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Showbiz Tonight
Mariah`s Baby Photo Fury; Lindsay Moving On?; Goodbye, Charlie
Aired May 13, 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: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT breaks news with Nick Cannon.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (voice-over): Mariah Carey`s husband shocking claim of a disturbing scam to get pictures of their newborn twins. Why the Department of Children and Family Services was even called.
NICK CANNON, ACTOR/COMEDIAN: There`s so much stuff going on. I mean, we`ve had people posing as workers in the hospital with cameras to get pictures.
HAMMER: Plus, Nick breaks more news to us tonight. The secret behind the twin`s unusual names.
Ashton for Charlie. The incredible news tonight that Ashton Kutcher will replace Charlie Sheen on "Two and a Half Men." Tonight, "Showbiz Flashpoint," is Ashton the right choice?
The great "American Idol" debate after James gets booted.
RYAN SEACREST, HOST: It`s incredible. We really do. We`re going to miss you.
HAMMER: Tonight, we`re asking, will a woman now win this thing?
TVs most provocative entertainment news show breaks news right now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (on-camera): Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer coming to you from New York City with big news breaking tonight. The power of Oprah. Yes, there is astounding new evidence today proving that Oprah Winfrey leads the pack of the Most Influential TV Personalities. And now, the real test, will Oprah`s legacy last even after her daily talk show ends? We have an incredible showbiz special report for you tonight.
But first, tonight showbiz breaks news about Mariah`s baby photo fury. There`s brand new outrage today over an apparent tabloid scam to get pictures of Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon`s newborn twins. Now, this is the most easily the most disgusting attempt to get a photo of celebrity babies I have heard of. Even the Department of Child and Family Services got involved here, but what really happened?
Well, I sat down with new dad, Mariah`s husband, Nick Cannon, in a "Showbiz Newsmaker Interview."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER (voice-over): Unfortunately, in Hollywood, tales of sleazy, underhanded attempts to snap a picture of a celebrity are nothing new, but today, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you, Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey, new parents of two-week old twins may be the victims of the most outrageous plot, yet.
CANNON: You think about the fact, you know, you`re going to have photographers and people going to these lengths to get pictures. It gets a little scary.
HAMMER: Nick revealed the shocking details right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. He says as Mariah lay in a hospital bed after giving birth to twins, Monroe and Moroccan, someone made a bogus child abuse and neglect claim against her. One of many underhand (ph) attempts to get those valuable first picture of Mariah and Nick`s babies.
CANNON: Man, there`s so much stuff going on. I mean, we`ve had people posing as workers in the hospital with cameras kind of to get pictures.
HAMMER: Cannon says a social worker came to see them at the hospital where Mariah was recovering from a C-section, and their babies are being treated in the neonatal intensive care unit.
CANNON: The Child Protection Services actually came to me while I was in the hallway and say that they were here to see me because there have been allegations that there were drug and alcohol use.
HAMMER: Mariah`s rep confirms to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT a report that appeared on the website, Showbiz 411. It reported that Carey was accused of drinking and taking pain meds while breast-feeding. Nick tells me Mariah didn`t drink half of a Guinness beer, but it was on the advice of a nurse.
CANNON: I guess, this is a common thing, you know, if you drink some Guinness, like a little beer, the yeast in there actually helps with the breastfeeding. And that was told to my wife. And, I guess, someone maybe overheard that and it was like this is a good way to, you know, make a quick buck or call the tabloid.
HAMMER: Mariah`s people tell SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, they believe someone at the hospital contacted the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services in hopes they send a social worker to get a picture of Mariah and Nick`s babies. Those pics could then be sold to the tabloids for big bucks. Fortunately, no pictures were taken during the social workers visit.
CANNON: It`s kind of sad that people think that, you know, will make money off the newborn pictures.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT contacted the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services to confirm if one of their social workers visited Mariah Carey. They would not comment citing confidentiality rule. Still, the possibility that someone may have used a taxpayer funded government agency to try to get photos of a pair of defenseless, hospitalized newborns has celebrity news sites and entertainment news shows screaming in outrage.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Someone within sold Mariah out hoping to make a money on a tabloid picture.
HAMMER: Nick tells me, he and Mariah will eventually put out pictures of their babies, but they want to do it the right way.
CANNON: You have to figure out the way like I -- we got to give the public what they want, but at the same time, you have to do it in a classy way and a way to where it doesn`t seem like we`re out there parading our children.
HAMMER: Sadly, it seems the newborn children of this superstar couple have already had their taste of the ugly side of celebrity.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER (on-camera): I mean, it just blows my mind that someone would go to these lengths to get a picture of Mariah and Nick`s twins in the hospital. At least to our "Showbiz Flashpoint," is this the most outrageous plot to get celebrity baby pictures ever?
Joining me right now in New York is "Inside Edition" correspondent, Megan Alexander, and TV journalist, Tara Winter Brill. Megan, I mean, does this take the cake or what? This is unbelievable to me.
MEGAN ALEXANDER, "INSIDE EDITION" CORRESPONDENT: It is right up there. And let me tell you, as somebody who is expecting any day now --
HAMMER: Yes.
