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Showbiz Tonight
Desperate Demi?; "X Factor`s" "Idol" Ambition; Dumping "Jersey Shore"?; Elisabetta Canalis` New Man
Aired February 01, 2012 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HAMMER: Big news breaking tonight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - desperate Demi? Tonight, new insight into Demi Moore`s turmoil. Embarrassed over her trip to the hospital. Fixated on staying young and skinny for Ashton. And did ex-husband Bruce Willis try to help? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the jaw-dropping new Demi revelations.
"The X Factor`s" "Idol" ambitions. Simon Cowell`s big dilemma after blowing up his all-star lineup. Who should replace Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NICOLE SCHERZINGER, FORMER JUDGE, "X FACTOR": I can`t make this decision. Please, I can`t make this decision.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT casts "The X Factor" reboot. Plus, what "The X Factor" has to do to survive its "Idol" competition. Simon, are you watching?
Fist dumping on "Jersey Shore." Snooki and J-Woww banned in New Jersey.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NICOLE "SNOOKI" POLIZZI, REALITY TV STAR, "JERSEY SHORE": That`s when you know the world is coming to an end.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, why a New Jersey city is telling J-Woww and Snooki to GTL somewhere else.
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show breaks news right now.
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Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York with big news breaking tonight - Demi`s desperation. There are brand-new revelations tonight about Demi Moore`s turmoil in the months leading up to her meltdown.
Her apparent fixation with doing anything and everything to stay young. Her reported drug-fueled, wild partying. And tonight, for the very first time since that fateful night, we are getting insight into Demi`s reaction to her personal crisis.
And another first, there are new indications tonight that her ex-husband Bruce Willis actually reached out before Demi`s collapse, trying to get Demi some help, a message that Demi apparently ignored.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We need an ambulance here as soon as possible, please.
HAMMER (voice-over): The news that Demi Moore was rushed to the hospital last week was, of course, a huge sign that all is not well with the movie star. But today, we are learning that Demi`s problems were worse, much worse, than anyone thought.
MIKE FLEEMAN, WEST COAST NEWS EDITOR, "PEOPLE": It`s been very, very shocking to find out how troubled Demi Moore really was.
HAMMER: Today, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT got a sneak peek at the new "People" magazine. It gives us the horrifying inside story of Demi Moore`s long downward spiral, including the brand-new revelation that Demi`s problems got so bad, her famous ex-husband, Bruce Willis, tried to intervene.
FLEEMAN: People who cared about Demi were urging her to get help. Bruce Willis, her ex-husband, Ashton Kutcher, her current husband, and yet Demi would not listen to them.
HAMMER: The new issue of "People" goes into explicit detail about three demons that haunted Demi. The first, her thin obsession.
FLEEMAN: We have seen in the last few months Demi Moore withering away before our eyes.
HAMMER: "People`s" Mike Fleeman tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Demi, who was fond of tweeting pictures of herself in various states of undress was obsessed with her body and horrified by the effect aging could have on it.
FLEEMAN: As she got older, Demi was fixated, in many ways, on trying to appear young and sexy for Ashton Kutcher, a husband much younger than she. As part of her obsession, really, to try to stay youthful looking and skinny, she was not taking care of herself. Her diet suffered. She was basically living on Red Bull and very little else.
911 OPERATOR: Can you see the paramedics?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, I can see them right now.
HAMMER: "People" reports even the paramedics who responded to last week`s 911 call were shocked by Demi`s super-skinny appearance.
FLEEMAN: She looked to them almost like a cancer patient.
HAMMER: Something else we heard in that 911 call -
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She`s been having some issues lately with some other stuff. But I don`t know what she`s been taking or not.
HAMMER: Hinted at another one of Demi`s demons. "People" magazine describes her alleged drug use.
FLEEMAN: Multiple sources told "People" that Demi Moore used prescription drugs. She was using these pills to help curb her appetite.
HAMMER: In fact, "People" reports her reliance on pills contributed to last fall`s breakup with Ashton Kutcher.
FLEEMAN: Ashton was deeply concerned about Demi, and he tried to convince her to get help.
HAMMER: And today, we are learning for the first time Demi`s problems even troubled her previous husband, Bruce Willis.
FLEEMAN: We found out that he, too, was extremely concerned about Demi and even went to her house and urged her to get help.
HAMMER: It all led to another of Demi`s demons, a penchant for erratic behavior.
FLEEMAN: She would be out partying and giving lap dances and jumping up on stage. And she would start these fights with Ashton for no apparent reason.
HAMMER: And "People" magazine`s Mike Fleeman tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Ashton Kutcher`s reported flings with other women pushed Demi to the breaking point.
FLEEMAN: An interesting thing we found out is that Demi and Ashton never required total fidelity from each other in their marriage.
