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Showbiz Tonight
Trump`s Ugly Beauty Battle; Elton John`s Music Competition Diss; The "Cosmo" Cover Controversy; New "Two and a Half Men" Controversy; Mary J. Blige Burger King Backlash
Aired April 04, 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 - Trump`s ugly beauty battle. Tonight, the Donald`s brand-new nasty war of words over the Miss Universe who was born a man and is now a woman.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GLORIA ALLRED, ATTORNEY: She did not ask Mr. Trump to prove that he is naturally-born man.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, the Donald`s big about-face on whether to let the controversial beauty compete. So why is Gloria Allred refusing to take yes for an answer?
Elton John`s reality slam - his brutal new diss of music competition shows. What Elton told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ELTON JOHN, MUSICIAN: I don`t watch them. I don`t like them very much.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Does Elton really think shows like "American Idol" and "The Voice" are dangerous?
The "Cosmo" cover controversy. The explosive fury over "Cosmo" magazine, featuring teenage stars on covers filled with sizzling sex talk.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Fifty sex tips. Naughty sex tips. Seventy-five sex moves. Bad girl sex.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, the great debate, are underage stars being sexualized?
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show breaks news right now.
(MUSIC)
Hello and thank you for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York with big news breaking tonight - Trump`s ugly beauty battle.
In this corner, Donald Trump. In the other corner, Gloria Allred. And caught in the middle, the woman who was once a man.
Today, Donald Trump threw another match on the fiery battle over whether to let a transgender contestant compete in his Miss Universe contest.
Now, at first, Trump said no. Now, he`s saying yes. So why doesn`t Atty. Gloria Allred, who represents the contestant, seem to be willing to take yes for an answer?
Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the brand-new developments today in the battle over the beauty.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over) It`s an east coast, west coast battle for the ages. Flame- throwing super-attorney, Gloria Allred.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALLRED: A wimpy, wishy-washy -
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: And hard-punching, super-mogul, Donald Trump. Gloria, (UNINTELLIGIBLE). They`re at each other`s throats today in a battle today over Allred`s new client, transgender beauty contestant, Jenna Talackova.
JENNA TALACKOVA, TRANSGENDER BEAUTY CONTESTANT: I am a woman.
HAMMER: Jenna`s fighting to become the first transgender contestant to compete in the Miss Universe pageant, which is owned by Trump. But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you this fight is getting personal.
ALLRED: Get rid of your trumped up rule.
HAMMER: This morning, on "Good Morning America," Trump reached deep into his bag of insults and fired this missile at Allred.
DONALD TRUMP, BUSINESS MOGUL: I didn`t know that she had a lawyer and especially Gloria Allred. I only found out last night. In fact, had I known it was Gloria, I probably would not have reversed my decision.
HAMMER: Take that, Gloria. This is the story of Jenna Talackova, a 23- year-old, 6`1" blond Canadian who was born male. She had sexual reassignment surgery four years ago and has been competing in beauty pageants.
TALACKOVA: I`ve always thought of myself as a woman with a history.
HAMMER: Recently, she scored her biggest victory yet, winning a spot in next month`s Miss Universe Canada pageant where the winner goes on to represent Canada in the Miss Universe pageant. But last month, she hit a snag.
ALAN DUKE, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: She received a notice from the organizers of that pageant that she was not qualified because she was transgender, that only naturally-born women could compete.
Jenna`s disqualification touched off an online petition demanding Jenna be allowed to compete. Enter super-attorney Gloria Allred.
She took up Jenna`s case and scheduled a press conference. But the night before, Trump`s Miss Universe organization waved the white flag, saying Jenna can compete provided she meets the legal gender recognition requirements of Canada and the standards established by other international competitions.
DUKE: Gloria Allred didn`t let that concession by the Miss Universe pageant change her plans for the news conference.
HAMMER: So the next day in L.A., Gloria struck.
ALLRED: We need a clear answer, not a wimpy, wishy-washy type of answer.
HAMMER: Allred and Jenna went ahead with their press conference saying Trump`s written statement didn`t go far enough.
TALACKOVA: I wish Mr. Trump would just say in plain words whether or not I will be allowed to compete.
HAMMER: And that`s when our own Alan Duke, who was at the news conference, stepped in.
DUKE (on camera): Ms. Allred, are you aware that a couple of hours ago, Donald Trump actually did make a more clear statement?
HAMMER: It`s true. Back in New York, just before Allred`s press conference, Trump spoke with SHOWBIZ TONIGHT and made Jenna`s fate clear.
TRUMP: She will be entering the Miss Canada pageant.
HAMMER: But back in L.A., at Gloria Allred`s press conference, Gloria obviously didn`t get word of Donald`s clarification, so our own Alan Duke acted as peacemaker.
DUKE: In the middle of the news conference, I read it to Gloria Allred.
