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Showbiz Tonight
Outrage Over Rihanna`s New Video; Donald Trump Stumps for Sarah Palin?; Is Paris Really All Grown Up?; Justin Timberlake`s Explosive Revelations
Aired June 02, 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: Tonight, brand-new problems for Simon Cowell`s new show "The X-Factor." I`m A.J. Hammer and this is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Big news breaking tonight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - coast to coast outrage over Rihanna`s new video, "Man Down."
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Rihanna shoots a man dead. The SHOWBIZ great debate tonight. Could Rihanna be playing us to sell albums? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT asks, are you buying it?
Tonight, Donald Trump stumps for Sarah Palin, but are you buying it?
Paris Hilton says she`s all grown up.
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PARIS HILTON, REALITY TV STAR: It`s time to say goodbye to Paris the party girl and hello to Paris the grownup.
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HAMMER: Paris all grown up? Are you buying it?
Justin Timberlake explosive revelations. Tonight J.T.`s shocking revelations about his exes, Britney Spears, Jessica Biel.
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show breaks news right now.
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Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer, coming to you from New York City with big news breaking today - rage over Rihanna. Let`s face it, Rihanna knows exactly how to get attention, but I`m not sure this is the kind of attention she had in mind.
Tonight there is absolute outrage spreading over Rihanna`s new music video for the single, "Man Down." Now, in this video Rihanna play as woman who guns down a man out of revenge for his abuse. The video plays out like a dark movie with graphic detail, the carefully calculated shooting complete with the bloody death scenes.
Tonight, the video is getting blasted by critics who are calling it outrageous and demanding that this thing is yanked off the air. And for some, the biggest shocker of all is Rihanna`s reaction to the backlash. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the rage over Rihanna.
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(voice-over) Rihanna`s new video for her song, "Man Down," has her in a cross fire of controversy. It shows Rihanna fatally shooting an abuser.
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Making the situation extra sticky is of course the fact that Rihanna herself is a domestic violence victim, having suffered a beating two years ago from her then-boyfriend, singer Chris Brown.
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SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you today, as this shocking controversy rages, Rihanna is sticking to her guns. And her critics are asking, is this Rihanna`s new solution to violence against women?
MELISSA HENSON, PARENTS TELEVISION COUNCIL: Do we really want to communicate to young girls that female empowerment only comes at the point of a gun?
HAMMER: In the reggae played with video Rihanna plays a character who, it`s strongly implied, is sexually assaulted at a night club.
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Then, the heroine played by Rihanna, fetches a gun, follows her attacker to a train station and shoots him. Since the real Rihanna suffered that horrible beating two years ago, she has not been shy about addressing domestic violence in her music.
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Last year, she teamed up with Eminem for his song "Love The Way You Lie" about a couple in an abusive relationship.
HENSON: It is part of an emerging pattern with the songs that she has chosen to record recently.
HAMMER: Melissa Henson is the communications director with the watchdog group, the Parents Television Council. The PTC has joined with other groups to urge channels to yank Rihanna`s video of the air.
Henson tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Rihanna has become a repeat offender when it comes to tackling this difficult issue.
HENSON: She`s partnered with Eminem in a music video where she`s basically saying, "Go ahead and hit me because I love the way it hurts. She has a song now where she`s advocating violence and retaliation.
HAMMER: Rihanna, of course, isn`t the first female artist to sing about killing an abusive man. The Dixie Chicks raised lots of eyebrows a decade ago with their song and video, "Goodbye Earl," all about a woman who kills her abusive husband all set to a fun, boot-stomping beat.
But this time around, the singer is a known domestic violence victim and, critics say, makes this controversy an entirely different tune.
HENSON: She has an opportunity, given her history, to communicate a powerful message to young girls who may be going through the same thing, who may be in abusive relationships.
She could be telling girls, "Get out. Find the strength to leave that abusive relationship." But that`s not the message she`s communicating. It`s violence and retaliation. Vengeance is all well and good.
As the criticism over her violent video piles up, Rihanna`s response has been, "Don`t retreat, reload." Today, she angrily tweeted, "I`m a 23- year-old rock star with no kids. What`s up with everybody wanting me to be a parent? I`m just a girl. I can only be your/our voice."
"The music industry isn`t exactly `parents are us.` We have the freedom to make art. Let us. It your job to make sure they don`t turn out like us."
But Rihanna`s re-tweeting messages of support for her new song from her fans. One reads, quote, "The `Man Down` video was amazing. The concept was so many timely and such a pressing issue affecting young women worldwide."
