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Showbiz Tonight
Special Edition: Showbiz Reality Secrets; Showbiz Beauty Bombshells
Aired July 06, 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: Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Tonight, chaching - "Real Housewives," real moguls. We`re taking you behind the on screen glitz and fits to reveal the off-screen action that`s making the "Housewives" stars really, really rich.
Right now, it`s SHOWBIZ reality secrets - Simon`s secrets. A man who wrote the unauthorized biography on Simon Cowell reveals Simon`s biggest secrets.
"Idol" secrets revealed by the Dog himself, Randy Jackson, the original "American Idol" judge is in the house.
SHOWBIZ beauty bombshells. Why Hollywood is actually duking it out for older women. Why "Cosmo" is under fire for allegedly sexualizing underage stars. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT blows the lid off of Hollywood`s beauty machines. A special edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT starts right now.
(MUSIC)
Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer with this special edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - SHOWBIZ reality secrets.
Tonight, "Real Housewives," real moguls. These are the secrets of how the real housewives are cashing in big time on their reality TV success.
Now, at this point, it`s actually hard to imagine a world without "Real Housewives" in it. But if you can believe it, "The Real Housewives of Orange County," the original, debuted just six years ago.
And now, there are more cities with star housewives than we could ever have imagined. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that the real action is off screen.
From Atlanta to Beverly Hills to New Jersey, the stars of these shows have become enterprising entrepreneurs, real-life moguls.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT tonight`s Kareen Wynter takes us behind the Prada and the drama to uncover the real deals that are making the real housewives really, really rich.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KAREEN WYNTER, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The "Real Housewives franchise have become the toast of reality TV, launching many of its leading ladies into instant fame. And some are using this massive platform to start their own industries.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I have launched a new business, Wines by Wives.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I have two new songs coming out.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Beverage come out right now called Red Velvet Cosmo.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: On May 1st, my book "Skinny Dipping" comes out. It`s a fiction novel.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We`ve all got our little projects going on.
WYNTER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that these little projects have become a big deal and have helped turn many "Real Housewives" into real moguls.
CATT SADLER, E! ENTERTAINMENT: It seems like if they`re not focusing on some type of entrepreneurial adventure, then you`re the abnormal housewife.
WYNTER: E! Entertainment`s Catt Sadler tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that the "Housewives" franchise has a knack for turning out savvy businesswomen.
SADLER: They know who`s out there watching them week after week after week. They put out what they know their fans are going to eat up and it`s working.
WYNTER: And Sadler says Bethenny Frankel has set the standard in taking reality show fame to the bank. In addition to her own Bravo spinoff, the former New York housewife has become a household name with her best-selling books, cookbooks and Skinny Girl Cocktail chain.
SADLER: Probably her most lucrative adventure was of course the Skinny Girls Cocktails. That`s what put her on top. That sets her apart from all the other housewives and that`s what made her a multimillionaire.
WYNTER: And she`s also landed her very own talk show with none other than Ellen DeGeneres serving as executive producer.
BETHENNY FRANKEL, FORMER "REAL HOUSEWIVES OF NEW YORK": So many great things in my life have come from taking chances, and then a talk show is taking a big chance. And it`s going to be quite a (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
WYNTER: Beverly Hills housewife Adrienne Maloof also likes to take chances. An established businesswoman well before joining the show, Maloof has since launched her own successful shoe line and she tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT her "Housewives" exposure has paid off.
ADRIENNE MALOOF, "REAL HOUSEWIVES OF BEVERLY HILLS": Bravo is amazing on what they do. They`re so brilliant. They know how to cross promote. I saw it as a win-win situation for me. It`s amazing platform for my philanthropic work, for my business.
WYNTER (on camera): Did you ever imagine this would help you in an entrepreneurial sense in a way it has? You`re a household name.
MALOOF: You know, I think I went in, knowing that again an amazing platform. But to this extent, it`s really - it`s mind-boggling.
WYNTER (voice-over): And as Maloof tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, just one side venture isn`t enough.
MALOOF: And that`s what I`ve used this platform for - it`s to make beautiful things and quality things.
SADLER: My hat`s off to these ladies, I mean, with any reality show, there`s a certain amount of, you know, you give up obviously a lot of your privacy and you lay it all out there on the line. There have been some more negative storylines, but all in all, I think that, good for these ladies, you know, they`re doing their thing.
WYNTER: While Bethenny and Adrienne successfully keep doing their thing, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that we`re only seeing the beginning of the real housewife, real mogul craze.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter joins me now from Hollywood. So Karen, you know, I`ve seen a lot of reality TV stars and all the big money ideas they have. They come and they go.
But there is something about these housewives that is captivating the nation and, obviously, everybody`s wallets as well.