"So she will be entering the Miss Canada pageant, but we went strictly by the laws." And that`s a direct quote from Donald Trump about two hours ago.
HAMMER: Well, that settles that. That ends the bicoastal clash of the titans, right? No.
ALLRED: I stand by my statement. We want this rule eliminated.
HAMMER: Oh, well. We tried.
DUKE: What she could have done was declare victory. But no, Gloria Allred loves to fight.
HAMMER: So there you have it, a drama king and drama queen fighting over a beauty queen. Forget Miss Universe. This is the competition they should televise.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
With us tonight is someone who really has tremendous insight to Jenna Talackova. Janet Mock is a staff editor for People.com and knows firsthand the discrimination faced by transgender.
Janet first spoke out about her own transition last year in "Marie Claire" magazine. I appreciate you being here today.
So are you just outraged that Donald Trump - at least the rules of this competition - wanted to ban Jenna from competing to begin with?
JANET MOCK, STAFF EDITOR, PEOPLE.COM: I can understand the apprehension, because I think, in our society, we tend to confuse gender with sex. You know, gender is what between Jenna`s ears, not between her legs.
And so it`s interesting to me that this has kind of gone back and forth, and this is why this is a big debate about what is gender, what does it mean to be a woman, and how does she qualify for this competition.
HAMMER: Well, here`s what the Miss Universe pageant people are saying now. They`re saying they`re fine with Jenna competing so long as she meets the legal gender requirements of Canada and standards established by international competitions.
It seems to me - and tell me if you agree that maybe they`re looking for a way to possibly get out of this. I don`t know what those standards are for international competitions.
MOCK: Well, obviously, you know, she is - in her press conference yesterday, she confirmed that, in her passport, she is female. She identifies as female. She`s transitioned from a little boy to a beautiful woman.
And obviously, this is about beauty. It`s a beauty pageant. And she`s a beautiful woman so she qualifies for it.
HAMMER: I mean, it was ridiculous to me when I learned that the original rules said, "must be born female." And obviously, if that`s, you know, against what the laws state needs to happen, that`s a bad thing.
But here`s what the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT about this, "GLAAD urges the Miss Universe organization to include all women and use this incident to speak out in support of the transgender community."
HAMMER: Now, let`s say Jenna won the Miss Universe contest. Obviously, people should accept it. We want them to. But do you think they would? What`s your take?
MOCK: I think that this could be a huge learning moment for all of us as Americans and as an international society, because it`s an international competition between all kinds of countries.
So I think that this could be a great learning moment for everyone. And they say that Miss Universe is someone who has grace and poise and is looking to make the world better for a lot of people. And that`s what Jenna is doing by fighting back and saying, "You`re going to include all of us, all women from all walks of life. We`re all very different."
HAMMER: Could have put it better. Thank you so much, Janet. I really appreciate your insight.
MOCK: Thank you for having me.
HAMMER: Let me bring in Omarosa Manigault, who was not only on Donald Trump`s show, "The Apprentice," but she also competed for eight years in beauty pageants.
Omarosa is the west coast editor of "Reality Weekly." So Omarosa, you, of all people, know the thing that Donald Trump loves about as much as he loves money, it`s ratings, mainly because ratings means money.
And if he were to open up the Miss Universe pageant to all transgender contestants, I`m thinking the buzz, the ratings would be huge. Do you think that just maybe any of that had anything to do with Donald Trump`s change of heart here?
OMAROSA MANIGAULT, WEST COAST EDITOR, "REALITY WEEKLY": You know what? This is a big complicated issue because what Gloria Allred`s client is looking for is a change across the board.
Miss Universe has over 100 franchise in 100 different countries. There are religious, there are social, and there are economic and there are cultural issues to be considered.
And I think this is a victory for Jenna. She gets to compete. If she wins, she will have a bigger platform to be an advocate for the transgender community.
But it looks as though she`s backing off. And I think she should compete because then she will be more effective.
HAMMER: Yes. I think if you went through the trouble of the rules changing and they say they`re following the laws, allowing her to compete, I agree with you, I think she should be back in.
I have to ask you though, Omarosa, as somebody who competed in these pageants, would you have minded if a transgender contestant competed against you in one of them when you were competing?
MANIGAULT: I wouldn`t mind. I mean, these are the most catty, difficult, hard competitions in the world and she wants to join that party?
Come along, but she`s going to have to compete just like everyone else and she has to meet all of the standards and qualifications.
I wouldn`t mind for her to compete against me. I wonder how she`ll fare in the competition for the Miss Universe Canada competition.
HAMMER: Well, we`ll all be watching for sure and following it very closely.
MANIGAULT: Yes.
HAMMER: Omarosa Manigault, again, always great to see you. Thanks for being here.
MANIGAULT: Thank you.
