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Showbiz Tonight
Behind the Scenes with Rosie O`Donnell; The Kardashians` Reality War with President Obama; Reality TV Secrets Revealed: The Secrets to Winning on Reality TV; Giuliana Rancic`s Journey to Recovery
Aired October 20, 2011 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
A.J. HAMMER, HOST: Big news breaking tonight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive with Rosie O`Donnell. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT goes behind the scenes of her brand-new talk show. How does Rosie really feel about working for Oprah?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROSIE O`DONNELL, TV HOST: I was nervous, and because it`s Oprah, I still wanted to do well.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with exclusive backstage access to Rosie and her new show.
The Kardashians reality war with the president? Michelle Obama reveals the president dissed the reality show. Tonight, are the Kardashians really striking back?
SHOWBIZ reality secrets revealed. Two big reality stars spill the secrets to winning on reality TV. Padma Lakshmi from "Top Chef." Louis Van Amstel from "Dancing with the Stars."
Tonight, Padma and Louis are right here revealing their secrets to winning on reality TV. It`s two must-see headline-making SHOWBIZ newsmaker interviews.
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show breaks news right now.
(MUSIC)
Hello, I`m A.J. Hammer in New York with big news breaking tonight - SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Rosie O`Donnell exclusive.
Rosie O`Donnell is back and a lot of people are saying she`s even better than ever. She`s got a brand-new talk show on Oprah`s OWN network. She`s in love again and she`s opening up to us about all the fun and frenzy that comes with it.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter just got back from Chicago where Rosie is literally picking right up right where Oprah left off. Kareen, I have to tell you it definitely looks like Rosie is on fire again.
KAREEN WYNTER, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT CORRESPONDENT: Oh, yes, A.J. She is blazing hot. You know, I talked to Rosie in her new digs in Chicago at Harpo Studios, the exact same spot that once housed the "Oprah Winfrey Show."
And I`ve got to tell you, A.J., I met a fresh, a re-energized Rosie who`s loving her new challenge and who`s still ready and willing to share with the world exactly what she`s thinking.
So what does she really think about working for Oprah? Well, tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT takes you behind the scenes for an exclusive look at Rosie`s new world. Oh, and move over Tom Cruise. Rosie has a new celebrity crush.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WYNTER: Backstage?
O`DONNELL: This is my dressing room and they had this whole thing prepared pretty miraculously. I looked at it like sometime in the summer and it had been the spa where all the staff members would get their nails done and get massages. Now, it`s my office.
WYNTER: It feels really comfortable.
O`DONNELL: Yes.
WYNTER: I feel like I`m at home. I can jump on a couch.
O`DONNELL: And you can.
WYNTER: Take a nap.
O`DONNELL: And this is (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
WYNTER: Grab some Skittles.
O`DONNELL: This is actually what my house looks like, so it`s pretty similar.
WYNTER: Wow!
O`DONNELL: And here is when the kids are here. They hang out here and watch TV and complain that the screen is too small.
WYNTER: And I heard that the dog has her own bed. Where`s the doggy bed here?
O`DONNELL: It`s probably in that room although it could be getting cleaned at the moment because I have a Pomeranian and Chihuahua, both four pounds. And the pee and poo situation - I need Cesar, the dog whisperer.
WYNTER: Maybe he could be a guest on the show.
O`DONNELL: He should be.
WYNTER: You know, Rosie, this is a big move from New York here to Chicago. Do you feel at home? You know, big (UNINTELLIGIBLE) weeks. How do you think are things going?
O`DONNELL: It`s going really well, you know what I mean? I was pretty nervous because you don`t know if at 49, you still can do what could do at 35, right?
So I was nervous, and because it`s Oprah, I still wanted to do well. And I think we really found a kind of groove, right? And I think people are watching. And I really don`t know if this is like a marathon on or a sprint.
WYNTER: So Rosie, just sitting on the show is incredible. It takes so much energy and you`re not taking a break during the break either. You`re talking to the audience and doing your thing.
O`DONNELL: I always feel like I`m out there for an hour.
WYNTER: You are.
O`DONNELL: But when I work out - when I say hello, it`s my job for a full hour to entertain.
O`DONNELL: At Baskin and Robbins, this woman says, "Are you Rosie O`Donnell?" I said, "Yes, I am." She said, "I didn`t know you was pregnant."
Horrible. I didn`t know what to say. I didn`t want to embarrass her. I said, "Yes, six months with twins. I`m going to name them Ben and Jerry."
WYNTER: Let`s stick around for a little bit.
O`DONNELL: Yes.
WYNTER: This is a historic setting.
O`DONNELL: Yes.
WYNTER: Harpo Studios is the former home of "The Oprah Winfrey Show," now Rosie`s home. Oprah appeared for the very first show last week. She has literally passed you that torch. How does that feel?
O`DONNELL: Overwhelming. It`s hard to even articulate it. I have to tell you it really is. And the first time I walked in here, it still had the Oprah, like, it still - you know, they hadn`t transferred it over this.
And I walked out and they were showing me the set designs. And I stood here and I looked and I thought, "Oh, my god," like, I`m actually here and I`m doing this.
You know, we signed the deal over a year ago - a year and a half ago, right? And the day that I stepped in here, it became real.
WYNTER: Wow.
