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Showbiz Tonight
"American Idol" Scandal; "The Hunger Games" Fame Game; One on One with Fergie; The Trump Brothers` Grisly Hunting Pictures
Aired March 14, 2012 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
A.J.HAMMER, HOST: Big news breaking tonight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT -- an "American Idol" scandal? The contestant dubbed the gentle giant accused of hiding a violent criminal past.
Tonight, the disturbing question. How did he slip through the cracks? And what kind of background check do contestants go through? We`ll ask former "American Idol" winner, Ruben Studdard, who is right here tonight for a SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.
Tonight, "The Hunger Games" fame game. Did "Hunger Games" star, Jennifer Lawrence, really take a swipe at reality shows? We are one on one with Jennifer Lawrence for another headline-making SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.
Tonight, a SHOWBIZ exclusive -- one on one with Fergie. The superstar opens up exclusively to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT about everything from her private life to whether or not the Black Eyed Peas will ever get back together again.
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show breaks news right now.
(MUSIC)
Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York and we`ve got big news breaking tonight -- the big slip. Tonight, the big, burning question -- how in the world did an "American Idol" contestant slip through the cracks?
Nobody noticing he not only had a criminal record, but there were actually outstanding warrants for his arrest. Jermaine Jones seemed to be doing great. His nickname, "The Gentle Giant."
But there was nothing gentle about him getting the boot from the show. And it all made for one big sour note on "American Idol" tonight.
And it also raised some serious questions about how contestants are screened before they even get on the show. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you this is not the first time this has happened.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is "American Idol"!
HAMMER (voice-over): This may be "American Idol," but today it`s playing like an episode of another Fox show, "Cops." "American Idol" contestant Jermaine Jones is the latest singer to run afoul of "American Idol" for allegedly running afoul of the law.
Late Tuesday night, reports started surfacing that this gentle giant with the big voice --
(SINGING)
HAMMER: Was about to be kicked off "Idol." TMZ reports it was for concealing multiple arrests.
DAX HOLT, PRODUCER, TMZ: What we`re finding out is that Jermaine was arrested twice last year.
HAMMER: Plus, today, we`re hearing reports that Jones has multiple outstanding warrants for his arrests. But we should point out there are no reports of past convictions, and as we all remember from "Cops" --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
HAMMER: Still, Jones appears guilty of something to "American Idol" producers. He revealed on Twitter that he will no longer be on the show.
HOLT: This is definitely not the first time this happened.
HAMMER: Remember season two Corey Clark? He foolishly neglected to mention a pending battery arrest when applied to be on the show. Then, there was another season two, Frenchie Davis --
(SINGING)
HAMMER: But go, she did. She was sent packing over racy Internet photos that surfaced. And now, in Jermaine Jones, we have another "American Idol" oops.
HOLT: I don`t know how this one slipped through.
HAMMER: Or did it slip through? Today we`re seeing questions of a possible "American Idol" conspiracy, that maybe, just maybe, "American Idol" planned the whole Jermaine Jones debacle.
"American Idol" ratings have taken a tumble lately. In fact, in recent weeks, it`s been beaten by the geeks at "The Big Bang Theory."
And that`s giving rise to the theory that maybe the "American Idol" Jones scandal just may have been concocted to goose the ratings.
And a "Hollywood Reporter" writer raised an interesting question. After so many years on the air --
(SINGING)
HAMMER: And all the embarrassing involving contestants with questionable pasts, how on earth could "American Idol`s" producers let it happen again this year? Unless they wanted it to.
But TMZ`s Dax Holt is not feeling the Jermaine Jones conspiracy theories.
HOLT: I`m not sure they want to go through all of that. It seems like a lot of bad press. It`s really hard on these contestants. I think this one just slipped through the cracks.
HAMMER: So now, "American idol" is left with two choices -- improve its background checks to avoid future embarrassing legal shockers, or keep having the occasional contestant with a surprise criminal record.
That could get the show a lot of buzz and maybe set up a future "American Idol"/"Cops" crossover.
(SINGING)
(END VIDEOTAPE)
The stunning news of this big "American Idol" shake up raises some pretty serious questions about the show`s screening process.
How in the world could any contestant with a criminal past just kind of slip through the background checks that they have to do before these people can even compete on the show?
Season two "American Idol" winner Ruben Studdard has firsthand knowledge of that "Idol" screening process from the very first audition to the moment the live competition begins.
Ruben has just released a brand-new CD, "Letters From Birmingham." It is fantastic, and Ruben joins me right here in New York for this SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview. Great to have you here, man.
RUBEN STUDDARD, FORMER CONTESTANT, "AMERICAN IDOL": Thank you for having me.
HAMMER: It`s good to see you here. And congratulations, by the way, on "Letters From Birmingham."
STUDDARD: Thank you so much.
HAMMER: And I know it`s already getting great reviews. We`ll talk about that in a moment.
STUDDARD: OK.
HAMMER: But we all remember when you walked away from your season of "American idol" as the big winner.
STUDDARD: OK.
HAMMER: And I know that there is this serious vetting process that goes on. But can you give us some insight into exactly how it happens and what happens? Do you have to fill out a series of questionnaires? Do they really look into your background?
