINNER, CNN ROYAL WEDDING IREPORTER: Thank you so much, Brooke. We are so excited.
NANCY VIDARDI(ph), JASON SAUTER`S GIRLFRIEND: Thank you, Brooke.
ANDERSON: I bet you are. And I want to first show everybody some of the iReport that you submitted that made you the clear favorite and the winner. It also featured Nancy. Here it is.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SAUTER (on camera): 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. All of our girlfriends had childhood dreams of being a princess. The only problem is now is there are two princes, their ages, that can actually make this happen.
So please, CNN, give me the opportunity to be the voice of countless males in my shoes. I have a background in 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, will you make a girl very happy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Oh, yes. Jason, it`s a well-deserved win. And I do have to say, you`re one very lucky guy because you just won the hottest reporting ticket in the world, highly coveted gig.
You`re going to be right there covering the big royal wedding with me when I`m there for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT and HLN in London starting next Monday.
I want to ask you this - what was it like when you heard that you won?
SAUTER: Well, I was here alone. Nancy wasn`t here. We were kind of on the edge of our seat. And I remember hearing that maybe you`ll hear something on Monday.
So I was sitting on the couch and the phone rang from Atlanta. And I thought, this is it. It`s either good news or bad news and I answered it and it was awesome news.
And I leaped across our apartment. I`m sure people thought something wrong was happening inside this place.
ANDERSON: I love that enthusiasm. Nancy, I think that you were Jason`s secret weapon. I think you really put him over the top for the big win. When you heard that he won, what did you think? Could you believe it? Because he had competition from around the world.
SAUTER: I was beside myself. I still can`t believe it to this day. We`re just so excited and I was jumping up and down and cheering. Oh, my goodness, I was so excited.
ANDERSON: I`m so, so happy for you guys. And Jason, one of the big things that really appealed to CNN was that you promised to bring a guy`s perspective, a guy`s view on the wedding. So I want to take a look now at a little bit more of your submission.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SAUTER: 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 textbook.
She was searching for the royals as she heard the rumored engagement of William and Kate was to occur while she was there. The only reading material at my place was magazines on the event or books on the royals.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: So Jason, how are you going to do that? How are you going to bring the guys` view?
SAUTER: Well, I think with events like this, we see so much press and coverage about what the girls are wearing, the fashion and the glitz and the glamour. And that`s all great and exciting but that`s what we hear every single time.
So I get excited about, you know, the thoughts of what is going on in William`s head. Oh, my gosh. He`s about to marry on the biggest event in history that could last for a lifetime.
So I think we can understand and relate to him because we watched him grow up like a normal guy, just like me playing sports. And I could be, you know, playing sports right next to him and growing up and sitting on the beach with his mom and his brother.
So looking at that time from that perspective I think makes it a lot more realistic and able to relate to easier for all of us guys out there that maybe -
ANDERSON: Yes. I like what you said. Yes, finding out what is going through his head. Is he like every other groom on his wedding day? Is he sweating a little bit? Is he nervous? I`m really thrilled about your thoughts and your approach and how you`re going to be doing it.
And Jason, it kind of seems to me that Nancy might be hoping to attend another wedding very soon, maybe not a royal wedding. So come on, Jason, you guys have been together for, what, six years? Here`s your first chance to break some news for us. Are you going to become Nancy`s Prince Charming or what?
SAUTER: Well, I think we`re already a royal couple. But you know, it`s just a matter of tying the knot. And her and I love each other very, very much and we`ve been through so much. So just like news, I don`t want to be told no, so it`s got to be the right time and the right place.
ANDERSON: You`re right. Timing is everything. You guys are like Prince William and Kate, a long courtship to ensure that everything is great and that you`re good and ready. Well, I wish you both the best and I cannot wait to see you over in London. We`re going to have a good time.
SAUTER: Yes, we are.
ANDERSON: Jason Sauter and Nancy Vidardi(ph), good to see you.
