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Showbiz Tonight

Inside Whitney Houston`s Final Days; Britney Spear`s X Factor; Saving the 700-Pound Man; Remembering John Belushi; Are Kim Kardashian and Reggie Bush Back Together?

Aired March 09, 2012 - 23:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

CARLOS DIAZ, GUEST HOST: Big news breaking tonight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - inside Whitney`s final days. Whitney Houston`s inner circle speaks out about the singer`s last moments and what they think caused her death.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The handwriting was kind of on the wall.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I saw that she was unresponsive.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DIAZ: Tonight, the brand-new interviews with Whitney`s family and friends. The SHOWBIZ flashpoint, are they protecting Whitney?

Does Britney Spears have the "X Factor"? Tonight, Simon Cowell reportedly wants Britney on his show, and he`s apparently ready to pay millions. The SHOWBIZ flashpoint, should she do it?

Saving the 700-pound man -

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROBERT GIBBS, 700-POUND MAN: I turn 23 and never had a life.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DIAZ: Tonight, a reality show trainer comes to his rescue.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHRIS POWELL, FITNESS TRAINER: He`s three days in on thinks journey of transformation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DIAZ: "Extreme Makeover`s" Chris Powell reveals his plan to save the 700- pound man in a headline-making SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.

TV`s most provocative entertainment news show breaks news right now.

(MUSIC)

Hello, I`m Carlos Diaz, in for A.J. Hammer with big news breaking tonight - inside Whitney`s final days.

Tonight, we`re getting brand-new insight on Whitney Houston`s death from the people who were closest to her - her sister-in-law and manager, her cousin, and the stylist who was there in the frenzied moments when Whitney was discovered lifeless in her hotel bathroom.

Up until that tragic moment, Whitney`s closest confidantes say she was happy and ready to show the world that she finally conquered her demons for good.

So what went horribly wrong? Tonight, the pieces of the puzzle are still coming together in the mystery behind Whitney Houston`s death.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: At 3:55 p.m., Whitney Houston was pronounced dead at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

DIAZ (voice-over): It`s hard to believe, but on Sunday, it will be one month since the still-shocking death of Whitney Houston. And today, those who were close to the pop superstar are fanning out all over the media to reveal brand-new details about Whitney`s final days including her mood -

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She was happy. She was joyful.

DIAZ: And what went on in that hotel room where her body was found -

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I saw that she was unresponsive and I immediately turned around to get help.

DIAZ: Plus, they`re addressing the biggest question of all - what they think killed her and what didn`t.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It wasn`t about substance abuse or anything like that.

DIAZ: This morning on the "Today" show, we heard for the first time from Whitney`s hairdresser, Tiffany Dixon. She was with Whitney at the Beverly Hilton Hotel helping the pop superstar prepare for the pre-Grammy festivities.

TIFFANY DIXON, WHITNEY HOUSTON`S HAIRDRESSER: She was happy. That day, we were going to go to the party. We talked about looks and what she was going to wear.

DIAZ: But we all know the happiness turned to tragedy when Whitney was found unconscious in her hotel room bathroom on February 11th.

Some reports said it was her hairdresser who had found her, but Tiffany Dixon told the "Today" show`s Ann Curry that`s not true, that she only saw Whitney`s body from afar.

DIXON: Everything just kind of happened so fast. I heard something as I was going in the direction where I needed to go. And I was just instructed to call for help, and that`s what I did.

DIAZ: Paramedics arrived, and Whitney Houston was later pronounced dead. But despite reports that she had been drinking and arguing in the days before her death, her hairdresser insists she saw nothing that indicated Whitney was in an unhealthy place.

DIXON: She was - had no side effects of anything that might indicate -

ANN CURRY, CO-HOST, THE "TODAY" SHOW: Not at all?

DIXON: Something that she was doing.

CURRY: Not at all.

DIAZ: Whitney`s problems with substance abuse have been well-documented since she died. Her last stint in rehab reportedly came less than a year ago.

Still, those closest to her have said very little about that sensitive issue. But today, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that may be changing.

OPRAH WINFREY, MEDIA MOGUL: Did you think that drugs would end up taking her? Did you think that?

PATRICIA HOUSTON, WHITNEY HOUSTON`S SISTER-IN-LAW: The handwriting was kind of on the wall. I would be kidding myself to say otherwise.

DIAZ: In this new excerpt from Oprah Winfrey`s interview with Whitney`s family, Patricia Houston, Whitney`s sister-in-law and manager, admits concern over Whitney`s drug issues. But she tells Oprah there were other problems.

P. HOUSTON: Things were really changing with her, very much so. It wasn`t about substance abuse or anything like that relative to the latter days or anything like that. I think it was just more of the lifestyle. I was afraid for other things, lifestyle, more so than -

WINFREY: What did you see that caused you to have some concerns, fears?

