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Showbiz Tonight
Prince Harry Nude in Vegas Pics; LL Cool J Defeats Burglar; One on One with Michael Strahan; Showbiz Countdown: You`re Hired; Mariah: Back to Fighting Form?; Michael`s Big TV Return
Aired August 22, 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, what happens in Vegas apparently doesn`t stay in Vegas. Prince Harry`s naked romp with a woman caught on camera for the world to see. So did Harry just blast the royal family with yet another major scandal? Or was the world`s most eligible bachelor just blowing off some steam?
Hello and thank you for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer.
Tonight, "The SHOWBIZ Countdown." You`re hired. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is recruiting the very best entertainers out there to fill the most coveted gigs on reality TV. We`ve got an Olympian, a comedy legend and a country mega star. So, who is our No. 1 pick for TV`s top jobs?
But first tonight, it`s dirty Harry exposed. Prince Harry is in boiling hot water tonight after photos of him surfaced, partying in Las Vegas, buck naked. Now, there is a worldwide frenzy over these caught-on- camera stripping pool party scenes with the prince. How is the scandal affecting the royal family? Will there be serious consequences for Prince Harry?
Joining me now from London, CNN`s senior international correspondent, Matthew Chance.
OK, Matthew. Obviously Prince Harry, having a good time in these pictures, so it appears, with some friends. I heard that this was a game of strip pool. But what do you know about these photos?
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Strip billiards, I think, is what it`s reported to have been, which is kind of like a posher version of pool, but still involves stripping. Yes, I mean, that`s the game that was apparently being played. There was obviously more than just Harry and that girl in the room. It seems that there were others in the room, as well. And it was taking place in the privacy of their hotel villa or hotel suite, whatever it was in -- in Las Vegas.
That hasn`t sort of diminished the sort of sense of, I suppose, embarrassment that`s been felt with these images being splashed all over the Internet. It raises a couple of serious issues: the issue of privacy around Prince Harry; the fact that it was clearly somebody in his entourage that took this picture and -- these pictures and leaked them to the press.
Also raises the issues at the judgment of a man who is, remember, third in line to the British throne. He`s been in these controversial situations before and this is just the latest sort of salacious example of the kind of trouble this party prince can get into.
HAMMER: Yes. And it`s not like we`re sitting here guessing that this is Prince Harry because it looks like Prince Harry. Buckingham Palace has confirmed the photos are of Harry. I`m guessing that, had she seen them, the queen would not be too happy about this.
What is Buckingham Palace saying about these photos? And my real question here, Matthew: while she may not like it, do you think the queen was truly shocked to see this kind of behavior from Harry if she`s seen them?
CHANCE: You know, it`s difficult to say, isn`t it? But -- but you`re certainly right that the royal family have confirmed that this was, indeed, Harry. Off the record, they`ve told us that, you know, this was an example of the prince messing up again and that they`re concerned about it.
In terms of what consequences there are going to be, I`m not sure what they can do, apart from giving him a dressing down. I think it`s interesting to -- I don`t think the queen will be doing that. I man, she may. She is his grandmother, but his father, Prince Charles, may also get involved in that as well as his own P.R. flat (ph).
Remember, this is a prince who`s had a lot of time spent on him, trying to recast his image as somebody who`s more serious. He`s spent time serving with the British military in Afghanistan. He`s spent a lot of time working for charities. And all that sort of good work to promote this guy as someone who`s a serious figure, a senior member of the British royal family is kind of being undone by his behavior...
HAMMER: Yes.
CHANCE: ... in places like Las Vegas. They`re not going to be happy about that.
HAMMER: I don`t think he needs his dad to give him a dressing down. I think that`s already happened.
Very quickly, I need to ask you, Matthew: is this actually a big deal to the public over across the pond where you are? Is it a huge scandal or really no big deal?
CHANCE: I think opinion is divided. Some people think -- younger people perhaps think, oh, he`s a lad; he`s having a good time. But other people are saying, you know, this is a man who should remember who he is. He can`t just do what he wants and party wherever he likes.
HAMMER: All right. CNN`s Matthew Chance. Thank you so much, Matthew.
Well, what a week this is creating for Harry. And by the way, while he was getting in trouble, his brother, Prince William, was out rescuing a drowning teen and a stranded injured hiker. Doesn`t really help matters.
And while Harry losing his royal britches makes a stunning headline, is it Harry`s worst scandal ever? Joining me in New York, Imogen Lloyd Webber, author of "The Twitter Diaries." Joining me from Hollywood, Skyler Stone, comedian and star of "Raising Hope" on FOX. Great to have you both here.
Obviously, Prince Harry, you know, he was having a big time there in Vegas. He even had the chance to race Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte in the pool at one point. To me, look, he`s doing what a whole lot of people do in Sin City. But he is a prince. Unfortunately for him, it was all caught on camera.
But Imogen, is this very scandalous or really no biggie? I didn`t get the sense of how people are really reacting to it.