But when the infidelity allegations surfaced, Demi was devastated. She was embarrassed. And it struck home on her most vulnerable issue, which was her insecurity.
HAMMER: Now, after her big health scare, Demi`s people now say she`s getting professional assistance to treat her exhaustion.
FLEEMAN: The entire health crisis has been, more than anything, embarrassing for Demi. Demi`s friends have rallied around her. And now, they`re hoping that this is that bottoming out. This is that moment when Demi will get the help she needs.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Unbelievable. All of those revelations in the new "People" magazine really just illustrated how troubled Demi Moore apparently was before last week`s health scare.
With me in New York, clinical psychologist, Dr. Judy Kuriansky. In Hollywood tonight, actress Sheryl Lee Ralph.
So this "People" article talks about Demi Moore`s major insecurities. Running down the list - her body, her weight, her age, being married to a much younger man, like Ashton Kutcher.
And that seems to have aggravated all of those insecurities. Sheryl, let me start with you in our SHOWBIZ Flashpoint - could being married to a younger man, in your mind, have contributed to Demi Moore`s spiral?
SHERYL LEE RALPH, ACTRESS: Let me tell you something. Any woman will tell you that a hard man is good to find at any age, trust me. But look, everybody`s up here blaming her because she was in love with somebody.
Her marriage fell apart. Whether he was younger than her or older than her, it wouldn`t have mattered. She was in love with him. Anybody who is truly and has ever been in love knows how that would knock you off your square to lose the person that you love.
It shakes up everything within you. When I went through my very public divorce and I mistook water for vodka, I knew I had hit my bottom line. And I was like, hey, the only way from here is up, and I wrote about it in the book.
So I say, Demi, come on, beautiful woman. Get it together. You didn`t get this far by doing all of what you`ve done.
Get the help you know you need right now, because your daughters deserve that and more from you. Forget that man! You will find yourself another, harder, younger man, if that`s what you want.
HAMMER: Well, that`s one way to put it. But we are certainly all pulling for her, Sheryl Lee Ralph.
RALPH: Yes.
HAMMER: But I keep thinking about all of those Demi Moore bikini photos. She would tweet them out all the time. And "People" magazine says she has desperate for validation that she was still young, still sexy.
And then there was this bombshell "People" reported that Demi and Ashton never demanded total fidelity from each other. If that`s true and you add that to Demi`s apparent insecurities, Dr. Judy, I`m thinking, wow, huge recipe for disaster right there, and I`m no clinic psychologist.
DR. JUDY KURIANSKY, CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST: Well, yes. And when sex is added to that in terms of with other people, you`ve really got a hot bed that blows off. There have also been reports, I have to say, that Demi was part of some of those sexual encounters.
That`s the so-called open marriage that was talked about way back in the `70s with "Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice" movie. It never ends up working. There`s always jealousies that end up happening.
And if Ashton`s going behind her back and having other affairs, then it blows up in her face and it doesn`t work. Man`s favorite fantasy is threesomes.
HAMMER: Yes.
KURIANSKY: Women try to do it to keep the guy and it doesn`t work.
RALPH: Never.
HAMMER: But back to the insecurity issue, Sheryl, it`s an age-old story throughout Hollywood history. You have actresses who start out getting tons of attention at the hot young star.
And then they find themselves getting older and not being able to deal with it. It seems like maybe she`s gone down that road like so many before her.
RALPH: Let me tell you something. It can be rough, you know. I`m lucky. Black don`t crack and good beige don`t age. But sometimes when you start looking in the mirror and you don`t look the way you used to look, it can be very difficult.
And we see what happens when women start to, you know, tweak this, tweak that, and their face ends up behind their head. You know, that can be kind of difficult -
HAMMER: Really a cautionary tale.
RALPH: So I understand.
KURIANSKY: Very much a cautionary tale.
RALPH: Hollywood is rough on women. Hollywood is rough on women.
KURIANSKY: Sheryl, you`re a sweetheart.
HAMMER: Sum it up for me, Dr. Judy.
KURIANSKY: Well, you`ve got to have body love instead of body hate.
RALPH: Yes!
KURIANSKY: Stay away from the drugs. Stay away from being anorexic. Be healthy psychologically and physically. And you won`t get into Demi`s problems.
HAMMER: And we will leave it there. All right. Dr. Judy Kuriansky, Sheryl Lee Ralph, I thank you both.
We move on now to Snooki and J-Woww, booted from Jersey? Could it be? Tonight, why one New Jersey city wants these guys to take their GTL somewhere else. The mayor who`s banning the "Shore" stars right here for a headline-making SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.
"X Factor`s" "Idol" ambitions. Simon Cowell cleans the house. Nicole, Paula, gone. Who should move in now? And what does Simon have to do to get people excited about "The X Factor" again?
