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Showbiz Tonight
Natalie Wood`s Death Case Re-Opens; Chaz Bono`s Revelation On His New Documentary Show; Justin Bieber Took DNA Test; Donald Trump Is Worth A Billion;
Aired November 22, 2011 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
A.J. HAMMER, HOST (voice-over): Big news breaking tonight on "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT." Brand-new shocking details inside the death of Natalie Wood. The burning questions today -- what really happened the night Natalie died? The woman who reignited the investigation speaks out.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Natalie was mortified, and a terrible argument transpired.
HAMMER: Marti Rulli, co-author of "Goodbye Natalie, Goodbye Splendour" is right here for a headline making showbiz news maker interview.
Chaz Bono unplugged. Cher`s son reveals startling new information about becoming transgender.
CHAZ BONO, CHER`S SON: I was just absolutely paralyzed with fear.
HAMMER: Chaz Bono opens up about his transformation, Cher and how "Dancing with the Stars" changed his life.
The showbiz best awards. Katy Perry denies she`s pregnant because she likes to drink. Best denial ever?
Donald Trump says his name alone is worth $3 billion. Is he the best self- promoter ever?
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show breaks news right now.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Hello, I`m A.J. Hammer in New York with big news breaking tonight.
The Natalie Wood death mystery, was it an accident? Was it murder? Well tonight, 30 years after movie icon Natalie Wood tragically drowned while on a boating trip with her husband, actor Robert Wagner, the case is now back in the spotlight. A new investigation. We have got new questions.
This Hollywood mystery has once again recaptured the imagination of people everywhere. And tonight, we`re hearing from the author -- a lot of people said helped get investigators to take yet another look at this case.
With me in New York for showbiz news marker interview is Marti Rulli who co-author the bunch of "Goodbye Natalie, Goodbye Splendour" along with Dennis Davern who was the captain of the boat where Natalie was last seen alive.
It`s really nice to meet on air. Appreciate you being here.
MARTI RULLI, AUTHOR, "GOODBYE NATALIE, GOODBYE SPLENDOUR": Thank you.
You are in the midst of the fire storm right now. So we are going to get some information. First of all, we were obviously all stunned to hear police were reopening this case some 30 years after her death. Literally, the anniversary is the end of this month.
RULLI: Yes.
Did you ever expect that your own investigation into the case and the book that you wrote would lead to police reopening the case?
RULLI: I didn`t expect it, but I hoped for it. I knew how much I had put into it and I knew how vital this information was that was never looked at in 1981 with the initial investigation. And after the book was published, I did get a copy to the L.A. County sheriff`s department, but I did not hear from them. So I thought it might be a good idea, everyone that I had interviewed who were or should have been vital witnesses in the initial investigation who were always ignored, I had interviewed them, so I took all of the information and condensed it down into comprehensible form and that`s what we sent to the county sheriff`s department. And within a month the case was reopened.
HAMMER: Yes. And then here we are. They are looking into it. What do you see coming of this new investigation, though? I mean, again, this is something that was put to bed a long time ago.
RULLI: Put to bed. It was a closed case. And now it`s reopened. And what I hope is that this is not new information. A lot of people are getting that wrong. Its old information that was never looked at, that should have been looked at. And I`m hoping that the evidence leads the new detectives to the truth about where -- or at least to give more information about the night that Natalie died.
HAMMER: And one of the great pieces of confusion here is what role could Robert Wagner possibly have played in the death of his then-wife Natalie Wood. And just this week, investigators made a point of saying Natalie`s husband at the time, actor Robert Wagner is not a suspect in the death. His family actually released a statement right after the new investigation was announced. Here`s what they said.
"They fully support the efforts of the L.A. County sheriff`s department and they trust they will evaluate whether new information relating to the death of Natalie Wood Wagner is valid."
You do raise some serious questions about Wagner`s version of the events the night Natalie died. Do you believe that maybe Robert Wagner has been hiding the real truth of what happened that night all these years?
RULLI: I fully believe that. He and Christopher Walken were immediately moved from the island by helicopter. The case was closed within a few days, and I am so glad to hear that he welcomes this new investigation. And I hope what that means is that he will cooperate in every possible way with the detectives the way Dennis Davern is doing.
HAMMER: But it sounds to me like, you know, certainly by coming out immediately saying, you know, we welcome this investigation, he feels he has nothing to hide.
RULLI: Then I hope joins with the detectives and tells them everything he knows.
