Return to Transcripts main page
Showbiz Tonight
John Travolta`s Bombshell; Donna Summer Died; Betty White`s Roast; Bieber and His Manager; J.Lo Tops "Forbes" Influential List; Jon Hamm Gives Teenage Girls Advice
Aired May 17, 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: Another unbelievable bombshell today in the John Travolta drama. The second guy who claimed Travolta sexually assaulted him during a massage has now dropped his lawsuit just like the first guy. But that might not be good news for Travolta because wait until you hear what the accuser has now done.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER (voice-over): Also tonight, showbiz on location with Justin Bieber. Justin was just named one of the most powerful celebrities in the world. Tonight Justin reveals to us how he got his swag from a dude named Scooter.
JUSTIN BIEBER, SINGER: (INAUDIBLE) he`s a really great guy and at the end of the day he`s taught me a lot.
HAMMER: Tonight, women fighting on skates.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hell, ya.
HAMMER: We are strapping on our skates for a showbiz special report. Inside the explosive, hard-hitting world of roller derby.
"Showbiz Tonight" starts right now.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Hello, I`m A.J. Hammer and tonight we are mourning the death of yet another music legend, the queen of disco.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
HAMMER: "Love to Love you Baby" was just one of so many iconic songs from Donna Summer who died today at the age of 63. It was her first big hit and made her a star when it came out in 1975, literally ushering in the disco era and it would be followed by many more hit songs, so many of them, disco anthems to this day. From "Last Dance" to "She Works Hard for the Money" to "Bad Girls" and the list goes on. The tears and the tributes to Donna Summer in just a moment.
But first tonight the brand new John Travolta bombshell today that no one saw coming. The second man to accuse Travolta of sexually assaulting him during a massage dropped his lawsuit today just like the first accuser did. But if that seems like it could be good news for Travolta, it`s not. And the worst may be yet to come. Because just like the first guy, he`s now gone out and hired take no prisoners attorney Gloria Allred, setting up what is sure to be an epic battle for (INAUDIBLE).
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER (voice-over): John Travolta has tangled with all kind of opponents in his movies from Denzel Washington to Nicholas Cage. But now Travolta is (INAUDIBLE) a face-off with someone who may be his most formidable nemesis yet --
ATTY. GLORIA ALLRED: I`m Attorney Gloria Allred.
HAMMER: Tonight, "Showbiz Tonight" has confirmed super attorney Gloria Allred is now representing both masseurs who accused Travolta of sexual assault during separate incidents. Both had dropped their lawsuits filed with their previous attorney Okorie Okorocha. He spoke with "Showbiz Tonight."
OKORIE OKOROCHA, TRAVOLTA ACCUSERS EX-ATTORNEY: I get the case, to national prominence and then someone who only does press conferences and then, you know, someone who only does press conferences and side shows just steps in.
HAMMER: The accusers` new super attorney Allred tells "Showbiz Tonight" the two could refile their cases. She says "We will be conferring with our client regarding what will happen next in this case."
So it looks like Travolta is in a big summertime clash. Travolta, Allred faceoff.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: John Travolta still needs to be concerned.
HAMMER: Allred is famous for representing people who accused celebrities of very naughty behavior. She`s gone up against Rob Lowe, "Bones" star David Boreanaz, and most notably Tiger Woods. Allred represented two of Tiger Woods` alleged mistresses, Rachel Uchitel and porn star Joslyn James.
ALLRED: It is time for Tiger Woods to take responsibility for the deep pain that he has inflicted.
GERRY FOX, ENTERTAINMENT TRIAL ATTORNEY: Gloria doesn`t step into a case lightly. This means that she believes the case has some merit.
HAMMER: Entertainment trial attorney Gerard Fox has faced Allred. He tells "Showbiz Tonight" Allred`s ability to generate tons of publicity could make live difficult for Travolta.
FOX: She raises the stakes. In terms of the publicity that will now surround this case, he should be concerned about that because Gloria brings a high profile to the matter. She does a very good job at trying it in the press and ultimately pushing it towards a resolution.
HAMMER: So the big question, now that Travolta is in a faceoff against Gloria Allred will he be forced to do something he`s resisted so far? Settling with his two accusers to make all this go away. Tru TV legal analyst Sunny Hostin tells me there are whispers Allred and Travolta have gone down that road before.