Kristen Bell`s giant meltdown caught on tape. Why is she freaking out?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KRISTEN BELL, ACTRESS: I don`t know. I`m so excited.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: This is a happy meltdown. I know, if she`s so happy, why is she crying? Well, I`ll show you the video and explain. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
This is the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: Justin Bieber, Jonah Hill to host upcoming episodes of "Saturday Night Live." BET bans Nicki Minaj music video "Stupid H*e."
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(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DON CORNELIUS, HOST AND CREATOR, "SOUL TRAIN": I`m Don Cornelius, and as always in parting, we wish you love, peace and soul.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Love, peace, and soul. "Soul Train" helped bring R & B music and dance to the world. And the show`s host and creator, Don Cornelius, was the visionary behind it all.
Sad news tonight, Cornelius was found dead at 75 years old. And tonight, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, his friends share their thoughts about his death and his legacy.
Welcome back to the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. And tonight, we remember the one, the only, the great Don Cornelius.
Cornelius was the man behind "Soul Train." He was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head today. That sent shock waves through the entertainment world and well beyond.
And immediately after the news of Cornelius` death, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has been receiving an outpouring of sentiments from his celebrity friends.
Let me read to you what Whitney Houston is telling us today, "I grew up watching `Soul Train` and I was privileged to perform on the show at the beginning of my career and on several more occasions. Don opened the door for many artists. He was a great pioneer."
Cornelius started "Soul Train" in 1970, and during its 37-year run, put a spotlight on countless performers. Well, today, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT spoke with one of Don Cornelius` friends, Motown legend, the great Smokey Robinson. Smokey shared his memories of the "soul train" icon with SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s producer, Denise Quan.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SMOKEY ROBINSON, SINGER: I knew him for his great, booming voice and for his hairstyles and his clothes. You know, Don was wild with his clothes and his hairstyle. But you know, he was great. I loved him very much.
DENISE QUAN, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT PRODUCER: It seems like, you know, in trying to, you know, put the calls out this morning and trying to get reactions from artists who were affected by Don and "Soul Train" - a big list there.
And you`ve got people that are, you know, in their 20s and 30s all the way up. I mean, he touched a lot of generations.
ROBINSON: Well, that`s the great thing about starting or creating a show like "Soul Train," because, yes, it touched many, many generations.
It`s going to touch some generations of kids who haven`t even been born yet because it`s on video. They can see it, firsthand. And that will always be around.
It will always be able to be seen. They will always be able to see and hear that music. And it`s touched some kids who haven`t even been born yet.
QUAN: Do you remember some really memorable performances, the ones that just kind of stuck in your mind, that you remember seeing on "Soul Train"?
ROBINSON: Well, one of my funnest times on "Soul Train" - I had a great time that day because I was the referee. And Don Cornelius and Marvin Gaye had a basketball game. Finally, it took place on "Soul Train" and I was the referee. And we had a great time. Marvin beat him, but we had a great time.
QUAN: So what was he like? What was he like in person, off-camera?
ROBINSON: Off-camera, Don was just - he was just - he loved fun. You know? He was a fun person. And you know, he loved to have a good time. He loved fun.
And he was good to be around. I mean, he played a little golf, and he thought he was better than he was. But his son, Tony, plays a great game of golf, you know. We played together a lot. But you know, Don was a fun man, for me.
QUAN: What do you think he would have thought of all these artists who are coming out, you know, making statements, tweeting about his death. Do you think he realized the impact that he had?
ROBINSON: Yes, I think he realized the impact that he had. I think - nobody coming forth to talk about him and to say or to mention his legacy or to say how much they`re going to miss him would be a surprise to him because he touched a lot of people, and we all loved him.
QUAN: Anything you want to say to him? Because I think the thing about people passing on is, you know, you never really quite got a chance to say that last thing to them.
ROBINSON: Well, I`ll just say, Don, I`m going to miss you, and thanks.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. And Don started "Soul Train" because there was a real void for soul music on television in the late `60s. Because of his show, we got to see our first glimpses of Aretha and Stevie Wonder and so more artists, James Brown among them. He will be missed.
Tonight, we move on to the "X Factor`s" "Idol" ambition. Simon Cowell gave the boot to "X Factor" judges Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger. What`s he going to do now? Who should replace them? What does he have to do to get people excited about "X Factor" again?
Also, wait until you see this - Kristen Bell flips out over a sloth.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BELL: I don`t know.
DAX SHEPARD, KRISTEN BELL`S FIANCE: You`re so sad that no one`s coming to your party.
BELL: I`m so excited.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ trending tonight, Kristen Bell meets her favorite animal, so why the heck is she having a big old panic attack? It`s SHOWBIZ can`t miss video. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
And this is the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: Nick and Aaron Carter`s sister Leslie dies at age 25. Selena Gomez says she and Justin Bieber have a low-key relationship.