O`DONNELL: You know, I really wanted to deliver for her.
WYNTER: Russell Brand, your very first guest - your secret crush. Not so secret anymore. First of all, how does Tom Cruise feel about this?
O`DONNELL: He knows. We`ve spoken. He`s all right with it. No, Tom and Russell did a movie together. That`s right before I met Russell. And so I would E-mail Tom and said, "Tommy, it`s over. Russell is in. Speak to Katie."
WYNTER: Tom has fallen to number two.
O`DONNELL: He knows he`s number two, you know. We`re going to work it out. But I don`t know.
WYNTER: That was quite a show.
O`DONNELL: Hey!
WYNTER: You look amazing and you seem happy.
O`DONNELL: I am very happy. It took 49 years to get here, but I`m very, very happy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes, and you can tell, Kareen, that she`s happy because, number one, she looks terrific. I know she`s got some real love going on in her life now, too. That can`t be hurting either.
WYNTER: Yes.
HAMMER: And I know you have even more to share with us with Rosie O`Donnell.
WYNTER: I sure do, A.J. In fact, Rosie and I also talked about her new girlfriend. Yes, and I`ve got to say I was really surprised at how open she was about her new love and love life.
You know, A.J., she seemed like a young girl falling in love all over again and really rediscovering herself and learning about simple things like lingerie.
I was also surprised about how, despite all her public struggles and the bad rap she got after leaving "The View" that she really seemed to have come out on the other side, so good for Rosie.
HAMMER: Kareen, do you know where she and her girlfriend met?
WYNTER: I sure do. I sure do. I`ll be sharing that with you later on.
HAMMER: OK. All right. I won`t spill that because I happen to know as well. But let`s just say you can meet anybody in a coffee joint.
WYNTER: It`s awesome.
HAMMER: Kareen Wynter, I can`t wait to see the rest of it. We are bringing you that on Monday. It`s a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive with Rosie O`Donnell, "Life After the View." Make sure you`re here for it at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific on HLN.
Rosie also just revealed to Kareen that HLN`s own Nancy Grace is going to be a guest on Rosie`s show. Rosie is very impressed with Nancy`s performance on "Dancing with the Stars." So what does Rosie want to ask Nancy?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
O`DONNELL: I want to talk to her about what it`s like to have twins and what it`s like to have them later in life. And you know, she`s very interesting to me. And she`s a very powerful woman and I`m so impressed that she`s on "Dancing with the Stars."
WYNTER: Have you been following her at all?
O`DONNELL: Oh, yes. And you know, I would never do that show.
WYNTER: I was going to ask.
O`DONNELL: It scares the crap out of me.
WYNTER: When are you going to sign up?
O`DONNELL: They have asked me often and I`m like -
WYNTER: Why not, Rosie? You`ve done everything -
O`DONNELL: Honey, I would be terrified to do the pasodoble.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I hope Rosie changes her mind. I think she would be great. Joining me from Hollywood right now is top "Dancing with the Stars" top pro, Louis Van Amstel. Louis, you`ve got to be on board with me. Rosie would be terrific on "Dancing with the Stars."
She`s got all that experience on the stage. They seem to have asked her and she has declined, according to Rosie. But as the dance pro, don`t you think she would be perfect for the show and probably could take it very far in the competition?
LOUIS VAN AMSTEL, "DANCING WITH THE STARS" DANCE PROFESSIONAL: She would be absolutely perfect and I would love to have her as my partner. And Rosie O`Donnell scared? I mean, she`s never scared. So why would she be scared of the pasodoble. Really?
HAMMER: Yes. You know, that`s interesting. And you say - you make very good sense because this is a woman who has done a wonderful job throughout her life, I think, of jumping beyond herself and rising to the challenge every time.
We`re going to have to wait and see if she ever makes it to the ballroom. Maybe we can get a letter-writing campaign going on or something.
VAN AMSTEL: I hope so and she could lose her Ben and Jerry`s twins.
HAMMER: Oh, there you go. Nice. Nice. She actually - you know, I`ve got to say, she looks even more fit than I`ve seen in a long time. I`ve heard her say recently -
VAN AMSTEL: She looks beautiful.
HAMMER: She`s working on it and she`s doing it all for that special love in her life that Kareen is going to tell us all about on Monday.
But let`s talk about this season`s contestants, because here we are now, halfway through the season. And here`s what we asked in our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive poll. We wanted to know who you think will be voted off - Hope Solo, Chaz Bono or David Arquette, as the next person to be eliminated.
The overwhelming vote was for Chaz Bono being booted next week, Louis. Chaz has a lot of fans. Part of this competition, as we know - it is a popularity contest.
You and I have talked about this before. I know that Chaz has already outlasted your expectations this season, but do you think he now will be the next to be voted off? Or is he going to continue to ride along here?
VAN AMSTEL: I love the fact that it`s so unpredictable each week. And Chaz and Nancy both had their best dance last week. And I thought they were going downhill. And then, suddenly, they went uphill.
And I don`t know who`s going home next. It`s really up to Monday night for the celebrities to dance their asses off. And anyone can stay, but also, anyone can go, except for Ricky and J.R.
HAMMER: Yes. And I know you had high praise when you and I spoke about Chynna Phillips who shocked everyone last week when she was tossed off the show, so you`re right. It is completely unpredictable.