HAMMER: We move now from one beauty battle to another tonight -the raging controversy over "Cosmo`s" sizzling covers.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Fifty sex tips. Naughty sex tips. Seventy-five sex moves. Bad girl sex. That`s what they highlight and that`s what the basis and core of the magazine is all about.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The SHOWBIZ flashpoint, is America`s number one magazine for young women really sexualizing underage girls?
Wait until you see this. Alec`s Twitter tirade. Alec Baldwin is blowing his top again on the Internet. Now, this time, he`s defending his fiancee. Tonight, SHOWBIZ dares ask, can you really blame him?
Mary J`s mess. Did the R & B superstar just make a big mistake with this fast food ad?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Welcome to Burger King.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What`s in those new chicken snack wraps?
MARY J. BLIGE, SINGER: What`s in the new chicken wraps?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mary?
BLIGE (singing): Crispy chicken, fresh lettuce, great cheeses -
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I don`t know what`s going on. Why Mary J. is facing king size criticism is coming your way. 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: Madonna`s "MDNA" is biggest album debut of 2012. Ryan Seacrest reveals on "Today" he`s joining NBC`s Olympic coverage team.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RYAN SEACREST, TV AND RADIO HOST: The plan is for me to join the NBC family and continue to have a role at the E! Network. The first assignment will be to join the prime team for the Olympics on NBC.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: That is the great Jimmy Buffett taking everything in New Orleans on a trip to Margaritaville. He closed out the Big Dance concert series during the Final Four weekend.
But before he graced the stage, we sat down backstage for an exclusive SHOWBIZ TONIGHT interview.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York with a SHOWBIZ exclusive, jamming with Jimmy.
And I must say as a proud, part-time parrot head, I absolutely love hanging out with Jimmy Buffett backstage just moments before one of his legendary concerts.
He just comes backstage in his shorts and his flip-flops. The guy is an icon, now, of course, not only for his music, but for his enormous and extremely profitable Margaritaville empire.
He`s got margarita makers, restaurants, even his own hotel. But you know, even with all that, Jimmy tells me that for him there is nothing like getting on stage especially in New Orleans where he got his start as a street performer some 40 years ago.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JIMMY BUFFETT, MUSICIAN: New Orleans was always in my heart when I went out and traveled and moved to other parts of the country, because I grew up here and I`m a child of Highway 90. I really believe that.
And New Orleans was the first city that I came away from when I went to college, you know, 90 miles up the road. So it`s pretty ingrained in what I do, is this is the base out of which I came.
HAMMER: And we feel it in your shows. I listen to quite a few of your shows on Radio Margaritaville that they`re playing all the time.
BUFFETT: Yes.
HAMMER: And I get the impression, with everything that you have done in your life, with the books and all the business and everything else, I still genuinely get the feeling listening to you play that you`re at your happiest when you`re on the stage, bringing to everybody in the audience.
BUFFETT: It is. I mean, it`s coming up. I mean, we`ve got a beautiful day here. And I came out here and I thought it was great because it`s kind of a festival atmosphere.
And I`ve got to hand it to the promoters who did this show. They really kind of put this thing together and made it comfortable for us, the performers.
And I wasn`t quite sure because it`s kind of our element. We`re usually kind of rolling in our circus, you know.
HAMMER: Yes.
BUFFETT: And the unbelievable kind of diversity of the acts here is wonderful. I`m a big Black Keys fan.
(MUSIC)
You know, I love seeing bands that are playing live, that have loyal followings that I have been fortunate enough to have for 40 years, you know, because to be quite honest, there`s a time where you think, "Where are the great live performers that are 20 years old?"
HAMMER: Yes.
BUFFETT: Well, a lot of them were here this weekend.
HAMMER: Absolutely. Black Keys among them. I was so thrilled to get a chance to not only speak to them exclusively, like you and I are doing now, but to watch them perform, a band who sold out Madison Square Garden in 15 minutes. And you know that doesn`t happen very often in life.
BUFFETT: It`s a good feeling.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: The unique thing about you - look, a lot of artists, when fans come to meet them, they`ll say, "Oh, I saw you in concert in Oklahoma." Or, "I bought that record when," and they`ll give you a little story.
You`re probably the only guy who has fans coming up to you and saying, "Oh, I have your margarita maker." Or, "I stayed at your hotel."
BUFFETT: Oh, yes.
HAMMER: I mean, that`s kind of cool.
BUFFETT: Well, that`s to the point that we were lucky enough to kind of create a brand as we went along. And it`s pretty authentic, you know. I still do those things.
And the things that I like to do have become part of the brand. And you know, as I said, I don`t know anybody who wouldn`t want to spend two weeks at the beach and that`s worked pretty well.
HAMMER: Exactly. Well, what is the strangest item that somebody has ever approached you and asked you to perhaps license and slap your name on?
