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Showbiz Tonight
Big Stars Demanding Big Justice for Trayvon Martin; Wilson Phillips Still Holding On; Gloria Allred and Donald Trump`s Word War; Reality Rumble; Lou Ferrigno`s Nasty Boardroom Battle
Aired April 09, 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 -- big stars demanding big justice for Trayvon. It`s been 43 days since the death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, and Hollywood is taking action in a huge way.
But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT dares to ask, will the star power be enough? Tonight, ground-breaking rapper, Yo-Yo, makes a provocative call for justice for Trayvon in a must-see SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.
Still holding on, `90s super-group, Wilson Phillips, exposes all in a new reality show. Nothing is off limits, including Carnie Wilson`s stunning second weight loss surgery confession and it is all caught on tape.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: When were you planning on doing this procedure?
CARNIE WILSON, SINGER: It`s going to be in the next week.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What?
C. WILSON: Yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The Hulk gets the boot.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LOU FERRIGNO, ACTOR: I don`t want to be fired.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Lou Ferrigno is the latest star fired from "Celebrity Apprentice," but is Donald Trump sending mixed messages? Lou is right here with all of the drama you didn`t see.
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.
The star fight for Trayvon Martin explodes tonight as a huge development is announced in this case. Stars are stepping up their demand for justice in the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Florida and challenging other stars to step up, too.
This as we learn today the that Florida state attorney, Angela Corey, will not use a grand jury to decide whether to press charges against neighborhood watchman, George Zimmerman, who claims he killed Trayvon in self-defense.
So now the big, burning question, what does that mean for the case now? The cries for justice are growing louder, especially from celebrities, who are using their star power to spread the message that they want action, an arrest, that justice be served for Trayvon Martin.
Grammy nominated hip hop star, Yo-Yo, has been very vocal speaking out at rallies for Trayvon. She joins me tonight from Hollywood for the SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview. Great to have you here, Yo-Yo.
YO-YO, RAP ARTIST: Thanks for having me.
HAMMER: Our pleasure. So you heard the news, we heard today, no grand jury in the Trayvon Martin case. And this basically means two things.
First of all, the decision whether to charge George Zimmerman now rests with the prosecutors. And second, the timetable for possible charges is kind of up in the air. Yo-Yo, at the end of the day, do you think George Zimmerman will be charged?
YO-YO: At the end of the day, we want justice. We want an arrest. We want justice to be served. Of course, I think -- I`m hoping and praying for an arrest.
HAMMER: Well, you have had some very strong words, not just about this case in general, but for the hip-hop community in particular. A few weeks ago, you were quoted as saying popular rappers like Drake, like Lil` Wayne should doing more in the Trayvon Martin case.
What exactly is it that would you like to see rappers doing that they are not doing?
YO-YO: Well, you know what? We are so used to having -- our entertainers have been our leaders for so long in our community. You have the James Brown, Muhammad Ali.
You have -- I mean, and it`s hard to go to kids that make music and ask them to be the voice of our community. But when you lack leadership within your community -- and we have some powerful leaders.
But when they are not that vocal, we need them to stand up and understand that we need them to be conscious about the situation and understand that we are the leaders of today.
And your voice, your voice -- if you could sell a million records, we need you to get involved with your community and things that are going on in your community because it matters. Your voice can make a difference. That`s star power.
HAMMER: Well, you yourself have really stepped up. You are setting a great example, I think. And so many stars are speaking out, Bill Cosby among them. He actually just made his very first comments about the case.
He says, you know, if George Zimmerman was on neighborhood watch, the guy shouldn`t have had a gun.
YO-YO: That`s right.
HAMMER: Let me read specifically what he tells "The Washington Times." Listen to this. Bill Cosby saying, "Without a gun, I don`t see Mr. Zimmerman approaching Trayvon by himself. The power of the gun mentality had him unafraid to confront someone. Even police call for backup in similar situations."
He goes on to say this, "When you carry a gun, you mean to harm somebody, kill somebody." Pretty powerful. What affect, Yo-Yo, do you think the comments from celebrities, like Cosby, like yourself, are actually having on this case and moving it forward and keeping the pressure on?
YO-YO: Well, it`s making it just that. It`s making it a national campaign. It`s the world. It`s musicians. It is everybody getting involved to say that we want justice.
It`s not sweeping it under the rug like so many other situations have been done. And it`s just saying that we are seeing America. We want change. We are using our star power to put that change into effect. And hopefully, it does what it is supposed to do.
HAMMER: Yes. That`s what so many people are hoping. Obviously, the dialogue, regardless of the outcome -- look, the dialogue is still very, very important. But you just said a moment ago yourself, you expect to see charges filed here. But here`s the thing --
YO-YO: Of course.
HAMMER: We know this could go either direction. if the special prosecutor decides, you know what? There`s not enough evidence to charge George Zimmerman. What then do you plan to do?