SUNNY HOSTIN, LEGAL ANALYST, TRUTV`S "IN SESSION": There have been reports that Gloria Allred has in the past represented other people, A.J. that have accused John Travolta of similar conduct and that those cases were settled. So Gloria Allred has a track record when it comes to this particular set of circumstances.
HAMMER: Travolta`s attorney has denied settling any such lawsuits and Allred tells "Showbiz Tonight" she has no comment on reports she has settled previous suits against Travolta. But any settlement talks could get heated because Travolta has his own pit bull, celebrity attorney Marty Singer.
Gerry Fox has faced him too.
FOX: He will have a take no prisoners approach to this.
HAMMER: Travolta`s attorney have made it clear. He and Travolta are ready to do battle against both accusers whom they accuse of lying because nothing less than Travolta`s reputation is at stake.
FOX: These type charges are very serious and typically the defendant has to try and clear their name.
HAMMER: So now it looks like we`re getting Travolta and Allred in a bitter face-off. And when it`s all over, he may wish he was still going up against Nicolas Cage.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I do not have many (INAUDIBLE).
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Again, John Travolta is denying allegations from both man. His lawyer calls the allegations, "ridiculous."
Well, tonight we`re remembering Donna Summer, the queen of disco has danced her last dance.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
HAMMER: I know you have been at a party or a club and that is the song that shut it all down. Donna Summer died today at the age of 63. She passed away after a battle with cancer. The five-time Grammy winner dominated the charts in the 1970s and 1980s but her songs still resonant today. "Last Dance," "Hot Stuff" on the radio, all iconic songs that I know we have all danced to including my guest, Gloria Gaynor. During the disco era, and especially back in 1979, there were two artists that just defined that music, Gloria and Donna. Gloria joining us tonight from Morocco.
It`s great to have you here, Gloria. I`m sorry it`s on this occasion but I appreciate you taking the time.
GLORIA GAYNOR, SINGER: Yes, thanks.
HAMMER: You and Donna Summer were contemporaries during the disco era as I said.
GAYNOR: Yes.
HAMMER: Your huge hit of course in 1979 "I Will Survive" went straight to number one and to this day it remains an anthem for women everywhere much like Donna Summer`s hit "She Works Hard for the Money." Tell me your thoughts were when you first heard of Donna Summer`s passing?
GAYNOR: I was devastated. It was just so unbelievably shocking because I didn`t even know that she was sick. We have talked on the phone. We`ve been on flights together and talked the entire flight, and, you know, we were friends, even though we didn`t have really close and consistent contact with one another. But I didn`t know she was sick, because I hadn`t heard from her in a long time, I thought she was just hiding away and doing her art. So it was really, really - this comes as a really big, big shock to me and it`s just so surreal.
HAMMER: Yes. And it was obviously very important to her to really keep it close to the vest that she had been ill. It was not widely known.
GAYNOR: Yes.
HAMMER: But I remember very clearly, Gloria, back in 1979, when "I Will Survive" was number one, it was right there for three weeks at the top of the charts, and looking to knock you off the charts that very year, Donna Summer, because her hits from "Bad Girls" were all coming out. Did you two have a kind of friendly competition going on during that time? You must have seen each other out on the circuit.
GAYNOR: Well, yes, we did. We did a couple of shows together here and there. But we didn`t feel any competition between us. You know, of course everybody wants to be at the top of the charts and that included both of us. But as far as we were concerned, between the two of us, there was never any rivalry.
HAMMER: Well, there`s not a person that I know that doesn`t have a favorite Donna Summer something, something that really resonates with them. One of my favorites was a song that she did in the early `80s. It wasn`t a major hit for her but still to this day I will put it on when I`m at the gym. It`s called "State of Independence." It was produced by Quincy Jones. It was a remake actually of a song originally recorded by (INAUDIBLE) and to me it just shows a really different side of Donna. Let`s take a look at a bit of that.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
HAMMER: That song to me - it just brought in so much of who Donna Summer was as an artist. I know you have to have a favorite Donna Summer song, can you tell me what that is, Gloria?
GAYNOR: My favorite Donna Summer song is "Macarthur Park." I think it was the only one that began to show the depth of her talent.
HAMMER: And it was her very first number one song. So what do you think her legacy is?
GAYNOR: Her legacy is just great, great music that warms the heart and moves the body.
HAMMER: Made you want to just cut loose and you just felt good every time one of those songs came on, you can get on the dance floor. Gloria Gaynor, thank you for joining us tonight. I appreciate it.
