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Showbiz Tonight
A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Whitney Houston`s Death Before the Grammys; Lindsay Lohan Lied?; A Kimye Baby?`; Alec Baldwin`s Soap Star Past; Joan Rivers: The Hollywood Insider
Aired June 12, 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: A death in the family. A controversial new documentary looks at how the Grammys dealt with Whitney Houston`s tragic death hours before the awards show.
Tonight, the secrets behind the frenzy to pay tribute to Whitney on music`s biggest night.
(MUSIC)
Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer. Tonight, Lindsay lied? Explosive new reports that Lindsay Lohan may have lied to police officers at the scene of her recent car accident. Did she really claim that she wasn`t driving?
But first tonight, a death in the family. Whitney Houston`s death rocked the world. It was the loss of an icon, a mother, a daughter and a friend to so many.
The timing of her death sparked a frenzy on so many levels. It was just a day before music`s biggest night, the Grammys. Grammy show producers were sent scrambling to change the show and create an appropriate tribute to Whitney.
And now, the producers of the Grammys have debuted a new documentary revealing those frantic hours. Tonight, we learn the secrets after losing Whitney.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LL COOL J, HOST, 54TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS: There is no way around this. We`ve had a death in our family.
KAREEN WYNTER, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT CORRESPONDENT: With those unflinching words, host LL Cool J kicked off the 54th Annual Grammy Awards, addressing the elephant in the room, the sudden death of superstar Whitney Houston just 24 hours before the start of February`s live telecast.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Singer Whitney Houston, one of the greatest voices of our generation - CNN has gotten confirmation from her representative - has died.
LL COOL J: I was actually in my house going over the material that was already locked in, you know, locked down for the show. And you know, my wife walked in and told me what had happened.
WYNTER: Grammy executive producer, Ken Ehrlich, tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT he was on the floor at Staples Center when he heard the shocking news.
KEN EHRLICH, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, GRAMMY AWARDS: It was about midafternoon, and we were rehearsing Adele. And kind of in the middle of that, all of a sudden, you know, someone came on the headset, you know, I have the PL to the truck.
And someone mentioned something there. Lou said something. And the next thing I knew, it had been confirmed by a couple of other people.
LL COOL J: They were calling me. I was calling them. It was phone tag. It was chaos.
WYNTER: How would they acknowledge the passing of the six-time Grammy winner? Ehrlich had a brainstorm.
EHRLICH: I was standing kind of where Jennifer Hudson had come up from under the stage three years before when, you know, she came and did "You Brought Me Through," which was this song that was her comeback after everything that had happened to her with her family.
I called Damien Smith, her manager, first. And then, he was on his way to the pre-Grammy party over at the Beverly Hilton, which was where it all happened.
So when he got there, she called. And we talked a little bit about it. And you know, she said, "Anything you want. Anything."
WYNTER: Director Louis J. Horvitz tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT he didn`t see Hudson until one hour before the start of the show when she ran through "I Will Always Love You," Houston`s signature song, for the first time on stage.
LOUIS J. HORVITZ, DIRECTOR, 54TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS: Came in Sunday for the dress rehearsal. In this instance, we had to stop one or two times to give her a chance to collect herself. She was the right person, And that was the right song.
(SINGING)
WYNTER (on camera): As well received as that tribute was, nearly 40 million viewers around the globe had fears about how Whitney Houston may have died.
Later, the coroner confirmed that cocaine as well as marijuana were in her system when she accidentally drowned in her bathtub at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
EHRLICH: We did work with her several times during what, sadly, we have to call a decline. There was a show where, you know, it just became really obvious what the problem was.
We were really hopeful that someone was going to step in. I almost went to New Jersey. Someone asked us, but I remember going to the house and seeing firsthand that there were problems and hoping that, you know, things would get better.
WYNTER (on camera): The 54th Annual Grammy Awards was the second highest- rated telecast of all time. On Monday night, in North Hollywood, California, the Grammy team shared its behind-the-scenes story in the hopes of earning an Emmy nomination.
LL COOL J: We were just trying to figure out how we can show her the respect that she deserves.
WYNTER: As for Houston herself, what would she think of the Emmy campaign?
EHRLICH: I think she would have much rather been there.
(SINGING)
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: That`s SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter. And you may remember that Clive Davis and the Recording Academy caught a lot of flak for going ahead with the pre-Grammy party the same night that Whitney died.
Well, Neil Portnow, who is the head of the Recording Academy, still defends that decision saying, "Whitney would have said, `Boys, the show has got to go on. It`s about music. Some of it is my music, and that will be there forever.`"
"And that is the voice we listened to. When you have a loss in the family, family comes together. So I actually saw it as an opportunity for us all to be tighter, hold each other`s hands and lean on each other`s shoulders to grieve and celebrate everything Whitney was about."
And now, from a Hollywood tragedy to new beginnings. Tonight, a Kimye baby? Could Hollywood`s hottest couple really be ready to take the parenting plunge?
Kim`s divorce from Kris Humphries is still being finalized, but her romance with West appears to be plowing full steam ahead reportedly with talk of starting a family.