ALEXANDER: There are enough nerves, enough anxiety, an apprehension going into that delivery room for them to have to worry about this, A.J.? That somebody is there in a private moment capitalizing on what should be a special time for a couple. I think it`s horrible. I mean, I don`t think the answer is not to talk about it either, because couples love to talk about the fact that they`re expecting and sharing the joy. So, Nick said it well when he said, you don`t want to shy away, but please, just do it in a classy way if you`re going to take a photo.
HAMMER: Yes. Let`s talk about that for a second, and we will in a moment, but I want to get your take on this in terms of other times that this has happened. I`ve never seen anything quite like this, and they took over the whole wing of the hospital. They were calling it the Mariah wing so she could have all the privacy that she need.
TARA WINTER BRILL, TV JOURNALIST: Right. It`s disgraceful. I mean, I think we have hit a new low. I heard this -- this is completely bananas (ph). You think you`re in a safe haven, you`re in the confines of a hospital. You hear celebrities talking about walking down the street, lenses, camera lenses everywhere, but to be here where you can, you know, rest easy and you can`t. It`s just unacceptable. It`s awful.
HAMMER: It`s sickening.
WINTER BRILL: It is. Yes.
HAMMER: And Nick Cannon did tell me that this elaborate plot to snap pictures of his twins really made him realize they`re definitely going to have to take control over getting the twins pictures out. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CANNON: Now, you`re going to have photographers and people going to these lengths to get pictures. It gets all scary. So, you have to figure out a way like I -- you got to give the public what they want, but at the same time, we have to do it in a classy way and a way to where it doesn`t seem like we`re out there, parading our children.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: And a lot of celebrities like Brad and Angelina, J.Lo and Marc Anthony, they have sold their baby pictures to magazines to quiet the chaos, to take control of the situation. Megan, after what happened in this hospital, though, I`m thinking they`re going to have to step up the game and do this sooner rather than later, unfortunately.
ALEXANDER: I think so. I think they absolutely are, and they need to think, OK, you know, which outlet are we going to go to? And then, it becomes about relationships and who`s to really do well and who hasn`t. I hope the paparazzi will, perhaps, learn a lesson from this.
HAMMER: Yes.
ALEXANDER: That that was going too far. You can get the photo, eventually. Give them a few days of peace, though.
HAMMER: But there is no sanity in that world, sometimes.
ALEXANDER: Yes.
HAMMER: Look, people are buzzing about that. A lot of people have been buzzing about the names Mariah and Nick gave to their twins, Moroccan and Monroe. Quite frankly, not all the buzz has been positive. So, how does Nick feel about that and what`s the rock and roll connection to their names? What Nick tells me is definitely going to surprise. You`re going to see that coming on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, but right now, there`s another big story breaking tonight.
Matthew Perry says he`s heading to a treatment facility to focus on his sobriety. Now, Perry struggled with prescription pills and alcohol in the past, and Perry put hit own clever twist on the statement that he released about his new treatment. He says, "I`m making plans to go away for a month to focus on my sobriety and to continue my life in recovery. Please enjoy making fun of me on the worldwide web."
Look, I`m glad that he`s getting whatever help he needs, and if he wants to have fun with it, quite frankly, that`s his prerogative. Tara, is this one of the best, hey, I`m going to rehab statement you`ve ever heard in your life? I think it`s terrific.
WINTER BRILL: I think it`s terrific. I think anytime you can poke fun at yourself, A.J., it`s sort of like everybody say, let`s not talk about it so much. Just let it go. When we think about David Letterman, you know, scandal hit -- excuse me, and he talked about it, and then, it was kind of yesterday`s news.
And also, we ought to remember here that Matthew Perry, he said he didn`t relapse. He`s just, you know, hoping to maintain his sobriety. And I think it`s a great thing because the impending possible cancellation of his ABC show, he might fall off the wagon, and he`s just trying to sort of maintain --
HAMMER: Yes. You know, and the truth is, we really don`t know the bottom line what pushed him into doing this, but there are people out there, Megan, who would say, you know what, this is not something you want to joke about. I say, look, it`s his business. It`s his issue. If he wants to have a little fun with it because he knows people are going to be talking about it, why the heck not?
ALEXANDER: I think he maintained the perfect balance of saying, look, rehab is serious. I`m releasing this statement, but, I know you`re going to be making fun of me in the worldwide web, and he`s right. We will all dissect it and analyze and want to, you know, know what`s going on. I think it was the perfect balance. And this is Matthew Perry. He`s a funny guy. I expect this from his.
HAMMER: He`s a funny guys. He`s super talented, and he`s a super nice guy. And look, I only wish him the best in whatever he`s dealing with, and I hope he gets through it OK. And if it takes humor, well then, so be it, I say. Tara Winter Brill and Megan Alexander, I thank you both.
Ashton replacing Charlie. This is incredible news tonight.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (voice-over): Ashton Kutcher is replacing Charlie Sheen on "Two and a Half Men." Tonight, "Showbiz Flashpoint," is Ashton the right choice? And wait until you hear what Sheen is saying to us about Ashton stepping in.