STUDDARD: It`s most definitely, definitely intensive. But I mean, just like anything that humans do -- I mean, there are human errors, you know what I mean? People make slip-ups.
Just, you know, as I was watching the segment prior to us talking, you know, about the young man that just got removed from the television show, I`m sure they most definitely did not want to have, you know, any negative press, because the show is so positive. You know what I mean?
HAMMER: Yes. I don`t buy the conspiracy theories.
STUDDARD: Right.
HAMMER: I mean, a lot of people are saying a lot of things since "Idol" ratings have sort of taken a tumble.
STUDDARD: Right.
HAMMER: That they`ll do anything to get press. You have to figure with the hundreds and hundreds of people they have to vet, something`s going to slip through.
But at the same time, you were sitting here rather shocked that it did. I noticed that you were really surprised by the fact --
STUDDARD: Not so much shocked that it did, but just shocked about who it was, you know what I mean? I guess, when you watch the show, you with buy into the person`s personality, so you don`t really get that from him. So I`m not really shocked about them --
HAMMER: It was more this guy.
STUDDARD: it`s more this -- you know.
HAMMER: Because you`ve been watching this season, right?
STUDDARD: I watched a couple of episodes. He`s always seemed like a nice guy and he probably is. You know, he just made some bad choices.
HAMMER: Apparently, and it`s catching up with him. And there were these reports of a possible friction behind the scenes between the producers and with Jones.
In fact, earlier today, Jermaine Jones tweeted this, "Awww, I will no longer be on the show." Give me a little insight as to what happens once you`re chosen to be on the show. Is there a list of sort of dos and don`ts that you`re given?
Don`t fight with the producers. Wear exactly this. You know, don`t argue with anybody. Is there sort of a list of commandments?
STUDDARD: You know, it`s most definitely a -- they most definitely have you in their machine, you know what I mean? So it`s not like "Don`t do this, don`t do that." You just know not to, you know, do anything crazy.
I mean, you`re on television every day, so you pretty much know not to do anything crazy. Now, he did this prior to him being a part of that process.
And a lot of times, you know, people come thinking that whatever they did previously won`t have any bearing on them participating in the show, which for Jermaine, unfortunately, is not the case, because obviously, you know, his prior criminal background.
HAMMER: And if there`s friction behind the scenes, it`s kind of common sense. You don`t want to mess with the people who are potentially making you a big star.
STUDDARD: Right. You know, I mean, and all the producers on the show are really nice. They`re very helpful. I mean, even I remember, with the Corey Clark situation, they were still very helpful with him, at the point of him being released from the show.
So you know, I`m sure that they`re the same with Jermaine. And you know, I`m confident --
HAMMER: They don`t want to make it too painful for him.
STUDDARD: Right.
HAMMER: All right. Listen, it`s interesting to look at what`s happened in the nine years since you`ve been on the show.
STUDDARD: Yes.
HAMMER: Not just you, but also other people, you know, Kelly Clarkson, the first "Idol" winner. Clay Aiken -- of course, we`re seeing him on "Celebrity Apprentice" now. Kelly is about to be a judge on a new show called "Duets." Do you have any interest in reality TV?
STUDDARD: I mean, you know, I`m interested in doing whatever. Right now, I`m focused on this album. It`s been my focus for the past eight months.
I`ve been in the studio crafting it and making sure it comes out sounding right, because the fans always have been asking me. I took two years off from putting out a CD, so they kept asking for an album, so that`s been my focus.
HAMMER: OK. So here it is. It`s getting great reviews already as I said, "Letters From Birmingham." It`s also been said, and I believe you`ve dubbed this your most personal album ever.
STUDDARD: Right.
HAMMER: What made you decide to really sort of lay it all out will this time?
STUDDARD: I mean, well, you know, I`ve never really been transparent with my fans before in my music. I`ve never really talked about any real personal experiences. I just, you know, heard a great song, liked it, and recorded it.
With this, you know, I recently went through a divorce. You know, I had the opportunity to express myself through my music, was with a great label that allowed me to be myself.
And so with that, you know, I say this is my most personal album. That`s because I`m talking about a lot of personal relationship experiences that I`ve had, not only in my marriage, but throughout my life in this album.
HAMMER: And I bet it was actually pretty therapeutic to put it all together --
STUDDARD: It was, man.
HAMMER: And kind of get it off your chest.
STUDDARD: It was. It was fun. It was great. And you know, I think the fans are going to love it.
HAMMER: All right. Ruben, great to see you, man.
STUDDARD: Thank you for having me.
HAMMER: Come back any time. Make sure you check out Ruben Studdard`s new CD, "Letters From Birmingham." It`s available right now.
As we move on tonight from big "Idol" controversy, we`re getting to some serious "Shore" secrets. Snooki shocked the world when she revealed that she has a pint-sized Snookette on the way.
I`ve got Ruben sitting here laughing at this. So how did Snooki go from party animal to mommy-to-be in the time that it takes to do a fist pump?
Her "Jersey Shore" co-stars, Vinny and Deena, they`re right here tonight and they are revealing all about what they know about Snooki`s baby bombshell.
