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Showbiz Tonight
Travolta Fighting Back; Jay-Z Unplugged; Christie`s Second Act; Howard Stern is the New Judge on America`s Got Talent; Britney Spears and Demi Lovato are the New Judges on X Factor; Reality Mogul Kim Kardashian Versus Fashion Mogul Jessica Simpson; President Obama`s Answering a Pop Culture Quiz
Aired May 15, 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, HLN HOST: Hello, I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
An there is a dramatic turn in the claims against John Travolta that he sexually assaulted male massage therapists. Why in the world did one of the accusers drop his lawsuit today?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (voice-over): Also tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT brings you an explosive brand new interview with Jay-Z. On life with Beyonce and baby Blue Ivy.
SHAWN "JAY-Z" CARTER, SINGER/RAPPER: She`s like 4 months old. So I know it gets better.
HAMMER: Plus Jay-Z`s powerful stand on President Obama`s decision to support same-sex marriage. Does Jay-Z agree?
Tonight, a "SHOWBIZ Special Report," the women who rule Hollywood reveal from TV to movies. The femme fatales who are putting the men to shame.
And does Jessica Simpson now rule over the Kardashians?
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT starts right now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Hello, and thank you for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer.
And talk about an about face in the sexual assault claims against John Travolta. Listen to this, the guy who was the very first to claim Travolta tried to put the moves on him during a massage dropped his lawsuit today. Yes, he just dropped it.
Tonight the big burning SHOWBIZ mystery, why did he back off? Was he lying? Well, Travolta has made it perfectly clear that he is prepared to fight back big time, and SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is here to reveal where he may be getting his inspiration from.
His fellow megastar and scientologist Tom Cruise who has shown when it comes to battling back no mission is impossible.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Your mission, should you choose to accept it --
HAMMER (voice-over): Tom Cruise is on a mission to make sure all of Hollywood knows one thing, don`t mess with Cruise.
ALEXIS TERESZCUK, RADAR ONLINE: Tom Cruise has a tough reputation in Hollywood.
HAMMER: It`s well-known in Hollywood that if someone tries to make a quick buck from making or publishing outlandish claims about Tom Cruise, he`s libel to -- as our HLN colleague Nancy Grace would say --
NANCY GRACE, HOST, NANCY GRACE SHOW: Unleash the lawyers.
HAMMER: And today in a brand new interview with "Playboy," Tom Cruise explains for the first time why he`s become one of the most feared and litigious stars in Hollywood. He tells "Playboy," "If I have to, I will sue." He goes on to say, "With certain ones you have to go, OK, you crossed a line, and now you have the attention of my lawyers."
TERESZCUK: When it`s personally attacking Tom, his family, his children, he`s definitely going to fight back.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you another Hollywood megastar John Travolta is following Cruise`s example as he fights a number of seedy new accusations against him.
TERESZCUK: He seems to have taken a page out of Tom`s book.
HAMMER: In his "Playbook" interview obtained today by SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Tom Cruise reveals his childhood experiences taught him how to deal with bullies. He tells "Playboy", quote, "There`s one thing you know with a bully. I don`t care how fake or mean they are, if you allow it, if you don`t stand up to that and there are different ways to do it, there`s the school yard but sometimes just confronting them works."
TERESZCUK: He says in the new interview with "Playboy" that, you know, he lets some things go. He knows that he has a good reputation when it comes to his work ethic and he knows he`s a good dad and a good husband. But when it starts attacking his family personally, that`s when he`s not afraid to get a lawyer and make sure that he`s fighting it everything that he can.
HAMMER: That`s the tactic John Travolta is using to fight multiple claims that he aggressively propositioned men during massage sessions, and now he`s scored a key victory against the first accuser.
Today SHOWBIZ TONIGHT obtained this court document where the first accuser officially dropped his suit against Travolta.
TERESZCUK: The John Doe # 1 case against John Travolta has fallen apart.
HAMMER: That accuser, John Doe #1, had accused Travolta of assault and sexual battery during a January 16th massage session in L.A. But then Travolta went all Tom Cruise on the guy threatening him with a lawsuit, and burying him with receipts and other evidence that place Travolta in New York on the day the alleged incident took place in L.A.
In other words, accuser number one, you just got Cruised.
TERESZCUK: His credibility was shot.
HAMMER: There are other accusers out there and at least one active lawsuit. But John Travolta has sent out a warning shot.
TERESZCUK: Other stars, they`d probably take a page out of tom and John`s book. This is the way to fight these, to use the best lawyers that money can buy and to make sure you fight it with facts.