BUFFET: Oh, god.
HAMMER: Something that you said, "I don`t think that`s for me."
BUFFETT: That I said no to?
HAMMER: Yes.
BUFFETT: there were some interesting things. There was like - a guy had a thing that he wanted to like - you could put - you could kind of shave your name or you can shave like a (UNINTELLIGIBLE) to a dog. It was like a trimmer.
HAMMER: It`s for an animal?
BUFFETT: And I went no.
HAMMER: No, not for you.
(MUSIC)
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: He`s genuinely that chill. And as you heard Jimmy say, he`s a fan of the Black Keys. So am I, I`ve got to say, especially after my exclusive interview with the guys. You definitely do not want to miss tomorrow night right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Friday, we`re rolling with the red rocker. I`m one-on-one with my new inspiration in life, Sammy Hagar.
And we move on to an explosive Cosmo controversy tonight. The brand- new fury over Cosmo`s covers featuring teenage girls and sizzling sex.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Fifty sex tips. Naughty sex tips. Seventy-five sex moves. Bad girl sex. That`s what they highlight and that`s what the basis and core of the magazine is all about.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The great debate tonight, are young stars being sexualized? Also, Elton John`s music competition diss.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN: What I do fear is what happens to them after they win or the show is finished and the record company maintained their interest in their career afterwards.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Why he just told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT he thinks shows like "Voice" and "American Idol" could be bad news for rising stars. 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.
TEXT: Tom Cruise to receive Friar`s Club Entertainment Icon award.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Tonight, Alec Baldwin`s brand-new Twitter tirade. Yes, Alec is blowing his top yet again, but this time, a lot of people are saying it`s justified.
This latest blast of Baldwin fury is all about protecting his 28-year-old fiancee, Hilaria Thomas. Turns out a New York tabloid crashed the yoga studio where Hilaria teaches. And yes, you guessed it, Alec Baldwin isn`t having it.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Nischelle Turner has been following every angry tweet from Alec Baldwin. What is the deal, Nischelle?
NISCHELLE TURNER, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT CORRESPONDENT: Well, A.J., you know, this time, Alec isn`t bashing a Starbucks barista or blasting an airline attendant.
His wrath is all for two "New York Daily News" staffers who snapped photos of his fiancee`s ring. Now, they did this while Hilaria Thomas led her regular yoga class, and Alec is furious at the invasion of privacy.
Listen to what he just tweeted about it. He says, "Shame on the no-talent trash from "The Daily News" for invading the privacy of 75 people at a yoga class to take a picture of someone."
Then, Alec, posted a picture of one of the reporters and tweeted, "Here`s the nutty (EXPLETIVE DELETED) who crashed the yoga class." Wow. A.J. -
HAMMER: I`ve got to tell you something. I`m right here with Alec on this one. But I must say -
TURNER: OK.
HAMMER: I just spoke with Chynna Phillips about Alec`s new Twitter war. Chynna`s husband is Alec`s brother, Billy. Here is how she feels about this whole deal.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHYNNA PHILLIPS, SINGER: It`s a beautiful ring. He`s got to be proud of it. I mean I understand that he`s upset - people should not go into a yoga class under the guise that they`re there for yoga, when they`re really there to take a picture of, you know, Hilaria`s ring. It`s not nice.
But they did it. And this is Hollywood. It`s kind of what comes with the territory. I feel terrible about that. But you know what? There`s bigger and more important things going on in the world that can be discussed.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. I agree. There are probably more important issues out there. But obviously, still a huge invasion of privacy so I definitely can understand why Alec Baldwin is upset.
Nischelle, I can tell you SHOWBIZ TONIGHT contacted "The Daily News" about the feud. They told us they are not commenting on this story at the time. Thanks, Nischelle.
Time now for the SHOWBIZ lineup. Coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Wait until you see the bizarre new "Two and a Half Men" controversy that has nothing to do with Charlie Sheen.
Did the show`s co-creator really just say there are too many comedies about women? One of TV`s biggest female stars, Marisol Nichols of the hit comedy, "GCB," right here sounding off on the controversy.
Plus, it`s a family affair. The brand-new Kardashian music video of "Lady Marmalade."
(MUSIC)
Oh, yes. It`s a caught-on-tape Kardashian moment you have got to see. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Time for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - these more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: Models Molly Sims and Alessandra Ambrosio reveal they are having baby boys. Hilary Duff shares first picture of her son, Luca.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Fifty sex tips. Naughty sex tips. Seventy-five sex moves. Bad girl sex. That`s what they highlight and that`s what the basis and core of the magazine is all about.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Big news breaking tonight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - Cosmo cover controversy. The top fashion magazine at the center of a firestorm tonight, accused of sexualizing young stars. It`s SHOWBIZ special report.