And we`re one on one with Fergie tonight. It`s another headline- making SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview. Everybody wants to know, is she about to go back to the Black Eyed Peas?
And "Hunger Games" mania, it is just incredible. And we`re one on one with Jennifer Lawrence. She`s the star of the movie based on the blockbuster book.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NISCHELLE TURNER, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT CORRESPONDENT: What is it about these books, do you think, that just grips people so much?
JENNIFER LAWRENCE, ACTRESS: Because it`s kind of this disgusting, terrifying reflection of humanity, you know, society. It`s like reality television that uses people`s tragedy --
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Wait a second. Did she just trash reality TV? You definitely don`t want to miss this. An explosive SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview with the star of "The Hunger Games," Jennifer Lawrence. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" -- more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: Charlize Theron has adopted a baby boy, Jackson. Will Ferrell tells SHOWBIZ about speaking Spanish in his new movie, "Casa de Mi Padre."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WILL FERRELL, ACTOR: I`ll never sound exactly like a native speaker, but if I could surprise the Latino audience, you know, with my commitment to the film, then you not only win them over, but they`d find it funny and it works for an English-speaking audience, anyway. So that was the huge challenge of the film.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: So tonight, at the tribute parade, we`ll take you out and show you off to the world.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: So you`re here to make me look pretty.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: I`m here to help you make an impression.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Seven days and counting to the very first midnight shows of "The Hunger Games." But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was on location at the world premiere in Hollywood. I can tell you people are already asking if "The Hunger Games" is going to be bigger than "Twilight."
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Tonight, it`s "Hunger Games" mania. "The Hunger Games" star, Jennifer Lawrence, might be the hottest celeb in Hollywood right now.
And tonight SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is going one on one with Jennifer. We`ve got to get an inside look from her at the mania over "Hunger Games."
Why does she think so many people are so obsessed with "The Hunger Games"? And what`s it like to be launched into the superstar fame game so quickly?
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Nischelle Turner has that and more in Jennifer`s candid SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LAWRENCE: I was one of obsessive fans of the book and then I got cast. It was kind of weird.
TURNER: What is it about these books do you think that just grip people so much?
LAWRENCE: Because it`s kind of a disgusting, terrifying reflection of humanity, and our society. With the success of reality television, it uses other people`s tragedy for entertainment.
TURNER: They were not sure if they could even find someone to be Katniss.
LAWRENCE: That`s probably not something you tell somebody who`s applying for a job. Like, I don`t know if I can actually fill this position. You`re like, cool, great.
TURNER: She is such a very strong, powerful character, girl, and you`re young still. I mean, how much living have you done to embody all of that?
LAWRENCE: None. Just pretend.
TURNER: Are you one of those actors that is like, OK, "I do love these strong women roles"?
LAWRENCE: Yes. I mean, I`m always drawn to strong characters. I think everybody is.
TURNER: Are you ready for kind of this next level of stardom with this movie?
LAWRENCE: I know it`s coming. I don`t know if I`m ready.
TURNER: What`s the fear or the anticipation?
LAWRENCE: You`re just afraid of what`s going to change. You don`t know what`s going to be different. You don`t know if you`re going to the like it.
TURNER: Has anything changed for you yet in anticipation for the film?
LAWRENCE: Now, when I leave the house without putting any makeup on and wearing my sweatpants, which is every day, it shows up on the Internet.
TURNER: I did see a picture of you playing basketball with sweats on the other day.
LAWRENCE: Right. Yes. I know. I need to put pants on and brush my hair.
TURNER: Now, there are these comparisons coming about of "Twilight." So what do you think about that? Do you embrace it? Were you a fan of "Twilight," too?
LAWRENCE: I had read the books and I really liked the books. And I`ve only seen a couple of the movies. But I get it. I get the comparisons.
They`re very young adult novels. They`re bestsellers. They`ve become a franchise with young adult actors, the whole thing. It all makes sense.
TURNER: Please tell me that you worked your butt off, because you looked sick. Your body looked sick.
LAWRENCE: Thank you. Thank you very much. Yes, I did. It was lots of running and free running, like agility, climbing, combat, yoga and archery.
TURNER: I kind of want to high five you, because I also read where you said, the three things that you hate are phony people, actors who complain, and those people who say, "Oh, I love to exercise." I was like, bingo. I like her. I want to hang out with her.
LAWRENCE: Oh, my god, if I don`t run for a day, I go crazy. I`m like, what are you, a Border Collie? I can go days without exercising and feel wonderful.
TURNER: How do you stay so grounded? Because I mean, now, we are seeing the tabloid pictures of you and your boyfriend and you guys look so happy. But how do you kind of keep that world to yourself?
LAWRENCE: You can`t really. It just kind of drives you nut. You know, it`s like you`re having your own private day, and then all of a sudden, it`s on the Internet and everybody`s talking about.
And everybody has their comments and you`re like, I had no idea that those pictures were even being taken and now there`s an entire Web site talking about like their opinion on like what I was doing that day. It`s just -- it`s bizarre. It`s a weird thing to get used to.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: That is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Nischelle Turner just peeling the lid back on "The Hunger Games" frenzy. Well, what do you think about "The Hunger Games" frenzy?