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So while Rihanna`s character in this video is looking to skip town, it looks like the controversy over this song is going to stick around for a while, more proof that if Rihanna chooses to sing about violence against women, she can expect a firestorm of controversy.
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Well, Rihanna`s "Man Down" video premiered on BET. And today, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT received a brand-new statement from BET about the controversy.
Here`s what they`re telling us, "BET Networks has a comprehensive set of standards and guidelines that are applied to all of our content. The Rihanna `Man Down` video complied with these guidelines and was approved for air."
Well, the debate over the Rihanna controversy rages on right now. And it brings us to our SHOWBIZ Flashpoint today - does Rihanna`s new music video go too far? Is she playing us?
Right now, in New York, Niecy Nash, whose two-hour wedding special, "Niecy Nash`s Wedding Bash," airs this weekend on TLC. Make sure you catch that. And in Atlanta, it`s Jenn Hobby who is the co-host of "The Bert Show."
Now, personally, I don`t think Rihanna is playing us. Yes, she is expressing herself in a very provocative way, but this is her art. So Niecy, to our SHOWBIZ Flashpoint, do you think that she`s playing us?
NIECY NASH, "NIECY NASH`S WEDDING BASH": I would absolutely have to say she is not, OK? She is an artist. She`s expressing herself through her music. And if we really want role models for our children, that`s our job as parents.
You don`t look for someone else to parent your children, not to mention the fact of all these other rap songs and videos that demoralize women. What about that? What about some of that?
I would say let this young girl make her music, express herself through her art. And parents, parent your children.
HAMMER: Yes. I completely agree with you. I think a lot of people are also saying, where do you draw the line? Did this go too far? Jenn Hobby, does Rihanna`s new music video go too far and do you think she`s playing us?
JENN HOBBY, CO-HOST, "THE BERT SHOW": I don`t think it goes too far. I actually think it tells the story of the song. These lyrics of the song are mournful, painful lyrics, and this video represents that. It`s the visual representation of it.
But I don`t think she`s tongue-and-cheeking it, much like the Dixie Chicks in that clip we saw of their song, "Goodbye Earl." This is a mournful, painful song.
And I agree with Niecy. She`s an artist. Let`s let her be an artist. And guess what? Let`s allow it to open up dialogue with our children. Let`s talk to our kids about what this song is about, the underlying emotions and meanings they may be struggling with in their own relationships. It`s a chance to talk.
Yes. And you know, people are talking about it. We`re hearing it on both sides. The SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook wall is blowing up all about Rihanna`s new music video.
Let me go to a couple of comments. Eboni K writes, "There`s nothing wrong with the video. I don`t see the big deal. How many times have we seen women killing men in movies and TV shows?"
Now, Audrey W disagrees. Here`s what she says, "The video is definitely going too far. What will the young women think that look up to her? There is absolutely nothing artistic about the video."
OK. Putting the artistic part aside, Niecy, what will young women who look up to her think when they see this video? Go Rihanna? Shoot a man dead?
NASH: I don`t think that most people who are Rihanna`s fans are going to take it that literal.
HAMMER: Right.
NASH: I think they will see it as an expression of her art. I also think that they will not lay this right next to the incident that she had with Chris Brown. Think those are two totally different things.
HAMMER: Do you think she would have done a video like this? I mean, remember, she comes from the "Pon de Replay" days. Do you think she`d be doing music like this if she hadn`t gone through that life experience? And look, life experience - that`s what informs your art.
NASH: It`s a sign of the times, though. All you have to do is look on any front page and see what people are dealing with in their day-to-day lives. The thing that`s depicted in that video is absolutely what people are facing.
HAMMER: Well, a lot of critics are saying Rihanna did step over the line of what`s appropriate, especially for all of her young fans who are really impressionable. But her Twitter page was just filled up with tweets. I was checking this out today. Lots of support on there.
Today, in fact, Rihanna herself tweets that her young fans need to know the reality of life. Just to your point, Niecy.
Here`s what she tweeted, "You can`t hide your kids from society or they`ll never learn how to adapt. This is the real world. The music industry isn`t exactly "Parents Are Us." We have the freedom to make art. Let us. It`s your job to make sure they don`t turn out like us."
So Jenn, I take it you agree with Rihanna. But there are those who have said that they believe she`s exploiting her own traumatic experience. What do you say to that?
HOBBY: I don`t think she`s exploiting it. I think she is using it as an expression. And again, I think parents have got to say - monitor what your kids are watching.