Of course, HLN`s own Nancy Grace still in the running. She`s doing a terrific job, don`t you think? The judges seem to be telling her, yes, you need to spice it up a little bit more, add a little more spunk to your step.
And Louis, I actually believe you gave that same advice. So now that she`s remained in the competition, why don`t you give me a little secret tip I can pass along to Nancy.
I`ll send her an E-mail or something. I really want to see her win this thing. What can she do starting Monday that`s different to help her win?
VAN AMSTEL: I actually saw Nancy myself on Tuesday when Kareen(ph) and I performed and I talked to her a little bit. She danced her best dance. Her rumba was actually better than I expected.
And she`s showing more natural movement, but I want to see that goof ball. And now, because she is in the top six, or in week six, she now has to bring that spunk that she has behind her own desk when she attacks people. That attack, combined with that goofiness that she has - she could be that couple in the final.
HAMMER: Yes, that could be a winning combination. And quite frankly, I think she needs to keep the `80s hair she had from this week`s competition going, even, quite frankly, when the whole thing is over. I want to see that on her show here on HLN.
Louis, I want you to stay right where you are because I`m going to get to you reveal even more secrets to "Dancing with the Stars" including how to go for the gold or the silver in this case and win that coveted mirror ball trophy. We`ll be back with you in just a moment.
But first, tonight, the Kardashians face off with the Obamas. Now, Michelle Obama says the president is not a fan of the Kardashian reality show. Tonight, why the Kardashians may now be at war with the Obamas.
Oh, baby. Bieber behind bars? Justin Bieber may have a bunch of hit songs. But tonight, he`s the one taking a hit. It`s Biebs locked up. I am going to tell you why.
I love this story. The guy who quit his job by using a marching band.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Guys, I told you, out right now.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Jared, I`m here to tell you that I`m quitting.
(MUSIC)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Oh, yes, you think he burned that bridge? You have to see why some people are calling this guy a hero tonight. 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 tonight.
TEXT: Steve Jobs tops most influential men list followed by George Clooney, Kanye West. Rihanna debuts new music video for "We Found Love."
(MUSIC)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Tonight, SHOWBIZ justice. Brand-new evidence today in the Michael Jackson death trial.
The Conrad Murray trial resumed today with the star witness for the prosecution. And HLN`s own Jane Velez-Mitchell was right there getting the very first reaction from Michael`s mother, Katherine, just before things got underway.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, HOST, "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL": Do you think the prosecution did a good job, Katherine?
KATHERINE JACKSON, MICHAEL JACKSON`S MOTHER: Very good. Very good.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: You`re happy? You`re pleased? You`re very pleased?
K. JACKSON: Yes, I am.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: So Katherine Jackson is pleased, but the big question tonight - are the cards really stacked against Murray?
Let me bring in Ryan Smith who is the host of "In Session" from Tru TV. Ryan joining me from just outside the courthouse in Los Angeles tonight.
So Ryan, let`s take a look at this dramatic moment today in court. The prosecution witness took a swipe at the defense`s star witness, Dr. Paul White. Watch what happened here.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Did Dr. White suggest that Michael Jackson may have orally consumed propofol, causing his death?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, he did.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What was your reaction to that?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was disappointed because it`s not possible.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: See, I`m watching that and I`m thinking, that`s not good for the defense. The Jackson family seems to be happy with the way the prosecution is handling the case.
But Ryan, we`ve certainly heard a lot of technical evidence. We`ve heard a lot of accusations against Michael Jackson, claims of his drug dependence.
We know by now nothing is a slam dunk. And here`s what I want to know from you. As damming as all of the evidence seems to be, do you think the cards are really stacked against Murray right now?
RYAN SMITH, HOST, "IN SESSION" ON TRU TV: I do. I do. And it`s partly because of something like that. You`ve got two propofol experts right in that courtroom.
And one for the prosecution is debunking what the defense`s primary theory was going to be, that Michael Jackson drank that propofol.
I think that what`s happening in the courtroom right now is Steven Shafer is just amazing. What he did today in trying to breakdown every possible theory the defense could offer, that Michael Jackson injected himself, that he took lorazepam - at every stage, he mentioned that just because of the way the drug works and because of the circumstances, it wasn`t possible.
So A.J., I think the big thing is, they`ve got to make this real for the jury. And they have to show that the defense`s theories - well, they don`t make sense if you line them up against each other and the story that Dr. Murray told.
And I think in that way, they are doing a great job with their case. But A.J., as you said, the proof is in the pudding.
HAMMER: Yes.
SMITH: The defense will then come up and try to debunk all that, so we`ve got to hear what they have to say.
HAMMER: We do. And now we have to somebody who I think has stacked the cards against herself. More outrageous SHOWBIZ justice news today from Lindsay Lohan.
Lindsay, why can`t you figure it out already? Only a day after a judge revoked Lindsay`s probation, she`s making headlines again, this time because she showed up late for court-ordered community service at the L.A. County morgue.
Her rep said that she was late because she couldn`t find the door. Here`s what Lindsay offered as an explanation on Twitter.
She said, "I`m sorry for the confusion that I may have cased to those at the coroner office. Won`t happen again. Now I know where to go. Thank you for your help."