HAMMER: In other words, just like the word in Hollywood is, don`t mess with Cruise, there may soon be another message, don`t mess was Travolta.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: So expect that just like Tom Cruise, John Travolta is certainly ready to do battle.
And late today, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT spoke with Okorie Okorocha, he is the attorney who once represented the first accuser who dropped his lawsuit today, but basically fired his own client when he realized he couldn`t even get his dates straight. Wait until you hear his own client when he realize, he couldn`t even get his date straight. Wait will you hear what`s dealing us now.
Sunny Hostin is believed to be me in New York tonight. She`s a legal contributor for "In Session" on our sister network truTV. And from Hollywood, celebrity publicist Howard Bragman who is also the vice chairman of Reputation.com.
So, Sunny, what do you make of this first accuser John Doe dropping his case? Could it really be about messing up the date that Travolta allegedly attacked him or are you suspecting that there`s something else entirely going on?
SUNNY HOSTIN, LEGAL CONTRIBUTOR, IN SESSION ON TRUTV: I suspect there`s something else. I mean certainly his lawyer has lost confidence in his version of events in his client. Because if you don`t lose confidence, you can just sort of amend the complaint, you can change the dates. That`s not what happened here. The case was completely dismissed.
The client was dropped. So that tells me one his lawyer lost confidence in the case and two, this person has real credibility problems. I mean if you are going to come out against a Hollywood phenom, a Hollywood star like John Travolta, who can afford the best attorneys and unleash his lawyers, you have to have it right.
HAMMER: Yes.
HOSTIN: You have to have it straight. But he didn`t.
HAMMER: I think that was really surprising to a lot of people.
Howard Bragman, what do you think is really going on here?
BRAGMAN: I think what`s really going on is this guy was losing out of the box. And as soon as John started sending photos, receipts, suddenly the lawyer looked and said, is this client telling me the truth and realized his own credibility was on the line. And I think he wanted to wash his hands in this whole affair.
HAMMER: Well, late today, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter spoke wit the now former attorney for that first accuser. Kareen asked him why he believed the guy in the first place. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OKORIE OKOROCHA, ATTORNEY FOR TRAVOLTA ACCUSER: Most clients come into your office, you have to take their word for it. This guy had a lie detector. I mean, what else could we possibly do, you know, I mean, you know, we can`t water board our clients. You know until we find out for sure. I mean, we -- there`s nothing else I could do. I did the best I can. And all that can be expected of me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: So, Sunny, regardless of what happened and what his initial motivations for representing this guy was, you know, now that this didn`t work out. There was a huge oversight here obviously. Can this affect the credibility of the second case, the second John Doe that`s still out there?
HOSTIN: That`s a great question. I mean certainly if you are representing John Travolta, you now have a lot more confidence in your client.
HAMMER: Yes.
HOSTIN: And going we`re going to to investigate a lot more and you`re going to fight this. And so that I suspect that that`s what`s going to happen. Will it affect his credibility if there`s ever goes to trial, which I don`t think it`ll ever see the light of day and it`s never going to go that far. It could settle or maybe not.
I think the bottom line is Marty Singer really believes in his client right now. And it probably is the thing to fight something like this, because we saw it -- sort of snowballing, right?
HAMMER: Yes, sure.
HOSTIN: A sheriff person came out, his attorney said that there many, many, many others that will come up. And -- in that sense I think you do have to stand your ground and you have to really fight something like this.
HAMMER: And again, Marty Singer, John Travolta`s attorney in this case. Okarocha, the lawyer for the accuser, was quoted earlier today as saying that the second guy he`s representing, who`s also accusing Travolta of sexual assault, would be willing to settle out of court for $250,000. Now he says that he denies every saying that. But this is far from over.
Here`s our SHOWBIZ FLASPOINT, is there any chance Travolta will settle out of court?
Now Howard, we`ve talked about it before, sometimes big stars will settle out of court even if they`re in any way guilty but $250,000 just to make it go away? Can you see that happening?
BRAGMAN: You know, I do see potentially an out-of-court settlement, nobody like this kind of salacious, "He said, he said" cases to go to court, A.J. It`s the same time this lawyer didn`t himself or his client a service. I don`t believe by -- we`re going to figure out there. I think he should have really been going towards confidential negotiations if he wanted to make this go away.
And I think he kind of blew it. And you don`t want to upset people like Marty Singer and John Travolta.
HAMMER: No.
BRAGMAN: They`re very powerful people.
HAMMER: And again the attorney is still saying that he did not actually put that number out there. Just a yes or now, do you see it settling for an amount that big?
HOSTIN: No.
HAMMER: OK. Sunny Hostin, Howard Bragman, I thank you both.