The power of Oprah. In just days, Oprah`s talk show is going to be gone, but will her impact live on? Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT reveals the moments where Oprah made the most indelible impact. It`s a showbiz special report.
Also, the "American Idol" shocker.
(SINGING)
HAMMER: That`s been all the singing for James Durbin. He was voted off "American Idol." So, could a woman finally win this thing for the first time in years? It`s been awhile since that happened.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN, news and views.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (on-camera): Time now for the "Showbiz News Ticker," more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PIERS MORGAN, CNN ANCHOR: are you glad to be out of it?
JESSE JAMES, AMERICAN TV PERSONALITY: Hundred percent. I don`t know how I survived in there as long as I did. It`s just like, I mean, you`re cool, but the rest of those people, I just can`t handle it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. And just in tonight, the big spin. Lindsey Lohan is trying to turn over a new leaf today after pleading no contest this week to a misdemeanor charge in a case where she was accused of stealing a necklace. Now, Lindsey said she wants to move on from her court drama, and she holds no one but herself accountable for being in the situation that she`s in.
But is she going about it the right way? Is there a doctor in the house? Yes, there is. It`s the showbiz spin doctor, Howard Guru. That`s your new name. Howard Bragman, PR guru and the founder of Fifteen Minutes Public Relations. Great to have you here, Howard.
HOWARD BRAGMAN, FOUNDER, FIFTEEN MINUTES PR: Thank you.
HAMMER: We got a mission tonight. Let`s get right to it. First, of course, we do have to talk about Lindsey Lohan. Now, Lindsey just released a statement earlier this week after the judge in her case handed down her sentence. Here`s what Lindsey is saying now.
"I am glad to be able to put this past me and move on with my life and my career. I support the judge`s decision, and I hold myself accountable for being in this situation. I have already started my community service at the downtown women`s center, and thank everyone there for their warm welcome. I hope to be able to fulfill my obligation without any press attention. I think the medias spotlight should be on issues such as homelessness and domestic violence instead of on me."
Now, clearly, Lindsey here trying to spin her latest courtroom drama. She wants to show everybody that she`s really, really ready this time, Howard. I mean, that is a carefully crafted statement. I know she didn`t write it, but I want you to spin it within a minute.
BRAGMAN: Well, number one, she does have a new PR rep that was reported this week, and I give them credit for a very well written statement. Maybe to say at the bottom, and I really mean, unlike the 42 times before. You know what A.J., this girl has been in jail more times than you go to the dry cleaners to pick up your clothes, OK? And I don`t know that we really believe her. She can say everything she wants, but there`s a few doubters out there, and I`m among them, I`m afraid.
HAMMER: So, should I tell them that somebody else picks up my clothes? No? OK. So, bottom like to spin for Lindsay Lohan for us, Howard.
BRAGMAN: Well, my bottom line is, she reminds me of my parrot. Knows all the words, but doesn`t know what the hell she`s saying, OK?
HAMMER: So mean (ph) to your parrot. All right. Right now, we got to move on to Bristol Palin. We`re on a mission to spin her as she sets the record straight about why she looks so differently. There was a lot of speculation that went in to overdrive over this brand-new look. In "Us Weekly," she told everybody that she had corrective jaw surgery.
And here`s what she admitted that. "Yes, it`s improved the way I looked. This surgery was necessary for medical reasons so my jaw and teeth could properly realign. I don`t obsess over my face. I am absolutely thrilled with the results. I look older, more mature, and I don`t have this much of a chubby little baby face. Spin it within a minute, Howard.
BRAGMAN: First of all, who wants to look older and more mature? But, you know, it was actually a very smart PR move. And Hollywood people do it all the time. Yes, I have a new nose, but I really deviated septum surgery, and I had to do it. but number one, it was smart to get ahead of this. You know, she did well on "Dancing with the Stars." She just announced the reality show. And this girl has the Hollywood bug.
HAMMER: She`s going Hollywood. Bottom line spin for Bristol Palin.
BRAGMAN: We`ll see how I can feel it --
HAMMER: Please.
BRAGMAN: OK.
HAMMER: There you go.
BRAGMAN: You know, it`s kind of the new version of the Beverly Hillbillies, and you are not going to see Bristol Palin going back and working at the Dairy Queen in Wasilla, Alaska, OK?
HAMMER: I don`t think we will. PR guru, Howard Bragman, the spin doctor, thank you, sir.
BRAGMAN: Thanks, A.J.
HAMMER: All right. Now, I don`t know how I`m going to spin this. My good friend, Sherri Shepherd, is she turning into a sort of bridezilla? Now, we all know Sherri is getting married on August. On "View" today, the ladies got into it over Sherri`s bridesmaid dresses. Sherri also seems to want the bridal party to do a coordinated "thriller" type dance at her wedding as well. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SHERRI SHEPHERD, HOST: I think probably a bit problem I`m having is everybody has ideas about the dress they want to wear. So, you know, as soon as you tell everybody it`s this kind of dress, then they go, oh, my boobs, oh my butt, oh my --
(LAUGHTER)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You simply need to e-mail regarding this bridesmaid dress.