YO-YO: Continue fighting because, I mean, this is clearly -- this will clearly be a slap in the face to so many young, black men who feel like they have no say any way.
And I just think that if it goes -- if it goes with no justice, if no justice is served, then I just think it would upset America. You know, no voice for the kids. I don`t know. I don`t know.
I just -- I`m hoping. I`m just hoping. There will be justice. Justice will be served. Tomorrow, there will be justice. I`m going to stand on that. I`m going to stand on it, I mean, because the facts are there.
HAMMER: And we`ll count on you to keep being very vocal about this. Hip- Hop pioneer, Yolanda "Yo-Yo" Whittaker -- thank you so much, Yo-Yo.
YO-YO: Thank you for having me.
HAMMER: Right now, I want to bring in Sunny Hostin. She is a former prosecutor and a current legal contributor to "In Session" on Tru TV.
So Sunny, as we just heard the special prosecutor in the case is saying no grand jury tomorrow. This is not what we were expecting to hear. What exactly happened?
SUNNY HOSTIN, LEGAL CONTRIBUTOR, "IN SESSION": Well, it is what I was expecting to hear. And that`s because the April 10th grand jury date was set by the prior state prosecutor.
This special prosecutor, Angela Corey, has said from the very beginning, in all of her years as a state prosecutor in a justifiable use of force case, she has never sent it to the grand jury.
She has made those hard decisions herself. As a former federal prosecutor I made a lot of hard-charging decisions myself. So a lot of seasoned prosecutors , A.J. -- they`re not going to take some evidence in front of 23 people, lay people.
HAMMER: Right.
HOSTIN: They`re going to look at the evidence, look at the investigation, go with their gut, apply the facts to the law and make that tough call. Prosecutors make those calls each and every day.
HAMMER: OK. So this had more to do with the person in place, not necessarily the case itself.
HOSTIN: That`s right.
HAMMER: It was -- OK. I think people are misunderstanding that. So does this even have any impact on whether we can assess the likelihood of charges coming against George Zimmerman? Are they more or less likely?
HOSTIN: I don`t think we can read into it at all, and that`s what Angela Corey, I think, wanted people to know --
HAMMER: OK.
HOSTIN: Which is why she came out with this statement, "I`m not going to use the grand jury." I don`t think it has any --
HAMMER: And she`s the current prosecutor.
HOSTIN: She`s the current prosecutor. She`s a special prosecutor assigned just for this case.
HAMMER: OK. Got you.
HOSTIN: So I think we need to the take a step back and let the investigation take its course. So many people are saying, "Why hasn`t he been arrested?"
Well, she got this case March 22nd. High-profile case, difficult set of circumstances. I don`t want her to rush. I don`t want her to rush to judgment to make this tough call.
HAMMER: Yes. You don`t want mess this up at all. Got it.
HOSTIN: So it hasn`t been that long, not long for Angela Corey.
HAMMER: OK. Right now, I want to talk to you about another very tragic case, this one involving singer and actress, Jennifer Hudson.
Now, the trial for the man accused of murdering Hudson`s brother, seven- year-old nephew and mother began today with jury selection.
I mean, just saying that still grabs me and I think probably everybody. Potential jurors are being asked a lot of questions having to do with Hudson, including whether they have seen "Dream Girls."
That, of course, is the film that Jennifer won an Oscar for. She`s expected to attend the trial once the testimony starts. She might even testify, Sunny.
How would her presence in that courtroom effect the trial? I have to imagine it would have some impact.
HOSTIN: It could, and I think this is sort of every prosecutor`s worry when you`re trying a high-profile case especially when there is a celebrity involved. Who hasn`t seen "Dream Girls"? Who hasn`t been involved with Weight Watchers or heard of Weight Watchers? And she is the spokesperson.
And so I think it`s sort of the elephant in the room that prosecutors are worried about. About 150 jurors took a prospective juror questionnaire.
HAMMER: Right.
HOSTIN: Nine out of the 66 questions dealt with Jennifer Hudson`s celebrity.
HAMMER: So how do you go about finding 12 people who don`t have an opinion about Jennifer Hudson or about this case?
HOSTIN: I don`t think you find someone or 12 people that don`t have an opinion. I think you find people that even -- notwithstanding the opinion, they can render a fair and impartial verdict.
HAMMER: Wow.
HOSTIN: And quite frankly, as a former prosecutor, I don`t want someone that hasn`t heard of Jennifer Hudson.
HAMMER: Right.
HOSTIN: What rock have they been living under?
HAMMER: And look, we saw that with the Michael Jackson doctor trial as well.
HOSTIN: Exactly.
HAMMER: OK. Good enough. Great to have your insights as always.
HOSTIN: Thank you.
HAMMER: Sunny Hostin, thank you very much. As we move on tonight, "Hold On," an iconic song to be sure by the iconic, sugary sweet Wilson Phillips.