Tonight the hot debate, should the daring duo bypass marriage and perhaps go straight for that little baby bundle of ego?
With me in New York, Megan Meany, who is a lifestyle and pop culture expert. And Atty. Vikki Ziegler, the author of this book, "The Premarital Planner." So that`s why we booked you, Vikki. It`s perfect.
You know, Kim and Kanye reportedly talking about starting a family. Do you think they should just go for it?
ATTY. VIKKI ZIEGLER, AUTHOR, "PREMARITAL PLANNER": You know what? From a legal perspective, no. I think you really need to really get to know each other before you bring a child into the world.
Things are complicated as it is and I think everyone needs to slow down. What`s the rush? It`s not like her clock`s ticking. I mean, she`s, what, 30, 31 years old.
So take it easy, get to know each other, then maybe you can kind of understand what your parenting styles may be, where do you want to be in life, and then maybe have a child. But what is the rush?
HAMMER: So logical. Let`s throw practicality out the window for a moment. I mean, they`re a great-looking couple. They`re obviously both financially stable.
Kanye just celebrated his 35th birthday. And they seem to be head over heels for each other, Megan. Do you think they should just have a baby?
MEGAN MEANY, LIFESTYLE AND POP CULTURE EXPERT: You know what I think? Dive in. Join your big sister.
HAMMER: Start a family.
MEANY: Have the baby. Forget the paperwork. It`s not working for her, right? It`s the one fashion accessory she doesn`t have. She needs the baby.
And I need to see the baby bling. I want to see them beat out Jay-Z and Beyonce. They`ve got to lucite crib. I want to see like the solid gold bassinette.
And I think these two could learn a lot from parenting. I mean, Kanye needs to know how to play nice in the sandbox. No more jumping on stage and stealing awards from people.
HAMMER: Yes.
MEANY: And Kim, other things come in bottles, not just nail polish. Milk, for instance.
HAMMER: Yes, exactly.
MEANY: Money isn`t just for shoes. Yes, there`s college tuition. So I like the parenting thing for these two. Go for it.
HAMMER: And you bring up a great point. I think there are a lot of people - everybody says you get a little softer with fatherhood.
You find a different side of yourself. And I think there are some people who say, "Oh, maybe Kanye could really use that."
MEANY: And Kanye has some healing to do. Come on, he lost his mom. People say, you know, having babies can sort of repair those grieving parts, so go for it.
HAMMER: But I`m thinking the commitment is pretty strong here, at least from Kim`s perspective. Kim just gifted him with a $750,000 automobile, a sports car. That`s a sign of staying power if you ask me.
But these two obviously do have a lot at stake separate from the idea that maybe you think they should be married prior to having a baby.
Could it be a legal mess from a lawyer`s perspective if they had a baby out of wedlock?
ZIEGLER: A nightmare, shall I say. I`m not talking about morality from my perspective.
(CROSS TALK)
HAMMER: Well, you`re not - right. You`re not saying there`s anything wrong with single parenting or having a baby out of wedlock.
ZIEGLER: Whatever you want to do. You want to cohabit. You don`t want to get married. Whatever you want to do.
HAMMER: We`re talking about Kim and Kanye.
ZIEGLER: Right. Exactly. You know, we throw all of that legality out the window. But let`s say - fast forward and they have this Kimye baby or whatever you want to call this child. I`m sure it will be beautiful and rich.
What happens if it doesn`t work out? They start fighting about custody and parenting time and who`s traveling on tour and who`s traveling with Kim to Dubai and who`s paying child support.
I know they have so much money it doesn`t matter. But you know, when you have to pay somebody that you don`t like $50,000, $100,000 a month, it`s a problem.
HAMMER: Oh, yes. Look at all of the high-profile celebrity couples that we`ve seen go through this thing. Regardless of the fact that there was plenty of money to go around, it becomes a whole different kind of a battle.
ZIEGLER: Halle Berry -
HAMMER: Let`s move on to another high-profile celebrity couple right now with some pretty big decisions ahead - Kobe and Vanessa Bryant.
She filed for divorce in December of last year. She`s reportedly approaching the deadline to make the final decision this weekend. Now, Megan, in my mind, what, about six months have passed since she initially filed.
Maybe she`s having second thoughts. I`m not sure what`s going on. You think perhaps she`s considering, you know, calling it off or should call it off?
MEANY: Here`s what I think. I always like to, you know, wave the mom flag. And there are kids involved. They have those two cute little girls. She`s had her six months.
It sounds like everything we`re hearing - she`s not going to sign. I say stay until you`re sure. Look, 10 years - that`s pretty good for Hollywood, professional athlete marriage.
I mean, this would be better than any Lakers game, especially the thunder, if these two make it, right? If they win this marriage game, good for them.
I`m rooting for them, but I don`t like the history here. They got married young. His mom and sisters didn`t come to the wedding. Never a good sign. Didn`t work for Usher, right? Mom didn`t come. He`s divorced.
So I think there`s problems - you know, that little thing called cheating in Colorado.