(CROSSTALK)
JOY BEHAR, HOST: Everybody looks good in it in a powder blue tulle by the outfit. That is a fattening dress.
SHEPHERD: What I keep thinking, Joy, when I send people an e-mail say, this is what I picked out for my day, if I want you to put it on --
BEHAR: It`s all about you?
SHEPHERD: It`s all about me.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The choreographed dance, I`ve been telling you. SHEPHERD: You know, it`s like, you know if you go to YouTube and the DJ messes up, and then, all of a sudden, the bridal party breaks out into thriller. Yes, and sounded like reserved for hours. Yes, that whole thing.
(LAUGHTER)
BEHAR: What is that?
SHEPHERD: The water sprinkler.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I`m not going to sprinkler if you`re not ready, I promise.
SHEPHERD: But I got people going, you know, I don`t dance. I can`t do this. And I was just like, it`s my day.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: All right. Well, to Sherri`s credit, she said she is paying for those bridesmaid dresses. You know, I love you, Sherri. I say do whatever the heck you want. It is your day.
Monroe and Moroccan Scott. Tonight, Nick Cannon breaks news to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT how did he and Mariah Carey pick such unusual baby names?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Not everybody gets it. The names caught people by surprise. They`re writing about it. They`re talking about it on TV.
CANNON: Right.
HAMMER: What do you think about that?
CANNON: I thought they were pretty normal names.
HAMMER (voice-over): It`s my headline making "Showbiz Newsmaker Interview" tonight.
The power of Oprah. Is she gets in to the sign off her talk show? Tonight, we reveal the most incredible Oprah moments where she had the most impact. The showbiz special report.
Also, HLN`s Robin Meade teaming up with country stars. I`m talking Keith Urban to help rebuild the southern united states after the devastating tornadoes and floods.
KEITH URBAN, COUNTRY SINGER: You know, our family`s home burned down when I was 10 years old. We lost everything. So, I know that feeling of losing these things, which in our case, our home when I was only ten years old.
HAMMER: Robin Meade right her next.
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN, news and views.
Time for the "Showbiz News Ticker," more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
(SINGING)
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(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Got to tell you about something really great that HLN`s Robin Meade is working on. Robin is teaming up with some big-time country stars for a special called "Music Builds: The CMT Disaster Relief Concert." Keith Urban, Hank Williams, Jr., lady Antebellum, just a few of the major hit makers who are supporting this cause.
Now, this special is going to raise money for the victims of the devastating floods and tornadoes that hit the southern U.S. Robin is the host of the show, and she takes us behind the scenes. Hey, Robin.
ROBIN MEADE, HOST OF "AMERICAN EXPRESS": Hi, A.J. You know, the country stars who are part of this telethon here at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville are keenly aware that the need continues to grow. It doesn`t diminish, not only after the outbreak of tornadoes, but also the current flooding that`s going on. So, you had the biggest stars in country. Keith Urban, he sang "Everybody." And the song goes everybody needs somebody. So appropriate for this cause.
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(SINGING)
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MEADE: That`s Keith Urban. And I thought was really interesting, A.J., too, that he talked about why he feel so close to some of these victims even if he doesn`t know them, because as a child, he lost his house to a house fire.
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URBAN: It`s an extraordinary feeling. It`s always stay with me, because, you know, we came home, and it was just, boom, this black, charred level thing that used to be a home. So, I`m always quick to step up and help out in these situations. And I believe (INAUDIBLE).
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MEADE: Well, the need is still great. Let me tell you that all the money raised from this telethon goes to the Red Cross who, of course, will help people not only who are victims of the tornado outbreak but also the current flooding victims as well as many, many other. Now, we`re going to re-air the telethon, Sunday night, on HLN.
We`re honored to help out in that way. You`ll see all the stars in its entirety, all the songs, all the different background stories. And then, right after, I want you to stay around because we`re going to take you behind the scenes about this came together in a matter of seven days after Hank Williams, Jr. made a call after seeing his home state of Alabama in a destruction there. Seven days, A.J., to put that show together.
HAMMER: Really looking forward to it, Robin. Thanks so much. Be sure to catch "Music Builds: The CMT Disaster Relief Concert" followed by a backstage special with Robin Meade, Sunday May 15th. It all gets underway 9:00 p.m. eastern here on HLN.
Time now for the showbiz line-up, here`s what coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
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HAMMER (voice-over): Big news breaking tonight, Ashton Kutcher to replace Charlie Sheen on "Two and a Half Men," but is he the right choice?
Nick Cannon breaks news to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. What is the story behind those unusual names he and Mariah gave their twins, Monroe and Moroccan Scott?
And the great "American Idol" debate. After James get booted, will a woman now win this whole thing?
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN, news and views.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (on-camera): Now, the "Showbiz News Ticker," more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (voice-over): Big news breaking tonight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. "Two and a Half`s" new man. Charlie Sheen out. Ashton Kutcher in. The "Showbiz Flashpoint" tonight, is Ashton the right choice?
We miss Mariah. We understand she`s been pregnant and has to, you know, give birth and all of that, any sense of when we may see her doing something again? She can be a stay-at-home mom for a long time.