GAYNOR: Thank you.
HAMMER: Well, as we move on tonight, another voice, some more hair. The believers, Justin Bieber was just named one of the most powerful celebs in the world. Thanks to a guy named Scooter.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BIEBER: He`s a really great guy and at the end of the day he`s taught me a lot. Not only about business but you know, being a good person.
HAMMER: Tonight showbiz is on location with Justin Bieber.
Derby baby. Tonight, the fun, fearless, fighting women of roller derby.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Everybody is playing roller derby, how did that happen? I have no idea. It`s just this whole revolution.
HAMMER: Showbiz takes you inside the explosive, hard-hitting world of roller derby. It`s a showbiz special report.
This is "Showbiz Tonight" on HLN.
I cannot wait for this. Mick Jagger is hosting the season finale of "Saturday Night Live" this weekend.
And here is your showbiz first look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mick, I wish I was rock and rolling with you.
MICK JAGGER, SINGER: You can be with magic.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Righteous!
JAGGER: That`s terrible.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK. You know how you`re on an air plane and the flight attendant asks you to turn your cell phone off? I`m turning my cell phone off and nothing to do with no damn airplane. Well, this is what we get.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Will Smith finally back in action in "Men in Black III" as Agent J. I really miss him. It`s been a long time. So what has Will been up to these days. Well, he tells "Showbiz Tonight`s" Nischelle Turner he`s been busy setting up his retirement fund.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NISCHELLE TURNER, "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Since 2008 we haven`t seen you on the screen. Has it really been that long?
WILL SMITH, ACTOR: It`s been a long time, right?
TURNER: I guess the good news it doesn`t seem like it.
SMITH: I guess that`s good. You know, with my kids been whipping their hair and karate kidding all over the place. So they kept the family out in the forefront. So I`ve been pretty much producing and you know, organizing and getting stuff in place for the family.
TURNER: It`s funny that you say that, because when I was thinking gosh, it`s been since 2008, but we`ve seen them - you`re right, we`ve seen your kids.
SMITH: Absolutely.
TURNER: And then I said, you know what? That Will Smith is smart. He and Jada are smart. Because here`s what they did. They borne some good creative kids and said "Mommy and daddy aren`t going to work forever."
SMITH: That`s our little retirement fund.
TURNER: No, I`m serious. But was there any doubt - and I`ll give you a chance to be a proud papa, but that you weren`t going to have like these amazingly creative kids.
SMITH: Listen, you know, it`s always, with kids and parenting and all of that stuff, it`s always a scary proposition, you know. We try to just grant them their freedom. And it really is the, if there`s a major adjustment that we`ve made from our upbringing is that we don`t impose our will on them. You know, it`s like we allow them to create their lives as they see fit, and we help them build their lives more than demanding that they satiate our egos with their behavior.
TURNER: Where do you learn that, though? Because I mean, you said I grew up in (INAUDIBLE) - Where do you learn to have that mind set of I`m going to let my kids be free?
SMITH: You know, it was really just the things, you know, for Jada and I, we`re really similar in that way and in how we grew and things we bucked against growing up. We just wanted to create a place that nourished and nurtured in the way that we wished we had been nourished and nurtured.
TURNER: Well, Barry and I - I just got down talking to him. We got an idea for "Men in Black four."
SMITH: Oh. All right.
TURNER: Because -
SMITH: Are you in it?
TURNER: I mean I can be. You need me to audition, because I can be young (INAUDIBLE).
SMITH: Agent (INAUDIBLE).
TURNER: But we say why not Jaden play the young agent Jay?
SMITH: See that`s the thing. Barry trying to push me out of the movie. You know what I mean.
Jaden is already - he`s 13 years old, right. He`s at that (INAUDIBLE) boys` age, you know, it will be time for his bro mitzvah. You know what I mean. He`s right at that place and he`s looking at me a little funky now. He`s ready to test me. He can`t come nowhere near my movies right now.
TURNER: Did you have fun doing this movie? Because I was laughing out loud. I mean he looks like he was actually having fun.
SMITH: Listen, that was the whole reason I haven`t been on camera for almost four years. To be able to come back and do something that`s fun. To be able to come back and do something with that, you know, kind of like family and to be in a place where the fun could translate on to camera. And you know, between Barry and Tommy and Josh, it`s a great squad.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: It looks like a whole lot of fun. "Showbiz Tonight`s" Nischelle Turner, I can not wait to see "Men in Black III." It will be in theaters everywhere on May 25th.
