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Showbiz Tonight
Dancing with Nancy; Kim K.`s Dancing Scam?; Chaz Bono`s Weighty War; Showbiz Reality Secrets: Show Me the Money
Aired October 28, 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 - dancing with Nancy. Tonight, HLN`s Nancy Grace right here to take on the behind- the-scenes drama on "Dancing with the Stars."
Kim K.`s dancing scam. Incredible revelations today that Kim Kardashian might have tricked Justin Bieber fans into voting for her brother.
Chaz`s weighty war. Chaz Bono`s startling claim that the "Dancing" judges have something against overweight men.
Caught on tape. Nancy Grace barges in while SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is with her "Dancing" co-star, J.R. Martinez.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NANCY GRACE, HOST, "NANCY GRACE": OK. I don`t understand this. CNN Headline News, my network - why are they interviewing him?
J.R. MARTINEZ, "DANCING WITH THE STARS" CONTESTANT: Bombshell.
GRACE: Because he`s a war hero.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The scandals. The secrets. Tonight, Nancy`s all-new, headline- making SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.
Plus, on a special edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, SHOWBIZ reality secrets - Show me the money. Reality TV goes from flossing to frugal. We`re showing you how to save money. Is Kim K.`s glamour out and penny-pinching in?
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 - dancing with Nancy.
Yes, just when we thought it was safe to get back out on the dance floor to dance with the stars, there were startling new controversies today.
And tonight HLN`s Nancy Grace and her dance partner, Tristan MacManus, are with us from Hollywood to take on the brand-new dancing dramas in a headline-making SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview, including a shocking report today that Kim Kardashian actually sent out a tweet that included fake information about Justin Bieber`s phone number to get people to vote for her brother, Rob. I kid you not.
We also heard from Cher today in her first interview since her son, Chaz, was kicked off "Dancing with the Stars." Wait until you hear what Cher just told Anderson cooper.
And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is revealing the results on an exclusive poll that asks if the judges on the show are getting way too mean. We`re going to get to all that in just a moment.
But first, I have to get your take on the remarkable new developments today in the Michael Jackson death trial. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can reveal the judge in the Michael Jackson death trial is now worrying about possibly losing some jurors.
He told them the trial would be over by October 28th. Of course, that`s today, and they aren`t done. There`s some surprising new defense evidence that has the case dragging on. Not expected to go to the jury until sometime later next week.
The judge is worried about losing some jurors who have some personal obligations to attend to. Nancy, is that even possible the jurors could leave? How could that affect the case?
GRACE: Well, you know, A.J., I`ve had jurors that had personal commitments. And typically, I would find that out before we struck the jury and put them in the box - the jury box. Because once you`ve got that jury, it`s a lot of upheaval, mentally and emotionally, and frankly strategically because you`ve been arguing to these same people.
The alternates are just kind of floating around out there. Then, you`ve to drag in alternates and basically start trying to convince them. It`s a very, very bad move.
Also, under the law, a personal commitment is not a reason to get off of a jury. But practically speaking, A.J., do you want a juror that`s angry? And god forbid they find out it`s you, that you`re the lawyer that kept them on that jury when they`re missing their cousin`s wedding or the family reunion or whatever it may be.
So, you know, if it`s surgery, that says to me it was a planned and elective surgery. Anything else is not a legal excuse to get thrown off a jury. Sorry.
HAMMER: So here`s my question, though, in terms of how this all feels for everybody. As the trial drags on, do Murray`s chances of getting acquitted actually get better, or do they get worse the longer it goes?
GRACE: Well, if you have a change-up in the jury, it`s going to be more likely to work in his favor, because right now, you`ve got a working jury. They`ve been together for several weeks now.
They eat their meals together. They take their breaks together. They get their cigarette smoke breaks together. All that - they know each other. When you add in a wildcard, the jury basically has to resettle and start over. That would work in the defense`s favor.
HAMMER: Well, Nancy, of course you and all of HLN, including SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, is covering this trial like no one else. We want everybody to stay with HLN for live coverage of the trial.
And of course, when the verdict comes in, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is going to be live at 11:00 p.m. with all of the late-breaking developments. Right now, Nancy, do me a favor, would you bring in Tristan MacManus, your partner on "Dancing with the Stars"?
GRACE: Slide in.
HAMMER: There he is. All right. Hey, mate.
TRISTAN MACMANUS, NANCY GRACE`S DANCING PARTNER: How are you doing?
HAMMER: I think you both did a spectacular job with that foxtrot the other night. But I could not believe my eyes, Nancy, when I saw what you did toward the end of the show during the group dance. Let`s watch that, shall we?
(MUSIC)
Oh my. Nancy, you`ve been holding out on me. That was fantastic. Are you feeling like superwoman right about now?
GRACE: What do you mean holding out on you? Don`t you remember, on our very first date, I did a handstand and you caught me and twirled me up in the air? You don`t remember that, A.J.? Think, think, think.