IMOGEN LLOYD WEBBER, AUTHOR, "THE TWITTER DIARIES": Well, I think just Prince Harry wasn`t the fizziest drink in the fridge over this. What happens to Prince Harry in Vegas was never going to stay in Vegas. So fundamentally, he should have thought it through a lot better.
He was away with two royal protection officers. They cost millions of pounds to the British taxpayer every year. He should have been more responsible. And he`s going to go home, and he`s got to face the queen and also the U.K. military, and he will be dressed down there.
HAMMER: Dressed down. There`s that expression again. Do you think he cares that the pictures got out? Because he had to have known that somebody might take pictures and send them out.
WEBBER: Absolutely. I think he will care. He`s done really well. He hasn`t had a big gaffe for six years, Prince Harry.
HAMMER: And it was time.
WEBBER: He`s done very well at rehabilitating his image.
HAMMER: He was due.
WEBBER: Yes, exactly. He was rehabilitating his image. He was doing very well on that...
HAMMER: Right.
WEBBER: ... patron of ten charities, big humanitarian award this year from Colin Powell in Washington, D.C., also served in Afghanistan four years ago. So, yes, this is -- this is a shame for Harry, and he should have known better.
HAMMER: And we can`t rule out the possibility that the queen saw these pictures of her grandson online. You have to watch what Prince Harry just told ABC`s Katie Couric about the queen and her tech savviness.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KATIE COURIC, ABC NEWS: Do you think that the queen`s ability to change with the times has helped the monarchy endure?
PRINCE HARRY, UNITED KINGDOM: Yes, without -- without a doubt. She`s managed to get the family to move with the times. And I think that`s incredibly important. You can`t get stuck in an old-age situation when everything else around you is changing. So you have to -- you have to go with it.
COURIC: And now she has a YouTube page. She hasn`t friended you on Facebook?
PRINCE HARRY: No, she hasn`t. Why, has she friended you?
COURIC: No, not yet. Hopefully, after this interview, she will.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The queen of England, logging onto her Facebook page and seeing these pictures of her grandson? Skyler, up to you. Do you think this is a big scandal or no big deal? We certainly have a different perspective over here.
SKYLER STONE, COMEDIAN/ACTOR: Do we ever. Leave it to the Brits to make a big deal out of nothing. This guy is now awesome in my book. All right? You can`t give a man all the toys in the world and say, "You`re a prince. Now just be good and drink some tea..."
HAMMER: Right.
STONE: "... and walk in a straight line." I mean, we live in a world now; it`s 2012. All right. By the, you know, Mayan standards, we have like two and a half months left till we`re all gone. Might as well live it up. Do you know what I mean?
HAMMER: Yes, exactly. You`re exactly right.
STONE: It doesn`t make any sense to me.
HAMMER: No. Me neither. And look, as we`ve been talking about these naked photos, not the first scandal for Prince Harry, who is known for his bad boy reputation. Let us now rollout the "SHOWBIZ Newsline."
Here we are in 2012: Prince Harry`s naked scandal is launching us into the fall. Harry had to apologize after a video surfaced, showing him using racial slurs while talking about his fellow army colleagues.
You go back five years before that to 2004, it was perhaps his biggest controversy. This was pretty terrible. Harry wore a swastika on his arm to a costume party, of all things, an image that was splashed across tabloids around the world. Harry did call it a very stupid thing to do, and he said he learned a lesson.
But Imogen, when you look at those controversies, how do you think this naked photo scandal, if you will, stacks up against it? And do you think he really has learned a lesson?
WEBBER: Well, in many levels it pales in comparison, I mean, especially to the Nazi slur and obviously, the awful thing he said about his army colleague. So on some levels it`s OK. However, Prince Harry, he should know better.
HAMMER: Yes.
WEBBER: He`s just been representing Her Majesty, the queen, at the London Olympics at the closing ceremony, big deal in front of hundreds of millions of people. We do expect more from somebody who is actually getting near 30 now.
HAMMER: Yes, yes. I would expect more from just a human being whether or not -- I don`t know; it`s not for me to judge.
But some people say, look, he is young, he`s fit. The photos are fine. Who really cares? Skyler, do you think these photos could actually help boost Prince Harry`s image, give him some street cred as a royal bachelor?
STONE: Absolutely. I mean, it`s making me want to shave my hairy chest. I mean, I think like nubile is in. Now it`s time to just get, you know, just smooth. All right?
I mean, this guy -- first of all, he`s in Vegas. All right. What`s the point of being a prince in Vegas if you can`t go, "You from Toledo, you from Kalamazoo, yes, come up to my room. All right. Let`s play a little pool." You know what I mean?
Pool is a very sexual game in the first place. All right, you know? You`re poking balls in the holes. I mean, like playing -- doing what he did was just -- it was natural. It was going to happen. You know?
HAMMER: Listen, I have to thank you for that imagery.
Imogen, let me ask you...
WEBBER: Yes.
HAMMER: ... very quickly, do you kind of feel sorry for the guy? I hear you saying he should have known better. But there`s got to be a lot of pressure, being in his standing.
WEBBER: You have to -- you have to feel sorry for him slightly.