Jay-Z`s life with Beyonce. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s explosive new interview with Jay-Z. Wait until you hear this. Jay-Z revealing his powerful views on President Obama`s decision to support same-sex marriage.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
POPPY HARLOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Just last week, President Obama became the first seated U.S. president ever to publicly support gay marriage.
What was your thought when you heard that?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Jay-Z also reveals what life`s really like with his wife Beyonce and their beautiful little baby blue. It a must-see SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.
And it`s the showdown of the empires. Jessica Simpson versus Kim Kardashian. So who rules when it comes to selling themselves.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT reveals why Jessica`s empire might be outdoing the Kardashians.
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Time now for a SHOWBIZ first look at Florence & The Machine`s "Breath of Life" featured in the new film "Snowhite and the Huntsman."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: But when it comes to civil law, when it comes to the rights that are recognized by the state, then I think it`s very important to make sure that everybody`s treated fairly, everybody`s treated equally. That`s been a principle of American life for a long time.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The president`s view on gay marriage on "The View," this morning telling the ladies why he now supports same-sex marriages. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT will now reveal another big star who was right there with the president.
Tonight Jay-Z unplugged, the hip-hop mogul is taking a stand and applauding the president for breaking new ground with his support of gay marriage, and he`s just announced his first ever two-day music festival Made in America set to kick off Labor Day weekend in Philadelphia, but with 14 Grammy Awards and over 50 million albums sold worldwide, Jay-Z reveals to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, nothing compares to becoming a new dad.
Tonight CNN`s Poppy Harlow for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT goes one-on-one with Jay-Z for an explosive and revealing new SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HARLOW: Why Philly? Why here?
CARTER: Well, everyone knows I have a long love affair with Philly. You know, early in my career this is one of the first towns that really embraced me and supported me. I signed a -- an incredible number of artists out of this area. And also, you know, now I`m going to do some film work with Will Smith and James Lassiter over at Overbrook so I have all these deep connections here.
HARLOW: You`ve been a big supporter of President Obama. I assume you`re supporting him again this time around?
CARTER: Of course, of course.
HARLOW: So you`re endorsing President Obama this time around again. And just last week, President Obama became the first seated U.S. president ever to publicly support gay marriage. What was your thought when you heard that? What does that mean?
CARTER: I mean, I`ve always thought it as something that`s still holding the country back. You know, what people do, you know, in their own homes is, you know, their business. And you choose to love whoever you love. That`s -- you know, that`s their business. That`s -- it`s no different than discriminating against blacks. It`s discrimination, plain and simple.
HARLOW: There are a lot of pundits out there that say this is going to cost him votes, particularly African-American votes. There are some black religious leaders that were not happy about this decision. Do you think it`s going to cost him those votes?
CARTER: I think it`s the right thing to do. So whether they cost him votes or not, you know, again, it`s not about -- it`s really not about votes. It`s about people.
HARLOW: Music, are you working on the new album?
CARTER: No. I thought I would be really motivated with all the things that`s happening and all the change, and, you know, the child in my life now to get back in the studio. But I find that I`m really just motivated to just be with her like --
HARLOW: Just to be a father.
CARTER: Yes.
HARLOW: How is fatherhood? How is --
CARTER: It`s fantastic.
HARLOW: How has it changed you?
CARTER: It`s amazing. I don`t know, it`s just so -- a real surreal thing, like, you know, the joy that someone has. She`s like 4 months old. So I know it gets better. And it`s just, it`s an amazing feeling.
HARLOW: Finally I know you`re going on tour in Europe. A lot of questions about Europe. Europe`s economy. What are you seeing? Is that impacting at all ticket sales?
CARTER: No, no. Ticket sales are -- is not affecting it. People where I come from have been affected the whole time. It makes us really, really put on a great show because, you know, it`s a huge commitment. And that`s babysitters and new outfits and, you know, it`s a lot. It`s a lot. Especially in this time. So you know, me and Kanye went above and beyond with everything, every aspect of the show. Our preparation and our production. You know, to put on a good show to show people that we appreciate the effort.
HARLOW: Especially the money right now.
CARTER: The effort and the money that they, you know, put forth attending shows.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: A man with a great work ethic. That was CNN`s Poppy Harlow for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Well, tonight we have Jessica Simpson versus the Kardashians. The unbelievable brand new evidence that Jessica Simpson`s empire might actually be bigger than Kim Kardashian`s. And they`re not the only women ruling Hollywood. Tonight a SHOWBIZ Special Report you got to see, the women who rule Hollywood reveal from TV to movies.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The stories are amazing. The books are incredible, and the characters are so inspiring in a lot of ways.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I was one of the obsessed fans of the book. Then I got cast.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT reveals the femme fatales who are putting the men to shame in Hollywood.
