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Showbiz Tonight
Dancing with the Stars Pro Contests Slapping Claim; Rosie O`Donnell Survives Heart Attack; New Twists in Director`s Death; Top Five Co-Hosts for Kelly; Oh, Ye of Little Faith
Aired August 21, 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: Rosie`s life and death crisis. Brand-new reaction tonight to Rosie O`Donnell`s stunning revelation that she almost died after having a heart attack. What`s next for Rosie?
Hello, I`m A.J. Hammer. Thank you for watching. Tonight, "The SHOWBIZ Countdown." Now, we`re just days away from finding out who is getting that coveted gig to replace Regis Philbin on "Live with Kelly." And tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is counting down the top five cohosts for Kelly Ripa.
Now, there are a lot of strong contenders who have been trying out for the job. Who should be No. 1?
But first tonight, the battle in the ballroom is battling over. In one corner, we have a hot-headed Olympic soccer star. In the other, we have a hot-headed dancing pro.
Olympic soccer star Hope Solo is standing by her claims that her former "Dancing with the Stars" partner, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, slapped her while the pair rehearsed for the show. These explosive claims came out in Solo`s controversial new memoir.
Now, Maks vehemently denies Hope`s accusations, but Hope is sticking by her story. So the question is: will this battle spill over from the ballroom into the courtroom?
With me in New York tonight, comedian Margaret Cho. She`s a former "Dancing with the Stars" contestant. Margaret stars on Lifetime`s "Drop Dead Diva." And I was thrilled to see that your guest role on "30 Rock" scored her an Emmy nomination. Congrats on that.
Joining me from Atlanta tonight, attorney Darren Kavinoky, who is guest hosting all this week on TruTV`s "In Session."
Margaret, I want to start with you, because you were on "Dancing with the Stars" a couple of years ago. It wasn`t at the same time as Hope, but you know the inner workings of the show. You got to know Maks quite a bit. It`s a pretty tight-knit group -- tight-knit group there. What do you make of Hope`s claims about what she says Maks did to her?
MARGARET CHO, FORMER "DANCING WITH THE STARS" CONTESTANT: Well, I don`t know Maks well, but I do know his former partner Brandy very well, Brandy Norwood, and she loved him. And all of his partners have come back and sat in the stands and cheered him on.
I think that, you know, they wouldn`t be there if something like this were really true.
But the truth is, it benefits both of them. You know, it gets people to want to read Hope Solo`s book, and it also gets people to want to watch "Dancing with the Stars" more, I think.
HAMMER: Yes, but you don`t want people saying you did something like that. If you didn`t do something, you don`t want them saying it (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
CHO: No. I don`t know. It`s a pretty -- pretty big accusation.
HAMMER: Pretty tawdry. And we`re hearing Maks is pretty upset. But from what we know, Hope did not report this alleged incident to ABC last year when she was actually on the show. Instead, she chose to write about it in this new book.
So Darren, that begs the question: could Maks actually turn around and sue Hope for defaming him?
DARREN KAVINOKY, GUEST HOST, TRUTV`S "IN SESSION": Well, first of all, in fairness to Maks, he was previously paired with Laila Ali. She can throw a punch; she can take a punch. You know, maybe Maks is just used to that kind of give and take.
It would certainly be ill-advised to file a defamation lawsuit. First of all, truth is always a defense. And secondly, when you go after somebody in a defamation lawsuit, you as the plaintiff become the subject. The No. 1 defense is this person didn`t have a reputation worth protecting, and Maks would essentially put himself on trial. So I think everybody does benefit in the court of public opinion, but you don`t want to see this one in a court of law.
HAMMER: Right. Yes. And we don`t want to make light of the idea of anybody hitting anybody, let alone a man hitting a woman. I mean, just an awful accusation.
And up until the time that Hope`s new book came out, it seemed that Maks and Hope had this good relationship, which is I think why this is so surprising.
But we know "Dancing with the Stars," look, it`s a very intense show. We`ve seen a lot of people lose their cool in the rehearsal footage that we see.
Still, Hope herself said that she and Maks got along really well. I want you to watch what she said on "Anderson" about that and her relationship with Maks after her season wrapped. Roll that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOPE SOLO, FORMER "DANCING WITH THE STARS" CONTESTANT: You know, we`d be rehearsing for seven hours a day. And Maks and I became great friends. We`d have so much fun together. We had a very endearing relationship.
And the 45 minutes in that whole seven hours that were the most, I don`t know, frustrating and the toughest where I`m cursing and kicking walls, is what America got to see.
