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Showbiz Tonight
Hollywood Exes Revealed; Tony Geary Makes History; David Hasselhoff Newsmaker Interview; Bethenny Frankel, Voice of Daytime Talk
Aired June 25, 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: Tonight, Hollywood exes revealed. The women making a name for themselves without their famous husbands.
Eddie Murphy`s ex, Jose Canseco`s ex, Will Smith`s ex - just how much are they revealing on their reality show about the big time celebrities they used to be married to?
(MUSIC)
Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer. Tonight, the "Today" show shake-up.
Reports are swirling that "Today" cohost Ann Curry will be out of a job this week. That is a huge shift as the morning TV ratings war gets even tighter. But is Curry unfairly taking the heat?
First tonight, SHOWBIZ Emmy exclusive. There is still big buzz about the Daytime Emmys which you saw right here on HLN.
Tony Geary made history. Susan Lucci got emotional. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT had exclusive backstage access to all the drama.
One of the biggest moments of the night, Anthony Geary, winning the Emmy Award for lead actor for his performance as Luke on "General Hospital."
This is his seventh Daytime Emmy. And now, that makes him the most honored actor in Daytime Emmy history.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANTHONY GEARY, ACTOR: Twenty-three nominations, which is pretty amazing, since last year we were almost canceled in favor of a surefire ratings bonanza, celebrity boob jobs gone wrong.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: His voice is shaking as he was accepting his award. And I spoke to with Tony Geary backstage just moments after he won. He just seemed so touch and so humbled by it all. And he revealed something surprising. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(on camera) You were pretty emotional.
GEARY: It has been quite a night for me. I was shocked that we were first up, because we are usually last. And I wasn`t quite prepared for this, neither the award nor the timing. But I am very, very honored and very grateful for it.
HAMMER: And it`s apparent despite how many years you have been doing this and the fact that you are the most honored actor in all of daytime TV, you do seem so humbled by it.
GEARY: I am. I am truly humbled by it. There is no way to express how much it means to me.
HAMMER: There was a time, and particularly I think when you were getting into soaps, when you thought, "People like me. I can probably stay in the job for as long as I like." And -
GEARY: Well, actually, when I started, I only intended to do 13 weeks. I wasn`t really very fond of daytime. I had done two other shows in daytime and I thought it was below me. Well, certainly it isn`t anymore.
HAMMER: Well, you know what? You`ve raised the bar. And here`s another thing I would observe, and tell me if I am wrong. If an evil villain were to try to freeze the world, I think you are up for the task of saving the planet.
GEARY: I have done it before. I can do it again.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: (UNINTELLIGIBLE), don`t you? Well, having the Daytime Emmys right here on HLN gave me the chance to speak with another daytime legend, the great Susan Lucci.
She gave a tribute to her soap, "All My Children." And of course, that show ended its 41-year run last September. So when I spoke to her after the show, Susan was all about the fond memories. Look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(on camera) I have to say the tribute that you guys did tonight was so heartfelt. And I could tell you were very emotional during that moment.
SUSAN LUCCI, ACTRESS: I was very emotional. It was very emotional. It was really something to be on stage. And I really was so grateful for the academy to pay tribute to Erica Kane and "All My Children."
And it did give me such a wonderful opportunity to say what was in my heart all this time. You know, to say thank you and to say how happy I am to be part of this community. How about a lucky actress?
HAMMER: A nice moment of closure, in a way.
LUCCI: Yes, absolutely.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I want to bring in SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Nischelle Turner. Of course, she was with me for HLN`s coverage of the Daytime Emmys.
And Nischelle, I`ve got to tell you, I had one of the best weeks of doing this show leading up to the Daytime Emmys. But being there that night, it was so great being so close to the action.
NISCHELLE TURNER, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT CORRESPONDENT: Oh, absolutely, A.J. It definitely was so much fun. And you know what? I am really glad to see that you and Susan Lucci were getting along after the show.
Because if I remember correctly, didn`t she hit you with a two-piece right on live TV during our special SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Daytime Emmy pre-show? I think so. Let`s have a look at that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(on camera) When are I visited the set of all my children, you taught me how to do the infamous soap opera slap, something you have a lot of experience with. Can we try it? I don`t know if my skills are up. It has been a while since you`ve done it. If you actually hit me, it would actually be a badge of honor for me.
LUCCI: Oh, no way.
HAMMER: Give it a whirl. Come on. Let`s go.
LUCCI: OK. You!
HAMMER: Pretty good. Do I get the Emmy nomination?
LUCCI: Oh, you got the trophy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: It wasn`t good at all. That was terrible.
TURNER: No, it was good.
HAMMER: But I can tell you - no, no. Listen, I can always say I got slapped by Erica Kane. Now, Nischelle, I understand you had a little backstage moment, too.
Things perhaps got a little hairy for you when infamous zookeeper Jack Hannah and Debbie Gibson stopped by. Let`s watch what happened then.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TURNER (on camera): It was one of the biggest cockroaches I have ever seen in my life.
JACK HANNAH, ZOO KEEPER: I`m so proud of them. The biggest I`ve ever had. These take a long time to breed. The Madagascar hissing cockroach. I can put it right there in your hair.
TURNER: I swear, if you do, I will pass right out right here.
HANNAH: I won`t do it.
TURNER: Oh, my god.
HANNAH: They are from Madagascar, from Africa.
TURNER: And they are just hanging out?
HANNAH: Yes, they are my buddies. I usually have a sock in my drawer in my room.
