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Showbiz Tonight
Bin Laden Movie Blockbuster; Trump Trumped by President Obama?; Are Prince William and Duchess Catherine the Biggest Stars on the Planet?; Stevie Nicks on Lindsay Lohan; The Bieber Bully Controversy
Aired May 03, 2011 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
A.J. HAMMER, HOST: Big news breaking tonight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - Bin Laden movie blockbuster? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT uncovers the very first details of the scramble to make a movie about the killing of Bin Laden. Calling "24`s" Jack Bauer. Our SHOWBIZ Flashpoint today would a movie about the killing of Bin Laden be a guaranteed blockbuster?
Has Trump been trumped by President Obama for good? The birth certificate debate over. Osama Bin Laden, dead. And even Obama`s speech preempt "Celebrity Apprentice."
The brand-new Bieber bully controversy today. Justin Bieber with the kid who body-slammed a bully on tape. Bieber`s remarkable on stage surprise.
Prince William. Princess Catherine. The great debate tonight, are Will and Kate now the biggest celebrities in the world?
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show breaks news right now.
(MUSIC)
Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer coming to you from New York City with big news breaking tonight - a Bin Laden movie blockbuster?
We learned remarkable new details today about the story behind the tracking down and killing of Osama Bin Laden. And what you`re about to hear has all the makings of a Hollywood movie blockbuster.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT learned today that there is already a remarkable rush to make the very first movie about the hunt for Bin Laden. And it`s the producers of the upcoming movie version of the hit TV series "24" are looking for the perfect story to tell. Well, they may have just been handed a gift.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over) A murderous elusive bad guy, suspenseful high-tech surveillance -
UNIDENTIFIED MALE REPORTER: The courier was finally found in Pakistan reportedly because of a phone call -
HAMMER: A daring, intense military strike as worried officials a world away watch the action unfold in real time.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE REPORTER: The minutes pass like days.
HAMMER: And finally, a dead bad guy and a happy ending for U.S. Forces.
BARACK OBAMA, UNITED STATES PRESIDENT: No Americans were harmed.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you as we hear more details about today about the U.S. military operation that killed Osama Bin Laden, it`s all starting to sound like a topnotch Hollywood action movie.
LINDSAY POWERS, "THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER": The capture of Osama Bin Laden is the perfect made-for-Hollywood movie.
HAMMER: TV journalists are also making that comparison today.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In a cloak-and-dagger maneuver that seems straight out of a spy movie -
HAMMER: In fact, Bin Laden`s death seems to have everyone thinking Hollywood. In the hours after the news of his killing broke, one of the biggest topics trending on Twitter was Jack Bauer -
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: Torture me if you have to.
HAMMER: The action hero on the TV spy drama, "24." The mission to get Osama Bin Laden is looking more and more like a story tailor-made-for- Hollywood. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you, today, TV networks started to use all kinds of cinematic Hollywood-ready graphics to illustrate the brand-new details of how that well-equipped Navy SEAL team helicoptered in to Bin Laden`s hideout.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is what special forces do.
HAMMER: In another made-for-Hollywood twist, it was reported that President Obama and his top officials watched live real time video of the Pakistan firefight in the situation room in Washington 7,000 miles away.
This morning, a White House official who was there told CNN`s "American Morning" it was a stressful time.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Some very, very tense moments and we just were saying our prayers that everything was going to go according to plan.
HAMMER: It`s just like those nail-biting scenes we`ve seen in countless action movies like "Patriot Games" where U.S. Officials watch a deadly military operation unfold a world away.
In fact, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you the Hollywood-ready Bin Laden mission has filmmakers scrambling to figure out ways to bring it to the big screen.
POWERS: Kathryn Bigelow, the director of "The Hurt Locker," is already working on an Osama Bin Laden movie that surrounded around a failed attempt to capture Bin Laden.
Now, so she`s told the "Hollywood Reporter" she`s retooling that movie to be able to include the more recent events.
She`s now going to have likely a lot of competing projects that are being rushed to the theaters so that filmmakers can capitalize on the public interest of Osama Bin Laden`s capture.
HAMMER: A possible Bin Laden movie wouldn`t be the first time a modern day military operation was brought to the screen. The 2001 movie "Blackhawk Down" about a U.S. mission in Somalia that took place just eight years earlier was a critical and box office hit.
But that movie and the real life story had a tragic ending. The mission failed and 18 rangers were killed in the bloody battle.
A movie about the Osama Bin Laden mission would have what that movie didn`t, a happy ending for the U.S.
POWERS: To be able to put that on the big screen would be - would just reach such a big audience.
HAMMER: So the U.S. got Bin Laden. And now, the question is, will Hollywood get its Bin Laden movie?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: And that brings us to our SHOWBIZ Flashpoint today - would a movie about Bin Laden`s killing be a guaranteed blockbuster?