HAMMER: I guess I was so mesmerized, Nancy. It`s really been -
GRACE: That was from my old cheerleading days, so it wasn`t very hard for me to do. I think it was much more difficult for Tristan to actually catch me and swing me up in the air. But I gave him strict orders. No groaning and no faces. Just hold it in.
HAMMER: He seemed to hold his own there and (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
GRACE: Although in rehearsal -
HAMMER: Yes.
GRACE: In rehearsal, when we tried that stunt, I thought he went - and he said he went - and I did it. And he dropped me on my head and, while I was upside-down, pulled my pants off. So there`s basically no frontier of my body now left unexplored on this show.
HAMMER: Tristan, behave yourself, OK, buddy?
MACMANUS: Yes, mate.
HAMMER: Do I have to come back there? Hey, listen -
GRACE: Yes, you do.
HAMMER: We`re working on it. Listen, there`s been so much drama going on about the show over this past week. And today, there`s this brand-new one. I mean, this blows me away. This involves Kim Kardashian.
We learned today Kim sent out tweets apparently to try to trick people into voting for her brother, Rob, on the show. Let me read to you the tweet she sent out. She said, "OMG, I have Justin Bieber`s phone number. Call him. He`s taking calls for the next hour."
And the number she gave out was Rob`s dancing vote line. Kim followed up that tweet by writing, "OK, guys, obviously, I`m joking, that`s not Justin`s number. But seriously, call and vote for Rob Kardashian and Cheryl Burke," and she gave the number again.
Nancy, are you bothered by what Kim did? I mean, I`d like to believe people were smarter than to think it was Justin`s number. But it was a pretty clever trick.
GRACE: You know, this is the first time hearing of that. I have to investigate more to find out if that`s really true. I find it hard to believe that anyone would pull a stunt like that and try to trick the callers. Sadly -
HAMMER: She did it. I`ve got the tweets. They`re right here. Tristan, are you outraged?
GRACE: Just because you`re holding up a piece of paper -
MACMANUS: I mean, that`s funny.
HAMMER: It`s funny, but if that`s the reason he hung in there - all right.
GRACE: I guess you`re mad because you dialed the number and you thought you were getting Bieber.
HAMMER: I thought I was going to have a little chat with Justin. Listen, Rob Kardashian is remaining in the competition. As we know, Chaz was booted off the show this week. I know it was a sad moment for everybody, but not before, of course, a whole bunch of controversy along with him and the judges.
Bruno called Chaz a penguin on the dance floor. I didn`t like that. Chaz`s feelings were hurt because he felt that the judge was taking a dig at his weight.
And now, Chaz`s mom, Cher, is speaking out. She gave a brand-new interview to Anderson Cooper for his daytime talk show that was revealed today. Listen to what Cher told Anderson, Nancy.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON COOPER, HOST, "ANDERSON": Did you think they were unfair to Chaz?
CHER, MOTHER OF CHAZ BONO: I just thought they were rude. And it was gratuitous rudeness and I just - I was just pissed off. I was just really upset. Not that Chaz is voted off, but that they were so disrespectful.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Nancy, do you think the judges were so disrespectful to Chaz?
GRACE: You know, I don`t believe that the judges meant to hurt Chaz`s feelings. I really don`t. I don`t think the judges are mean or cruel people.
I do, however, hate, since I grew especially close to Chaz - he has tweeted that we`re leaving our spouses and getting married, but I don`t see that happening just right now.
I just don`t want to see Chaz ever hurt by anyone. Chaz has made his life decisions. And one thing I love about Chaz out of many is that he likes me just the way I am and that`s how I feel about him.
HAMMER: Yes.
GRACE: And I don`t want to see Chaz hurt by anyone - anyone, although I really don`t think the judges - I don`t think they mean to be hurtful.
HAMMER: Well, I`m glad to hear you saying that. I will point out in our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive poll, we asked if the judges were getting too mean. Most people do think so. Sixty-six percent said yes; 34 percent said no.
We will leave that there. But Nancy, Tristan, I want you to stay right where you are because I`m not done with you yet.
Also got to get Nancy`s take on this. Nancy busts up our exclusive interview with her dancing co-star, J.R. Martinez.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GRACE: OK. I don`t understand this. CNN Headline News, my network - why are they interviewing him?
MARTINEZ: Bombshell.
GRACE: Because he`s a war hero.
MARTINEZ: Nancy Grace comes in.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Nancy`s got to explain this, and she will. That`s next.
And later on, a special edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, the bottom of the hour, we`ve got "SHOWBIZ Reality Secrets." We reveal the secrets behind the biggest reality shows on TV. Tonight, show me the money. Can reality shows really help people who can`t pay the bills?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEFF GARDERE, PSYCHOLOGIST: We`re redefining what life is as a middle class American and they`re getting that information from TV.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, "SHOWBIZ Reality Secrets" for people struggling in these tough economic times.