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
It`s time now for the SHOWBIZ buzz list. This is what the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT staff is buzzing all about this week. The brand new page turner from Andy Cohen. "Stories from the Front Lines of Pop Culture." This book is a must-read.
It`s the rise of Tenacious D, the latest album of -- the released album called "Rise of the Phoenix" is now available on iTunes with Jack Black and Tenacious D.
Single mom Emily Maynard looks for love, being "The Bachelorette." We couldn`t be more excited after the show premiered just this week.
We`re hoping to strap on the incredible new Pebbles Smartwatch soon. It becomes available, it tells you the time, wirelessly connects to your smartphone. (INAUDIBLE) watch available on the Pebble Web site very soon.
And also coming soon, Rihanna`s big screen debut in the "Battleship." Out Friday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RIHANNA, ACTRESS/SINGER: My dad said they`d come. Said it my whole life. He said one day we`d find them or they`d find us. You know what else he said? He said, I hope I ain`t around when that day comes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Seacrest moves in. Ryan Seacrest just bought Ellen DeGeneres`s Beverly Hills estate for a reported $49 million. TMZ reports that Seacrest earns about 45 million bucks a year so Ellen`s estate is kind of affordable for the "American Idol" host.
Ryan is now going to live in over 9,000 square feet of luxury along with three guesthouses on nearly three acres of land. Nice piece of property but I`m thinking between "Idol," the "Today" show, E! News, his radio gigs, when will he ever be there to enjoy the house? I hope he does.
Tonight Christie Brinkley`s Chicago confessions. Christie has just reprised her role as Roxie Hart in "Chicago" but this time she`s taking the Broadway hit to Hollywood. Well, in a brand-new SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview, Christi reveals how her Broadway adventure was a dream come true.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHRISTIE BRINKLEY, ACTRESS/MODEL: I took this on without any formal dancing training or singing or acting. When they said that they wanted me to do it after the audition, I was stunned.
She`s reaching for the stars. She wants -- she has this dream of, you know, being in a vaudeville show. And she felt like maybe it had all passed her by.
There I can draw a lot of parallels to my own life, you know, of wow, you know, this -- the opportunity hasn`t passed me by.
KAREEN WINTER, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT CORRESPONDENT: It`s no longer just a dream.
BRINKLEY: The power of the word yes is pretty, you know, amazing. Saying yes to this adventure has opened up a whole new world for me, and it`s been so incredible.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: It`s always nice to see somebody fulfilled by their work. You can catch Christie in "Chicago" for a limited two-week engagement through May 27th. There`s much more from our SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview with Christie Brinkley. Wait until you hear her dramatic confessions about her curves. Why the former supermodel was actually self conscious about the way she looks. And we`ll hear that coming up.
And we`ll move on to "The View`s" presidential pop quiz. How much does President Obama know about Kim Kardashian?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOY BEHAR, CO-HOST, THE VIEW: Which Kardashian was married for only 72 days?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That`s pretty good. The president actually knows Kim K but what does he know about " 50 Shades of Gray"? We`ll show you how the president did on "The View" coming up.
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
GRAPHICS: ABC cancels "GCB" after one season.
GRAPHICS: John Mayer reveals he`s taking a break from show business.
JOHN MAYER, SINGER: I don`t even remember having a "Rolling Stone" cover. It was a very strange time and it sort of like rocketed me into adulthood. It was a -- it was a violent crash into being an adult. So for a couple of years it was just figuring it all out. And I`m glad I actually stayed out of the spotlight because I think back then I would have said, like, give me two weeks, or, like let get out, let me do an Ellen and explain myself. And it was like no, idiot, go away.
ELLEN DEGENERES, TV HOST: Yes.
MAYER: Be 33 and 34 instead of 28 for the fourth year, you know? DEGENERES: Yes. Right. Right.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Big news breaking tonight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. A billion-dollar celebrity showdown. Its reality mogul Kim Kardashian versus fashion mogul Jessica Simpson. Tonight showbiz reveals whose empire comes out on top.
Plus, judging the judges.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I`ve been doing radio for over 35 years and you`re too weird for my show.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That might hurt my feelings if I respected your opinion.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ready for that, stern?
HAMMER: Britney Spears, Demi Lovato, they are the brand new Hollywood reality judges. So, did Howard knock it out of the park on "America`s got talent" last night and did Simon Cowell find the right "X Factor" with Britney and Demi?
"SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" investigates the new reality competition royalty.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative news show continues right now.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Welcome back to "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT." Thank you for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer.