HAMMER: And you wrote in the book with Dennis Davern who was the captain on the boat that night that Dennis has changed his story from his first original account of what he told the police when the accident first happened.
What makes you think Dennis is telling the truth now? I think that`s something a lot of people are wondering about.
RULLI: Good question, because three men survived that cruise. Each one of them lied to the police. Who is telling the truth then and now? And now, all three of them should be held accountable to answer for why they weren`t forthcoming in 1981.
A lot of people are suggesting Dennis grew a conscious 30 years later. That`s not the case. He grew a conscious the minute he identified Natalie Wood`s body. He became a tormented person. Everyone who knew him saw it. And he remained quiet.
Now, he was ordered by Robert Wagner to remain quiet. It ate away at him. He called me within months after Natalie`s death. I`m an old friend, and I decided that I believed him first of all, but I knew that this isn`t the way an investigation should go, that they should have asked him questions. Dennis may have been the one to be more forthcoming because he`s not the celebrity, not the person with the image to protect.
HAMMER: But to be clear, because a lot of people don`t know the fullback story of this, Dennis was an employee of Robert Wagner at the time, working as his private captain? This was their yacht and he was the private captain, not just some random person who happened to be running the boat that day.
RULLI: Dennis worked for the family for over seven years before Natalie died. He was a very close family friend.
HAMMER: So there was some loyalty there as well.
RULLI: Yes.
HAMMER: Certainly. Well, it`s amazing the hold that the Natalie Wood tragedy obviously still has on Hollywood. Even today, I mean, we just caught up with Jacqueline Bissett and Mario Van Peebles on the red carpet for their new movie called "The Artist." You got to watch what they told us about the news that this case has been reopened 30 years later.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JACQUELINE BISSETT, ACTRESS: I don`t know what to say about it. It`s ghastly, to drown, it`s just a ghastly thing --
MARIO VAN PEEBLES, ACTOR: I hope it`s worth it. I hope if they`re bringing it up, that it`s not just old news, that there`s some new information that we need to have.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: You know, and I think Mario is making a terrific point. Do you think, Marti, when all is said and done, they go through their investigation, they use the information that you sort of helped them out and condensed and say hey, you really should be looking at this. They go through all this. When all is said and done, will we really know the truth of what happened? Is it even possible at this point?
RULLI: I believe it`s possible. There were witnesses that were never talked to and a lot of people asking why 30 years later? Why open this now? It`s never too late for Natalie to have her voice in this to attach the truth to her legend.
HAMMER: What do you say to people who contend that right now look, it`s the 30-year anniversary and there are those have said this is a ploy to capitalize on the anniversary of her death, something that certainly Dennis, the captain can benefit from. Obviously you can but you`ve been working on this for a long time, I understand.
RULLI: I believe that`s absurd and an insult to the L.A. county sheriff`s department.
HAMMER: And they need to be given more credit for all this?
RULLI: Yes. Yes.
HAMMER: So what is going to be the truth in the end?
RULLI: Wherever the evidence leads them, I think that they will give us a report and truth about what they learned.
HAMMER: So you`re not going to name a name?
RULLI: No.
HAMMER: OK. That`s fair enough. Marti Rulli, great to have you here.
RULLI: thank you.
HAMMER: Especially, you know if you are on the center of the room with everything going on. I do appreciate it. The book is called "Goodbye Natalie, Goodbye Splendour" thanks again.
RULLI: Thank you.
HAMMER: Now, I want to hear from you. It`s our "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" exclusive poll. Natalie Wood death mystery, will we ever know the whole story?
Let us know your vote at hlntv.com/showbiztonight, the e-mail address. It`s "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" at hln.com.
Let`s move now, to our very Kardashian Christmas. There`s a brand-new report today is this Kim Kardashian actually put her official wedding portrait on her Christmas card. So, what is Kim going to do now?
Does Justin Bieber just taking a DNA test to prove he didn`t father an older woman`s baby? Well tonight we`ve got the latest in Bieber`s baby battle with a 20-year-old woman.
And its Chaz Bono unplugged. Wait till you see this. Chaz opening up to "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" about his amazing transformation and his fight for acceptance.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BONO: People know so little about being transgender. It`s something that`s really scary to people.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Chaz Bono tells all in a must see headline making showbiz news maker interview.
This is "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" on HLN, news and views.
Time for the showbiz news ticker. More stories from "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" newsroom, making news tonight.
TEXT: Katy Perry to host "Saturday Night Live" on December 10th.