P. HOUSTON: You know, I saw her chasing a dream, you know, looking for love in all the wrong places.

DIAZ: The rest of the Oprah special airs Sunday when we`ll hear for the first time from Whitney`s brother and her daughter, Bobbi Kristina.

So we will no doubt hear even more revelations about Whitney and new details about this still mysterious death.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

There are still so many questions lingering about Whitney`s death even as her inner circle shares what they know. I`m still a little surprised they`re revealing anything at all. So are they just trying to protect Whitney`s legacy?

Joining me here in New York is Atty. Midwin Charles and the gutsiest woman in Hollywood, Pat Lalama, who is a correspondent with "Crime Network Investigation Discovery."

All right. This Sunday marks one month to the day since Whitney died, a sad day in which we`ll hear Whitney`s daughter, brother and sister-in-law in a new interview with Oprah.

Also Whitney`s hairstylist was on the "Today" show this morning and her cousin, Dionne Warwick, appeared on ABC yesterday. They`re sharing with the world the Whitney they knew.

That brings us to our SHOWBIZ Flashpoint - are Whitney`s family and friends speaking out to protect Whitney`s legacy? Pat Lalama, what do you think?

PAT LALAMA, CORRESPONDENT, " CRIME NETWORK INVESTIGATION DISCOVERY": You know what, Carlos? I think it`s natural to want to put a nice gloss over the memory of a loved one, celebrity or not.

But you want to know something? If you`re a family member or a friend of a troubled celebrity, if you`re swirling around in their orbit, one of three things happens.

Either you`re in denial, you just don`t want to admit that there are bad things happening; or two, you`re on the gravy train, so you don`t say anything; or three, you just try but you can`t get through to that person.

You can`t convince them that they need help. It`s a prickly situation all the way around when a celebrity will not seek the help that they need.

DIAZ: Well, but you know, when you have loved ones, Midwin, and you have family, I mean, you would want them to stick up for you. You would want them to say, after you`re gone, "She was an amazing person."

MIDWIN CHARLES, ATTORNEY: Of course. And they`re not going to do anything other than that. Listen, this family has been very tight-lipped, especially around the time that she died.

If you look at the way in which she was memorialized, that beautiful service, it wasn`t a hoopla of cameras. It was done in a very classy way and it was done in a way in which they controlled it.

So right now they`ve decided to open up and talk to Oprah because they`ve decided that that`s what they want to do.

DIAZ: Yes. And no better person to talk to right there. All right. In another big story breaking now, celebrity attorney Gloria Allred wants Rush Limbaugh charged.

Allred was on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT just the other day slamming Limbaugh for calling Georgetown student Sandra Fluke a slut and prostitute.

Now, Allred is taking this fight to a whole new level. She just fired off a letter to the West Palm Beach County Attorney`s Office, where Rush lives, asking that he be investigated on charges of - get this - defamation, saying that "Whoever speaks of any woman falsely and maliciously imputing to her a want of chastity, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor." Wow! Midwin, is there such a law in Florida?

CHARLES: It appears as though there is. Listen, there are tons of laws on the books that people just don`t know about because they`re not prosecuted. They`re not - people aren`t arrested for them.

For example, in some states, sodomy is still against the law. But no one gets arrested for those crimes and what have you. But I`ve got to say, I`m surprised it took Gloria this long to kind of show her face on this issue, because when it comes to women, Gloria Allred does not mess around.

DIAZ: Well, Pat Lalama doesn`t mess around here. I mean, Pat, I`ve got to get your reaction to this very quickly. Do you think -

LALAMA: I think it`s a little - I`ll answer it for you and you don`t even have to ask it. It`s a cross - let`s just make sure if we`re going to have these attacks and make sure that all women are protected, that all women are protected.

And that means when the comedian and media darling Bill Maher says what he says about Sarah Palin, that she`s protected as well.

You don`t get to pick and choose because one woman is a liberal and another is a conservative. Amen on that and I need women to stand up for that cause.

DIAZ: So 10 seconds -

LALAMA: Darn it.

DIAZ: But did Rush`s comments make your blood boil, Pat?

LALAMA: Yes. What did I just say, Carlos? Across the board we must be outraged. We`re teaching young women it`s OK if it`s a conservative to say these kinds of things, but not OK if it`s a liberal, and that`s wrong.

CHARLES: I agree. You have to be consistent.

LALAMA: Thank you. Thank you.

DIAZ: All right, guys. Midwin Charles and Pat Lalama, thank you guys so much. I appreciate it.