Tonight, we are judging America`s realty judges like Howard Stern.
Yes, a kinder, gentler Howard just made his debut on America`s got talent" as a judge. I thought he just knocked it out of the park. Critics seemed to agree. But based on the ratings we got today, Howard may have his work cut out for him.
"SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" was also right there as Britney Spears and Demi Lovato finally made their big debut with Simon Cowell as brand new judges for "X Factor".
So tonight, "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" brings you to big reality show stars to judge the singing reality show judges.
With me here in New York, I`m so please to welcome Tia Mowry-Hardrict who is starring on Style Network`s docu series "Tia and Tamera," and from Hollywood, Dr. Paul Nassif, who is a cast member, of course, of "the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills." Dr. Paul is working with realself.com.
Great to have you both here.
I thought Howard was spectacular making his AGT debut. He played nice despite what the critics would have had you believe. Let`s now watch how he reacted to one woman known as bird lady.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOWARD STERN, RADIO HOST: Really bad giving you the x. I can appreciate something here but I`m not sure what I`m appreciating. I didn`t think it was a million dollar act, to be quite honest with you. I think you`re a very sweet woman and I love that you take care of these birds and you don`t eat them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I love that "and you don`t eat them." You know what? He shot her down but did it in a way that really fits the show. I thought he was terrific.
Tia, is that what you expected from Howard or expect what the critics were saying was coming?
TIA MOWRY-HARDRICT, STAR, TIA & TAMERA: I definitely expected what the critics were saying that was coming. I mean, I`m surprised. I`m shocked at how well he did. I don`t know. I`m like, what does Howard Stern about talent? How does he kind a judge talent?
HAMMER: He knows it`s a great deal. He`s been doing it on the radio for years. And I think last night surprised an awful lot of people just like you.
MOWRY-HARDRICT: Yes. I think he did a great job.
HAMMER: Thumbs up.
MOWRY-HARDRICT: I do.
HAMMER: And listen. I quite frankly was very surprised that despite the ton of hype and all the excitement over Howard`s debut, the ratings weren`t much bigger than they were. And I never would have expected them to be down 16 percent from last year`s seen premiere right around this time of year. That`s what we learned today.
Paul, do you think that will Howard needs to be nastier for the show to get bigger numbers?
DOCTOR PAUL NASSIF, CAST MEMBER, REAL HOUSEWIVES OF BEVERLY HILLS: Absolutely. I mean, when you look at any of these shows, you`ve got to the have the something provocative. That`s what Howard`s known for. And I think he has a little bit of work to do. Maybe he was getting his feet wet.
HAMMER: Yes. Well, I guess it`s only the first time we`re seeing him. I did think he was edgy, maybe not enough for some people. He still had the Howard Stern edge about him. And he was making his is debut on the same day that we officially learned Britney Spears will become a judge on Simon Cowell`s "X Factor." Howard definitely still clearly calls it like he sees it though even though it sounds a bit harsh judging what he just said about Britney. Listen to this.
He said "I think it`s a wonderful decision. Britney still thinks the earth is flat. Listen, I think we`re going to tune into see her if she can sort of function through this thing. I think Britney is going to stand there and eat a lollipop and wear a sexy outfit. I don`t anticipate great opinions coming out of her.
Tia, do you agree with Howard? Do you thing Britney is going to make a great judge and tells it what she sees it?
MOWRY-HARDRICT: I think Britney`s going to be an amazing judge. I mean, she`s young, she`s talented. I, when I found out, I didn`t watch the show before. But when I found out she`s going to be a judge, I`m definitely going to be tuning in.
HAMMER: You will be tuning in.
MOWRY-HARDRICT: Yes. I mean it`s fan. And I think she has a huge following and I think a lot of fans will enjoy it.
HAMMER: It will be interesting to see if she gives us a reason to stay tuning in. And joining Britney, of course, is a new judge on the "X Factor," Demi Lovato. She stood alongside Britney during a big presentation for the show. It was right here in New York city. Britney didn`t have a lot to say when Simon handed her the mic. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRITNEY SPEARS, SINGER: I`m so excited about this whole experience. It`s going to be so much fun and so different from anything I`ve ever done and I`m ready to find the true star.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK. Take a look at this. When we asked in our exclusive "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" poll whether Britney Spears and Demi Lovato would be good judges on "X Factor," only 32 percent said yes.
Paul, judging by those poll numbers, should Simon be concerned that maybe Britney and Demi could be duds?
NASSIF: Well, you know what`s interesting about this, obviously everyone`s going to tune in initially to watch this because they want to see how these two works together. But, he is going to have to work with them really to get them spiced up to keep this going. So, it`s a little bit too I early I think to find out how it`s going to go.