TEXT: Michelle Williams tells CNN`s Piers Morgan what it was like playing Marilyn Monroe.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHELLE WILLIAMS, ACTRESS: I suppose the biggest discovery I made along the way was that Marilyn Monroe was a character and that how we commonly think of her, that was a part that are she played and she played it so well, you couldn`t tell that she was acting. And so we sort of allowed ourselves to think that was close to who she really was.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT." I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
Tonight, a real Kardashian Christmas, with a K. Kim Kardashian is still feeling the burn of course of divorce drama and I can tell you it`s the gift that keeps on giving for holidays.
There`s a brand-new report out today that says Kim was so sure about her marriage with Kris Humphries, she actually reported their official wedding photo to be put on their Christmas cards. I guess maybe, she really didn`t expect things to go so badly so quickly.
With me in New York, Rachel Zalis, entertainment journalist.
So, here`s the deal. Greater online is reporting today just before Kim K. left for honeymoon, she out in a very meticulous order for Christmas cards featuring her with Kris Humphries in a portrait via staircase on their wedding day which is a familiar scene for the Kardashians. Can we put this up? Take a look at the Kardashian family photo on their Christmas card from last year.
Rachel, is this happening perhaps? Do we need to perhaps cut her some slack she was going into this? She thought it was real, she really believed at least through Christmas they would still be together.
RACHEL ZALIS, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: I know. Imagine she thought like maybe they would last a few months longer. You know, this is just one more Big "oops" in this whole scenario. But she`s doing the same thing to him in the cards that she`s doing in real life. She`s air brushing him out. So, I can only see Chris Jenner now like scheming, like what are we going to do with those cards? Can we make money off them?
HAMMER: Put them up on e-Bay.
ZALIS: Put them on e-Bay, yes.
HAMMER: Absolutely. But the truth is she does have time to do the air brushing and resubmitting the cards as long as she gets them out, I don`t remember what the date is, but as long as they`re out by Hanukkah, I think they`ll be fine.
And I hope she`s not sending any of the re-touched Christmas cards to her Hollywood friends. Because I`m thinking, they may not want to hear from her. Some of the biggest stars in Hollywood, they have told "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" they are so over Kim and the whole Kardashian clan.
Look at this. Our "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" exclusive poll, we asked stars slam the Kardashians. Have the Kardashians over stayed their welcome in Hollywood? And as you see, this is after a huge response, 95 percent of the vote says yes, they have overstayed their welcome.
Rachel, is that a surprise to you at all?
ZALIS: No, absolutely not. I mean, I think, you know, she`s even sick of herself. She went from doing 100 a day tweets to one a day like, she`s like, I`m over it, too.
HAMMER: So, I`m just checking my schedule here. According to this, Kim`s reality show, Kourtney and Kim take New York is going to make its debut on Sunday. That is going to be on E! Of course. And, you know, we`re expecting to reveal maybe some more clues, reveal all of the dirty details of the troubles that Kris and Kim were having before the divorce went down.
Honestly now, I`m not just trying to have some fun here, do you think this could earn Kim some sympathy because quite frankly at this point she really could use some.
ZALIS: Yes, absolutely. I think, you know, the rumor has it that is when she looked at the footage of the shoot, she saw a lot of things misbehavior, the way he have adapted towards her family. To her, that made her second guess the relationship and his feeling to her and how much she trusted him. So, maybe we`ll cut her some slack.
HAMMER: Yes. I mean, I`m imagining, we are all going to sit down, you know perhaps, with little turkey sandwich, I`m just thinking, a little extra plate of stuff in.
ZALIS: And a little ham for the Kardashians.
(LAUGHTER)
HAMMER: Yes. But then we`ll keep a box of tissues on the side and maybe shed a tear for Kim?
ZALIS: Not so sure about that.
HAMMER: Alright Rachel, we`ll see what happens. Appreciate you being here.
ZALIS: Thanks.
HAMMER: Alright, we`ve got to move on because Hollywood might not be calling the Kardashians anytime soon. However, our showbiz phone lines are lit up with people calling. We have Beth in New Jersey who says the Kardashians are no longer welcome in Hollywood. It`s about time.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BETH, CALLER, NEW JERSEY: Even before the Kardashian wedding, I no longer watched them anymore. I stopped watching them, months ago. I had such a bad taste in my mouth every time I even hear their name, Kardashian.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Kardashian, Kardashian. Well, thank you, Beth. We also heard from Lisa in Ohio, calling in on showbiz on-call saying "come on. Show Kim some love already."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LISA, CALLER, OHIO: I just want to say that did anybody ever stop to think that maybe she is hurting and deep down inside and maybe she honestly did think that maybe the marriage would last and she really did love Kris Humphries? And maybe people ought to stop and really start to think that maybe she does have a heart and did love him.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Give him those Christmas cards. Alright Lisa, thank you.