Plus, more "SHOWBIZ Reality Secrets." How your favorite stars are making the big bank when the cameras stop rolling. The secrets tonight from the "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" insider. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Time for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: Charlie Sheen returns to TV next summer in "Anger Management" on FX. Madonna and daughter, Lola, launch model search for "Material Girl."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MADONNA, POP STAR: It`s meant to be ironic. You understand that, right? It`s not to be taken seriously. I`m not sure people understand irony in this day and age.
It`s like, I can`t live that name down now. People think I`m like a superficial person and I`m not. I love horses. I love flowers and I don`t love hydrangeas.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GRACE: OK. I don`t understand this. CNN Headline News, my network - why are they interviewing him?
MARTINEZ: Bombshell.
GRACE: Because he`s a war hero.
MARTINEZ: Nancy Grace comes in.
GRACE: Bombshell tonight - can J.R. tackle the tango? I think not.
MARTINEZ: We love Nancy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Oh, no, she didn`t. HLN`s own Nancy Grace busts in on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s interview with her big competitor on "Dancing with the Stars," the great J.R. Martinez. Wait until you see their big dance-off. Tonight, we`re getting Nancy`s take on the whole thing.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
So HLN`s Nancy Grace danced her way right into SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s interview with J.R. Martinez. So they may be duking it out to be the big winner on "Dancing with the Stars," but they are also apparently duking it out for the limelight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
You have got to see how all this went down. Nancy Grace is back with us from Hollywood tonight along with her dancing partner, Tristan MacManus.
All right. Guys, you need to watch carefully, as J.R. tries to tell SHOWBIZ TONIGHT just how physically taxing it is to be a contestant on "Dancing with the Stars."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARTINEZ: It`s one thing that when you join the show, you know physically it`s going to take a toll on your body. But no one really pays attention or understands that, mentally, it`s going to take a toll as well. And it`s been something that -
GRACE: What? OK. I don`t understand this. CNN Headline News, my network - why are they interviewing him?
MARTINEZ: Bombshell.
GRACE: Because he`s a war hero.
MARTINEZ: Nancy Grace comes in.
GRACE: Bombshell tonight - can J.R. tackle the tango? I think not.
MARTINEZ: We love Nancy.
GRACE: OK. They`re through with him.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: J.R., J.R., give us - give us some behind-the-scenes on Nancy.
GRACE: Watch this, people.
MARTINEZ: Watch this. Watch this. Nancy was - because we have a team dance. We`re on the same team, so we`re going to do it. Ready? One, two -
GRACE: One, two, kick. Together. Dive.
MARTINEZ: Hah, look at that. Did I ever think in my wildest dreams I would be dancing with Nancy Grace?
GRACE: J.R. - I would be dancing with J.R.
MARTINEZ: Absolutely not.
GRACE: We`re very into each other.
MARTINEZ: We`re southern people. We`re Georgians. We`re Georgians here. And -
GRACE: We`ve got to hang tough with these L.A. people.
MARTINEZ: We do.
GRACE: They are a (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
MARTINEZ: It`s a whole other world, but we`re having a great time. I was just telling them how -
GRACE: How great you are.
MARTINEZ: Well, no. About how like when we start this competition -
GRACE: How you`re at the top of the leader board. I`m at the bottom of the leader board. We`ve got so much in common.
MARTINEZ: Shh! Turn the mike off. But I was saying like how, you know, physically it takes a - we know it`s going to take a toll on your body. But then, as the competition, you get further into mentally -
GRACE: What is he talking about? He`s 20. You`re not old enough to whine, little boy.
MARTINEZ: I`m 28.
GRACE: Suck it up.
MARTINEZ: She wants to have some more.
GRACE: I have to go teach Tristan MacManus how to tango. I`m busy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Nancy, you definitely are busy. Look, I know you`re competing with the great J.R. on the show, but I have really gotten the sense, particularly when I was out there with the two of you that both of you have so much love for one another.
GRACE: You know what? We really do. It`s amazing. I never thought that I would get to actually spend time with somebody like J.R. You know, my father`s a veteran from the world war and it means so much to me what he sacrificed.
So I would like to point out this whole time Tristan was in the next room going all "Black Swan" on me, dancing all by himself.
MACMANUS: Perfect.
GRACE: Sorry.
HAMMER: We`ll have to dig up the hidden video-camera footage of that. Hey, listen, Nancy, you`ve blown a lot of people away with how far you`ve come on the show. I`m not surprised, quite frankly.
But some people are saying J.R. is the sentimental vote to win the show. I know - we`re all rooting for you, of course, Nancy, for you to win. But would you be at all upset if J.R. ended up winning?
GRACE: You know what? I think Tristan and I agree, how could you be upset to be bested by a war hero that did what he did for our country? And as far as winning, I`m just trying to get through the jive. What about you?