With me, right now, from Chicago, "New York Times" bestselling author, Brad Thor. Now, Brad is the author of the books, "Path of the Assassin," "State of the Union," "Blowback Takedown." They all sound they can be books taking down Osama Bin Laden. And Brad`s new book, "Full Black" coming out this July, features Navy SEALs similar to those who killed Bin Laden. Brad is also a national security expert.
Great to you have here, Brad. I think, personally, a movie about Bin Laden, if it`s done well, could be a huge hit. Do you agree?
BRAD THOR, AUTHOR AND SECURITY EXPERT: A.J., I agree completely. And you know what? We saw that outpouring of excitement outside Ground Zero and the White House Sunday night when this got announced.
That is a direct message to Hollywood. You know what? The American people are thrilled with this outcome. And you know what? These are the kind of movies that Americans want to see.
HAMMER: Yes, but here`s the deal and here`s what I`m hearing from some people today. Not so fast because a movie about the killing of Bin Laden might be a flop since we know how it ends.
I say when I hear people say that, what about "Titanic"? What about the movie, "Blackhawk Down"? As long as it is solid, knowing the end is not going to spoil it, right?
THOR: Absolutely. Listen, Kathryn Bigelow`s project is based on a fabulous book by Dalton Fury called "Kill Bin Laden." And the neat thing that broke today is the fact that the team that Dalton Fury chronicles in that book was part of the Osama Bin Laden takedown.
So you`ve got a complete - a really great story arc here. And that`s what they`re retooling right now is the end of that project.
This movie is going to be a huge hit and it`s going to show Hollywood this is why movies like "Lions for Lambs," "Redacted" and "Stopwatch" bomb at the box office. Americans want their military to succeed in a movie.
HAMMER: Yes. And you`re speaking specifically about this Kathryn Bigelow project. The writer on that project is Mark Boal working side by side with director Kathryn Bigelow. Of course, we know her from "The Hurt Locker."
And the script - yes, it centers around the team that wound up killing him. And when I think about that, I can`t help but think about the White House photo of President Obama - there it is right there, the look on his face, the look on Secretary of State Hillary Clinton`s face as they were watching the SEALs bring Bin Laden to justice in real time, Brad.
I mean, I think this movie really has the potential to fill us in on some of the missing pieces of the story and perhaps some things that will really never be revealed by the government.
THOR: Absolutely. And what you`re seeing here is the beginning of a new trend in Hollywood where you`re going to see more and more of these types of movies. My books have been picked up by the folks at Warner Brothers, and they`re turning my thrillers that have a Navy SEAL as the protagonist into film.
So I think this is the beginning of this really neat kind of renaissance - stuff like we saw in the `60s, like "Where Eagles Dare" and "The Guns of Navarone," and "The Dirty Dozen." People in America love these great pro- American, pro-military movies. And you`re going to start seeing a lot more of that coming out of Hollywood.
HAMMER: Yes. I was going to say not necessarily just on the idea of hunting down and killing this evil, evil man. But do you see really a fall back to a more patriotic tone as some of what we`re going to be seeing at the box office now with some of our big time A-list stars playing these, you know, modern day superheroes?
THOR: Absolutely. Listen, success leaves clues. We had so many great pro-American movies during World War II. One of my favorites is "Why We Fight" by Frank Capra and, like I said, "Where Eagles Dare."
I mean, you had Gregory Peck, Clint Eastwood and Richard Burton doing all these different kinds of movies in the `60s. Those were huge, huge box office hits based on books and the American public loved them.
We got into the Vietnam War. We kind of got away from that a little bit. "Blackhawk Down," great movie but, as you said, very tragic ending.
HAMMER: Yes.
THOR: So if we can give Americans fabulous movies with great endings for our soldiers, I think you`re going to see the multiplexes crammed with people who want to see it, not once, not twice, but three or four times.
HAMMER: So here`s the thing, Brad. Of course, the casting thinking is already going on. Of course, we`re probably never going to know the identity of the Navy SEAL who actually pulled the trigger and killed Bin Laden.
THOR: No.
HAMMER: But of course, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has already begun to cast the part. Let me run down our three choices right here. I want to get your take on this.
"The Hurt Locker`s" Jeremy Renner - I think he will be a terrific choice. Matt Damon - kind of liked and now I may be backing off that one. I`m not sure. And Mark Wahlberg. Where are you thinking here?
THOR: Jeremy Renner all the way. Matt Damon is Jason Bourne - that`s how I see him. I love Mark Wahlberg, one of the most talented young actors out there. But Jeremy is the guy that can pull off the Navy SEAL really, really well.
With all respect to Mark Wahlberg, Jeremy would be the guy to do this. Great in "28 Weeks Later," fabulous in "The Hurt Locker." He can do that role.
HAMMER: Well, we, for sure, are going to start to hear more and more as real genuine plans for whatever this movie project is going to be all come to fruition. Brad Thor, it`s always great to speak to you. Thanks so much.
THOR: You, too, A.J.
HAMMER: Now, I`d like to hear from you. It is our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive poll - "Osama Bin Laden Killed: Will the Hollywood movie be a blockbuster?"