Moving on, a "Desperate Housewives" mess. Tonight, the Nicollette Sheridan courtroom drama is now spilling and spoiling plot lines before the show`s series finale. You`ve got to hear who`s getting killed off the show. This is under oath, people. This is fact.

Are Kim Kardashian and Reggie Bush getting back together? Tonight, a Kardashian insider reveals the truth. Khloe Kardashian`s best friend, Malika Haqq, is telling all in must-see SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.

Can reality TV save the 700-pound man?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GIBBS: That I`m not going to be able to watch my niece and my nephew grow up and I`m not going to get to have a family of my own.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DIAZ: "Extreme Makeover" trainer, Chris Powell, is right here and revealing his plan to save the 700-pound man. 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: Kris Humphries` rep denies Kris will represent himself in divorce from Kim Kardashian. SHOWBIZ first look: Madonna releases video teaser for new video "Girl Gone Wild."

(MUSIC)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: To outsiders, it probably looks like we live a very glamorous life.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Happy birthday!

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And, in fact, we do.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Show them how it`s done.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Who doesn`t love America? This place is fantastic. It`s really the land of milk and honey.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DIAZ: Forget "Jersey Shore." Step aside, "Orange County." Make room for "Shahs of Sunset." The all-new Bravo reality TV series it hasn`t even aired yet, but already it`s stirring major controversy - the bling, lavish parties and fancy cars. But is "Shahs of Sunset" giving Persians a bad name?

Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Carlos Diaz in New York. Tonight, reality backlash,

A culture war erupts just days before the premiere of Bravo`s new reality series, "Shahs of Sunset." The show reveals Persian socialites partying, driving luxury cars, spending big-time bucks.

But now, some people are crying foul saying the show is loaded with negative stereotypes and it gives Persians a bad name.

With me tonight from Hollywood, Pat Lalama, investigative journalist at the Crime Network. Pat, this really is the first time we`re getting a glimpse of this side of the Persian community, flaunting a lot of money.

And one of the stars of the show revealed recently to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter, they`re getting a lot of backlash, even threats. Watch this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My mother is - she`s thrilled for me and happy for the cause, but she`s devastated at all the backlash. She cannot believe the amount of backlash and hate and negativity that is being directed towards us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DIAZ: There`s so many people angry about the show`s concept, the wealth and the luxury at the center of the attention, at the center of focus. Pat, is "Shahs of Sunset" giving Persians a bad name? Or is this just the American way of life, a.k.a. the "Housewives" or the Kardashian franchises.

LALAMA: Hey, Carlos, you know as well as I do, drive all the way east on Sunset Boulevard and you`ll go through a little Ethiopia, little Guatemala, Japan-town, Chinatown Korea-town. We have all these cultures here.

And that`s the beauty of Los Angeles. So I`m not really concerned about the particular culture being represented. What troubles me is yet another television show that promotes self-serving, wealth-driven, all-about-me- driven, "am I hot," "do I have a lot of money?"

What kind of lesson is this? Everything`s about materialism and wealth and "who am I" and vanity. That`s what troubles me, not the culture.

DIAZ: Or you could say it`s escapism in a bad economy. I`ve got to ask you about another big story breaking in Hollywood, Pat.

The "Desperate Housewives" trial was the stage for a big spoiler. Nicollette Sheridan is battling the show`s creator, Marc Cherry, accusing him of vindictively killing her off the show.

But her fight to the backburner when a show producer revealed a major plot twist during his testimony. OK. Hold on. Let me warn you, "Housewives" fans, this is your official spoiler alert, because we`re going to talk about a big-time spoiler. Are you ready?

James Denton`s character will die this Sunday. Pat, some fans may be devastated, but do you think this revelation actually hurts Nicollette`s case?

LALAMA: Well, I`ll tell you this, Carlos. I was in a courtroom just across the street yesterday in a big murder trial, and when the guilty verdict came out, the gasp for the guilty verdict was far less than the big gasp across the street in the courtroom for Nicollette Sheridan.

DIAZ: Wow.

LALAMA: Welcome to Los Angeles. I don`t think it really matters. I don`t think it affects her case one way or another.

DIAZ: You know, it could affect it a little bit, though - We`re wrapping up here - because if they say, "Well, this person is, you know, off the show because of death. Nicollette, you`re off the show as well."

You know, it`s kind of like this happens on the show all the time. Pat Lalama, thanks for coming by on a Friday.

LALAMA: She`s off the show because they don`t like her. They don`t like her, that`s why she`s off the show.

DIAZ: I knew I couldn`t have the last word with you, Pat! Get out of here!

LALAMA: No.

DIAZ: I don`t know about you, but I`m super-excited for the big kickoff of South by Southwest, a festival in Austin today. The stars are flocking to the annual salute to interactive music and film.

SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s A.J. Hammer is down there right now. That`s why I`m here. And he`ll be talking to all the big stars and Internet sensations.

I`m betting he`ll have a few amazing meals at the CNN Grill. That`s not all. There will be performances throughout the week.

Check this out. We`ve got this incredible time-lapse video as CNN transforms Max`s Wine Dive in Austin into the CNN Grill. That`s totally cool!

A.J. Hammer`s probably there right now. He`s chomping down, preparing for his big interview with YouTube sensation, Walk Off the Earth, you know, the group of guys who play - like all the guys play guitar at one time, five of them.

We`ll bring you that cool interview South by Southwest Monday right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

Tonight, saving the 700-pound man whose plea for help has gone viral.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GIBBS: My birthday`s tomorrow. I turn 23 and never had a life.

Tonight, reality TV trainer Chris Powell reveals how he plans to rescue the 700-pound man in a must-see SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.

Tonight, a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT worldwide exclusive interview with Dan Aykroyd on the 30th anniversary of John Belushi`s death from a cocaine and heroin overdose.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAN AYKROYD, ACTOR: The last summer of his life, not a powder nor a pill did he touch. Nothing. Just smoked a little boot. That was it. If he had been a pothead, he`d have been alive today.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DIAZ: Tonight, Belushi`s "Blues Brothers" and "SNL" co-star in an exclusive SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.

Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - check out these stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.

TEXT: Eva Longoria and Eduardo Cruz split after one year of dating. Dennis Quaid`s wife of eight years, Kimberly, files for divorce.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Surrounded by (EXPLETIVE DELETED) cameras. It`s not going to be pretty.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Don`t hurt me anymore because it is done.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You hurt me.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When you put (EXPLETIVE DELETED) in my face like you did last night -

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I have to sometimes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Please stop.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, no, no, no.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DIAZ: Believe it or not, there is life after partying till your face falls off on "Jersey Shore." And apparently it involves living with DMX, Linda Hogan and "The Bachelor`s" Vienna Girardi.

Tonight, former "Jersey Shore" star, Angelina Pivarnick reveals to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT why she`s in couples therapy and loving every minute.

She`s been in fist-pumping, hair-pulling, all-out catfights with Snooki. But tonight, Angelina reveals she`s turned over a new leaf on the brand-new VH1 reality show called "Couples Therapy."

The one-time reality TV bad girl reveals to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s A.J. Hammer that there is life after "Jersey Shore," and it`s pretty darn sweet.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANGELINA PIVARNICK, REALITY TV STAR: It`s a different show. It`s not "Jersey Shore." It`s not partying, going crazy. As a matter of fact, in the house, we weren`t allowed to drink.

A.J. HAMMER, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT HOST: I know you`ve moved on from "Jersey Shore." I know this is a completely different show from "Jersey Shore." Who`s The Situation of this household?

PIVARNICK: I would say - I mean, I think DMX is. He`s awesome. You know, he`s just crazy and he`s just a really good guy. And he`s got a thick body so I think he blows away The Situation.

HAMMER: Oh, does he keep his clothes on or off? I mean, what happens?

PIVARNICK: You`ll have to see about. But it`s pretty cool what he does.

HAMMER: Who`s the Snooki?

PIVARNICK: I would say I am on the show.

HAMMER: Really?

PIVARNICK: Yes, which is weird because me and her, obviously, we had turmoil so -

HAMMER: Yes. Would somebody get Angelina a pickle?

PIVARNICK: Oh, no, no, no. I`m not going to go that far. Sorry.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DIAZ: I see. So it`s "Jersey Shore" combined with "The Bachelor" and a DMX video. That sounds kind of cool to me. All right. Check out Angelina when "Couple`s Therapy" premieres March 21st on VH1.

The SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook wall is all about Angelina`s one-time arch- nemesis, Snooki, and her big announcement on the cover of "Us Weekly" that she`s engaged and pregnant.

We had asked our fans, is it OK for Snooki to cash in on her baby news? Cathy L. writes, "Yes, it is fine for her to cash in on the pregnancy. It will be nice to watch her doing something while sober for a change."

Jazmine H. writes, "Laugh out loud! She won`t change and will laugh all the way to the bank."

Anne R. writes, "I think she will surprise everyone and be a great mom. Congrats, Snooki."

You can (UNINTELLIGIBLE), join our debates on Facebook. We are ShowbizTonightHLN right there. Follow us @ShowbizTonight on Twitter for breaking entertainment news alerts. You can also call us on call, 888-SBT- BUZZ. There`s always E-mail, ShowbizTonight@HLNTV.com.

And now, the SHOWBIZ lineup - here`s what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

Does Britney Spears have the "X Factor"? Tonight, brand-new reports that Simon Cowell is ready to offer Britney millions to join his show, but should she do it?