HAMMER: Yes.
WEBBER: However, Prince Harry, come on. Get with the program here.
HAMMER: Would did you say, he`s not the fizziest...
WEBBER: Not the fizziest drink in the fridge.
HAMMER: I love that. That`s a first for me. I`m writing it down. I`m going to use it.
Imogen Lloyd Webber, Skyler Stone, thank you both so much.
Make sure to catch Skyler on the hilarious show "Raising Hope." It`s on FOX. And make sure you pick up Imogen`s brand-new book -- there it is - - "Twitter Diaries," available right now.
So when Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte isn`t racing Prince Harry in the pool, he`s competing with him for world`s most eligible bachelor title. Yes, it has just been revealed that the producers of "The Bachelor" have reached out to Lochte, and we say hire him.
Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is recruiting top entertainers to fill reality TV`s most coveted jobs, like Ryan Lochte as the next "Bachelor." Will your favorite celebrity make our recruiters list? Find out.
Plus LL Cool J to the rescue. How LL smacked down a burglar, trying to rob his house. Did LL just put a whole new spin on his famous hit, "Mama Said Knock You Out"?
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: OK. So can you possibly guess who the most powerful woman in the world is? Well, according to "Forbes"`s annual list, it`s the leader of Germany, Angela Merkel. She runs one of the richest and most powerful countries in the world.
But don`t worry: an American politician is right behind her, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton took the No. 2 spot.
And in the world of celebrity, Oprah Winfrey was the world`s most powerful entertainer, capturing the No. 11 spot. Lady Gaga landed at No. 14.
Moving on now to LL Cool J`s real-life burglar takedown.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LL COOL J, RAPPER (rapping): I`m gonna knock you out. Mama said knock you out. I`m gonna knock you out. Mama said knock you out.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes, LL`s gonna knock you out. I know I wouldn`t mess with LL Cool J, especially after watching this classic video from 1990. Wow, what a cool song. That is 22 years ago.
But maybe the guy that broke into the rapper`s L.A. home never saw that video. That`s a big mistake. Tonight it`s LL to the rescue. Actor and rapper LL Cool J took matters into his own hands when he came face to face with a burglar who had broken into his Los Angeles home.
Now, all this happened at around 1 a.m. today when this guy entered LL`s home. He tripped the burglar alarm system. And so LL, of course, sprung into action and physically detained the burglar until police arrived. Can you imagine doing that?
Well, cops hauled the guy off to jail. LL and his family, I`m happy to say, are safe and sound.
With me in New York, Sowmya Krishnamurthy. We all know LL, a tough, tough guy. But this is pretty scary stuff. I mean, I can`t even imagine what this burglar was thinking when he comes face to face suddenly with LL Cool J. How do you imagine this all played out, Sowmya? Kind of like a scene from "NCIS: Los Angeles"? What do you envision?
SOWMYA KRISHNAMURTHY, HOST, MTV`S "HIP HOP POV": Absolutely. Talk about life imitating art.
So LL Cool J plays a special agent on "NCIS." And I think he took that training to heart and actually used some of that on this intruder. You know, it`s so funny. Talk about the last rapper that you should ever invade his home.
HAMMER: Exactly. Well, actually, I don`t know about that.
KRISHNAMURTHY: Sure, there`s many of them. But LL has always been known for being really chiseled...
HAMMER: Yes.
KRISHNAMURTHY: ... and having this amazing body.
HAMMER: Yes.
KRISHNAMURTHY: I mean, we saw the "Mama Said Knock You Out" video. Crazy. And that was years ago.
HAMMER: Have you ever met this guy?
KRISHNAMURTHY: I`ve never met him.
HAMMER: I first met him 22 years ago. He is a daunting, imposing figure. He ` enormous, but so, so cool and sweet. May I shake your hand? He had -- no, no, he had the grip like that. I was like, "Oh, OK, thank you, sir. I`d like my hand back now."
And, you know, this really makes us all cheer for him even more. I mean, we already liked him. But now, yes, we do see that big tough guy persona play out in real life like this.
Ladies already love this guy.
KRISHNAMURTHY: Definitely.
HAMMER: I have to imagine now there`s going to be so much extra love for LL.
KRISHNAMURTHY: So much extra love. I mean, he`s protecting his family; he`s being just that caregiver. He was always kind of that cuddly teddy bear, with you know, always licking his lips. That`s the one thing he was always known for.
But now that eight-pack, or 12 pack, however many packs he`s on right now, is being put to good use. So I think the ladies love LL right now.
HAMMER: Yes, LL Cool J. Ladies love cool James, for those who don`t know.
KRISHNAMURTHY: Yes, they do.
HAMMER: That`s what it stands for. Can you imagine, in the middle of the burglary, and he`s being detained by LL, he says, "Excuse me, can I have your autograph?"
KRISHNAMURTHY: I mean, I hope that he did for his girlfriend, his mom or his wife. I think at least, you know, take lemons and make into lemonade.
HAMMER: Yes, absolutely.
KRISHNAMURTHY: I hope he got something out of it.