HAMMER: It will be interesting to see what happens. But you know, Kobe has already reportedly signed over three homes to her, so we`ll see where it goes from here. Megan, Vikki, thank you both very much.
Moving on now to Madonna. Girl gone wild or give me a break already? Her on-stage breast flash has everybody talking. But the queen of reinvention may have had an epic fail this time.
So tonight, I am unleashing Joan Rivers on the Madonna drama. She is right here. Joan, can we talk?
And Carrie gets political. Country star, Carrie Underwood taking a bold stance on gay marriage.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Gaga shows off her shiner. Days after getting clocked in the head on stage in New Zealand, Lady Gaga tweets a picture showing the injury.
Mother Monster suffered a concussion during the accident but continued on with her concert. She says that she`s still feeling a little bit woozy.
Lady Gaga`s in Australia right now with her "Born This Way" ball tour. And there`s some good news for her little monsters.
Earlier this week, Lady Gaga tweeted news about her new album. Finally, it`s on the way. She says the title`s going to be down in September.
Next, "General Hospital," nearly 50 years of love in the afternoon and why the future is even brighter than ever.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Right now, it`s SHOWBIZ at the Daytime Emmys. "General Hospital`s" brand-new heartbeat." At a time when daytime drama fans saw some of their favorite shows come to an end, the classic soap, "General Hospital" still going strong nearly 50 years later.
This year "GH" is even nominated for a whopping 23 Daytime Emmy Awards. So why are fans still gripped by the fantasy trip to Port Charles every weekday afternoon? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Nischelle Turner takes us behind the scenes of "General Hospital" to learn the new secrets of the show`s success.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: Get out!
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Pretend we`re not here.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: Get out!
NISCHELLE TURNER, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A little comedy. A little romance.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: You took them both away from me!
TURNER: And a whole lot of drama. It`s the classic recipe that`s been cooking for nearly 50 years Monday through Friday afternoons on TV`s "General Hospital."
FINOLA HUGHES, ACTRESS: The longevity of the show has been because of the characters written and the fact that people really feel like they know us, and they want to spend their afternoon with us.
TURNER: Finola Hughes is a familiar face to longtime fans of "General Hospital." She first showed up to the fictional town of Port Charles back in 1985.
She left the soap scene for many years but was lured back five months ago by the show`s new executive producer, Frank Valentini.
HUGHES: He`s on the side of the actors. He just stays out here with us to make sure everything`s real and entertaining and truthful.
TURNER: Valentini himself moved over from "One Life to Live" when that show came to an end in January. He`s brought along some crossover characters, brought back some favorites and added some fresh faces.
It`s all part of Valentini`s strategy to keep "General Hospital" thriving with fans and appealing to a new audience.
FRANK VALENTINI, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, "GENERAL HOSPITAL": Not only does it need to be entertaining, but it also needs to be relevant. It needs to be a part of everyone`s life in 2012.
So keeping the show contemporary in terms of music and the way it sounds, the way it feels, the way it looks is something that`s very important to me. And I think we`ve been able to do that.
WYNTER: The "General Hospital" production schedule is demanding. In today`s budget-conscious climate, the cast and crew of 300 shoot about 80 pages of dialogue a day. Compare that to some primetime dramas which shoot about 10.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: Dead or alive, there`s no evidence.
WYNTER: There`s little time for retakes, so the cast shows up ready to roll.
NANCY LEE GRAHN, ACTRESS: There`s no room for someone that cannot take the pace, the speed. You have to be on your game.
WYNTER: "General Hospital" vet, Nancy Lee Grahn, has been on the show for 16 seasons. One new aspect of her role, audience outreach on Twitter.
GRAHN: These are the most loyal fans on television ever, and they`ve been watching it generationally.
WYNTER: The "General Hospital" team attributes much of its success over the last five decades to its loyal fan base. As for the future of this classic soap, one of the show`s youngest stars sums up the continued appeal of "General Hospital" this way.
KRISTEN ALDERSON, ACTRESS: I think that soaps deal with everyday issues. Sometimes they are a little built up, you know, under extreme circumstances. But at the same time, if you talk to anyone, everyone has a soap opera story in their life and they can relate to it in some way.
WYNTER: And don`t we all love a little drama in our lives?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Oh, yes, we do. That was SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Nischelle Turner. I`m sure her real-life drama could be a soap opera someday.
Here`s something I`ve got to share with you tonight. The 39th Annual Daytime Emmys are coming to HLN, live on June 23rd at 8:00 p.m. Eastern.
And I will be right there on the red carpet hanging with all your favorite daytime stars for a special edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, 7:00 p.m. Eastern here on HLN. You could actually join me in the middle of all the action.
You have to enter the HLN red carpet sweepstakes by going to HLNTV.com/DaytimeEmmySweeps. We`ll give you a trip to the Daytime Emmys, a red carpet makeover. You go to the Daytime Emmys show, and you appear with me that night on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Make sure you watch the Daytime Emmy Awards live on Saturday, June 23rd, 8:00 p.m. Eastern here on HLN.
