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Showbiz Tonight
`Idol` Judges Get in Shouting Match; Khloe Kardashian to Co-Host `X Factor`; Bristol Palin Survives Another Week on `Dancing with the Stars`; LeAnn Rime Blames Fans for Breakdown; The Top Five Presidential Impersonators; Is Every Critic A Bully?
Aired October 03, 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 on the SHOWBIZ Countdown, Reality Rumble. It`s a battle of the divas. Nicki Minaj goes off on Mariah Carey while taping "American Idol." Will Nicki`s foul-mouth tirade be No. 1 on tonight`s SHOWBIZ Countdown, Reality Rumble?
Thank you very watching. I`m A.J. Hammer.
Tonight in the SHOWBIZ Countdown, the Reality Rumble. The big three reality-show stories breaking today that are an out-and-out Reality Rumble.
We kick off the Reality Rumble with the remarkable caught-on-tape confrontation between Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey. It happened at the judges` table during an early "American Idol" audition in Charlotte, North Carolina. The two divas facing off after they apparently disagreed over a contestant, and Nicki attacking Mariah and anyone in the way with an expletive-filled tirade. That is No. 3 on this countdown. Let`s watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NICKI MINAJ, JUDGE, "AMERICAN IDOL": Get this (EXPLETIVE DELETED) control. I am control. Taking control. Taking control.
RANDY JACKSON, JUDGE, "AMERICAN IDOL": Calm down, calm down, calm down.
MINAJ: Don`t lose your head. Don`t lose your head. Don`t tell me that`s gangster. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) every five minutes. So every (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Take it back (UNINTELLIGIBLE) problem.
JACKSON: Time out.
MINAJ: I told them I`m not (EXPLETIVE DELETED) putting up with her (EXPLETIVE DELETED) highness over there. Figure it the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) out. Figure it out. I`m not going to sit here every (EXPLETIVE DELETED) (UNINTELLIGIBLE) to have you come down and harass me every minute every day.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Wow. Well, if that is real it`s fantastic. Nicki Minaj just tearing into Mariah Carey there, telling us how she really feels.
Let us take on this apparently ugly confrontation with Michael Urie, who of course, we loved on "Ugly Betty." Michael is now starring in a great show, the very funny hit sitcom "Partners" on CBS.
And joining me from Hollywood, Kita Williams. Kita is a celebrity publicist who you know from VH1`s "The T.O. Show."
So we only saw a little snippet of Nicki`s knockdown, drag-out fury against Mariah there, but wow, was it a fury. Based on what we did see, Michael, are you on team Mariah, team Nicki, or are you kind of like me and on team Keith Urban, who kind of got stuck in the middle of these two?
MICHAEL URIE, ACTOR: Keith all the way. That poor guy. He was trapped. And over there Randy -- Randy is just trying to calm everybody down: "Dawg, dawg, calm down, dawg, dawg." And then poor Keith is just sitting there in the middle. And doesn`t Nicki know that Mariah could kill everyone with her high-pitched voice?
HAMMER: Yes, it has been known to shatter glass, eardrums. Who knows? Good point. Listen, obviously, somebody was inside that "Idol" audition shooting this video. And let`s be very honest about all this. "Idol" could use all of the publicity it can get. Judging by how explosive this video is, the show is getting exactly what it needed.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MINAJ: (EXPLETIVE DELETED every five minutes. So every time you patronize me, I`m going to take it back. And if you`ve got a (EXPLETIVE DELETED) problem, handle it. I told them I`m not (EXPLETIVE DELETED) putting up with her (EXPLETIVE DELETED) highness over there. Figure it the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) out. Figure it out. I`m not going to sit here every (EXPLETIVE DELETED) day like to have you come down and harass me every minute every day.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: And I hope the actual studio cameras were rolling when that happened, Kita. You know how the publicity machine works. And in fact, "Idol" host Ryan Seacrest said this morning on his radio show that this is actually good for the show. I imagine you`re with Ryan.
KITA WILLIAMS, VH1`s "THE T.O. SHOW": Absolutely. I think it`s excellent for the show. I mean, obviously, there`s been tension brewing for some time now, because you see the outburst there.
And I think, you know, as a publicist we know that there are some things that we have to do, good or bad. But this is good publicity for "Idol." And honestly, I think that we need to cue LL Cool J`s song "Momma Said Knock You Out," because Mariah needs to stay clear. Nicki will pull that wig off and knock her out.
HAMMER: You know, there`s your reality show right there. I would love to see that happen. Or maybe not. I don`t know. I love Mariah. You know I love you.
Let`s move on as we go to what`s next on our Reality Rumble on the SHOWBIZ Countdown. Something that can actually top that.