Mary J`s mess. R & B superstar, Mary J. Bilge faces a whopper of a backlash.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Welcome to Burger King.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What`s in those new chicken snack wraps?
MARY J. BLIGE, SINGER: What`s in the new chicken wraps?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mary?
BLIGE (singing): Crispy chicken, fresh lettuce, great cheeses -
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, why some people are grilling Mary over her new Burger King ad.
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. And tonight, a SHOWBIZ special report - "Cosmo`s" sexy slam.
Now, tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is investigating the explosive controversy over "Cosmopolitan" magazine featuring teenage stars on their covers right alongside its standard, over-the-top of its sex talk.
Now, critics say it is outrageous, but "Cosmo" stands behind their covers. So who`s right and who`s wrong? Here`s SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SELENA GOMEZ, POP STAR: I love you, guys.
KAREEN WYNTER, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For young fans who love Selena Gomez right back -
GOMEZ: I`m your girlfriend. You agree with me. How come we`re not wearing these (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
WYNTER: Disney Channel`s "Wizards of Waverly Place" turned Gomez into a teen sensations and a regular on teen magazines. But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you Selena`s latest magazine cover is sparking big outrage.
(on camera) This is her on "Cosmopolitan" magazine. But the controversy is not about the photo. It`s about the copy surrounding Selena.
Check this out: "50 Sex Tips: Readers Share Them." "Naughtiest Moves They Discovered All on Their Own." And what about this? "Your Orgasm Guaranteed: The New Trick Experts Swear By."
(voice-over) Former model Nicole Weider is blasting Cosmo accusing editors of deliberately putting Gomez and other young stars on the cover to attract younger readers. She says by doing that, they`re exposing underage girls to graphic content.
NICOLE WEIDER, FORMER MODEL: Fifty sex tips. Naughty sex tips. Seventy- five sex moves. Bad girl sex. That`s what they highlight and that`s what the basis and core of the magazine is all about.
WYNTER: These are young girls who are quite impressionable reading this stuff, and that`s what scares you.
WEIDER: Oh, completely.
WYNTER: "Cosmo`s" February cover picture, Dakota Fanning, who hadn`t turned 18 yet next to this headline - too naughty to say here, but you have to try this sex trick.
WEIDER: It`s sexualizing young girls. And they`re daring them to try all these crazy sex acts.
WYNTER: Weider launched an online petition at AntiCosmoMission.com demanding the magazine shield covers in dark plastic, similar to what`s done with adult magazines like "Hustler."
WEIDER: Would that solve the problem if you put a protective coating on it? That means that, you know, young little five-year-old Jada isn`t flip through the magazine. Really, what helps is this was sold only to adults.
WYNTER: But one expert on women`s issues thinks Weider`s anti-Cosmo campaign goes way too far.
PIPER WEISS, SENIOR FEATURES EDITOR, YAHOO: I don`t think that learning about sex is going to immediately lead to irresponsible activity among young girls. "Cosmo" is hardly the most shocking or fearful place to learn about sex.
WYNTER: Piper Weiss, senior features editor at "Yahoo Shine," the women`s lifestyle portal, tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT younger readers can find useful information in "Cosmopolitan."
WEISS: It`s more about a place where girls go to find out about the things they`re embarrassed to ask in sex class. It`s the place you go when you don`t want to talk to your parents about something.
WYNTER: But Weider says "Cosmo" goes well beyond mere sex education.
WEIDER: This this magazine, it features hardcore, step by step instructions on how to give proper (EXPLETIVE DELETED) or do this sex position, reverse cowgirl. It`s pushing sex in a very graphic manner.
WYNTER: As for "Cosmo," the magazine is defending its content and its decision to put young stars on the cover. It tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT in a statement, quote, "The mature, successful young woman `Cosmopolitan` features on its cover embody the fun, fearless spirit of the magazine and reflect the empowering information inside about relationships, career, health and beauty."
Weider says she`s not buying it and hopes to convince federal regulators to take action against the magazine.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: It certainly is easy to understand this controversy, young stars sharing the cover of "Cosmo" with all those sex tips. It is tonight`s great debate - are underage stars being sexualized for the sake of selling magazines?
With me in New York, I`m so thrilled to welcome Marisol Nichols who is the star of ABC`s new hit primetime show, "GCB," with my friend, the lovely Kristin Chenoweth.
And from Hollywood, it`s Sean Kanan, star of "The Young and the Restless," also author of the fine book, "The Modern Gentleman: Cooking and Entertaining with Sean Kanan."
Great to have you both here. Marisol, it`s terrific to meet you. I want to start off by putting this up. Let`s take a look, Charles, if we can, at the cover of this "Cosmo" magazine.