Wait until you hear about Alec`s dirty soap star past. Yes, take a look at this. A dashing young man known as Alec Baldwin who got his big break on daytime TV. And now, he`s reminiscing with SHOWBIZ TONIGHT about the drama on and off camera.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALEC BALDWIN, ACTOR: My character was killed off the show, and I was shot by two men simultaneously who were unaware of each other`s presence.
HAMMER: Plus, you`ll find out the identity of Alec`s all-time favorite soap star.
Time now for the SHOWBIZ buzz list. Here`s what the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT staff is buzzing about this week.
It`s going to be doggone good. HBO`s documentary "One Nation Under Dog" will tug at your heartstrings and inspire you. It debuts next Monday.
This will change the game. We are buzzing all about MapQuest`s new free voice-guided turn-by-turn GPS app for the iPhone.
We can`t put down Joan Rivers` side-splitting new book, "I Hate Everyone Starting with Me." Can you believe it? This is Joan Rivers` 11th book.
Imagine Dragon is roaring. The band`s cult hit, "It`s Time," has just been featured on the trailer for "The Perks of a Wallflower" starring Emma Watson.
And we can`t wait to see A-Squared on the big screen. Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg`s new movie "That`s My Boy" opens on Friday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDY SAMBERG, ACTOR: You know what I do remember? You making me drive you home from the beach because you got too drunk.
ADAM SANDLER, ACTOR: It makes sense to me when somebody`s hammered, they have another guy drive home.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: How cool is this? Betty White got a special meeting with the president in the Oval Office yesterday. Oh, to be a fly on the wall for that little chat.
Betty is a huge animal supporter, and she also got to spend a few minutes with the Obama family dog, Bo.
Carrie Underwood gets political. The country superstar speaks out about gay marriage.
Basketball brawl regrets. Reality star, Evelyn Lozada, talks to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT about the ugly fights on "Basketball Wives."
And Oprah Winfrey gets all caught up with the Kardashian frenzy. That story tops "The Buzz Today."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over) Oprah`s keeping up with the Kardashians. Oprah Winfrey`s OWN Network has just announced that the whole Kardashian clan will be opening up to Oprah for a brand-new interview.
The Kardashian family and their significant others will be sitting down with O for "Oprah`s Next Chapter" in what OWN calls a primetime exclusive. The special, which airs on Sunday, features a visit from Oprah to the Jenner-Kardashian home in California.
"Basketball Wives" backtrack. In a brand-new interview with SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, "Wives" star, Evelyn Lozada, opens up about her regrets over the show`s airing of violent fights.
Evelyn tells us she`s standing up for co-star and executive producer, Shaunie O`Neal, and the show will definitely portray a more positive vibe going forward.
EVELYN LOZADA, REALITY TV STAR, "BASKETBALL WIVES": The frustrating part is that we are not in control of what`s aired on TV.
And I think now, with all of the controversy, they`re now final hearing Shaunie`s voice. Unfortunately, it took, you know, boycotts and, you know, everyone being upset at the fighting on the show.
But I think that for season five, you know - I don`t know what the cast is going to look like. But for season five, I can guarantee that it`s definitely going to be different.
HAMMER: Carrie speaks out for gay marriage. In a brand-new interview with the U.K.`s "The Independent" newspaper, Carrie Underwood is revealing her feelings on gay marriage for the first time.
The former "American Idol" winner suggests she supports marriage equality telling the newspaper, "As a married person myself, I don`t know what it`s like to be told I can`t marry somebody I love and want to marry."
"Our church is gay friendly. Above all, God wanted us to love others. It`s not about setting rules or saying everyone has to be like me. No. We`re all different."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
Time now for the SHOWBIZ lineup - here`s what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Madonna drops her top and raises eyebrows. But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s dares to ask, is Madonna trying too hard to stay relevant?
We put that question to the incredible, incomparable Joan Rivers who`s right here for a hilarious SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview. Joan on Madonna. I can`t wait to hear this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Oh, the drama. Is Lindsay Lohan allegedly lying about her latest car accident? The Biebs causes concert mayhem in Mexico.
I tell you, Hollywood is going off the rails tonight. And one of my favorite comediennes of all time, the great Joan Rivers, is right here to talk about all of the madness.
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. And tonight, a real Hollywood insider. No one knows Hollywood like Joan Rivers.
And tonight, the always funny comedienne blows the lid off the biggest stories making news in Hollywood tonight. I am so eager to get Joan`s take on everything from Lindsay Lohan lying to Madonna`s intentional nip slip.
And Joan also has a new book out, "I Hate Everyone starting With Me." With me in New York for a newsmaker interview, the very funny, always entertaining, and based on her new book, perhaps a little angry, Joan Rivers.
JOAN RIVERS, COMEDIENNE: Nice to see you.
HAMMER: It`s always nice to see you.
RIVERS: Great to be here. I love your shirt.
HAMMER: Well, thank you very much. I wore it just for you.
RIVERS: Fashion police -
HAMMER: Approval. That`s very important. It`s always a little nerve- racking when you and Melissa come in. But the book, a big deal on the "New York Times" must-read this summer list, which is a fantastic thing.
RIVERS: Yes.