And if they`re seeing this and they`re a Rihanna fan and they`re taking it literally, take that as an opportunity to talk to them about it and get behind what`s in this art.
But I don`t really think she`s exploiting it. Certainly, she`s exploring it, but not exploiting it.
NASH: I agree.
HAMMER: As Oprah would say, a teaching moment, if she were still on the air with her show. Jenn Hobby, Niecy Nash, thank you both. And make sure you check out "Niecy Nash`s Wedding Bash." TLC will have it Saturday, June 4th.
Moving on tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has to ask, are you buying it? Donald Trump stumps for Sarah Palin?
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DONALD TRUMP, BUSINESS TYCOON: Great woman and a terrific woman and a good friend. I`d love her to run.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: But is the Donald really on team Sarah? Are you buying it? Justin Timberlake`s explosive revelations about his exes tonight. Britney Spears, Jessica Biel. The woman who got Timberlake to open up about his love life right here in a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsmaker interview.
Big brand-new problems for Simon Cowell`s "X-Factor." The thing has not even launched yet. Coming up. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
It is time for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: Charlie Sheen and Brooke Mueller reach a deal over custody of their twins. SHOWBIZ first look, "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo."
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HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Tonight, Simon`s sour note? Simon Cowell is, of course, the maestro of TV music talent shows. So why is his big new venture, "X-Factor," already facing challenges before it even gets started?
A fired judge, huge expectations, and of course, massive competition from other hit talent shows like "The Voice," and even Simon`s own "America`s Got Talent." Now, some people are asking, is the "X-Factor" is even going to make it on the air this fall?
Joining me tonight is syndicated morning host, Brotha Fred from 103.5 Kiss FM in Chicago.
So Brotha Fred, here`s what I think is going on with Simon Cowell and the "X-Factor." Of course, every show has got to work out the kinks before you put it on the air. It`s just the whole world is watching this thing right now and reporting on Simon`s every misstep.
So I`m thinking, you know what? Better off that Simon fix the problems now before the show actually hits the air. But what do you think, Fred? Does it start to look a bit to you like maybe Simon could be losing his touch?
BROTHA FRED, SYNDICATED MORNING HOST, 103.5 KISS FM: No. I mean, they were saying that one of the panel members - her Irish accent was too thick to understand. I mean, if that`s case, if that`s what their focus testing is determining, then, yes, they have to make some changes, like any other show.
I think we are immersed right now with so many different shows. You just had "American Idol" finish with a lackluster winner. Some would say you`ve got the game show-esque, "The Voice."
I think that Simon Cowell gets the benefit of the doubt no matter what he does especially because he brought on Paula Abdul. And who knows if she`ll be drunk or high or, you know, what exactly she`ll do.
HAMMER: Yes. I mean, that`s why I`m tuning. And you mentioned a good thing. The playing field here is a lot different now, so much more competition, much more than when he first brought "American Idol" to the U.S.
You know, "The Voice" bringing in 14 million viewers on its good night. Simon is going to be competing against his own show when the "X- Factor" (UNINTELLIGIBLE) with "America`s Got Talent."
Now, when I spoke with "America`s Got Talent" host, Nick Cannon, he told me all about how he feels about the competition. Watch this.
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NICK CANNON, HOST, "AMERICA`S GOT TALENT": 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 it and a twist.
We have that naturally. It`s not a singing competition, not a dance competition. It is a show that is literally taking ordinary people with extraordinary talent and giving them an opportunity.
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HAMMER: Yes. Now Nick may be a little biased, but I think he may have a point. Let me get to entertainment journalist Kelley Carter who joins us from Hollywood.
So Kelley, everybody is expecting great things from Simon. But with all the competition and all of these big problems, is this starting to look to you like, you know, this could be Simon`s first spectacular failure?
KELLEY CARTER, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: You know, I don`t think so. I mean, yes, I think that the market is saturated, you know, with all of these reality singing competition shows.
But I think the one thing that people have been really craving is Simon on air. And I think that regardless of whatever kind of early issues the show has been having, the idea that Simon Cowell is going to be back on air doing what he`s, you know, made us tune into "American Idol" for is incredible.
And I think that`s what`s going to get high numbers to turn out to watch the show.
HAMMER: Yes, that and again, as Brotha Fred pointed out, what the heck is Paula Abdul going to do next. Brotha Fred, Kelley Carter, thank you both.
Well, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is setting he record straight tonight. Kim Kardashian is not having a baby. Not yet, anyway. There are reports out there that Kim K, who is engaged to NBA star Kris Humphries, is also preggers.