TURNER: Do they have names?
HANNAH: Yes, Paul and Peter.
TURNER: You know what? I am so scared right now.
HANNAH: But took at this.
TURNER: Debbie Gibson is just letting it hang out.
DEBORAH GIBSON, SINGER: PETA can`t come after for wearing this kind of fur, OK? It`s living. And I used to see these in my apartment in New York, but I`ve never seen them worn as a brooch.
TURNER: I know. I have seen a couple of tree roaches. OK. This porcupine is right up against my leg right now, but that`s OK. But I am just wondering like what`s going on here.
HANNAH: That was (UNINTELLIGIBLE). No, no.
GIBSON: He is a trained acupuncturist.
HANNAH: They`re used for weapons in Africa, the quills of this animal.
TURNER: Do people usually react like me when you walk around with big cockroaches on you?
HANNAH: Yes, they do. It`s too bad because they are an insect, you know, and they are very important to nature.
TURNER:
HANNAH: They clean up everything. It`s hard (UNINTELLIGIBLE), as long as you don`t get the eggs.
TURNER: Oh, god.
HAMMER: Now, Deb was all concerned that she was clashing there with the marmoset, Nischelle. I do think we should get hazard pay for the Daytime Emmys.
Seriously, I get attacked by Susan Lucci. You get accosted by some humongous cockroaches, although I will tell you there bigger cockroaches in New York City. But you seemed freaked out there.
TURNER: A.J., that was no joke. I was not kidding there. Listen, I will just say this. Where I`m from, if you see a cockroach, you don`t pet it and play with it like it`s your pet. You kill it.
HAMMER: Yes.
TURNER: Those are ridiculously huge and they just - oh, it just gets me squeamish thinking about it right now. They are gross.
HAMMER: Well, hopefully, Jack Hannah has given you a newfound respect and you shouldn`t just kill them just because they gross you out, OK?
Now, today, I was proud to be a part of another Daytime Emmy moment. I brought together the daytime giants, ABC`s "The View" and CBS` "The Talk."
Now, during the Daytime Emmys` telecast here on HLN, yes, the host of "The Talk" getting up to present an award, and they had a little fun with their counterparts over on ABC. Watch what happened.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The ladies - let`s introduce ourselves. I`m Barbara Walters.
SHARON OSBOURNE, CO-HOST, "THE TALK": I`m Sherri Shepherd.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I`m Joy Behar.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I`m Whoopi Goldberg.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And I`m Elisabeth Hasselbeck.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That was one of the most buzzed-about moments of the night and how much fun they had. And they did it all very tongue-in-cheek.
And today, I had the great honor of appearing on "The Talk." And I brought with me a little surprise for the ladies. I brought them Barbara Walters` very first reaction to their little Daytime Emmy stunt. Watch that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(on camera) And I have to believe, when you guys went up on stage, perhaps in the back of your minds, you were wondering, well, this was fun. But I wonder what Barbara Walters thinks of all of this.
And it had be running through your minds, I know. Well, it just so happens I exclusively asked her for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, but I`m going to share that with you right now. Let`s take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(on camera) I must get your very first reaction to your colleagues from "The Talk," getting onstage and introducing themselves.
BARBARA WALTERS, CO-HOST AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, "THE VIEW": You know what? I thought they couldn`t have been more generous (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
BILL GETTY, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, "THE VIEW": That`s a class act, a class move.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) that you guys did it. And it was all in good fun.
S. OSBOURNE: And much respect to Barbara Walters.
(CROSS TALK)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They`ve been on "The View" for 15 years and they`re pioneers.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I thought that was really nice. And of course, with Barbara Walters, there was Bill Getty, "The View`s" executive producer who got a lifetime achievement award on Saturday night.
Nischelle, really a nice moment, I thought, bringing together the host of "The View" and "The Talk" like that, because everybody thinks there is this big rivalry.
TURNER: You know, I say this - Hillary Clinton is leaving as Secretary of State at the end of the year. President Obama needs to call A.J. Hammer because you brought some peace to them.
(CROSS TALK)
HAMMER: Here I am. All right, Nischelle. What a fun time. It was great being with you on Saturday night. Thank you so much.
TURNER: Sure.
HAMMER: And we move now from "The Talk" to the new face of talk. I am talking about Bethenny Frankel. Her brand-new show is "Bethenny."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BETHENNY FRANKEL, HOST, "BETHENNY": And you know, you`re looking at TV and you are not seeing anyone really talking about anything edgy or what seems to be taboo. All the things they are talking about really are just want women talk about when they`re out with their girlfriends.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is right there on the set with reality star turned talk show host, Bethenny Frankel.
Plus, meet the Hollywood exes. The stars of a brand-new reality show, stepping out of the shadows of their famous exes and into their own spotlight.
Tonight, Eddie Murphy`s ex, Nicole. Baseball great Jose Canseco`s ex, Jessica. They are right here and they`re telling all about what it was like being married to some of the most famous men in the world. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, SHOWBIZ backstage of Daytime Emmys. I`ve got all the star reaction to the big Emmy wins, including "The Bold and the Beautiful`s" Heather Tom. Now, she`s the only actress to ever win Daytime Emmys for best younger actress and best supporting actress and now lead actress in a drama.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Holding that, what`s going through your head right now?
HEATHER TOM, ACTRESS: Honestly, I am shocked. I really am. I just never thought that I would (UNINTELLIGIBLE). It`s a very, very huge honor and I am so, so grateful.
HAMMER: Don`t have the baby right here.