HAMMER: All right. We move now from royal excitement to mob mayhem. Outrage today over the controversial new reality show, "Mob Wives."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I`m jealous of you? Are you (EXPLETIVE DELETED) dumb or stupid?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: So what does former "Sopranos" star Stephen Van Zandt think? He is right here for a headline-making SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsmaker interview.
ANDERSON: Reports of disturbing death threats today against 13-year-old Rebecca Black, the girl who sings "Friday."
HAMMER: Courteney Cox`s iTunes scare. Courteney looks at an account she and her estranged hubby David Arquette share and she makes a stunning discovery. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
It is time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - these are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Lindsay Lohan no longer being considered for the role in upcoming Gotti biopic. Justin Timberlake to host "SNL" season finale.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Did you see this? It`s Papa John`s big royal wedding I dough. Get it? The pizza chain is out with a pie featuring the faces of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Kate`s veil is made of mushrooms. Prince William`s suit is made out of salami and peppers. But this royal pie is one of a kind, so I`m sorry you can`t order it.
ANDERSON: Oh, darn!
HAMMER: But you can - yes, I`m sorry about that, Brooke. I`m sure you`d like to take it on the plane with you to London. However, we are dishing out a big old slice of royal (INAUDIBLE) today. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York, Brooke Anderson is in Hollywood.
ANDERSON: Yes, A.J. I am heading to London in just a few days, I can`t believe it, to cover the royal wedding. And even though I`m not attending the actual ceremony, I have been told that I need to dress the part and represent. So luckily, I know somebody who can help me out. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(on camera): I`m here with my friend, the fabulous, Lisa Vanderpump from "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills." We are at her beautiful palatial estate. Here`s Jiggy. I don`t want to forget Jiggy. But Lisa`s going to help me get ready for the royal wedding. I need to know what to wear.
LISA VANDERPUMP, REALITY TV STAR, "THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF BEVERLY HILLS": Well, I have a surprise for you upstairs. You`re going to be very excited. I have a designer waiting upstairs who`s got the absolute perfect thing. You`re going to love it.
ANDERSON: Shopping at Lisa Vanderpump`s. So let`s go. So, Lisa, tell me what are British weddings like?
VANDERPUMP: Well, they`re very different from American weddings, I have to be honest. For a start, normally, you get married in the day, which is - often, in America you`re getting married in the evening. So normally, people are kind of wearing suits and it`s more of an afternoon feel.
ANDERSON: So what do you recommend, based on your experiences, with British weddings?
VANDERPUMP: Well, obviously, it`s going to be the most formal wedding ever. I mean, absolutely, a royal wedding - it just takes it up a notch. I think that you should wear a hat or at least a fascinator. Because I think - if you get a chance (INAUDIBLE) if you get a chance to wear a long dress, I think you should go for it. OK. So come in.
ANDERSON: Oh, this is unlike any closet I`ve ever seen.
VANDERPUMP: I know. It`s amazing. But I thought it was too big, but it`s like handbag. It`s a certain size and you just fill it up. Anyway, you have to meet my friend.
ANDERSON: Look at these wonderful dresses that you have. Can you tell us a little bit about them?
VANDERPUMP: This is just my very favorite.
ANDERSON: Beautiful.
VANDERPUMP: It`s an organza duster.
ANDERSON: Kate Middleton needs that. OK -
VANDERPUMP: This is very much better than going shopping. Come on.
ANDERSON: Isn`t it? OK. So let`s try some things on and have some fun. Here I am!
VANDERPUMP: Oh, that is pretty. I like that. I like that, but my feeling is it`s a little lightweight because of the weather.
ANDERSON: So back to the drawing board?
VANDERPUMP: Oh, my god. I like that. I have that dress. I think that`s beautiful, and I like it accessorized.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Wait until you see the hat.
ANDERSON: Yes. I have to have the hat.
VANDERPUMP: Oh, it`s beautiful. I like that.
ANDERSON: Is it too much?
VANDERPUMP: Yes.
ANDERSON: It can never be too much.