But listen to what she writes on her blog, "This is crazy. I am not pregnant. One day I want a baby but I am not pregnant."
And on Wednesday, in our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive poll, I asked you what you thought about Kim possibly changing her famous last name when she gets married. I got the final results right here.
I find this surprising, how split it is. Kim Kardashian may take her fiance`s last name. Should she ditch "Kardashian" for "Humphries"? Look at that. Forty-seven percent think Kim should take her husband`s name and 53 say Kim Kardashian. I`ll call that a tie.
Well, Jennifer Aniston reportedly shows off her new man. She introduces him to her friends, including, of course, Courteney Cox. But who is this guy? How did they meet?
Also this -
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PARIS HILTON, REALITY TV STAR: Because of a little incident in Las Vegas last year, I have to do 200 hours of community service and it really sucks.
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HAMMER: Ah, yes. The Paris Hilton we all know so well. But wait, tonight, Paris says that she`s changed. She`s grown up now. We`re asking, are you buying it?
And a mama cat hugs her kitten. Millions say, aww. Tonight`s must- see SHOWBIZ viral video coming up. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
And now, it`s the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: Sisters Jessica and Ashlee Simpson collaborating on tween clothing line. Jane`s Addiction inducted into Hollywood`s Rockwalk.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right. Let`s hear it for the band.
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, Beyonce says taking a break from her busy career was the year that changed her life. Beyonce wrote her own cover story in the new issue of "Essence" magazine. B says chilling out is totally irreplaceable.
Listen to what she writes, "I was going to give myself a year to do the things I never get to do. Simple things like play with my nephew, pick him up from school, visit museums, go to concerts, see some Broadway shows, learn to cook a meal and spend time with my husband."
Beyonce`s new album is scheduled to drop later this month. You can read more in the July issue of "Essence" magazine on newsstands, June 10th. Can`t wait for that.
And now, Sharon Stone`s remarkable crusade to raise money and awareness in the bitter battle against AIDS. Sharon is part of a not-to- be-missed special airing on CNN this Saturday and Sunday, "Aids Turns 30."
CNN`s own chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta sits down with Sharon who has been an AIDS activist for a long, long time. Sharon`s been very outspoken about young people learning all about safer sex.
And she tells Sanjay she wishes that someone had these conversations with her.
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SHARON STONE, ACTRESS: I think, certainly, as young people become aware of themselves sexually at all, as they learn about their sexuality, as they learn about reproduction, they should learn about this just as common sense facts.
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: And talking specifically about HIV as potentially a concern?
STONE: Just the way that they learn about reproduction, they should learn about safe sex.
GUPTA: So your mother kept a drawer full of condoms in the house?
STONE: Yes, by the back door.
GUPTA: What was - did she have a conversation with you kids about this?
STONE: She did not have a conversation about it. I can say that my parents did not have the thoughtful sexual conversation. We didn`t know - I didn`t know anything and I wish that someone had had that conversation with me because I was very, very naive.
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HAMMER: I strongly urge you to watch this powerful, powerful show. It`s a special edition of "SANJAY GUPTA MD," "AIDS Turns 30," it airs Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 a.m. Eastern on CNN.
Moving on now to the SHOWBIZ lineup - here`s what we`ve got coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Donald Trump stumping for Sarah Palin? But are these two really best buds?
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TRUMP: She`s a great woman and a terrific woman and a good friend.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do you think she should run? Would you endorse her?
TRUMP: I`d love her to run.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, I`ve got to ask, are you buying it? What the heck has Oprah Winfrey been up to? Well, tonight, she`s speaking out for the first time since wrapping up her show.
And Justin Timberlake`s explosive revelation. Wait until you hear this. Tonight, J.T.`s shocking revelations about his exes. I`m not just talking about Britney Spears. I`m also talking about Jessica Biel.
The woman who got Timberlake to open up about his love life right here on a SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview you cannot miss. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
It is time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: "Glee`s" Jane Lynch to host this year`s Emmy Awards. Jennifer Hudson to play Sister Rosemary in "Three Stooges" remake.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Big news breaking tonight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - Justin Timberlake`s explosive revelations. Tonight J.T.`s shocking revelations about his exes, Britney Spears, Jessica Biel. Tonight, the woman who got Timberlake to open up about his love life right here in a must-see SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT dares to ask are you buying it? Paris Hilton says she`s a changed woman.
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HILTON: Because of this little incident in Las Vegas this year, I have to do 200 hours of community service, and it really sucks.