"I`m just every 19-year-old girl. If you`re in love to the fullest, and you just want to go to the movies, hang out and be as normal as possible. I`m fortunate that I`ve found someone who has that philosophy." - Selena Gomez to "Cosmopolitan."
HAMMER: Here now what the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT staff is buzzing about. We are cooking up the wings and chilling the brew. Super Bowl Sunday - of course, it`s the New York Giants taking on the New England Patriots.
We can`t put down the new book "Raylan" by crime novelist, Elmore Leonard. It is based on a character in the FX show, "Justified.
Well, our DVRs are set for the debut of "Fat Chef" on the Food Network, all about overweight chefs fighting the fat and saving their own lives.
We were born to listen to Lana Del Ray`s brand-new album, "Born to Die." It`s out right now.
Round one of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" reunion so great. Can`t wait until round two, Monday on Bravo.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You think they`ve given me a check?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I know the one person that has told me.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, please.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So you sold the story that you talked to.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I`ve never sold a story in my life and I won`t be accused of that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BELL: I don`t know.
SHEPARD: Are you so sad that no one`s coming to your party.
BELL: I`m so excited.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Oh, no. Why is actress Kristen Bell crying? Well, before you feel too badly for her, you should know that those are actually tears of joy.
Here`s the deal. Kristen actually broke down because she is overjoyed to be in the presence of a sloth. I`m not kidding you. You`ve got to see this video that has gone absolutely viral today.
SHOWBIZ trending tonight, Kristen Bell breaks down over a sloth. Now, I don`t know about you, but when I`m overjoyed, I smile. I might laugh, get a little giddy. But Kristen Bell, she breaks down completely.
Kristen`s fiance, "Parenthood" star, Dax Shepard, surprised his wife-to-be for her birthday with her favorite animal, the sloth. But little did Dax know, she would lose it. Here`s how Kristen explained it today on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BELL: I`m sitting on my bed, knowing that a sloth is here.
ELLEN DEGENERES, HOST, "THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW": Where are you now on the scale?
BELL: Eleven. I start to have a full-fledged panic attack. I don`t know how to compete with all this emotion, so I just kind of crawl up on the bed. And I`m crying so hard.
And Dax knocks on the door and he has a video camera, and he`s like, "Surprise! I want you to come out into the - are you all right?" And he sees me, basically, fetal, on the bed.
DEGENERES: Let`s watch the - oh, no.
BELL: I wasn`t joking. I was absolutely -
I knew it. I don`t know. I knew it.
SHEPARD: Are you so sad that no one`s coming to your party?
BELL: I`m so excited.
SHEPARD: Do you want to come to your party. Yes.
BELL: He`s coming for the party?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: How incredibly sweet is that? Apparently, the sloth was off having a cocktail or something. And the sloth apparently stayed for the big birthday party.
Kristen was such a happy camper about it all, although you wouldn`t know it, with that huge meltdown. But, wow. How sweet was that?
Time now for the SHOWBIZ lineup - here`s what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Snooki and J-Woww, banned from New Jersey, could it be? Well, tonight I`ve got the mayor who rejected the "Jersey Shore" stars from her city right here for a must-see SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.
George Clooney`s ex has a new man. Elisabetta Canalis went from dating Clooney to dating Steve O from "Jackass"? Could it be? I`ve got to ask, is it brilliant or bananas? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Here comes the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight. I
TEXT: Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert to perform "America the Beautiful" at the Super Bowl. "Home Improvement" actor Taran Noah Smith arrested for DUI and possession of drugs.
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HAMMER: Big news breaking tonight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - Simon`s "Idol" ambitions. Simon Cowell just blew up "The X Factor" cast. So now, who`s he going to the hire to really put the pressure on "American Idol"? Can the "X Factor" ever really be bigger than "Idol"?
Snooki and J-Woww, banned from Jersey? A headline-making SHOWBIZ interview with the New Jersey mayor who`s telling the ladies of the "Shore" to stay out of her town.
Hollywood`s newest odd couple. George Clooney`s ex-girlfriend is now canoodling with Steve-O from "Jackass" according to reports. From Oscar winner to a guy who gets shot out of cannons. Is that brilliant or bananas?
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
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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 - Simon`s "Idol" ambitions.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is bringing you the remarkable, untold story behind Simon Cowell`s stunning decision to clean house on his show, "The X Factor." And with Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger ousted, who`s going to fill those much-coveted judges seats? And will new judges and a new host even be enough to save the show?
With me right now from Hollywood, "Extra!" correspondent and good friend to Simon Cowell, Terri Seymour. Also, actress Sheryl Lee Ralph joining us tonight.
Terri, I want to start with you, because you know Simon better than most people do, so please, take us inside Simon`s mind, if you will, right now. He`s got to overhaul this show.