HAMMER: Well, maybe he`ll get a book deal out of it.
KRISHNAMURTHY: Absolutely.
HAMMER: Sowmya, great. Thank you so much. And as we said, his family is safe and sound. So all ends well.
Moving on to Kanye West now. Kanye, you`re hired. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT recruits top entertainers to fill reality TV`s most coveted jobs tonight. Of course, he`s always stirring up big buzz. And tonight, there are brand- new reports that say the superstar rapper could actually be headed for one of TV`s hottest reality shows. Which other super celebrities will possibly make "The SHOWBIZ Countdown," "You`re Hired"? The big question tonight is: Are your favorites on the list? You stay with me, you will find out.
This is "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Well, reports that Michael Strahan has grabbed the permanent live co-hosting gig are blowing up tonight. There have been 59 guest hosts since Regis Philbin left the show last year. But Strahan has sat next to Kelly Ripa more than any of them.
There`s no question these guys have amazing chemistry on set together. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT did go one on one with Strahan at his home before he became the apparent heir to Regis, and he told us why he would love to be Kelly`s TV hubby for good. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`S Michelle Turner has our "SHOWBIZ Flashback" with Michael Strahan.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MICHAEL STRAHAN, FORMER NFL PLAYER: I try to not think about it as replacing Regis. Nobody could ever do that. And I think if you put in that aspect and you think about it, it`s just too big. So I just look at it as an opportunity to go on TV and tell stories, and have fun, entertain myself and other people. And not look at the big magnitude, the scope of it. And...
MICHELLE TURNER, HLN CORRESPONDENT: But you`re getting the job out there right now.
STRAHAN: Yes, and you and I are sitting here talking about how we`re country and where we came from. And I`m like, I grew up in the country. Then I go to Germany. Then I come back to the states. I`m not supposed to play football and I play football for 15 great years. And then I`m on FOX now. And all of a sudden, I have an opportunity for this.
It blows my mind, too. I don`t get it. I`m just riding the wave. I`m enjoying it. I ride the wave. But I think this show fits my personality to -- I get along with Kelly great. I mean, very hard for me not to get along with pretty much anybody.
TURNER: You guys do have chemistry.
STRAHAN: I get along with her great. I love her. She`s really a sweetheart. And what you see on the show is what you get off the show, which is very much me. If you see me now, this is what you`re going to get. Because I don`t want to -- I`m not trying to fool anybody and be something that I`m not. Because it`s too hard to live up to those things.
And but it`s a contrast. Here I am this big, athlete guy, and here she is, athletic, but just a little woman. And just the two contrasts -- but I think we relate in a lot of ways because of the kids and family and just, you know, life in general and how we move around and the things that happen to us.
TURNER: How does it feel, though, when you hear people say Michael Strahan is the front-runner for this job?
STRAHAN: I don`t think about it.
TURNER: No?
STRAHAN: No.
TURNER: Do you think you`re the front-runner?
STRAHAN: I try not to picture myself as that.
TURNER: No?
STRAHAN: I don`t want to get my hopes up. I`ve never done that. Even when I was playing, I never did it. I never watched and go, yes, I had a great year. Going to watch some film of my year. No. I felt like once I started doing that, then I would go, "I am pretty good. I am people like" -- then you slack.
TURNER: Well, you`ve had people -- I mean, a lot of people love Neil Patrick Harris, and he came out and said, "This is a great gig. I love it, but I`m not going to do it. I live in L.A. I tape in L.A."
You live in L.A. You tape in L.A.
STRAHAN: I tape one day a week in L.A. I tape one day a week during the football season on Sundays. So for me...
TURNER: So you could do both?
STRAHAN: I could do both. Yes, because to me...
TURNER: Would you do both?
STRAHAN: Of course I`d do both. I`d do both in a heartbeat. I like to work. I love to work. And I love to work, doing work that I like. So for me it would be Monday through Friday, New York, and then I`d come out here and do that show, NFL show on Sunday, and then I`d go back and do the show again. It would definitely work.
TURNER: What I read today was sources say "Live with Kelly" officials are getting closer to nailing down a deal with Michael Strahan.
STRAHAN: I hope so. You read something Michael Strahan didn`t read, but Michael Strahan is hoping so.
TURNER: So if they offered you the gig, you`d be like, "New York City"?
STRAHAN: If they offered me the gig, I would be in New York before the ink dried. Of course.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Well, there you go. And that was SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Michelle Turner right there at Michael`s home. ABC officials tell SHOWBIZ TONIGHT they`re not commenting on who will be Kelly Ripa`s official co-host, despite all the reports that Michael`s got the job. The official announcement comes in two weeks.
Well, here`s what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Taylor Swift`s record-breaking new single just sold 623,000 downloads in its first week. She`s hotter than ever. That got us wondering: would Taylor be the perfect choice to fill one of reality TV`s most coveted jobs? Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is recruiting top entertainers and saying, "You`re hired."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Right now on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Kanye West, you`re hired. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT recruits the top entertainers to fill reality TV`s most coveted jobs. Kanye is just one of the top five superstars tonight in "The SHOWBIZ Countdown," "You`re Hired." But who else makes the cut?