We`re asking you in our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive poll, "`Hunger Games` Mania: will `The Hunger Games` be as big as `Twilight`?" Yes or no? Let us know, HLNTV.com/ShowbizTonight. You can E-mail us, too. That still works. Our address is ShowbizTonight@HLNTV.com.
Moving on now to secrets from the shore. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is peeling back the lid on all the secrets behind Snooki`s surprise pregnancy and engagement.
Look at this. Her "Jersey Shore" co-stars Vinny and Deena are right here tonight to reveal what they knew about Snooki`s big baby shocker.
And Jon Hamm`s plea to Kim Kardashian. Is the "Mad Men" star actually putting an end to his war of words with the queen of reality TV? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" -- more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: Former "Dawson`s Creek" star, James Van Der Beek and wife have a baby boy.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Tonight, a SHOWBIZ showdown. It is Jon Hamm versus Kim Kardashian, round two, or round three. I`ve lost track at this point.
All of this started when Jon Hamm told "Elle U.K." magazine this, "Whether it`s Paris Hilton or Kim Kardashian, stupidity is certainly celebrated."
Well, then, Kim had to tweet her response, calling Jon Hamm`s slam careless. And Hamm has responded, telling "E! News" this, "What I said was meant to be more on pervasiveness of something in our culture, not personal, but she took offense to it and that is her right."
With me now in New York, Ryan Serhant, the star of "Million Dollar Listing New York." Ryan`s also a broker for Nest Seeker.
So I`ve got to tell you, Ryan, it sounds to me like Jon Hamm was talking about pop culture in general.
RYAN SERHANT, REALITY TV STAR, "MILLION DOLLAR LISTING NEW YORK": Yes.
HAMMER: Maybe he shouldn`t have used Kim`s name specifically, but his new comments didn`t sound like much of an apology. You`re a star of a reality show. Do you think Jon has anything to apologize for?
SERHANT: You know, not really. I think his comment was -- like you said, it was general. But at the same time, you know, what Kim has built is so amazing that I don`t know if anyone could really knock it down.
HAMMER: Yes.
SERHANT: That`s what`s so great about America. You could make $1 million selling ice cream cones or $1 million selling a brand, and then using that image to make a career out of it. So whether it was pointed at her or at culture in general, I don`t know, but I don`t think he really needed to make that apology.
HAMMER: I used to not get her. And now, when I fully understand all that she does, you can`t deny that she does have a smart mind and knows what she`s doing.
SERHANT: Yes.
HAMMER: But people are taking sides. This is what he asked yesterday in our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive poll. Whose side are you on? Jon or Kim?
Look at this, 88 percent said they`re on Team Jon. So it`s only 12 percent for Team Kim. Surprising to me in a way, because Kim has so many fans, but does it surprise you?
SERHANT: Well, it depends on who`s voting, right? It depends on who`s voting.
HAMMER: It`s SHOWBIZ TONIGHT viewers.
SERHANT: Well, I think at the end of the day, Kim is great to watch, and she`s built a huge business. But Jon does make a point, you know.
It`s so kind of strange that, in America, you can make so much money and create such a big business around -- around what, really?
HAMMER: Fame can come from all kinds of reasons.
SERHANT: Exactly.
HAMMER: And for him, it comes from nothing but pure talent. All right. Ryan, great to have you here. Appreciate it.
SERHANT: Thank you.
HAMMER: Time now for the SHOWBIZ lineup -- here`s what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Solo career, family, international fame. That Fergie, she`s got it all.
Tonight, she opens up to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT all about her superstar life and a few other surprises you have got to see. Is Fergie hooking back up with the Black Eyed Peas?
Also, the brand-new uproar over those grisly hunting pictures with Donald Trump`s son. SHOWBIZ dares to ask, are they actually doing some serious damage to the Donald`s brand? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" -- these are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: Justin Bieber tweets that he`s collaborating with Maroon 5`s Adam Levine. Jessica Alba poses with daughters Honor and Haven on "Parenting" magazine cover.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Big news breaking tonight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT -- secrets from the shore. So what did Snooki`s "Jersey Shore" buddies really know about her pregnancy and when did they know it?
"Jersey Shore" co-stars Vinny and Deena right here tonight for an all-new SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview. Do they think the party is over at the shore because of Snooki?
A SHOWBIZ exclusive with Fergie. Are the Black Eyed Peas done for good?
Trouble for Trump? Donald Trump`s son causes an uproar for posing with dead animals after a hunting trip. Could the backlash damage Trump`s empire?
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC)
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 -- secrets from the shore.
Snooki surprised the world when she revealed she`s pregnant and engaged. And tonight, her "Jersey Shore" co-stars are right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
They`re going to reveal what they knew about Snooki`s surprise and tell me if they think all the fist pumping on "Jersey Shore" can still go on without their pouf-tastic, pint-sized co-star.
Let me bring them in, Vinny and Deena, joining me in New York for the SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview. Great to see you guys.