He`s got to do the whole thing. He`s a very smart man, obviously, seems like a very methodical guy. But do you think, Terri, a little piece of him is panicking right now with the job at hand?
TERRI SEYMOUR, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": Simon doesn`t panic. Of course, he doesn`t. No, it`s not all Simon as everybody is saying.
It was actually the network, when they heard what the producers wanted to do to change things up for next season and make the show bigger and better. Simon wants to make editorial changes.
The producers and Simon and the network had a series of meetings. And it was decided with these editorial changes, they wanted a whole new panel, and just to make the show bigger and better.
HAMMER: OK. And, listen, nobody is sneezing at the ratings that the show got. But I do think that the show, to a degree, has been a victim of its own hype, Simon`s hype in particular, because you remember, Terri, he bragged that "X Factor" would get, you know, 20 million viewers, and essentially knock "American Idol" off its throne right off the bat, which is a very big prediction, as Simon is wont to do, but it really fell short.
What is his defense for why the show didn`t work nearly as well as he had predicted it would?
SEYMOUR: Well, he always regretted saying that, of course, but I think the show did - the show didn`t do poorly. The show did very well.
HAMMER: Yes.
SEYMOUR: And I was in the U.K. when the U.K. version of "The X Factor" started. And even over there, you know, the show got into its stride and it grew and it grew and it got better and better.
And now, of course, it`s a huge success. And I really believe that that is what will happen over here in the States and so does Simon.
HAMMER: Do you get the impression, though - I realize it was a business decision - that he feels badly about letting his friend, Paula Abdul, down? I know they`ll remain friends, but I imagine he`s not feeling great about it.
SEYMOUR: Well, you know, Simon and Paula have a very close relationship, and he always said he was going to use her on "The X Factor." He stuck to his word. He used her. He spoke to her yesterday.
You know, everything`s fine between the two of them, and they will do something together again. It`s not like it`s the end of Simon and Paula. They will definitely work together in the future.
HAMMER: Yes, I imagine there`s some disappointment, though, obviously, that it didn`t work out. But everybody now, of course, buzzing about who`s going to fill those job openings.
And a lot of names are being bandied about, right? Simon had hand-picked Paula and Nicole and L.A. Reid and the host, Steve Jones, which is really why it was such a stunner when the slate was just about wiped clean.
So a lot of names are being tossed around. Who should fill the seats? And among the potentials, we`re hearing Mariah Carey`s name is being tossed around a little bit, Whitney Houston as well. Sheryl Lee Ralph, who do you think? What do you think of those choices?
RALPH: I love what you just said - Sheryl Lee Ralph. How about that?
HAMMER: Shocking.
RALPH: I love you, baby. But let me tell you, Mariah Carey is great. I think, wow, wouldn`t this be an incredible comeback for Whitney Houston?
Right off of "Sparkle," the movie, all of that, and we`ve all seen it before. Whitney Houston knows how to call it just the way it is. Darling, I don`t love that. Sing it again. Oh, I can just see it right now. She`s got it, "The X Factor."
HAMMER: Well, you know, the interest thing about Mariah Carey is there are people on both sides of the fence with that, kind of like when Steven Tyler took the "American Idol" job, same with Jennifer Lopez.
And Mariah fans are on edge right now. I`m seeing a lot of stuff on the Internet. They hope that she would take the job if it`s offered.
Her husband I don`t think thinks she would take the job. Nick Cannon, of course, is her husband and he spoke about it on his radio show.
RALPH: Yes.
HAMMER: Let`s listen to that together.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
NICK CANNON, HOST, "AMERICA`S GOT TALENT": They`re saying, my wife, Mariah Carey, is going to be on "The X Factor," and this is news to me. Actually, like Nicole Scherzinger, my wife is not a fan of judging people.
I think these shows are really good shows, but when you get someone of the status or the, you know, just big-time career-wise to do these shows, I personally think it`s a step down.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. That was nick again on his radio show today. I got to tell you, Nick Cannon, love you. I disagree with you. But Terri, I`m curious to hear what you have to say. Is Mariah just too big to judge a weekly TV talent competition?
SEYMOUR: I don`t think it`s a case of Mariah`s too big, but I do have to say, that is not a name he has mentioned to me in the last couple of days. So who knows?
HAMMER: So Terri, what is a name he has mentioned to you in the last couple of days?
SEYMOUR: I can`t say that.
HAMMER: Not a chance, huh?
SEYMOUR: But what I will say, though, is not only A-list stars. He`s looking for interesting people. He keeps using the word "interesting," and lots of people have been calling the producers. So it will be - it`s going to be a surprise. I think it will be a big surprise.
HAMMER: But necessarily from the music business?
SEYMOUR: Interesting, like I said.
HAMMER: OK. I see where this is getting me. Look, here`s something that I found interesting, just handed the results of our explosive SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive poll.