Ryan, I`m thinking, if I`m her, I`m showing up an hour early if I have to so I don`t run into any problems. If you were her attorney, what are you saying today?
HAMMER: Exactly that. And that`s what lawyers, by the way, tell their clients. I have no doubt that that Shawn Chapman Holley told her, "You`ve got to show up half hour early. Make sure you know where everything is."
You know, that`s what we tell clients. But the client`s going to do whatever they want to do. And I think, in this case, Lindsay Lohan just doesn`t get it. She doesn`t get that eventually someone will take her to task.
HAMMER: Yes. I`ve got to end it there, Ryan, but I give Shawn Chapman Holley a lot of credit for just hanging in there. Ryan, thanks so much. Good to see you.
Got to turn now to the Kardashians versus the Obamas? Michelle just revealed that President Obama is not a big fan of the Kardashian reality shows. That probably doesn`t surprise a lot of people.
But tonight, I`ll tell you why reality`s royal family might be locking horns with America`s first family over the reality show diss.
Ever want to quit a job in a blaze of glory? How about using a marching band?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Guys, I told you, out right now.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Jared, I`m here to tell you that I`m quitting.
(MUSIC)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Oh, yes, a guy quits and uses a marching band to let everybody know. What do you think? Brilliant or dumb? Well, I`m going to ask comedian Carrot Top who will be right here for SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: Zooey Deschanel to sing the National Anthem at Game 4 of the World Series. Jay-Z stars in animated series "Secret Millionaires Club."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAY-Z, RAPPER AND MUSIC MOGUL: School is wonderful. You should keep at it. As a team, you can put your interests in business to good use. That`s what I`ve done. Being a good businessman has allowed me to help others like my charity, the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation. If you put your minds to it, you can do anything.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ELIZABETH OLSEN, ACTRESS: So I think I learned something cool that my sisters even today, they have, like - they literally finishes each other`s sentences and they`re so funny when they`re together.
Their humor, like, comes out better when they are together, I think. I don`t know. I feel good being your own thing - being single.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. Elizabeth Olsen is doing pretty well being single. She tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that she`s pretty happy not being a twin like famous sisters Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.
And she should be happy as far as I`m concerned. She`s got a brand- new movie that looks great, "Martha Marcy May Marlene" coming out tomorrow. She also just made "Elle" magazine`s 2011 "Women in Hollywood" issue.
And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is bringing you an "Elle" magazine Hollywood exclusive tonight. "Elle" just named the most powerful women in Hollywood.
From actresses, directors, studio executives, these are the women who run Hollywood. So who are the actresses on the list? Well, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that "Elle" is revealing 65-year-old Diane Keaton on the list.
She`s been a leading romantic comedy actress for 35 years. We also have 16-time Oscar nominee, Meryl Streep. Joining Diane and Meryl, Glenn Close, who stars in Direct TV`s "Damages," of course.
And they join powerful writers, directors, attorneys, even "Snow White" on "Elle" magazine`s "Women in Hollywood" power list. The November issue of "Elle" magazine with Jennifer Aniston right there on the cover is out now.
But turning now to another star, the great Jon Bon Jovi. Jon, of course is the front man for the band Bon Jovi. But when he`s not out rocking out on the road, he`s lending a helping hand. It is really very important to Jon.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT caught up with Jon in Red Bank, New Jersey. He was there for the opening of his brand-new humanitarian project, the JBJ Soul Kitchen.
It`s a community kitchen serving up great food to those who can`t afford a good meal. Jon tells us that there was a simple reason that he and Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation wants to help those in need.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JON BON JOVI, MUSICIAN AND HUMANITARIAN: Everybody needs to eat. I think that people can and should be served with dignity and with pride. But that sense of entitlement I can do without.
But the sense of empowerment, I`m all about. It`s really important that people participate in the solution. I`m not here wasting my time to people who feel entitled.
I don`t owe anyone any more than I have already given. But I can give you that hand up and help you help yourself.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Jon has told me himself this is one of the best parts of his rock star job. The JBJ Soul Kitchen is now open and accepts cash donations and volunteer hour as payment for the gourmet meal.
Time now for the SHOWBIZ lineup - here`s what is coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Our president is not a fan of the Kardashian reality shows. Are the Kardashians outraged?
And SHOWBIZ reality secrets revealed. Tonight, the secrets to winning on reality TV. "Top Chef" host, Padma Lakshmi right here to share her secrets in a must-see SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - these are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: M.C. Hammer unveils his new Internet search engine called Wiredoo. SHOWBIZ first look: Wedding photos of "Twilight" star, Nikki Reed and "Idol`s" Paul McDonald.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Big news breaking tonight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - the Kardashians at war with the Obamas? The president and the first lady have a beef with first ladies of reality TV. But tonight, are the Kardashians really striking back?
Free Justin Bieber. Is the baby-faced singer locked up tonight? This is an unbelievable story.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT trending tonight. Wait until you see Joey`s spectacular flame out. The hotel worker`s marching band resignation has everybody talking and cheering.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Out, right now.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Jared, I`m here to tell you that I`m quitting.
(MUSIC)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: What do you think of this? Brilliant or bananas? I`m going to ask the legendary Carrot Top tonight in SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It`s 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. We`ve got big news breaking tonight - the Kardashians versus the Obamas? Did I really just say that?