HAMMER: And I didn`t realize you hated so many things. You really run it down for us.
RIVERS: Doesn`t everybody?
HAMMER: Yes.
RIVERS: You go through the day. I hate taxi drivers. I hate people that spit on the subway. I hate old people that smack their lips when they eat. A lot of things.
HAMMER: And looking into your book, it made me want to write down the list of things that I hate. I read among the many things here you hate child stars.
And I have to get your take on the latest Lindsay Lohan news. Explosive reports, Joan, that she actually lied to police possibly.
She may have lied to police after she got into this car accident. And she slammed a Porsche into the back of an 18-wheeler.
Well, she reportedly told the cops she wasn`t the one driving the car at the time of the accident. Do you really think that Lindsay would lie to the cops about something like this, Joan?
RIVERS: I know Lindsay very, very well and I was on the phone with her. And she had swerved to avoid hitting a pink elephant.
HAMMER: That`s what happened?
RIVERS: That`s what happened. Both she and the other car were smashed. So it`s even-Steven.
HAMMER: Even-Steven. And she was on the phone with you, not hands-free, apparently, also.
RIVERS: No, she`s in cuffs now.
HAMMER: Not answering at all.
RIVERS: But she stole me this for my birthday, isn`t that nice?
HAMMER: How kind of her.
RIVERS: Hi, Lindsay. I love it. Whoever you got it from, I love it, baby.
HAMMER: And it matches the outfit and your eyes as well.
RIVERS: Yes.
HAMMER: It sparkles.
RIVERS: It had a couple of tags on it still but I got rid of them.
HAMMER: That sounds easy to do. And the thing about this for us, Joan, is we`re all sitting here for a time thinking, oh, Lindsay, you`re finally back to work as an actress.
RIVERS: Yes.
HAMMER: And we`re thinking maybe she should get a driver. I don`t know.
RIVERS: I think every star - every woman star in Hollywood should get a driver because they also service you. God bless the driver.
HAMMER: And what you mean by that is -
RIVERS: Drivers and occasional busboys have kept me very happy throughout the years.
HAMMER: That`s exactly how you got through and kept that smile on your face.
RIVERS: Yes. I`m like a female John Travolta.
HAMMER: Well, OK. I`m not going to dig deep into that. I don`t want to get in trouble. There`s another huge child star who`s making big news.
RIVERS: Yes, I heard.
HAMMER: That`s Justin Bieber.
RIVERS: Yes. Yes.
HAMMER: Oh, my god. The thousands of screaming fans. Justin was putting on a concert for 300,000 fans last night. It`s unbelievable what was going on in Mexico City.
We have the crowd`s reaction, Joan, for you to watch at the mere mention of the Biebs name. Charles, please roll that for Ms. Rivers.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Justin Bieber. Justin -
(SCREAMS)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Now, Joan, you watch that. Can you give us a sense - clue us into the mania there. What`s going on? What`s the fascination? Why are people going crazy?
RIVERS: It`s prepubescent girls. I mean, I went through the same thing with Genghis Khan, and I went nuts. I used to run around trying to just do anything that he did.
I tried to kill Mongolians. You know, I was just so excited. I get it. Look how happy those little prepubescent girls.
HAMMER: They`re very happy, really happy.
RIVERS: Little do they know he`s really a little lesbian. He really looks like a lesbian.
HAMMER: The haircut, some people have said and suggested.
RIVERS: Yes. And he looks like a friend of Ellen DeGeneres`. I mean, he`s just amazing.
HAMMER: Is there somebody, Genghis Khan excepted, that has made you react? Because Justin Bieber may perhaps -
RIVERS: Lately?
HAMMER: Yes. I mean like, right around now, who`s going to make you scream like a prepubescent girl?
RIVERS: No one. No one. At this age, are you out of your mind?
HAMMER: Not possible.
RIVERS: Not possible.
HAMMER: There might be a pill you can take for it. I don`t know.
RIVERS: Yes. But no. For me, I like older men, so maybe Gandhi.
HAMMER: Gandhi?
RIVERS: He turns me on.
HAMMER: OK.
RIVERS: He`s naked to the waist.
HAMMER: Well, listen, you can`t be a good child star if you don`t have a good stage mom. And I was so pleased to see, you made mention of one of our favorites in here, Kris Jenner, of course, the great mommager.
Here`s what you write if I may read your own words, "Most mothers would be horrified if one of their daughters made a sex tape, but not Kris." Would you say, Joan, that Kris Jenner is the ultimate stage mom?
RIVERS: I think she`s brilliant. I think she`s absolutely brilliant. She took three girls that all they do is have sex. And these girls are known to have vaginas with food courts.
I mean, they are just busy. Busy, busy, busy. And she has turned them into major stars, moneymaking brands. She`s amazing.
HAMMER: And are you fascinated with not only the fact that that has happened, but with these girls` lives themselves?
RIVERS: I love to watch who they`re making out with. Aren`t you?
HAMMER: Well -
RIVERS: I`m thrilled to see who they`re going - because like once, in all of our years, Melissa brought home a black man - once. And I was so angry because she didn`t bring one for me.