But there was, you know, another six and a half hours of footage where Maks and I are giving high fives and hugging and laughing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. And then, Margaret, her book paints an entirely different picture with her allegation. What do you make of her change in tune?
CHO: I don`t know. Maybe it is something that she kind of, like, maybe didn`t realize, like you know, what`s going on when it`s happening.
The show "Dancing with the Stars" is such an intense experience, and you build such a close relationship with your partner. So -- and it could be really good or really bad. And, you know, maybe it`s something that she remembered later. Maybe it`s something that she thought would sell her book better. Maybe she didn`t know if it happened. Or maybe she -- I don`t know. Who knows?
HAMMER: Darren, reports indicate that Hope`s contract with "Dancing with the Stars" may have had -- may have included a confidentiality agreement. Can you actually verify that?
CHO: No. I mean, I don`t know if mine did. I don`t think -- I don`t believe mine did, because I`ve said a lot of stuff about it.
HAMMER: Well, Darren, let me ask you. Could the allegations in her book be considered a breach of contract in any way, particularly if there was a confidentiality agreement, and perhaps we could see the network taking Hope to court?
KAVINOKY: Yes. Perhaps. Again, I don`t know that they`d benefit from that.
Also, the kind of inconsistencies that we just saw that the failure to report, the fact that this came out in a memoir and wasn`t reported to authorities or reported to staff at the time, all of that really strains the battle of credibility there. And boy, I think it`s best that, for Hope, that she just gets whatever benefit she gets from the extra press and then moves on.
HAMMER: Yes. It`s just so strange.
All right, now I want to move on to Rosie O`Donnell`s life and death crisis. Rosie said that she`s happy to be alive after having a heart attack last week.
The 50-year-old comedian revealed the scary details on her blog yesterday. Rosie wrote that she helped lift what she called an enormous woman out of her car last Tuesday, and hours later, her chest ached, her arms were sore, and she became nauseous.
Now, when she Googled "women`s heart attack symptoms," she had many of them but dismissed it. O`Donnell then took some Bayer aspirin, saying, "Thank God, saved by a TV commercial, literally."
So the next day, she went off to a doctor, only to discover she had a 99-percent blockage in her coronary artery. A stent was inserted. Thankfully, it looks like Rosie is OK and is going to be fine. Just incredible story to hear. In fact, on the blog, Rosie said that this type of a heart attack is called the widow maker.
Now Margaret, I know you`re a friend of Rosie`s. She`s a fellow comedian. And what was your reaction when you heard this?
CHO: I`m so proud of her, and I`m so proud that she`s giving people a chance to sort of see what it`s like, you know, and that first-person account and that`s so valuable. People can really learn from her experience, and we can all really watch our health in the same way to make sure things like this don`t happen, you know. And it`s really, really scary.
HAMMER: Yes. People do pay attention when Rosie speaks. It`s so funny, because you know what a polarizing figure she can be, but the truth is, people do pay attention to her. And she did put it in this real voice. In fact, right there on her blog, she encouraged women to listen to their bodies, writing this, "Know the symptoms, ladies. Listen to the voice inside, the one we all so easily ignore. Call 911 and save yourself."
It has been admittedly a pretty rough year for Rosie O`Donnell. She was all excited; she got her show on the Oprah Winfrey Network. That show ended up getting canceled. Her fiance was recently diagnosed with a rare illness, and now, of course, she has her own health scare. It`s hard not to really feel for her right now.
CHO: Yes. I really understand. And also being a female comic is a tough job. You know, we don`t get a lot of respect. We don`t get a lot of support, but we still have to do all the work. So it`s great. She`s done a great service to all women, and I think, you know, she should be applauded for that.
HAMMER: Rosie does appear to have this great life. I love listening to her when she`s on the Howard Stern show, and you get to hear about the happiness in her life.
CHO: Yes.
HAMMER: And at the same time, there`s a lot of stress involved with what you guys do.
CHO: Well, yes. We have to really just make people laugh and -- but also be relevant and be, you know, all these different things to everyone. And it`s a lot of work. So she does a great job at it.
HAMMER: I appreciate your insight, and you`re working hard. It`s great to see you, as always. We, of course, wish the very best for Rosie for a very speedy recovery.
Make sure you catch Margaret on "Drop Dead Diva." It`s such a good show, back on Sundays on Lifetime. You can also catch Margaret. She`s live on her brand-new comedy tour called "Mother," which is coming to a city near you.
Well, of course, Rosie O`Donnell knows what it takes to be an A-list talk-show host. So who do you think she would pick for Kelly Ripa`s permanent cohost?