What do you think? Yes, the story is made for the big screen. No, we already know how the story ends. Let us know, CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. You can also E-mail us. Our address is showbiztonight@cnn.com.
So with Bin Laden dead, the birth certificate thing all settled once and for all. We`ve got to ask tonight has Donald Trump officially been trumped by President Obama? Even Obama`s big news about killing Bin Laden cut into "Celebrity Apprentice." Got to love that.
Justin Bieber`s on-stage surprise for the kid who body-slammed a bully on tape.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JUSTIN BIEBER, POP STAR: I just want to say that he`s very inspirational. He shows other people to stand up for what they believe in.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The big debate today - is Justin Bieber making a huge mistake here by saying this kid is an inspiration?
And SHOWBIZ breaks news. Coming up, Stevie Nicks on Lindsay Lohan. Does Stevie want Lindsay to play her in a movie?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, she wants to play you, doesn`t she?
STEVIE NICKS, SINGER: Yes, she does. And she`s never going to - that`s not going to happen, unless -
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: 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: Trial of Michael Jackson Dr. Conrad Murray delayed until September. Black Eyed Peas star Fergie on hearing about Osama Bin Laden`s death -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FERGIE, SINGER: The people, the New Yorkers who had families in 9/11 are very happy that he got what he deserved. For me, it`s hard to grieve the death of someone I think that a lot of people have lost a lot of lives, a lot of family members in New York. And I feel for them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Madonna, Taylor Swift, Demi Moore, Mick Jagger, Beyonce, Jay-Z - I am talking serious star power all at the Metropolitan Museum of Arts annual Costume Institute gala in New York on Monday night.
Of course, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was right there. This thing has so many A- listers. Some people actually call it the east coast Oscars.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
And on all the red carpets that we`ve been on in the last couple of days, lots of stars have been speaking out about the killing of Osama Bin Laden.
I know for the rest of my life I`m always going to remember where I was and what I was doing when I heard the news that Bin Laden was dead.
So since the dramatic news of Bin Laden`s death, we`ve been asking Hollywood`s biggest stars how did they feel when they heard the news. Here`s SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KAREEN WYNTER, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Heroes and villains battle it out on the big screen. We`re talking about the action adventure form.
And as a film in Hollywood premiered, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you, you know, a lot of the chatter on the red carpet was actually about the death of the world`s most notorious real-life villain, Osama Bin Laden.
How did you react to the news that Osama Bin Laden had finally been killed?
STAN LEE, COMIC BOOK LEGEND: At first, I couldn`t believe it. I had the feeling they`d never catch this guy. It was such a courageous thing that those SEALs did. It was like the greatest action movie that could be imagined.
RENEE RUSSO, ACTRESS: I was in the room and, like, the president was going to come on national security thing, at 10:30 at night on Sunday. Oh, what`s up? I had a feeling, though - I had a feeling.
I`m just proud of our commander-in-chief, really proud of our men and women in uniform.
WYNTER: Where were when you heard the news?
IDRIS ELBA, ACTOR: I was here in L.A. I was at a restaurant. And it was just - it was profound because the whole restaurant shut down for a second while we were in there. And everyone started talking about it. It was a moment for American history.
JAMIE ALEXANDER, ACTRESS: I will always, always remember this because it is, for years - and I had friends that were lost and -
WYNTER: I can see you`re getting very emotional.
ALEXANDER: yes, it`s - I`m very glad that we have our heroes overseas protecting us because - and my brother was one of them. And I`m glad that justice has been served.
CHRIS HEMSWORTH, ACTOR: It`s a good chance to reflect, you know. My heart goes out to all the families and friends who have suffered over the years because of it.
KENNETH BRANAGH, ACTOR AND DIRECTOR: You hope it would be the start of something that might mean the beginning of a new chapter of peace, not just there, but in the world. Seemed like an historic moment that might be a gateway into something, you know, better.
WYNTER: And many stars believe that Osama`s death can breathe new life into President Obama`s popularity which has been absolutely hammered by Hollywood liberals.
President Obama - do you think this will turn the tide in terms of his approval righting?
RUSSO: You know, there`s so much going on behind the scenes that we don`t know about. And he`s been working on this for a long time. Can you imagine everything that`s been thrown at him?
My god. So yes, I hope it does. I think he`s great and he`s just the president we need right now in this time.
ALEXANDER: I think this was a huge milestone for him. And he made a gutsy decision. It paid off. He trusted his gut. He did a great job.
BRANAGH: I think, you know, the life of a politician is ups and downs. This may be something that might usher in a new period of peace. I think anybody is happy with anybody who was involved in that.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Well, with the killing of Osama Bin Laden, the birth certificate debate over, a lot of people are actually asking today, has President Obama trumped Donald Trump for good? That debate is coming right up in just a bit.
But over on our Facebook wall, I asked you, is Trump too thin-skinned? He was just furious over the jokes that were lobbed at him at the White House correspondents` dinner over the weekend.
Illinois Jeff thinks the Donald needs to chill, writing, "Donald can`t take the heat, stay out of the kitchen."