VANDERPUMP: Oh yes it can.
ANDERSON: More, please. More, more. I have a little spring in my step with this one.
VANDERPUMP: And you don`t have to worry about the color. It`s ivory, but you`re not actually going to the wedding.
ANDERSON: Yes. I really like this.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Why don`t you try a fascinator on? (INAUDIBLE) color.
VANDERPUMP: OK. So what do you think?
ANDERSON: I love it.
VANDERPUMP: Which one - fascinator or hat?
ANDERSON: I think hat. Thank you again. You`re wonderful. I love you.
VANDERPUMP: Shall we go and have tea?
ANDERSON: Let`s do it.
VANDERPUMP: OK, come on.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: And we`ll bring you our tea tomorrow on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. We really had a ball. And Lisa`s house was so grand at times I thought actually in Buckingham Palace. My thanks to Lisa and, of course, her fantastic designer, Christina Makowsky.
Remember, I will be live on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT from London beginning Monday - this Monday, April 25th. So be sure to watch me here on HLN for the biggest and best royal wedding coverage.
HAMMER: Brooke looked great, didn`t she? I say go with the hat. All right. Let move on to New York City royalty today. Trump`s wife speaks.
Melania Trump is giving her very first interview about Donald possibly running for president. Does she think Donald has what it takes? Can Melania see herself as first lady? Coming up.
ANDERSON: Demi Lovato`s stunning confessions today. Her emotional and painful battle with bulimia.
HAMMER: And the "Jersey Shore" crew better shape up. The strict new crackdown on Snooki and company in Italy today. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
DEMI LOVATO, ACTRESS AND SINGER: Why are you guys crooning? We just got nominated for best clean show. This is (INAUDIBLE).
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Demi Lovato`s stunning revelation today. She`s leaving the hit Disney show that made her a big star. And that`s not all. Demi explosive confessions about being bullied and battling bulimia.
HAMMER: Demi stars in "Sonny with a Chance." But today, she dropped a bombshell. The 18-year-old star says that she`s leaving on her show to focus on her music career.
Now, this comes after Demi quit her tour with the Jonas Brothers and entered a treatment facility that specializes in addiction and eating disorder.
Demi gave her very first TV interview since leaving treatment to "Good Morning America." This morning, Demi revealed she has battled bulimia since she was a child. She also explains what triggered her painful struggle.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LOVATO: I was bullied because I was fat. And then, a few months later, I developed an eating disorder and that`s kind of what I`ve been dealing with ever since.
And I was compulsively overeating when I was eight years old. So I guess for the past 10 years, I`ve had a really unhealthy relationship with food.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Demi also says she takes full responsibility for hitting one of her backup dancers when she was on tour. It was soon after that incident that Demi entered treatment.
ANDERSON: We wish Demi well. OK. I`m so excited to be heading to London next week to cover the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
And I really appreciate all of our great viewers, our friends at home, all of you writing me on Facebook with some tips on what to wear. I just showed you some options, but I want to read now what a few of you think.
Laura C. thinks that pink is pretty, "Wear a proper suit, buttoned to the collar, pink with white gloves, white hose and pink shoes and a pink-and- white hat.
Janice C. suggests "Something very comfortable. Have to wear flats. It`s going to be a long day." Really great advice. Thanks, ladies.
So join our debates on Facebook. We are "ShowbizTonightHLN" there. Follow @ShowbizTonight on Twitter for breaking entertainment news alerts. Call me at "Showbiz on Call" - 1-888-SBT-BUZZ. And of course, there is always E- mail, showbiztonight@cnn.com.
OK. Here`s what`s coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Outrage today over the controversial new reality show, "Mob Wives." So what does former "Sopranos" star, Steven Van Zandt think? He is here today for a headline- making SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsmaker interview.
Reports of disturbing death threats today against Rebecca Black, the sweet little girl who sings "Friday."