What do you think? Let us know at showbiz on-call. You can sound off on this or anything. That`s why we leave the phone lines open all the time, 1-888-SBT-BUZZ, 1-88-728-2899. That`s where our voice mail operation is up and running so we can play your call here on "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT."
Well, tonight, the showbiz best awards. I love this. Katy Perry denies she`s pregnant because she likes drinking too much. Could that possibly be the best denial ever?
Also the adorable U2 sensation Sophia Grace heads to the music awards courtesy of Ellen DeGeneres.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you having fun on the red carpet?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE KID: Yes. .
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you excited?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE KID: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You meet a lot of stars?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE KID: Yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I got to asked, is Sophia Grace obsessed meeting sensation ever? The showbiz best award, coming up.
This is "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" on HLN, news and views.
This is the showbiz news ticker. More stories from "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" newsroom, making news tonight.
TEXT: Sylvester Stallone to produce "Rocky" musical.
TEXT: Hugh Jackman tells the ladies of "The View" about the next "X-men" movie.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HUGH JACKMAN, ACTOR: We shoot in the summer, its set in Japan. The whole samurai story which I know the fans love. I`m really, really excited about it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Now the showbiz buzz list. Here`s what the showbiz staff is buzzing all about. We are picking Rihanna`s sixth albums "talk that talk" is out this week featuring the number one single "we found love."
Well, we are loving the new features of the new nook tablet, yes. It got the microphone, the memory, and the video features making nook real nice.
And after we stuff ourselves with turkey leftover, we`re going to settle in for "the walking dead" mid season finale. It`s this Sunday on AMC.
Early Christmas shopping for kids, "an Elf Story" based on the story "the elf on the shelf" out in Blu-ray and DVD Saturday and "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" stop on the west coast calls the silent film "the artist" an Oscar darling not to be missed.
(MOVIE CLIP PLAYING)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I`m doing it with my new dance partner.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hola.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Let`s try the lift again, shall we?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The lift again. On my count this time, OK? Three, two --
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I`m not sure that peppy is a King Kong survived that lift there. The Muppet returns the big screen this thanksgiving and I can tell you that Muppet madness has taken over the "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" staff.
But you know it`s not just us. The Muppets are everywhere. Yes, the Muppets are invading and I for one couldn`t be happier. The whole gang is back. You have got Miss Piggy, the Kermit, the bear, the Gonzo and even the beaker.
And in the movie, they are looking to regain some of their star power. But it`s not just in the movie. Oh, no. Check out what happened when the Muppets showed up on "Saturday night live." Their co-star Jason Siegel was the host, or so we thought.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JASON SIEGEL, ACTOR: I`m just starting to worry that you think we`re all hosting this together.
MISS PIGGY, THE MUPPETS: Well, are we not?
SIEGEL: No, No Piggy. It`s just me actually.
KERMIT, THE MUPPETS: I guess we thought since we all did a movie together --
(CROSSTALK)
SIEGEL: But they usually just pick one of the stars of the movie.
MISS PIGGY: Excuse me?
SEGEL: No, no, no, listen. It makes a perfect sense that they would pick Jason, Piggy. I mean, when people go to a Muppet movie they say gee, I can`t wait to see the human.
(APPLAUSE)
SIEGEL: Let`s just get back to the song.
UNIDENTIFIED MUPPET: Sure, whatever. I believe in goldilocks
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I don`t know if you`re with me but what`s next because I got to say, Miss Piggy looks stunning, doesn`t she? Her fresh pink skin does have a lot of people wondering, did Miss Piggy have a little plastic -- or should I say fabric surgery.
Piggy was asked that very question from a CNN Muppet ireporter. Let`s watch that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ASA THIBODAUX, CNN IREPORTER: Miss piggy, I`ve been a fan ever since I was a little piece of fabric. My question is have you ever had any Muppet plastic surgery done? That`s it, call me.
KERMIT: He wants to know if you`ve had any work day.
MISS PIGGY: (Inaudible) is perfect in every single way but I would be lying if I sat here and told you I`ve never had -- oh, maybe one or two things done. This doesn`t show too much cleavage does it?
KERMIT: Possibly even six. Anyhow.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I just thought it was a little bacon Botox. "The Muppet Movie" opens on Wednesday.