Well, after 59 guest hosts and nearly ten months, Kelly is finally about to reveal who is taking over for Regis Philbin. Should her new TV hubby be the super smooth Josh Groban? Maybe Nick Lachey`s laid-back charm is a better match. Well, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is counting down who we think should be Kelly`s new cohost.
Plus, the stunning new clues in the mysterious death of the director who made "Top Gun" and "Crimson Tide."
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Tonight, give me back my Saks card. Well, a judge has reportedly just ordered Usher to reopen his ex-wife`s credit card at Saks Fifth Avenue. Seriously.
Usher closed Tamika Raymond`s fancy charge account during the ongoing custody fight. When she complained to the court, Usher was held in contempt for pulling the plug on his ex`s credit line at Saks.
Tamika Raymond says she needs the account to do her job as a stylist.
Moving on tonight, to the surprising new twist in the mysterious death of the director who made "Top Gun."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No. 6, No. 6, what`s up?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There`s an unmanned train on the northbound track.
DENZEL WASHINGTON, ACTOR: Coming out?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Coming straight at us.
WASHINGTON: What are we worried about in terms of cargo?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Eight freight cars with hazardous chemicals. We`re not just talking about a train. We`re talking about a missile the size of the Chrysler building.
WASHINGTON: I need to know where that train is.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We`re not exactly sure.
WASHINGTON: You`re not sure? Well, find out.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That`s Denzel Washington doing his heroic best to stop a speeding train packed with toxic chemicals in "Unstoppable." That`s just one of the incredible action movies that director Tony Scott left behind as part of his unstoppable legacy.
And tonight, there are some brand-new, surprising twists in the mysterious death of director Tony Scott, Ridley Scott`s younger brother. Here`s what we know right now.
Tony Scott`s family is denying those reports that he was suffering from an incurable illness when he apparently committed suicide.
New pictures of Scott doing a site survey for a film near the bridge where he apparently jumped to his death have surfaced. And Tony Scott`s horrific leap to death was reportedly caught on tape. It actually appears there`s been this revolting attempt by some to sell that footage.
E!`s chief news correspondent, Ken Baker, joins us now from Los Angeles.
Ken, now that Scott`s family insists he was not suffering from any kind of a terminal illness, do we now have any new clues about why this busy, powerhouse director would apparently take his own life like this?
KEN BAKER, E! CORRESPONDENT: We don`t. And I think that what everyone is really waiting for right now are the results of the police investigation, and most importantly, the coroner conducted the autopsy just yesterday. And we`re not going to know the results of that for several weeks. There might be some information that does leak out in the interim, but we may not have answers for many more weeks to come.
That`s why so many people are shocked. I mean, just recently, he was working. He was even with Tom Cruise within the last week or two out on a location, scouting for a possible "Top Gun" sequel. So this wasn`t a guy who was just tucked away, and not working, and isolated. He was out, he was active, and no one that we`ve talked to has given us any indication that he was prepared to do something like this.
HAMMER: Yes. I was looking at what was going on with his production schedule right now. They have a very, very full plate and a lot to deal with at this time.
And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can reveal that there are these brand-new pictures of Tony Scott conducting a site survey for a movie at the exact bridge where he so sadly jumped to his death. What are you hearing about these newly revealed photos, Ken?
BAKER: Well, it`s interesting. When I first heard that he had actually jumped from that bridge down near San Pedro, near Long Beach, I wasn`t surprised that a Hollywood director would be familiar with that bridge. A lot of productions are actually shot down in that industrial zone area. That bridge has been used countless times in many movies. So it`s logical that it is a place that he was familiar with, and now we see that, in fact, with the picture.
It`s -- it`s sad. It`s chilling. And it`s just another dark angle to this story that we don`t have answers to. And so I think that to see that image is just -- it just makes you miss him and miss his work even more and just makes it unfortunate to think that he somehow was familiar with that place and went back to it after making such a great movie.
HAMMER: Yes. Still, such a sad, sad story. So many questions, and there will be more information forthcoming, as you said. Ken Baker, always appreciate it. Thanks so much.
Moving on right now to Kelly`s big reveal. Well, you know, it`s been nearly ten months since Regis Philbin left "Live," and in just a few days, Kelly Ripa will finally announce her new dream host.
So many famous and funny men have sat next to her, but who is worthy enough to become Kelly`s permanent TV squeeze? Well, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is counting down the top five cohosts for Kelly. The question is, is your pick on our list?
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PHYLLIS DILLER, COMEDIAN: How do you feel about the name "Ida Stuck" (ph)? Yes, I know I`m the only woman in America over 40 still wearing a training bra.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: So great to see the late, great Phyllis Diller in action back in the 1960s. Would you know it? Her stand-up will still make you laugh today. A TV legend gone but certainly not forgotten.