DEENA NICOLE CORTESE, REALITY TV STAR, "JERSEY SHORE": Hi. Nice to see you.
VINNY GUADAGNINO, REALITY TV STAR, "JERSEY SHORE": Great to see you, too.
HAMMER: Please have a seat and make yourself right at home here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. So I know you`ve been dealing with this quite a bit, Snooki sucking up all of the attention here.
So you know, obviously, we were all very pleased and quite frankly, a bit surprised to learn that she was pregnant.
And now we learn that she`s engaged because she denied, denied, denied for all the months the rumors were floating around.
Let`s take a look at exactly how she denied all of that on "Good Morning America".
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NICOLE "SNOOKI" POLIZZI, REALITY TV STAR, "JERSEY SHORE": Being pregnant should be like, you know, a real thing and a happy thing, and I`m not. And you know, I`ve been working on my fitness a lot. I`m pregnant. She`s engaged.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Let`s set the record straight, though, because you just said, "I`m pregnant" --
POLIZZI: No, no, no. I definitely do want kids, but I`m not pregnant.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Now, Vinny, you guys had a sort of special relationship, shall we say, on the show. And I think, quite frankly, that a lot of the fans and some thought that you would wind up as a couple.
So what was your reaction when you first heard the news that she was pregnant?
GUADAGNINO: I was counting the months on my fingers, making sure I was safe.
HAMMER: Just checking out the old calendar there?
GUADAGNINO: Yes. No, me and Snooki had a little playful thing. It was never serious. But I wish her the best of luck, now that it is serious.
HAMMER: Yes. And quite understandably, she did wait, as is typical when you`re pregnant, for the first trimester to pass to make sure everything`s OK before you share the news with the world.
CORTESE: Yes.
HAMMER: I wasn`t surprised by that. But Deena, you and Snooki would hang and you were pretty close, so what did you know? Did you know anything? Or was it a surprise to you as well?
CORTESE: You know, I think she waited with all of us, you know, for the good luck months, you know. So I found out a little bit before, like, you know, the world did. So --
HAMMER: So that was cool. She kind of tipped you off, so it wasn`t like a huge shock, tell your friends first.
GUADAGNINO: I found out with the world.
HAMMER: Did you really?
GUADAGNINO: Yes, I was in on it with you. You know, I had no idea.
HAMMER: So did your E-mail go crazy and kind of blew up?
GUADAGNINO: People kept asking me, like, "Vinny, what`s going to happen with the "Shore" now that she`s pregnant?" and this and that. And I was like -- oh, my god. That`s a rumor. It`s not true.
I was still believing what she said. And then, the next day, I found out that it was, like, really happening. I was like, oh, my god.
HAMMER: And people are saying, Vinny, get with the program. Let`s talk about that for a moment, because I think people, naturally, fans are pretty concerned that either things could radically change on the show and maybe the show won`t come back at all.
Because really, some people are thinking, how can "Jersey Shore" continue without classic moments like this?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
POLIZZI: Parties here! I started the freaking pouf.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right now, Snooki and Deena are whacked off their face. We`re thinking there`s no way they can make it to dinner or even out to a club to do this again tonight.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, my god!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, my god, Snooki just ran into a bush face first.
POLIZZI: I couldn`t stop! I couldn`t stop!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Vinny, not you, you (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is hell in this house.
POLIZZI: Where`s my boyfriend?! Stop!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I would miss that. I think it would be a sadder world without all that.
GUADAGNINO: Snooki -- I`m not going to the lie, she definitely is a huge element to what the "Jersey Shore" is about. You know, she drinks me and any man I`ve ever met under the table.
HAMMER: Hopefully not anymore.
GUADAGNINO: No, she`s definitely stopped drinking now. But, you know, you never know what it`s going to do to it. Is it going to add something new and interesting to the show? A new dynamic? We don`t really know.
HAMMER: But do you think the show will go on? Because Snooki has said herself that she won`t be in the house while she`s pregnant. You know, the season finale of this season is about to air. What do you think is going to happen, Deena?
CORTESE: I think the show could go on. I mean, it doesn`t make one person to make an entire show stop. The show does not only revolve around one person. It revolved around all eight of us.
HAMMER: Well, of course. It`s wildly successful because of that dynamic. So you just would see it changing in some way.
CORTESE: Exactly.
GUADAGNINO: I don`t know. I mean, I went home for a few days on the show. And when I went home, you know, everything kind of changed. You know, once you pull one of the pieces off, we all seem to collapse.
So we don`t know what`s going to happen. I don`t feel like it`s over, because usually we don`t know until it happens. You know, they call us up like a month or a couple weeks before.
I don`t feel like it`s over, but then again, I also don`t know what it`s going to be now.
HAMMER: So to be clear, they have not told you one way or the other that the show continues?
CORTESE: No, they haven`t.
GUADAGNINO: They haven`t since season one.
CORTESE: But we usually find out like last minute, kind of when everybody else finds out. But you know, I think the show could go on. You know, I think it`s fine.
HAMMER: I think there will be outrage if the show doesn`t go on, quite frankly, that nobody is going to want to deal with.