Mariah Carey`s posed baby plan. Mariah`s husband, Nick Cannon, breaks news tonight about that and why the unusual names for their twins.
The SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s special report, the power of Oprah. Her final show is just days away. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with a look at how Oprah became one of the most powerful celebrities on the planet.
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (on-camera): Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It is 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer coming to you from New York City. We`ve got big news breaking tonight. Goodbye, Charlie. It`s official. Ashton Kutcher is replacing Charlie Sheen on "Two and a Half Men." Now, CBS just made the announcement today. Ashton is going to kick off the night season of the mega hit show this fall, and it looks like this could be a major payday for Kutcher.
Report quite around (ph), he`s going to score nearly a million bucks an episode. That leads to our "Showbiz Flashpoint," Is Ashton the right choice for "Two and a Half Men".
With me in New York tonight, TV journalist, Tara Winter Brill, and Sean Kanan, you know him from the "Young and the Restless." So, for the competition for this role, I mean, it has been going berserk. A lot of names have been floating (ph) around. The intense competition has included people like Hugh Grant and Rob Lowe and John Stamos, Jeremy Piven. All names floating out there as possible replacements.
So, Sean, to our `Showbiz Flashpoint," do you think Ashton Kutcher is the right choice for "Two and a Half Men."
SEAN KANAN, `YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS": I think he`s a great choice. I think it`s going to be a very different show because Ashton is significantly younger than Charlie is. I think it`s going to change the dynamic a bit, but I think there`s something much more important to play here that nobody is discussing.
You know, Hollywood is really experiencing a tough time economically. So, I`m speaking to the producers of the show now. Guys, I`m already on the lot at CBS. I eat at there (ph) daily, and frankly, I would have done this for about $500,000.
WINTER BRIL: Very settle.
KANAN: Think. Think. bottom line, guys.
HAMMER: He`s talking for the whole season, not an episode. Well, look, I agree. I think he`s a great actor. I think he`s going to fit right into this role. And quite frankly, I think, after Charlie Sheen`s major meltdown, there are a lot of people out there who think, you know, anybody but Charlie, but at the same time, there are a lot of people, Tara, who say he`s the only guy, Charlie, for that role. The show was built around him. Do you think Ashton is the right choice?
WINTER BRIL: I disagree to that. I think Ashton is the right choice. He`s got the comedic jobs, and I think this guy`s a triple threat. The girls love him. They think he`s hot. The guys think he`s funny, and he`s got this crazy Twitter following that adds a whole new dimension in terms of tandem. So, I think this is the guy. I`m very excited about this.
HAMMER: All right. Well, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you, Charlie, no huge surprise here. He`s already blasting back at the announcement of his replacement. Listen to this brand new Sheenism just in today. Charlie telling this to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. "Kutcher is a sweetheart and a brilliant comedic performer. Oh, wait, so am I."
And here, he`s taking yet another shot at "Two and a Half Men" show creator, Chuck Lorre, telling SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, "Enjoy planet Chuck, Ashton. There is no air, laughter, loyalty, or love there." Sheen, he lost his job, he lost his paycheck for good, and true to form, going down in flames here. Do you think, Sean, that he`s finally hit rock bottom?
KANAN: You know, I don`t know. I mean, I`ve met him a couple of times. He`s always been very nice when I met him. I wish the guy the best. He is a very talented actor. I hope he gets it together, and I hope we see him again soon on something.
HAMMER: What do you think, Tara? Is this it?
WINTER BRIL: I think for awhile.
HAMMER: For awhile.
WINTER BRIL: I mean, he`s got the internet thing going, but I think it`s a joke right now. I mean, it`s over, I think.
HAMMER: Well, right now, we have to move on, because it is time to name SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s "Most Provocative Celebrity of the Week." Who is it going to be this week? Perhaps, Pippa Middleton. She has stolen the spotlight from her royal sister or will it be Will Smith. You know, they parked that titanic movie set trailer in downtown New York City all for him, actually, two of them, or could be Lindsay Lohan? She got another slap on the wrist for her bad behavior.
HAMMER: Who`s your pick for "Most Provocative Celebrity of the Week?"
WINTER BRIL: Hands down or I should say butt down to Pippa. It`s got to be Pippa. Her face is on every magazine. Her butt is everywhere, and she`s managed to steal the spotlight from a princess. Who does that? Who can do it? So, she`s it.
HAMMER: All right. Well, let`s find out right now. It is time for the big reveal. I would like a drum roll, please. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has named Pippa Middleton right there, Tara. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s "Most Provocative Celebrity of the Week." I mean, really, it`s amazing. She managed to steal the spotlight from her own sister`s royal wedding. Pippa, on her "People" magazine cover, that thing sold over 2 million copies.
WINTER BRIL: Wow!
HAMMER: Sean, I know you didn`t miss a minute of that royal wedding. As a soap actor, you got to wake up early, anyway. So you think we got it right.
KANAN: I think so. You know, first of all, I actually did watch the entire wedding because I was on a plane ride for my L.A. to New York, but you know, Will Smith, I can`t hit on a guy for having a big trailer.