And Michael J. Fox gets a new gig, too. Why Michael`s return to TV could be historic.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT continues right now.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thanks for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
Tonight`s "The Showbiz Countdown: You`re Hired". Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT recruits top entertainers to fill reality TV`s most coveted jobs from who should be crowned as the next host of "The X-Factor" to who will sit side-by-side with superstar Mariah Carey at "The American Idol" judges` table?
This countdown is so hot even Gene Simmons is getting in on it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GENE SIMMONS, SINGER: The new judge clearly should be Wolf Blitzer. Who else? Wolf, you`re a cool guy. He needs to get up there and tell everybody everything, which is what he does on CNN.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We loved him when he was a disk jockey -- Wolfman Blitzer.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Gene, you`re a powerful and attractive man. And we love Wolf Blitzer. But I`m afraid he did not make the countdown tonight.
So let`s fire it up with number five, "The Bachelor" and Olympic gold medalist Ryan Lochte. Bachelor host Chris Harrison told "Access: Hollywood" that Ryan as the next bachelor sounds like a good plan to him but there might be one little setback.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Here is the problem. You can`t pee in the hot tub. I know -- apparently he told Seacrest he pees in the pool every time he gets in. You can`t pee in the hot tub. That`s not hot.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: No, it`s not hot at all and it could be a deal breaker.
With us from Hollywood tonight, the lovely and talented actress and comedienne Retta who stars in the NBC hit comedy "Parks and Recreation". It`s so good to have you here.
Also joining me from Hollywood, soap star Sean Kanan from "The Bold and the Beautiful". And Sean is the author of this fantastic book "The Modern Gentleman". Great to have you both here.
Let`s talk about what`s going on with Ryan Lochte because producers of "The Bachelor" have reportedly reached out to him about making this happen. Now Retta, as you just heard, Ryan does not like to interrupt his pool time with potty breaks. We say hire the guy anyway. What do you say?
RETTA, ACTRESS, NBC`S "PARKS AND RECREATION": I think people would be ok with it. I`m pretty sure those girls would be ok with it. But my choice would be Robert Pattinson. I think ABC would have a casting meltdown if Robert Pattinson were the new bachelor.
(CROSSTALK)
HAMMER: Yes.
RETTA: And Team Edward would freeze the Internet.
HAMMER: I think you`re absolutely right. And you know Lochte is single and available, so we think.
The Olympics did really push Lochte into the spotlight, Sean. Do you think that new-found fame would make him a better TV bachelor or could that hurt him a little bit?
SEAN KANAN, ACTOR, "THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL": Well, I think we`ve already heard from his mother that he doesn`t really have time to date. He barely has time for one-night stands.
I think a better choice A.J. would be John Mayer, I mean he`s already worked his way through most of the eligible and not so eligible women of Hollywood. The guy might as well get paid for it. I think it would be fun to see who he tortures next.
HAMMER: Who he tortures next and then who he talks about in some tell-all article. Oh, wait, he says he`s not going to do anything like that anymore and he has evolved.
KANAN: Right.
HAMMER: I don`t know.
All right, from the next bachelor we move to the soon-to-be empty judge`s seat on "America`s Got Talent" with Sharon Osbourne saying she`s leaving the show.
And this takes us to number four in our countdown. Now we would hire my pal Whoopi Goldberg for this. She is the queen of performing. She`s got an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony I`m thinking who better to judge than someone who stays at the top of her game and has done it so well and for so long?
Back to you, Sean, do you like our choice? Whoopi does call it like she sees it.
KANAN: It`s a great choice, A.J. and you took the words right out of my mouth. I mean Whoopi is only one of, I believe 11 people and probably a handful of women including Rita Moreno who`s won the Emmy, the Grammy, the Oscar, the Tony. I mean, she`s got loads of talent. She`s very comfortable doing these sort of shows. I think she`s a great choice.
HAMMER: Now Retta, what do you think? I think it`s actually a good thing "America`s Got Talent" has been moved to New York because of Howard Stern being on the show. So at least that would make it convenient for Whoopi. You think she`d be a great person at that judge`s table?
RETTA: Absolutely. I just want to see her pull down her glasses and to say, "Honey, I don`t know if America`s got talent, but I know you got talent." That would be my favorite thing in the show.
HAMMER: Yes that would be perfect. Although -- you know I don`t want to talk about Whoopi`s extracurricular activities. But she does talk about it on "The View" all the time. That could make the show much more interesting at the time of night that they film.
And it seems that almost every day a new name is tossed into the hat to fill an "American Idol" judge`s seat. But we`re going to put an end to that tonight right here and right now with number three on "The Showbiz Countdown".
This obviously is a man who always stirs the buzz. Kanye West actually told a group of reporters back in 2010 only a few artists have the talent to go on to greatness.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KANYE WEST, SINGER: So many people base their stuff off the trends or what`s happening on radio, what they heard before and there`s only a few characters not bad so much that were geniuses but were dreamers and were just bringing our dreams to life constantly.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes, you do, Kanye. And he says only a few people right there have what it takes --
(CROSSTALK)
KANAN: Wow.