So here`s what I wonder. You have Bethenny Frankel. She`s wealthy beyond belief right now, but can she or really any of the others really say goodbye to reality TV for good at this point? Or do they really need to stay on TV in order to maintain their mogul status?
WYNTER: Well, you know, branding is a big deal, a big deal. But the status, A.J., that is even more important. Look, the visibility - you know, it may be hard for these women to say goodbye to reality TV, given that Bethenny Frankel - she is still a part of the TV world with "Bethenny Ever After."
And Lisa Vanderpump - let`s not forget - she`s getting her own reality show created around her restaurant, "Sur." The list really goes on and on.
That said, there is a lot of power, therefore a lot of cash that comes with, you know, having your name attached to a popular show.
HAMMER: Yes, I have to believe that they are going to want to keep these shows going as long as they welcome to stay on.
WYNTER: Definitely.
HAMMER: Not just because it means a lot of cash, but also because they like being on TV. Kareen Wynter, thanks.
Well, another of a business world powerhouse from the "Real Housewives" franchise is definitely Ramona Singer from "The Real Housewives of New York." She`s got a jewelry line, a special collection with the Home Shopping Network.
She even has her own wine, not to mention of course the six-figure salary that she and the other housewives reportedly earn just for being on the show.
Well, when I spoke with Ramona here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, she revealed to me that she wouldn`t even be a reality star at all if she hadn`t put her businesses first.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(on camera) When you got involved with this thing, could you ever have imagined that "The Real Housewives of New York City" would become the jackpot it has?
SINGER: That`s a very good question. When we started filming the first season, I said to Jen O`Connell who runs our production company, "We`re going to average one million viewers. Trust me." She looked at me like I was crazy. And guess what, A.J., we average one million viewers.
HAMMER: Yes. And everybody keeps coming back for more. And each season, it gets bigger and bigger and bigger.
SINGER: And better. Each season, it gets better.
HAMMER: And here`s the thing that I find particularly mind-boggling, Ramona, is I understand, if I have this correct, when they first approached you, you said no.
I can`t imagine this show without you, quite frankly, or the success it has had without you. You know, you`re quite compelling on it. What was your hesitation for getting involved?
SINGER: Well, the funny thing is they had first seen me on someone else`s audition reel. And they said, "Forget this girl who`s auditioning. We want her. Find her."
Eight months later, by coincidence, they did find me. I auditioned for the fun of it. Just for fun. And I wanted to have that little DVD, that two- minute clip. And I saw it and I was captivated.
HAMMER: Yes. But you didn`t want to do it for a - was there a reason you were hesitant?
SINGER: What do I really want to do the show for? You know, I have a great career. I`m extremely successful. I was already a millionaire on my own without my husband. Great daughter. Great friends.
I didn`t want to do it. And then, the production person saw me at polo. And for every negative she gave me - or every negative I gave her, she gave me a positive.
And then I finally said, you know, "Listen, I have this new Web site, TrueFaithJewelry.com with my husband. If you`re willing to showcase how we`re developing this, we`ll do it."
HAMMER: Yes. See, that`s the thing, and that`s what we`re talking about here, the idea that you saw an opportunity to perhaps take some new exposure and turn it into some new cash for you guys.
I mean, look at all the things that you`ve been able to capitalize on. You have your jewelry line. You have your skin care line.
SINGER: Just into jewelry. No skin care. Ramona -
(CROSS TALK)
HAMMER: You launched your own wine label -
SINGER: Ramona pinot grigio. Red`s coming out.
HAMMER: Come on. Come on.
SINGER: The show`s been good to me.
HAMMER: So yes, how much credit do you give the show for adding to your financial windfall since you started?
SINGER: You know, I`ve always been very entrepreneurial. And I know, even if I wasn`t on the show, I`d be having other businesses. And it gets my creative juices going and they are a documentary.
This is a documentary of our lives and I am an entrepreneur, and they`re showcasing that, plus all my wild side.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: And more "SHOWBIZ reality secrets." Simon`s secrets. The stunning revelations about bad boy TV judge, Simon Cowell, inside his love life, inside his beauty regimen. The man who wrote Simon`s unauthorized biography is telling all.
And speaking of beauty regimens, get ready for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT beauty bombshells. There is explosive fury over "Cosmopolitan" magazine featuring teenage stars on their covers right alongside headlines filled with sizzling sex talk.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Fifty sex tips. Naughty sex tips. Seventy-five sex moves. Bad girl sex. That`s what they highlight and that`s what the basis and core of the magazine is all about.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, the great debate. Are young stars being sexualized?