Well, now, they are back and they are raw, exposing all on reality TV including how Carnie Wilson`s weight loss surgery affected the whole group.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We were planning on to doing a show in New Orleans and we had all of these plans. And all of a sudden, Carnie is getting surgery, so it freaked me out a little bit.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. Imagine, that is Chynna Phillips` reaction to Carnie`s second weight loss surgery. Plus, we go inside of their new reality show. You`ve got to see this.
Carnie, Chynna and Wendy Wilson, all right here. It`s a revealing SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.
Plus, an ugly new Trump war --
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GLORIA ALLRED, ATTORNEY: And he also said that he can beat me. All I can tell you right now, Barbara, the score is zero. Donald Trump, one.
BARBARA WALTERS, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER AND CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": Why does there have to be a fight between you and Donald?
HAMMER: Gloria Allred, Donald Trump going at it over a transgender beauty pageant contestant. Donald in a celebrity feud. We`ve seen that before. Tonight, we are one on one with Donald Trump.
Also, "American Idol," The Voice, "Dancing with the Stars." You know, we watch them. We love them. But which is the king of reality TV? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT goes inside of the reality war. 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: Woman arrested outside Alec Baldwin`s NYC apartment on stalking charges. Kelly Ripa reveals new set on "Live! With Kelly."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KELLY RIPA, HOST, "LIVE! WITH KELLY": Did you see our staircase, by the way?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I love it. 0
RIPA: I just want to point out that this looks very Brady Bunch.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is.
RIPA: You know, we should play ball and break that vase.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Wow! This is so cool. This is the coolest set.
RIPA: It`s incredible.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Is Britney Spears getting married soon? Well, that is the speculation after "People" reports that Britney`s dad is asking that her fiance, Jason Trawick, is added as a co-conservator.
Now, Britney, you may remember, has been under a conservatorship since 2008 with her dad making personal and financial decisions after Britney`s mental health issues.
Now, if all goes as planned, Jason will be able to make decisions for Britney about everything except her multimillion-dollar fortune. A legal expert tells "People" that this could mean Britney and Jason, who have been engaged since December, are ready to be Mr. and Mrs. very soon.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. And right now, it is a SHOWBIZ exclusive, chilling with the Black Keys.
Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney have been at it for a long time. But they really hit the big time with their album, "El Camino."
And I quickly learned, when I sat down with them this New Orleans for the Big Dance concert series, Dan and Patrick are kind of reluctant celebrities.
They still feel like, you know, they`re just a couple of guys from Ohio who make music. Well, the reality is they are international music superstars who, of course, now rub elbows with other megastars and, of course, some not-so-megastars.
You have got to hear what the Black Keys just told me about their strangest star encounter since becoming famous, being interviewed by The Situation from "Jersey Shore." Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PATRICK CARNEY, DRUMMER, THE BLACK KEYS: He was interviewing us at the Grammys. And he asked Dan -- my brother, Mike, was there, too, because he was nominated for a Grammy.
He asked the three of us what our "Jersey Shore" names would be. And my brother told him that his would be The Situation and he couldn`t process that.
HAMMER: No. I`m shocked to hear that.
DAN AUERBACH, GUITARIST AND VOCALIST: No, he`s not very nimble mentally.
(MUSIC)
Obviously, you guys have worked very hard to get where you have gotten. And it`s been cool this weekend, you know, being with a band like Kiss that has been around for decades and spending time with Blondie who comes from a whole different era of the music business when it was very different.
But right now, as you well know, there are many ways for bands who are working really hard, who are not working really hard, to get famous very quickly.
Obviously shows like "American Idol" and "The Voice" are among them. Is there anything wrong with that? I mean, you guys had a much different path. But the instant success that can come with a show like "The Voice" or "American Idol" in your mind?
AUERBACH: I don`t think there is anything wrong with loving music and playing music and trying to do it for a living any way you can figure out how to do that. It`s such a difficult business.
I mean, I wouldn`t suggest someone get in their van and drive around for 10 years playing shows and crappy little clubs.
HAMMER: It seems insane.
AUERBACH: It was insane. It seems to us and we did it, you know what I mean? So, there`s no wrong way to do it. I don`t know.
CARNEY: We played our first show 10 years ago. Yesterday was the anniversary of our first show.
HAMMER: Congratulations on that. That`s a pretty big deal. That`s worth- noting, for sure.
CARNEY: There were like eight people there, and --
HAMMER: At your first show?
CARNEY: Yes. I paid $10. I paid $10.
HAMMER: And now, you are about to get on stage in New Orleans in front of tens of thousands of people.
CARNEY: It`s weird that people are paying $10 for this show, too. I mean, we`re not the best at negotiating.
(MUSIC)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: So talented and still so humble. And just days after the Black Keys rocked New Orleans, Dan Auerbach and one of the kings of New Orleans, the great Dr. John, released a new album.
It is called "Lockdown," just an unreal collaboration. If I were you, I would download it tonight.
Right now, it`s a totally unreal SHOWBIZ viral video that I must show you. James Franco shooting a movie with Disney sweetheart, Selena Gomez. James rocks braids and gold teeth in a film called "Spring Breakers."