TOM: I know. It got crazy.
HAMMER: What an amazing story to be able to tell your child.
TOM: I know. That`s right. It`s the worst case of adrenaline. You`re like, yes, I like it!
HAMMER: Do you have a name yet?
TOM: Not yet.
HAMMER: I`m thinking Emmy.
TOM: Yes. He`s a boy. That may be a little - Emmet?
HAMMER: You`ll work something out. Androgyny is in. come on.
TOM: Yes. It`s kind of a girl`s name, too. They have a thing going on.
HAMMER: Congratulations again.
TOM: Thank you. Thank you so much.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Everything being paid for. You don`t have to deal with the bills.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You have a reality check when you step away.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My reality check was when my Gucci (UNINTELLIGIBLE) was rescinded.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Oh, that`s life. That`s the brand-new VH1 reality show, "Hollywood Exes." Eddie Murphy`s ex, R. Kelly`s ex, and Jose Canseco`s ex, all getting real about what it was like living with some of the most famous men in the world.
Talk about living the high life. Tonight, Hollywood exes revealed. Now divorced from their famous exes, five celebrity ex-wives are stepping into reality TV and they`re making names for themselves.
They want to start over, but why would they choose to do it on reality TV? And what do their famous exes think about this new show? Well, let`s find out.
Joining me right now from New York, stars of VH1`s "Hollywood Exes," Nicole Murphy. She was married to Eddie Murphy for 13 years. And Jessica Canseco, the ex-wife of former baseball star, Jose Canseco.
It is great to have you both here. Nicole, I want to start with you. You have been divorced from Eddie for some time now. You`re engaged to NFL star and TV personality, Michael Strahan, who we all love.
So I`m wondering, why put yourself out there on a reality show based on being Eddie`s ex now?
NICOLE MURPHY, REALITY TV STAR: Well, I actually got approached by Eddie`s younger brother, Vernon Lynch. And basically, when he came to me with this idea, I was like, "You know what? It sounds pretty cool," because the women that were going to be involved with it, I was like friends with them.
So I was like, this would be great and it would be a lot of fun for me. And plus, I am using it as a plateau for other things. So I am very excited and I`m having a ball doing this.
HAMMER: Well, good. And we have seen what reality TV can do to launch people`s careers on their own. And the show has some great people in it.
Prince`s ex, Mayte Garcia, is in it. R. Kelly`s ex, Andrea Kelly is in it. Will Smith`s ex, Sheree Fletcher. And Jessica, I know we get to see your ex, Jose Canseco, on the show. But did any of the other ladies run into any resistance from their ex-husbands?
JESSICA CANSECO, REALITY TV STAR: No. Actually, everyone was really supportive. All the exes have been supportive. And it`s really about us stepping out of their shadows and empowering us and our businesses and our relationships with our kids and showing what we do now. And it`s a great cast and a great honor to be on this.
HAMMER: Nicole, I am sitting here, trying to imagine what Eddie Murphy said about this show when you told him. What was his take on it?
MURPHY: Well, I actually didn`t, you know, call him and say, "I`m doing it." No, I did. I sent him a text.
HAMMER: OK.
MURPHY: I just sent him a text and said I am doing this show.
HAMMER: You don`t want to surprise him with something like this.
MURPHY: I sent him a text saying, you know, I am doing the show. And he`s like, "OK, cool." He`s cool with it.
HAMMER: All right. I imagine he went (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and just had a little laugh. OK. Do what you are going to do.
And listen, there is certainly some drama on the show. Let`s take a look at a moment in the show when Jessica reveals a certain proposal that her ex just made to her. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CANSECO: Jose wants to move in together.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Does he realize he`s your ex?
CANSECO: I know. I don`t know what to do. I am stressed a little bit about it.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So you might get backing together?
CANSECO: No, I don`t want to be with him.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I just met Jessica, and I don`t know Jose. But honey, they call it ex-for a reason. Oh, no. I`m just saying.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Don`t you know -
CANSECO: Here`s the thing with me. Josie is the most important thing.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Right.
CANSECO: I want him here. I want him to be around her.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I am on the fence about Jose`s proposition.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. I`ve got to tell you, Jessica. I am watching this, wondering what actually happened. Did Jose move in back with you?
CANSECO: Well, you`re going to have to stay tuned for the next season to see that.
HAMMER: Oh, come on. Now, it`s interesting because I am watching and you guys seem to mostly be friends on it. Are you at all worried that, you know, unless you have table-flipping, the show might not be a huge success?
CANSECO: You know what? I think it`s going to be a huge success, regardless. It`s not about beating somebody down and fighting. It`s about empowerment and us as women really - it`s the sisterhood and the friendship we have with each other, our kids and our exes. So it`s not that kind of show.
HAMMER: Well, thank you for bringing positivity to reality TV. We certainly don`t see that all that often. Nicole Murphy, Jessica Canseco, thank you both so much. I want to tell everybody that "Hollywood Exes" premiers Wednesday night on VH1.
Now, I want to move on to another apparent break up - Ann Curry possibly leaving the "Today" show this week. A lot of people find this shocking.
She is getting blamed for ending "Today`s" morning show domination, so it would seem. But SHOWBIZ dares to ask, is it really Ann`s fault?
Also, he was one of the original judges on the megahit, "America`s Got Talent." Yes, there he is - the Hoff.
I`m so psyched that David Hasselhoff right here. He`s going to tell us how he thinks Howard Stern is doing this year on "AGT." It is a must see newsmaker interview with the Hoff.