Phyllis Diller, the comedian, the legend, the woman who would push the boundaries and forever change the face of comedy. Tonight, remembering an icon.
Some of the biggest names in Hollywood go one-on-one with SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, sharing their memories of Diller`s remarkable life.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FLORENCE HENDERSON, ACTRESS: I hear she passed peacefully, with her family around at age 95. I`m happy for Phyllis. I`m sad that we don`t have her anymore, but I will treasure the things she`s given me over the years.
LILY TOMLIN, ACTRESS/COMEDIAN: One of my favorite jokes of hers is, you know, "I tried to dress a turkey for Christmas, and I only got as far as the blouse."
AMY POEHLER, ACTRESS/COMEDIAN: She was lovely and very generous, and very supportive of women in comedy. And she just seemed like she worked really hard to get what she got and deserved all of her success.
ANNA GUNN, ACTRESS: I love the fact that she allowed herself to just let her freak flag fly, as they say. And I just thought she was hilarious. So...
MAYA RUDOLPH, ACTRESS/COMEDIAN: I just loved her like everybody else. I mean, what a cool lady.
ZOOEY DESCHANEL, ACTRESS: I know she paved the way for, you know, female comedians, and we owe her our careers. So I think that we should all take a moment and appreciate her.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: With so much love and respect for the comedy queen pouring out of Hollywood, tonight, it is difficult to imagine just how tough it must have been for Diller to step outside of the norm to venture into a new realm of comedy. But who better to give us some insight on how that must feel than the lovely, the talented trailblazer herself, comedian Margaret Cho, who`s currently starring on Lifetime`s "Drop Dead Diva"? It`s always great to see you, Margaret.
CHO: Nice to see you. Thank you.
HAMMER: And I think this might surprise a lot of people, but were it not for Phyllis Diller -- we just heard Zooey Deschanel say she paved the way for so many -- but literally, were it not for her, you would not be sitting here right now in the midst of a comedy tour.
CHO: No, no. I was actually discovered by Bob Hope and Phyllis Diller way deep in the `90s. Actually, in the 1990s, Bob Hope used to do these young comedian specials. And he had me on, and I met her, and I`m so star-struck. And she was really amazing and just kind of there. And they had their crew. They had the same crew that they had been working with, like on, like, these shows since the `60s. It was very old people, and very good, but they seemed so youthful. She seemed the most youthful.
So like, she was very active as an artist later in life. She was painting. They (ph) used to go to her house and buy art from her for not very much money. So I always regret that I never bought a painting.
HAMMER: Oh, no. Missed opportunity. And the truth is, in looking at all of the people speaking about her over the last 24 hours, you don`t hear one bad word. And it`s nice to have you here and hear some more nice things about what a great woman she was.
CHO: She was phenomenal, yes.
HAMMER: Margaret, thank you so much.
And make sure you catch Margaret on "Drop Dead Diva" Sundays on Lifetime. You can also catch Margaret live in her brand-new comedy tour currently underway, called "Mother," coming to a city near you.
Well, we`re pretty sure that Phyllis Diller would have had a really good laugh over the brand-new gag reel from the massive superhero hit "The Avengers."
The movie itself was packed with all those hilarious one-liners, of course, along with all of those exciting superhero punches, but the brand- new gag reel is nothing but goofs and jokes, and I can tell you, it is hilarious. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERT DOWNEY JR., ACTOR: Fine. Suits me. Fly safe. (LAUGHTER)
You going to have a gag reel in this like "Smokey and the Bandit"?
(MUSIC)
CHRIS EVANS, ACTOR: Are you going to go down, right down to there?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
EVANS: Are you (EXPLETIVE DELETED) crazy?
SAMUEL L. JACKSON, ACTOR: What?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I said for what, (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
(MUSIC)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Hey, even superheroes are allowed to have a little fun while they`re saving the world. Right?
All right. As we move on, here`s what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
So Kelly Ripa is getting set to announce who will be her brand-new cohost come this fall. She has tried out 59 really amazing people, from ex-athletes to famous TV stars. So who should get the coveted seat next to Kelly? Maybe it should be Neil Patrick Harris. How about football legend Michael Strahan? He`s a top pick for so many people.
Well, tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is counting down the top five cohosts for Kelly. You`ve got to see if your list matches up with our list and who actually winds out on top tonight.
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
A.J. HAMMER, HLN HOST, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT: Right now on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, "Live with Kelly" and -- the mystery will be solved two weeks from today. Who will replace Regis Philbin and join "Live with Kelly" full time? Josh Groban, Seth Meyers? Maybe there`s a wild card.