Is Kim Kardashian reuniting with her ex, Reggie Bush? Tonight, a Kardashian insider tells all. Khloe Kardashian`s best friend, Malika Haqq, is right here in a must-see SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.

Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.

TEXT: "Disco Inferno" singer James Ellis dies at age 74. Wes Anderson`s film, "Moonrise Kingdom" to open this year`s Cannes Film Festival.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GIBBS: My birthday`s tomorrow. I turn 23 and never had a life.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DIAZ: Big news breaking tonight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. extremely personal "Extreme Makeover"? The remarkable life-and-death plea by a 700-pound man becomes a viral sensation. Can the trainer from "Extreme Makeover`s" weight loss edition save this man from his own body?

A SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive, remembering John Belushi. "Saturday Night Live" alum and fellow Blues Brother, Dan Aykroyd with never-before-heard details about John Belushi on the 30-year anniversary of John`s tragic drug overdose.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AYKROYD: The last summer of his life, not a powder nor a pill did he touch. Nothing. Just smoked a little boot. That was it. If he had been a pothead, he`d have been alive today.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DIAZ: Dan reveals how John would have rounded out his star-studded cast for "Ghostbusters."

And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT sets the record straight on the brand-new reports that Kim Kardashian and Reggie Bush are back together.

ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.

(MUSIC)

DIAZ: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It`s 30 minutes past the hour. I`m Carlos Diaz, in for A.J. Hammer with breaking news about what may be an ultimate extreme makeover.

What you are about to see is very disturbing, a man so obese, he`s over 700 pounds. He may still seem trapped inside his own body.

Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that he may be able to save himself with the help of a trainer who has helped so many people on TV`s "Extreme Makeover: Weight-Loss Edition." And if it works, he would no doubt become the all-time biggest loser.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GIBBS: I`m asking for somebody`s help.

A.J. HAMMER, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT HOST (voice-over): An online plea for help from a morbidly obese man at the end of his rope.

GIBBS: I`m just trying to get some help from somebody.

HAMMER: 700-pound Robert Gibbs of California has become an Internet sensation after posting this video on the eve of his 23rd birthday where he desperately asks for help to lose weight.

GIBBS: I`m making this video to try and get it to go viral and get somebody`s help. I have to slide forward to get off this couch.

HAMMER: This is Gibbs` life. He tells San Francisco station KPIX he has diabetes, he has sores all over his body, and he lives on a diet of TV and lots of fast food.

GIBBS: I`m just trapped, and there`s no way out.

HAMMER: And in watching his YouTube video, you see a young man who feels he has nowhere else to turn.

GIBBS: I`m making this video because I don`t know what else to do. I`ve tried losing weight on my own. I`ve done everything possible. I`ve been on diets. I`ve been hospitalized.

HAMMER: Gibbs` goal was simple - To have his video plea go viral so he can get the help he needs to lose weight and stay alive.

GIBBS: This is my last chance. I`m really scared that I`m not going to be able to watch my niece and my nephew grow up, and I`m not going to get to have a family of my own. My birthday`s tomorrow.

I turn 23 and I`ve never had a life. A nutritionist, personal trainer, Dr. Phil, "Biggest Loser" - anything, anybody you know, just post it to get this video to go viral.

Get it to be one of the most watched videos ever. Eventually, someone will see it, and maybe then I can get some help. I don`t know what else to do.

HAMMER: If Robert`s goal was to get a popular video, mission accomplished. As of today, his video has racked up more than one million views. It`s even inspired people to make their own videos, responding to Gibbs` message. The responses range from the supportive -

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Everybody here, we all wish you the best of luck.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We wish you the best.

HAMMER: To the harsh -

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The only way you`re going to get help is if you do it yourself, or they`ll be cutting the wheels out of your house and wheeling you out on a (EXPLETIVE DELETED) stretcher.

HAMMER: To the helpful.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I actually sent a copy of your video and your link to a raw food educator.

HAMMER: Someone else is offering Gibbs` help. While chatting with San Francisco station, KPIX, Gibbs got a call from Chris Powell, fitness trainer and star of ABC`s "Extreme Makeover," weight loss edition.

CHRIS POWELL, FITNESS TRAINER: Push! Get down! Come on, James!

HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has confirmed that Powell is willing to work with Robert, and Robert seems very open to the idea.

GIBBS: I would love his help. He works miracles.

HAMMER: Yes, YouTube has created tons of Internet celebrities.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE CHILD: Charlie bit me.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE CHILD: I have a tooth fairy.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Leave me alone!

HAMMER: But maybe this time around -

GIBBS: On my next birthday, I`ll be a lot healthier than I am now.