HAMMER: Right.
KANAN: You`ve got Pippa stealing the wedding. You got Lindsay just stealing. You know, I think you got it right.
HAMMER: And look, the thing is, and I get the whole uproar over Will Smith, although, outside New York City, I don`t think people were there honked off about it. Will didn`t say park those trailers there, and quite frankly, if he knew there was going to be that uproar, I have a feeling he would have said, please, don`t park those trailers there.
WINTER BRIL: Right.
HAMMER: That`s the kind of guy he is. Sean Kanan, Tara Winter Brill, I thank you both for being here and make sure you watch Sean on "The Young and The Restless" weekdays on CBS.
Got to move on now. From the most provocative celebrity to certainly one of the most powerful. I`m talking, of course, about Oprah Winfrey. We`re now just days away from Oprah`s last talk show episode, and there`s no question that the "Oprah Winfrey Show" made her the queen of daytime talk, but what is the secret behind the power of Oprah. The SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s for the showbiz special report.
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KAREEN WYNTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): She`s adored. Influential.
OPRAH WINFREY, HOST: I`m going to change with your health. The laws in this country.
WYNTER: Super successful and ridiculously rich, stopping Forbes list of the most powerful celebrities earning a whopping $315 million a year. she is, of course, OPRAH, and BET host, April Woodard, tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT no one has built a media empire quite like Lady O.
APRIL WOODARD, CORRESPONDENT HOST, BET: She is just phenomenal, and really, has had an impact on culture. If you take look at how things were before pre-Oprah, we didn`t really confront some of our issues or personal issue. Oprah took on those issues.
WYNTER: And when Oprah talks, people listen. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that a power of Oprah`s words can not only pack a punch, they can also stop one. After Chris Brown was accused of beating up his then girlfriend, Rihanna, in 2009, Oprah sent a powerful message to any woman thinking of going back to a man who hit her.
WINFREY: If a man hits you once, he will hit you again.
WOODARD: She really opened the doors and said it`s OK to confront this issue. It`s OK to talk about it.
WYNTER: And over the years, Oprah has shown her influence by weighing in on just about everything. From Tom Cruise`s head over heels display of his love for Katie Holmes --
WINFREY: My God!
WYNTER: To calling out author, James Frey, for hoodwinking her and everyone with his made up autobiography, "A Million Little Pieces."
WINFREY: So, do you think you lied or you think you made a mistake?
JAMES FREY, AUTHOR: I think probably both.
WYNTER: Even to Oprah backing Barack Obama for president.
WINFREY: Would you announce on this show?
(APPLAUSE)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Yes. You know, I don`t think I could say no to you.
WYNTER: Oprah`s support for Obama angered some supporters of the women in the 2008 White House race, Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin.
WOODARD: She did deal with flak -- you know, she`s fearless. She`s not afraid of dealing with controversy or dealing with criticism. And I think that`s the key with Oprah. Oprah does what Oprah wants to do.
WYNTER: But, eventually, even Sarah Palin came calling to Oprah on her show.
WINFREY: Should I be worried because I have heard that you`re going to get your own talk show?
WYNTER: And when Oprah speaks her mind about a beef she has, it can really stir up trouble. During a 1996 Oprah show focusing on mad cow disease, Texas cattlemen claim they lost $11 million in sales after Oprah said she`d be scaring burgers (ph). "Entertainment Weekly`s" Lynette Rice tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT the mad cow comments got the cattlemen plenty mad.
LYNETTE RICE, SENIOR WRITER, ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: There were ranchers that were fearful that these passing comments and the idea that maybe she really riled up her audience to be freaking out was -- it sent panic among the cattle ranchers. And so, you know, they took her to court.
WYNTER: But, after years of legal battles, Oprah won and the case was dismissed.
WINFREY: Free speech not only lives, it rocks.
RICE: What she says has extraordinary weight and that people will listen to her and that people are fearful of what she`ll say and what she`ll do. If she didn`t feel the extent of her power then, she certainly felt it afterwards.
WYNTER: As Oprah wraps up her final talk show season, talk of her influence is turning to talk of her legacy.
RICE: There are so many great moments, and to have that kind of power, to haves that kind of ability to do something that everyone remembers, and once Oprah leaves, we won`t see another talk show host last as long as she did.
WYNTER: Oprah`s keeping her future appearance plans to herself for the time being, but SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can guarantee that wherever and whenever Oprah is on, people will always listen.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Well, the final episode of Oprah airs on May 25th. I`m so excited because SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is throwing a big farewell to Oprah all next week. Now, check this out. On Monday, we`ve got Oprah`s superstar celebrity fans with their favorite Oprah moment. On Tuesday, it`s Oprah`s final goodbye. How will Oprah sign off on her final show.
Wednesday, inside Oprah`s surprise spectacular. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT right here in Chicago for her final farewell. On Thursday, what`s next for Oprah? Oprah`s plans for her future and the future of her network. Will the fans stay with her without the talk show?