Laurie F. thinks that Trump should have known what he was getting into, "Hasn`t this dinner been going on forever? I think if he`d look back at all the ones in the past, all of them had some good laughs at others` expense, including the president. Lighten up."
Connect with me. Join our debates on Facebook. We are "ShowbizTonightHLN" there. Follow @showbiztonight on Twitter for breaking entertainment news alerts.
All right. Moving on now to Justin Bieber`s big new bully controversy today. The Bieber unbelievable on-stage surprise for the kid who body- slammed a bully on video. But is Bieber making a big mistake by getting involved here?
William, Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge - you might have heard they had a little wedding. Are they now the biggest stars on the face of the planet?
Star Jones, NeNe Leakes. Look at them playing nice today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NENE LEAKES, "CELEBRITY APPRENTICE" CONTESTANT: Who are you? I will take you down while the rest of these girls will look at you and be scared. I`m the girl that`s not scared of you. You pressed the last button on me, Ms. Star Jones and I will do you when these other girls won`t.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Certainly not playing nice. Their explosive enough fight on "Celebrity Apprentice." And you will be blown away by what Star says about NeNe today, next. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: "Judge Judy" renewed through 2015. John Legend reacts to the death of Osama Bin Laden -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN LEGEND, SINGER: It was surreal. It really was. There was a mix of emotions. It was like disbelief for a second and then just a certain kind of relief and closure.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LEAKES: Who are you to step in and say (INAUDIBLE) when to be project manager? Who are you? Who are you? I will take you down while the rest of these girls will look at you and be scared. I`m the girl that`s not scared of you. You pressed the last button on me, Ms. Star Jones and I will do you when the rest of these girls won`t.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Oh, it is on - the knockdown, drag-out fight on "Celebrity Apprentice." NeNe Leakes, Star Jones, nasty with a capital N.
Yes. Wow. These two have been going at it all season long. And while we didn`t get to see the end of this particular episode of "Celebrity Apprentice" Sunday - that`s when the Osama Bin Laden news broke - we did get to see the most shocking battle to date between NeNe and Star right off the top of the show.
Well, on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" today, Star wasn`t backing down at all. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STAR JONES, "CELEBRITY APPRENTICE" CONTESTANT: I was thinking, I need to keep calm because - not for nothing, Ellen. But when you`re confronted in the wild with an un-caged animal, you`re supposed to retreat. You`re not supposed to attack. Retreat.
ELLEN DEGENERES, HOST, "THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW": With a bear you`re supposed to appear bigger. You`re supposed to get larger.
JONES: If you can tell me how I can get bigger than that, I`ve got money for you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, in case you were wondering, Star says she and NeNe still aren`t friends. So we have a lot of people calling into "Showbiz on Call" today saying they want to de-friend Superman.
Yes. We told you the shocking news that Superman is renouncing his U.S. citizenship in the latest Superman comic book. Well, Michael from Tennessee is just disgusted.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
MICHAEL, CALLER FROM TENNESSEE: About Superman renouncing his citizenship - seriously? It`s superman. It`s the American way or no way at all.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right, Michael. Thank you. Now, John from Texas agrees.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
JOHN, CALLER FROM TEXAS: I`ve been a big fan of Superman for years. And then he goes doing this? What was he thinking? I just don`t know what to think anymore. You know, to be honest, I`m moving on to Thor.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right, John. Thanks for your call. You can call us at "Showbiz on Call" and sound off on this or anything else at all. The "Showbiz on Call" phone lines open all the time - 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888- 728-2899. That`s where we would like for you to leave as you voicemail so we can play your call here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Time now for the SHOWBIZ lineup - here`s what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
So has Trump been trumped by President Obama for good? The birth certificate debate over. Osama Bin Laden dead. And to top it all off, the president cut off "Celebrity Apprentice" to break the Bin Laden news.
Prince Williams, Princess Catherine - the great debate tonight - are Will and Kate now the biggest celebs in the world?
And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT breaks news. Stevie Nicks on Lindsay Lohan. Does Stevie want LiLo to play her in a movie? 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: "Desperate Housewives" star, Ricardo Chaviera arrested for DUI. Zach Galifianakis wins four Webby Awards for Web series, "Between Two Ferns."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ZACH GALIFIANAKIS, ACTOR: I guarantee that your nose per capita weighs more than what I weigh.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: All right. (EXPLETIVE DELETED) you, fatso.
GALIFIANAKIS: I`m not that fat, OK? I`m not that fat.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: To me the message is clear - President Obama is so scared of me and so desperate for attention that he felt the need to hunt down and kill Osama Bin Laden right in the middle of my show.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Big news breaking tonight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - trumped by Obama? The president`s Bin Laden victory. Putting an end to the birth certificate debate. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT dares to ask, has the president trumped Trump for good?
The brand-new Bieber bully controversy today. Justin Bieber with the kid who body-slammed a bully on tape. The Bieb`s remarkable on-stage surprise.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BIEBER: I just want to say that he`s very inspirational. He showed other people to stand up for what they believed in.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The big SHOWBIZ debate today. Is the Bieb making big mistake for saying this kid is an inspiration?
William, Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Are they now the biggest celebrities on the planet?
Plus, breaking today for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker," a "Dancing with the Stars" 9/11 revelation. And Maxim`s hottest woman revealed.
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC)
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It is 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer coming to you from New York City with big news breaking today - trumped by Obama?
Because the big question tonight is this - is Trump done? Because all his blustering and grandstanding with Barack Obama have gotten him exactly nowhere. He made big headlines demanding to see President Obama`s birth certificate, but that debate is over - kaput.
Obama, of course, showed the birth certificate and is now riding high after the successful mission that led to Osama Bin Laden being killed.
And to add insult to injury here, what show was interrupted on NBC so President Obama could announce his success? Trump`s "Celebrity Apprentice." Trump`s birther fiasco - well, it just seems ridiculous. The big question today - is Donald`s potential bid for the president turning into a great big joke?
With me tonight, in New York, Rachel Zalis who is a contributing editor for "Life and Style Weekly."
Look, I can tell you comedians and celebrities alike - they`re having a blast making plenty of fun of Trump. You`ve got to check out Josh Duhamel - he`s with his lovely wife, Fergie last night on the red carpet at the Metropolitan costume institute gala.
Now, he was telling SHOWBIZ TONIGHT where he was when he heard that Bin Laden was dead. But when he saw Donald Trump many standing next to him, well, he just couldn`t help but take a little jab. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOSH DUHAMEL, ACTOR: It was one of those moments I won`t forget. I commend Obama for making that decision and I really commend those Navy SEALs who had the courage to go in there and do that. If you want proof, he`s right here.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. All right. Look, he did that right to Trump`s face, Rachel. I think that, at this point, Trump has just become a giant laughing stock over this whole thing. What about you?
RACHEL ZALIS, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, "LIFE AND STYLE WEEKLY": Absolutely. I mean, I didn`t think the Republican Party could get a bigger punching bag than Sarah Palin. And now, they`ve got it. I mean, first of all, that whole birth certificate thing was ridiculous and he has absolutely no sense of humor about himself.
I think the only thing that might save him is if he gets a new haircut. That might be the one thing that might get him some more attention.
HAMMER: Yes. I don`t know. Can you really do anything with that at all? I`m not sure at all. Everyone is having a good time at this. The humor not lost on late night host, Jimmy Fallon.
Now, Jimmy was also on the red carpet with us last night. Jimmy tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that he loves that Obama`s big Bin Laden speech preempted the end of "Celebrity Apprentice" on Sunday. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JIMMY FALLON, LATE NIGHT HOST: Obama - first of all, he got Osama Bin Laden and he also cut off "Celebrity Apprentice" by 15 minutes. So I think it`s a win-win for Obama. He`s very excited right now. He`s smiling.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: But wait, there`s more. Jimmy kept the laughs coming with his killer Donald Trump impersonation taking credit for Bin Laden`s death. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FALLON: I don`t know about you but to me the message is clear. President Obama is so scared of me and so desperate for attention that he felt the need to hunt down and kill Osama Bin Laden right in middle of my show.
The fact is, the president clearly coordinated the secret CIA mission, assassination and ensuing press conference, specifically to cut off the end of my show, "Celebrity Apprentice." So basically I killed Osama Bin Laden. So congratulations to me, Donald Trump.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. That`s pretty much how it would go if it really was Donald. You know, Rachel, if he does run for president - and I`m going to say it again, he`s not going to run.
But if he does, I`m thinking at this point he`s going to have a huge mountain to climb because, truly, so many people think he`s a joke. They`re not just having fun at his expense. They think the man`s a joke.
ZALIS: Absolutely. And Jimmy Fallon was so funny because you know Trump is actually thinking that. I mean, the truth is he would fire himself if he was on his show because he sucks so bad right now.
Gary Busey makes him look sane. I mean it`s ridiculous. The poor Republican Party. I mean, they already have slim pickings. And it`s like, forget it.
HAMMER: Maybe Busey should fire Trump.
ZALIS: Yes, I think that would be much better.
HAMMER: Moving up that ladder. It actually gets worse, believe it or not. Jimmy Kimmel jumping on the Trump-bashing bandwagon last night on his show. Jimmy showed a hilarious comparison between Trump and "Celebrity Apprentice" and President Obama`s announcement that Bin Laden was dead. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JIMMY KIMMEL, HOST, "JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE": Here`s what Obama and Trump were up to last night. Feel free to compare and contrast.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OBAMA: Good evening.
DONALD TRUMP, BUSINESS TYCOON: Good morning.
"CELEBRITY APPRENTICE" CONTESTANTS: Good morning.
OBAMA: The United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama Bin Laden, the leader of al-Qaeda.
TRUMP: Celebrities like looking good. Do we agree?
OBAMA: After a firefight, they killed Osama Bin Laden and took custody of his body.
TRUMP: What`s the most important part of looking good? In my opinion - hair.