HAMMER: Internet stardom may save a life.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

DIAZ: An emotional plea from Robert Gibbs. He said he`d like nothing more than to have Chris Powell save him from the 700-pound nightmare he lives in now. Now, Chris is the trainer who has helped so many people on TV`s "Extreme Makeover: Weight-Loss Edition."

And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s A.J. Hammer spoke with him in a SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview about reaching out to help give Robert a brand-new life.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HAMMER: Give me a little insight into the conversation and what you two said to each other. And did he accept your offer of help?

CHRIS POWELL, FITNESS TRAINER: Well, you know, originally, I`ve got to be honest with you, my wife and I - we reached out to him privately. We didn`t know he was actually doing a TV interview at the time, and so we didn`t know that this was going to be such a big deal.

But we just wanted to reach out to him as friends and offer some insight because we could imagine what he`s going through right now, especially on such a huge stage, that`s a lot of pressure, and especially with what he`s dealing, which is a food addiction.

That`s the added pressure. It can sometimes exacerbate the condition. So we just wanted to reach out and just lend that supporting ear and give some kind of insight, because he`s got a long journey ahead.

And my wife and I, you know, as trainers and coaches, we`ve worked with so many people along that path. And so we know what lies ahead for him, but we also know what`s truly possible, and the possibility is incredible.

HAMMER: Is there anything that you will be doing directly with him to help him get the help that he needs or help him right there in person?

POWELL: Well, hopefully, we can arrange a face-to-face here pretty soon. Of course, we are in Phoenix and he`s in San Francisco. So you know, we have spoken every day. And we have, of course, given him just a few baby steps.

And remember, that`s what the journey is all about. It`s just one step at a time. And so he does know what needs to be done, and he`s begun to make those commitments.

And so he`s - essentially, he`s three days in on his journey of transformation.

HAMMER: Chris, I realize you say it is a day-by-day thing, a step-by-step thing, but give us a sense of how you think someone like Robert can go from a life, as he said, of spending all day watching TV and eating two pizzas at a time, to doing the hard work necessary to get healthy because, obviously, much easier said than done.

POWELL: Sure. And you know, I deal with this a lot, as does my wife, who coaches people along with me. You know, the answer is really quite simple.

What we do is - it`s all about making promises and keeping those promises to ourselves. And all too often, we se people - they overreach, and they try to exercise for 45 minutes to an hour day. And you`re eating five to six small meals a day.

It`s just - they`re setting goals that are unattainable, which is actually very, very dangerous, because if it`s unattainable, it`s not sustainable.

And that`s where we dive into something. And after a week, we just don`t follow it anymore. So with Robert, with his journey, what he just needs to do is he just needs to start small.

And so the very first thing I asked him to do, I said, "Pick one thing with your nutrition that you want to change." And he said, "I want to cut out soda." I said, "OK, well, make that promise to yourself, first and foremost, tell me about it, OK? And now, well, today`s your very first day. Try it out, see how it goes."

And sure enough, he cut soda. He cut it three days ago. I checked in with him yesterday, no more soda. I checked in with him today, and he`s still doing great.

And so I said, "Let me know when you`re ready to make another commitment." And that`s exactly how we do it. Remember, it`s the promise that we care about. And weight loss happens. It really, truly becomes an afterthought.

HAMMER: It looks like he`s on his way, and big thanks to you. I`ve been always a fan of what you do, Chris. And if anybody can point him in the right direction, I think it is you, so thank you for being with us, Chris Powell. Thank you so much and good luck with this.

POWELL: Thank you, A.J.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DIAZ: Also tonight, a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT worldwide exclusive. It`s about 30 years since comedian John Belushi`s death from a cocaine and heroin overdose. His former "Blues Brothers" and "SNL" co-star Dan Aykroyd opens up to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT about Belushi`s battle against drug abuse.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AYKROYD: The last summer of his life, not a powder nor pill did he touch. Nothing. Just smoked a little boot, that was it. If he`d been a pothead, he`d be alive today.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DIAZ: Tonight, it`s Dan Aykroyd in a SHOWBIZ exclusive newsmaker interview.

And Britney`s "X Factor." Is Britney Spears close to becoming the next big judge on "X Factor"? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.

Now, the "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.

TEXT: Justin Bieber`s mom writing memoir about her son`s youth and her own troubled past. David Arquette says he has a healthy relationship with his ex, Courteney Cox.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVID ARQUETTE, ACTOR: It`s really important to respect the time you`ve had together, to not let resentments, like, control your life and lead you to act out and use finance or children, you know, against each other.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

DIAZ: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Carlos Diaz, in for A.J. Hammer. And tonight, we are remembering John Belushi. It`s a SHOWBIZ tonight exclusive.

It`s been 30 years since the legendary "Saturday Night Live" funny man and actor died of an overdose of cocaine and heroin.