And now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT at the Daytime Emmys. We`ve got all the star reaction from the big awards show that we brought you exclusively right here on HLN.
You`ve got to watch Kelly Ripa`s tribute to Gelman this morning after "Live" took home the Emmy over the weekend for best entertainment talk show.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KELLY RIPA, HOST, "LIVE WITH KELLY": Twenty-four years, Gelman has been nominated for an Emmy. Did you hear me, Susan Lucci? Twenty years, Gelman has been nominated for an Emmy. This is his very first Emmy.
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. DREW PINSKY, HOST, "DR. DREW": And the Emmy award for outstanding morning program goes to the "Today" show.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That is HLN`s own Dr. Drew, announcing the "Today" show as the winner of the outstanding morning show Daytime Emmy award, a really big win in the really big battle for morning TV domination.
But the "Today" show`s Ann Curry sure is not winning these days. Brand-new reports say that the "Today" cohost could be leaving the show this week.
Well, this "Today" show shake-up is really getting some big buzz tonight. New reports say Ann will be replaced, but she would walk off into the sunset with a $10 million payout, which is not bad.
But still, is Ann taking the fall for the falling ratings? It`s no secret that "Good Morning America" is edging up in the ratings war. And this year, for the first time in 16 years, "GMA" broke the "Today" show`s winning streak.
I want to bring in entertainment reporter, Brian Balthazar, who is a former "Today" senior producer.
Brian, this really has the appearance of NBC blaming Ann Curry for the end of the "Today" show`s dominance on morning TV.
But I have to wonder, you know, she`s got a year under her belt as co-host. "Good Morning America" has been steadily rising in the ratings for some time. Is it really fair to blame her?
BRIAN BALTHAZAR, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: Well, I think morning television is a team effort, so it`s very difficult and unfair to really point it to one person and say, "You are the reason we are winning or losing."
So you can`t dismiss also the fact that "Good Morning America" is putting on a really great show, and that`s why they are winning sometimes.
That said, morning television is also about chemistry. And I think they are finding that the chemistry isn`t everything it could be.
HAMMER: Well, we are also hearing a lot of people saying - critics are voicing their opinion that, you know, Ann is just too nice, which I think is ridiculous.
And I think Ann is terrific. I actually think she`s a great match on the show. But even Ann expressed herself about her doubts on this recently, you know, about whether or not he may have been responsible for "Today`s" slipping ratings.
Listen to what she told "Ladies` Home Journal." She said, "You worry, `Am I not good enough? Am I not what the people need? Am I asking the right questions?` When people say negative things or speculate, you can`t help but feel hurt."
"I know NBC pays my salary, but I have never doubted who I work for. I think about the people who watch. They are the ones who matter to me. I want to feel I haven`t dropped the ball when it comes to them."
And I get that. Brian, Ann has been on the "Today" show for years. Everybody knew her strengths and her weaknesses. So do you think, in a way, she was kind of set up to fail by being put into that position?
BALTHAZAR: Well, I think, for as many people who were disappointed that maybe she got that position, others would have been disappointed if she didn`t.
You know, Ann has gone to the ends of the world and would go to the end of the world for NBC. And I don`t care whether you make $2 or $10 million. It`s got to hurt when you hear this kind of criticisms.
You know, I think she deserved a shot. And you know, I think maybe, whether you agree with this decision or not to let her go on to other things, this is what`s happening. And now, we`re going to sit back and see who is next and if they can get their lead back.
HAMMER: Yes. And I do feel badly for Ann, I have to say, regardless of what ends up happening, because all of this has been out there for a few days. Now, it`s really building up tonight.
BALTHAZAR: This can`t be (UNINTELLIGIBLE) her.
HAMMER: It has to be a terribly uncomfortable thing though. It can`t be easy at all being on that set every day.
All right. Thanks for the great insight, Brian Balthazar. Really appreciate it.
Time now for the SHOWBIZ lineup, coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
I can`t wait to show you this. SHOWBIZ goes on location with Bethenny Frankel on the set of her new talk show.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FRANKEL: And you know, you`re looking at TV and you are not seeing anyone really talking about anything edgy or what seems to be taboo. All the things they are talking about really are just want women talk about when they`re out with their girlfriends.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The war for talk show domination is heating up. SHOWBIZ dares to ask, is Bethenny about to take over daytime talk?
Plus, Kimye publicity stunt? Kim Kardashian opens up to Oprah about her relationship with superstar, Kanye West. So what`s the deal? Is it for real or is it all just for attention?
Here`s something that`s as real as you can get. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s exclusive access to the winners of the Daytime Emmy awards. Here`s Bobby Flay, just after he took home Emmy for outstanding culinary program for his show, "Bobby Flay`s Barbecue Addiction."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(on camera) Congratulations.
BOBBY FLAY, HOST, "BOBBY FLAY`S BARBECUE ADDICTION": Thank you so much.
HAMMER: And how cool. You`ve won before. You`ve held the statuette before as a show host, but now, for "Barbecue Addiction," as an executive producer. What does that feel like and how different is it?
FLAY: Very, very special because I always like to say that whether it`s in my restaurants or in my production company, Rock Shrimp Products. It`s all about team.
And these ladies behind you really make it happen for me every day. It`s like, you know, people say, yes, just get out there and talk about food, but so much more goes into it. And obviously, I couldn`t do it without them.
HAMMER: Well, you know, part of the deal with winning this thing is you and I had to go to the grill now and throw down.