And now, a reality TV secret from Kim Kardashian`s mom. Kris Jenner reveals to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT what would make her pull the plug on the Kardashian TV empire.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KRIS JENNER, REALITY TV STAR: Our show is our show. We actually have no scripts. You know, we don`t, you know, contrary to popular belief, we love what we`re doing. We`re excited to work together. And we do travel a lot with the show.
And it`s a lot of fun. So I`m sure there`s always going to be the naysayer out there. I think what we`ve all decided as a family, because we do make those decisions together, is that when it stops being fun, then that`s when, you know, you need to stop.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NICOLE SCHERZINGER, "X FACTOR" JUDGE: That`s called getting lost in the music and just letting yourself go.
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
SIMON COWELL, "X FACTOR" PRODUCER AND JUDGE: Well, Nicole, why don`t you get lost for the moment and let me finish?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Oh, yes. That`s what we know him best for. "X Factor" judge, Simon Cowell right there truly in pure form, right? Well, love him or hate him, the reality TV judge just does not hold back, which is really why most people love him.
But now, Simon is in the hot seat as an unauthorized tell-all book reveals Simon`s best-kept secrets.
Welcome back to a special edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, "SHOWBIZ Reality Secrets."
Tonight, Simon`s secrets. Well, the world knows Simon Cowell as of course the grumpy British judge who pulls no punches. But it`s what we`re learning now about him that`s got everybody talking, from his love of Botox to his troubled romances.
Tonight SHOWBIZ reveals the inside story. I spoke with Tom Bower. He is the author of this book, "Sweet Revenge: The Intimate Life of Simon Cowell," the unauthorized biography.
I asked Tom about the many surprises tucked away in his book, including the revelation that Simon is not a fan of Jennifer Lopez. I had him set the record straight about Simon`s beef with J. Lo.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TOM BOWER, AUTHOR, "SWEET REVENGE": Well, he just found her just too vain and too self-interested which seems like he met his own match. But in the end, Simon does not really like many celebrities.
I noticed when I went with him to the "Oprah Winfrey Show" and many other places around Hollywood and elsewhere, he is a rather shy guy.
He is always afraid of being associated with people who are bigger than him or who might put him in the shade. But in end, he is pretty critical of people.
He does not like Elton John. He does not like many of the people who are really famous in the music business. You know, he is critical, but he likes himself.
HAMMER: Look, so he is not fond of all of those people, but he has certainly had an eye for some of the female judges who have sat by his side on the shows other than J. Lo bringing about some headline-making romances. So if Simon is such a great catch, why hasn`t he settled down yet?
BOWER: Well, the thing about Simon is he can be charming. He is very generous. He loves fun, but he goes for women who are uninhibited, uncomplicated, a bit trashy and can make him laugh and he can make them laugh, too.
The catch is that he gets very easily bored. All the women I met through him or who he has cast aside just say that there comes a stage when he kicks them out.
And they don`t like it, but that is the way he operates. So he is not going to marry, and he is just going to carry on like the pretty boy who is having fun.
HAMMER: But you know, it works out pretty well for some of the exes. I`m talking about some remarkable parting gifts that he has imparted to them.
He recently reportedly sent one packing with an $8 million mansion, another with a $5 million mansion. I`m thinking what a way to end a relationship. Now, Tom, is that guilt money or does he do it simply because he can?
BOWER: He is guilt-ridden and because he can, and maybe a little hush money. He does not want them to kiss and tell. But the thing about Simon is he keeps his old girlfriends as permanent friends.
He likes calling them up right through the night. He likes knowing that they are there when he wants them. And then he can cast them aside when he does not want them, and so they feel dependent on him.
And they like looking after them, and he likes being looked after. But in the end, he is pretty unfaithful. I mean that is the nub of it all. None of them are guaranteed his full-time attention, and they take him on his terms.
HAMMER: Yes. I think the only one guaranteed Simon`s full time attention is Simon himself.
BOWER: Exactly.
HAMMER: Now, if we can put up an image right here of the Simon we all know - let`s look at Simon. There he is. That is his standard look in the black t-shirt.
He tells it like it is. Frankly, he seems like he just couldn`t care less about what other people think of him. You sort of get that image of him.
But in your book, Tom, you paint him as just the opposite, actually. You paint him as this guy who is absolutely obsessed with his looks. And that doesn`t really make sense. It kind of flies in the face of how he thinks we see him.
BOWER: Well, he thinks - he`s obsessed by his looks, and he is obsessed by staying young. He is really very worried about getting ill, so he powers himself of vitamins and vitamin drips and also some surgery and colonic irrigation, and of course, Botox and surgery, that sort of thing.
But I looked through his cupboards, in his closets, in his bedroom and dressing rooms and it is just filled with all of the same clothes. He has got 100 pairs of jeans all the same and the same t-shirts and the same suits.