I think Kris is a genius at making sure these girls are always doing something. A genius.
HAMMER: Kim Kardashian and Kanye West?
RIVERS: Yes, two crazy kids. Yes.
HAMMER: I mean, when you heard that news -
RIVERS: I just said he`s got a big shot there for at least 79 days.
HAMMER: Yes, that seems to be going well.
RIVERS: You hope these girls somewhere will find true love standing up, don`t you?
HAMMER: I think that would be a proper way to go in life, but they seem to go by the beat of their own drum.
RIVERS: The beat - good for - you know what I mean? Good for them. They have had more men land on them than we`ve had in Afghanistan.
HAMMER: Yes. I mean, that`s their own thing.
RIVERS: But that`s their thing and people love that. People want that.
HAMMER: Now, there`s buzz that perhaps Kim and Kanye West might actually forgo getting married first and just go straight to having a baby. Would you approve of the Kimye baby?
RIVERS: The Kimye baby? Well, it would be good-looking if it looks like her. Sometimes, like, you know, Billy Joel`s daughter - got her mama`s brains and the father`s looks. Some of these things get mixed up there. Absolutely, have a baby.
HAMMER: All right.
RIVERS: Have a baby.
HAMMER: I was a little surprised looking through your book that you didn`t have anything about wardrobe malfunctions because they become very trendy, and particularly right now with Madonna making some big headlines for an international wardrobe malfunction.
Now, she recently exposed her breast on stage, Joan, during a concert in Turkey. And she revealed a message on her back that read, "No Fear."
My question to you is, is Madonna fearless, or is this really, in your mind, a desperate cry for attention?
RIVERS: First of all, she wasn`t showing her nipple. She was showing her ankle bracelet. At this age - you think it`s a cry for attention?
No fear, the second half is on her ass, and it says "Just Flab." So you don`t see the whole thing. But she`s got a great body.
HAMMER: She does have a great body.
RIVERS: I know the doctor that did it - Irving Schwartz.
HAMMER: Irving Schwartz`s fine work on display again.
RIVERS: He did her and Kathy Bates.
HAMMER: They have the same doctor.
RIVER: The same doctor. For her age, she`s amazing. I love Madonna. What I find fascinating is that Lady Gaga. She keeps saying, "Lady Gaga stole everything of mine." Don`t say that. You`re Madonna. Shut up.
HAMMER: Right. It seems beneath her, so we would think. And that, to me, seems like a cry for attention.
RIVERS: OK. Lady Gaga stole - how can you steal a rash? You can`t steal certain things.
HAMMER: No, you really can`t take that.
RIVERS: I find that - you`re Madonna. Act like Madonna.
HAMMER: Yes.
RIVERS: Yes.
HAMMER: Queen of the world.
RIVERS: Queen of the world and queen of the Jews.
HAMMER: Well, yes, she is.
RIVERS: She`s Jewish these days.
HAMMER: Then - you know what? I`m proud to have her as a part of my people as well.
RIVERS: Madonna. You`ve got to say it differently. Madonna. Oy, Madonna.
HAMMER: Now, listen, I know there`s some reality stars that make you say "oy." We`re going to get to that because I`ve got to get your take on "Jersey Shore`s" Snooki pregnant and making her transformation from party life to expectant motherhood. Hang on to your thoughts. We`re talking Snooki in a moment.
We move on now to Alec Baldwin unplugged. He is telling all about his wild days on the soaps where he got his start.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: My character was killed off the show. And I was shot by two men simultaneously who were unaware of each other`s presence.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s going one on one with Alec and his outrageous world of backstage world soap opera stories. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BALDWIN: You have until tomorrow night after which I`m going to blow your entire future sky high with Luke.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Love the music. If you don`t recognize that face, I know you recognize his voice. That`s a 20-something Alec Baldwin all the way back in 1982 scheming away on his first TV job playing Billy Aldrich on the old NBC soap opera, "The Doctors."
It`s Baldwin unplugged. Alec Baldwin, who, of course, stars in the new movie "Rock of Ages" reminisces with SHOWBIZ TONIGHT about his wild days on a soap opera where, like a lot of stars, he got his first big break.
And it so happens that on June 23rd right here on HLN, the very best soap operas and the rest of daytime TV will be honored. We air the 39th Annual Daytime Emmys live.
And to mark the occasion, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Nischelle Turner got Baldwin to look back at his soap days, and boy, did he ever.
He talked about all the backstage shenanigans. He even told us the hilarious story about how his unlikable character was killed off.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TURNER (on camera): This year on CNN and HLN, we are airing the Daytime Emmy Awards.
BALDWIN: Right.
TURNER: And I know you got your one of your first starts on a soap.
BALDWIN: I was on a soap.
TURNER: "The Doctors."
BALDWIN: Right.
TURNER: Do you remember -
BALDWIN: I remember all of it.
TURNER: What`s your craziest storyline from there? Do you remember that?
BALDWIN: Well, I have a lot of - oh, craziest storyline of a character. Well, probably how I died.
TURNER: You can tell about some crazy live stories.