FLAY: No problem. Put down the mike and take off the jacket and let`s make that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Right now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, on location with Bethenny Frankel on the set of her new talk show. Is she the face of daytime?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FRANKEL: And you know, you`re looking at TV and you are not seeing anyone really talking about anything edgy or what seems to be taboo. All the things they are talking about really are just want women talk about when they`re out with their girlfriends.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: So how did Ellen DeGeneres become Bethenny`s new boss? And how did this mom, reality star, entrepreneur and talk show host possibly do it all? It`s my one on one with Bethenny Frankel on location.
America`s got Hasselhoff. You know, it has been over two years since David Hasselhoff left "America`s Got Talent." So what is he been up to? Is there really a "Baywatch" movie on the way?
Well, the Hoff is right here to tell all in a must-see SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Tonight, SHOWBIZ is on location with reality star turned talk show host, Bethenny Frankel. Now, Bethenny was a presenter at this weekend`s Daytime Emmy Awards. It, of course, aired exclusively right here on HLN. And I`ve got to say, at the rate she is working, she will probably have her own Emmy in no time.
She`s an entrepreneur, a mom, a wife, a reality star and, now, a new face of daytime talk. I caught up with Bethenny on the set of her new talk show, which happens to be on the same set as "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."
And Bethenny revealed to me how Ellen became her new boss and why she thinks her show will truly change the face of daytime.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(on camera) Look at what`s going on here. The studio audience -
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
HAMMER: How is it going?
FRANKEL: It`s pretty incredible. It`s exciting. I am blessed. I`m thrilled and I`m having a great time.
(MUSIC)
My daughter is two and she thinks she has it figured out, OK? We`re back. We are talking about attachment parenting. It really seems like it`s working out because we`re able to all just kind of have a conversation that seems like women really want to be having it.
And you know, you`re looking at TV and you are not seeing anyone really talking about anything edgy or what seems to be taboo. All the things they are talking about really are just want women talk about when they`re out with their girlfriends.
HAMMER: I think the one thing we`ve learned about you, Bethenny, over time is you`ve got a lot to say.
FRANKEL: I`ve got a lot to say and I like to listen just as much as I like to talk, so it`s actually working out well. I want to hear what all of you think and feel and are going through.
ELLEN DEGENERES, HOST, "THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW": That`s cute right there.
FRANKEL: It`s adorable.
HAMMER: Tell me about how Ellen came to be a part of this equation. How did she come to be the executive producer of this show? And here you are in her set.
FRANKEL: Well, to be honest with you. I was talking to the company who produces her show and I was talking to a couple other companies and it kept talking to (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
I kept talking to them and kept saying, "What we they going to do?" And I finally said, "If you want to sleep with me, you`ve got to put a ring on my finger." And that day - right? That day -
HAMMER: Everything worked out.
FRANKEL: Yes. And I said it would be really great if Ellen kind of (UNINTELLIGIBLE) me, would kind of stamp me. She literally said, "I know you are talking with Telepictures. I would love to produce a talk show with you." And it was the most flattering thing because she -
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
HAMMER: What went through your mind and what did you say? Was it like, "Holy (EXPLETIVE DELETED)"?
FRANKEL: Yes. On "Saturday Night Live," there used to be a thing called, "Oops, I crapped my pants."
HAMMER: It sounds exactly what happened.
FRANKEL: That was me. Oops, I crapped my pants. Ellen wants to do a talk show with me.
HAMMER: You have been on this wild ride, a huge list of accomplishments. All that you are involved with, including your Bethenny.com Web site. You have, of course, the Skinnygirl Cocktails, the Skinnygirl Daily product line, featuring on-the-go bars, daily vitamin power packets, daily cleanse and restore - very important - daily weight management and energy.
You have your workout and exercise DVDs. You just published "Skinny Dipping," your latest novel. And you`re the author of self-help, diet and recipe books.
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
OK. I don`t know about you guys. Listening to this, I`m exhausted reading the list.
FRANKEL: I`m exhausted - I know.
HAMMER: How do you balance that? You are also a mother. You also have a husband. How in the world do you get enough rest and really balance it? What is the trick for you?
FRANKEL: I wouldn`t say at this particular moment it`s all entirely balanced. I have an assistant and I have people that help me do certain things.
It is a lot and I do make myself get into that bed by 11:00. And I get up with my baby at 7:00. But when I`m with her in the morning, just taking - you know, taking a bath with her at night or feeding her in the morning, it kind of fills up your tank.
I make date night with my husband. I`ll go - as soon as I can get three days in a row, I`ll go away. It`s not easy, but this is such a chance of a lifetime that we all decided to make it work.
FRANKEL: Did you eat a lot when you were pregnant?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hell yes. See, I got down.
HAMMER: Congratulations on being one of the newest faces of daytime television.
FRANKEL: Thank you. Thank you.
HAMMER: Thank you so much.
FRANKEL: That was a great interview. Thank you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: That really was so much fun being there and talking with Bethenny. She really does seem to be a natural at it. You can catch her brand-new new talk show. It`s called Bethenny. Check your local listings.
Well, Bethenny is just one of the many faces joining the talk line of this year. So here`s what we are asking in the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive poll.
The battle for daytime talk domination is heating up. Who is your favorite new face of talk? Bethenny? Katie Couric? Jeff Probst? Maybe Steve?
Vote at HLNTV.com/ShowbizTonight. You can E-mail us, too. Our address is ShowbizTonight@HLNTV.com.