And Courteney Cox iTunes shocker. She finds a dating app on an account that she shares with estranged hubby, David Arquette. So who downloaded it? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
It is time for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Black Eyed Peas opening music academy in New York City. Marvel confirms it`s working on sequels for "Thor," "Captain America."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I`m jealous of you? Are you (EXPLETIVE DELETED) dump or stupid?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - mob mayhem. Outrage today over the new reality show "Mob Wives." Big controversy over John Travolta playing John Gotti. So what does former "Sopranos" star, Steven Van Zandt think? Well, he`s here today for a headline making SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsmaker interview.
ANDERSON: Melania speaks. Donald Trump`s wife`s very - her very first interview about her husband`s possible presidential run. Does she think that she`s first lady material?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOY BEHAR, HOST, "THE JOY BEHAR SHOW": Is he really running for the presidency, or is this a big publicity stunt?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Melania sounds off on reports that Trump`s possible run is a big stunt.
HAMMER: Horror for Rebecca Black. Shocking reports today that the 13- year-old "Friday" singer is getting death threats.
Plus, breaking today from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - Justin Bieber, a big Charlie Sheen fan? And a new job for Susan Lucci.
ANNOUNCER: 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 - mob mayhem.
HAMMER: Yes. There is absolute outrage today about the brand-new VH-1 reality show called "Mob Wives." An Italian interest group is furious about the portrayal of the women who are in the show. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think we resolved this.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Don`t put your finger in my (EXPLETIVE DELETED) face.
(CROSS TALK)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. I can tell you that the Italian interest group that`s outraged today is the very same one that slammed "Jersey Shore" when that show first debuted. There`s also big news breaking today about that show.
And then, there`s the controversy over John Travolta playing John Gotti in a brand-new movie. Wait a second. Doesn`t this all sound very familiar? Didn`t we hear the same kind of outrage about that show, "The Sopranos"?
So who better to talk about all of this with former "Sopranos" star, Steven Van Zandt, who is with us today for a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsmaker interview.
Now, Steven is helping to celebrate Hard Rock Cafe`s 40th anniversary. Amazing. He`s doing a battle of the bands, 40 local bands taking the stage at the hot music festival in London at the end of June called "Hard Rock Calling." It`s going to be so cool. We`re going to talk to Steven about that in just a minute.
First of all, it`s excellent to see you. Great to have you here. Rock royalty is in the house. I`ve got to get your take on the "Mob Wives" thing, because this whole thing is all very familiar.
Now, this show, Steven, follows four women whose husbands and fathers are connected to mob men. Not everybody is happy about the show.
I want to read what one Italian interest group told TMZ today, "`Mob Wives` is trash TV like `Jersey Shore.` I hope it dies because nobody watches it. We were mobsters and mafiosos with `The Sopranos,` bimbos and buffoons with `The Jersey Shore.` And now, we`re back where it all started. It`s a disgrace."
Look, when you played Silvio on "The Sopranos," I remember when the show launched and, for years, it was getting the same kind of heat. Do you see a show like "Mob Wives" as a disgrace to Italian-Americans as they`re saying? You`re just like laughing through the whole thing.
STEVEN VAN ZANDT, ACTOR: I think it`s hilarious. People banned us from the Columbus Day parade.
HAMMER: I remember that, yes.
VAN ZANDT: They`re banning us for fictional characters. I mean - no, I never watch TV, ever. I really don`t. And I`m in Norway last week and my wife says there`s a new show coming on. She watches everything, you know.
HAMMER: Right.
VAN ZANDT: She says a new show called, "Mob Wives" - because my wife played my mob wife.
HAMMER: Right.
VAN ZANDT: Gabriella Dante. So I said I`ll tape it for the heck of it, right. So I got jetlagged, you know, this morning. I got in last night from Norway. And this morning, I`m up at 5:00 in the morning, so I put it on.
It just so happens. I didn`t know you were going to ask me about this. I actually watched it. I thought it was great. I love the (INAUDIBLE).
HAMMER: You can`t imagine why the outrage?