HAMMER: -- to really make the music magic happen.
He`s got the resume to back it up and he`s got the ego provided by that resume. And that is why we say Kanye, "You are hired". What do you think Retta on "American Idol"? Kanye, Mariah, judge`s combo?
RETTA: No, I don`t think the contestants would get a chance. I think he would be on stage more than they would. I -- I personally would love to see Victoria Beckham because I think she and Mariah on the same judge`s table would cause a great deal of shade and I`d love to see the conflict between the two of them.
HAMMER: Yes that would be pretty cool. Although can you imagine? It`s the end of "American Idol", it`s the end of the season. They just drop the balloons and they crown the winner and Kanye jumps up on stage and gives his opinion of who he really thinks should have won and who was robbed in the course.
RETTA: Exactly.
HAMMER: I could see that possibly happened -- happening as it did with the whole Taylor Swift thing.
He`s crossed the line several occasions in his career, Sean. In your eyes, do you think that would be a strike against him for the "Idol" seat or would that just make thing more interesting, which I think "Idol" needs to do?
KANAN: I -- I-- I don`t know, A.J. I mean I got -- I beg to differ with -- with SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s choice with Kanye West after his prior -- you know his prior appearance on the VMA`s. I mean, I just -- I just got a question. Is giving this guy a weekly forum on national television really a well-conceived idea where he can shred the hopes of like young up and coming singers? I`m going to have to say that you guys need to go back to the drawing board on this one.
HAMMER: Maybe it will mellow him. Maybe it will chill the guy out a little bit. Maybe it`ll --
KANAN: Yes maybe the way he already pulled this showbiz guy out.
HAMMER: I don`t know. All right, well look, from the empty "Idol" judge`s seat, we must move on to the coveted host opening at the "X- Factor", here`s number two on "The Showbiz Countdown: You`re Hired". It`s Kevin Hart.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KEVIN HART, ACTOR: Taylor, for the last time, stop writing songs about me.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is not about you at all.
HART: Oh it`s not about me?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No.
HART: So I just made it up? I just come in here with a story?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
HART: I don`t have time for this, not this. I`m hosting the VMAs. It`s a big night for me. I`m not going be in there to be known as Mr. ex- Taylor Swift.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I met you like one time two years ago for five minutes.
HART: Well, that a lie, that`s a lie. I have this and you met me one time two years ago.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That`s your face photo shopped on someone else`s body. That`s not even a good photo shop.
HART: What are you, a photo doctor?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Fantastic. It`s such a great spoof. I think he`s so funny. Kevin is hosting the Video Music Awards next month and I`m thinking if he`s hosting is anywhere as funny as the spots he is using to promote the special, we would hire him.
But Retta I must ask you. No question, as you know it helps to be funny when you`re hosting a live show where anything can happen.
RETTA: I agree. I love Kevin Hart. But I say we get rid of brand x, have Russell Brand host. We call it "Brand X Factor" and he can only perform as Aldo Snow.
HAMMER: Yes, I like the idea. Although I think that Simon wouldn`t have anybody taking so much attention away from him. What do you think of that Sean, what do you think of this guy, Kevin Hart, hosting the "X Factor?" They`ve got to fill the job.
KANAN: Well you know he`s really funny. I mean, I had -- I have to honest, I had seen him in the spoof movie, I had to do a little research on his career. He`s had a really terrific career working as a stand-up comedian. He`s going to be really well prepared for the VMAs, anything coming his way.
And what I really like is the fact that people are thinking outside the box, taking a guy that maybe isn`t, you know, on the top, top tier and trying to elevate him. And I think that`s great. Because we seem to see, you know, sort of the same faces reconstituted a lot. I would like to see some new, fresh blood.
HAMMER: Yes. Now this is definitely going to push him into the stratosphere.
All right, one more job to fill tonight who should be the next big reality TV star? We plucked the superstar right out of Hollywood. So Retta, Sean, stay where you are. Our "Showbiz Countdown" rolls on with our number one pick coming up next.
But first, Mariah`s triumphant return.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(MARIAH CAREY MUSIC VIDEO)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ dares to ask, is Mariah`s new song a blockbuster hit or major miss? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: It`s the "Showbiz Countdown: You`re Hired". Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT recruits top entertainers to fill reality TV`s most coveted jobs. So producers, we`re working for you. Look no further, we`ve got you covered.
At number five, we`d hire Olympic gold medalist Ryan Lochte as the next bachelor. Number four, the great Whoopi Goldberg would be our choice to fill the empty judge`s seat on "America`s Got Talent" with Sharon Osbourne saying she`s out. Kanye West number three on our list to join the judge`s table at "American Idol". Comedian Kevin Hart would be our choice as the new host of the "X-Factor".