HAMMER: I think they definitely going to have to bring something to the table more than just themselves.
Tia, Dr. Paul, thank you both so much.
From Hollywood`s brand new judges to getting judged in Hollywood. "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" just went one-on-one with former supermodel Christie Brinkley. She`s back on stage as Roxie Hart in the legendary musical "Chicago" and she`s opening up to "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" about the insane pressure of the Hollywood beauty machine.
Here`s "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" Kareen Wynter bringing us her remarkably candid showbiz newsmaker interview with Christie Brinkley.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KAREEN WYNTER, ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: When it comes do body image, have you ever had an obsession?
CHRISTIE BRINKLEY, ACTRESS: Well, I think my career has been about breaking the molds, you know. When I started, everybody had to be skinny. And it was the fact that I wasn`t skinny that made my career. I got out on the set and I was like, oh, my God, nobody else has hips like me. Let me move my hips to the side.
WYNTER: Even pressures for you.
BRINKLEY: And it was - and the photographer was like, my God, you move so well, you know. And you know, so and now, while there`s still a huge trend to be super skinny, all body shapes are appreciated and I think celebrated now.
WYNTER: So the recent ban on skinny models, do you think when you have an extreme wear, OK, we only want this type, you can`t be too skinny or too big, does that put more pressure on the industry, more pressure on girls?
BRINKLEY: If an agent knows that a girl started, you know, a healthy girl and she`s starving herself to fit some other image, she should speak up. But there are girls that are super thin that is their natural body type. That`s how they`re built. And that`s natural for them. We have to watch out for tabloid magazines that love to focus in on a little drop of cellulite and make a big deal about it.
You know, I think there`s so many outlets out there right now that are searching for all that negative stuff which does give terrible issues to girls everywhere.
WYNTER: How has that business changed from decades ago?
BRINKLEY: It`s gotten very bad. There`s too many outlets, there`s too much competition to get the dirt and I don`t think that they fact check. You can be out there, you know, doing all kinds of good and to get it printed is really hard. But if somebody says something bad about you, they will run it and they will run with it.
Physical things like somebody you know that`s gained some weight or somebody that you know looks tired or they catch you without makeup, boy that picture will go around the world. It`s like Billy Flynn says to Roxie Hart, they`d love you lots more if you were hanged.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: And wow, she just always looks amazing. That was "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s" Kareen Wynter with a revealing show business newsmaker interview, former super model Christie Brinkley taking on the impossible beauty expectations in Hollywood.
Moving on now to the billion dollar bombshell. Tonight, showbiz investigates who is the bigger mogul, Kim Kardashian or Jessica Simpson. It`s realty deals versus a fashion empire. And we`re revealing who comes out on top.
Plus the woman who rule Hollywood, from J.K. Rowling to the writer behind the twilight franchise, women are taking over the big screen.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE; The stories are amazing. The books incredible. The characters are so inspiring in a lot of ways.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I was one of the obsessed fans of the book. Then I got cast.
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HAMMER: Tonight, "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" reveals how women broke through the toughest glass feeling of all and wound up kicking ass in Hollywood.
This is "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" on HLN. Now a showbiz first look at the brand- new season of one of my favorite show, HBO`s "True Blood."
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HAMMER: Beyonce`s got it right from music to movies and the board room, women are running things and are smart enough to not just make millions but billions like the Kardashians and new mom, Jessica Simpson.
But tonight, "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" can tell you there`s a showdown of the big money empires. Is Jessica really bigger than the Kardashians?
Welcome back to "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" and Jessica`s jackpot. It`s now being just two weeks since Jessica Simpson gave birth and now "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" can tell you, she already has a new maternity line. Yes, the mogul mom just announced she would make gear for moms to be.
But hold on just a second because we know Kim Kardashian can, you know, sell ice to an Eskimo and she`s got a clothing line at sears with her sisters endorsement deals and Kim, of course, is part of realty TV royalty.
So the tonight, this is the showbiz flash point. Who is the billion dollar bombshell of Hollywood?
Back with me in New York Tia Mowry-Hardrict is the co-star of Style Network`s "Tia and Tamera," and in Hollywood, entertainment journalist, Rachel Zalis.
So, let the showdown begin with the new maternity line, there are now 25 different products in Jessica Simpson`s collection. "Time" magazine estimates it is worth nearly a billion dollars.
In 2010, the Kardashians made 65 million bucks combined. I`d take that anyway but, you know, it isn`t a billion bucks.
Tia, are you at all shocked that Jessica is crushing the Kardashian empire.
