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Showbiz Tonight

What Effect will Ruling Have on Armstrong?; New Details on LL Cool J`s Run-in with Burglar; Searching for Elusive Musician Sugar Man; One on One with Michael Strahan; Showbiz Countdown: You`re Hired; Mariah: Back to Fighting Form?; Michael`s Big TV Return

Aired August 24, 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, fall from grace. Legend Lance Armstrong banned from cycling for life after dropping his long battle against doping allegations. Will he also lose his seven Tour de France titles? Could he somehow still come out of this scandal a winner?

Hello, 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. Now, we`ve got an Olympian, a comedy legend, and a country megastar. So who`s the pick for the top jobs on TV? Well, we`ll get to that in a moment.

But first tonight, a tale of two heroes. Lance Armstrong falls from grace in a big way over doping charges. LL Cool J raises his star after taking down a burglar. We`re talking about two very real star dramas with two very different outcomes. But could they both end up winners?

Let`s start can Lance Armstrong, who is watching his world crumble after he decided to end his fight against the U.S. Doping [SIC] Agency. This is the decision that bans him from cycling for life. And now he faces getting stripped of all his wins since 1998.

Now, this morning on "The Today Show," the chief executive of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, Travis Tygart, told NBC News Lance Armstrong will be hit with serious penalties. Let`s watch that together.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRAVIS TYGART, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, U.S. ANTI-DOPING AGENCY (via phone): He will be immediately disqualified from all events that he participated in from August 1, 1998, forward through the present. And he will be permanently banned from any future competition. And it`s a powerful reminder to athletes that doping never pays.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: Some serious consequences there. But could Lance`s fall actually win him sympathy?

From Atlanta, I want to bring in sports attorney David Cornwell. David, obviously, a sad day for Hollywood and the sports world, as we see yet another beloved celebrity fall victim to a shocking scandal, but Lance had to know the consequences of his move.

So to our "SHOWBIZ Flashpoint," Lance Armstrong gives up his doping fight. Was it the right move? Well, David, you know it could not have been an easy decision for him.

DAVID CORNWELL, SPORTS ATTORNEY: I`m sure it was not an easy decision, but I believe it was a calculated decision. I believe that Lance Armstrong decided that his brand and his accomplishments are stronger than the witch-hunt that Travis Tygart and U.S. -- USADA has mounted against him.

Listen, we have well-accepted procedures in the world, under the World Anti-Doping Association, of how we establish an athlete used performance- enhancing substances. It`s detailed from chain of custody, collection to testing.

Lance Armstrong passed hundreds of tests. And now here comes Travis and says, "I`ve got ten people who will point their finger at you and say you did it." That`s absurd. That`s McCarthyism in sport. And Travis has undermined the scientific basis for testing across the world by going in this route.

I think Lance and America and the world will say ultimately, "This was a witch hunt. Travis doesn`t get to say we didn`t see what we saw. Travis doesn`t get to say that Lance Armstrong, one of the most inspirational and accomplished athletes in our time, is no longer what we believe him to be." I think this is absurd.

HAMMER: It`s an interesting point, and even while Armstrong is dropping the fight, he is, as you say, still maintaining his innocence. Let me read a bit of what he says, in part, "There comes a point in every man`s life when he has to say enough is enough. For me, that time is now."

Yes, so to your point there, David, it seems like he`s just done with it, and there does seem to be an awful lot of sympathy out there for Lance.

I want to go to E! chief news correspondent, Ken Baker. Ken, do you think the sympathy in this situation outweighs the people who are saying that Lance somehow had this coming?

KEN BAKER, CHIEF NEWS CORRESPONDENT, E!: I think that he`s been under suspicion for over a decade now. And it seems to me that a lot of people have already made up their mind, whether or not they`re a fan of his or not, whether they believe he used performance-enhancing drugs or not. So I think today`s decision, it really isn`t going to impact public opinion that much, because people have been given all the information for a very long time.

So I do think that, if he did choose to fight it, there possibly could have been a lot more mud dragged into it. His reputation could have been sullied even more than it already has.

But at the end of the day, look at, his celebrity is enduring. His impact on raising money for cancer, estimated at around $500 million that he`s raised.

And people aren`t running away from him by any stretch of the imagination, A.J. Nike just said that they`re standing by him. Of course, they have been very supportive of him in endorsements; not only endorsements but also charity with the Livestrong Foundation.

So there`s no evidence that anyone is running away from him. I think there are people who believe he did use drugs, and those who believe he did not, and I don`t think today`s events really affect that either way that much.