It`s SHOWBIZ TONIGHT big farewell to Oprah all next week. Oprah is certainly a unique name, but what about Monroe? How about Moroccan? Where did Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey come up with their baby names?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Not everybody guess it. The names caught people by surprise. They`re writing about it. They`re talking about it on TV.
CANNON: Right.
HAMMER: What do you think about that?
CANNON: I honestly thought they were pretty normal names.
HAMMER (voice-over): Nick, you call Moroccan normal? Next, one-on- one with Nick Cannon is a headline making "Showbiz Newsmaker Interview."
So, "American Idol" is down to three after James Durbin gets the ax. J.Lo is not happy about it.
(SINGING)
HAMMER: Two women in the top three in "American Idol." So, the big question tonight, could a woman actually win for the first time in years?
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN, news and views.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (on-camera): Time for the `Showbiz News Ticker," more stories from SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
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ANGELINA JOLIE, ACTRESS: I saw it with my own children. I brought them all to watch it, and I was very curious just to how they would react. They speak about (INAUDIBLE) all the time at home. They enjoyed the story. They identified even more with them (ph).
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HAMMER (voice-over): Teen mom in rehab? Janelle Evans who appears on MTV`s `teen Mom 2" has reportedly checked into a Malibu, California rehab facility. According to "Us Weekly," Evans checked in because of stress due to legal and family problems. The 19-year-old pled guilty of possession of drug paraphernalia back in April.
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HAMMER (on-camera): Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. And now, showbiz breaks news with Nick Cannon. Everybody has heard that Nick and his wife, Mariah Carey, chose two rather unusual names for their babies. Their little girl is named Monroe Cannon, and their little boy, Moroccan Scott Cannon. I`m the kind of guy who likes different and unusual names, but a lot of people just don`t get it.
So, when Nick stopped by for a "Showbiz Newsmaker Interview," I got him to reveal to us the real scoop on where they came up with those names and whether or not we will see Mariah back at work anytime soon.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: The names caught people by surprise. They`re writing about it. They`re talking about it on TV.
CANNON: Right.
HAMMER: What do you think about that?
CANNON: I honestly thought they were pretty normal names because I was thinking like --
HAMMER: Oh, how many Moroccan`s do you know? Come on, then.
CANNON: I know Moroccan people.
HAMMER: That`s entirely different.
CANNON: But, no, I thought -- obviously, Monroe, people understand that one because my wife is inspired by Marilyn Monroe, a huge fan, but even then, that`s a strong name for a female. We want it to go in that direction. And then, Moroccan, I thought it sounded strong to me. You know, strong African name. We call him rock. You know --
HAMMER: So, that`s the name that`s going to stand?
CANNON: Yes, rock, cannon, Nick Cannon. Like my name is Nicholas. Most people don`t call me Nicholas. They call me Nick. And, you know, Nicholas Scott Cannon, Moroccan Scott Cannon. I proposed to my wife in our Moroccan room in our house. So, it kind of it has a vibes to Moroccan. It kind of sounds like Mariah and Nick together.
It has a lot of meaning to it. Because my wife wasn`t totally with Moroccan at first. She was like, are you going to really name our son, Moroccan. I was like yes, that`s my little man, roc, you know?
HAMMER: Good thing you didn`t propose to her in your man-cave or something like that.
(CROSSTALK)
CANNON: Yes. Because then, it would have been a totally different name. but, then, the nickname is Roc and Roe. Yes. Roc and Roe.
HAMMER: Perfect. We`re getting to see a whole lot of you with all the various projects you have going on. We miss Mariah. We understand she`s been pregnant and has to, you know, give birth and all of that. Any sense of when we may see her doing something again. Is she going to be a stay-at-home mom for a long time? What do you think?
CANNON: No. She`s a workaholic like myself. She`s already been in the studio. So, expect lots of her. I mean, she`s already got everything together. Her whole year planned out. I mean, obviously, our children and our family is the number one priority, but she`s already ready to be as creative as possible. So, you`re going to be seeing a lot from her. She`s been truly inspired by this entire process. I mean, she`s doing some incredible work.
HAMMER: Now, I realize it`s early, but I got to ask the question. Do you think this is it or do you see more kids down the road? Honestly.
CANNON: I personally said let`s get it popping. I heard women that most fertile right after they give birth. She looked at me with that stare (ph), I don`t think she wants to go through that anytime soon. So, I feel like we hit the jackpot. We got a boy and girl the first time out. So, I`m happy. I don`t think we need any more children right now. I would love it, but my wife is like hell no.
HAMMER: And you`re also getting ready for a new season of "America`s Got Talent." You`re the host of that show. Later this year, we all know Simon Cowell is going to debut, his highly anticipated show, "X-Factor." You got the "American Idol," the new show, "The Voice," which is actually getting off to a pretty good start as well.
CANNON: Right.
HAMMER: Are you concerned at all about how your show will stay competitive when the field is just getting so overblown?
CANNON: Not at all, because you have all these other competition shows out there that are, you know, they`re reaching for something. They`re trying to put a spin on and then a twist. We have that naturally. It`s not a singing competition. It`s not a dance competition. It is a show that is literally taking ordinary people with extraordinary talents and giving them an opportunity.