Well, Will Smith is certainly the king of Hollywood blockbusters but is Jennifer Lopez now the most powerful celebrity in the world? Tonight, the shocking evidence that J.Lo may be bigger than Oprah.
Justin Bieber is certainly no slouch in the power department either. And he credits a guy named Scooter for his swagger.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BIEBER: He`s a really great guy and at the end of the day he`s taught me a lot, not only about business, but you know, just about being a good person.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, meet the mind behind Justin`s millions. This is "Showbiz Tonight" on HLN.
Check this out, it`s your showbiz`s first look as Nicki Minaj cozies up to Chris Brown (INAUDIBLE) for her video for "Right By My Side."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GILBERT GOTTFRIED, ACTOR: The first show that I did with Betty White was I think "Hollywood Squares" and I only got that because I had sex with her.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That is Gilbert Gottfried with one of the rated PG jokes at the hilarious (INAUDIBLE) roast for the one and only Betty White. "Showbiz Tonight" was right there on the red carpet with fans who love and love to laugh with the great Betty White.
Betty White proved that she could take it as well as she could dish it out and her famous friends went to town with a hilarious tribute. "Showbiz Tonight`s" Nischelle Turner joins me now. Nischelle, I hear there were half naked men and a white pony. What gives?
TURNER: Yes, and that was just outside the red carpet, A.J., even before Betty`s roast got started. Now even Uggie (ph), the dog came by to give Betty a shoutout. And 90-year-old Betty told "Showbiz Tonight" she loved every minute of it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BETTY WHITE, ACTRESS: It`s a big honor. And people forget - I mean they laugh at roasts and they laugh at all the putdowns and stuff but they forget all the good that the friars club does for people who needed this.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
TURNER: I just dig her. Now betty has, no past tense here, has an incredible career. But you got to hear one of the things she told us that she regrets not doing yet.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WHITE: I usually answer that question with Robert Redford.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (INAUDIBLE).
WHITE: No, if I think I`ve been lucky enough to do just about so much, that if I start complaining about anything under the sun, throw me out of the business.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
TURNER: Oh, my gosh. Can you imagine that? Robert Redford and Betty White?
HAMMER: No, not really. Not in a million years. I don`t see that.
TURNER: Me neither, A.J.. You know, I really don`t want to picture that. But the roast was not just inside, Larry King and comedian Jeffrey Ross roasted her with us outside on the red carpet.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEFFREY ROSS, COMEDIAN: Oh my lord. We`ll find out if Betty has thick skin under all those wrinkles.
LARRY KING: She`s 17 years old and she`s been pulling off this 90 bit. She`s a 17-year-old girl with amazing makeup.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
TURNER: You know, A.J., more than a thousand people showed up for Betty`s roast, including everybody. I mean everybody was there, Barbara Walters, Liza Minelli, all of those big names.
HAMMER: And it looked like a great, great time.
"Showbiz Tonight`s" Nishelle Turner, thanks.
Now the showbiz lineup, at the bottom of the hour on "Showbiz Tonight," showbiz on location with Justin Bieber just as he`s named one of the powerful celebrities in the world. Meet the brains behind Justin`s empire.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Is it gross if a girl accidentally farts in front of her significant other? Should she feel embarrassed? This is from anonymous, believe it or not.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: From crushes to farts, "Mad Men`s" Jon Hamm dishing out dating advice to teen girls. I cannot believe this. This off the wall viral video, you have got to see it. This is "Showbiz Tonight" on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
A.J. HAMMER, HOST: Big news breaking tonight on "Showbiz Tonight." We are on location with superstar Justin Bieber and his super manager.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JUSTIN BIEBER, SINGER: He`s a really great guy. And at the end of the day, he`s taught me a lot, not only about business but you know, just being a good person.
HAMMER (voice-over): Tonight "Showbiz Tonight" reveals the man behind the (INAUDIBLE) of his amazing success.
Plus we are going behind the scenes of the sport that is all about women beating each other up.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Everybody is playing roller derby. How did that happen? I have no idea. It`s a new revolution.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hell, yes!