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HAMMER: Paris grown up? Come on. Are you buying it? And get read to say, aww. A mama cat hugging her kitten. This is the got-to-see SHOWBIZ viral video.
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
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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 today - Paris Hilton grows up.
Yes, she wants to reinvent herself right before our eyes with her grown-up new reality TV show, but are you buying it?
Donald Trump best friends with Sarah Palin? Is he stumping for her or is he just sucking us back in his presidential pipe dream again?
With me tonight in New York, comedian and actress Niecy Nash. You can see her wedding extravaganza this weekend on TLC. It`s "Niecy Nash`s Wedding Bash." Congratulations, Niecy. In Atlanta tonight, Jen Hobby, co- host of the syndicated radio show, "The Bert Show."
First up, we`ve got to talk Paris Hilton. She`s got this new reality TV show, "The World According to Paris." It just debuted last night.
She says no more party girl. She is distancing herself from that infamous sex tape, which, she explains to CNN`s Piers Morgan, still deeply affects her and her family. Watch this.
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HILTON: People assume, "Oh, she`s a slut," because of one thing that happened to me. And it`s hard because I`ll never - I have to live with that for the rest of my life and explain that to my children.
It`s something that`s just changed my life forever and I`ll never be able to erase it.
PIERS MORGAN, HOST, "PIERS MORGAN TONIGHT": The worst thing about, it that seems to me - I can tell how upsetting this is for you, Kathy. I totally understand that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK. I like that Paris. I feel for that Paris. But then, last night, I`ve got to tell you I was shaking my head once again when I saw this Paris on her reality show.
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HILTON: Because of a little incident in Las Vegas last year, I have to do 200 hours of community service and it really sucks (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
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HAMMER: To be clear, that community service is for a cocaine charge. Niecy, are you buying that Paris Hilton is now all grown up when you see something like that? I mean, come on.
NASH: You know what? I think she probably really want to be. I just think that when you do reality TV, you think, "They expect me to be over the top. They expect me to be entertaining," and that`s always going to push the envelope.
HAMMER: Yes. I guess so except we`re seeing Paris really as we`ve always seen Paris, even when it hasn`t been on reality TV. So I don`t know. I`m not sold just yet.
One of Paris` fellow reality stars is defending her. Adrienne Maloof is on "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills." And Adrienne has an interesting perspective on Paris` TV transformation. You`ve got hear what she just told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT about that.
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ADRIENNE MALOOF, REALITY TV STAR, "THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF BEVERLY HILLS": Paris is the queen of reality shows and she`s really - she`s been very successful at what she does. She`s an amazing businesswoman as well, so I think she`s used it as a platform and been successful at doing so.
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HAMMER: Yes. Well, Jenn, are you buying that, that this new Paris on TV is really just another business venture? I`m thinking maybe, you know, to keep up with the Kardashians?
HOBBY: Well, she definitely needs the show to build her brand. We started forgetting about Paris Hilton a little bit. And she wants to us buy into all of her companies, her fashion lines, her perfumes.
So the next time she launches a new brand, she`s top of mind to all of us. But I don`t think anybody`s buying that she is all grown up now. I really don`t.
HAMMER: All right. Well, let`s move on then from Paris Hilton, one reality star, to a couple of other reality stars of very high profile - Donald Trump and Sarah Palin. They have become apparently political besties.
They had their little impromptu pizza meeting in New York City. It was all the buzz. So was their dinner date an endorsement here? Well, it depends if you ask Sarah or if you ask Donald.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP (through telephone): It was a very interesting evening. And I actually asked her. I said, "Sarah, are you going to be running?" And I don`t think she`s made up her mind. I think in her own mind she`s just not sure yet.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Did he suggest he would endorse you if you to run?
FMR. GOV. SARAH PALIN (R-AK): Didn`t even ask him that. Didn`t even ask him that. But we talked about other candidates, potentials, you know, people coming and going and watching the field lineup.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Really? All right. Now, Niecy, are you buying that these two got together, these two - one who was just in and out of a presidential campaign, one that has been flirting with running for president. And they didn`t talk about their own possible campaigns? Come on, come on.
NASH: I`m going to go with this - it was such a huge media stunt. I don`t believe they just got together for a slice. And I had pizza from the place they were at this morning. It was wonderful.
But here`s the thing. I believe they had a very real conversation somewhere else and then decided, "Let`s go show up in public together."