He just likes wearing the same clothes like he likes eating the same food. He is a man of habit. But he really - I mean, he thinks he drinks these exotic fruit smoothies and he does everything that you can imagine to keep young and look good, because he is worried about getting old.
HAMMER: Tom Bower, it is fascinating and thank you very much for joining us. I really appreciate it.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
Moving on to SHOWBIZ beauty bombshells. An award-winning actress Virginia Madsen is sharing her story about life inside the Hollywood beauty machine.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VIRGINIA MADSEN, ACTRESS: I started in this business when I was 18, and there was so much a focus on my weight. And I, you know, was - I had curves, but I wasn`t by any means - you know, when they say overweight, I always want to go over whose weight?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Virginia`s surprising secrets about Hollywood`s relentless push for perfection.
"American Idol" secrets exposed. The real story on the judges, the truth on voting, and an original judge`s take on why the show has such a winning formula. The Dog, Randy Jackson, is in the house, and he`s answering the questions you`ve always wanted to ask about "American Idol."
And now, a reality TV secret from "The Jersey Shore." "The Jersey Shore`s" Vinny reveals to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT why his show is 100 percent real.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VINNY GUADAGNINO, REALITY TV STAR: Now, the show is kind of about us. It`s about our lives. The style is documentary. If the show was scripted, it would say, you know, you`re pregnant and you`re whatever.
And you have to go to this club anyway because this is where the scene`s taking place. This is where we`re setting up the cameras tonight. But it`s not like that. The show revolves around us.
We get up and go where we want to go. I can sleep eight hours a day if I wanted to and no one will say anything.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RANDY JACKSON, "AMERICAN IDOL" JUDGE: By the time you hit the first chorus, then your whole vibe lightened up. And dude, then you fell in and you were right on the money. The pitch was there. It was sensational from that moment on out.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That is "Idol" judge Randy Jackson breaking down what it takes to win the "American Idol" crown. But once the judges speak and America votes, who should get the final say? Tonight, the great debate.
Welcome back to a special edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Tonight, the original "Idol" judge. You ever caught up in the frenzy of "American Idol"? You know you have. The auditions, the top 12, and oh, those dreaded eliminations.
The hit reality singing competition always promises one big stunner after another as the contestants battle to be the last one standing.
But while there`s a new trend to give the judges more power, the show`s loyal fans believe they should have the final say.
Well, I spoke with a judge right in the center of all of the action, music veteran and Grammy Award-winning producer, Randy Jackson. I asked him if America should indeed have the last word.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
R. JACKSON: America definitely has the power to choose. A lot of other shows - they have an aggregate of the judges and the public`s vote and they figure it out. But we only get one save so the public has nothing to worry about. We just used that one save on Jessica.
We couldn`t save Colton who was a shock that he even went home. So you know, I agree with them. They get the power, but we need at least that one save. I would argue it would be nice to have two for us, but at least we get one.
HAMMER: All right. I mean, you know, look, it`s got to be tough. It is easy for us sitting at home and watching. But striking that right balance at the judge`s table is not an easy thing to do.
That`s what makes the show so really magical. It`s the chemistry that has been forged over the various judges, and you as the original judge all these years.
You`ve got in-house coach, Jimmy Iovine, offering much tougher criticism this season. And there has been some talk that he should be a judge. So what do you think? Is there room for another seat perhaps at your table?
R. JACKSON: Look, I think people are just judging it from where the show came from in the first place. We were the first of any of these kinds of singing shows on TV and I still think the best.
I mean, we`re kind of that original Picasso, if you will. So in our 11th season, I`m sure people think - because, you know, Simon was really tough on kids so I`m sure people are kind of conditioned more to that now.
You`ve got to call it as you see it as an individual. And it`s not about - "American Idol" is not a show where people are on there just to be tough to people. That`s not what it is about.
HAMMER: Right.
R. JACKSON: The show says it is about finding the best undiscovered, undiscovered talent in America. That`s what the show is really about. And all of these shows people talk about the judges. They talk about us. They talk about Jimmy, what this one and that one doesn`t do.
It is really about the talent and the talented kids because they are the ones that win and go on to either greatness or not, you know what I mean? That`s what it is really about.
HAMMER: Take it easy, Randy. Great seeing you.
R. JACKSON: Thank you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: And now, SHOWBIZ lineup - here`s what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Tonight, SHOWBIZ beauty bombshells. The raging controversy over "Cosmo`s" sizzling covers. A SHOWBIZ special report on the top fashion mag accused of sexualizing young stars.