GUADAGNINO: Right. And everyone has spin-off shows and other projects. So I don`t think you`ve seen the last of us.
HAMMER: And Vinny, you mentioned how you went home at the beginning of the season. You were dealing with something that you`ve been very candid about, anxiety disorder, that you suffer from.
I actually want to take a look at how you talked about that on the show. Let`s roll that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GUADAGNINO: I have anxiety. I have like clinical anxiety.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Like you just got it?
GUADAGNINO: No, I`ve had it since I was like 16 years old. I just have little episodes, and like I just have to breathe in.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Like loss of breath and all that kind of stuff?
GUADAGNINO: Like a real attack. Just totally disconnected, you know what I mean, like -- whatever. I`ve had them a million times in my life.
And those are easy. Those are like simple. But then what happens like, if like I become in different, stressful situation, I get so many that it kind of puts me in like a funk, you know what I mean? More of like a depressed state.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: So that`s pretty personal stuff there. And quite frankly, I think it goes to humanize you even more. I give you a lot of credit for being so candid about that.
GUADAGNINO: Thank you.
HAMMER: Has being on "Jersey Shore" made it even worse, this anxiety you suffer from? Has it in some way made it easier?
GUADAGNINO: I think that it can happen to anybody. It`s definitely not just -- you know, I was just prone to it, the way I was brought up.
But now that I was going through it, as a celebrity, it was a little tougher. I had a lot riding on my shoulders.
You know, now, you`re walking away from money, walking away from a show, walking -- you know, everyone knows you. Everything I do now is, you know, seen by the public.
HAMMER: Yes.
And I had to open up, because keeping it inside while I was filming made it tough, you know? But it made me a stronger person. I have a book coming out about it where I share more.
HAMMER: Oh, good.
GUADAGNINO: And it`s a self-help book, how I manage it. And I hope it helps people and I hope to keep managing it myself.
HAMMER: I love that attitude. I love that you`re doing that. Well, talking about, you know, being out in public and everybody seeing what happens when you`re in public. Can we play a little celebrity 101 here?
GUADAGNINO: OK.
CORTESE: Sure.
HAMMER: You know what it`s like. You both have had to deal with the fact that when you`re out in public, people listen to everything you say.
And you know, you`ve been at it a little longer than Deena, if you say the wrong thing when you don`t think anybody`s listening, it can wind up in the newspaper.
GUADAGNINO: 100 percent.
CORTESE: Oh, yes.
HAMMER: Deena, do you remember flying to Akron, Ohio, at the end of October? You were going for a publicity event in Ohio, it was at the end of October?
CORTESE: Akron -- OK.
HAMMER: Well, you flew into Akron airport. The reason I know this, Deena, is because I was sitting two seats away from you.
CORTESE: Oh, really?
HAMMER: I was. And during the flight --
GUADAGNINO: What did you hear?
HAMMER: Well, this is pretty wild. This is just a reminder you never know who`s around and listening. And you were speaking to this business traveler who was with you, who wasn`t familiar with the show.
His daughter was and you were great enough to even get on the phone with her and take a picture for her. And you told him all about it.
And quite frankly, I did hear everything you were saying. That`s a reminder about that. But what I loved and why I really liked you even more, is because you talked about the fact not knowing that I was listening or somebody from the press was listening about how humbled you were by the whole experience and how pleased you were and take none of it for granted.
CORTESE: Oh, yes. That`s how I am, always.
HAMMER: So I interview people all the time, and they`ll say that to me, because they`re on television.
CORTESE: Yes.
HAMMER: To hear you say that, really, it warms my heart.
CORTESE: Aww, well, thank you.
HAMMER: I told people about it.
CORTESE: Oh, yay, thanks.
HAMMER: But there you go. So you never know, like I said, who`s listening. And we`ve all been caught in that trap, haven`t we, Vinny?
(CROSS TALK)
Well, listen, guys. It`s great to see you. You know, we`re all, of course, hoping the "Shore`s" back for another season. But we`ll look for you guys both, Deena and Vinny on the season finale of "Jersey Shore." It is happening on Thursday on MTV.
CORTESE: Thank you.
HAMMER: And we move on now to fame, fortune, and fabulousness. Yes, Fergie, she has it all. But is being the lead singer of the Black Eyed Peas still a part of her future?
Well, tonight the superstar opens up exclusively to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Wait until you hear what she`s saying.
Is Trump in trouble? A picture of Donald Trump`s sons posing with dead animals after a hunt in Africa, it has caused global outrage.
However, tonight, there`s a new debate. Could Donald Trump`s internationally-known brand be in jeopardy because of what his kids did? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" -- more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: Discovery cancels "Man Versus Wild" after contract dispute with Bear Grylls. Holly Robinson Peete tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT she likes the comedic reboot of "21 Jump Street."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOLLY ROBINSON PEETE: I do love the fact that it`s a spoof. It`s funny. It`s a comedy. Some "21 Jump Street" purists are a little like, "Wait a second. That`s our teen angst show and what are you doing to it?"