VAN ZANDT: What is the outrage? I don`t get it. You know, they`re real people.
HAMMER: I think part of the reason it struck such a chord is because the women appeared to be flaunting their connection to the mob. Let`s just take a look at a little bit of that, something you saw.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KAREN GRAVANO, DAUGHTER OF SAMMY GRAVANO: I`m Karen Gravano, the daughter of Sammy "The Bull" Gravano, the former under-boss of the Gambino organized crime family.
In 1990, my father cooperated with the feds and is considered the man to help bring down the mafia. I`m going back to Staten Island, and I know it will probably make a lot of people comfortable. But I don`t give a (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. What do you think? Anything wrong with these women cashing in on their connection with the mob?
VAN ZANDT: I never understand these controversies because - well, are they suggesting that they`re glamorizing the mob? I mean, the husbands and fathers - they`re all in jail.
HAMMER: Not a good life.
VAN ZANDT: There`s nothing glamorous about that. I don`t get it, you know. But I watch the show and I enjoyed it.
HAMMER: Well, they`ve got a fan in you, man.
VAN ZANDT: Absolutely.
HAMMER: Right there. And you know, this outrage is coming on the heels to a similar controversy about the upcoming movie about infamous mobster, John Gotti, Sr. He`s going to be played by John Travolta.
I spoke with John. They did a big press conference. And I asked John if he had any concern about playing a character like John Gotti, Sr., somebody who did some terrible things, in a sympathetic light.
Now, of course, Silvio, your character, was a very likable guy, but who did some very terrible things. Do you think there is any danger to showing, you know, a really bad guy, a real-life guy, because your guy was fictional, in a sympathetic light?
VAN ZANDT: This is the job of acting. You know, I mean, Johnny Travolta played a lot of crazy guys.
HAMMER: Fictional characters, though. So this I think is why it`s a little different to people.
VAN ZANDT: So what? You know, he`s portraying somebody who was - somebody who was culturally, you know, important. And I think he`ll probably do a great job, you know. There`s nothing controversial about it.
HAMMER: That`s fair enough. So you have to tell me when we`re going to see Silvio on the screen next. How`s the movie coming along?
VAN ZANDT: There`s no movie.
HAMMER: You guys are in production?
VAN ZANDT: No, no.
HAMMER: You`re not telling anybody? Now, come on.
VAN ZANDT: Half the cast is dead. What can I tell you? My guy`s still breathing. Well, you know, the closest thing is what I`m doing right now in Norway. I`m doing a show called "Lily Hammer" where I play a gangster again, but it may not come to America. So who knows?
HAMMER: All right.
VAN ZANDT: No. No "Sopranos" movie right now.
HAMMER: You will be right here telling us when that happens.
VAN ZANDT: When that happens, you`ll be the first to know. But you know -
HAMMER: But for the time being - big news breaking about the show "Jersey Shore" that I definitely want to get to now. The show is going to be shooting its next season in Italy. A lot of Italians there were furious when they heard that that gang was going over there.
And today, we learned the mayor of Florence has set some conditions for Snooki and her crew if they plan to visit. Brooke Anderson, you`ve got to tell us what these conditions are. I think this is spectacular.
ANDERSON: Yes. It`s really simple, A.J. Snooki and the Sitch are not going to really know what hit them when they go to Italy, because, get this - the cast is banned from filming in bars and clubs that serve alcohol. No drinking in public will be allowed - good luck with that.
And the mayor is telling the producers of "Jersey Shore" that the show should be filled in a manner that will promote Italy and feature its culture and good food.
This doesn`t really even sound like a single scene that we have ever seen on "Jersey Shore." Steven, do you think that they should just stay in Jersey? Would they be better off just staying in Jersey?
VAN ZANDT: Well, if I may give a little respectful advice here - don`t mess with Italy, OK?
ANDERSON: That`s right.
VAN ZANDT: You know, go to a city where they`re more welcome, right? I mean, why go to a place where the mayor`s already got an attitude? You know, go to Germany. Go somewhere on the shore where it`s more fun, you know? I mean, don`t mess around. Don`t mistake Italian-Americans for Italians.