HAMMER: The tough women of roller derby who are strapping on skates to get really real in the rink. "Showbiz Tonight" is blowing the lid off of the contact sport that`s blowing up around the world.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Welcome back to "Showbiz Tonight." Thanks for watching, tonight showbiz is on location with pop super star Justin Bieber. "Showbiz Tonight" is going one on one with the Biebs at the Beverly Hilton Hotel where he just shot the cover of "Forbes" magazine`s just revealed celebrity 100 power issue. Get this. Justin checked in at number three on the power list. Yes, at 18 years old, Justin is a true Hollywood titan. And so is his 30-year-old super manager, Scooter (INAUDIBLE).
He not only manages Justin but (INAUDIBLE) all three of those acts on the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.
"Showbiz Tonight`s" Kareen Wynter on location with Scooter and Bieber.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KAREEN WYNTER, "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" CORRESPONDENT" (on camera): Tell me what`s going on behind the scenes here.
SCOOTER BRAUN, JUSTIN BIEBER`S MANAGER: We are doing a shoot for one of the artists I work with, the one that every one knows the most.
WYNTER: Would that be Justin Bieber?
BRAUN: It would be. It would be the Beebs.
WYNTER: How important is this guy to you? He`s more than a manager, right? He`s your mentor, your friend?
BIEBER: Yes, I mean -
WYNTER: Call him up at 3:00 in the morning?
BIEBER: No, I mean he`s always - not only is he worried about, you know, my career in that he`s worried about me being a good person. At times he can be annoying but I know he`s trying to have me have the best character.
WYNTER: What is it about your vision? you obviously can spot talent. You have an eye for talent out there.
BRAUN: It`s a multitude of things. I think for me, I used to be driven by fear.
WYNTER: Fear is good. It pushes you.
BRAUN: I used to be driven by the fear of failure. I think now I`m driven by the want for legacy.
WYNTER: The Want performed recently on "Idol." Tell us about these up and coming acts.
BRAUN: You got artists like Cody Simpson. Just without even a major single, sold out a tour on his own headlining. Then you have Carly Rae which is the fastest growing single in the world.
Justin spotted her and actually brought her to you. And hey, we got to do something with Carly, right? That`s his story. Yes, perhaps. He definitely spotted her. I got to give him credit. I called Justin and I said I`m signing Carly Rae. "What? Did you do that? And I said "Yes, you`re going to be my partner because if it wasn`t for you I wouldn`t know who she is."
WYNTER: All right. So who has the last word, Justin?
What do you guys butt heads on though?
BRAUN: That he`s too much like me.
WYNTER: That`s a good thing.
You`re successful. Justin`s successful.
BRAUN: I`m looking at my publicist back there. He - my parents called Justin their revenge.
BIEBER: His parents say that I`m like their revenge basically because I`m always like - I have a lot of energy and I`m always giving him a hard time. So, you know, it`s fun. He`s a really great guy and at the end of the day he`s taught me a lot. And not only about business but, you know, about being a good person.
WYNTER: There are so many artists out there who want to be associated with you because you spell success.
BRAUN: My dad always said to me when I was growing up, "I hold you to extraordinary standards because I want you to be extraordinary." So, you know, if you want to be normal and be the status quo, you`ll end up being that. If you want to be extraordinary, I`ll quote one other person I really respect, which is Will Smith. And he said, "Don`t ever be realistic." He said never be realistic. Because no one who is ever realistic in this world ever achieved anything, great. Be unrealistic.
WYNTER: Did you see a little of that in Justin when you met him several years ago that he dreamed big?
BRAUN: You know, it`s funny when I met Justin, he didn`t even know it was possible. He never wanted to be famous. He never wanted to be a star. Because for him the idea of a Bieber from Stratford, his family, no one had ever left. So the idea of making it was so foreign to him, it didn`t even seem possible. What I met an idea was a competitive kid, he was an athlete. So the idea of what I showed him how it could happen and that he can be competitive and when he saw he was in the game, I`ve never seen anyone fight as hard.
WYNTER: You guys are pretty close. I also read one of your tweets where he called you up at 3:00 in the morning. It doesn`t get closer than that, right?
BRAUN: Yes, we have a very special relationship, it`s very, it`s not a normal manager-client relationship. He`s family.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
WYNTER: Justin being the mega star, you still keep it real with him though.
BRAUN: Beyond real to the point where I think it pisses him off.
WYNTER: That`s why he loves you.
BRAUN: That`s why I like pissing him off.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Clearly I think there`s some real love there. I think they`re very lucky to have each other. You can check out Justin Bieber in the "Forbes" magazine Celebrity 100 power issue and the forbes.com/celebs.