Someone who was able to bask in John`s bright light before it was extinguished so suddenly, and in my opinion, far too soon, was his friend, Dan Aykroyd.

Dan and John made on-screen magic together on "SNL" and, of course, in our 1980 classic film, "The Blues Brothers." We`re on a mission from god.

In a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive, Dan Aykroyd speaks about his brother with SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter. Kareen began by asking how hard it was to imagine that three decades have passed since John Belushi`s untimely death.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

AYKROYD: Yes, yes, it`s - you know, I can remember meeting him that first time at the second city in Toronto, the first time we met when we cooked up the "Blues Brothers." He was my brother and spent eight years together.

KAREEN WYNTER, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT CORRESPONDENT: You spent so much - so much time together.

AYKROYD: Eight years.

WYNTER: I read something where you would spend, you know, nights at his house with John and his wife and you`d actually get attacked by his cats?

AYKROYD: Well, I slept - I crashed - yes, just like I crashed, hippie- style, you know, at the foot of their bed there for almost two months, I think.

WYNTER: That`s a long time. Unwanted house guest.

AYKROYD: Yes. Yes. He wanted me there. I don`t know if Judy did.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And it was in the bungalow`s master bedroom where Belushi was found dead just after noon today.

WYNTER: I can just imagine how shocked you were that day when you found out that the world had lost this beloved entertainer, your friend.

AYKROYD: Well, I was more concerned with getting to Judy before the media, radio, and so I kind of just ran from the office there over to her place.

Then there were a lot of things to take care of because of - what a superstar he was, and I`m his partner. And so it had to be done with grace and real efficiency and so it wasn`t really until after the funeral.

And I escorted them and then I went up to the house in Martha`s Vineyard that he compelled me to buy. He said, "You need a house here. We`re going planning a lot of things." So I went up there and I was all alone, and it started to snow.

And the irony of that because he died by the powders. And it started to snow. And that`s when I - that`s when my knees gave out then. But not until then.

The last summer of his life, not a powder nor a pill did he touch. Nothing. Just smoked a little boot, that was it. If he`d been a pothead, he`d be alive today.

WYNTER: Do you sometimes sit back and think, "Gosh, if John were here today, we`d be working on that movie. We`d be working on X project"? The possibilities would be endless.

AYKROYD: Well, I think we`d be - we certainly would still be doing the music. And we would have probably a few more movies. I don`t know how many more, but we made, you know, the great one.

(MUSIC)

WYNTER: I think it surprised me that I just learned that the original "Ghostbusters" was originally intended for John Belushi.

AYKROYD: Oh, yes. Yes.

WYNTER: I didn`t know that.

AYKROYD: I was writing it for Eddie Murphy, John Belushi and myself.

WYNTER: Why not John? Why didn`t he take the part?

AYKROYD: When I was writing the line for him, I got the call that he had died.

WYNTER: Even today, it`s surreal when you look back at the fact that we don`t have this person with us anymore.

AYKROYD: So I often say if he was alive, he would be directing plays in New York City. He would be there with the leading lights of theater avant-garde and traditional. He`d be directing plays and musicals. He`d be one of the premier producers and directors on Broadway.

That would have been his destiny, because he was so intelligent. He was more of an academic than the Bluto image would have you believe.

WYNTER: In the book, "Life from New York," there was a quote that you gave that really resonated with me. And it said, "In any group, there`s always someone who precedes you in death."

And you just hope that John is waiting for you on the other side.

AYKROYD: I have no doubt for myself.

WYNTER: No doubt at all?

AYKROYD: There`s a period after death and, well, you`re there in the same form, as you were, with friends and relatives and all the loved ones, just for a while.

Think of it as a big reunion and there`s John and all the ones I love. And then your soul is plucked away for that future journey and that future contribution that a good soul can make.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DIAZ: What an amazing interview. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter. I can tell you, John Belushi`s memory is living on right here in New York.

It was just announced that a new play based on John`s classic role in "Animal House" is coming to Broadway.

All right. Tonight, the words, "You`re fired" have been spoken again on "Celebrity Apprentice." And this time, Donald Trump`s finger was pointed like a phaser at former "Star Trek" star, George Takei.

George was big news this week after getting fired on "Celebrity Apprentice." And he talked to A.J. Hammer all about the big firing in a SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HAMMER: I spent some time with your former boss Donald Trump last week. He actually had a message specifically for you he wanted me to share with you. Shall we watch?

GEORGE TAKEI, ACTOR: Yes.

HAMMER: Let`s watch.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, BUSINESS TYCOON: George, I`m very proud of you. You are a brave guy, despite what they said. Paul was wrong about that and he apologized.