HAMMER: A whole different thing.
VAN ZANDT: Two different things.
HAMMER: OK. And maybe they`d be more welcome in London. I`m actually very excited about what you have going on. You`re going over there. You`re celebrating Hard Rock`s 40th anniversary. I can`t believe it`s been 40 years.
There`s a battle of the bands you`re involved with. You`ve got judge the bands and you`re helping select who`s going to be making this trip. I`ve got to ask you, as an original member of Bruce Springsteen`s E Street Band, I imagine your standard is very high. So these are going to be some good bands.
VAN ZANDT: That`s true. It`s really - it`s the biggest international battle of the bands I`ve ever seen. I mean, it`s literally the whole planet. We headlined this gig a couple years ago in Hyde Park. It`s a fantastic festival.
It`s one of the most prestigious now in the world, you know. You know, Hard Rock has been amazing about supporting rock `n roll, especially since the Seminole Indians took over, you know?
But they`ve been - it`s been nothing but great rock in the cafes, the hotels, the casinos. And this festival is just the ultimate. And all you can do these days as a new band is hope you great little bit of noise, a little bit of attention. And the whole world`s rock press is there and 50,000 people.
HAMMER: You helping to shine some light on that is terrific. It`s great to see you. We look forward to you coming be back and telling us about the "Sopranos" movie. Steven Van Zandt - and again, it`s the battle of the bands at the Hard Rock Cafe celebrating its 40th anniversary. Unbelievable. Thanks again.
VAN ZANDT: You got it.
ANDERSON: Wow. All right. Still ahead, the Donald`s wife speaks. Melania Trump`s very first interview about her husband`s presidential aspirations. Does she really think he`s serious? And is she ready to leave Fifth Avenue for Pennsylvania Ave.?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BEHAR: Is he really running for the presidency? Or is this a big publicity stunt?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: What Melania just told HLN`s Joy Behar. And Joy is here, next.
HAMMER: Is Courteney Cox oversharing about sex again? New revelations today about a mysterious gay dating iPhone app downloaded on the account Courteney shares with David Arquette.
ANDERSON: "Friday" death threats? Shocking reports today that 13-year-old "Friday" singer, Rebecca Black`s life may be in danger. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
HAMMER: Time to roll out the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Justin Bieber says Charlie Sheen may be most influential person in the world. Kirstie Alley and Maksim Chmerkovskiy talk about his "sexy" new name.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAKSIM CHMERKOVSKIY, DANCE PARTNER OF KIRSTIE ALLEY: Think of what I`m going to say to my grandmother and all her friends watching - what the hell was that?
KIRSTIE ALLEY, ACTRESS: Your grandmother is going to love that her grandson is a Sex Stick. Trust me. Every grandmother wants a sex stick for a grandson.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Hi, there. We welcome you back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. A.J. Hammer in is in New York.
HAMMER: Hard-hitting questions today for Donald Trump`s supermodel wife, Melania. Does she think Trump is pulling a big old publicity stunt with this whole president thing? Can she actually see herself as first lady?
HLN`s own Joy Behar sat down with Melania Trump for an exclusive interview. You, of course, can watch Joy every weekday on HLN at 10:00 p.m. Eastern. And you can watch her right here, right now.
All right, Joy. Let`s get right into it. You had Melania Trump on, beautiful woman to be sure.
BEHAR: Yes.
HAMMER: Overall, what did you think of the woman behind the man who we really don`t get to hear from that often?
BEHAR: Well, she`s very loyal to her husband and she believes in him. She says that, you know, he`s not pulling a stunt here. He really does care about everything. She does enjoy his hair. She enjoys it.
HAMMER: I think she`s the only one.
BEHAR: Yes. Well, she says he has great legs. She reveals also how she met him, which you watch tonight and you`ll see.