HAMMER: Yes. They hate the attention, though. I mean, I`m so shocked they would do something like that. I`m right there with you, Niecy. Well, Donald Trump declared that he`s not running for president for now.
But listen to what he just told CNN`s Piers Morgan about what it would take to get him involved again. Roll that one, Charles.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MORGAN: Would you ever consider running as a running mate to Sarah Palin? Is that something you would ever consider?
TRUMP: I don`t see that happening from either of our standpoints actually. You know, again, I`m looking at what`s going to happen and I have very much my eye open. I very much have an eye on if they pick the wrong candidate and they very well might do it. I have my eyes wide open.
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HAMMER: Yes. Donald, do me a favor. Close your eyes, OK? Jenn, are you buying this? Or are you with me that maybe, just maybe, we`re all in the biggest episode of "Punk`d" ever and it involves the entire country?
HOBBY: I agree with you. I think we`re all getting punked. I mean, obviously, these two are magnets for attention.
Sarah Palin is traveling the country, drumming up all kinds of attention. And who does that better than Donald Trump? It was a perfect partnership. I agree with Niecy - media stunt.
HAMMER: It just feels so slimy to me, I mean, the whole thing. I`m sorry. There is certainly one guy who knows BS when he sees it, my old friend Jerry Springer.
Now, Jerry just told CNN`s Piers Morgan that he is not at all buying what Sarah Palin or Donald Trump are selling. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JERRY SPRINGER, TV SHOW HOST: He`s been nothing but nice to me so I really like him. I don`t want him to be our president, but I have a lot of friends -
MORGAN: Why don`t you?
SPRINGER: Well, one, I don`t agree with his views. But number two is he has a great skill in business and in marketing. Great skill.
I would disagree with him - I believe that just because you`re good in business - it`s a totally different skill than being a political leader.
MORGAN: Sarah Palin got a lot of that, a lot of big talking. What do you make of her?
SPRINGER: Well, she connects. She connects in a very important way. Look, I wouldn`t support her for president. You know, I don`t believe in the things she believes in.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Niecy, I`ve got to ask, do you think right now people seeing Jerry Springer right there with Piers Morgan has a lot of people at home - and maybe the guys can help me out.
A lot of people at home now are cheering, "Jerry, Jerry," you know, kind of like on his show. I mean, he was making a whole lot of sense to me right there.
NASH: I believe yes. I think that politics is so scary with so many people. You don`t want to get behind the wrong person. You don`t want them to think that, you know, you`re just way out there to, you know, the far side of things. But Sarah has a plan. She definitely is a woman with a plan.
HAMMER: Now, let me ask you something. You were at that pizza place yourself as you said a moment ago enjoying a slice - I don`t know if you had a slice or a calzone -
(CROSS TALK)
NASH: I was starting to think about running while I was there. Let me throw my weave in the ring.
HAMMER: Yes. Well, I was going to say, you know, would you be interested in sitting down with Sarah Palin and say, Sarah, what`s going on?
NASH: What`s really going - Sarah, can we talk?
HAMMER: Yes. Jenn Hobby, what do you think? You saw what Jerry Springer had to say. Look, I like Jerry a lot. He pulls no punches about how he feels about his television show. But he`s a smart, smart man. Are you kind of getting what he`s saying about these two and the nonsense that`s going on here?
HOBBY: Sure. Absolutely. I mean, Jerry Springer says he doesn`t agree with them but respects them both as celebrities. I think we definitely respect them as celebrities but I`m just not so sure as politicians.
Certainly, I`m on the Trump side of things. I mean, he is an incredible marketer and he is great at it. We all know his brand, but can he really translate into politics? I don`t know.
HAMMER: Yes. It will be really interesting to see where this goes. All right. Thanks to Jenn Hobby and Niecy Nash. And don`t forget, check out "Niecy Nash`s Wedding Bash" on TLC, June 4th. It is going to be a party.
Moving on now to Justin Timberlake`s explosive revelation. J.T. telling all about his exes and Jessica Biel and Britney Spears. Well, tonight, I`ve got the woman who got Timberlake to open up about his love life. She is right here in a must-see SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsmaker interview.
Aniston`s new man. Could it be? Aniston has reportedly introduced her new guy to her friends. But who is this dude?