MACMANUS: Yes. I mean, definitely. Coming back to that, I don`t think that comes into play at all in regards to J.R., because he`s just been so super at what he`s been doing.
HAMMER: Yes.
MACMANUS: And I mean, J.R. could have done anything before if he hadn`t just come on to the show as an actor that he is, if he hadn`t just come on as an actor.
He`s doing a great job and he deserves to be at the top of the board where he is because of the work that he`s putting in and how well he`s doing this.
HAMMER: All right. Nancy, Tristan, got to go. Thank you so much. Best of luck. You`ve got two big dances next week.
GRACE: 800-866-3405. I`m checking your cell phone, A.J.
HAMMER: Show me the money. Yes. That infamous line from "Jerry Maguire" is now the new mantra of reality TV. A special edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is coming up at the bottom of the hour, "SHOWBIZ Reality Secrets." You`ve got to see this.
We reveal the secrets behind the biggest reality shows on TV. Show me the money. Can reality TV really help people who can`t pay the bills?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GARDERE: We`re redefining what life is as a middle class American and they`re getting that information from TV.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, "SHOWBIZ Reality Secrets" for people struggling with money.
Plus, the secrets of the new reality show that shows you how to buy luxury duds for bargain prices. 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: Reports: 19-year-old Frances Bean Cobain engaged. "Project Runway" picks a season nine winner! Anya Ayoung-Chee.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HEIDI KLUM, JUDGE, "PROJECT RUNWAY": Who would have thought then that you would stand here today -
ANYA AYOUNG-CHEE, WINNER, "PROJECT RUNWAY": No, not me.
KLUM: As the winner of "Project Runway"?
AYOUNG-CHEE: What an absolute dream come true. Thank you.
KLUM: Congratulations.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: That`s J.R. Martinez. He sure has got some fancy footwork, doesn`t he? "Dancing with the Stars" fans agree. But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook fans want to know what does J.R. have planned after he`s done with "Dancing with the Stars"?
The fans have spoken. There`s just been so much curiosity about J.R. Martinez. So we decided to give Facebook and Twitter fans a chance to ask J.R. anything they wanted.
Here`s what Denise T. asks on our Facebook wall, "Now that `All My Children` is off, what is next for him? Would he do a sitcom?"
Well, Denise, here`s what J.R. said right alongside his dance partner, Karina Smirnoff.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARTINEZ: After "Dancing with the Stars," I mean, I want to write a book and I want to put that out. But I do want to continue acting. It`s something that "All My Children," having that opportunity to do it, it`s giving me a love to act. And, you know, who knows? Maybe I`ll take in dancing a little bit here and there, too. So -
KARINA SMIRNOFF, J.R. MARTINEZ`S DANCE PARTNER: Professionally.
MARTINEZ: I don`t know if professionally, but you know, it will be fun. And I continue to do motivational speaking as much as time allows. So those are the three things that are top of my list.
But I would consider doing any kind of other acting opportunities because I think you guys enjoy it and I enjoy, you know, being an entertainer to all of you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thank you for that. Well, 430Joe tweets this for J.R., "If he didn`t join the military, what other career path would he have chosen?" Here`s what J.R. said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARTINEZ: I wanted to be a professional football player. That`s what I wanted to do and that`s what I was pursuing, you know, my young adult life.
But I also wanted to be a physical therapist because I really enjoyed the fact that I had been injured and broken some bones as a young man. So I really appreciated how physical therapists were able to help people get back to being, you know, what they were before and physically.
So that was something I really thought about doing and then, you know - then, the military presented itself and I thought it was a great option for me. So if I wouldn`t have joined the military, I probably would have made it to the NFL. But physical therapist would be the thing for me.
SMIRNOFF: I think you should try the physical therapy -
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Perfect. Thank you very much for your questions and thank you, of course, to J.R. for answering them.
Well, tonight, at the bottom of the hour, it`s a special edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - "SHOWBIZ Reality Secrets."
We reveal the secrets behind the biggest reality shows on TV. Show me the money. How your favorite stars keep rolling in the dough when the cameras stop rolling. The secrets tonight from a "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" insider.
And more big reality secrets revealed. The "Carfellas" on the secrets of their success.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know what your problem is? You buy with your (EXPLETIVE DELETED) instead of your head.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I should have did this on my own so I could have a nice pleasurable drive by myself instead of your bald (EXPLETIVE DELETED) in the passenger seat busting my balls.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Big cars, big guys. Big secrets about buying cars. 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: Jesse James returns to TV for special live episodes of "American Chopper." SHOWBIZ first look: Movie posters for "The Hunger Games."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, on a special edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - SHOWBIZ reality secrets. Show me the money. Tonight, the explosion of reality shows that are helping people who are struggling with their bills.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GARDERE: We`re redefining what life is as a middle class American and they`re getting that information from TV.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Could reality TV be the golden ticket for some people trying to beat the recession?