It`s the "Showbiz Countdown" tonight: "Top five co-hosts for Kelly". SHOWBIZ TONIGHT continues now.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thanks for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Tonight: the "Showbiz Countdown".
Well, after months of speculation and about 59 celebrity guest co- hosts since Regis Philbin left the show now known as "Live with Kelly", SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has learned that the brand new co-host for Kelly Ripa is about to be revealed, but who will get the final rose?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don`t know. This is just new to me. It`s going to be a very special journey.
SIMON COWELL, "X FACTOR": This is horrible. I wasn`t prepared for this journey. I wasn`t prepared for all of these emotions.
JOSH GROBAN, SINGER: I just want it to be known that I`m here for the right reasons. Not to further my music career.
MICHAEL STRAHAN, FORMER NFL PLAYER: This Josh guy keeps singing to her. Dude, keep your day job.
GROBAN: Right reasons.
STRAHAN: I can hit a note.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Kind of like the Bachelorette, isn`t it? So who is Kelly going to choose? With so many names, so little time, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has decided to break it all down for you and count down the top five potential on-air sidekicks for Kelly Ripa starting with number five -- the great Neil Patrick Harris.
Now I`ve always thought he would be perfect for this job, but here`s the rub. He`s already got a gig. It`s called "How I met your Mother." Now I want you to take a look at just how good he is co-hosting on "Live with Kelly" and what he told me about the possibility of doing it full time.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I am your father.
You don`t want to mess with me. Put the lotion in the basket. Put the lotion in the basket.
NEIL PATRICK HARRIS, ACTOR: I would love to do the job, but there`s an impossibility. So if I say no, I think it makes it sound like I have, you know, conferred with my business team and we decided not to. It`s a great job and quite frankly super fun to fill in and do it, but it`s on a competing network from CBS which is the network I`m doing "How I met your Mother" for another good year and a half. And I assume that they will be making some sort of decision about who will co-host with Kelly before then.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well as they say, timing is everything and a sitcom is really more than a full time job. So Neil is our number five pick.
But tonight, I brought in some reinforcements to debate this. Joining me from Hollywood is April Bowlby, who stars -- or Bowlby -- she stars on Lifetime`s "Drop Dead Diva" and in Atlanta tonight Steve Byrne, he stars on TBS`s "Sullivan & Son" it`s great to have you both here.
April, I want to start with you, but I`m afraid you might not be too impartial about our choice for Neil who, of course, is saying no. But you starred on "How I met your Mother". You did a little guest shot there with Neil Patrick Harris. I have to imagine you would think it would be cool if "Live" surprised us all and named him as the new co-host.
APRIL BOWLBY, STAR, LIFETIME`S "DROP DEAD DIVA": Yes I love him. We got to make out on the show, which, you know, is a great thing for me. It seals the deal, done. Yes I think he would be amazing. I think he would - - he`s definitely my top choice.
HAMMER: All right. Steve, let me -- I`m sure -- to my knowledge, you didn`t have the opportunity to make out with Neil Patrick Harris on his show, but do you like the idea of live with Kelly and Neil?
STEVE BYRNE, STAR, TBS`S "SULLIVAN & SON": Well, I think Neil Patrick Harris would be amazing, you know. To me, it would be a little more confusing because you know at night he`s telling us to suit up and meet some girls and then on some days he is on Broadway singing show tunes. So I don`t know exactly how to take to -- how to take it but he`s a tremendous talent. And it would awesome to see him.
HAMMER: Well, he`s a man of many talents. I do like the pairing. But you know a lot of people would really like to see Kelly teaming up with our number four pick for our top co-host in our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT countdown. And that is "Saturday Night Live" cast member and head writer Seth Meyers. Now, the drum beat really kicked up about Seth this summer.
But I want you to check out what Kelly told Jimmy Fallon on late night about Seth possibly being a co-host. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KELLY RIPA, HOST, "LIVE WITH KELLY": When you see Seth Meyers in the morning, it is like looking at a vampire. He is clearly -- he`s not ready. He`s like, how do you do this every day?
JIMMY FALLON, TALK SHOW HOST: Yes.
RIPA: I think I need -- because normally he has does have like that - - that glass, that cup that I think it either has water or vodka in it. I`m not sure.
FALLON: Yes mine has absinthe.
RIPA: Right, so he`s got something in that cup and he said today I actually think I may need coffee.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Right there, Kelly doesn`t sound like she`s got much faith in Seth possibly taking the gig and even Seth has to shot down the rumors saying you know what, I`m in love with my job at "Saturday Night Live".
Quite frankly I don`t see why he couldn`t do both, but April if it`s not Neil Patrick Harris, would Seth as co-host make your day?