OBAMA: We went to war against al-Qaeda to protect our citizens, our friends and our allies.
LEAKES: You pressed the last button on me, Ms. Star Jones and I will do you when the rest of these girls won`t.
JONES: Wow.
LEAKES: Wow.
TRUMP: Wow.
OBAMA: We will be relentless in defense of our citizens.
TRUMP: Nice pants.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Why thank you.
OBAMA: Justice has been done.
TRUMP: Hope, you`re fired.
KIMMEL: There you go -
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: And it`s funny because, let`s face it, Trump is a showman, but, you know, you can`t hide from the truth. That is really what was going on, on Sunday night.
So Rachel, how long can he possibly think a campaign could even be viable at this point, I mean, if he keeps any of this up? Is he busted for good as far as potentially moving forward?
ZALIS: The only thing he has on his side is hundreds of millions of dollars maybe to fund himself. But -
HAMMER: And he`d be quick to tell you.
ZALIS: And he`ll be quick to tell you. But the truth is, this guy needs a sense of humor. I mean, I`ve not seen someone so stone cold since (INAUDIBLE). This guy has to be able to laugh, you know, if he`s going to be a politician.
HAMMER: yes. And he`s got to figure out how do that quickly because he couldn`t even handle a few jabs at the White House correspondents` dinner the other night. Seth Meyers was taking a few digs at him. Oh, let`s take a look at one of those.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SETH MEYERS, COMEDIAN: Donald Trump has been saying he will run for president as a Republican, which is surprising since I just assumed he was running as a joke.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. Right there. Perfect and what a lot of people were also thinking, and there you saw Donald Trump just sitting there, as you said, stone cold in the audience.
So here`s what we asked in our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive poll - "Trump Angry About White House Correspondents` Dinner Roast: Do you think he needs to get a better sense of humor or he`s right to push back?"
And as you see, by these results in late today, 91 percent believe, yes, he needs a better sense of humor. Nine percent say he has a right to push back.
So I think it`s pretty clear where the majority of people - not that it`s a scientific poll, but I get the impression that this is how a lot of people feel. Do you think he has the capacity, Rachel, to actually lighten up now that we`ve determined he needs to lighten up?
ZALIS: I don`t think so because all week long, last two weeks, Jerry Seinfeld, Robert De Niro - I mean, anyone who has taken a pass at him, he has come back, you know, guns raging. So I don`t think he has a sense of humor at all. Big problem.
HAMMER: So what can he do? What can he do? So he`s going on "Celebrity Apprentice" every week.
ZALIS: A haircut.
HAMMER: He`ll be quick to tell you, "I`ve got the number one show on NBC." But really, the tide has so clearly turned against him. Is there anything at all he can do, on a serious note, to try to redeem what has apparently gone so downhill for him?
ZALIS: Yes, talk about serious issues, because until I think he makes himself an actual candidate where he cares about things happening in the country other than the president`s birth certificate, nobody will take him seriously.
HAMMER: All right. Well, I take you seriously and I appreciate you being here. Rachel Zalis, thanks so much.
Well, SHOWBIZ breaks big news today - does Stevie Nicks want Lindsay Lohan to play her in a movie?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, she wants to play you, doesn`t she?
NICKS: Yes, she does. And you know that`s never going to happen. Unless -
HAMMER: Stevie breaks news with SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Why she thinks Lindsay`s landslide won`t help her land this role.
Justin Bieber`s big bully controversy today. The Biebs with the kid who body-slammed a bully on tape. You`ve got to see Bieber`s remarkable on stage surprise for the kid.
William, Catherine. The great debate tonight - are Will and Kate now the biggest celebrities in the world? 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: "The Book of Mormon" tops Tony Awards with 14 nominations. "Dancing" star, Maksim Chmerkovskiy reacts to death of Bin Laden.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAKSIM CHMERKOVSKIY, "DANCING WITH THE STARS" STAR: I was in (INAUDIBLE). So for me, it was very, very important that somebody responsible for such travesty is brought, you know, to justice.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT breaks news today. Does Stevie Nicks hate Lindsay Lohan? Well, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT just caught up with the legendary Fleetwood Mac singer at her California home just as she releases her first solo album in 10 years. It is so cool. It`s called "In Your Dreams" out today.
Of course, we had to ask her about reports that Lindsay wants to play her in an upcoming movie. Well, Nicks revealed to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that the only way Lindsay would play her is in her dreams.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NICKS: That`s never going to happen, unless she completely cleans up her life and becomes the great actress that I actually feel she can be. How can I don`t like Lindsay Lohan? Everybody thinks that I hate her and it`s not that at all.
I just want her to get it together. You know, I got it together. I was completely messed up for a long time and I got it together. She needs to get it together. She`s a very talented girl. And if she could get it together, she can have a really big career and she could do great things.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: You know, Stevie is one of my favorite people on the planet. Her new album called "In Your Dreams" is available today.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York with the royal obsession. Despite the fact that the wedding of the century is now over, people can`t stop obsessing over Prince William and his new bride, Duchess Catherine.