The reality show that will help you buy luxury duds for bargain prices. "The Fashion Hunters" reveal their biggest reality secrets.
Big cars. Big guys. Big secrets about buying cars. The stars of "Carfellas" share the secrets of their high-octane drama on and off screen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know what your problem is, you buy with your (EXPLETIVE DELETED) instead of your head.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I should have done this on my own so I would have had a nice, pleasurable drive by myself instead of your bald (EXPLETIVE DELETED) in the passenger seat busting my balls.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The "Carfellas" reveal their reality secrets. A special edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, "SHOWBIZ Reality Secrets," starts right now.
(MUSIC)
Welcome to this special edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - "SHOWBIZ Reality Secrets." I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. And tonight, show me the money.
Larger than life. Richer than rich. So much of what we see on reality TV is the "more is more" lifestyle. The Kardashians, anyone? But come on, do you live like that?
Well, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can now reveal that there`s a new wave of reality shows that are taking a reality check, really focusing on the reality of keeping a job or keeping a roof over your head.
Tonight, on this special edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, we`re revealing the secrets behind those shows. We begin with CNN`s Christine Romans for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): From the Kardashians to the housewives and the millionaire matchmaker.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK, girls. Are you ready to meet a millionaire?
ROMANS: We know Americans love shows about people with money, but when did watching economic struggle become entertaining?
HAMMER (on camera): Now, reality television is reflecting something so major that`s going on in virtually everybody`s lives, the economic downturn.
ROMANS: Call it Recession TV. There`s "Pawn Stars" -
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Fifteen?
ROMANS: "Downsized" -
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK. It says -
ROMANS: "American Pickers" -
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A lot of people look at this stuff as their savings account, like, "Hey, I bought this. I think it`s worth more money.
ROMANS: "Repo Games" -
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Recall it in the morning.
ROMANS: A&E Network just shot a pilot called "Job Whisperer," a show about finding a job. And even "Sesame Street" introduced Lily, a Muppet struggling with hunger.
LILY, MUPPET, "SESAME STREET": You don`t even know whether you`re going to have a next meal or not. That can be pretty hard.
ROMANS: So is reality TV becoming too real to watch?
JEFF GARDERE, AMERICA`S PSYCHOLOGIST: There will always be the escapism type of TV, whether it`s scripted, whether it`s reality, where people are just frivolously just spending money and having a lavish lifestyle.
Sometimes we need that, but I think we`re redefining what life is as a middle-class American, and they`re getting that information from TV.
ROMANS: For now, many Americans will dream of a fairytale wedding through our TV sets.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: You just saw why it is that shows about people who are down on their luck seem to be popping up everywhere. And "Downsized" is really leading the way, this new way of "recessionality" TV.
Todd Bruce stars on "Downsized." He`s the patriarch of the Bruce family. They`re a blended family of nine and they`re just trying to stay above the poverty line.
Well, I talked with Todd and he revealed all the money secrets behind the show and told me why it might just be his family`s golden ticket out of their financial crisis.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Great to see you, Todd. Your show, I think, does show just how your family suffers and struggles, warts and all, in such a real, real way. This is obviously something that millions of people can identify with.
We`re so used to, Todd, seeing shows featuring the likes of the very rich - Kardashians, for instance. So why do you think your show took off? Not having money is not exactly sexy and a whole lot of fun to watch on reality TV in a lot of people`s minds.
TODD BRUCE, CAST MEMBER, "DOWNSIZED": Well, I think that - first of all, I think we`re good looking, maybe not sexy, as you put it. But I think people have a connection with us because we are the all-American family that didn`t live an exorbitant lifestyle.
But we had nice things and lost those things. So people are - you know, they can connect with us because so many people have gone through it.
HAMMER: Yes, it`s so identifiable, and your family`s struggle with money is truly at the core of every episode of "Downsized."
There was one scene in particular that really attracted a lot of attention. This involves you telling your wife, Laura, that you bought a truck, Todd. Let`s watch what happened there.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
T. BRUCE: Well, I just bought a truck.
LAURA BRUCE, TODD BRUCE`S WIFE: What?
T. BRUCE: You`re a proud owner of a truck.
L. BRUCE: I`m a - what?
T. BRUCE: I mean, this is a really good deal and it`s a good owner truck with diesel in it. You can drive the van get the kids back and forth when I put all the miles on it, so that`s our personal vehicle. This I can use for work, throw the garbage in the back, all the stuff that I need to haul all my materials.
L. BRUCE: Well, congratulations for you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: See, Todd, I`m the guy who loves another guy buying a truck, but this buying that truck really kicked up a whole bunch of controversy on your show`s Web page.
I want you to listen to what someone named K Sharp7(ph) wrote to your wife, Laura, on the page, "He wastes money trying to fix the massive van you don`t need, and then buys a truck. You spent $1,000 on clothes from your bonus and he was ticked."