BOWLBY: Um, I think he would be fantastic. I think his sense of humor is a little more dry, a little darker. Maybe he might fit better with like a late night show. Maybe not a morning show so much. But I love him.
HAMMER: Yes, no he`s a terrific talent. And I think you know I the point being alluded to with the need for coffee or whatever is in the cup, yes he`s kind of a night-time guy. I think he`s obviously a very, very clever, but he`s obviously missing something that our number three candidate has.
In at number three on our "Top 5 Showbiz Countdown of best Kelly Co- Hosts", Josh Groban. I love Josh, I think he`s funny, and let`s all remember, the guy can sing.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RIPA: Josh wrote me the most incredible song backstage. Josh, sing it. Sing it for the people.
JOSH GROBAN, SINGER: Well, we were talking about how, you know, I think it was a Twitter trending topic at one point. This dress -- this dress has sparked --
(CROSSTALK)
RIPA: The miracle dress.
GROBAN: -- lots of controversy.
RIPA: Yes.
GROBAN: And -- and -- but -- but you actually I have to say co-wrote the song with me.
RIPA: I did co-write the song.
GROBAN: And it goes -- no, it`s a seam --
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes I think it would be great for him because people have really gotten to know his personality. He`s got this terrific sense of humor and he would be terrific in the job.
Earlier this year, he actually told "Vanity Fair" that co-hosting with Kelly is more fun than a lot of things that he`s ever done, but he`s also said that giving up music would just be terrifying to him. Steve, do you want to see Kelly walk out on Josh`s arm on September 4th? He is our number three pick?
BYRNE: I wouldn`t mind seeing him. He`s a tremendous talent, he`s obviously -- he got a great voice, sold a lot of albums, and he makes an astigmatism really, really sexy.
HAMMER: Exactly. Yes, he does --
BYRNE: But there`s nothing wrong with him.
HAMMER: -- he wears those glasses well.
April what do you think?
BYRNE: Yes.
HAMMER: I mean, the guy is so multitalented and he`s just kind of oddly cool to a lot of people.
BOWLBY: Yes. No, he`s super cool, actually. And I think he would be like a fun person to be interviewed by. I`m just wondering what all the ladies will do if they can`t be serenaded every night.
HAMMER: Yes I mean, that could be too the problem.
BOWLBY: Well, it takes him away.
HAMMER: No, no and if you look at some of the people who we`re talking about here. You know, back to Neil Patrick Harris, he`s got a great job and a full time job and a responsibility to another network. And of course Josh makes an awful lot of money and really lives for performing.
BYRNE: And not to trump anybody here, but I did make out with Josh Groban on the set of "How I Met Your Mother" so --
(CROSSTALK)
HAMMER: Well, see there now that works and so I can --
(CROSSTALK)
BYRNE: -- what a small world.
HAMMER: -- and so I can see why you`re so enthusiastic about him as a pick Steve.
But now that we have gone through three of the top five Kelly Ripa co- hosts so far -- all of them very funny, obviously all of them are very charismatic and perfect for "Live". I think we think there`s been an awful lot of buzz all summer long about our number two top co-host for Kelly, former NFL star Michael Strahan.
Now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT caught up with Strahan at his home in California. He told our own Nischelle Turner he really wants this job.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STRAHAN: I think the show fits my personality to -- I get along with Kelly great. I mean, it`s very hard for me not to get along with pretty much anybody.
NISCHELLE TURNER, HLN CORRESPONDENT: You guys do have chemistry.
STRAHAN: I get along with her great, I love her. She`s a real sweetheart. And what you see on the show is what you get off the show.
TURNER: So if they offered you the gig, you would be like, New York City?
STRAHAN: If they offer me the gig I would be in New York before the ink dries, of course.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: So maybe he`s in New York. There you have it. Michael Strahan wants the job. Maybe he`s already signed on the dotted line there, April. Should Kelly throw him the ball and make him her co-host?
BOWLBY: I do like him. I think he`s not afraid to like make fun of himself, which is always fun to watch when someone is like comfortable. And he`s got a beautiful smile. So I vote yes.
HAMMER: Well, a lot of people did think that Michael Strahan would actually be our number one pick on our countdown tonight. He didn`t make it to number one. Who is our top choice for Kelly Ripa`s new co-host?
April, Steve -- I want you to stay right there. The "Showbiz Countdown" rolls on with our number one pick coming up next.