And a kid who just learned to ride his bike delivers an inspirational speech that will give you goose bumps.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE CHILD: Everybody, I know you can believe in yourself. If you can believe in yourself, you will know how to ride a bike!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes, that`s the guy I`m voting for. It`s the unbelievable SHOWBIZ viral video you cannot miss, coming up. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
TEXT: Time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: Selena Gomez spotted with Justin Bieber`s family in Toronto. "Rocky" to become a Broadway musical.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Weighing 202 pounds, the reigning heavyweight champion of the world, Rocky Balboa!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Tonight, Justin Timberlake gets personal. Justin`s making brand-new revelations about his exes, his music career.
And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you there is one person he confessed as, quote, "the most significant person" in his life and it`s not his mom.
Justin spilled his secrets to "Vanity Fair" contributing editor, Vanessa Grigoriadis. She joins me right now for a SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.
Vanessa, it`s great to speak with you and I`m so glad you spoke with Justin, because he`s not the kind of celebrity who really likes to talk that much about his personal relationships.
You did, however, get him to open up about his ex, Jessica Biel. And I love what he told you about her. He said, "She is single handedly the most significant person in my life. In my 30 years, she is the most special person, OK? I don`t want to say much more because I have to protect things dear to me, for instance, her."
Now, Justin and Jessica dated for four years. It sounds like he is still obviously very protective of her. What do you make of what he said? Because I have a feeling some people will read that and think, hey, maybe these guys are going to get back together or they`re soul mates or something.
VANESSA GRIGORIADIS, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, "VANITY FAIR": I thought it was a very honest thing for him to say. I mean, they did go out for a long time. He obviously cares deeply about her. They are broken up but that doesn`t go away in a minute.
HAMMER: Yes. And it was nice to hear despite the fact that he`s protective about what he said that he`s still quite candid about his feelings.
And Jessica Biel, of course, not the only famous ex that Justin opened up about. He also answered some questions that you asked him about his first famous ex, Britney Spears.
Here`s what he told you about her, "I wish her the best - that goes without saying. We haven`t spoken in about nine or 10 years. We were two birds of the same feather, small town kids doing the same thing."
"But then you become adults and the way you were as kids doesn`t make sense. I just don`t think we were normal. There was nothing normal about our existence. We spent way too much time being the biggest thing for teeny boppers."
I think, obviously, he`s got great perspective on that time in his life now. But does it surprise you that given his child star upbringing that he comes across as so grounded and went really down such a different path than Britney Spears obviously did?
GRIGORIADIS: Well, it`s something that people have always said about Justin is that he had his head screwed on completely straight from the time that he was a kid, in some ways that he helped Britney, who was a little bit more, you know, of a free spirit to be grounded.
So you know, I think it`s great he`s been so open about his feelings about all of these women.
HAMMER: And you know, Vanessa, I`ve got to tell you what Justin says reminds me a lot of a current teen star named Justin, Justin Bieber and his relationship now with Selena Gomez.
And I know you interviewed Justin Bieber recently for "Rolling Stone." What do you find as the biggest similarity between the two Justins since you got to speak to them so close together?
GRIGORIADIS: Well, I mean, Justin Bieber is kind of a little bit of a loose cannon. And you know, that`s part of what people love about him. He just says what`s on his mind. He doesn`t pull any punches, you know.
He`s not a guy who came up through any sort of Disney, you know, Mickey Mouse system. He`s just - he`s raw and unfiltered. And I think Justin Timberlake is a little bit press shy and he`s a little protective because he`s had to deal with, you know, this real intrusion into his life throughout his entire life, since he was a teenager.
For Justin Bieber, this is - you know, it`s still kind of fun. I`m not saying he thinks being chased by paparazzi is fun, but you know, this whole thing is kind of fun to him.
HAMMER: Yes. He still enjoys being chased by the girls. Well, it`s a great read. Vanessa Grigoriadis, thank you very much. And if you`d like to read more about Justin Timberlake, make sure you pick up your copy of "Vanity Fair" on newsstands, June 7th.
Well, there`s more romance news breaking today. Does Jennifer Aniston have a new man? What the heck has Oprah been up to since ending her show? And octumom` octo-doctor has his license revoked. All making big news in "The Buzz Today."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over) The octo-doctor is out. The octumom`s fertility doctor has just been banned from practicing medicine in California.
The state`s medical board is yanking Dr. Michael Kamrava`s license effective July 1st and has just found him guilty of gross negligence, repeat negligent acts and incompetence for planting a dozen embryos into Nadya Suleman, a single woman who already had six young kids conceived through in-vitro fertilization he administered. Suleman gave birth to eight babies in January 2009.
Oprah gone fishing. Oprah just hit her Facebook friends with her first message since leaving her show. Winfrey revealed she`s kicking back and relaxing on vacation. She thanks her fans for kind words to her after she just said goodbye to her talk show.