"The truck should have gone back and have been put up for sale. Why are you cleaning houses, doing fitness, tutoring, waitressing and teaching, and all he does is small jobs? Why doesn`t he wait tables, too?"
I`ve got to imagine how that doesn`t feel so good. So I`m curious what the secret is to you to dealing with all the negativity and criticism that so often comes with doing a reality show?
T. BRUCE: Well, I think you develop some thick skin, but you have to remember the good that goes along with the bad. Typically, people don`t chime in as much to tell you all the good that we`ve done.
But you know, we get E-mails where - you know, Rex had an asthma attack. One of the sons had an asthma attack and we have people writing in or blogging saying, "We appreciate your guys putting that out there."
So you just try to focus on the good things that we`ve done for the community, sharing our story, and letting people know that they`re not the only ones in the situation.
HAMMER: And of course, what I have found - a little piece of advice is that people tend to write more when they`re unhappy with stuff that you do than when they`re happy with stuff that you do.
T. BRUCE: Right.
HAMMER: But your show has you, right now, you know, making money, trying to survive with a little money to begin with. And you know, a lot of the positive things that are happening for you and your family right now with the show being on are going to help you get back on your feet financially.
What kind of secrets can you reveal to us about that sort of progression for you? Are you starting to make a little money and really see things on an upturn for you, guys?
T. BRUCE: Well, I think that the show does a good job of depicting where we are as things progress. But you always - for example, you how to answer the question about the blogger that wrote in.
You know, you don`t get to see all of our life, for example. I have washed dishes in a local restaurant. I`ve installed satellite TVs on the side.
But you go out there and I think, Dean, our financial planner, was good about kind of slapping me in the face and saying, "Hey, you`ve got to get back out there. You have to get it done for your family." So it doesn`t matter what you find to do. You have to do something.
HAMMER: So I`m curious though because your show is obviously about you having to survive. And as your show becomes more successful, you`re going to make more money.
Are you at all concerned that you`re going to become too successful and you might actually lose the show as a result? That`s kind of a catch-22 the way I see it.
T. BRUCE: It is a catch-22. But we set out with a goal, to help - even if we helped one person. I share this story a lot with - here in Phoenix, there was a gentleman that shot his two young sons and himself because he was so distraught over losing his cars and his houses and all of that.
So we set out with a goal to help people and we think we`ve done that. And if we become so successful, the business turns around and the economy gets better that we no longer fit the profile of the show, then we`ll be happy for that.
HAMMER: Oh, well. Yes, I mean, really, in the end, you`re doing well and, hopefully, it will mean bigger and better things for you. I think you`re doing a great job.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
Todd Bruce with all the money secrets behind reality TV`s "Downsized." More "SHOWBIZ Reality Secrets" revealed. Real secrets that can help you in real life with the "Fashion Hunters," the new show that will help you buy luxury duds for bargain basement prices.
We`ve got the stars of "Fashion Hunters" revealing their secrets to money- saving consignment shopping.
Plus, "Real Housewives" secrets revealed. The perfumes, the brands, the $25,000 sunglasses. How to spin reality TV fame into big bucks off screen. "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" insider, Dana Wilkey, tells all. This is a special edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, "SHOWBIZ Reality Secrets," show me the money.
Right now, the Kardashians clash over money with their mom.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KOURTNEY KARDASHIAN, REALITY TV STAR: All you care about is money.
KRIS JENNER, REALITY TV STAR: That`s not all I care about. I care about your future and building something for you guys so that when you`re my age, you don`t have to work this hard.
KOURTNEY: How much money is it worth? Life is about memories and experiences.
K. JENNER: You choose showing me, teaching me a lesson. Khloe, I can`t take it anymore. A real manager wouldn`t give a (EXPLETIVE DELETED) about half the things I do for you. A real manager would work 9:00 to 5:00 and not go the extra mile, and that`s what you guys forget. It`s (EXPLETIVE DELETED) up.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KARINA LEPINER, REALITY TV STAR, "FASHION HUNTERS": What did you pay for these?
AMBRIA MISCIA, REALITY TV STAR, "FASHION HUNTERS": OK. So I paid $5.
LEPINER: What?
MISCIA: OK. That one was $10.
LEPINER: I`m going to die.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: It`s fashion. It`s drama, but at the fashion of the cost. Tonight, we`re getting behind the reality show secrets of consignment shop fashion.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. You`re watching a special edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, "SHOWBIZ Reality Secrets."
"Fashion Hunters." Yes, move over Kardashians. There`s a brand-new reality show in town, and it`s not all about the luxurious, highfalutin big money lifestyle of the rich and famous. Oh, it can be about bargains, too.
It`s a brand-new reality show secret. I heard all about it from the cast members of Bravo`s new hit show "Fashion Hunters," Ambria Miscia and Karina Lepiner.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER (on camera): Great to have you guys here. I love the premise of this show. Let`s talk about some secrets right now. We`ve got to dish on them. The show is on Bravo. "Fashion Hunters" is all about the daily drama at a Soho consignment shop you guys run called Second Time Around.