And beauty bombshells from the "Shore." "The Jersey Shore" crew may party hard, but The Sitch didn`t get his situation without hitting the gym hard, too. Tonight Jwoww revealing her fitness secrets.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Fifty sex tips. Naughty sex tips. Seventy-five sex moves. Bad girl sex. That`s what they highlight and that`s what the basis and core of the magazine is all about.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, on a special edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, beauty bombshells. The "Cosmo" cover controversy. A top fashion magazine is accused of sexualizing young stars. Is the outrage justified?
Plus, age against the Hollywood machine. Anjelica Huston, Kathy Bates, Jessica Lange. Hollywood`s remarkable new revolution. Is Hollywood really duking it out for older women? A special edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT continues right now.
(MUSIC)
Welcome back to a special edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - SHOWBIZ beauty bombshells, "Cosmo`s" sexy slam. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT investigates the explosive controversy over "Cosmopolitan" magazine features teenage stars on their covers right alongside over-the-top sizzling sex talk.
Critics say it`s outrageous, but "Cosmo" stands by its covers. So who`s right? And who`s wrong? Here`s SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Kareen Wynter.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SELENA GOMEZ, POP STAR: I love you, guys.
KAREEN WYNTER, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Her young fans love Selena Gomez right back -
GOMEZ: I`m your girlfriend. You agree with me. How come we`re not wearing these (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
WYNTER: Disney Channel`s "Wizards of Waverly Place" turned Gomez into a teen sensations and a regular on teen magazines. But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you Selena`s latest magazine cover is sparking big outrage.
(on camera) This is her on "Cosmopolitan" magazine. But the controversy is not about the photo. It`s about the copy surrounding Selena.
Check this out: "50 Sex Tips: Readers Share Them." "Naughtiest Moves They Discovered All on Their Own." And what about this? "Your Orgasm Guaranteed: The New Trick Experts Swear By."
(voice-over) Former model Nicole Weider is blasting Cosmo accusing editors of deliberately putting Gomez and other young stars on the cover to attract younger readers. She says by doing that, they`re exposing underage girls to graphic content.
NICOLE WEIDER, FORMER MODEL: Fifty sex tips. Naughty sex tips. Seventy- five sex moves. Bad girl sex. That`s what they highlight and that`s what the basis and core of the magazine is all about.
WYNTER (on camera): These are young girls who are quite impressionable reading this stuff, and that`s what scares you.
WEIDER: Oh, completely.
WYNTER (voice-over): "Cosmo`s" February cover picture, Dakota Fanning, who hadn`t turned 18 yet next to this headline - too naughty to say here, but you have to try this sex trick.
WEIDER: It`s sexualizing young girls. And they`re daring them to try all these crazy sex acts.
WYNTER: Weider has launched an online petition at AntiCosmoMission.com demanding the magazine shield covers in dark plastic, similar to what`s done with adult magazines like "Hustler."
WEIDER: Would that solve the problem if you put a protective coating on it? That means that, you know, young little five-year-old Jada isn`t flip through the magazine. Really, what helps is this was sold only to adults.
WYNTER: But one expert on women`s issues thinks Weider`s anti-Cosmo campaign goes way too far.
PIPER WEISS, SENIOR FEATURES EDITOR, YAHOO: I don`t think that learning about sex is going to immediately lead to irresponsible activity among young girls. "Cosmo" is hardly the most shocking or fearful place to learn about sex.
WYNTER: Piper Weiss, senior features editor at "Yahoo Shine," the women`s lifestyle portal, tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT younger readers can find useful information in "Cosmopolitan."
WEISS: It`s more about a place where girls go to find out about the things they`re embarrassed to ask in sex class. It`s the place you go when you don`t want to talk to your parents about something.
WYNTER: But Weider says "Cosmo" goes well beyond mere sex education.
WEIDER: This this magazine, it features hardcore, step by step instructions on how to give proper (EXPLETIVE DELETED) or do this sex position, reverse cowgirl. It`s pushing sex in a very graphic manner.
WYNTER: As for "Cosmo," the magazine is defending its content and its decision to put young stars on the cover. It tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT in a statement, quote, "The mature, successful young woman `Cosmopolitan` features on its cover embody the fun, fearless spirit of the magazine and reflect the empowering information inside about relationships, career, health and beauty."
Weider says she`s not buying it and hopes to convince federal regulators to take action against the magazine.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: I want to bring in SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Kareen Wynter from Hollywood. Kareen, this is fascinating to me and a very big controversy for sure.
But a magazine`s cover, of course, that`s what gets people to pick it up and buy the thing. So I`m thinking that change has got to be a long way off here.
WYNTER: You know, I have to agree with you on that, A.J., but here`s a thought. What if the young stars who appear on these covers, they start insisting that their photos not be slapped next to these racy, sexy headlines?
I know it could be wishful thinking. But come on. Stars are very powerful in numbers. If they banded together, this could send a really strong message to those editors, perhaps.