Now, the showbiz line, if you just come up at the bottom at the hour, did Justin Bieber finally take that DNA test in his paternity battle? I`ll tell you.
And we`ve got your first look at Lady Gaga`s thanksgiving special.
This is "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" on HLN, news and views.
Time for the showbiz news ticker. More stories from "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" newsroom, making news tonight.
TEXT: Bethenny Frankel`s Skinny girl Margarita line slammed for using inferior tequila.
TEXT: "The Bachelorette" star Ali Fedotowsky and Roberto Martinez split. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Big news breaking tonight on "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT."
Katy Perry`s wild pregnancy denial, could it be the best ever? Why she would rather drink than have a kid?
A headline making showbiz news maker interview with Cher`s son, Chaz Bono. His brand new startling revelations about becoming transgender.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BONO: People know so little about becoming transgender. It`s something that`s really scary to people.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Plus, how Cher has helped him during his remarkable journey.
Also tonight, the Biebs DNA drama. He took the test to prove he did not father a child with an older fan. Why is Bieber refusing to release the results?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
HAMMER: Welcome back to "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT." It is 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York with big news breaking tonight.
Being Chaz. "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" goes one-on-one with Chaz Bono. And tonight, his startling new revelations about becoming transgender. It hasn`t been easy. But Chaz is now sharing his motional struggles and his triumph with the world, the second documentary premiers this Sunday on OWN. It is going to be terrific.
And tonight, Chaz is opening up to "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" about his transition and the controversy over him competing on "Dancing with the Stars." Did it forever change the way America looks at transgender people?
Here now is our very special headline making showbiz news maker interview with Chaz Bono.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BONO: It was hard for my mom at the beginning of my transition. But since deciding to go on the show and having all of this controversy come at me, my mom`s really been championing me and standing up for me and I really appreciate that.
I was really at the beginning until the show started, and then that kind of seemed to go away, which was good. It says that what I hoped would happen, would happen. That people would get to know me and realize, you know. That there wasn`t anything scary or threatening about me and get a chance to, you know, like me a bit.
JENNIFER ELIA, CHAZ BONO`S GIRLFRIEND: People feel so angry that, like, Chaz is entering their television. And people who make change get shot, you know? And I don`t want to, like, I don`t think that`s worth it.
BONO: Yes, they`re so -- people know so little about what it means to be transgender. It`s something that, you know, really is scary to people. So that`s, you know, one of my goals in almost everything that I do is just to kind of break it down and let people to get to know somebody who is transgender and see that, you know, it`s not the big scary thing that people think it is.
The actual physical transition was incredibly joyful. It was, you know, the ten years prior that were really difficult for me in trying to find the courage to do it and the acceptance of it and all of that. And once that happened, I was actually ready to do it, it was unbelievable journey. I didn`t know that life could feel like this is the truth.
ELIA: Let me see you.
BONO: OK.
At some point I`m going to do bottom surgery. I don`t know when, but at some point it`s something I want to do.
I wanted to pick a special place to give you your birthday present. I hope you like this.
ELIA: Wow.
I understand why he would wants pre-nup. If I were in his position I would want a pre-nup as well. But it`s not the money issue negotiated in a pre- nup. It`s that he wants me to sign something that says I won`t drink. What have I gone through for seven years? I don`t know a sex change.
BONO: You know, at this point, I don`t know. I have no idea. No idea.
I appreciate, you know, my mom`s work. I think she`s, you know, amazing like everybody else. You know, what she`s done with her life. Her work, nobody does it better.
Yes, we were. I`m definitely -- you know, especially growing up, we were really close. I mean, he`s just -- she seemed to understand me and I have a problem with, you know, with the way that I was different. And didn`t try to make me into something else and I really appreciated that.
I think he really would have enjoyed it. You know, I think -- I was thinking about that and in a lot of ways, you know, the "Dancing with the Stars" and shows like that were like "the love boat" and "fantasy island" were for people in the `70s and which he did quite a bit on it. So, I think if he was around, not only would he, you know, have loved watching me doing it, he probably would have thought about doing it himself.
No, not a bit. I`m so much happier now.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: It really is an amazing story. And you can watch Chaz`s revealing new documentary called "Being Chaz" that will premiers this Sunday, November 27 on OWN.
So Chaz may be on the fence about marriage, but another big TV star can`t stop talking about it. "Modern Family`s" Eric Stonestreet is speaking out for gay marriage tonight. Take a look at Eric. You have to see him playing a gay dad on the hit comedy.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Stella! Oh, my God.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What, you see her?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, but I see myself in the role I was born to play. Stella!