O disclosed that she has just found her newest favorite thing, white truffle pizza, "Trying not to eat too much but had two pieces of the best pizza ever in life today. White truffle! Had to stop myself," she wrote.
And she also has a brand-new book recommendation "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand, "It`s as good as everybody says. Seventy-two pages in. Can`t put it down.
Aniston`s romance revealed. Jennifer Aniston has just reportedly introduced her brand-new beau, Justin Theroux, to her friends.
"People.com" is reporting Jen threw a small get-together so actor and screenwriter Theroux could get to know her pals including Courteney Cox and Chelsea Handler.
They all had a great time and enjoyed Justin`s company, a source tells people. The new couple reportedly first met last fall on the set of their new movie, "Wanderlust."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: There a couple of friends I`d like to introduce you to. Two of the cutest cats you`ll ever see. A mommy hugs her cuddly kitten. It is the oh-so-cute SHOWBIZ viral video, coming up next.
But now, it`s the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: Reese Witherspoon to receive MTV Generation Award at MTV Movie Awards. "American Idol" winner Scotty McCreery`s single, "I Love You This Big" debuts at number 11.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Time now for the SHOWBIZ buzz list. Here`s what the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT staff is buzzing about this week.
We can`t stop talking about Ray Romano`s great new show, "Men of a Certain Age." The season just kicked off this week.
Can`t wait until October for the return of AMC`s "Walking Dead"? Well, grab the "Walking Dead" board game out this summer.
Speaking of summer, we`re looking for some new tunes. So how about Death Cab for Cuties new album, "Codes and Keys"? That`s just out.
We`re definitely keeping tune to Paris Hilton`s new docu-series, "The World According to Paris," Wednesday night on Oxygen.
And we`re extra psyched for the weekend because "X-Men: First Class" finally lands in theaters tomorrow.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: It is time now for two SHOWBIZ viral videos that will just make you want to say "aww." Now, I`ve got to start out with a video that the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT staff cannot get enough of. This thing is called "Cat Mom Hugs Baby Kitten."
Look at this thing. It`s gotten over 18 million hits on the YouTube so far and it`s easy to see why. One, two, three -
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT STAFF: Aww!
HAMMER: Thank, guys. How can you not love a cuddly viral video like that? And there`s more, another SHOWBIZ viral video I`ve got to show you right now. This is really adorable.
I think everybody obviously remembers learning how to ride a bike for the very first time. But this little guy not only learned how to ride. He wants the world to know that you can ride a bike, too.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE CHILD: I feel - I feel -
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you feel alive?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE CHILD: I feel - I feel happy of myself.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I feel happy of yourself, too. Do you have any words of wisdom? What about for all the other kids trying to learn to ride their bike? Can you say anything to them?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE CHILD: Everybody, I know you can believe in yourself. If you believe in yourself, you will know how to ride a bike! If you don`t, you start practicing. You will get the hang of it, I know it!
If you keep practicing, you will get the hang of it and then you can get better and better at it and you`ll do it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Give me some thumbs up.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE CHILD: Thumbs up, everybody. Rock `n roll!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. I`m thinking this guy needs to run for president, as long as his birth certificate checks out. The video has nearly 200,000 views so far.
Well, now, I`ve got your first look at our terrific upcoming special. I mean, it is fantastic. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT presents "Real Star Stories: The Jackson 5." What an impact these five kids from Indiana had.
The group, of course, launched the career of Michael Jackson. And if you grew up the `70s, I`m guessing you were up early on Saturday mornings.
Before you even changed out of your P.J.s, you were tuning in to The Jackson 5 cartoon. Maybe you even took your Jackson 5 lunch box to school or watched one of their star-studded variety shows. The Jackson 5 built some umpire.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(voice-over) The Jackson 5 were masters of branding and commercial success. Not only did they grace the cover of magazines and cereal boxes, they also had major endorsement deals.
(MUSIC)
Like this 1973 Alpha Bits commercial. Through much of the `70s they had their own variety show and Jackson specials. And they had their own hit cartoon show called "The Jackson 5."
ALAN LIGHT, "ROLLING STONE": To see the Jackson 5 as a cartoon on TV reaching into, you know, white households around the country on Saturday morning, that was a very powerful statement and an impactful thing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT presents "real star stories: the Jackson 5" Saturday on CNN, 5:30 p.m. Eastern and Sunday on HLN at 5:30 p.m. Eastern.
That`s it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thanks for watching.
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