But as we move on, you know, some say working in TV is kind of like a high wire act. Some days it is, but I must say that my day at the office it never, ever looks like this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FAITH DICKEY, HIGH-LINE WALKER: I have high lined on longer lines and I have high lined in harsher winds, but I never slacked lined moving forward before.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Wait until you hear the back story about this woman. She`s walking on a rope high above two speeding trucks. You won`t believe why she is risking her life for a viral video of all things.
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I just talked to Kelly in the deliberation room. She`s nervous. She told me some serious relationships have been formed here. But that just makes the decision she has to make here tonight that much tougher. Unfortunately for some of you, the journey ends here tonight.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Perfect. Kelly Ripa`s co-host roulette really is like "The Bachelorette". So who will she choose? The choice will be revealed in just a couple of weeks.
But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is revealing our top choice right now. It`s the "Showbiz Countdown" of the "Top 5 Co-Hosts for Kelly Ripa". 59 guest co- hosts later, the "Live with Kelly" is finally going to roll out its pick for Kelly`s partner in crime but not before we reveal our number one choice.
Now so far, we`ve got Neil Patrick Harris at number five; number four, SNL`s Seth Meyers; singer Josh Groban in at number three; football player, the great Michael Strahan in at number two. And at number one, well, just watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NICK LACHEY, SINGER: I dreamed of hosting here on "Live". I`d lie awake at night and stare at the ceiling. Now looking in your eyes we fight this feeling. Oh Kelly all the co-hosts that you have been dating just send them away. Oh Kelly there`s just one that you know is your favorite. His name is Nick Lachey. Oh Kelly when we work so (inaudible) we`re together I don`t mean to brag. Oh Kelly every moment with you is a pleasure even dressing in drag. I need you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That`s right. Give it up, guys, come on. I had to make Nick Lachey with our team at SHOWBIZ TONIGHT our number one choice to be Kelly Ripa`s co-host. Back with me now "Drop Dead Diva`s" April Bowlby and Steve Byrne from TBS`s "Sullivan & Son".
BYRNE: Wow. Wow.
HAMMER: I see you`re enthusiastic, Steve. Tell me what -- what do you think of our choice?
BYRNE: Boy, I`ll tell you Josh Groban can sing, but seeing Nick Lachey perform like that, what you`re getting is a double threat. You`re getting a guy who looks like he kills it on a Bow Flex commercial, with a voice. I might have to go with Lachey as well.
HAMMER: I appreciate you siding with us and I spoke with Nick about hosting the gig with Kelly and here`s what he told me about all that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LACHEY: I have had a great time. I had the opportunity to co-host with Kelly, I think five, six, seven times over the years. Each and every time, it`s a blast. I adore her, as she knows, and love being a part of that show. It`s just a great group there in New York.
So if, you know, hypothetically speaking, if the opportunity were to present itself, that would be -- that would be very intriguing for me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Intriguing, indeed. Now, he did just reunite with 98 Degrees, but I think he would be perfect for it. April, I need to know what you think because I mean look, the guy sings, he`s charismatic, he seems to be up for anything. Are you with us?
BOWLBY: Yes, I`m actually with you. I wasn`t with you before I saw that montage, and that blew my socks off. And I am always going to vote for a guy who dresses up in drag. I love that.
HAMMER: There you go. And there`s your proof right there, a good montage can always win.
April Bowlby, Steve Byrnes, thank you both so much. Make sure you catch April on "Drop Dead Diva" this Sunday on Lifetime. Be sure to watch Steve Byrne on the fantastic new sit-com "Sullivan and Son" Thursday nights on TBS.
Well, the live gig certainly might be one of the most coveted jobs in all of TV, but who in their right mind would take a job walking on a rope between two moving trucks?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FAITH DICKEY, HIGH LINE WALKER: I have high lined on longer lines and I have high lined in harsher winds, but I have never slacked lined moving forward before.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Wow. Well next, we`re going to introduce you to this high- flying daredevil and tell you why she`s risking her life for a viral video.
Time now for the "Showbiz Buzz List"; here`s what the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT staff`s buzzing about this week. It`s J Lo in 3-D. Jennifer Lopez will star in a 3-D movie called "Dance Again" based on her current concert tour.
All hail Sacha Baron Cohen, his hilarious film "The Dictator" is out on DVD.
We`re buzzing about "Cold Open" the new novel by former CNN correspondent Greg Clarkin.
We`re all revved up about the Audi A3 E-Tron. It`s a high-end electric car that is being tested.
And we can`t wait for Season 7 of "Dexter" debuting September 30th on Showtime.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Move away from the body.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My little secret, I dreaded this moment my whole life.