But that`s not the shocking part. Here`s where our SHOWBIZ viral video comes in -- James, in full wannabe gangster gear, sings his heart out. It`s a very unique version, to be sure, of Selena`s "Love You Like a Love Song."
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Is it me or does James have a K-Fed thing going on there with his new look. I`m just saying.
Moving on tonight, the Hulk gets the boot. Lou Ferrigno, the latest star fired from "Celebrity Apprentice."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FERRIGNO: I have to say that Lisa is lucky enough to be a man tonight, because I would throw her right through that wall, because after the last boardroom --
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Really?
FERRIGNO: You called me a (EXPLETIVE DELETED) loser.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: So Lou is out, but is Donald Trump sending mixed messages? Well, Lou is right here with all the drama you didn`t see -- SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.
Extreme Anne. Anne Hathaway stepping out with a shocking new look. I barely recognized her. We are going to show it to you and tell you why Anne did it, next. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Here`s the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" -- more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: Chris Daughtry sued by ex-band mates for unpaid royalties. SHOWBIZ first look: Drake and Rihanna get close in video for "Take Care."
(MUSIC)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Did you see this? Everyone is buzzing about Anne Hathaway`s shockingly short new hairdo. Anne was out and about in London. She was barely recognizable. I mean, do you recognize her here?
So what`s the deal? Well, we know Anne Hathaway usually has long, flowing locks. She reportedly lobbed them off for a brand-new role. She is playing Fantine in the upcoming film, "Les Miserables."
Now, People.com reports Anne also shed a couple of pounds for the film. She is starring in the movie alongside Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe. And Anne Hathaway still looks great to me.
On now to Sofia Vergara`s debut on "Saturday Night Live." Also, touchdown for Tebow. New Jets` Tim Tebow goes from sellout crowds on football Sundays to a packed house on Easter Sunday. We`ve got more in "The Buzz Today."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over) Tebow, the Easter preacher. Tim Tebow just scored a big off- season Sunday win in Georgetown, Texas. A crowd of nearly 20,000 worshipers packed an outdoor church service to hear Tebow turn preacher and deliver the Easter Sunday sermon.
The "New York Times" reports some fans drove over 100 miles to Celebration Church`s Easter on the hill prayer service to hear the NFL quarterback`s message about athletes as role models and the importance of being outspoken about faith.
TIM TEBOW, NEW YORK JETS QUARTERBACK: I really don`t think I was the first athlete to get on a knee and pray. And it`s funny because I have actually had the same routine the last seven years. And just this year, they started to call it "Tebowing," which I have no idea why.
HAMMER: Sofia`s "SNL" debut. Sofia Vergara has just joined the club of "Saturday Night Live" hosts. The "Modern Family" star premiered on "SNL" this weekend with a monologue poking fun at emigrating from Colombia and being welcomed to the United States by so many nice men. She also joked about her unique way of speaking.
SOFIA VERGARA, ACTRESS: You may have noticed that I have a bit of an accent sometimes. I love it. This accent makes anything sound sexy. Listen. Gonorrhea. Rick Santorum. New Jersey.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Pretty funny. That`s right. Now, the SHOWBIZ lineup -- here`s what is coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHYNNA PHILLIPS, SINGER: We were planning to do a show in New Orleans and we had all of these plans. And all of a sudden, Carnie`s getting surgery. So it freaked me out a little bit.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Wilson Phillips exposes all in a brand-new reality show, including Carnie Wilson`s extreme weight loss plan. Carnie, Chynna and Wendy Wilson, all right here for a revealing SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.
Gloria Allred, Donald Trump -- it`s a made-for-TV war over a transgender beauty pageant contestant. Tonight, we are one on one with Donald Trump talking about the ugly war over a beauty contest. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Time for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" -- more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: Cyndi Lauper writing memoir about childhood and career. Veteran news correspondent Mike Wallace dies at age 93.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: We were planning on doing a show in New Orleans and we had all of these plans. And then, all of a sudden, Carnie is getting surgery, so it freaked me out a little bit.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Big news breaking tonight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT -- Carnie Wilson`s new weight battle revealed. Tonight, Carnie`s confessions about getting a second weight loss surgery and how are Wilson Phillips band mates reacting to the news.
They are all here. Wilson Phillips tells all in a must-see SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALLRED: He also said that he can beat me. All I can tell you right now is, Barbara, the score is zero, Donald Trump, one for Allred. .
WALTERS: Why does there have to be a fight between you and Donald?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, why Donald Trump`s Miss Universe feud with Gloria Allred is anything but over. I go one on one with the Donald himself for his first reaction to Gloria`s Miss Universe slam.
And are you ready for a reality rumble? "Dancing with the Stars," "American Idol," "The Voice" -- who will reign supreme in the all-out reality smackdown?