Let me bring in "Showbiz Tonight`s" Kareen Wynter who is joining me now from Hollywood. So Kareen, you got to hang with both of them, what surprises you the most about Justin`s relationship with his super manager, Scooter Braun?
WYNTER: Well, A.J., you got the taste of it just now just how darn close they are together which is really the secret to Justin Bieber`s success. We saw them bicker like brothers behind the scene. We saw them be serious and get down to business when it came to that and it really does sum up again Justin Bieber`s success in this business. Usually you have a manager calling the shots and the artist listens. Not in this case, you know, Scooter trusts Justin`s ideas, trusts his instincts and together they`re going to be a real force to be reckoned with in this industry. They say "look, we have not even scratch the surface," A.J. and I believe them.
HAMMER: Yes, and I`m sitting here thinking this guy is making around 15 percent of what Justin is making. Not bad.
WYNTER: Oh, yes.
HAMMER: Thanks so much Kareen.
And from Justin topping "Forbes" most powerful celebrity list at number three to the woman who is holding the number one spot, it`s Jennifer Lopez, can you believe it? J.Lo shooting to number one from number 50 last year. Behind Jennifer Lopez at number two, Oprah. You heard me. J.Lo more powerful than Oprah. Could it possibly be?
Let me bring "Inside Edition" correspondent Megan Alexander, with me in New York. From Los Angeles tonight, (INAUDIBLE), co host of the Nationally syndicated radio show "Hollywood Five Countdown." I think this came as a real surprise to a lot of people seeing J.Lo topping this list, nudging out Oprah Winfrey who has topped the list four time. Here`s our showbiz flash point. Is "Forbes" getting it right here? J.Lo truly more powerful than Oprah Winfrey? Megan.
MEGAN ALEXANDER, "INSIDE EDITION" CORRESPONDENT: No. There`s no way. I found this very interesting. You know, this is a reflection to me, A.J., it`s a testament to the power of "American Idol." I mean, J.Lo, I think we all agree that she was starting to fall off every one`s radar. She becomes a judge on "American Idol" at a time when "American Idol" needed a boost. So they helped each other and now she`s used that launching pad, if you will, to promote the clothing line and the fragrance and the new album but the bigger story is that Oprah Winfrey potentially lost 330 million in the O network and still came in at number two.
HAMMER: Still came in at number two, still making hundreds of millions of dollars but there is a science to this. Let me explain to you how J.Lo became number one on this list. Here`s the showbiz news line. Biggest factor she took a seat at that judges` table - so aptly pointed on the "American Idol" show. People had a lot to talk about. And that gave her a reported 23,000 press mentions, 46 magazine covers. This all played into "Forbes" decision. It all translated to the big payday. She earned a reportedly 52 million bucks in the last 12 months. Hyla, clearly J.Lo has the magic touch now. How long do you think she can hang on to it?
HYLA, CO-HOST "THE HOLLYWOOD 5 COUNTDOWN": As long as she stays on "Idol," it looks like she`s got a good formula there. You know, I think a lot of this list, it`s a little funky for me. You could have put anybody in that seat and I think with the right team around you, you`re going to be successful. How is it that someone like Zooey Deschanel at the bottom of the list? She created a show by herself. There would be no "New Girl" without Zooey Deschanel. She created a website, one of the hottest websites right now, hello giggle. She didn`t just invest in something that already exists. I think the way you come into success and fame should also be a factor.
HAMMER: OK. But we have to accept this is how "Forbes" did it. But you make a great point. Everybody thinks the "Idol" has everything to do with why she is so successful right now but despite the success, there were explosive reports today that J. Lo may be walking away from that show. Here`s what she just told Ellen Degeneres.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JENNIFER LOPEZ, SINGER: I enjoy. I really do enjoy it. This is my second year. I don`t know. I don`t know if I can go for a third year. You know, I miss doing other things. It really does lock you down.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Now, Megan, look at her. I get it. I understand the idea, go out on top. Don`t let it interfere with your schedule. But I`m sitting here thinking and you know it`s going really well and doing well for her life overall, she would be crazy to give it up.
ALEXANDER: Yes, but at the same time leave when you`re on top. And that first year remember she said "I don`t know if I`m going to come back for a second year." She did, the salary jumps up. It is so good right now I almost think maybe you should walk away and continue to expand your empire. Because could it get much better? I don`t know. The combination of those three judges - there`s a lot of things going on with the x-factor.
HAMMER: Yes.
ALEXANDER: I don`t know.