MOWRY-HARDRICT: No, I`m not. I mean, I think that (INAUDIBLE). She is extremely delightful. She`s down to earth. She`s the girl next door. Now she`s a mommy. It`s great she`s able to, you know, branch into that mommy brand.
The Kardashians I don`t know. I just see club, sex and you know, I don`t know if I would buy anything if Kim Kardashian, you know, had a baby line.
HAMMER: Yes.
(LAUGHTER)
HAMMER: It definitely is a whole different brand identity for sure. Take a look at Kim now if we can put this up and her boyfriend Kanye West at his fashion show.
Look, she`s right there wearing a fur wrap and shoes. Jessica`s shoes are for sale as Macy`s. Rachel, I`m thinking that very stark contrast and difference is really why Jess will also dominate. What about you?
RACHEL ZALIS, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: Absolutely, I`m totally agreeing with what you`re saying. I mean, I think when people buy the Kardashian clothes they`re buy being it for the lifestyle, Paris` private jet, its penthouses, you really have to want to embrace .
But, with Jessica, she is the most brilliant businesswoman. I mean, the clothes and the shoes and all the accessories she`s making, really is accessible and relatable to every woman. It`s unbelievable. I use her stuff in all my fashion segments all the time and people go bananas.
HAMMER: Wow. Well, there`s something that every woman can`t do that Jessica is doing. And it`s a hot debatable topic for a lot of people. The fact that she`s cashing in on her new bundle of joy. She reportedly sold the first baby pictures for $800,000.
But the question is to sell or not to sell. Well, I posed that question to the ladies of the talk and we talked about that when I visited their New York set.
Sharon Osbourne explained why her son jack sold his new daughter`s baby pictures. Watch this.
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SHARON OSBOURNE, TV HOST: Listen. For us, I can only speak for our family, it was a great way for Jack to get money to put in an account for Pearl for when she goes to college and it`s like done and dusted.
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HAMMER: Yes. I mean I get it. But Tia, what do you think? To sell or not to sell?
MOWRY-HARDRICT: I would definitely have to say, I say to sell. I mean because it`s all about your child and your baby. I mean, if I had that opportunity to just get that money up front and then just put it into a son Cree`s college education, it`s a plus for me. Yes, I would say sell.
HAMMER: Yes. and of course, the added bonus of quieting the parazzi and making the pictures less valuable so you`re not stalked quite as much. But yes, as a business decision, if you have the opportunity a lot of people say sell, sell, sell.
But look. There`s a different approach as well. Mariah Carey, Nick Cannon, just today released new pictures of their twins. The Web site is the dedicated to Dem babies. Look at that. Wow.
Mariah and Nick, you are luck parents. Those are really beautiful children.
Rachel, is this the way all-stars should go? Or is it OK to take the money and run and do you think that`s what everybody should be doing?
ZALIS: I think if you take the money and give it to charity it`s probably like Angie and Brad is probably the best way to go about it. But, come on. What`s up with that Web site? Sooner, it is going to be facebook, getting in tweeting. It`s crazy.
HAMMER: It is crazy. But wow, they`re beautiful. They`re worth millions of dollars if they did take the money.
All right. Tia and Rachel, thanks so much.
Check out the new season of "Tia and Tamera" on Style starting next month.
Well, we know women are kicking ass in Hollywood, but do they just plain rule overall? Women are behind some of the biggest Hollywood franchises of all times.
The Hunger Games, Harry Potter and a slew of new TV shows for the fall, all brought to you by the super force of women. So, is that men`s world thing a thing of the past? Do women actually rule the new Hollywood?
Here`s "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s" Kareen Wynter with a showbiz Special Report.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Harry potter.
WYNTER: Is the most powerful force in entertainment isn`t a wizard or even a werewolf, but the women who create them.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I volunteer as drib beauty.
JEFF BERCOVICI, FORBES STAFF WRITER: The franchises that are really driving book sales right now are all written by women.
WYNTER: Women like JK Rowling, Stephanie Myer, Suzanne Collins and now E.L. James whose "50 shades of grey" trilogy is one, two and three on the "New York times" bestseller`s list and just caused a multimillion dollar Hollywood bidding war.
E.L. JAMES, AUTHOR, 50 SHADES OF GREY: As usual., I`m stunned by the reaction.
WYNTER: Forbes writer, Jeff Bercovici, isn`t stunned. He sees James` success is part of an entertainment trend years in the making.
BERCOVICI: Young male viewers have been historically the hardest to reach. The idea was, you know, come up with a franchise that young men will pay attention to and then women will just come along.
As TV audiences and movie audiences have fragmented into smaller and smaller niches that no longer is a successful strategy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They just want a good show. That`s all they want.