You are a terrific guy. Keep going and keep that movement going. You know what I mean, George.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: What was the difference between what you thought he would be like going into doing "Celebrity Apprentice" versus how he turned out to be.

TAKEI: Well, he made reference to Paul calling me meek. And I was about to respond when Mr. Trump stepped in and said, "That is not a word appropriate for George."

He has been an advocate and a leader for LGBT, equal rights for gays and lesbians, and I know him not to be meek.

And then I chimed in with, "I grew up in two American internment camps, barbed wire fences, and I survived and I overcame." And that`s when Paul apologized for having used that word.

HAMMER: So did Donald Trump surprise you by stepping in like that?

TAKEI: He did. He did.

HAMMER: Is that kind of what you are saying? You wouldn`t have thought he would have said something of that nature?

TAKEI: Exactly. Yes.

HAMMER: And what about the experience, George, of actually doing the show, "Celebrity Apprentice"? Because, look, I`ve spoken with so many people who have done this show.

Some people thought it was a great experience. A couple have told me it was a terrible experience and not for them at all after the fact.

Going into it, did it turn out to be what you expected it to be or a much different experience?

TAKEI: Oh, yes. It did not turn out to be the way I wanted it to. I did it because all of us are competing for a charity. My charity was the Japanese American national museum, an institution very near and dear to my heart.

And I competed in it knowing that I am going to be competing with some very bigger-than-life people, very driven people, and I found it to be a great human comedy.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DIAZ: Now, keeping up with the Kardashians. The startling new reports that Kim Kardashian and Reggie Bush have re-sparked their romance.

Tonight, Kim K`s good friend sets the record straight on the story everyone is talking about. It`s the SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview you just have to see. 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: Heidi Klum says she wants to move forward after divorce with Seal in "Elle" magazine.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

DIAZ: Tonight, Britney Spears "X Factor" flirtation. Is Britney going to be the show`s next judge?

And hi-ho silver! Away! Johnny Depp`s surprising new role in the big screen adaptation of "The Long Ranger."

Plus, Jewel`s startling struggling. How it nearly stopped her from getting to the top. That story tops "The Buzz Today." Here`s SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WYNTER: Jewel`s personal fight. In a brand-new interview with SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Jewel is opening up about her past struggles and how she overcame them.

She reveals to us how she was able to find hope from those who believed in her during her darkest days.

JEWEL, SINGER: Well, it was really hard for me to ever think that I was special when I was (UNINTELLIGIBLE). The fact that somebody ever believed me or thought that my life was valuable or special meant a lot to me, because I didn`t really know how to value it.

And people helped me and that not only helped see me, but they gave me hope which is even just so much more important because when you`re in a situation of a vicious poverty cycle, you can never get ahead.

And knowing that somebody`s there and want to help you and thinks that you`re worth-helping, it means a lot to me.

WYNTER: Johnny Depp first look. Depp in disguise. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT will show you the just-released photo of Johnny Depp as Tonto in the all-new movie version of "The Lone Ranger."

Johnny will play sidekick to Armie Hammer who will play the masked man in the Disney flick. "The Lone Ranger" will be released May 2013.

Britney`s "X Factor." Will Britney Spears be the next "X Factor" judge? Britney`s fiance and agent, Jason Trawick is reportedly negotiating a contract with Simon Cowell`s reality singing competition to bring Brit on as a judge.

According to the "Hollywood Reporter," Spears could sign as soon as next week. Spears would be joining judge L.A. Reid and show creator Simon Cowell for the show`s second season.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

DIAZ: I`m moving on now to brand-new Kardashian drama. Tonight, Kim Kardashian`s good friend talks right to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT about the explosive reports Kim and Reggie have rekindled their romance.

Are they really back together after Kim`s failed marriage with Kris Humphries? Well, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s A.J. Hammer asked Kim`s close friend, Malika Haqq, to set the record straight in a SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview. And watch what she revealed.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MALIKA HAQQ, KIM KARDASHIAN`S FRIEND: Kim and Reggie`s relationship was very public. And I think that if they make a decision to get back together, it would be no secret.

And as of right now, we have no concrete evidence that they are back together. So I would say, if anything, they were friends for a very, very long time. And it can`t have lunch every now and then.

But I think a lot of people are interested are seeing them get back together, so that`s where all the reports really come from.

HAMMER: Does your gut tell that they will get back together someday?

HAQQ: My gut says that Kimberly is completely focused on herself and getting, you know, her life back on track and just staying positive and really working. So I don`t know if her focus is so much on a relationship right now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DIAZ: It looks like Kim is posing herself right now. I think we`re all hoping she`s getting her love life get back on track.

That`s SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Carlos Diaz. Remember, you can catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusively weeknights at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific right here on HLN. END