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Absolutely brilliant. So, Eric just went one-on-one with HLN`s Joy Behar and talked about his role on "Modern Family" as a gay man raising a baby with his partner.
Eric thinks that the honest way the show treats family goes a long way towards helping Americans accept the idea of gay marriage. Watch what he just told Joy.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOY BEHAR, HOST, THE JOY BEHAR SHOW: It`s a popular show, hugely popular show. It`s about a gay couple and an immigrant trophy wife. And then I hear that conservatives love it. Is it because it`s fiction?
ERIC STONESTREET, CAST, MODERN FAMILY: Well, that`s funny. No, I think conservatives and liberals or progressive people alike like it because it tells, you know, family stories. And we are - we all come from families. We all have families. And I think they just find characters they relate to, maybe that they never would have expected they would relate to, but relate to nonetheless.
BEHAR: And yet those same people would probably not vote for a gay marriage or gay rights or gay adoption.
STONESTREET: It is interesting. Because I do think that we inevitably have some of those same people that wouldn`t necessarily vote for some of those agendas that are laughing their butts off at Mitch and Cam. I think the good news is there`s change happening there. They may not know it yet, but they`re definitely opening their hearts and minds to realizing that these guys are, you know, maybe that they`re gay for sure, but that doesn`t define who they are.
BEHAR: Exactly. I think that`s a good point because slowly but surely, people get used to it. And I realized the postman could be gay, the teacher could be any -- the plumber.
STONESTREET: Yes. The gays are everywhere, right? And people are realizing it and understanding that it makes no difference. The sexual orientation has nothing to do with who you are as a person.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: There are all kinds of different families in America. I think "Modern Family" does a great job of showing us all one more.
Let`s move on now to the showbiz best awards. I love this. Katy Perry`s pregnancy denial. Her excuse, well, she likes drinking too much to give it up. Best denial ever or just nuts?
Justin Bieber`s baby drama, are you ready for this? The Biebs takes a DNA test to prove he didn`t father a child with an older family. But we got to wonder why hasn`t he released the results yet?
This is "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" on HLN, news and views.
And now the showbiz news ticker. More stories from "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" newsroom, making news tonight.
TEXT: Oprah renting her Chicago apartment for #15K a month.
TEXT: Showbiz first look: "Game of the Thrones" season two.
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HAMMER: Justin Bieber`s DNA drama. There are reports that Biebs has taken a DNA tests to prove he did not father child of an older fan. The 20-year- old Mariah Yeater claims she gave birth to Bieber`s child after one night stand but, she recently dropped her lawsuit she was pursuing against the Biebs.
Still, the new reports say that Bieber has gone through with the test anyway to clear his name once and for all but for some reason, the Biebs just choosing not release the results, at least not yet. And personally I just think that`s a little strange.
Welcome back to "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT." I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
Tonight, say yes to Pippa`s dress, the online frenzy to get a copy of the world`s most famous bridesmaid dress.
Also Katy Perry`s baby confession and Donald Trump`s gold plated name. You`re not going to believe just how much he says he`s worth. That tops "the buzz" today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER (voice-over): Trump`s billion dollar name. Donald Trump has just declared that his name is worth a billion dollar. In his brand-new book "time to get tough" Donald Trump is revealing his own estimated net worth and a shooting down with "Forbes" estimated. He says he`s worth two times more that what "Forbes" reports.
Donald`s claims that the truth brand value is worth a shocking $3 billion alone and overall he`s worth $7 billion.
Pippa`s royal sale. Official copies of Pippa Middleton`s royal bridesmaid dress, has just finally been put up for sale. Pippa`s dress designer Sarah Burton is now selling copies of her creation the dress brought attention to Pippa`s backside to being sold in U.K for 1,995 pounds. That`s about $3100 U.S.
The dress is nearly identical to Middleton`s gown, but there`s one small difference. This one has a zipper in the back instead of buttons.
Katy`s baby revelations. Katy Perry just confessed she`s choosing booze over babies, at least for the near future.
In a brand-new interview, Perry is slamming down rumors she might be pregnant, telling "the insider" not yet. I still like drinking alcohol. Perry`s outfit at the American music awards unleashed rumors about a potential baby onboard, but she`s blaming her belly bump on a fast food diet of in and out burgers and taco bell. Excellent!
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HAMMER: Well, is that just the best celebrity denial you have ever heard? I think it takes the cake for "Showbiz Best." But wait. There`s even more showbiz bests, including that best self-promoter, Donald Trump. Is his name alone really worth $3 billion?