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thank you for watching. It is 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
Tonight, Wilson Phillips still holding on after two decades. It is hard to believe it has been 22 years since Wilson Phillips first topped the charts with their huge debut hit, "Hold On." That was back in 1990. You remember this.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Since then, so much has happened. Hairstyles have changed, more hit songs, marriages, kids and, of course, well-publicized struggles, including the news that Carnie Wilson just had a second weight loss surgery in 12 years.
Well, now, the trio is back. They have a fantastic new album. It`s called "Dedicated" and a brand-new reality show airing on the TV Guide Network, called "Wilson Phillips Still Holding On."
I sat down with all three ladies from Wilson Phillips for a very revealing SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsmaker interview.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(on camera) Great to have you all here. All in one room together. Old friends. You and I, Wendy, meeting for the very first time. It has been such a pleasure.
WENDY PHILLIPS, SINGER: You, too.
HAMMER: It`s amazing. You guys have known each other your whole lives, obviously, and have been making music together a couple of decades. I can`t believe, what, 22 years now since you first released your first album.
PHILLIPS: I know. I know. Wow.
HAMMER: Chynna, what is the best part of being Wilson Phillips and being together all these years later.
PHILLIPS: Well, I mean, we just love each other so much. You have to understand that it`s this deep, profound relationship that has just been going on for a very, very -- I`ve known Carnie longer than her own sister. So that`s crazy. I mean, I met Carnie when she was two months old.
HAMMER: You remember that, Carnie? It is a vivid memory.
CARNIE WILSON, SINGER: No, but I remember that my mom said, "You had one strand of hair and I had to put a ribbon in it. I tried to tape it to your head."
HAMMER: Nice. For you, what`s the best part of the fact that you guys are doing this, still doing this all these years later.
C. WILSON: You know, I just -- we`ve been touring for a while doing dates and the best part is being on stage together.
But the best thing right now is the fact that we decided to record these particular songs on this album because we knew it was going to come. We knew one day we had to do it.
HAMMER: Yes.
C. WILSON: And to me, right now, the best part is hearing -- when I just saw you that you were singing part of "Wouldn`t It Be Nice," these songs stick in your head.
HAMMER: They stick in your head. And now, they are sticking in my head with harmonies and I love it. It`s called "Dedicated," and of course, it is a tribute to your parents to, of course, the great John and Michelle Phillips and to Brian Wilson from The Beach Boys, Mamas and the Papas.
Hearing you sing these songs -- wow, what a great idea that has finally come to fruition. Charles can we roll a little bit of it out, please?
(MUSIC)
And that particular song taking off most added at AC radio, so congratulations to you on that.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you.
HAMMER: But Wendy, here`s the thing. Carnie was saying you knew this was inevitable. I`m sure this is something 20 years ago you said we are going to steer clear for a long time because you wanted to establish yourselves outside of the shadow of your parents.
W. WILSON: Absolutely. We were afraid of being accused of, you know, nepotism basically. And we have dealt with that our whole career. But we`ve released it on our own with our own hits and everything. And we thought, you know, it is time to embrace the legacy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Embrace the legacy.
(CROSS TALK)
HAMMER: Why not? And you are also back together for the new reality series. It`s great to see you on "Wilson Phillips Still Holding On."
C. WILSON: That`s a big part of it. Still holding on.
HAMMER: And Carnie, you are still talking about stuff that you and I have had some pretty serious and heavy conversations about.
C. WILSON: Still losing weight.
HAMMER: Look, it`s very interesting to see that you are still talking about getting healthy and being healthy on your show some 12 years after you had the first surgery, the gastric bypass where you lost like 150 pounds.
And you are talking about that right before you had yet a second surgery. We remember you broadcast that first one on the Internet. Why did you decide to continue to sort of put this stuff out there?
C. WILSON: Because I don`t hide anything that I do, and especially when it is about the message of getting healthy, that I needed help, again.
And I reached out and got it, and I just try to encourage people not to feel afraid if they feel vulnerable or they need help to ask for it and try to make a positive change in their life.
I needed help and I got it. The main thing is that it`s not just that I had a lap band put on and that I feel full quickly. Thank you, God, for this tool. But it is the change in behavior.
It is what I am doing every day. It is what I am putting in my mouth. I`m changing the way I`m living and I`m hoping that that`s for good. That`s my intention.
HAMMER: Yes. And I`ve said to you before I love that you put it out there because I do feel you do it in a responsible way and let people know, hey, these are my choices, maybe use this to inform whatever conversations you are having with professionals or whatever it is.
C. WILSON: Yes, that`s right. That`s right.
HAMMER: But here`s the thing. We have seen this play out on the reality show, particularly as you were getting set to have your next surgery. And you broke the news to these ladies that you were having the surgery. You are going to have it a month before you went on tour. Let`s see how that unfolded, shall we?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
C. WILSON: I don`t want to become diabetic.
PHILLIPS: Yes, agree with her.