Well, to say that my next guest has done just about everything in his career - that would be a massive understatement.
He has played opposite a talking car. He saved lives on the beach while running in slow mo. He has had a singing career. And he was, of course, a judge on a competition show .
It all started for David Hasselhoff with the best name in soaps, Dr. Snapper Foster, on the soap opera, "The Young and the Restless." Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAVID HASSELHOFF, ACTOR: Listen, we are best buddies, right?
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Right.
HASSELHOFF: All right. Guys like that, they stick together, huh?
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: I still want to grow up and be a doctor like you.
HASSELHOFF: That makes me real proud you`re going to say something like that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. You looking right now? Are you looking at this guy? Here`s the freakish thing. He hasn`t changed at all.
He`s joining me in Hollywood for this newsmaker interview, David Hasselhoff. His new character, Mr. Lean, has become this huge viral sensation. Hoff, great to see you.
HASSELHOFF: Great to see you. I kind of agree with Bethenny. If you want to sleep with me, you`ve got to put a ring on my finger.
HAMMER: Yes. It`s just part of the deal. Listen, HLN just aired the daytime Emmy awards today. And I spent the weekend hanging out with all the big soap stars.
I had so much fun doing that. And I`m curious, since you got your start on soaps, how do you feel about what`s happening right now?
You know, in the genre, we have so many of these soaps that have been on for decades and are being canceled?
HASSELHOFF: You know, it`s kind of sad. I actually hosted the Daytime Emmys with my first wife. Years ago, I remember meeting Alec Baldwin and we`re all in soaps back then.
And Tom Selleck was on soaps. You know, the soaps are a great training ground and a great launching ground for many stars. And it`s a huge job. Some of these people are walking away from work that they have done and walking away from work that they`ve done for 20 and 30 years.
And they`re walking away from an audience who loved them, who still loves them. I went back the "The Young and the Restless" after 24 years. And when I was doing an episode of this - my only reality show called "The Hasselhoffs."
And I went back with my daughter, Taylor Ann, after 24 years. And it was like, wow - it was like coming home. The same people were there, the same camera operators.
HAMMER: Yes.
HASSELHOFF: I think it`s sad, you know. I think that the - I think the whole world wants to get back to more scripted.
I am finding that with "Knight Rider" and "Baywatch" because people around the world are seeing it again for the first time. Wow, "Baywatch." Because they are getting reality thrust upon them every five minutes.
HAMMER: Right.
HASSELHOFF: All of a sudden, they go - even my kids said, "Dad, `Knight Rider` is really cool. This is cool." And they are beginning to see shows that have a point to them.
HAMMER: And I do think, look, there is room for all of them. Hopefully, they will figure out a way to keep everything in existence no more soaps have to go away.
But speaking of reality, I mean, you have done it all. You were, of course, a judge on "America`s Got Talent." You did it for three whole years.
HASSELHOFF: Right.
HAMMER: Now, they have the great Howard Stern as a judge. At least, I think he is doing an amazing job in a role that he is perfect for. But as someone who sat in the chair, what do you think?
HASSELHOFF: I haven`t seen the show. I haven`t watched the show since I left. I was there for four years and went off to do theater and my music.
And I was in London when I got a call from Simon Cowell to replace him on "Britain`s Got Talent." So I did one more year in Britain as a great way to see the U.K. It was fantastic.
But I don`t know how he is doing. I don`t watch the show because I`m so busy on stage. And that`s one of the reasons I left. It was harder to be sitting on that chair to say no to somebody and break their heart than it is to be on stage to affect people. I`d rather be on stage. So I really don`t know how Howie`s is doing. He`s a good guy.
HAMMER: It is tough. And I have seen Howard, actually, have a really hard time with some of the decisions he`s had to make. But let me ask you about "Baywatch," the movie.
Reports are swirling around that this is happening, that Justin Timberlake will star in the film. Any truth to that as far as you know, Dave?
HASSELHOFF: No. I actually put in a call for (UNINTELLIGIBLE) who I know is a fantastic filmmaker to find out what`s going on.
I don`t know if I`m a part of it. I don`t know what they are doing with it, you know. It`s just they bought the rights and they are off developing.
And I have no idea whether it`s a comedy or not. The same thing with "Knight Rider." The Weinstein Company has that. I want to find out what`s going on.
And hey, you know, we had 11 years, 220 episodes of "Baywatch." I`m glad to see it`s still around. So whoever picks it up, I hope they do it justice, you know.
HAMMER: Yes. People are still looking for it. Let`s take a look at something you`re doing right now. It`s you as Gunther "Mr. Lean" Hasselhoff.
HASSELHOFF: Mr. Lean. Yes.
HAMMER: It`s a new character that you are playing for the new Lean Pockets digital campaign. Charles, can you roll that, please?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: The double bacon behemoth burger looks good.
HASSELHOFF: Girl, eat it if you want to become a big, hairy reality star shtupper!
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: Huh?
HASSELHOFF: Let`s say you eat that monstrosity and you try to squeeze into that swimsuit again. Oops, it rips and snaps off at just the wrong time.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: David, you`ve got another hit on your hands, it looks like.
HASSELHOFF: It`s your choice. I`m just here to help. You know, the social network has become kind of a huge part of my life. It`s like I`m not the smartest guy in the world, but I have a - kind of a keen sense of recognizing the obvious.
HAMMER: Yes.
Obviously, it`s a social network and that`s what Mr. Lean is about, you know. It reaches three million people with a click. And it`s kind of like "Saturday Night Live" entertainment to sell a product, and it`s a good product.