There`s been nonstop buzz about the parties, the honeymoon and, oh, yes, that wedding dress. Well, it has just been revealed that ABS, you know, the guys who make all the knockoffs of the Oscar dresses - they`re now making a Catherine Middleton wedding dress knockoff, sparking the great debate tonight - are Will and Kate now the biggest celebrities in the world?
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WYNTER (voice-over): Brad and Angie, Tom and Katie, Ben and Jen - the world`s messed megawatt celebrity couple isn`t Hollywood royalty. They`re British royalty. William and Kate are well on their way to super celebrity status.
DORIS ROBERTS, ACTRESS: It`s so sad to see. And when we were kids and we want to be princesses and princes. We still want to do that in some way.
JACQUELINE BISSET, ACTRESS: America is so obsessed.
WYNTER (on camera): It`s true. Americans love a royal love story. And here in Hollywood, let me tell you, there has been no shortage of love for this prince and princess.
To get a sense of just how quickly William and Kate`s celebrity star is rising, you`ve got to check out these numbers.
(voice-over) An estimated two billion people worldwide tuned in to watch the royal couple tie the knot. That`s more viewers than the Summer Olympics and the Super Bowl combined.
KESHA, SINGER: I think the whole world`s captivated.
WYNTER: People are Googling Kate Middleton more than one million times per month, putting her on pace to surpass Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton and Angelina Jolie on the list of the most Googled celebrities.
ADAM LAMBERT, SINGER: Wow.
WYNTER: The prince and duchess have serious pull. The couple made the list of "Time" magazine`s 100 most influential people for their inspirational love story.
TAIO CRUZ, SINGER: They seem very, very happy with each other.
WYNTER: So what are these two royal celebrities to do with their super status?. Get to work.
SIR BEN KINGSLEY, ACTOR: I hope they get over it quickly and get on with their job because they`ve got a heck of a hard job.
BRUNO TONIOLI, JUDGE, "DANCING WITH THE STARS": They`re the best spokespeople for the nation. Look, who else will get this amount of publicity all over the world?
WYNTER: The royal couple is already following in the footsteps of great celebrity philanthropists like George Clooney, as well as William`s mother, Princess Diana, by creating awareness for causes they care about and requesting donations for their favorite charities in lieu of wedding gifts.
DANIELLE FISHEL, ACTRESS: I think she`ll carry on her philanthropic legend. I think she`ll carry that forward. That`s something that`s really important to William.
WYNTER: So will Duchess Catherine match Lady Di`s celebrity prominence?
KATHY GRIFFIN, COMEDIAN: I don`t think she could ever top Diana and young she`s trying to, which is nice. But she seems really beautiful and poised. And she`s got that great blue dress. You know, I would just be happy in that blue dress, but that`s me.
WYNTER: A style icon in the making and a royal couple with a passion for each other and doing right in the world. There`s no doubt William and Kate are fast securing their spot among the stars.
But back in Britain, there may be one celebrity couple who still reigns supreme.
LEN GOODMAN, "DANCING WITH THE STARS" JUDGE: Are you going to try and say, "Oh, they`re bigger than David Beckham and Posh? Never. No way. David Beckham, the finest football player Britain has ever produced.
WYNTER: sorry, William and Kate. Posh and Beck still hold the top spot with this British judge. But you`ve already won us over.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Well, I`ve got to tell you, William and Kate still hold the top spot with this American TV host. With the royal couple now set to go on a world tour next year, their mega celebrity status is about to really blow up. So are will and Kate about to become the biggest celebrities on the planet?
With me tonight, right here in New York, Tamar Braxton who co-stars in We TV`s hot reality show, "Braxton Family Values."
And even celebrity bridesmaids are saying that William and Kate are the biggest celebrity couple around. Well, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT just spoke with the stars of "Bridesmaids." You`ve got to check out what two of the movie`s stars, Melissa McCarthy and Rose Byrne just revealed to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It`s just turned into something more than a wedding. It`s like an event. And I think people feel like they kind of own a part of that.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think - it`s Diana`s son, too, and she has such a legacy and, you know, beloved by the public, so that`s a huge addition.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I`ve got to say, I agree. I don`t think anybody else could get two billion people to watch their wedding. So Tamar, as a big time star yourself, would you agree that these two have now become or on their way to becoming the biggest celebrities on the planet?
TAMAR BRAXTON, REALITY TV STAR, "BRAXTON FAMILY VALUES": They are definitely the biggest stars on the planet. It`s just like Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber getting married. Can`t get any better than that.
HAMMER: Even bigger than Brad and Angie?
BRAXTON: I think they`re definitely taking the place. Yes, actually.
HAMMER: All right. Well, get this. Brand-new reports actually say that Prince William and Kate are literally going Hollywood. It does look like they`re heading to L.A. this summer for whirlwind two-day visit.
And you know, this thing is going to be a massive paparazzi frenzy. So what do you think, Tamar? How is Hollywood going to treat William and Kate? What kind reception?