HAMMER: Yes. They sure would have to listen to that. Great thought, Kareen. Thanks so much. Well, "Cosmo" isn`t the only magazine that`s getting pressured to change. Fourteen-year-old Julia Bluhm has taken a stand against "Seventeen" magazine.
The teenager is just sick and tired of Photoshopped ads and believes they are a danger to girls and their self-esteem. So Julia started an online petition calling for "Seventeen" to stop the airbrushing and commit to printing at least one photo a month that has not been touched up.
It is a mission that has a lot of people talking including Oscar-nominated act tress Virginia Madsen. The great Virginia Madsen was teenager when she got into show business.
She`s been on more magazine covers than we can count. So when I spoke with Virginia about this issue, she was very passionate.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(on camera) Let`s talk about this Julia Bluhm. I think this is amazing what she`s doing.
MADSEN: Good for Julia Bluhm. Good for you.
HAMMER: Yes. She says that portraying young well as too perfect, too skinny is hurting teenage girls. And we spoke with her earlier about her mission. She`s very passionate about seeing real girls in magazines. Let`s watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JULIA BLUHM, ACTIVIST: That`s really what girls want to see. And I think that would be great if all of the media, like magazines and commercials, could understand that, and how helpful it would be to make girls feel better about themselves, if we saw the different shapes and sizes and different types of girls.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right, Virginia. You`ve been a star for a long time. You know how the industry works in the entertainment business and the fashion industry. Are you with Julia on this mission?
MADSEN: I`m so with her on this. And I mean, if there`s anything I can do to lend my support - but let me say that I started in this business when I was 18.
HAMMER: Yes.
MADSEN: And there was so much focus on my weight and I, you know, was - I had curves, but I wasn`t by any means, you know, when they say overweight, I always want to go, "Over whose weight?"
And you know, oh, my god, there was always this pressure about, you know, lose 10 pounds before the movie. It was always this magical number. And the thing is, they`re still doing it to young actresses no matter what their size.
And I think a lot of these ads are not just making them look thin, they`re making them look deformed. You know, like the arm looks like a finger, and the legs are out of place.
And you know, they do it to celebrities on covers and it really is, it just - it`s not just sending a wrong message. It really makes them feel really bad.
And I remember - I mean, I`m sort of like, you know, I always talk about my real age, but I remember when I was a little girl and it was Farrah in that red bathing suit and that famous poster, and that made me feel terrible.
HAMMER: She did get to meet with the editor of "Seventeen" magazine.
MADSEN: I love that. That`s progress.
HAMMER: I want to read you what they told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, so something is happening. The editor said, "We believe that Julia left understanding that `Seventeen` celebrates girls for being their authentic selves and that`s how we present them."
"We feature real girls in our pages and there is no other magazine that highlights such a diversity of size, shape, skin ton tone and ethnicity."
MADSEN: I don`t think that`s true.
HAMMER: However, they`re not saying that they`re changing anything.
MADSEN: I don`t think that that`s true and I don`t think they`re going to change anything. And what`s great about you airing her story is that we`re seeing the way real girls feel and real girls at all different sizes.
And you know, if I could give some advice to them, I would say, don`t buy that magazine.
HAMMER: Yes.
MADSEN: You know, get your information elsewhere. And stay true to yourself. Don`t go on a diet. You know, don`t try and look like something different than you are.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Great advice from Virginia Madsen. Now, it`s age against the Hollywood machine. The unbelievable resurgence of Hollywood`s great leading ladies on the small screen. The women defying age-old logic in Hollywood. Is Hollywood really duking it out for older women?
Plus Fergie, the role model.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FERGIE, SINGER: Years go by, and you start seeing these young girls or young boys for that matter in the audience. And it starts to kind of - in the back of your head, it`s like, oh, maybe I had a responsibility here.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The Black Eyed Peas star opens up about the pressures of being a role model to young girls everywhere.
And now, a beauty bombshell secret from surfer girl turned legendary supermodel, Christie Brinkley.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHRISTIE BRINKLEY, SUPERMODEL: When I started, everybody had to be skinny. And it was the fact that I wasn`t skinny that made my career. You know, everybody was very sophisticated.
And at first when I came in I thought, well, I need to be skinny and sophisticated. And it was the fact that I wasn`t skinny and sophisticated, and that made me career happen. I was, you know, a California surfer girl.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to this special edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, "Beauty Bombshells." Right now, age against the machine.
There is a revolution going on inside your television set. Baby boomer actresses are taking over TV. Yes, that`s right. After decades of being sidelined, women over 40 finally seem to be getting their due in Hollywood.