Well, Michelle Obama just revealed that the president doesn`t want their daughters keeping up with the Kardashians. And that is igniting what could quite possibly be the biggest reality TV showdown ever.
Now, according to brand-new reports, the Kardashians are fighting back. But are they really? If this battle is about to blow, I`ve got to tell you I hope President Obama is watching tonight.
I`m sure is he, actually, because we are revealing all of the insider secrets for winning reality show competitions.
I`m joined tonight by two of reality TV`s biggest stars. With me in New York, Padma Lakshmi. She`s the host of "Top Chef." The new season of the show premieres on November 2nd. Nobody can wait for that. And joining me from Hollywood tonight, "Dancing with the Stars" pro, Louis Van Amstel.
I can tell you though this brand-new report tonight from TMZ that the Kardashians were completely blindsided by the first lady`s revelation that the president doesn`t want his daughters watching the Kardashian show.
And get this - there are also brand-new reports from "Us Weekly" that the Kardashians are actually flattered the Obamas actually watch their show at all and that they even know who they are.
So listen to what Michelle Obama told "iVillage.com." This really started the whole thing. She said, "Barack really thinks some of the Kardashians - when they watch that stuff, he doesn`t like that as much."
All right. Take a look at this, because I thought this is quite strange. Khloe Kardashian was actually at the White House last year. She met the president. She was with her husband, Laker Lamar Odom.
And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can reveal he reportedly told Khloe that he loved keeping up with the Kardashians back then. I`ve got to wonder - a little presidential waffling going on here about Kardashians.
Padma, to our SHOWBIZ Flashpoint, is keeping up with the Kardashians actually a bad thing for young girls, do you think?
PADMA LAKSHMI, HOST, "TOP CHEF": I don`t know. I mean, I have a very young girl at home -
HAMMER: Very young girl -
LAKSHMI: But she`s not allowed to watch any television, so I`m pretty Amish about that. You know, I think everyone does what`s right for their family.
HAMMER: All right. Let`s get Louis Van Amstel`s take on this. What do you think? Are you on Team Obama or Team Kardashian here, Louis?
VAN AMSTEL: I`m kind of in the middle and I try to be just diplomatic here. But when Obama told Khloe that he liked the show, maybe he meant that from his perspective but not for his kids.
We don`t know all the facts. And I don`t think anything can be wrong. They are not killing each other. There`s not people dying on their show. And, you know, why would it be wrong? I have no kids so I can`t really tell from a parent`s point of view.
HAMMER: All right. Well, I spoke with a guy who I think has a great perspective on this because he does have kids. I spoke with superstar rapper, T.I. And he is now a TV insider, by the way. He has a new docu- style show that is about to launch.
He doesn`t want it lumped in as a reality show, guys. I`ve got to tell. But he did tell me he`s pretty much got President Obama`s back when it comes to keeping up with the Kardashians. Here`s what he said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
T.I., RAPPER: In my opinion, I, myself, I don`t like - I mean, not that I just dislike it or detest it so much, but I`d just rather not watch it.
It doesn`t intrigue me, you know. But my oldest daughter - she loves the Kardashians, you know. She watches it all the time. And I don`t have a problem with it mainly because I have a hands-on, interactive relationship with my kids.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. I think T.I. has got it right. If you`re not letting these shows raise your kids, which, you know, quite frankly, some people are, it`s all just entertainment.
But, Padma, this raises a question. Your daughter is very young now, but how are you going to handle it when she says, "Mommy, I want to watch that show."
LAKSHMI: You know, I don`t know if they`ll be on when she`s old enough to watch television. I don`t know -
HAMMER: The Kardashians will be around forever.
LAKSHMI: I`m sure they`ll be around forever.
HAMMER: Let me just tell you that right now.
LAKSHMI: I don`t know because I personally would have to watch the show first and decide whether it`s OK for her to watch it.
And you know, because she`s not allowed to watch TV, I don`t watch a lot of TV, so I don`t know how to, you know - whether she should watch it.
HAMMER: All right. I think every parent should prepare for the inevitable conversation.
LAKSHMI: Yes. I mean, for instance, you know, I`m very proud of "Top Chef" and then -
HAMMER: Right.
LAKSHMI: I have little boys and girls come up to me all the time saying that they do little quick fire competitions and, you know, they`re so into cooking and they want to be a chef when they grow up.
And I think that, in that case, in our show`s case, it`s a great thing to watch with the whole family.
HAMMER: But there is drama.
LAKSHMI: Oh, there`s total drama.
HAMMER: They do see plenty of drama -
LAKSHMI: Yes.
HAMMER: That, you know, quite frankly, you don`t want your kids reenacting.
LAKSHMI: Well, no. And you know, there`s knifes and flames and hot stoves.
HAMMER: Yes.
LAKSHMI: But I mean, I think that any time kids are more interested in the food that they eat, they are more likely to eat better when they grow up. So you know, I can only speak from my show and not other people`s show.
I think "Top Chef" is a great show and if you can feel proud of whatever you do for a living, then you don`t have to worry about it.
HAMMER: Well, that`s a great secret to what works well for a reality show in your mind, because, quite frankly, if all you watch is "Keeping Up with the Kardashians," you might grow up thinking, "Well, I want is a $50- million wedding." I don`t know.