HAMMER: All right. Here`s the thing. Let`s talk about the whole presidential run thing because I want to hear her take on all the Donald drama that`s been going on. There`s been plenty of it.
Today, big news broke that NBC executives actually really think that Donald has no real plans to run for president. He`s just flapping his gums as, I`ve been saying, just to increase ratings for "Celebrity Apprentice."
Let`s watch that part of your interview with Melania where you ask her specifically about that.
BEHAR: OK.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BEHAR: Is he really running for the presidency or is this a big publicity stunt? The wife knows the truth. What is it?
MELANIA TRUMP, WIFE OF DONALD TRUMP: Look, he doesn`t need the publicity stunt.
BEHAR: No.
M. TRUMP: He`s successful. He will make a decision prior to June. And he`s very fascinated by the country. He`s one of the best, the most brilliant negotiator of minds out there, like geniuses mind out there.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Joy, did you believe her that it`s not a big publicity stunt? Because obviously, she`s going to be loyal. But you were looking at her right in her eyes. What did those eyes tell you?
BEHAR: If I felt that way about my ex, I`d still be married.
HAMMER: Yes.
BEHAR: Yes, I think that she believes in him. And I think she doesn`t think it. Either that or he told her to say it. I don`t know. That`s what she said, you know, that it`s not a publicity stunt.
I mean, every time you say that about him, he gets mad. So we`re going to find out in a couple of weeks, aren`t we? When is "Celebrity Apprentice" over?
HAMMER: Yes. The "Celebrity Apprentice" finale is coming. And when that happens, he`s going to announce when he`s going to announce if he`s going to run. I have no concept as to how that can`t be derived as a publicity stunt.
But you know, he`s ruffled a lot of feathers over the past couple of months, especially over his controversial claims that Obama wasn`t born in America. What does Melania think about that particular controversy?
Well, you actually asked her about that. Let`s look at that.
BEHAR: OK.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(on camera) What is this with the birth certificate obsession? Did he ask to see yours when you met him?
M. TRUMP: I needed to put mine anyway because if you want to become an American citizen, I have to have a birth certificate.
BEHAR: Right.
M. TRUMP: I have a birth certificate from Slovenia. In one way, it would be very easy if President Obama would just show it.
BEHAR: But he showed it.
M. TRUMP: Because it`s not only - it`s not only Donald who wants to see it. It`s American people who voted for him and who didn`t voted for him. They want to see that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: It sounds to me, I`ve got to tell you, like she`s reading right from Donald`s script there.
BEHAR: Well, you know, I mean, people are not - he refuses to understand that the certificate of live birth is what they issue in Hawaii. As I pointed out to her, if it`s the way they do it, and he doesn`t buy it, Trump, that means that no one in Hawaii can ever run for president according to him.
And you know, I have a friend who tried to renew his passport and he couldn`t renew it with his birth certificate. He had to go back to California and get a certificate of a live birth. This is what they do now.
HAMMER: Yes.
BEHAR: And he just refuses to accept it. But her rap is that the media keeps asking him the questions and he`s not bringing it up. So that was what she said.
HAMMER: And quickly, because have I to -
BEHAR: And that`s true. I have to give her that because I asked him on "The View." George Stephanopoulos asked him. Everyone asks him that question because - I don`t know. It drums up interest in this story, I guess.
HAMMER: Yes. That`s fair enough, but I have to say, given all that, I still can`t believe she likes his hair. Joy, thank you very much. Appreciate it.
BEHAR: Well, I like your hair.
HAMMER: Thank you.
BEHAR: You`re welcome. I like the one on your back, the hair on your back.
HAMMER: Hey, hey. No, let`s not go there.
BEHAR: That long, long hair that grows back there.
HAMMER: All right. Cut her off. Let her go. Tonight at 10:00 p.m. Eastern Joy and Melania - hopefully not talking about the hair on my back right here on HLN.
All right. We heard from Trump. We want to hear from you, because we`ve heard from the wife as well. It`s our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive poll - "Donald Trump`s Possible Run: Does he have no chance but to run now?"