Well, let`s get to it. With me in New York tonight, Rachel Zalis is an entertainment journalist, also with us in New York, Amanda Seales, host for Music Choice.
Let us begin with Katy Perry`s what I thought was a hilarious response to a question from the inside. You got to watch, have this all went down when they ask her, if all those pregnancy rumors were true.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PERRY: I believe in that saying, first, come love, then come marriage, then comes baby, the baby carriage. But I like drinking alcohol. So, not yet. I just have a fat upper area. Sorry.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, we can put it on the show.
PERRY: I like in and out burger and taco bell. And if you want to make that pregnant, then that`s your problem.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. Certainly doesn`t get more honest than that. I don`t think I love her response. What do you think Amanda? Is that the best celebrity denial ever perhaps?
AMANDA SEALES, HOST, MUSIC CHOICE: Yes. And if it`s not only the best, it`s the most honest. I really appreciate just how frank she was. And you know, she likes in and out burger, I like mine, too.
HAMMER: She laid it all on the line, Rachel. Does it?
ZALIS: Come on. She`s 27. She`s a newlywed. She`s having fun. She`s not ready for a real baby. She wants her little burrito and beer baby right now. We`re happy for them.
HAMMER: Alright, well look, no babies for Katy just yet.
But you got to check out who interviewed Katy on the red carpet at the American Music Awards. This is priceless. None other than showbiz best you tube sensation Sophia Grace and her side kick Rose.
Now, Ellen DeGeneres got these girls to cover the awards for her. And they first got attention from Ellen after Ellen saw them singing in Nicki Minaj song in a video that went totally viral on you tube. So Ellen invited them on her show and surprised them with a face to face meeting with their idol, Nicki Minaj.
But the girls also idolize Rihanna. And even though Rihanna was not at the American Music Awards, the girls still got to meet her. Got to watch what happened.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RIHANNA, SINGER: You don`t want to meet me? Aww. I`m like what is that for? I`m a fan of you guys, you know that? Do I get one the-- you have one of the tiaras?
One that will fit my big head?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE KID: Maybe.
RIHANNA: Will you be my best friend, too?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE KID: Yes.
RIHANNA: My God. I could just steal them. You give the best hugs. Thank you, girls. Thank you so much.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Now, as far as we know, Rihanna did not steal the children. I love that little Sophia. So, we have to name her, Ann Rose, showbiz best you tube sensation. Amanda, are you with us on this?
SEALES: I can`t.
HAMMER: You`re thinking Friday, Friday probably.
SEALES: I`m still on hide your wife, hide your kids. I mean he was able to make money. He started to do rag line off of being on you tube.
HAMMER: I don`t know.
SEALES: I`m running with him.
HAMMER: I think these ladies have come in and stolen the show.
ZALIS: I`m totally obsessed. I think Joan Rivers might be worried because they`re ruling the red carpet. They are the cutest things on the planet right now. I`m thinking I`m going to get a little too-too in a tiara.
HAMMER: I just want them to keep their egos in check.
Unlike our next showbiz best, it`s Donald Trump. That`s right, in his brand-new book, "time to get tough" Trump claims the Trump brand alone is worth a shocking $3 billion. I don`t think anyone can hold a candle to Donald Trump when it comes to his own shelf promotion.
Now, he revealed this new did bit about his wealth while plugging his new book, which is genius, of course. So, we named Trump the showbiz best self-promoter.
I mean, really, Amanda, can you disagree with this one?
SEALES: I think he`s going got a strong competitor with Kim Kardashian because she`s been able to do it without even saying it. She does it through actions which do speak louder than words. I mean, she had a whole wedding and then didn`t.
HAMMER: Yes. He`s been at this for a very long time, though. He has a lot of practice. Maybe Gene Simmons gives him a run for his money. But I still think Donald Trump, much as I have a lot of fun with him, he is the best self-promoter.
ZALIS: I mean come on. He`s the Donald. There`s a $4 billion discrepancy with how much he says he has and "Forbes" says he has. I`m writing dear Donald letters for Christmas this time.
HAMMER: He`s telling the truth. Alright, thank you Rachel. Thank you, Amanda. We can disagree, that`s all right.
We move from the power of the Trump brand to the power of flower? You`ve got to see the destructive force of two toddlers and a five-pound bag of flour.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE KID: What`s the matter, mommy?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What could possibly be the matter of having flour all over your house?