C. WILSON: Within a year, I could become diabetic and I`m not doing it.
W. WILSON: When were you planning on doing this procedure?
C. WILSON: It`s going to be in the next week.
PHILLIPS: What?
C. WILSON: Yes.
PHILLIPS: Why are you springing this on us today?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK. I mean, you know, she is springing it on you. Chynna, did that worry you?
PHILLIPS: Well, I mean, it just took us by surprise because we were planning on doing a show in New Orleans and we had all these plans.
And then, all of a sudden, Carnie is getting surgery. So it freaked me out a little bit. And I definitely am supportive of Carnie and I wanted her to do it. It was just a little off-putting. I didn`t know what to do.
HAMMER: Wendy?
W. WILSON: It was scary. I mean, we felt like we were walking on eggshells, you know. We didn`t want to be sued. You know, we wanted to please our audience.
C. WILSON: And also, you know, part of it was like my surgeon`s schedule, like, I mean, I can`t -- what is great about this surgeon is that I`m not anyone special to him. I`m another patient.
PHILLIPS: But her health came first.
(CROSS TALK)
C. WILSON: But not (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
PHILLIPS: Your health came first.
C. PHILLIPS: And that was it, and I`m so happy they supported me. And you know, hopefully, we will be able to reschedule that show.
HAMMER: So many women can relate to what you are dealing with.
C. WILSON: Of course. I mean, try standing next to these two. I don`t care. I will try my whole life. I will never be as thin or as tall as them and that`s the way it is. But I`m proud of who I am.
We should all be proud of who we are, what we are born with and what we have. And we`ve got to work with it. It is about health first.
HAMMER: And then this one, as you refer to her, had to go on and do "Dancing with the Stars." What there was left to lose, gone, you know.
C. WILSON: Yes. And then, she messed up our whole recording schedule. It goes both ways.
HAMMER: Yes, shame on you.
PHILLIPS: And the dance routine.
C. WILSON: Oh, god. She`s great.
HAMMER: OK. So we are thrilled you are back with the album, the tour, the whole thing, the new reality show. I need to know, is this for good or is it just the reality show, new album and then --
C. WILSON: No way. We`re rock solid back.
PHILLIPS: Yes. We`re back, baby. Wilson Phillips is back.
(CROSS TALK)
C. WILSON: Yes. And it`s the TV Guide Network which is important because, you know, we want people to watch and tune in and get to know some other sides to us that they haven`t seen yet, which is kind of wacky, I have to tell you.
HAMMER: I want to see the wacky side of Wilson Phillips. Great to see you all.
W. WILSON: Thank you.
C. WILSON: Good to see you.
PHILLIPS: Thank you so much.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Check out Wilson`s Phillips new reality show "Still Holding On." It airs Sundays on the TV Guide Network.
As we move on tonight, just when you thought the Donald Trump Miss Universe feud was over, enter Gloria Allred.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALLRED: Donald also said that he can beat me. All I can tell you right now is, Barbara, the score is zero, Donald Trump, one for Allred.
WALTERS: Why does there have to be a fight between you and Donald?
HAMMER: Oh, yes. This war is far from over. Gloria, do you think you just got the last word against Donald Trump? Oh, think again, my friend. The Donald speaks out to me today.
And that`s not the only reality feud today. Are you ready for a reality rumble? "Dancing with the Stars" versus "American Idol" versus "The Voice." SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has the great debate. Who will reign supreme in the all-out reality smackdown? Will your favorite show come out on top? 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: Khloe Kardashian`s husband, NBA star, Lamar Odom, no longer playing for Dallas Mavericks.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALLRED: I would need a magnifying glass in order to view his genitalia, and I don`t have that strong a magnifying glass.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Oh, my goodness. That is Gloria Allred`s stunning attack seen on "Access Hollywood" against Donald Trump`s nether regions in the war over one-time disqualified transgender Miss Universe contestant, Jenna Talackova. Well, tonight, the Donald fires back.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Tonight, the Trump wars. And now that transgender contestant, Jenna Talackova, will be allowed to compete in Miss Universe Canada, you`d think all is well in the world, right?
No, not at all. Donald Trump firing back at Gloria Allred today, doing his best to see that she doesn`t get the last word. In addition to zeroing in on Donald`s size, Gloria told "The View" today that she and Jenna scored the pageant victory together. But today, Donald Trump tells me that is definitely not true.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, OWNER, MISS UNIVERSE FRANCHISE: I don`t think she is a good attorney. I think she is a very poor attorney, my feeling.
And I believe that, frankly, we were -- in fact, we made the decision two days before we even heard that she was involved. Had I known she was involved, maybe I wouldn`t have made that decision because she`s easy to beat.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK. And then just minutes after he hit me with that insult for Allred, here`s what he went on to put out on Twitter, "Gloria actually hurts Jenna. I do nothing for Gloria who, in my opinion, is a third-rate lawyer. Is Gloria a man or woman? Few men would know the answer to that one."