And at number one tonight -- well, you be the judge. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Say her name she wants you to say her name.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hi, Mary Kate.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, my God. I`m sorry.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That`s ok. It`s very -- it`s exciting. You`re meeting like your --
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, my God. Oh my God, you`re so sweet.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: How sweet is that? Ellen DeGeneres making a Taylor Swift fan`s dream come true there. I think those were real tears, safe to say. Taylor Swift is number one on the "Showbiz You`re Hired Countdown.
I want to bring back actress and comedienne Retta from NBC`s "Parks and Recreation"; also actor Sean Kanan, author of "The Modern Gentleman". Mary Kate obviously not the only big Taylor Swift fan out there. She`s hot on the charge. She just released an all-new record-breaking single. She is reportedly dating a member of the Kennedy family, young Conor Kennedy. And she also reportedly has just purchased a mega mansion across from the Kennedy compound.
So we here at SHOWBIZ TONIGHT think it`s high time for Taylor Swift to have her own reality show. Sean, are you watching that?
KANAN: Wow, I`m just marvelling at what -- I thought I had a lot going on in my life. That is amazing what she`s got going on in her life. But I got to tell you A.J., I`m a little old school, man. I really, I missed the days of -- of the Danny Bonaduces and all the -- all of the great train wreck conflict that really got reality started.
So you know, I`m going to -- I`m going to suggest that we -- we look back to some of our great ones.
HAMMER: Oh see, no, I have a different opinion. And Retta, I`ll ask you quickly don`t you think she could un-Jersey Shore reality TV?
RETTA: I don`t know -- I don`t know that I find her interesting enough. I -- I would be interested in seeing Miliam (ph); that`s my mash- up of Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth because I think she`s gregarious and he seems kind of quiet and I would love to know what they are like behind closed doors.
HAMMER: All right, your suggestion is duly noted. But Taylor Swift is still number one with us.
Retta, Sean Kanan it`s great having you both here. Thanks.
KANAN: Thanks A.J.
HAMMER: We move now to Michael`s big TV return. Michael J. Fox returns to NBC, the same network that made him a star with "Family Ties". Now, a generation after Alex P. Keaton became a household name, Michael`s new show could drastically change TV sitcoms as we know them.
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(MARIAH CAREY MUSIC VIDEO)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes, she`s back. Mariah Carey triumphantly returns; Mariah really rocking her post-baby body there and showing them how it`s done in her video for "Triumphant". It features Rick Ross and Meek Mill. This is the first single off Mariah`s highly, highly anticipated now album.
A lot of people say that it`s really true in Mariah`s case. It`s been so long since she has delivered us any new music. The song, totally Mariah`s style; it`s got those glass-shattering high notes, little hip hop influence. Question is, is it a hit or miss?
With me in New York, entertainment journalist, Sowmya Krishnamurthy. So this video just debuted --
SOWMYA KRISHNAMURTHY, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: Yes.
HAMMER: -- people have been waiting for new music from Mariah, as I said, for a very, very long time.
KRISHNAMURTHY: Yes, we have.
HAMMER: I like it.
KRISHNAMURTHY: Yes.
HAMMER: That doesn`t mean anything. Is "Triumphant" in your mind as a news journalist and entertainment journalist and an expert in all these things -- is it a hit or a miss?
KRISHNAMURTHY: I think it`s a hit for Mariah. I think she looks amazing in the video after having "them babies" as she calls it.
HAMMER: Yes.
KRISHNAMURTHY: And it`s Mariah in her splendor. It`s opulent, there`s sparkles and gold and glitter. And she`s known for always partnering with kind of who`s hot in hip hop. Rick Ross and Meek Mill, you really can`t get hotter than that right now.
HAMMER: Great collaboration for her.
KRISHNAMURTHY: I think it`s a great collaboration for her. I know a lot of her fans want the ballad. Like where`s the slow song? Where`s the love song?
HAMMER: Well, yes, that`s been going on for --
KRISHNAMURTHY: Exactly.
HAMMER: -- since 1989.
KRISHNAMURTHY: Exactly.
HAMMER: We move now from Mariah`s formula to brand new edge for Miley Cyrus. She shocked us all with her fashion forward new haircut. Now she`s teamed up with an Israeli (inaudible) producer for this song, "Decisions". Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(MILEY CYRUS MUSIC VIDEO)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: You don`t even hear her singing there.
KRISHNAMURTHY: Right.
HAMMER: But you do in parts of the song -- barely. Hit or miss for her? Radically different.
KRISHNAMURTHY: I think it`s a miss. I think instead if "Decisions", it should have been "Indecision". I think it`s sonically, it`s great and it`s really interesting. But is it Miley? It`s a little explicit. It`s a little edgy.
HAMMER: Strange direction for her to go.
KRISHNAMURTHY: Very strange direction. I think Miley needs an identity and then we`re totally on board. But this one doesn`t work for me.
HAMMER: Got it. Sowmya, great to have you here. Thank you so much.
KRISHNAMURTHY: Thank you.
HAMMER: We move to Michael`s big TV return. It is hard to believe it was 30 years ago when Michael J. Fox became TV`s most loveable Republican. Well, now after years of semi-retirement because of his Parkinson`s disease, Michael is returning to his sitcom roots on the very network that made him a star. The actor and activist could also be making history by entertaining us and educating us about his life with Parkinson`s.