You pulled back the curtain on just what`s involved in getting these amazing expensive labels into your shop and sell them for a fraction of the price. It`s really a pretty vicious market.
So Karina, give me a sense of the kind of drama you guys face on a day-to- day basis doing this, because I can only imagine.
LEPINER: I mean, basically - I mean, it is. It is really difficult, first of all, just to get, you know, those high-end items and to get our high-end clients in.
I mean, we carry at the shop really well. It just - it involves a lot of networking and a lot of like, you know, just -
MISCIA: Going out and extracting the merchandise.
HAMMER: And what makes it perfect for reality TV is the demand for this kind of stuff, the kind of prices consignment shops typically sell them for.
It`s extraordinary and there`s no shortage of drama on this show, "Fashion Hunters." I want to take a look at what happens when a woman walks into a Second Time Around. She`s got a couple of Chanel bags she wants to have you guys sell. Let`s see what happens here.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LEPINER: Oh my god. Oh my god. Ambria - it`s very rare that we get Chanel bags in the store.
MISCIA: I actually got them at a garage sale.
LEPINER: What did you pay for these?
MISCIA: OK. So I paid $5.
LEPINER: What?
MISCIA: OK. That one was $10.
LEPINER: I`m going to die.
MISCIA: So I paid $10 for this. If you guys can get me $3,000 for it, I would die on the spot.
LEPINER: This bag is real? You need to cut me a deal, because I want to buy this bag.
MISCIA: It`s really not fair for Karina just to take it before we`ve even consigned it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I love it. So people really kind of freak out over these situations. Give me a sense - are people, when the cameras are off, you know, stuff that we may not see. Are they duking it out?
I mean, are fists flying over trying to get the bags and the shoes that you guys sell on the cheap?
MISCIA: Well, obviously it`s a store, so it can be really quiet and calm. And then when an item comes in, like a $4,000 jumbo Chanel bag that`s obviously in high demand, I mean, the tension can go from zero to 100 in five seconds.
And suddenly you have women, kind of - you know, Karina calls it hawking. They start looking at it and then, "I was here first. I offered this much." And it gets really tense and you`ve got to have to know how to just get these women in line.
HAMMER: And you guys do work really hard to bring in these extraordinary fashion labels that you can sell at a fraction of what, you know, we would pay for at retail.
And, of course, this is worlds away from what we see the Kardashians and the "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" wearing and using on reality TV. It`s sort of a different mode.
Give me a sense of what you think the secret is behind the success of a show like yours. Is it simply the economic downturn or is it so much more than that?
LEPINER: Well, I think it`s a little bit of both. I think basically the success of this show is just, you know, people just being able to come in and find these fabulous deals.
I mean, that is the best kept secret. I mean, just coming in and finding high-end, you know, items for a third to a quarter of retail. And I just, you know -
MISCIA: Even the wealthy right now are looking for a return on their investments, if you will.
HAMMER: Yes, of course.
MISCIA: So like maybe a lot of the real housewives should be shopping at our store.
HAMMER: Exactly. And look, if a little hair-pulling actually happens and is caught on camera because everybody wants that same Chanel bag, then so be it.
Great to meet you, guys. Best of luck with the show. Karina and Ambria, appreciate you being here.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: And there are more big reality money secrets tonight. So just how much do TV`s most popular reality stars stand to profit from their newfound success?
I mean, you name it, they`ve got it. Clothing lines, performs, appearances. Heck, some are even paid to tweet. Keeping up with the Kardashians, "The Jersey Shore" and the "Housewives" franchise. Is reality TV the way to go if you want to make big bucks?
I`ve got the inside track from a true Hollywood insider, "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills," Dana Wilkey. She let us in on the secret to cashing in.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(on camera) What an amazing success you have been. Separate from "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills," you throw these amazing elaborate out- of-the-box parties. You do them here. You do them over in Europe.
You`ve had tremendous success. And now, you`re delving into reality TV which is a booming business for a lot of new comers. It leads to many things.
What is the insider secret in your mind to making the most out of the opportunity you`re given by all the exposure you receive from reality TV?
DANA WILKEY, REALITY TV STAR, "THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF BEVERLY HILLS": Well, I think it`s really important to remember that you`re - as a business person, you have to look at a business as if you`re famous or you`re not famous.
So if you have a good idea and you can execute it, then you should do it. Use the fame only as a promotional tool. I don`t believe that you can make any business work just by being a reality star.
HAMMER: People do seem to be shocked, though, by how much money you can make once you have made it in reality TV. I mean, people freak out when they hear that the Kardashians, The Situation from "Jersey Shore," among other reality stars pocket literally millions and millions of dollars.