More and more older actresses are getting big roles and big paychecks on TV`s hottest shows. So is 50 the new 20? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Nischelle Turner investigates.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANJELICA HUSTON, ACTRESS: I`ll see you in court.
NISCHELLE TURNER, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT CORRESPONDENT: Anjelica Huston.
KATHY BATES, ACTRESS: I`d soon look into a mirror and watch my teeth rot.
TURNER: Kathy Bates. Jessica Lange. If you`re looking to watch these Oscar-winning actresses, just turn on your TV. While the film industry has historically ignored women over 40, these days the television industry seems to be embracing them.
From NBC`s "Smash" and "Harry`s Law" to Showtime`s "Nurse Jackie" and "The Big C," TV`s current trend - baby boomer women in big roles.
MAGGIE FURLONG, HUFFPOST TV: TV is filling the gap where movie sort of let these actresses fall off. I feel like older actresses in Hollywood sort of aren`t getting the roles they want in movies anymore. I feel like TV realized it.
TURNER: Maggie Furlong is a TV industry observer for the "Huffington Post." She says rolling out the welcome mat for Hollywood`s baby boomer women is a strategic decision on the part of TV execs.
FURLONG: The female demo is something every single network wants and so why not make these fabulous actresses lead the television shows? Why not put these great female writers, these great female show runners, these great executive producers, put them all on a show with a strong female lead and have strong female characters on TV?
TURNER: TV land`s "Hot in Cleveland" stars four women all over the age of 50. And the cast says shows like theirs are overdue.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We knew that there was an audience out there that definitely was waiting to be told stories about women of a certain able.
There was a great lack of storytelling for us but we didn`t understand the extent to which this would connect with our viewers. We are sort of here to remind women that there`s no expiration date on being fabulous.
TURNER: Fabulous and funny. "Hot in Cleveland" has been a hit with viewers and critics alike.
VALERIE BERTINELLI, ACTRESS: There is no age range for funny. Funny is funny. And if you watch the show - and if you watch the show, it is going to make you laugh. It doesn`t matter how old the characters are. They`re just funny.
TURNER: Hollywood is taking notice of the popularity of baby boomer women and their stories on the small screen. And in time, that may translate to more boomers on the big screen.
FURLONG: Movies take a long time to get made. It may be another year or two before we see start to see more female-driven comedies, more female- driven dramas, just more women in movies because it takes that long to get things done. I hope Hollywood continues to catch on but I think in the meantime TV is a great place for women to be.
TURNER: And given the current success of all these women, viewers seem to agree.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: I definitely agree. That was SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Nischelle Turner. And now, we are getting Fergalicious. Fergie of The Black Eyed Peas can sing. She can dance.
Her beauty is truly blinding. But being an international pop star isn`t enough for Fergie. Oh, no. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter was barely able to get Fergie to sit still long enough for our interview.
But when she finally did, Kareen found out that Fergie`s beauty is far more than skin deep. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WYNTER: You`re such an inspiration, such a role model. And I know sometimes celebrities hate that label, because there`s a lot of pressure that comes with it.
FERGIE: Years go by and you start seeing these young girls or young boys for that matter in the audience, and it starts to go in the back of your head, like, maybe I have a responsibility here.
And for me, it`s just kind of, you know, kind of evolved into that. And I just - I feel a little bit more responsibility now than I did when I first joined the Peas.
(SINGING)
WYNTER: You know, you mentioned the Peas. People are dying to know when you guys are going to collaborate again. And I know you have a lot going on, but is that something we can expect in the future?
FERGIE: I don`t know. You know, right now, we`re on break and I love the guys. Everyone`s doing their own thing, but you know, we still love each other. We have so much history. And it`s just - it was just so many years in a row and we need a break.
WYNTER: Something we also enjoyed, something that was hugely successful, your solo album.
FERGIE: Thank you.
WYNTER: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) any material?
FERGIE: I`m always writing and gathering ideas and just kind of gathering and taking it all in here, but we`ll see.
WYNTER: You started in this industry as a child star and now you`ve navigated to adult fame. What has been the biggest challenge for you? Because it`s a very, very tough spotlight to be under.
FERGIE: Biggest challenge for me is to say no and to stop working, because, you know, I`ll find myself -
WYNTER: Because it gets addictive?
FERGIE: Well, it gets - I throw myself into it. I throw myself into my work. And so I remind myself now to enjoy the present.
WYNTER: What is left for Fergie to tackle? Something you haven`t done, and it could even be outside of the entertainment industry.
FERGIE: There`s a saying that says that a woman can have it all, just not all at once. So I`m getting to do the creative outlet stuff that I didn`t have time for or room in my brain for when I was on tour.
More girly stuff, more normal things like vacationing in places where I`ve always wanted to take my husband and that we`re finally getting to do, like getting to go to his set more, and be wife-y.