And obviously, it remains to be seen who`s going to win the whole Kardashian-Obama reality showdown. But right now, as long as I have these two here, I cannot miss this opportunity.
Two big reality TV insiders are right here to reveal to me some of the secrets behind winning a reality show. Now, Padma, I want to ask you. What do you think one of the secrets is to taking it all in a reality show, "Top Chef," for example, because being the best isn`t enough, is it?
LAKSHMI: Well, in our show, it`s doing the best that day in relation to what everyone else is doing. You know, the best team in major league baseball doesn`t necessarily win the World Series. It`s how you played or performed that day.
And the advice I give to anyone interested in coming on our show, at least, is you have to pace yourself. As hard as "Top Chef" looks on TV, it`s much harder in real life when you are there.
You are away from your family. You`re away from work. You know, the hours are crazy and you never know what`s coming at you. Everything is a surprise. It`s good to just pace yourself and keep calm, and in our case, have a few recipes in your head that you can adapt to whatever challenge we`re giving you.
HAMMER: But I think the pacing secret is really universal to all reality shows.
LAKSHMI: Yes.
HAMMER: Look at them, you know, from "The Apprentice" to your show to even "Dancing with the Stars" not putting it all out there at once.
Speaking of "Dancing with the Stars," HLN`s own dancing queen, Nancy Grace, doing everything she can to win it all on "Dancing with the Stars."
I know for a fact because I`ve seen her on rehearsal she spends every free minute she has practicing with her partner, Tristan. Watch what Nancy just told us about that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NANCY GRACE, HOST, "NANCY GRACE": In about four hours I`m going to start texting Tristan with ideas for our dance. He loves it.
TRISTAN MACMANUS, NANCY GRACE`S DANCING PARTNER: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) when we got home.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Louis, I need you to reveal to me the biggest secret of all. What does it really take to win "Dancing with the Stars"? Because, again, I don`t think it simply comes down to being the very best dancer.
VAN AMSTEL: No, it`s not. It`s about hard work and people at home watching want to see that you put your heart and soul into it. And also because the audience in our show is involved, it`s 50 percent of the vote. It`s the likability factor.
If your honest and truthful about who are as a celebrity, people are going to like you. And when they like you, they are willing to forgive you if you make a stumble or you have a really hard time and you cry because it`s just hard.
It`s really important. It`s not just about skill. It`s also about how you are liked by the audience, your personality. That`s why it`s - your favorite star oftentimes wins and not the best dancer.
HAMMER: And that`s a great reality show secret right there. Padma Lakshmi, Louis Van Amstel -
LAKSHMI: That`s not our show.
HAMMER: Thank you, guys, so much.
HAMMER: No, it`s very, very different, frankly.
LAKSHMI: yes.
HAMMER: That`s why we get these divergent secrets. I cannot wait for the new season of "Top Chef," by the way. It starts on November 2nd on Bravo. Padma is also in New York for the Huggies Little Movers Slip-On diaper launch this Sunday. You can get more information on that by visiting "Huggies.com."
Well, we move on to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT trending right now. This, by far, is one of the best stories today, maybe this week. A hotel worker hires a marching band to tell his boss to take this job and shove it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Jared, I`m here to tell you that I`m quitting.
(MUSIC)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: This guy has become a cult hero overnight and I`m not surprised. But is he crazy or courageous? I`ll ask the legendary Carrot Top. There he is. He`s right here for SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.
What`s going on here? Justin Bieber behind bars? I`ll tell what you is happening, coming up. 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 tonight.
TEXT: Matt Damon to direct film he co-wrote with John Krasinski. SHOWBIZ first look: Documentary about making of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DANIEL RADCLIFFE, ACTOR: True stories of how films are made are rarely seen.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Harry and Ron and Hermione are taking their capes to Hogwarts.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Piggy picture perfect. Miss Piggy poses for a glamorous photo shoot and this is for an interview for "In Style" magazine.
Look at her. The divine Miss P. strutting her stuff in couture. This is stuff from real designers like Jason Wu. You can check out Miss Piggy`s full spread in the magazine. November`s "In Style" magazine has that until now.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Tonight, I`m smiling because it`s Carrot Top.
Now, let me tell you - hold on a second, Carrot. Don`t get ahead of me. I`m here to say good things because he`s not just a comedian. Carrot Top was recently voted comedian of the year by the "Las Vegas Review Journal," ladies and gentlemen. We`re very excited.
Who`s better to weigh in on all of the big stories that are making big news today? I mean, really. We`ve got Lindsay Lohan. We have Charlie Sheen, and quite possibly, the best "I quit" story in history.
Carrot Top with me in New York right now for a SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview. It`s great to see you. Thank you for being here.
CARROT TOP, COMEDIAN: Thank you for having. It was fun getting into this building, you know. They are like, "What are you doing here?" I`m going to CNN. I`m going in.
HAMMER: Yes.
(CROSS TALK)
CARROT TOP: The snowboarding kid is here.
HAMMER: I`m guessing you get that quite a bit.
CARROT TOP: I get that. I get Reba. Right in our tour bus, we pulled over (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
HAMMER: There`s probably another one.
CARROT TOP: Reba`s in the bus right now. No, it`s just Carrot Top and all the girls run away.
HAMMER: You probably don`t get Lindsay Lohan although she is a red head in real life.