BALDWIN: Yes. There was a lot of crazy stuff going on. We had a lot of - yes. It was a big soap opera on and off camera. That`s true.
But the craziest story line - the ending for me where I was shot. My character was killed off the show and I was shot by two men simultaneously who were unaware of each other`s presence.
A guy came to shoot me in the door doorway, and another guy was shooting me through the window at the same time.
TURNER: Who did it? Who killed you?
BALDWIN: Both. They both shot me at the same time. Two men both came to kill me at the same time. That`s how -
TURNER: That was the end of you.
BALDWIN: That`s how screwed up my character was. Two people wanted him dead. They killed me at the same moment. I loved that idea.
TURNER: One of the things that, when I was researching this, that I didn`t realize is how many people really got their start on soaps.
BALDWIN: There were a lot back then.
TURNER: That it was really kind of this training ground.
BALDWIN: Especially back then in New York. And you know, there were soaps - I remember when we did the soap, there were a lot of people on our show. Ours was a half-hour who were on Broadway.
So on Wednesdays, for example, we would come in very early and pre-tape their scenes to get them out so they could do the matinee on a Wednesday.
We had people doing "Amadeus" and people on the cast have really - we had great actors. And the soap was a thing they did to have a job with medical benefits and, ux. be in the union.
And they were people who the soap might not have been the greatest stretch for them as actors, but they were very devoted to it and were grateful to have the job. And they went out and did like Shakespeare in the park and it was kind of thrilling.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Great way to start. Alec also revealed to us that he still watches soaps and even has a soap opera idol. Now, Nischelle must have been caught up in the moment because she responded by revealing to Alec Baldwin one of her secret desires. I wonder what that is.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Alec Baldwin unplugged, part two. The "Rock of Ages" star clearly had a very good reminiscing with SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Nischelle Turner all about his time on an early soap opera back in the early 1980s.
They really touched on so much stuff, the wild backstage shenanigans that he remembers from his time on the soap, what he thinks really went on between daytime TV host Kelly Ripa and her now-husband, Mark Consuelos, back when the couple were co-stars on "All My Children." And he even gets our own Nischelle Turner to reveal a secret fantasy. Here it is.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(on camera) On the fly, do you ever still flip through and watch soap operas?
BALDWIN: Oh, yes. It was on - when I was in the gym recently. And I`m always in the gym and I flicked through the TV and I was watching a handful.
It`s actually dwindling somewhat because some of the shows have been canceled. But on some of the shows, guys that were on soaps when I was on are still on.
TURNER: Yes.
BALDWIN: Yes.
TURNER: I am a soap opera fan.
BALDWIN: Eric Braeden.
TURNER: Yes.
BALDWIN: Eric Braeden. Look at him. The guy`s, like, the Mt. Rushmore. He still looks great. He`s like, "Let me tell you something, Jake. Jake, I want you to know something." And I`m, like, look at this guy. He`s like the Clark Gable. He`s so good-looking, tough -
TURNER: Yes.
BALDWIN: Good actor.
TURNER: Never ages.
BALDWIN: Really good actor. They`re good actors. And they get a gig and it`s like - people don`t realize how much lifestyle has to do with jobs people take.
Not everybody wants to jump on a plane and go to Australia twice a year and make a film. They`ve got kids. They go to school. They`ve got marriages.
And soaps have been, I think, for a lot of people, a great way to have a family.
TURNER: Yes.
BALDWIN: Have a real life. But I still turn on the soaps, and there they are, "I love you, Jill. You know how I feel about you."
TURNER: You`re making me jealous because I`ve always wanted to do a soap scene.
BALDWIN: You did?
TURNER: I`ve always wanted to do soaps.
BALDWIN: You have? Why don`t you do a segment? I`m going to give this to you for free.
TURNER: OK, OK.
BALDWIN: I`m giving you this for free. I don`t want to fear any credit. Have the network have you go on and play a character on the show for a week.
TURNER: I would love it.
BALDWIN: And report what it was like, being on a soap.
TURNER: I would love it. I might not come back to journalism.
BALDWIN: Are you sure? It`s for free.
TURNER: I might not come back to journalism.
BALDWIN: Well, are you married?
TURNER: I`m not.
BALDWIN: In real life?
TURNER: No.
BALDWIN: You could have a lot of fun backstage on the show. There`s a lot of action going on there. Ask Kelly.
TURNER: Exactly.
(CROSS TALK)
BALDWIN: You think I`m kidding. She met Mark there. What do you think was going on there? You think they were going to have ice cream together?
TURNER: Obviously, not.
BALDWIN: Obviously not.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: I`d love to see Nischelle on a soap, but we wouldn`t let you go, Nischelle. And speaking of which, soap operas and the best of daytime TV are being honored right here on HLN.
We are airing the 39th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards. It`s going to happen live, June 23rd, 8:00 p.m. Eastern. I`m going to be right there on the red carpet hanging with all your favorite daytime stars.
We have a special edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT you must see beginning at 7:00 Eastern right here on HLN. You can actually join me in the middle of it all.