Nineteen-year-old Selena Gomez is right there on the cover. Here`s the headline, "50 Sex Tips: Readers Share Their Naughtiest Moves They Discovered All on Their Own." Marisol, what do you think? Anything wrong with that?
MARISOL NICHOLS, ACTRESS: I think that - look, I think Selena looks beautiful on the cover. I think that - so does Dakota. I don`t think anything - there`s no question about that.
I think they look tasteful and good. It`s just that when you put someone who`s been on the cover of teen magazines for so long -
HAMMER: Yes.
NICHOL: And then all of those readers are going to follow that girl to her next magazine cover. And unfortunately, that magazine is an adult magazine. And when you put words "sex" and "orgasm" right next to that - I get the controversy. I understand it.
HAMMER: And this is the content of their magazines and you wonder is somebody either very, very clever with getting the readers this way, or is it just a matter of they have to put all this stuff on the cover to represent what`s inside the pages.
Sean, what do you think? "Cosmo" is defending their idea of putting young stars on these covers alongside their sex tips headlines. They said their magazines empower women.
But these are young, female stars that they`re putting on their covers. Do you think they`re being sexualized for the sake of selling magazines?
SEAN KANAN, ACTOR: Absolutely, they`re being sexualized. You know, without a doubt, you know, some of these magazines, A.J. - it`s become so iconic to appear on the cover of them. It`s become a really savvy career move.
And time and time again, unfortunately, we`ve seen young actresses try and shed their former, you know, child star persona by doing these very adult photo layouts in magazines like this.
But going after a magazine like "Cosmo" and saying, you know, "You guys are bad for doing this." It`s kind of like going after "Field and Stream" and saying, "Well, we`re surprised you`re glamorizing hunting." That`s their stock and trade.
HAMMER: Yes.
KANAN: The actresses who appear on this - they know what they`re getting into and it`s a calculated decision.
HAMMER: Oh.
KANAN: What they don`t know, however, is what is the copy that the editors are going to put underneath that (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
HAMMER: That`s exactly right. You make a very exact point there. It will be interesting to see if anything changes. I`m betting it doesn`t, though.
One thing not sitting well with women in many age groups right now, brand- new comments made by the co-creator of "Two and a Half Men."
Lee Aronsohn`s speaking at a screenwriting conference in Toronto - and he had this to say about the women who are depicted on this very popular sitcom.
"We`re centering the show on two very damaged men. What makes men damaged? Sorry, it`s women. I never got my heart broken by a man."
Now, he followed that zinger up with one all about the new comedies on TV featuring women, telling this to "The Hollywood Reporter," "Enough, ladies. I get it. You have periods."
Oh, boy. OK, Marisol. As the star of one of the biggest new female comedy-dramas on TV right now, what do you say to him for something like that?
NICHOLS: I would say, "Please don`t come anywhere near our sets. You will not be welcome." It`s a pretty degrading comment to women.
And I`m surprised because I know he`s a family man. And I know he has a wife and two kids. So it`s a really surprising and kind of shocking statement to make and a very blanketed statement about women.
HAMMER: And not surprising, it has been trending. People have gone after him. He`s apologized saying it was a joke gone bad. Do we let him off the hook, Sean? Tread carefully, my friend.
(CROSS TALK)
KANAN: It was an unfortunate choice of words. You know, maybe he was channeling the voice of one of his male characters, Charlie.
HAMMER: Exactly.
KANAN: I don`t know. Maybe what he`s saying is that the female comedies of today need to maybe start thinking a little more outside the box.
HAMMER: OK. Yes. Very diplomatic.
(CROSS TALK)
All right. Sean Kanan, Marisol Nichols, thank you both so much.
NICHOLS: Thank you.
HAMMER: And now, from a cover controversy to this - Elton John sure does tell it like it is.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN: What I do fear is what happens to them after they win or the show is finished and the record company maintained their interest in their career afterwards.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Elton`s comments to us spark a new firestorm tonight. But is he out of line?
And wait until you see this - Mary J.`s image tarnished? Could it be? Why a Burger King ad touched off a major backlash for Mary J. Blige.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Welcome to Burger King.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What`s in those new chicken snack wraps?
MARY J. BLIGE, SINGER: What`s in the new chicken wraps?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mary?
BLIGE (singing): Crispy chicken, fresh lettuce, great cheeses -
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: So was this a bad move for Mary? 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.
TEXT: Levi Johnston is going to be a dad for the second time! Sherri Shepherd and partner Val tell SHOWBIZ what they think makes DWTS successful.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VAL CHMERKOVSKIY, PROFESSIONAL DANCER: It`s beautiful to see celebrities go out of their comfort and do beautiful things.
SHERRI SHEPHERD, "DANCING WITH THE STARS" CONTESTANT: Yes.