CARROT TOP: She`s a red head. Red heads stick together. What happened to her now?
HAMMER: Here`s the deal. Her probation was revoked. The judge said, "OK, you`re going to serve out your probation by helping clean up in the morgue.
I don`t personally think anybody is crying for Lindsay getting a punishment like this. What would you suggest to her? You know - well, first, let me ask you - do you think the judge was fair with this?
CARROT TOP: I don`t even know what her crime is. She`s done some things, but she`s always in the news for doing something wrong. What was her crime? Acting? No, I don`t know. I think cleaning up after human remains - dead humans.
HAMMER: She`s cleaning up in the morgue. That probably includes toilets and who knows what else.
CARROT TOP: It`s like cleaning up after one of her parties at the house. It`s not a big deal. She`s used to that.
HAMMER: So you`ve never worked in a morgue yourself.
CARROT TOP: Ask O.J.`s maid.
HAMMER: There you go.
CARROT TOP: I`m sorry.
HAMMER: You`ve never spent time working at a morgue?
CARROT TOP: I have not. My friend used to work at a morgue. It`s not a fun place.
HAMMER: No, it`s not a fun place. Whoopi Goldberg, believe it or not, has worked in a morgue.
CARROT TOP: Well, she works on "The View" every morning. That`s a morgue.
HAMMER: That`s a whole different thing. She had some advise for Lindsay. Shall we watch that?
CARROT TOP: Yes, sure.
HAMMER: Roll that, Charles.
CARROT TOP: Whoopi. Whoopi.
HAMMER: Carrot Top said so.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WHOOPI GOLDBERG, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": It will take her a couple of minutes to like settle in because your brain sort of goes, "Wait a minute. This is the morgue. This is where dead people are."
But this is what I will say to Lindsay, do what you have to do. Clean the bathrooms. Clean up. If you don`t need to go into any rooms, don`t do it.
If they ask you to go into a room, ask them, is there anything in there that you don`t need to see? Because your first dead body is not a really great experience.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. That`s Whoopi`s advice, Carrot Top. What kind of advice would you have for Lindsay to make it through the whole thing?
CARROT TOP: I`d just like (UNINTELLIGIBLE) - your brain. There`s my brain, right there on the ground. I don`t know. I think that`s a heavy thing.
But I mean, you know, she`s got to - I wouldn`t want to wish that upon anybody, work in a morgue. But then again, I don`t know. Maybe she should watch one of her movies. That would be good.
HAMMER: There have it. That`s good preparation. All right. We`ve got her picture. It was up and it said, "It`s Carrot Top." So everybody at home are going, "What happened to Carrot Top?"
HAMMER: Well, you`re back and thank you for being back. Let`s move on and let`s watch something together. It`s trending big time tonight. Have you seen this video?
CARROT TOP: I`ve heard about it. The marching band?
HAMMER: It`s gotten so many hits on YouTube. Basically, this guy walks in to tell his boss, you know, "I`m done with you. I`m out of here." He was working at the Marriott. And yes, he uses a marching band to deliver his message. Let`s watch what happens.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Guys, all of you, out right now.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Jared, I`m here to tell you that I`m quitting.
(MUSIC)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Best way to quit, right?
CARROT TOP: It is the best way ever. Better than a firing squad, I guess.
HAMMER: There you go.
CARROT TOP: That`s great. I mean, I think there should be marching bands everywhere. Wouldn`t that be great? No matter what happens, whether you score with a chick (UNINTELLIGIBLE). They pop up on the headboard, you know.
HAMMER: Exactly. Let me get to -
CARROT TOP: You`re not pregnant.
HAMMER: Let me get to this quickly because you brought props and I don`t want to miss the opportunity for you to use your props.
CARROT TOP: Yes, yes, yes. I actually built them for you.
HAMMER: Halloween costumes - it`s coming up. My birthday, the way.
CARROT TOP: Yes. Is it Happy Halloween birthday?
HAMMER: Thank you very much. The store, "Ricky`s" here in New York City - they sell all kinds of costumes. And they`ve come up with a few that I think we need to take a look at. They are calling it "The Three Stooges."
Can we put this up? OK, here you go. Look at this. You have Charlie Sheen, the costume there with a little bottle of tiger blood in his hand is what it looks like.
You`ve got the Arnold Schwarzenegger costume. Apparently, the baby is not included. But then you have the Anthony Weiner costume with the Blackberry down.
CARROT TOP: How nice. That looks great.
HAMMER: Which one would you dress as, Carrot Top?
CARROT TOP: I would definitely go with Charlie Sheen because he`s probably blowing and hookers involved, so I`ll go with that one. But I did bring - this is CNN, the most trusted name in news.
HAMMER: All right. Quickly, use your prop. I`ve got to go.
CARROT TOP: It`s a cell phone for Weiner. That way, if he takes a picture of his thing, at least, he`s going to get a good picture.
HAMMER: Perfect.
CARROT TOP: I mean, get a good shot of that thing. Exactly.
HAMMER: You should use that one at the Luxor. Congratulations on your show this week. Great to see you.
CARROT TOP: Every night at Luxor. Thank you.
HAMMER: Great to see you. Make sure you check out Carrot Top. He`s headlining act at the Luxor in Las Vegas through 2015. Great to see you.
CARROT TOP: What?