(END VIDEO CLIP) (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Tonight, a heart-pumping, high-flying thrill ride that`s causing a worldwide sensation. Now, if you, like me have gotten a bit numb to the unusual viral videos, you know, the cute pets, the dancing babies, all that, we have just the thing for you. It`s a viral video that`s going to keep you glued to the edge of your seat and keep you guessing to the very end. So hold on tight.
Here`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Two trucks hurtling down the highway with a woman walking a line between the two barreling toward a tunnel. Will she get splattered in what looks like a scene right out of a movie like "Mission Impossible"? Or will she survive like Tom Cruise? And who is this woman?
HENRY ALEX RUBEN, DIRECTOR: Faith is nuts. And only a crazy person would try anything like this.
MOOS: Take it from the director, Henry Alex Ruben, who shot this last year on a brand new hasn`t yet opened highway in Croatia.
RUBEN: Many countries said no before Croatia.
MOOS: What Faith Dickey is doing is called slack lining like walking a tightrope only slack and bouncy.
DICKEY: I have high-lined on longer lines and I have high-lined in harsher winds, but I`ve never slack-lined moving forward before.
MOOS: Faith dickey is the women`s world record holder in various categories of slack lining, which is why they got her for this, what`s called the ballerina stunt. The object was to get across the line before the trucks got to the tunnel.
She fell once. They did three takes. Faith was wearing an ankle safety harness.
(on camera): The question is, what is this an ad for? Is it for shoes? Is it for the camera on her head? Nope, it`s for trucks.
(voice-over): Volvo trucks, pretty risky for a brand associated with safety as one of the precision drivers remarks.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Too far apart, the rope breaks. Too near together, she falls off.
MOOS: The trucks headed for the tunnel, top speed of about 50 miles per hour. Some thought more than the rope was being stretched -- "faketastic", "megafake", posters said.
To which the little director replied --
RUBEN: A little bit of Hollywood editing makes everything seem more exciting. And obviously we cut three takes together.
MOOS: But Ruben says she came within seconds of the tunnel entrance.
RUBEN: She did do it. She did that stunt and it was pretty was sick. I mean the crew applauded her afterwards.
MOOS: Ye of little faith have faith in Faith Dickey.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yikes. That was CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
And by the way, it`s not just Faith who is an adrenaline junky. The video`s director was nominated for a best documentary Oscar for "Murderball", that`s the film about quadriplegic athletes who play wheelchair rugby.
We move on now to Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj`s war over "American Idol". Could it be? Well, tonight there are reports that the judging format could change dramatically, and Mimi is said to not be pleased, not pleased at all.
The details are next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: So will "American Idol" carry on without Mariah? Well there are brand new reports that could mean the show is in grave danger.
Also art is set to imitate life in Michael J. Fox`s new sitcom.
And revolutionary, pioneer and absolutely hysterical -- just a few of the words being used by friends to remember the late great Phyllis Diller. Here`s more in "The Buzz Today".
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Remembering Phyllis. Hollywood is paying tribute to comedy legend Phyllis Diller who passed away Monday in Los Angeles. Diller`s manager tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that the 95-year-old pop culture icon died peacefully in her sleep with a smile on her face.
And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was right there at a reception for Emmy nominees where Diller`s fellow TV comediennes hailed her as a pioneer.
AMY POEHLER, "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE": She was lovely and very generous and very supportive of women in comedy and she just seemed like she had worked really hard to get what she got and deserved all of her success.
LILY TOMLIN, ACTRESS: She was well into her 90s and she just never stopped. She was really vivacious and funny and sharp.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I`m happy for Phyllis. I`m sad that we don`t have her anymore. But I will treasure the things she has given me over the years.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: "Idol" in limbo? Some diva drama may already be unfolding on the "American Idol" judges` panel. Mariah Carey, who was signed on for the upcoming season reportedly hung up the phone when she heard that Nicki Minaj might also join the show to fill the other empty judge`s chair.
TMZ.com says Mariah was led to believe she would be the only woman on the panel. The Web site quote sources that say producers are also now considering a scenario of adding a fourth judge, a male, to make two women, two men, including Randy Jackson. Whether or not randy is returning, well, that`s still unclear.
Fox is back. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that Michael J. Fox is making a comeback to series TV. The actor will be starring in a brand new comedy on NBC, the network where he launched his career three decades ago with "Family Ties". Fox pitched the idea for the new show which is partially inspired by the people and events in his own life, including his struggle with Parkinson`s disease. A 22-episode run is set to kick off on NBC in the fall of 2013.
Grave news -- since we move (ph) on tonight, a "Toddlers and Tiaras" star wears fake boobs and a padded butt on stage, now her mom could lose custody.
How far is too far when it comes to these tiny beauty queens? Dr. Drew has that now.
END