But Jonah and Channing did such a great job with the comedy spoof of it. I couldn`t wait to be a part of it.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Kardashians undressed. I thought that might get your attention. Yes, the Kardashian sisters have just stripped down for their latest ad for Sears. You`ve got Kim, Khloe, and Kourtney striking sultry poses for their new Kardashian collection intimates line.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. And tonight, yes, we`re getting Fergalicious. Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas can sing. She can dance. Her beauty is blinding, obviously.
But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can also tell you Fergie is a workaholic. Being an international pop star -- that`s not enough for Fergie. Oh, no.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter was barely able to get Fergie to sit still long enough for our SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview. But when Kareen finally did, she found out that superstardom is just the beginning for Fergie.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KAREEN WYNTER, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT CORRESPONDENT (on camera): We`re on the set of Fergie`s sexy fashion shoot for the makeup line, Wet `N Wild. And the singer`s opening up to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT about fashion, family, and a few other surprises.
Our savvy businesswoman. You have your foot line. You have your fragrance. So why did you feel the need to take on another project?
FERGIE: I`ve been a Wet `N Wild customer ever since I was a preteen. I remember going to a drugstore and going to the whole Wet `N Wild setup.
And you know, the packaging is different now. They`ve evolved. It`s not the same, Wet `N Wild as it was, when I was a little girl.
You know, they`ve evolved as a brand while I`ve evolved as a woman, as a person. And so it`s just great to be doing this now at this point.
WYNTER: It`s a perfect partnership.
FERGIE: Yes, but we`re also talking about -- I mean, not to give too much away but, you know, collaborating and possibly coming out with some products that I`m helping to design.
WYNTER: Now, you know you can`t tease us, so give us an idea. So more of what then?
FERGIE: Girl, I am a tease. I can`t help myself.
WYNTER: You`re such an inspiration, such a role model. And I know sometimes celebrities hate that label, because there`s a lot of pressure that comes with it. But you`re talking about the young girls you`re marketing to.
FERGIE: Years go by and you start seeing these young girls or young boys for that matter in the audience, and it starts to go in the back of your head, like, maybe I have a responsibility here.
And for me, it`s just kind of, you know, kind of evolved into that. And I just -- I feel a little bit more responsibility now than I did when I first joined the Peas.
(SINGING)
WYNTER: You know, you mentioned the Peas. People are dying to know when you guys are going to collaborate again. And I know you have a lot going on, but is that something we can expect in the future?
FERGIE: I don`t know. You know, right now, we`re on break and I love the guys. Everyone`s doing their own thing, but you know, we still love each other. We have so much history. And it`s just -- it was just so many years in a row and we need a break.
WYNTER: Something we also enjoyed, something that was hugely successful, your solo album.
FERGIE: Thank you.
WYNTER: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) any material?
FERGIE: I`m always writing and gathering ideas and just kind of gathering and taking it all in here, but we`ll see.
WYNTER: You started this industry as a child star and now you`ve navigated to adult fame. What has been the biggest challenge for you? Because it`s a very, very tough spotlight to be under?
FERGIE: Biggest challenge for me is to say no and to stop working, because, you know, I`ll find myself --
WYNTER: Because it gets addictive?
FERGIE: Well, it gets -- I throw myself into it. I throw myself into my work. And so I remind myself now to enjoy the present.
WYNTER: What is left for Fergie to tackle? Something you haven`t done, and it could even be outside of the entertainment industry.
FERGIE: There`s a saying that a says that a woman can have it all, just not all at once. So I`m getting to do the creative outlet stuff that I didn`t have time for or room in my brain for when I was on tour.
More girly stuff, more normal things like vacationing in places where I`ve always wanted to take my husband and that we`re finally getting to do, like getting to go to his set more, and be wife-y.
WYNTER: And does he have a say in, "I like that color, I that one better, or that shade?"
FERGIE: I think he would definitely like this color.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: She just always looks so good. Kareen Wynter joining me now from Hollywood. First of all, Kareen, congratulations on getting her to sit down in one place for that long.
But it seems that all she has keeping her busy with her well-manicured hands, I have to wonder about all the reports about her being a judge on "X Factor."
They`ve been out there for a while. Would she even be interested in something like that, do you think?
WYNTER: Well, you know, A.J., with all the buzz, you`re right. We had to ask Fergie about that, and of course she stayed mum.
But she did reveal that when it comes to a guilty pleasure of hers, she loves reality television, namely, singing competition shows like "The Voice."
But I find it hard to believe that with everything she is doing, from her music, from her business, that she has time to actually sit in front of the television and watch a show like "Idol," watch a show like "The Voice," let alone be a judge on "The X Factor," but never say never. We`ll have to see, A.J.
HAMMER: Yes. And she didn`t say never about the Black Eyed Peas.
WYNTER: Exactly.
HAMMER: She was very diplomatic and noncommittal with answer that to you. But my gut kind of tells me they are certainly not ruling it out. Great interview. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter, thank you so much.
Well, from on location with Fergie to on the red carpet with the stars of "21 Jump Street." SHOWBIZ TONIGHT breaking news with the great Jonah Hill.