HAMMER: Hyla, I hear your brain over there thinking, ploy to get more money. Because Britney is making $16 million a year to do "X-Factor." That`s more than J. Lo is making.
HYLA: Oh, yes, she`s playing the negotiating game on Ellen. Absolutely. I mean, look at Simon Cowell, he left the show. What happened with his show, nowhere near the success of "Idol." Someone like Ryan Seacrest, he`s even smart enough to stay the whole time and his success keeps going up and up and up.
HAMMER: Well, you know, we`ll see if she actually does leave. I don`t think she should. Hyla, Megan, thanks both so much.
Time now to put on your crash helmets. So get a hold of that because "Showbiz Tonight" is blowing the lid of the world`s fastest growing sport. It`s women`s roller derby.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Everybody is playing roller derby. How did that happen? I have no idea. (INAUDIBLE) revolution.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: These women are amazing, they throw their bodies, they throw their elbows, sometimes they even throw punches. Tonight it is a showbiz special report on why so many women are putting on skates to beat each other up.
And why is Hollywood hunk Jon Hamm taking questions like this from teen girls?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMM: Is it gross if a girl accidentally farts in front of her significant other? Should she feel embarrassed? This is from anonymous.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: What`s going on here? It`s Jon Hamm`s love tips for girls on fashion, sex and yes, farting.
This is "Showbiz Tonight" on HLN. And now Russell Brand reveals to Ellen Degeneres that he only feels love and positivity for his ex-wife, Katy Perry.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RUSSELL BRAND, ACTOR: (INAUDIBLE) me and Katy got divorced. I still I love her as a human being but sometimes when you`re in a relationship, I suppose it doesn`t work out, does it. It doesn`t mean I regret it or anything. I was very happy to be married to her. She`s just a beautiful human being and I only have love and positivity for her.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You get 180 women together, there`s bound to be a little drama.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It`s a sport that people don`t understand. When you attach women to it, it makes it even more difficult.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Wow. That`s the wild world of women`s roller derby. From the fascinating great documentary narrated by Juliet Lewis called "Derby Baby." You`ve got to see this, women putting on skates to throw elbows, jabs and body checks. It is the fastest growing sport in the world and tonight we`ve got a showbiz special report with CNN`s Brooke Baldwin that`s blowing the lid off the skating competition.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BROOK BALDWIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Roller derby, it is one of eight sports that could join the Olympics come 2020. It is an all female contact sport played by all different types of women.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We have nurses, lawyers, stay at home moms, computer programmers, graphic designers.
BALDWIN: Where it is OK to wear fish nets and face paint. Yes, costumes. So is this actually a sport? Yes it is. A lot of you know the roller derby of the past, very staged for show. But today`s roller derby has real athletes and enforced rules and I`m about to learn how to play.
Here`s how it works. Two teams of girls pick out a skater to be what`s called a jammer for each of their teams. Jammers then race around the rink trying to lap the other team while their team group tries to slow the opponent down. And that means a lot of contact or what these ladies call hits.
"HATE ASHBURY," ATLANTA ROLLERGIRL: Very physical, very competitive sport. Nothing is staged. It`s all real.
BALDWIN: That`s "Hate Ashbury." Yes, she`s a college professor and her real name is not hate. It`s Michelle but ladies here take on an alter ego on the ring. A lot of them don`t even know one another`s real names and it`s my turn.
(on camera): What do we think? Which one?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Battling Brook.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
BALDWIN: People used to say babbling Brook, so Battling Brook totally works.
Yes. (INAUDIBLE) Battling Brook.
(voice-over): The sport of roller derby is so fascinating a documentary explores the whole thing, the name, "Derby, Baby!"
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The whistleblower (INAUDIBLE) serious competition and they want to win.
(INAUDIBLE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The question is how big can we go, what can we do with this great new concept that is roller derby.
DAVE WRUCK, CO-DIRECTOR, "DERBY, BABY": It`s a completely all volunteer sport, you know, there`s no profit and motive and yet you can bring together 30,000 women under the same umbrella and they can manage to make this thing thrive into something that`s amazing and incredible source of female empowerment.
BALDWIN: So, just how big is it getting?
ROBIN BOND, CO-DIRECTOR, "DERBY, BABY": Australia, New Zealand, very big in Europe, Scotland, Ireland, France and London. It`s huge. England, this sport is doubling in size constantly.
BALDWIN: And I can see why. Roller derby rocks.