Oh, boy. I`m starting to think this isn`t over by a long shot. Joining me now from Hollywood, reality star Matt Nordgren from Bravo`s "Most Eligible Dallas." Nice to see you, Matt. How are you?
MATT NORDGREN: Good. Thanks, A.J. Good to see you.
HAMMER: Good to see you. So Gloria said on "The View" the score is now Trump zero and a point each for Gloria and Jenna. Do you think that Trump`s tweet that I just read to you evens that score at all?
NORDGREN: Well, I`m just glad it is not Rosie O`Donnell this time and somebody new. I think the Donald already had a point. Let`s be honest.
Before he even knew Gloria was involved in this, he decided to let Jenna partake in the pageant. So I think he started off with a point. And so to say he has none and done nothing for the case I think is not relevant at all.
HAMMER: Yes. I don`t quite get it. And all of this bickering, of course, yes, it`s over the transgender Miss Universe debate.
But it seems like both the Donald and Gloria Allred aren`t helping things at all by lobbing low blows, if you will.
So don`t you just think, like me, it kind of hurts the message that Gloria is trying to send as well as the Donald`s ability to point out that, hey, he made a positive move with this pageant?
NORDGREN: I do. I agree with you completely. What has happened is they are completely undermining the point of the entire conversation. They are making it more about Donald and Gloria, which are very powerful brands in their own right.
HAMMER: Yes.
NORDGREN: And I think what is getting lost is Jenna in the whole topic.
HAMMER: And maturity, Matt. Matt Nordgren, always good to see you. Thanks, bud.
NORDGREN: Yes, great to see you.
HAMMER: Well, as we move on tonight, are you ready for the reality ratings rumble? The super-sized smackdown between three big reality competition shows on TV. It is on fire.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is putting "The Voice," "American Idol," and "Dancing with the Stars" head to head to head. So which show has the stuff to rule the reality roost.
Well, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Nischelle Turner now takes us inside of the reality ratings war.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NISCHELLE TURNER, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT CORRESPONDENT: Super singing. Dynamic dancing. And more singing. "American Idol," "Dancing with the Stars" and "The Voice" are television`s top reality competition shows. And they`re in a big war for big ratings. Their weapons of choice --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And he reminds him of him.
TURNER: Witty hosts. A panel of beloved judges or coaches --
(MUSIC)
TURNER: And raw talent. "Dancing with the Stars" is drawing the most overall viewers with about 18 million fans tuning in on Monday night.
Ratings for "American Idol" performance night aren`t far behind. But the two top shows better watch out. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you "The Voice" is quickly closing in.
MAGGIE FURLONG, WEST COAST EDITOR, "HUFFPOST TV": For so long, "Dancing with the Stars" and "American Idol" have always been on top. Nobody could touch them. And then "The Voice" came along last year and it was sort of like, oh, my god.
All of a sudden, everybody was obsessed. And it has grown even more in the second season as those other shows sort of slip a little bit in the ratings.
TURNER: TV industry observer, Maggie Furlong, says "The Voice" has the momentum in this ratings war.
FURLONG: I think "The Voice" is winning the war. I mean, honestly, if you look at "Dancing with the Stars" and "Idol," even if their numbers are still huge and hard to crack, the fact "The Voice" is up over 20 percent year over year from the first season is such a huge leap.
It means people are finding the show. People are hearing good things about it. The buzz is good. It`s not "Oh, I have seen it. I`ve done it."
TURNER: Even though viewers have seen "Idol" for 11 seasons and "Dancing with the Stars" for 14, enough fans are asking for more to keep them on the air. "Dancing`s" appeal?
SHERRI SHEPHERD, "DANCING WITH THE STARS" CONTESTANT: For me, being a viewer and watching every season since the beginning, you always sit and dream if that could be you. And you get hooked into the storylines and you relate to certain people.
MARK BALLAS, DANCE PRO, "DANCING WITH THE STARS": What is different about our show is that the people come in and have never done what we do.
On "American Idol" and "The Voice" -- they are all singers. They are all working singers that want to, you know, take it to the next level. When you see zero experience taken that far, yes, it is really mesmerizing to watch.
GLADYS KNIGHT, "DANCING WITH THE STARS" CONTESTANT: You can watch it without being nervous about it, you know, the language and the entertainment value. It`s a family show.
TURNER: The family friendly factor of "Dancing with the Stars" translates to a broad audience, but also an older one. Advertisers covet the 18 to 49 demographic and that`s where "Idol" has an edge.
Now, "The Voice" is pulling in the youngest viewers of all the competitions. But "Idol" judge, Jennifer Lopez, says she is not worried about the new singing show on the block.
JENNIFER LOPEZ, "AMERICAN IDOL" JUDGE: "American Idol" is unto itself, you know what I mean? It has been around 11 years.
RANDY JACKSON, "AMERICAN IDOL" JUDGE: I love Jennifer Lopez.
LOPEZ: It is an American institution.
TURNER: Yes, there is still plenty of love for J-Lo and company. And the guys over at "The Voice" say, what rivalry?