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HAMMER: Caught on tape and its coming up, next.
This is "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" on HLN, news and views.
Time for the showbiz news ticker. These are more stories from "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" newsroom, making news tonight.
TEXT: "Jersey Shore`s" Pauly D to rejoin Britney Spears for final show of her tour.
Text: Jason Priestly reacts on "Wendy Williams" to Shannen Doherty`s new marriage.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JASON PRIESTLY, ACTOR: Wow. Shannen got married again.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Shannen, yes, she got married again.
PRIESTLY: What is that? Number four, number five?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Look at him jab, look at him jack.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What? She doesn`t have any kids yet.
PRIESTLY: Seriously. That`s number four I think. Well, I`m not passing judgment.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Now, Hollywood A-list and country music superstar Lady Antebellum. "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" just caught up with Lady Antebellum Hillary Scott at the American Music Awards fresh off a huge AMA win and she opened up about the women who have influenced her the most. Watch.
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LADY ANTEBELLUM, COUNTRY SUPERSTAR: I mean, God, I think Beyonce is one of my biggest influences, just from not only on stage but how she carries herself off. I think she has nothing but class and is -- has this ability to be extremely sexy without it coming across offensive ever. And I think she`s just brilliant.
I think one of my biggest influences is my mom. I look up to her and just her outlook on life. I looked up to her and just her outlook in life but a lot of people. I mean, being born and raised in the music industry in the country music industry, I`ve gotten to know Reba very well. And she`s just a brilliant businesswoman and she also is a great advice giver.
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HAMMER: I love that Hillary gave props to her mom. Lady antebellum got the nod for the favorite country band at the Amass. And Beyonce was named favorite Rib female artist. That is some serious female fire power.
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Now, flour power. A family home destroyed by two toddlers and a single bag of flour. Yes, you think it can`t happen? Well, we have the tape to prove it. You have got to see the raw destructive force of two kids and a five- pound bag of flour.
CNN`s Jeanne Moos has it all for "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT"
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Mommy is not feeling so well so she stays a little longer than usual in the bathroom. And when she got out -
MARY NAPOLIS (ph), MOTHER: What are you doing?
MOOS: She stayed at home mom, Mary Napolis (ph), stayed eerily calm.
The boys are 1 1/2 and 3 1/2.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE KID: What`s the matter, mommy?
MOOS: What could possibly be the matter with having flour all over your house?
NAPOLIS (ph): What happened?
MOOS: Mary called her mother-in-law for help.
By the way, those of you who say this video is fake or Fakey McFakeovitch, you don`t know how flour flies. Mary and her mother-in-law used a shop Vac to remove most of the flour, but there were two items that were beyond salvaging.
She had to throw away this rug and a light bulb emitting a burning flour smell. Hardest to clean, the couches.
NAPOLIS (ph): I mean we haven`t even paid off those couches yet.
MOOS: During clean up, Zach slipped on the flour and cut his lip. So, Mary left the kitchen sinking and came running.
Unfortunately the faucet was also running that sink over and it flooded the kitchen.
So, next time you think you`ve had a bad day, remember Mary.
NAPOLIS (ph): Well, I told my mother-in-law that I feel like I`ve inhaled so much flour I`m going to start to rise.
MOOS: At least Andrew was dressed for bad behavior, like a prison inmate.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE KID: See? See?
NAPOLIS (ph): Yes, I see. You emptied the whole thing.
(EN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Yes, that was me. I was that kid. That`s CNN`s Jeanne Moos. A five-pound bag of flour and one mother`s worst nightmare.
Moving on now to a showbiz` first look and we just show you Lady Gaga`s Thanksgiving Day special. Not for two more days, you get a taste in a minute.
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HAMMER: "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" has a first look at Lady Gaga`s Thanksgiving special called of course, a very Gaga Thanksgiving.
But I got to say, this thing looks as good as mom`s pumpkin pie. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Look, who`s back in the capital scene? Lady gaga, no one is more surprising. And no night has more surprises than this.
LADY GAGA, SINGER: Fabulous.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Katie Couric stops by.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Why did you just get so emotional?
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HAMMER: I think it`s going to be great. The special airs this bird day at 9:30 p.m. Eastern on ABC.
And that is it for "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT." I`m A.J. Hammer. You can catch "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" exclusively Sunday to Friday at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and pacific right here on HLN.
And stay right here on HLN for "DR. DREW." Drew is coming up next. And tonight, he has an in depth investigation into new cutting edge parenting styles.
"DR. DREW" on HLN starts right now.
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