Also, Uggie -- Uggie, the dog, he`s going to have to break out his black tie again. We`ve got all the details in "The Buzz Today."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over) Uggie`s White House debut. Uggie, the canine star of the Oscar-winning film, "The Artist," will soon get his chance to shake paws with the president.
He scored an invite to the White House Correspondents` Association dinner on April 28th. "The Washington Times" has just announced that Uggie will be their special guest at the annual gala for journalists, politicians, celebrities, and now, dogs.
SHOWBIZ on location. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was right there on the red carpet at the premiere of "21 Jump Street" in Hollywood, where Jonah Hill opened up to us on why he fought so hard for this film to be made.
JONAH HILL, ACTOR: For me, it`s been five years. And honestly, I thought it could be the most fun movie ever. I thought going back to high school and reliving the most important part of your youth and thinking you have all the answers and realizing they`re all wrong, it was a really fun idea for a movie.
And getting to work with this guy and Cube and all these -- I don`t know. I can`t believe we`re here right now. It`s been five years.
HAMMER: "21 Jump Street" opens in theaters March 16th.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
All right. We`ve got to talk about possible Trump troubles. Could the gruesome pictures of Donald Trump`s sons posing with dead animals after a hunt actually hurt the Trump empire? That is next. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" -- these are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: Bruce Springsteen`s new album at number one, knocks Adele out of top spot after 23 weeks. Susan Sarandon tells Wendy Williams how she got into the N.J. hall of fame.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WENDY WILLIAMS, HOST, "THE WENDY WILLIAMS SHOW": You were also inducted into the Jersey Hall of Fame?
SUSAN SARANDON, ACTRESS: I was.
WILLIAMS: How did that happen?
SARANDON: Who knows? I don`t know, but it was a nice show and it was great company. And I`m sure -- I want a rest stop next, is what I`m trying to get, on the Jersey Turnpike. Wouldn`t that be great?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, BUSINESS TYCOON: I`ve never understood it. They are great hunters and they are phenomenal shots and they`ve been into that all their lives.
And I never understood where they got it from, because it`s not me. I know they`ve donated all of the proceeds or all of whatever it is to the local tribes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Donald Trump telling me, he doesn`t understand the love for hunting that his sons have. Quite frankly, neither do I, or a lot of other people.
Trump`s sons, Donald Jr. and Eric, have enraged animal lovers after pictures were revealed of them on a big game hunt in Africa, posing in front of wild animals they killed. Really hideous pictures.
Ryan Serhant is with me in New York. Ryan is the star of Bravo`s "Million Dollar Listing New York" and is also a broker for Nest Seekers.
So Ryan, I tweeted our followers, because I wanted to get their thoughts on Donald Trump`s sons` hunting pictures. A lot of outrage.
SERHANT: Yes.
HAMMER: Some tweets that said, they should know better, disgraceful, and they`re spoiled kids. From one real estate mogul to another, do you think that this is actually bad for the Trump`s image even if he doesn`t like his sons` hunting?
SERHANT: No, no, I don`t think so. They are incredibly smart and they`re very, very good businessmen. And I think what you do on safari in Africa has nothing to do with your ability to sell real estate in New York city.
HAMMER: Well, that`s obviously true, but the Trump brand.
SERHANT: Sure.
HAMMER: You know, this is something that has -- it was amazing to me when I was in Trump Tower yesterday, just looking around everything.
You can`t ignore it and you have to always protect the brand, so you don`t want anybody damaging the name.
SERHANT: No. But what is the difference, I think, to standing next to game in Africa that they then donated to a tribe, you know, and being on a yacht in Miami next to a huge fish that they just caught? It`s hunting. Everyone does it and the rest of the world.
HAMMER: For me, not a whole lot, but there you go. Everybody has a different take on it.
SERHANT: Yes.
HAMMER: Ryan, I appreciate you being here. Thank you so much.
SERHANT: Thank you.
HAMMER: And make sure you check out Ryan on "Million Dollar Listing New York" on Bravo.
Will Ferrell speaking Spanish and being accompanied by nearly naked cowboys. Really, do I have to say anything else?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JIMMY KIMMEL, HOST, "JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE": A bienvenida Will Farrell!
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: What`s going on here? You`ve got to see this. Will and I Jimmy Kimmel, doing the entire interview in Spanish, equal parts confounding and hysterical, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Ay, caramba. Did you see this? Will Farrell just did his entire interview on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" in Spanish. He is promoting his new movie, "Casa de Mi Padre." It is brilliant, hysterical and just a bit confusing. Watch. .
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WILL FERRELL, ACTOR (through translator): Mi amigo, Guillermo, quien esta cerca de la puerta -- viste la pelicula llamada "Casa de Mi Padre"?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No understand.
JIMMY KIMMEL, HOST, "JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE": Will Ferrell te preguntado si tu as visto la pelicula que fabrico.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sorry, I don`t understand what you guys are talking about.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Maybe I should try that on this show. I don`t think so. Can`t wait to see Will do his entire movie in Spanish. He`s obviously excellent at the language. "Casa de Mi Padre" opens on Friday.
And that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thanks for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer. You can catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusively weeknights at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific here on HLN.
"DR. DREW" starts right now.
END