HAMMER: OK. So it`s not as if, because this announcement is made, suddenly people are ripping off their Livestrong bracelets and tossing them into the garbage.

Of course, Lance Armstrong joins a growing list of fallen celebrities that includes Tiger Woods and, you know, others in other parts of the world like John Edwards, Mel Gibson. So many more.

David, what`s your take? How does his downfall, in terms of what has happened to his career, compare to, say, the biggest celebrity scandals of our time? I would think it ranks up here, because here was a guy who was at the pinnacle. And even if he`s quitting sort of, you know, because he feels he just has to be done with it all, it still is a downfall. How do you think it ranks?

CORNWELL: I actually think it`s pretty low on the list, because I`m not sure that this is a downfall. I think that Americans will and should question the legitimacy of USADA`s accusations.

We -- we have a well-established process for establishing drug use in sports. It`s scientific analysis. He has never tested positive. Because Travis comes along and says, "Well, ten people are willing to point their finger at you, and I conclude on a non-analytical basis that you`re guilty," I think that America should reject Travis, not Lance. They haven`t proved that he`s taken performance-enhancing substances.

HAMMER: Really interesting perspective there. I appreciate hearing from both of you. David Cornwell, Ken Baker, I thank you both.

Well, this tale of two heroes now moves from one hero`s potential fall from grace to Hollywood`s newest superhero. There are new details tonight about how much of a hurting LL Cool J put on a guy who dared to break into his house. Could you imagine?

CNN`s entertainment editor, Alan Duke, has been working on the story all day. He joins me now from Hollywood. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has learned about all of the wild details of LL`s run-in with the burglar.

First off, the guy who broke into LL`s home is a violent criminal. I know that we`re hailing LL, but Alan, I`m also thinking, given this guy`s history, he should also be thanking his lucky stars that the story ended the way it did.

ALAN DUKE, CNN ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR: Yes, 24 years ago, this man was convicted of voluntary manslaughter, and he`s had several felonies since. LL Cool J, by taking on this man, it was pretty dangerous.

But I can tell you, I saw LL Cool J a couple weeks ago in person. He is a big man. He`s strong. He stays fit. He pounded this guy, gave him a broken jaw, broken nose and ribs, and the guy is still in the hospital.

HAMMER: Yes, he`s in the hospital, nose, jaw, ribs. I got that down here. Here`s my question, though, and I couldn`t help but think about this and somebody else asked me, Alan, LL was obviously protecting his home. He was defending himself; he was defending his family. There`s no way he could be in any kind of trouble for the beat-down he gave this guy, could there?

DUKE: Oh, absolutely not. I don`t think there`s any hint of that. I think the prosecutors are actually somewhat proud of LL Cool J The statement they issued to us yesterday was basically boasting. Here is this actor who plays a special federal agent on television taking the burglar and detaining him, physically detaining him until police arrive. They were really praising him, as they prepare to prosecute the suspect.

HAMMER: And very quickly, what happens if this guy is convicted?

DUKE: Well, they are prosecuting him under the three-strike rule. This guy could get 38 years to life in prison. They`re already asking for more than a million dollars bond for Jonathan Kirby, the 56-year-old transient. He could be in prison for the rest of his life, if a jury or a judge so chose.

HAMMER: Wow. And don`t mess with LL Cool J. I think lesson learned right there. All right, Alan. Thanks, as always.

Well, while LL is proving that he`s the man in real life, Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte could soon be on his way to being the man on reality TV. That`s right. It has just been revealed that the producers of "The Bachelor" have reached out to Lochte to get him on their show. 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 recruiter`s list? You must stay right here to find out and see if yours compare with ours.

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`" 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)

HAMMER: Tonight, I love this story, a "Real SHOWBIZ Mystery." Now, imagine if Elvis Presley had never been discovered or if you`d heard the music of the Rolling Stones, but you never saw Mick Jagger in your life. Seems like an unlikely scenario, right?

Well, tonight, we`ve got the unbelievable true tale of the iconic music touted by stars like Pharrell Williams and Zach Galifianakis. Music that`s been around for 30 years, yet no one knew the man behind it. The story is uncovered in a fascinating new documentary, and tonight, CNN`s Poppy Harlow takes us on the search for Sugar Man.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We thought he was like the inner city poet. He was this wandering spirit around the city.

POPPY HARLOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Sixto Rodriguez, a Dylan-esque Detroit native who tried his hand at rock history in the `70s.