CHMERKOVSKIY: And you have a lot of positivity.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Don`t you think it brings a realness to celebrities? I mean, you see celebrities that you think you know them and then you see a different side of them.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN: I have nothing against people going on the show. It`s just that I worry about what happens to them afterwards. Because, next year, there`s another one. And I can`t even remember who won the first "Voice" thing. But you know, it`s - they`re gone and it`s stale. It`s sad.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Can you believe Elton John said that? He`s slamming some of the hottest music competition shows on television, "American Idol," "X Factor," "The Voice" - all of course known for giving young singers a rare shot at fame.
But did Elton get it right? Are those hit reality shows really just setting contestants up for a big letdown?
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Tonight, Elton`s big diss of TV`s most popular music competitions.
Tonight, SHOWBIZ breaks news. On location last night at Sting`s rainforest charity event at Carnegie Hall. That`s where we just spoke with pop legend about how reality shows are really changing the face of the music world.
And that is what Elton told us what he really thinks that singing shows today are just bad news for wannabe music stars.
With me in New York, Marisol Nichols, who stars on ABC`s new hit show. It`s "GCB." From Hollywood, Omarosa Manigault, west coast editor of "Reality Weekly."
Great to have you both here. Now, right now, we know shows like "The Voice" and "American Idol" bring in huge ratings, big dollars.
And I really do think they`re giving talented people a spotlight that, look, they might not have otherwise gotten. But Elton doesn`t see it that way. Watch what he just told us.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN: I don`t watch them. I don`t like them very much. But the people who go on them, some of them are very talented.
What I do fear is what happens to them after they win or the show is finished and the record company maintained their interest in their career afterwards.
Most of us come up by traveling in a van and, you know, schlepping along and - it`s a very quick way to stardom, but it`s also quite a dangerous way.
It`s sad because there`s a very big amount of attention thrust upon you. And if you haven`t got the experience to handle it, it`s tough on the artist and I feel sorry for them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: You know, Elton always says what`s on his mind. He`s always done that. But his words are sparking this big debate tonight. What do you think, Marisol? Is Elton spot on here or is he getting it all wrong?
NICHOLS: I personally love those shows.
HAMMER: OK.
NICHOLS: I love getting turned on to new artists, new singers and I fall in love with them every single night in front of my TV when I see them.
I understand his viewpoint though about - you know, I do wonder, like, "Oh, what happened to the second runner up on season 4. I loved that person."
HAMMER: Yes.
NICHOLS: So you do wonder, but he did say, you know, the record companies sort of lose interest. So I think maybe some of the attention should focus on what are the record companies doing with this rather than the fault of the show, because they feel like the show really highlights and gives them a good opportunity.
HAMMER: But if it`s creating these disposable artists, that`s not good for the artists. Look, even though Elton`s words are harsh, Omarosa, do you think that maybe it is a good thing that he`s putting this warning out there? I actually love that he`s bringing attention to this.
MANIGAULT: You know, I thought it`s kind of a little catty, actually. It`s called a big break for a reason. If you get an opportunity to go on the show, and Americans get to know who you are, this is an opportunity for you to turn your career around, to really ignite it.
And I think that his cautionary tale is just something that`s he`s connecting with the reality that reality TV make stars. And you can`t all be winners, but the folks that don`t win go on to do big things as well. And so I think he`s a little - he`s being Elton.
HAMMER: It`s interesting and I love that. And I`m a little surprised that this is what he`s telling us because the fact is he performed on "Idol" just two years ago.
I`m thinking, Marisol, he should go on one of the shows as a mentor and impart this wisdom and knowledge.
NICHOLS: Yes. I think that it a great idea, because he`s got so much knowledge of the business. He did work his way up through the vans and all the way to the top.
And he`s been around for so long. And I think he`s got a lot of wisdom that he could share. Would love to see him on there.
HAMMER: I would love to see him on there, too. And it was great to have you on here, Marisol Nichols.
NICHOLS: Thank you.
HAMMER: Thank you so much. Omarosa Manigault, always great to see you. Be sure to check out Marisol on GCB every Sunday night on ABC.
And you can pick up this week`s copy of "Reality Weekly" on shelves right now.
From Elton`s warnings to rising stars to a music legend who may have just made a terrible move herself. There`s outrage tonight over a Burger King commercial which features R & B singer, Mary J. Blige.
Now, the ad just debuted this week, but already, it has been pulled from the air. Still, that hasn`t stopped the backlash.
Let me bring in SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Nischelle Turner who is Hollywood tonight. Nischelle, why are people shaking their heads over Mary`s commercial?
NISCHELLE TURNER, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT CORRESPONDENT: Well, A.J., Mary`s new Burger King commercial is part of the company`s new celebrity campaign. Jay Leno and David Beckham are also featured in ads. But it`s Mary J`s commercial that is raising eyebrows.