HAMMER: Yes, you`re in. That`s a lot of work. We`ve got to move on now to Kristen Stewart`s move scare. New reports tonight from the set of the "Twilight" star`s latest film.
Also, bad news for the cast of "Happy Days." And Taylor Swift`s romance revelations. That story top of "The Buzz Today."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over) Taylor Swift`s love confession. In a brand-new interview, Swift reveals that she doesn`t want a string of boyfriends. Check out what she`s just told Ellen DeGeneres.
TAYLOR SWIFT, SINGER: If you`re a girl that needs a boyfriend and then when she loses that boyfriend, she has to replace it with a different boyfriend, it`s just this constant stream of boyfriends all the time.
I just don`t feel like I ever want to be that girl. I want to be the girl who like, when she falls in love, it`s like a big deal and it`s a rare thing.
HAMMER: Kristen Stewart`s big scare. The "Twilight" actress was reportedly just injured on the set of her new film "Snow White and the Huntsman." They stopped filming, but for all you "Twilight" fans, Kristen is said to be just fine.
Not so happy days. Stars of the hit sitcom, "Happy Days," just lost a big battle in their $10 million lawsuit against CBS. A judge tossed out a claim that CBS committed fraud by not paying the cast for the use of their image on slot machines and other products that were licensed over the years.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
They should have told CBS to go sit on it. All right. Giuliana`s road to recovery is what we move on to now. "E! News`" host, Giuliana Rancic, gets life-saving treatment days after her bombshell revelation that she has breast cancer. And tonight, her reality star husband is speaking out for the fist time.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BILL RANCIC, REALITY TV STAR: Well, Giuliana has had a tough year and a half. I mean, I just - Between the IVF attempts and now with this. For me, I just wish I could, you know, carry some of the load. I wish I could take some of the pain away.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: We will hear how Giuliana is doing, next. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: "Bachelorette" Ali Fedotowsky still engaged but no longer planning wedding with fiance. Zach Galifianakis is the voice of Humpty Dumpy in the new "Puss in the Boots" film.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: How dare you show your face to me.
ZACH GALIFIANAKIS, ACTOR (as Humpy Dumpty): I know you`re angry. You have every right. But it is good to see you, puss. Those are new boots?
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: No, they are the same boots I wore when you betrayed me.
GALIFIANAKIS: But betrayed you? You let me crack in pieces on a bridge surrounded by soldiers.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANN CURRY, CO-HOST, THE "TODAY" SHOW: To your fans listening right now and watching, are expecting you to possibly announce that you might be pregnant.
GIULIANA RANCIC, HOST, "E! NEWS": Yes.
CURRY: But you have other news?
G. RANCIC: I do have other news. Through my attempts to get pregnant for the third time through IVF, we sadly found out that I have early stages of breast cancer. So - and it`s been a shock.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: An incredible shock for "E! News" host, Giuliana Rancic and her husband, Bill. Giuliana made her breast cancer announcement on Monday. And then, she went right into treatment.
Well, tonight, we`re hearing about her treatment and recovery for the first time. Well, Giuliana just said she was going through her third attempt at becoming a mom.
Her journey has been a major part of her reality show, "Giuliana and Bill." Breast cancer has been an obstacle on that journey for now. Giuliana had a double lumpectomy earlier this week with her husband right there by her side. Thankfully, Bill just told the "Today" show Giuliana is doing well.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
B. RANCIC: The surgery lasted about two hours and she`s a trooper. She pulled through it and was kind of relieved to get it over with and get the cancer out. And she`s doing well at home recovering.
CURRY: She`s described you as her rock, but it`s really hard to watch someone you love go through cancer. And there`s a toll on you even though you`re the one who`s trying to take care of the person who`s suffering. The emotions must be pretty tough here for you.
B. RANCIC: Well, you know, Giuliana has had a tough year and a half. I mean, I just - between the IVF attempts and now with this - for me, I just wish I could, you know, carry some of the load. I wish I could take some of the pain away.
And watching the IVs go into her arm and, you know, watching her being wheeled into that operating room was heartbreaking for me.
So I`m just doing everything that I can to support her and make sure that she`s comfortable and try to make her laugh as often as possible.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, everyone here at SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is wishing you all the best, of course, Giuliana. And Bill says Giuliana wants to be back at her anchor desk at "E!" by next week. Hope she is.
Justin Bieber is behind bars. Wild, new pictures of Justin Bieber locked up. Watch that here. That is next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: This is unbelievable. Tonight, Justin Bieber is behind bars. But why? Well, stay with me here. An advocacy group called Fight for the Future wants to shoot down the law that would actually send people to prison for five years for streaming or using copyrighted music in online videos.
Now, Justin was discovered on YouTube singing songs by famous artists which are copyrighted. So instead of being discovered by Usher, you know, Justin might have ended up in jail under this law.
But the "Free Bieber" campaign was born. This thing has taken off online with people posting their own versions of Justin`s lockdown. My favorite is Justin with the teardrop tattoo. Nice.
Well, that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer. You can always catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusively Sunday to Friday at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific right here on HLN.
Stay right here for "DR. DREW" coming up next. Tonight, Dr. Drew sits down with Lisa Ling, the host of "Our America" on the Oprah Winfrey Network, starting right now on HLN.
END