BRAXTON: Let me say I think it`s going to be "Crazy.com" for real. I think it`s going to be a whole lot of paparazzi. I think they`ll probably end up moving there, I think, maybe.
HAMMER: You do?
BRAXTON: I do. I do.
HAMMER: They`re going to be ex-pats, the heir to throne is going to move to Hollywood?
BRAXTON: Hollywood Hills.
HAMMER: Really? OK. So let`s say the palace puts you in charge of their itinerary. You have to determine exactly what they`re going to do in a short trip. What are you sending them?
BRAXTON: Oh, they definitely have to make a stop at Mr. Charles for dinner. And then, they have to go to the beach and, you know, go to Malibu and get some sun and, you know, go shopping.
HAMMER: With the little time that they have?
BRAXTON: Yes.
HAMMER: All right. Tamar Braxton, thank you so much.
BRAXTON: Thank you.
HAMMER: Well, the brand-new Bieber bully controversy today has just to be covered. Justin Bieber with the kid who body-slams a bully on tape. You have got to see Bieber`s blockbuster bully surprise on stage, coming up next.
Time now the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Black Eyed Peas performing free show in NYC for charity helping poverty. "Transformers" star Rosie Huntington Whitely tops "Maxim" Hot 100 list.
HAMMER: Time now for the SHOWBIZ buzz list. Here`s what the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT staff is buzzing all about this week.
We are loving the cheaper Amazon kindle. It is now only $25 less, thanks to ads that are going to appear on the device.
And we`re thinking going to download Rob Lowe`s new memoir. It`s called "Stories I Only Tell My Friends." In this thing, the tales of his life as a Hollywood bad boy and the lessons he`s learned.
Finally, here, we can`t wait to brighten our touch screens with the long awaited iPhone 4 in white. Finally.
And we can`t wait for the action-packed season finale of "Justified" Wednesday night on FX. And we have no ordinary love for the great Sade. We really love her new album, "The Ultimate Collection" out today. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
(MUSIC)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: That`s Casey Heynes. Remember the bully-basher? He`s the Australian kid who body-slammed that bully on tape, shot to fame around the world when that thing went viral.
And now, Casey has a new best friend today - Justin Bieber. That`s right. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is revealing Bieber`s remarkable on-stage surprise today.
Look at this brand-new video. It`s Bieber inviting the 16-year-old Casey on stage at his concert in Melbourne, Australia. Casey shared his story of going from schoolyard victim to anti-bullying crusader. And you`ve got to watch Casey`s moment in the spotlight here. Roll that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BIEBER: He`s very inspirational. He showed other people to stand up for what they believed in. And what else? What else?
CASEY HEYNES, BULLYING VICTIM: Never say never!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, that stage surprise is now stirring up some big time controversy. There are some people who are saying that Casey is no role model. The big debate tonight, did Justin Bieber make a big mistake and embrace the wrong kid?
With me here in New York, Tamar Braxton who co-stars on We TV`s hot reality show, "Braxton Family Values."
And I am sure that Justin Bieber thought he was doing the right thing when he told all of his young fans that Casey`s a role model. Watch what he told tens of thousands of his screaming fans in Australia.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BIEBER: How many people in here get bullied? All right. Well, you know, there was a story online of people getting bullied, right? And at the end of the video he stood up for himself because he was getting punched.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK. Now, a lot of people are saying today, violence isn`t the answer. That kid wasn`t just defending himself. He literally beat the daylights out of this bully.
So the question is, is Bieber sending the wrong message, Tamar, by really embracing this kid?
BRAXTON: You know what? I think he`s definitely not sending the wrong message. He`s doing exactly what he`s supposed to do.
I was a bullied kid. I used to get beat up all the time because my sister won a Grammy the night before or whatever the case may be. And it just might take somebody else to say, "You know what? What you did is good. You`re good."
HAMMER: You got bullied because your sister was a success?
BRAXTON: It was a crazy thing. A small town, nobody understood.
HAMMER: That`s insane to me. That`s not right.
BRAXTON: "You guys think you`re the bomb because she`s a singer."
HAMMER: Well, nothing like this happened - if we could bring up this video one more time. I mean, you know, even though the kid being bullied does his own kind of justice, it is disturbing when you take a look at this.
BRAXTON: Yes.
HAMMER: So do you think in any way this could cause a backlash for Justin Bieber? Because there are some people out there saying, "Oh, you know, there was a little too much violence going on here."
BRAXTON: I think if they did, it would be wrong. I think that Justin is definitely doing the right thing.
HAMMER: Yes.
BRAXTON: I mean, this boy was definitely taunted for a long time.
HAMMER: All right.
BRAXTON: I think he was going off of his emotions.
HAMMER: Well, it`s great to have you here, Tamar Braxton.
BRAXTON: Thank you for having me.
HAMMER: Thank you so much. And that is it. You have to make sure you catch "Braxton Family Values" on We TV. And good night for now. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT now seen exclusively Monday through Friday at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific here on HLN.
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