Here`s what we asked. Will "X Factor" ever beat "American Idol"? People don`t seem to think so. Eighteen percent said yes, but a whopping 82 percent said, no, not going to happen.
Not a lot of confidence, at least by the voters, Sheryl Lee, in Simon`s show. What do you think it would take for "X Factor" to beat "American Idol," separate from you being one of the judges?
RALPH: Oh, God bless you. I love you, A.J. Let me tell you something, "The X Factor" is a great show. We all love it. But there is something about that "American Idol" that just makes it in our heart, the way people come out, and that undiscovered real gem of a talent, that is already polished up and ready to go and just needs the outlet, we are hooked on that brand, and we love it.
"The X Factor," it`s going to take a little bit more for us. We like it, but it`s not quite what we really love. We love "American Idol." We love "South African Idol." We love "French Idol." We love "British Idol." We love "Italian Idol." We love the "Idol."
HAMMER: Yes, it is the show that really started the whole trend, of course, "The Voice" as well. And "The Voice," wow, they`re getting a big boost. They`re going to be kicking of right after the Super Bowl.
RALPH: Yes.
HAMMER: There`s not a better lead-in on the planet. But Terri, let me ask you. Since Simon`s been confiding in you about all of this, he didn`t have his mind up or have any decisions in place prior to the decision, prior to the announcement that these people were being tossed off the show, of who would replace them?
SEYMOUR: You know, decisions and talks and meetings were happening, you know, at the end of last year. But you know, Simon makes changes on all of his shows.
Look at "Britain`s Got Talent." Look at "America`s Got Talent." He`s constantly changing the panel. The producers are constantly changing things up to make it bigger and better. And remember, "X Factor" replaced "Idol" in the U.K. Just saying.
HAMMER: Yes. Well, we can`t wait to see what happens here in the U.S. All right. Terri Seymour, Sheryl Lee Ralph, I thank you both.
Now, let me turn it over to you. What do you think about the big "X Factor" shake up? Here`s our exclusive poll, Simon Cowell cleans house on "X Factor." Who should replace Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger? Mariah Carey? Whitney Houston? Let me toss in Seal`s name, too.
Vote at HLNTV.com/ShowbizTonight. You can always E-mail us, too at showbiztonight@hlntv.com.
Moving now to the no Snooki zone. Tonight, why a New Jersey mayor doesn`t want Snooki and J-Woww shooting a show in her town. I`ve got the mayor right here for a SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview you have got to see.
Plus, what about this? From Oscar gold to "Jackass"? The startling new reports that George Clooney`s ex, Elisabetta Canalis, is getting hot and heavy with Steve-O from "Jackass." Are Elisabetta and Steve-O Hollywood`s new odd couple? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Here`s the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: Katy Perry to perform at the Grammy Awards next weekend. Octavia Spencer reveals on "Ellen" she wore Spanx at movie award shows.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OCTAVIA SPENCER, ACTRESS: I was being pinched in places that I didn`t know it was possible. And I ran into Melissa McCarthy, who is in "Bridesmaids," and brilliant, and one of my closest friends, and I was like, "Oh, my god, I`m about to die. My Spanx are killing me. She said, "I just went to the bathroom and took mine off."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Now to Snooki and J-Woww`s big Jersey diss. The ladies of "Jersey Shore" won`t be able to take their show on the road, at least for now.
And wait until you find out which Republican primary candidate wants Brad Pitt to play him in the movie of his life. Also, former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin gets her own Hollywood treatment. We`ve got your first look at the highly anticipated movie, "Game Change," in "The Buzz Today."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over) First look - Palin`s not-so-pretty game change. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has your first look at Julianne Moore as Sarah Palin in "Game Change," the film version of the explosive book about the 2008 presidential campaign. HBO has just revealed the brand-new full trailer for the movie. And the portrait of Palin is not so pretty.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JULIANNE MOORE, ACTRESS: It wasn`t my fault. I wasn`t properly prepped.
HAMMER: "Game Change" premieres on HBO on March 10th. Pitt as Newt? Newt Gingrich has just revealed who he thinks should play him in Hollywood. And get ready, Brad Pitt, the Republican candidate has a proposal for you.
Gingrich called into the Rich Stevens radio show and announced Brad would be best to play him if a movie was ever made about his life, saying, "No, I don`t want look like him at all. He`s thinner. He`s better looking. He`s younger. But you asked me if I had anyone who could play me in a movie. Why not go for Brad Pitt?"
Hoboken says no to Snooki and J-Woww. The mayor of Hoboken, New Jersey, has just denied MTV`s request to shoot Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi and Jennifer "J-Woww" Farley`s "Jersey Shore" spin-off in the city.