He`s boxed himself in. He can still back out? What do you think? CNN.com/ShowbizTonight is where you go to vote.
ANDERSON: What about the hair on his chest, Joy? Sexy, A.J. All right. Her song, "Friday," is infectious. And she is as cute as she can be.
But today, there are chilling reports that somebody is threatening to kill Rebecca Black. This bizarre and disturbing story tops "The Buzz Today."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over) Rebecca Black death threats. "Friday" singer and YouTube sensation, Rebecca Black, is dealing with a scary situation. She`s been getting death threats. Anaheim Police spokesman Rick Martinez tells Reuters that police are keeping an extra eye out for Black while they investigate the source of the comments.
Pia and Mark`s couple debut? Well, sort of. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can reveal that rumored couple Pia Toscano and Mark Ballas will make their TV debut on "Dancing with the Stars" next week. The "American Idol" cast-off will perform while "Dancing" star Mark takes to the floor.
MARK BALLAS, REALITY TV STAR, "DANCING WITH THE STARS": I think it`s amazing because her voice is just stunning. So it should be a really cool performance. I`m looking forward to "Dancing."
HAMMER: I love Courteney Cox and David Arquette. They`re so open about their marriage. But is Courteney over-sharing again? New revelations today about a gay dating iPhone app downloaded on to the account that Courteney shares with David. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Time for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Susan Lucci in talks to join "Desperate Housewives." Katy Perry`s song, "ET" featuring Kanye West tops iTunes charts.
(MUSIC)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Courteney Cox is revealing relationship secrets again. Courteney and David were just on Howard Stern`s radio show in what seemed like a public couple`s therapy session.
Well, Courteney is dishing again, and this time it`s about David`s gay app. Courteney and David share an iTunes account. And she thought that David might have made a very unusual purchase. Courteney shares on "Jimmy Kimmel Live."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
COURTENEY COX, ACTRESS: So I went on to look at - to view the history to see what other songs maybe David had been downloading because he`s hip. And there are the songs and then it said "Grinder," to find your same-sex in your neighborhood.
And I was like - I`m (INAUDIBLE) that you get to punch something in and see where another guy in the neighborhood is. So I called up my assistant, who happens to be gay, and I asked him - it`s OK for me to say this.
And I said, "Did you happen to buy anything on our iTunes thing?" He said no. Now I`m kind of shaking. I`m like, this is going to be a weird call to David. Really? You didn`t make one purchase?
He said, "No, Courteney." I said, "Come on, buddy. It`s all right, I wouldn`t get mad. You know, tell me about one thing. You bought `Grinder.`" He was like, "Oh, no. That was a free app. Yes, yes, yes."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Ah, well. Courteney admits that she and David have been talking a little too much lately about their personal lives.
HAMMER: Let`s move on, shall we? Dozens of adoring fans, two sexy superstars and one tweet. Yes. That is the premise of a new diet Pepsi ad. And Brooke, it is very much art imitating life.
ANDERSON: Yes, it is, A.J. Did you see this? "Modern Family`s" Sofia Vergara causes hysteria with a single tweet in this brilliant new ad that is all about the power of Twitter.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(SINGING)
SOFIA VERGARA, ACTRESS: One Diet Pepsi, please.
DAVID BECKHAM, SOCCER PLAYER: What`s going on over there?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: It`s funny because it`s plausible. It could possibly happen.
HAMMER: What do you mean?
ANDERSON: A.J., it could. It could. I`ve got to say I actually wish that David had had his shirt off in the commercial.
HAMMER: Let me tell you something, Brooke.
ANDERSON: It`s an opportunity.
HAMMER: Do me a favor. Next time you`re at the beach, David Beckham walks up to you and gives you a soda or just says hello, you call me, OK?
ANDERSON: All right. I will. I`ll tweet you.
HAMMER: All right. Perfect. Perfect. That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thanks 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 are still TV`s most provocative entertainment news show at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific right here on HLN.
END