You have to enter the HLN red carpet sweepstakes at HLNTV.com/DaytimeEmmySweeps. You will win a trip to the Daytime Emmys. We`ll give you a whole red carpet makeover.
You go to the Daytime Emmys show and you appear with me that night on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Make sure you catch the Daytime Emmy Awards live Saturday, June 23rd, 8:00 p.m. Eastern here on HLN.
We move now to the secrets of Snooki`s pregnancy. Has Snooks picked out a baby name? Is there going to be fist-pumping house music in the delivery room?
Well, the legendary Joan Rivers is right here tonight for a SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview with her take on some very surprising things you didn`t know about Snooki`s pregnancy.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: The spotlight is on "Jersey Shore" star, Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi. She`s on a hit reality show. She`s expecting her first child.
And now, it looks like Snooki`s baby news is really paying off for her. Even ABC News is interested in how the party girl is reforming her ways and getting ready for diaper duty. Watch Snooki making news today on "Good Morning America." Amazing.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do you plan to breastfeed?
NICOLE "SNOOKI" POLIZZI, REALITY TV STAR: It just looks so painful.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What`s your alcohol policy during pregnancy?
POLIZZI: Obviously no drinking. None whatsoever, like I`m scared to even have caffeine. All my friends are, like, "You can have a glass of wine." I`m, like, no, I refuse.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Right.
POLIZZI: Because I`m going to be that person that has a glass of wine and it comes out with three legs. Hi! Yes, can`t wait.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Back with me now, the legendary Joan Rivers. Joan`s new book is "I Hate Everyone Starting With Me." And in this fine book, Joan, you say that you hate reality stars who act like they have talent.
RIVERS: Yes.
HAMMER: I can`t imagine you`re talking about Snooki.
RIVERS: No and I take it back so ha, ha, ha. I just went to see the new "Show White and the Huntsman" movie, and she plays the eighth dwarf.
HAMMER: Oh, is that right?
RIVERS: Easy.
HAMMER: I wasn`t aware of that. This reality star can really launch into a whole movie career.
RIVERS: I just love to watch the twisting and turning that she`s now going to make a wonderful mother. She`s going to make a mobile for the baby`s crib out of empties. Yes, she`s really getting to it.
HAMMER: Yes. She does have empties. She has a few of them, although she says she`s not going to breastfeed because it`s going to hurt. It looks painful.
RIVERS: And you know, try to - she can`t hold a baby. But good for her. In the beginning we all made jokes. Even Mitt Romney said, abortion. But now, we`re all happy. Now, we`re all happy for her.
HAMMER: I don`t think Mitt actually said that.
RIVERS: Yes, he told me.
HAMMER: Listen, the thing that`s really surprising that came from this the fact that she was on ABC News which was surprising enough.
But she revealed eight surprising things we didn`t know about Snooki`s pregnancy, among which she wants house music in the delivery room.
She wants four kids and as I mentioned, she`s afraid to breastfeed. What surprises you the most about Snooki`s revelations, Joan?
RIVERS: That she also added that she`s going to have a side job and she`s going to keep bees in her hair.
HAMMER: Is that the part -
RIVERS: And I think that`s going to be great.
HAMMER: That would be strange.
(CROSS TALK)
RIVERS: God bless her, our little Snooki.
HAMMER: Now, the thing is, with this book, Joan, aptly titled "I Hate Everything Starting With Me," you go off on yourself at the beginning of the book. We love you so much it`s hard for me to believe that you really are so self-loathing.
RIVERS: Everyone that thinks they`re terrific are not interesting. Look at me. I was on - my thighs are so big, I was on the treadmill today. I was on an hour too long and my thighs fused together.
HAMMER: I`m sorry to hear that.
(CROSS TALK)
Thank you for still coming in here, nonetheless. I did really appreciate the back of the book. And I love you`ve got great quotes from some of your big fans, Wilt Chamberlain, Dr. Kevorkian and your grandson.
RIVERS: My grandson.
HAMMER: Cooper writes, "After reading this book, I hate my Nana more than ever."
RIVERS: Yes. Isn`t that nice?
HAMMER: Did that make you cry?
RIVERS: No, not at all. He used to call me "Nana New Face." He`s cut that down.
HAMMER: OK. Well, that`s good. You have your supporters. May I read the - I can`t read the Wilt Chamberlain one. You`ll have to get the book yourself to read it.
RIVERS: "New York Times" must-read summer reading. Isn`t that great?
HAMMER: It is terrific and it`s always great to see you.
RIVERS: I love you so much.
HAMMER: And I got approval on the shirt from Joan Rivers. The fashion police said it`s OK. Make sure you check out Joan`s very funny new book. It is called "I Hate Everyone Starting With Me."
And again, the "New York Times" has just named it a must summer read. Thanks, Joan.
Well, tonight, we move on to the dramatic and emotional new testimony in the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse trial from the alleged victim who triggered the criminal investigation.
Meanwhile, Sandusky`s defense team claims that the former Penn State assistant football coach is just an affectionate guy who needs to be the center of attention, not a predator. Dr. Drew takes you inside the mind of Jerry Sandusky right now.
END