In a brand-new letter to the company producing the show, Mayor Dawn Zimmer vetoed the idea, writing, "Based on protecting public safety and quality of life concerns for Hoboken residents, the city has denied a film permit for a spin-off of the `Jersey Shore` to be filmed in public locations."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
They`re a threat to public safety, I guess. But I mean, think about it. Snooki and J-Woww helped bring a little piece of Seaside Heights, New Jersey to the world. So what`s the deal with Hoboken?
Joining me right now for a SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview tonight, the mayor of Hoboken, New Jersey, Dawn Zimmer. It`s an honor to have you here, Mayor.
DAWN ZIMMER, MAYOR OF HOBOKEN, NEW JERSEY: Thank you for having me.
HAMMER: So tell me, what`s your biggest concern? Is it Snooki`s pouf? Is it J-Woww`s bad mouth? What`s the deal?
ZIMMER: Well, first of all, let me say I can completely understand why Snooki and J-Woww want to come to Hoboken. We have a fantastic arts and music scene. We`ve got great restaurants, great bars, sidewalk cafes, and, quite frankly, we enjoy New York more than New Yorkers do.
We`ve got a gorgeous view of New York City and a waterfront that we`re very, very proud of. But the concern for us is, you know, we are, you know, a town of about 50,000 residents.
And the bars are interspersed in residential areas. And we just felt like it was going to - you know, there was going to be fans and people following the cast and they wanted to film 24/7. And it`s just going to be too much -
HAMMER: Can`t do that.
ZIMMER: For our public safety to manage that, the crowd control, and the spontaneity that they wanted to have. And you know, there are a lot of people who come to Hoboken. They come Thursday, Friday, Saturday. Our bars are packed and -
HAMMER: The streets are filled with people.
ZIMMER: The streets are filled. And it`s a challenge. So we`re always trying to, you know, manage that situation and balance -
HAMMER: I get that. I can hear what people are thinking, though. And I have to put this out to you, because the New Jersey governor sparked a lot of controversy when he said that he feels "Jersey Shore" makes a bad name for the residents of New Jersey.
Can you tell me that a little bit of that didn`t play into your decision?
ZIMMER: Well, I can tell you the process that we went through in Hoboken. I mean, we have a film commission, and so we had various directors who were involved in making the decision.
We got input from our police chief and from our public safety director. And we had them. We wanted to invite them in to hear what they were thinking and how the show would work.
And you know, we had a meeting with them and then we discussed it internally and made a decision. It really was ultimately (UNINTELLIGIBLE) it is about.
HAMMER: So it wasn`t about making Jersey look bad.
ZIMMER: No.
HAMMER: It wasn`t anything like that.
ZIMMER: No.
HAMMER: And I`m sure you could never have imagined you`d be in some controversy involving Snooki and J-Woww. Is there anything you would like to say - I`m giving you a platform right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - say directly to J-Woww and Snooki?
ZIMMER: They`re welcome to come to Hoboken. We welcome them to come to Hoboken. But you know, unfortunately, we just cannot handle having the show taped in Hoboken. I`m sorry.
And I appreciate that they are - I understand that they are out there saying, no hard feelings, and I, absolutely, I`m glad -
HAMMER: Would you do Jell-O shots with Snooki if she comes to town?
ZIMMER: I don`t think so.
HAMMER: OK. Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer, thanks so much. I really appreciate it.
ZIMMER: All right. Thank you.
HAMMER: All right. Let me bring in comedian and actress Beth Littleford. Got to get your take on this, . It is nice to see you.
I think the mayor actually had some pretty good points, but what do you think? Is she right that Snooki and J-Woww are potentially a threat to public safety?
BETH LITTLEFORD, ACTRESS AND COMEDIAN: Well, Hoboken is the classiest of Jersey cities, so I can understand why she doesn`t want to bring in the "Jersey Shore" girls.
I certainly hope it`s true that there are no hard feelings, because in a catfight, J-Woww and Snooki will take Mayor Dawn Zimmer.
But it`s interesting to me, because I think they let "The Sopranos" shoot in Hoboken. But "The Sopranos" did not - you know, lent a better image to Hoboken than the "Jersey Shore" girls would, I guess.
HAMMER: Literally let them shoot in Hoboken. But you`re right. I think those ladies would take the mayor down.
LITTLEFORD: No "Jersey Shore."
HAMMER: Listen, we must get to other bizarro news tonight. This is very strange to me. Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich just revealed that if there was to be a movie about his life, he would want Brad Pitt to play him.
Now, when you think about it, Brad did make the world believe an old man could turn into a young man and that was "Benjamin Button," right? So Beth, is it that farfetched for Brad to transform into the Newt?
LITTLEFORD: Yes, yes, it is that farfetched. You know, everybody wants someone more attractive than them to play them in the movie of their life. But I think it`s best for Newt to aim high, but remain in the realm of possibility. For Newt, that`s Fred Flintstone.