HAMMER: Hoff, I`ve got to say, if you are going to go viral, that`s the way to do it. David Hasselhoff, always great to see you. Thanks for being here.
HASSELHOFF: Thank you, cheers.
HAMMER: We move on tonight to Katie Perry`s heartbreak. The singer is now revealing what she really went through during her emotional split from her ex-husband, Russell Brand.
And do you remember where you were when you heard the news that Michael Jackson died? Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT marks the three-year anniversary of Michael Jackson`s shocking death.
We`re taking a look back at the day we lost the King of Pop in SHOWBIZ special report. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Tonight, death of the icons. It is so hard to believe, but today marks the three-year anniversary of Michael Jackson`s death.
And for me and for everybody here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, the news was so dramatic and it was unbelievable at the time, not only because the King of Pop died, but because TV icon Farrah Fawcett had also died on that very same day.
Tonight, in a SHOWBIZ special report, we remember those tragic losses three years later when the world lost two entertainment icons at once.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Breaking news through CNN. CNN has just learned that actress Farrah Fawcett has passed away after a longtime battle with anal cancer.
HAMMER: I do remember as soon as we got word of her death, I had to start getting my thoughts and my notes together. And at the same time, we were preparing for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT and our tribute to Farrah Fawcett.
But I had to get on air to speak with Ali Velshi and talk more about the life and legacy of Farrah Fawcett.
ALI VELSHI, CNN ANCHOR: Joining me, live from New York, A.J. Hammer, host of HLN`s SHOWBIZ TONIGHT
HAMMER: It`s a sad passing this morning, certainly not unexpected - 9:28 a.m. Pacific Time when she passed away, as you mentioned, Ali, with her longtime companion, Ryan O`Neal by her side.
Farrah Fawcett loses her brave battle with cancer.
We were just about wrapping up the show about Farrah Fawcett for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
David, she really fought this fight to the end and just wouldn`t give up, would she?
DAVID CAPLAN, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: Absolutely. She was very determined.
HAMMER: We haven`t quite finished it up when, suddenly, production started grinding to a halt. E-mails were flying fast and furious. All of a sudden, we hear ambulances rushed to Michael Jackson`s house.
HAMMER: We hadn`t quite finished it up when, suddenly, production started grinding to a halt. E-mails were flying fast and furious. All of a sudden we hear, "Ambulance was rushed to Michael Jackson`s house."
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He`s 50 years old.
911 OPERATOR: Fifty? OK. He`s not breathing?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, he is not breathing.
ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking news. We are following Michael Jackson, the King of Pop. We`re told by our affiliates in Los Angeles he has been rushed to a local hospital suffering from cardiac arrest.
HAMMER: I am sitting on the set. Information is coming in. Then, all of the sudden, our executive producer of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Dave Levin, gets in my ear and he says, "A.J., Wolf Blitzer is going to be coming to you. And as he is saying that, I hear in my ear Wolf saying, "Let`s go to A.J. Hammer in New York."
BLITZER: What are you hearing, A.J.?
HAMMER: To suddenly learn that he had been rushed to the hospital and he was on the eve of putting on what was to be his ultimate comeback and it actually looked like he was going pull this off.
JERMAINE JACKSON, BROTHER OF MICHAEL JACKSON: My brother, the legendary King of Pop, Michael Jackson, passed away on Thursday, June 25th, 2009 at 2:26 p.m.
HAMMER: So the moment we learned that Michael had died, all of our efforts were being poured into getting our show together for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that evening on Michael`s death.
And of course, we still didn`t know all the facts. Everything is coming in. Meanwhile, in the back of my mind, I am thinking, wait a second. We just shot an entire show in memoriam of Farrah Fawcett.
Now, on this special live edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, the shocking deaths of two of Hollywood`s biggest legends.
We were really working so hard to catch all of the developments in this incredible once-in-a-lifetime story and make sure we were bringing viewers everything, every legitimate bit of information that was out there. But it did not take long for the theories to start flying around.
Now, CNN did speak with Jackson family spokesperson Brian Oxman late today and he said that he was very concerned about Jackson`s use of medication.
BRIAN OXMAN, JACKSON FAMILY SPOKESPERSON: This family has been trying for months and months and months to take care of Michael Jackson. The people who have surrounded him have been enabling him.
HAMMER: The images from the day Michael Jackson died are still so powerful to me, seeing all of the footage of the fans. I remember very distinctly the fans at the Apollo Theater in Harlem in New York City.
And they were truly representative of all of the fans across the country who came out singing Michael Jackson songs, dancing like Michael Jackson, dressing like Michael Jackson.
Thank you all for being here. It is astounding that I am saying - Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, gone at just 50 years old.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
What an amazing day it was. Michael is, of course, being remembered around the world today by fans and by his children. His daughter, Paris Jackson, tweeting this Today, "RIP, Michael Jackson. Dad, you will forever be in my heart. I love you."
Moving now to Kim K and Kanye. Everyone loves to think it`s a big publicity stunt, but is it? Kim Kardashian finally sets the record straight to Oprah. We will show you what she says about the Kimye thing, coming up. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Kimye, a publicity stunt? Kim Kardashian reveals the truth to Oprah. Also, Katy Perry`s emotional new revelations about her heartbreaking split from Russell Brand.
And it`s SHOWBIZ at the Emmy exclusive. "General Hospital" star and Emmy winner, Anthony Geary, all making big news in "The Buzz Today."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SHOWBIZ at the Emmys exclusive. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was right there with the winners of the Daytime Emmy Awards which aired live Saturday night on HLN.