CEE-LO GREEN, "THE VOICE" JUDGE: It`s never been about competing with those the guys. It`s been more about coexisting.
ADAM LEVIN, "THE VOICE" JUDGE: And coexisting with them and making our show the best it can possibly be and having that speak for itself.
TURNER: And whether this competition shows are finishing first, second or third in the ratings, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you they are not going anywhere.
FURLONG: At the end of the day, these reality competition shows are so cheap to produce and they are such an audience grabber. I mean, this is a clear audience for reality TV and the networks all want to be part of it.
TURNER: So the real winner in the ratings war, the viewers.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: That was SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Nischelle Turner. I can`t pick a favorite. I love all those shows although "The Voice" is getting the edge this season.
All right. As we move on, there are more reality wars brewing tonight, this time on "Celebrity Apprentice."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FERRIGNO: I have to say, Lisa is lucky not to be a man because I would throw her right through that wall, because after the last boardroom --
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Really?
FERRIGNO: You called me a (EXPLETIVE DELETED) loser.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: You do not want to get the guy who played "The Incredible Hulk." Does Lou Ferrigno regret saying that though? I`m going to ask him. Lou right here for a must-see SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview, next. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Time for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" -- more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: Heidi Klum files for divorce from Seal after nearly six years of marriage. Janet Jackson reveals new slim figure in Nutrisystem ad.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FERRIGNO: I have to say, Lisa is lucky not to be a man because I would throw her right through that wall, because after the last boardroom --
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Really?
FERRIGNO: You called me a (EXPLETIVE DELETED) loser.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: A nasty "Celebrity Apprentice" boardroom as the stars go after each other to survive another week on the show. But in the end, it was Lou Ferrigno who heard Donald Trump say, "You`re fired."
Lou Ferrigno got the boot last night from "Celebrity Apprentice." And let`s just say it wasn`t pretty at all, a really cut-throat board room as Lisa Lampanelli went after Lou with a vengeance.
With me in New York, actor and "Celebrity Apprentice" cast member, Lou Ferrigno. It is always great to see you, Lou.
FERRIGNO: Thanks. You, too.
HAMMER: Really a rough boardroom last night, one of the rougher ones that I have ever seen. And Lisa went at you and then you essentially said, to many people`s surprise -- effectively, you said, "If you were a man, I would hurt you." Not your exact words. Do you have any regret saying that? Because I think it did surprise people.
FERRIGNO: No. Because myself, being a deputy sheriff, I used reverse psychology. And I made it clear to her that I`m not going to take her insult and be treated like that.
And so I said it to her face in the boardroom because she has a tendency to bash people. But you don`t bash me and call me names and ridicule me like she did the night before.
I can only take so much and that`s why it got heated in the boardroom with her.
HAMMER: OK. So you stand by that.
FERRIGNO: Yes.
HAMMER: Yes. You know, I was with you a little earlier today when we were with Donald Trump together. And I made it very clear to him. I thought he sent mixed messages on the show last.
He asked for your honest opinion what did you think about what the other team`s project turned out to be. You answered honestly and then he basically berated you for being disloyal to your team even though you were honest.
And I know we are not supposed to make you angry. Didn`t that make you angry?
FERRIGNO: But I think because of my honesty, a lot of people are very intimidated by Mr. Trump. I`m not. In the boardroom, I`m just honest because sometimes, a lot of people have a tendency to play the game to be a yes person. But I was happy to be honest.
HAMMER: Be yourself.
FERRIGNO: I still stand by my argument and the truth is, the other team won.
HAMMER: Yes.
FERRIGNO: And the other team members were not a team player. They wanted to push me off the bus. So it`s not a bad situation to give an honest answer.
HAMMER: It was a no-win situation for you. And quite honestly, I felt bad. And the name-calling that has been going on all season on "Celebrity Apprentice."
And now, we see it going on as usual with Donald Trump and Gloria Allred. I mean, that`s nothing new for him. You are a gentle guy. Wouldn`t you like to see him kind of give name-calling a rest?
I don`t think it is a becoming thing as a grown man in his 60s to be calling people names like he does.
FERRIGNO: I guess you call it -- I guess he is a gentlemen who likes the attention. You know, some people like the attention and the whole thing. But it is drama.
But me, personally -- I like Donald. He`s a good guy. But you know, when it comes to him and Gloria and the whole situation and the whole thing it is like --
HAMMER: You have a different personality from Donald. You may like him, but you guys couldn`t be more different. I look forward to seeing you when the season finale comes. You`ll be back here in May. Lou, always great to see you.
FERRIGNO: It would be interesting in the great finale when everybody sees each other, how much they`re going to hate each other.
HAMMER: Your wife and Lisa Lampanelli near each other. Great to see you, Lou Ferrigno. "Celebrity Apprentice" Sunday nights on NBC.
And that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer. You can catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusively weeknights, 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific right here on HLN.
END