BERCOVICI: Now the formula they`re looking for draws from the fantasy and romance genres.
WYNTER: A formula critics say favors female authors like Suzanne Collins who wrote "the hunger games."
JOSH HUTCHERSON, ACTOR, THE HUNGER GAMES: The stories are amazing, the books are incredible. And the characters are so inspiring in a lot of ways.
JENNIFER LAWRENCE, ACTOR, THE HUNGER GAMES: I was one of the obsessed fans of the book. And then I got cast.
BERCOVICI: Women have been better at figuring out this formula, what young adults want to read and what sorts of stories get in their head.
WYNTER: And the success of female authors it`s not just limited to books and movies. For the upcoming fall season, the major TV networks have ordered seven new pilots is based on books, six of them written by women like Judith Krantz and Candice Bushnell, author of the "carried diaries."
BERCOVICI: It`s in version of a stereotype that works against women authors for so long. And now it`s working in their favor.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Honestly, don`t you two lead?
WYNTER: A powerful spell has been broken in Hollywood, not by wizards and wands but women with pens.
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HAMMER: And there it is, more proof that women are taking Hollywood by storm. That was "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s" Kareen Wynter.
Well, from the women who rule Hollywood to the man who rules the country. Yes, you know, he`s busy. But that doesn`t mean he is not keeping up with the Kardashians, does it?
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE HOST: Which Kardashian was not strong in 72 days?
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HAMMER: The president`s pop culture quiz. I`m going to show you how he did.
This is "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" on HLN.
And now, on showbiz` first look at Will Smith`s son, Jaden`s brand new music video.
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HAMMER: Now, the president of pop culture. Hey, you think being in the White House is tough, try taking a pop culture quiz given by the ladies of "the View."
Well, that`s exactly what President Obama did today. You got to see him in action.
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE HOST: We know that you know a lot about politics, you know about the law but do you know about pop culture?
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I don`t know. We`re going to find out fire away.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE HOST: Let`s see what you`ve been reading. Number one, which Kardashian was married for only 72 days?
OBAMA: That would be Kim.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE HOST: Very good. OK.
(APPLAUSE)
OBAMA: Because it was a ballplayer. I know it was a ballplayer. That`s how I know from watching basketball.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE HOST: You don`t watch the show.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE HOST: ok. Now, this one you may not know. I`m hoping that you don`t as a matter of fact. What`s the controversial sex book that`s on millions of women`s bedside tables. He doesn`t know it.
OBAMA: I don`t know that.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE HOST: Good. OK, next.
OBAMA: I`ll ask Michelle when I get home.
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HAMMER: Perfect. I give the president an "a" for that response alone.
Well, tonight we have the Brandi`s killer confession. Wait till you hear real housewives star Brandi Glanville`s shocking new revelation about her ex-husband and his new wife Leann Rimes. It`s wild.
Plus, Bret Michaels network TV payout. CBS shelled out some serious cash to the poison front man and "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" we goes on location with the cast of "Glee."
All that in the buzz today.
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HAMMER: "Glee`s" presidential praise. Showbiz on location. "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" was right there with all of the FOX stars, debuting their brand new fall season for advertisers in the New York on Monday.
And "Glee`s" Chris Colfer opened up to us how happy he is that gay marriage is getting support from the President Obama.
CHRIS COLFER, CAST, GLEE: I was excited with the president`s announcement. Just so excited. And I think right now the people have kind of a choice to be on the wrong or the right side of history. And I`m glad he`s on the right.
HAMMER: Brandy`s blood boiling fury over Leann. Real housewives of Beverly Hills star Brandi Glanville has just confessed in her rand new interview that her anger toward Leann Rimes made her think of killing her.
Brandi who split with ex-husband, Eddie Cibrian after learning he was having affair with Leann, admits she had violent thoughts about the woman she saw as breaking up her family. Brandi tells Australia`s "NWHQ" magazine "I remember walking up to soccer practice and there she was with my baby in her lap. My blood was boiling and I thought I was going to kill her. I really thought I was going to physically hurt her."
Case closed for Brett Michaels. Poison front man Bret Michaels just ended his case was CBS over injuries sustained on stage at the 2009 Tony awards. Bret sued the network after he was injured by a piece of scenery following his life performance. Bret also claimed that those head injuries contributed to his brain hemorrhage months later.
In a new statement to "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT," Michaels` attorney says the rocker is pleased with the settlement adding, "the terms of the settlement will not be made public. Mr. Michaels would like to thank his fans for their continued support.
And that is it for "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT." I`m A.J. Hammer.
You can catch "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" weeknights at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific, right here on HLN.
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