I spoke with "General Hospital`s" Anthony Geary who won outstanding lead actor on a drama series for his role as Luke Spencer.
GEARY: But it`s been quite a night for me and I was shocked that we were first up, because we are usually last. And I wasn`t quite prepared for this, neither the award or the timing.
But I am very, very honored and very grateful for it. I am truly humbled by it. No way to express how much it means to me.
HAMMER: Katy`s breakup confessions. In a brand-new interview with "The Hollywood Reporter," Katy bared all in the downfall of her relationship with her ex-husband, Russell Brand.
Perry confessed there were times when she struggled to keep it together professionally, "What was going on in my personal life was so overwhelming that I had to bend over to let those tears fall straight out of my eye sockets and not my false lashes just as I am about to go up on that ramp and sing "Teenage Dream."
But things are looking up for Perry as the singer is looking to expand her brand. Perry revealed she`s preparing to launch her own record label.
Kim`s happily ever after? Kim Kardashian just opened up to Oprah about her new relationship with Kanye West. In part two of "Oprah`s Next Chapter," Kim, who is still going through a divorce with her ex-husband, Kris Humphries, told Oprah her new relationship took her by surprise and that she is not in it for the publicity.
KIM KARDASHIAN, REALITY TV STAR: no. It`s your heart you are playing with, like, I couldn`t sacrifice my heart for a publicity stunt.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: What a great time at the Daytime Emmys, but nothing compared to the moment our red carpet sweepstakes winner came face-to-face with her hero, legendary "Young and the Restless" star, Eric Braeden. Talk about the shock of her life. I`ll show it to you, next.
Now more from our exclusive backstage access at the Daytime Emmys on HLN. I caught up with Emmy winner, Judge Marianne Gunn of the "Last Shot with Judge Gunn," who was just beside herself after her big win.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Judge Gunn, congratulations. I`m so happy for you.
MARIANNE GUNN, "LAST SHOT WITH JUDGE GUNN": I am telling you -
HAMMER: You`re shaking.
GUNN: I`m shaking and it`s unbelievable. It`s unbelievable, with everything that everyone put into the show, especially all those people that had powerful stuff. I`m so proud of them. I am.
HAMMER: Congratulations to you, because I remember we spoke when you were first launching and you didn`t know where the thing was going. And in your hand, are holding the Daytime Emmy.
GUNN: It`s a dream come true.
HAMMER: Congratulations.
GUNN: Good to see you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Well, yes. I had such a blast on the Daytime Emmys on HLN over the weekend. But I know someone who had an even better time than me or even the nominees.
Kathy Decicco(ph) won HLN`s Daytime Emmy Awards red carpet sweepstakes. And she got the thrill of a lifetime when we brought her face-to-face with our favorite daytime star, "The Young and the Restless" legend, Eric Braeden, a.k.a. Victor Newman.
Watch what happened when I surprised Kathy and her daughter, Anna Marie, right there on the Emmys red carpet.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(on camera) I know you are a huge fan of the soaps, particularly of Eric Braden, somebody told me, who plays Victor Newman on the soaps. Why do you like him so much?
KATHY DECICCO, WINNER, HLN DAYTIME EMMY SWEEPSTAKES: Because actually -
HAMMER: Don`t tell me. Why don`t you tell him yourself? Because I would like to introduce to you Eric Braeden.
DECICCO: Oh, my god. I love you. I love you. I need you.
HAMMER: Come on over, Eric. It`s nice to see you, my friend.
ERIC BRAEDEN, ACTOR: It`s nice to see you.
HAMMER: Well, here you go. You were about to tell me why you are such a fan of Eric Braeden who plays Victor Newman.
DECICCO: OK. Real quickly. Have you ever heard of the honey badger on the YouTube? He is the honey badger.
BRAEDEN: What the hell is a honey badger?
HAMMER: Don`t you have any idea what she is talking about?
BRAEDEN: I have no clue.
DECICCO: You take what you want and you don`t give a damn.
BRAEDEN: You are right.
DECICCO: But people still love you.
BRAEDEN: Thank you.
HAMMER: You want to hear him say, "I don`t give a damn?"
DECICCO: Yes, please.
BRAEDEN: You know, I don`t give a damn what they think. How are you?
DECICCO: I`m great.
BRAEDEN: Where are you from?
DECICCO: I`m from Maryland. This is my daughter, Anna Maria.
BRAEDEN: Hello. How are you? Nice to meet you.
HAMMER: Give Kathy a sense of what she can expect here at the Daytime Emmy Awards. She, first of all, cannot believe she is surrounded by all of her favorite stars.
BRAEDEN: Isn`t that nice?
DECICCO: Yes.
BRAEDEN: That`s nice. So nice. No, I have no idea. This is the first time on HLN, and you are CNN-related and I have great respect for the network and the great Fox was here I guess, introducing the whole thing. You are here. So what the hell. What can go wrong?
HAMMER: What can go wrong? What are you most looking forward to or have we pretty much topped anything that could happen tonight?
DECICCO: I think you`ve done it here. Victor Newman - I can`t believe it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That was great. I guess Eric should take the honey badger reference as a compliment.
Well, tonight, the octomom has a boyfriend. Nadya Suleman sits down with Dr. Drew talking about her new man, 13 years her junior and opens up her home foreclosure and life as a porn star. That starts right now on HLN.
END