As you said, Burger King has pulled it from the airwaves. They tried to scrub it from the Internet, but we`ve got it. And I want you to see for yourself what`s stirring all of this controversy. Watch with me.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Welcome to Burger King.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What`s in those new chicken snack wraps?
MARY J. BLIGE, SINGER: What`s in the new chicken wraps?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mary?
BLIGE (singing): Crispy chicken, fresh lettuce, great cheeses -
(MUSIC)
ANNOUNCER: The new chicken snack wraps -
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Nischelle, a lot of people are saying this ad really takes away from Mary`s legacy. Pardon the pun, but what`s the beef here?
TURNER: You know, this, A.J., has gotten really wild. Some of the bloggers have really been merciless with this. Let me just read some of the comments they`ve made.
This is from MadameNoire.com. Some of them said, "Why, Mary, why? This is so beneath you. This harmonizing about chicken is a move I would associate with someone whose glory days are far behind them."
And that blogger goes on to call the ad, "utter buffoonery."
And this also from "The Los Angeles Times," Mary`s Burger King commercial, quote, "might be so cringe-worthy that it could land Blige on the list of the most embarrassing celebrity commercials of all time." Ouch.
HAMMER: So what is Burger King saying about this?
TURNER: You know, A.J. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT did reach out to Burger King for a response to find out why the ad was pulled.
And while we didn`t back from the company right away, this is the statement they previously released. They said, "The Mary J. Bilge advertisement has been pulled due to a licensing issue." And for now, Burger King seems to be sticking by that explanation.
HAMMER: Well, all right. You know, we`ll see if they`re pulled for good or not. We`ve seen plenty of stars singing about products in the past. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Nischelle Turner, thank you so much.
Now, Justin Timberlake And Jessica Biel creating new reports tonight. New reports saying their wedding date is set. When is it? Where is my invitation? That`s next. 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 buys new mansion in California for $6 million. Emma Stone jokes about kissing her co-stars Andrew Garfield and Ryan Gosling.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ELLEN DEGENERES, HOST, "THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW": Ryan Gosling, Andrew - who`s the better kisser? Is it tough?
EMMA STONE, ACTRESS: Apples and oranges, you know.
DEGENERES: So is it an apple or an orange?
STONE: I love all fruits.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is on location with Tom Hanks. What did he just tell us? Plus, brand-new reports on Justin Timberlake`s upcoming wedding to Jessica Biel? And "Dancing with the Stars" sent another celebrity home. That tops "The Buzz Today."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over) Jack sent packing.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Jack and Anna.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was right there at "Dancing with the Stars" as it was Jack Wagner who said goodbye to the ballroom. Wagner and his partner were sent home on Tuesday`s elimination show.
Even though he`s been dropped from the competition, Jack tells us he`ll still be getting his dance on.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JACK WAGNER, "DANCING WITH THE STARS" CONTESTANT: I`m dancing right out of here tonight. I`m not stopping and I`m never going to take this outfit off. Can I get a full shot of this? This is going to be on for a long time to come.
HAMMER: Justin and Jessica`s wedding revelations? Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake may just be planning a huge summer wedding.
According to a brand-new People.com report, the pair, who are known for keeping their relationship low profile are pulling out all the stops for a big wedding blow out this summer.
The couple have yet to confirm their engagement, but Biel was seen was wearing what looked like an engagement ring last month. And according to people, they`ve been spotted together in Atlanta just while Jessica was shooting a movie.
SHOWBIZ on location at Sting`s rainforest benefit concert event at Carnegie Hall. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was right there on the red carpet with the eco-conscious stars, including Elton John, James Taylor, Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep who all came out Tuesday night for Sting and his wife, Trudy Styler`s annual concert to help save the world`s rainforests.
Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson reveal to us that their household has turned extremely green.
RITA WILSON, ACTRESS: I`m trying very, very hard we`re pretty much at home getting rid of all the plastic in our house.
TOM HANKS, ACTOR: We have got stainless steel straws in our hose.
WILSON: Stainless steel straws.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Where do you get those?
HANKS: At the stainless steel straw place.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: All right. Tom. I`ve got to show you this. The Kardashians have outdone themselves this time with a new family music video.
(MUSIC)
It`s a must see lip sync of "Lady Marmalade," your SHOWBIZ first look, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Did you see this? The Kardashians are going all out in their brand-new music video that they made, all decked out as they lip sync and dance to the classic tune, "Lady Marmalade." Let`s enjoy.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: What a treat? All I have to say is thank you, Kardashian family. Thank you for that entertaining moment caught on tape.
That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thanks for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer. You can catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusively, weeknights, 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific right here on HLN.
Stay right here for "DR. DREW," next. Tonight, a woman accused of helping her 86-year-old friend commit suicide by grinding up pain pills into his yoghurt. That`s starts right now.
END