Would you consider all of them to be the exception to the rule? Or is it really possible for anybody who`s made a name for themselves in reality TV to pocket some big bucks?
WILKEY: No, they`re an exception to the rule for sure. I don`t believe - like Bethenney, for example. They said $140 million. Turns out she had $8 million. I mean, you know, I think a lot of it, you know, is inflated.
HAMMER: So as a successful businesswoman, what`s your suggestion or your take on the biggest hint, the biggest tip for making financial success out of your reality opportunities?
WILKEY: I would say have a real viable business. So if your business would work without being famous, then it`s likely it will work with you being famous a little bit easier.
HAMMER: Yes. No kidding. Great. Thank you, Dana. That was terrific. I appreciate it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
Tonight, can jail lead to reality success? Well, that`s just one of the fascinating secrets revealed about one of my reality TV guilty pleasures, "Carfellas."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You know what your problem is? You buy with your (EXPLETIVE DELETED) instead of your head.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I should have did this on my own so I could have had a nice, pleasurable drive by myself instead of your bald (EXPLETIVE DELETED) in the passenger seat busting my balls.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I love these big guys. The big guys with the big cars revealing their big money secrets, coming up. This is a special edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, "SHOWBIZ Reality Secrets" - show me the money.
And now, the divine Miss M. has some money advice for "Jersey Shore" star, Snooki.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BETTE MIDLER, ACTRESS: My advice to anybody who`s in that situation is to save your money. Listen carefully. Learn what it is to have money. Try to make it last as long as you can. Get some dignity so that you don`t look like an idiot when you`re 40. You know? And prepare - prepare for the worst.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Excuse me. You took (EXPLETIVE DELETED). Say (UNINTELLIGIBLE) you`re sorry.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Get on your side. Get on your side.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What do you know about (EXPLETIVE DELETED) etiquette?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You are wrong, Mario. You are wrong.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It`s a pizza. It`s a pizza.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Arguing over pizza? Hey, that`s nothing for these guys. You have got to see the "Carfellas" in action really doing what they to best. Stars of the new hit reality show, "Carfellas," reveal the secrets of their success.
And quite frankly, I don`t know what took reality TV so long to find these guys, but I am very happy that folks over at discovery finally did find them.
Now, their road to reality TV has been a bumpy one including jail time for co-star, Mikey D., but Mikey and their crew say that their real life run- ins are actually the secret to their newfound reality success.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER (on camera): Mikey, you know, it`s no secret that you spent some time in prison. You did, if I have this right, three years on racketeering charges.
And there are a lot of people who are getting into the TV world that would shy away from letting people know that. You know, they don`t want that kind of history, criminal record or anything like that, out there.
But it`s right there. It is in the show`s promos. You own it. Did the show`s producer say to you, "Yes, we want this on. We want people to know about it, or we`re not doing the show?"
MIKEY D., REALITY TV STAR, "CARFELLAS": No, they didn`t say that. But what they did say was they want us to be - discovery is really in being real. They did not want us to be fake. They didn`t want fake transactions.
So I just hope that - I`m like an open book. It is what it is. I did some things that I`m not proud of, you know. But you know something? You get past it and now my family is my priority. And you know, this is what we`re doing.
HAMMER: Well, again, it gets back to real is real. And we know with some reality shows, that`s not necessarily the case. Look, I`m a car guy, so I love watching shows like yours.
And you`re in the business of selling and buying cars. We see you in one particular episode of "Carfellas" trying to buy a classic Cadillac.
And we get to hear your absolute final offer and we get to hear what the seller is offering you, which, I`m thinking, is a trade secret in your business. Let`s watch happens how that plays out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There are a lot of flaws with this car. We have to get this car for $6,000 or less. What are you asking?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I`m asking $7,500.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Wow. I mean -
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It`s worth it. It`s worth it, man.
(CROSS TALK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I`ve got to put a lot of money into this car. I think the car is worth probably about $4,000.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you kidding me, man? No way.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If I went up to $4,500, would you make a deal?
(CROSS TALK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you think I`m a charity case?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, don`t take it the wrong way.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So why don`t you give me more money?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes, I think he was a little offended there. So are you guys at all worried that, you know, revealing trade secrets like this could hurt your business?
TOMMIE ROMOLA, REALITY TV STAR, "CARFELLAS": Not really. I mean, they are not really trade secrets. You never want to pay what the person is asking. And anybody would do the same thing.
Somebody is asking one price. You want to pay lower. Sometimes, you don`t get the car. Sometimes, you do. You meet in the middle. The car is yours.
HAMMER: Well, again, bottom is, I love that your reality TV is really reality TV. And I love that you put it out there. It`s great to meet you both. Mikey D. and Tommie, thank you so much.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
Even if you don`t care about cars, how can you not love those guys? Perfect for reality TV. And that is it for a special edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, "SHOWBIZ Reality Secrets." Thank you for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer.
END