(on camera): Yes. Eat my dust! Eat my dust!
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Yes, go. Battling Brook. That`s CNN`s Brook Baldwin strapping on the pads to bring us that showbiz special report on the wild world of roller derby. How cool.
Well, you remember what a contact sport team dating was, right? Well, Hollywood heartthrob Jon Hamm is trying to change that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMM: Is it gross if a girl accidentally farts in front of her significant other. Should she feel embarrassed? This is from anonymous, believe it or not.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Next, Jon Hamm`s advice to teen girls on farting, really.
This is "Showbiz Tonight" on HLN.
Now the showbiz buzz lists. Here`s what the "Showbiz Tonight" staff is busying upon this week. The brand new page turner from Andy Cohen, "Stories from the Front Lines, Pop Culture." It`s a must read. It`s the rise of Tenacious D, with their latest album "Rise of the Phoenix" available right now on iTunes.
Single mom Emily Maynard looks for love again as "The Bachelorette." And we couldn`t be more excited after the show premiered this week. We`re hoping to strap on the incredible Pebble smart watch soon. This is very cool. It tells you the time. It wirelessly connect to your smartphone. The watch will be available on the website very soon. Also coming soon, it`s Rihanna`s big screen debut in "Battleship." It opens tomorrow.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My dad said they`d come. He said it my whole life. He said one day we would find them or they would find us. You know what else he said? He said, "I hope I`m not around when that day comes."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Tonight, did you see this? "Mad Man`s" dashing Don Draper gives dating advice teenage advice to teenage girls, well actually the Hollywood heartthrob Jon Hamm, the actor who plays Don Draper, he`s dishing out relationship advice to teens. Yes, a teen phenom blogger named (INAUDIBLE) snagged the actor for her sight. It`s called (INAUDIBLE) .com. And Jon Hamm downloaded some serious knowledge in the love department.
With me from Hollywood is "Days of Our Lives" star, the great Patrick Muldoon. Hello, Patrick.
PATRICK MULDOON, ACTOR: A.J., how are you?
HAMMER: I`m excellent. We got to get into this because Jon Hamm taking on everything, my friend, from crushes to farts. Yes, he`s really talking about farts. I feel silly jut saying that. But I guess if Jon Hamm talked about it, I guess I can too. Patrick, watch this with me here.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMM: Is it gross if a girl accidentally farts in front of her significant other. Should she feel embarrassed? This is from anonymous, believe it or not.
I was under the impression that girls never farted. So I don`t feel like I am capable of handling this, handling this one. Of course, farting is farting. Everybody farts. Go read that book, "Everybody Poops." It`s the same thing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I mean how can you argue with that? I got to tell you. I think Jon is doing a pretty good job there with the dating advise. What do you think Patrick, is this just completely bizarre or it`s actually kind of sweet?
MULDOON: It is sweet, but the genius of it is you ask the most chauvinistic character in the history of television to impart wisdom to teenage girls. So whoever chose Jon Hamm specifically that was genius although I do disagree with him on the whole flatulence thing.
HAMMER: Yes.
MULDOON: He recommends go read "Everybody Poops." I don`t recommend farting in dating whether you`re a teenager or not.
HAMMER: (INAUDIBLE).
MULDOON: It`s classic. It`s classic.
HAMMER: This advice video that Jon Hamm did was for the teen blog site ask a grown man column. I`m wondering how the girls around the country are reacting to this dead pan delivery and the world weary advice. Let`s watch some more.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMM: Do guys get the crushes that I`m assuming is anonymous is a girl gets. The answer is quite simply, absolutely. Of course. Because we`re human beings and we get nervous and we like girls and that`s how it works.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Patrick, how do you think teens around the world are reacting to this stuff?
MULDOON: You know, he actually gives good advice. Guys get crushes. He talks about the one girl asks him, one guy wants to date me one day and doesn`t want to date me the next. He says just be aware of the fact that you`re 16 and the world is your oyster and I mean with this dry delivery, it`s hysterical. And he actually does give -
HAMMER: It actually works.
MULDOON: Great advice except for the flatulence thing.
HAMMER: Always great to see you and you can see Patrick in his heartthrob role on "Days of our Lives." He`s a little more cleanly shaved. Great to see you, Patrick.
And that is it for "Showbiz Tonight." I`m A.J. Hammer, remember you can catch "Showbiz Tonight" exclusively weeknights. We`re on at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific, right here on HLN.
END