Here is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter with the "SHOWBIZ Special Report".
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MICHAEL J. FOX, ACTOR: I knew it would come in handy.
KAREEN WYNTER, HLN CORRESPONDENT: Michael J. Fox has been getting laughs on television since his scene-stealing role as Alex P. Keaton on the 1980s hit "Family Ties".
CHRISTOPHER LLOYD, ACTOR: You made it.
FOX: Yes.
WYNTER: He went on to star on the big screen in the "Back to the Future" series and other films before returning to TV in 1996 on "Spin City".
FOX: Let`s start with the roof (ph).
WYNTER: What viewers didn`t know was away from the cameras, Fox had been battling Parkinson`s since 1991, a disease which impacts the central nervous system and motor skills. As his symptoms increased, Fox announced plans to scale back his acting in 2000 and started a foundation, which (inaudible) to advance a Parkinson`s cure.
FOX: The war against Parkinson`s is a winnable war.
WYNTER: While Fox has become a vocal research advocate, he has also continued acting with smaller roles on shows like "The Good Wife".
FOX: Are you happy the lock on our bedroom is (inaudible).
WYNTER: But now Fox is taking on perhaps his biggest role yet, announcing plans to star in a new NBC sitcom that will be based on his experiences as a father living with Parkinson`s.
MAGGIE FURLONG, WEST COAST EDITOR, HUFFPOST TV: NBC is saying not only do we think you can lead this show, not only do we think people will want to see this show about Parkinson`s, we know people will tune in for you. And we know that so much so that we will give you a full season sight unseen.
WYNTER: Maggie Furlong is a TV expert for the Huffington Post. She says Fox`s new show will undoubtedly entertain along with educate viewers about life with Parkinson`s.
FURLONG: It`s not going to look anything like a traditional sitcom. I really feel like they`re trying to push the envelope and I feel like the Parkinson`s story line is just going to sort of ease into that really naturally, which will be nice for viewers to not be hit over the head with a message. It`s just going to be part of the story.
WYNTER: As to how Fox will handle his disease with an increased workload, in a recent interview with CNN, Fox said it`s gotten easier to manage his symptoms over the years.
FOX: I`m really fulfilled and 20 years on, I`m doing a lot better than I ever thought I would be doing.
WYNTER: Fox will start filming his new show this year for a Fall 2013 premiere. In the meantime, his fans can look forward to new laughs with a familiar face.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: It is so great to have him back. That was SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter. And according to the Huffington Post, Michael`s show will be shot in New York City to keep him close to home.
Well, you are about to find out which star couple is following in the footsteps of Brangelina and how the couple intends to do it.
And it`s the end of an era -- it`s officially over for TomKat. Today`s big buzz worthy stories are next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Well, TomKat is officially over as Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes speedy divorce is finalized.
Meanwhile another star couple follows in Brangelina`s footsteps, refusing to get hitched until everyone can.
And Taylor Swift`s ultimate break-up song goes where no woman never, ever has gone before.
It`s "The Buzz Today" Hollywood love and heartache edition.
Taylor`s Swift hit. Taylor Swift just scored one for the record books. Her new single "We are Never Ever Getting Back Together" got 623,000 paid downloads since its release last week, according to Billboards. That makes it the biggest digital sales week ever for a song by a woman.
Taylor trumped the likes of Kesha`s "Tick Tock" and Lady Gaga`s "Born This Way" to break the record and also hit the milestone of largest digital debut overall just behind Flo Rida`s release of "Right Round" in 2009. The single will be on Swift`s new album "Red" which comes out on October 22nd.
TomKat done for good -- Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes` five-year marriage is officially finished. Court records show that a New York judge signed off on the case Monday according to E! News. The finalization comes just a month and a half after Holmes shocked the world by filing for divorce from Cruise and seeking sole custody of their 6-year-old daughter Suri. The former power couple reached a settlement in less than two weeks, which remains confidential.
Dax and Kristen`s gay marriage vow -- Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard opened up to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT about their on-screen chemistry in the new action romance "Hit and Run" and their real-life engagement. But they also reveal why they`re not getting married yet. The couple explains that they support same-sex marriage and until it`s legal everywhere they won`t head to the altar either.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KRISTEN BELL, ACTRESS: I don`t believe in standing in the way of love and I want to stand up for that right and that`s what it is. It doesn`t boil down to anything other than if someone else wants to commit their life to another person, why would I not bolster that argument?
DAX SHEPARD, ACTOR: We`re not punishing America by not getting married. That`s not what we`re doing. We`re not going to have a party and invite our friends, half of whom can`t do that thing. We`re not going to ask them to come celebrate a right they don`t have. That`s just tacky. Forget like anything else, it`s really tacky for us to do that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Good for them.
Showtime`s new series called "Polyamory: Married and Dating" is getting a lot of attention. All about real-life couples that seek relationships with other lovers; how does that work?
Dr. Drew has your answers right now.
END