And we do it in a way like this year, the young people came out. Like youth culture is so infusing. It`s not just, you know, a bunch of old jugglers or, you know, people singing opera like. You see that energy that`s on the internet, that energy that`s in these nightclubs. We brought it to the show, and it happened organically. It wasn`t something that we had to fabricate. So, this show -- it`s the best season yet.
HAMMER: And I have always said about your show, it certainly wasn`t the first to have this formula with the judges, but I have always said about the show, it has some of the best chemistry of any of the shows with judges.
CANNON: Hands down. I would say, we have the best judging panel.
HAMMER: Well, of course, you would, but I agree.
CANNON: Piers Morgan is a real critic, a journalist with, you know, background. He can critique. He`s great at that. Sharon Osbourne, a great manager, a real manager who`s managed some of the greatest artist today. Howie Mandel who`s had a legendary career as a performer. You have all those people giving you true, honest critiques, and it`s fun.
HAMMER: It`s a unique blend.
CANNON: Yes. It`s a fun. It`s not one of those things where I don`t know any other hosts out there, but I`m not stiff, reading teleprompter. I`m giving you the real. So, we have a good time.
HAMMER: All right. Nick Cannon, thanks again.
CANNON: A.J., my man (ph).
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Yes, "America`s Got Talent" a great show so is "American Idol," of course, which just revealed its top three after an emotional James Durbin got the ax.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(SINGING)
HAMMER (voice-over): So, it`s two women in the top three, and the big question tonight, could a woman win it all for the first time in many years
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN, news and views.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (on-camera): Time for the "Showbiz News Ticker," these are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
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HAMMER (voice-over): Well, this isn`t good. Looks like Wonder Woman is going to need more than a golden lasso to rescue her show. NBC has reportedly axed the series about the comic book icon before it even got started. According to deadline.com, people were just not into the idea of modernizing the 1970s superhero.
"Friday Night Light" star, Adrianne Palicki, I love her. I thought she was great in this role. She`s been cast to play "Wonder Woman, but it is not to be.
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HAMMER (on-camera): And the ax fell hard on "American Idol" when contestant, James Durbin, was voted off last night, leaving it to the final three contestants to battle it out next week, and I got to say, I think it`s terrific. Finally, we have two female contestants still standing at the very end.
With me right now, Megan Alexander, correspondent for "Inside Edition. So, here we are, down to the wire. We haven`t seen two women on the "American Idol" stage at this stage of the competition in a very long time. So, Megan, what do you think? Is Lauren Alain or Haley Reinhart possibly going to wind up, winning the big price, and taking it all the way, and beating the big boy, Scotty McCreery?
ALEXANDER: Yes. I love Scotty.
HAMMER: I like Scotty, too. You know, I don`t know if he has the mass appeal. I don`t know what the story is, but I`m happy to see he`s gone this far.
ALEXANDER: Me, too. I don`t think Scotty has it to win "American Idol." He`s been a fan favorite. Great country voice, which I love, but I think it is going to one of the girls. Which one, I don`t know because I`m still little shocked that James got kicked off, to be honest.
HAMMER: Oh, are you?
ALEXANDER: Oh, yes. I completely am, but I think both of these girls are very interesting. They`ve pushed themselves. The judges have been very hard on them. So, either one, I think, would do a great job. I am surprised with this final three, though. I really am.
HAMMER: I think you speak for a lot of people. You know, James Durbin was eliminated last night after he confessed on the show that he suffers from Tourette`s, that he`s this high-functioning autistic, and he really poured out his heart and soul into really every performance on stage. Watch what he said about that last night.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAMES DURBIN, "AMERICAN IDOL" CONTESTANT: Man, I worked so damn hard to get here. God, I was really hoping to, you know, to get there but, you know, I had a feeling today and God, I did so much stuff that`s never been done on this show before and so much stuff that I -- you know --
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
DURBIN: You know, in my eyes, my mind and what I believe is that I did what I came here to do, and that was to give me (ph) a chance to bring it 110 percent every week.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I mean, how do you not feel that when you hear the emotion in his voice. Look, getting kicked off at this stage of the game, not always a hardship. You know, look at Daughtry.
ALEXANDER: Thank you.
HAMMER: 2007 Billboard Artist of the Year, for goodness sake.
ALEXANDER: Thank you.
HAMMER: Do you think we`ll see the same sort of longevity from a guy like James Durbin?
ALEXANDER: Yes. A.J., that is exactly what I think is in his favor is sometimes you want to make it far, but you don`t necessarily need to win "Idol." James (ph) Daughtry the perfect example. How about Jennifer Hudson? She took home an Oscar. She didn`t win idol. I think his story captivated us. Jennifer Lopez, the tears coming down.
HAMMER: Oh, man.
ALEXANDER: Everybody loves this guy.
HAMMER: Were you crying? Megan, were you at home shed a little tear yourself? You`re at an emotional state, anyway.
(LAUGHTER)
HAMMER: Megan Alexander, thank you so much. Got to go. That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thank you for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT now seen exclusively Monday through Friday at 11:00 Eastern and Pacific right here on HLN.
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