HAMMER: Yes.
LITTLEFORD: That`s the family guy. That`s not Brad Pitt.
HAMMER: OK. But -
LITTLEFORD: And the bigger question is, "Newt: The Movie"? I hope not in 3-D.
HAMMER: Well, yes. There is that thing. But very quickly, obviously, they would have to have Callista, Newt`s wife played by Angelina Jolie. It`s got to be a package deal, right?
LITTLEFORD: Well, they would.
HAMMER: Yes.
LITTLEFORD: But Callista, I think, is much hotter than newt. I mean, I think he did aim high and kind of made it with Callista. But yes, so of course, Angelina - that`s a little more plausible for me.
Brad Pitt, not even. I mean, he says Brad Pitt. I know. Poor Newt. He invited ridicule when he said Brad Pitt.
HAMMER: Yes. All right.
LITTLEFORD: He invited ridicule.
HAMMER: Beth, thank you so much. Can`t wait to see the "Check Out Your Super Bowl" ad for Pepsi during the game this Sunday. That`s incredible. Good for you. Take good care.
LITTLEFORD: It`s been leaked on YouTube so the kids can use it on YouTube.
HAMMER: I`ll go check it out right after the show. But now, we move on to Brad Pitt`s pal, George Clooney, who may be scratching his head today.
The brand-new reports that Clooney`s ex-girlfriend is now dating Steve-O from "Jackass." Next, Hollywood`s brand-new odd couple. Is this brilliant or bananas? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
And this is the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: Samantha Barks replaces Taylor Swift in movie adaptation of "Les Miserables." "Glee" pays tribute to Michael Jackson with rendition of "Black and White."
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Get ready for a celebrity odd couple alert. It has us all doing a double take here at SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Listen to this. There are brand-new reports today that model and former "Dancing with the Stars" contestant, Elisabetta Canalis, is getting hot and heavy with none other than "Jackass" star, Steve-O.
That`s right. She`s going from dating Oscar-winner George Clooney to a guy who regularly sets himself on fire for laughs. So I`ve got to ask, is it brilliant or bananas?
Nischelle Turner`s in Hollywood tonight. That is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Nischelle Turner. And Nischelle, you must help us tackle what seems to be a major head-scratcher here, at least on the surface.
But here`s the thing. I`m quite the romantic. There are a lot of people who say, this is a huge step down for Elisabetta. Personally, I think, hey, you never know who you`re going to fall in love with.
Maybe she`s a lot happier with Steve-O. I hear he`s a very nice guy, but I need to hear what you think. Brilliant or bananas?
NISCHELLE TURNER, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT CORRESPONDENT: You know what, A.J.? He probably is a super nice guy. But come on, we are talking about George Clooney here, so this is full-on Chiquita bananas, OK?
You know, she is kind of in a no-win situation, though, because here you have George Clooney, who is like the gold standard. Where do you go from there, right? I mean, what do you do? So, yes, it`s bananas, no matter how you look at it.
HAMMER: All right. Well, then, let me ask you, what other celebrity odd couples would you put this right up there with? Give me a couple. I know you have them.
TURNER: Well, you know what? I do have some favorites. My favorite, though - you know, first of all, Heidi and seal. We love them, even though they`re kind of on the outs now. But my favorite is rooted in reality show love. And that has to be, by far, Brigette Nielsen and Flavor Flav.
HAMMER: Flavor Flav!
TURNER: I love them!
HAMMER: Yes, boy!
TURNER: I love them.
HAMMER: Oh, my goodness.
TURNER: You know what? Who would have thought of that?
HAMMER: You go on loving them, Nischelle Turner. Thank you very much and go enjoy a lovely Chiquita banana.
All right. Here`s some more oddball news for you tonight coming out of Hollywood. Seventy-eight-year-old Joan Rivers getting high on TV, with a little help from a friend.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, my god!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Watch out, Cheech and Chong. Looks like you`ve got some serious competition. Joan gets high, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: OK. Did you see this? Joan Rivers is getting high on the new season of her We reality show, "Joan and Melissa: Joan Knows Best?" Yes, she smokes pot in a friend`s car. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOAN RIVERS, ACTRESS: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) when I light it.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, my god!
RIVERS: Whoopsie!
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Are you stoned?
RIVERS: No, I`m not stoned?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You`re getting there. Hold on. OK. Stay calm. OK, OK, go. Suck it. You`re not sucking it in. You`re not sucking it in.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Joan says she got high for medical reasons. Looks like she`s having a happy problem, if you ask me.
That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer. You can catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusively weeknights at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific, right here on HLN.
And stay right here for "DR. DREW," next. Tonight, is toxic waste responsible for a terrifying mystery illness at a high school in upstate New York? "DR. DREW" starts right now.
END