(MUSIC)

MIKE THEODORE, CO-PRODUCER, "COLD FACT" BY RODRIGUEZ: When we walked in and heard the songs he was singing and what he was writing, we had to record him. We had to make a deal. He was great. It was like, this is it.

HARLOW: But it wasn`t. Rodriguez`s albums flopped in the U.S. Somehow, though, his first album, "Cold Fact," made it halfway around the world and became a massive hit.

MALIK BENDJELLOUL, DIRECTOR, "SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN": In South Africa, he was in a pantheon of rock gods.

STEPHEN SEGERMAN, OWNER, MABU VINYL IN CAPE TOWN: To us, it was one of the most famous records of all time.

HARLOW: The soundtrack of the antiapartheid movement, fueling a revolution.

(MUSIC)

HARLOW: But at home in Detroit, Rodriguez had no idea. He`d given up his music career. That was four decades ago.

You used to play right across the street there, right?

SIXTO "SUGAR MAN" RODRIGUEZ, MUSICIAN: I played a lot of places in Detroit.

HARLOW (voice-over): Unaware of his fame abroad and getting no royalties, Rodriguez lived on little, raising his daughters doing demolition work.

RODRIGUEZ: No matter. I stayed with the hard work (ph).

HARLOW: He made failed bids for mayor, city council, and state rep.

(on camera) You call yourself a musical politico?

RODRIGUEZ: Musical politico, yes. I don`t see how anyone can`t be. And it`s not political.

HARLOW (voice-over): Then at 57, he was rediscovered by a South African music journalist and a record-store owner, who found clues in his lyrics.

SEGERMAN: We found him! We found him!

HARLOW: They brought Rodriguez to South Africa, and he played to thousands of adoring fans.

RODRIGUEZ: Thanks for keeping me alive.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He`s onstage and the crowd is just going wild. And they`re singing. And they`re crying.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It brings you to tears to see something like that happen to someone.

RODRIGUEZ: Well, that was -- it was special (ph).

HARLOW (on camera): Do you not think that your story is exceptional beyond belief?

RODRIGUEZ: It`s pretty -- it`s a pretty wild story, you know. I`m a lucky man to be so fortunate at this late stage.

BENDJELLOUL: This is a true Cinderella story.

HARLOW: Filmmaker Malik Bendjelloul tells it in his documentary, "Searching for Sugar Man."

BENDJELLOUL: A man who leads his whole life in Detroit, doing construction work, really hard labor. He doesn`t know that at the very same time, he`s as famous as Elvis Presley in another part of the world.

I thought it was a beautiful story I`d ever heard in my life.

HARLOW: A beautiful story but also a mystery. Where were all of the royalties?

BENDJELLOUL: I don`t know. I don`t know. I do think it`s an important question, because the reason Rodriguez didn`t know that he was famous was that he wasn`t getting any royalties.

HARLOW: Asked if he feels ripped off?

RODRIGUEZ: Oh, well, no. I -- not in that sense of it, and hate is too strong an emotion to waste on someone you don`t like. You know?

HARLOW (on camera): Do you want the fame and fortune?

RODRIGUEZ: Fame is fleeting.

HARLOW (voice-over): Now 70, Rodriguez may finally get his due.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you, Rodriguez.

HARLOW (on camera): Do you ever pinch yourself and ask is this real?

RODRIGUEZ: Is it real? It`s certainly a different life. You know? It`s certainly not what it was.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HAMMER: I just love that story. That was CNN`s Poppy Harlow for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. "Searching for Sugar Man" is playing in select theaters right now.

And right now, Kanye West, you`re hired. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT recruits top entertainers to fill TV`s most coveted jobs. 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 superstar celebs make our "Countdown," "You`re Hired"? Are your favorites going to be on this list? You need to stick around to find out.

This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HAMMER: Well, the 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. And 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. She 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, "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: I think 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, judges` 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 judges` 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`m just coming 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 up there to be known as Mr. ex- Taylor Swift.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I met you like one time two years ago for like 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 his 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, you know, 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)

ELLEN DEGENERES, TALK SHOW HOST: Say her name she wants you to say her name.

TAYLOR SWIFT, SINGER: Hi, Mary Kate.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, my God. I`m sorry.

DEGENERES: 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, you know, 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 new 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 dubstep 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? You know, 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 the 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 for 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: Thank you for watching. Remember SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can be seen week nights at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific right here on HLN.

And of course, HLN continues right now.

END