WYNTER: And does he have a say in, "I like that color, I that one better, or that shade?"
FERGIE: I think he would definitely like this color.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter joining me now from Hollywood. Kareen, it seems as though Fergie has plenty to keep those well-manicured hands of hers very full. So let me ask you, does she see herself as a beauty icon?
HAMMER: Absolutely, A.J. and she makes no apologies about it. She`s definitely a girl`s girl. She loves to play dress up. That`s why I think we`re so intrigued when we`ve seen her perform on stage.
It`s not just that she`s in character. This is who Fergie is. But what was so revealing about the interview is she said she wanted to do more on the business side.
Whether it`s cosmetics or perfume, she wants to get in touch with other women out there, give them the confidence that she exudes. She`s going to really capitalize on that, A.J., so don`t be surprised to see more from her on the business side in the future. She`s terrific.
HAMMER: Well, I`m certain she`ll be a big star well-beyond The Black Eyed Peas for years to come. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter. Thanks, Kareen.
More big beauty bombshells, secrets tonight with one of the stars of "Jersey Shore."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(on camera) How can people do what you`re doing? What`s the best advice you could give women these days who want to get fit as quickly as they can?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I have to say Jwoww looks more fit than ever. "The Jersey Shore" co-star reveals her ultimate secrets to her fit physique.
And now, a beauty bombshell secret from the gorgeous Janet Jackson.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JANET JACKSON, SINGER: I got the weight off through Nutrisystem. I don`t have any beauty secrets. I try to eat clean and exercise is very important to me and live a healthy, fun life and work really hard. I don`t know. I don`t have any - I don`t have any secrets.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: "Dancing" weight loss secrets straight from that amazing glitzy ballroom. You know who I`m talking about, Kirstie Alley, Kelly Osbourne, Ricki Lake.
We have seen so many stars dramatically drop weight and slim down while competing on the incredibly popular "Dancing with the Stars."
And now, one of the show`s pros, Louis Van Amstel, reveals the real secrets to their bombshell transformation. Now, obviously, all of Louis` ladies are working very, very hard. But I had to ask Louis, what is the main secret to their success? And you might actually be a bit surprised by what Louis tells us.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LOUIS VAN AMSTEL, DANCE PRO, "DANCING WITH THE STARS": Two things that are really important. The first is that dance is a workout in disguise. You don`t really feel like you`re working out.
And then, the other thing is because dance really touches you, it really is very revealing. So when the celebrities get involved and they really get into it, then their self-confidence comes out.
And then when the audience reacts to that, they want to work even harder so they get more involved. And the more involved you get in dance, the more you shed those pounds.
HAMMER (on camera): But as you well know, there are some people who say, "You know what? I`m so out of shape I can`t possibly do this. I can`t get up there and dance." So what kind of a strategy touchdown to getting people on board to let them know, "Hey, you can really do it"?
VAN AMSTEL: That`s why I developed the "La Blast" DVD series with five different DVDs. So level one is for the absolute beginner. "Let`s Dance" is basic what you need.
And anyone from losing 50, 60 pounds to people that are older or younger - it doesn`t matter. If you can clap to rhythm, you can dance it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. I don`t know about that for me. I love Louis. I`m sure it`s a great set and DVD, but I`m not sure I could be transformed with my two left feet. It could just be me.
You can become a bombshell in your living room, though, with Louie Van Amstel`s "La Blast" DVD set. I encourage you to get it now.
Well, we`ve certainly seen the gang from "Jersey Shore" dance on their reality show. But I`m thinking, you know, hitting the clubs, gyrating on the bars, doing all that drinking, not really a fitness routine - a little bit, maybe.
But with all that partying, you kind of have to wonder how those guys stay so fit. Well, I had the chance to really uncover "Jersey Shore" fitness secrets with Jenny "Jwoww" Farley and I was fascinated to learn all that goes into Jwoww`s new fit physique. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(on camera) I know you`ve gotten really in shape by making some changes in your life. How can people do what you`re doing? What`s the best advice you would give women these days who want to get fit as quickly as they can?
FARLEY: My thing is being healthy overall, like on Christmas, I quit smoking and I quit soda and Red Bull. And then I got a trainer and I just started taking better supplements.
And the supplements that I started, which I`ve really always been on is Ab Cuts. But they made Sleek and Lean. And because of that, I just feel like better because it has fish oils and it has Vitamin E, natural supplements that go in the body, natural metabolism boosters. It`s so great.
HAMMER: And you look like you`re feeling good.
FARLEY: Yes.
HAMMER: It`s great to have you here. Thanks, Jwoww.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
And that is it for this special edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thank you for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer.
END