It`s another reality odd couple. And this is No. 2 on the countdown. This just in. A Kardashian is joining up with Simon, Britney, Demi, and L.A. on "The X Factor." SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has just confirmed Khloe Kardashian is waiting for the ink to dry on a new deal to co-host the show with "Extra`s" Mario Lopez. It`s going to happen when live shows kick off in November.
Michael, you know what it`s like to host a reality show. You hosted TLC`s "Miss America, Reality Check." So please give me a reality check if you think Khloe and Mario will work together on this show well.
URIE: Well, Mario will be great. He`s a phenomenal host already. I don`t know if Khloe has hosted anything, but her name is Kardashian, so people will watch. I thought of changing my name to Kardashian many, many times.
It`s obviously, you know, a smart thing to do. Everybody loves those Kardashians, and they watch anything that those -- those people do.
HAMMER: All right, Michael Kardashian. That`s fine. If you don`t mind, that`s what I`ll call you for the rest of our segment here.
URIE: By all means. I just got 10,000 new Twitter followers.
HAMMER: There you go.
It`s going to be very interesting to see if this actually works. Yes, Mario has come quite a long day since, you know, going from actor to taking on all -- taking on all of these hosting duties that he`s done, including, you know, some of the pageant shows and, of course, "Extra."
Khloe, I think people are just going to want to tune in to see what she`s going to do or say.
But there is another couple causing controversy on our SHOWBIZ Countdown, Reality Rumble tonight. Outrage after Bristol Palin and Mark Ballas survived yet another day on "Dancing with the Stars." The controversy is our No. 1 Reality Rumble tonight.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Bristol and Mark, you`re safe.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: There you go. Bristol safe. Joey Fatone, my buddy Joey going home. I was pretty upset to see that.
It caused a rumble online today, Kita. We saw Bristol make the top three the last time she was on the show. Do you get the outrage of her being able to remain on board?
WILLIAMS: Absolutely I get the outrage. I think America wants to be a part of a real reality show. I mean, Bristol Palin wouldn`t know rhythm if it smacked her in the face. And I think we all see that she`s not technically a dancer.
And as far as keeping her on the show, I think that it`s important for us to know that I think America`s going to vote the best dancer. But we realize it`s not really about dancing. And I`m not exactly sure if that`s going to help "Dancing with the Stars," because we want to see stars that can dance. And she, she`s not one of them.
HAMMER: Is this strange that this is going on, people are potentially voting for Bristol Palin just as this presidential election is going to happen? It`s all very odd to me.
But Nischelle, let me bring you in. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Nischelle Turner is in Hollywood. She was right there in the ballroom after eliminations last night. Did Bristol actually seem surprised that she survived?
NISCHELLE TURNER, CORRESPONDENT, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT: Yes, she did. You know, Bristol told me herself that her scores this week had her worried. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRISTOL PALIN, CONTESTANT, "DANCING WITH THE STARS": I was stressed about tonight, because we did have the lowest score. And I`m excited that we got through. And we`re just going to be putting in the work this week.
TURNER: and if it didn`t show you, it showed you that this is a lot about the fan vote. Because you had, what, two 22 1/2s and a 23. And everybody was so close, and everyone`s dance was good.
MARK BALLAS, PROFESSIONAL DANCER, "DANCING WITH THE STARS": Yes. There was a lot of people, like, clumped together in the middle of the pack. So it just goes to show you you never know, man.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
TURNER: Yes. You know, this is the all-star season, A.J. And most everybody is so good, so the scores are all so close. You know, the fan vote is really important. So for all we know, Bristol could win this whole thing.
HAMMER: We`ll see if that actually happens. I don`t know if it will. But Nischelle, thank you very much.
Michael Urie Kardashian, thank you. Kita Williams thank you. And be sure to catch Michael on his new show, "Partners," Monday nights on CBS. And his name is not really Kardashian.
Moving on now to fat shame?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JENNIFER LIVINGSTONE, NEWS ANCHOR: The truth is I am overweight. You can call me fat and yes even obese on a doctor`s chart. But to the person who wrote me that letter, do you think I don`t know that? That your cruel words are pointing out something that I don`t see?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: You`ve got to see this. The Wisconsin news anchor who`s striking back at a viewer who called her fat and a bad role model. But here`s the question: is this guy just a jerk or is he is serious bully?
Plus, now that the presidential debate is over, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is debating who`s the best presidential impersonator ever?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are almost out of time. So I will instead ask each candidate to sum up in a single word the best argument for his candidacy. Governor Bush?
WILL FERRELL, FORMER CAST MEMBER, NBC`S "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE": Strategery.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Is Will Ferrell`s side-splitting take on George W. Bush going to take the top presidential impersonator slot? Or maybe it will be Chevy Chase`s classic lampooning of the late Gerald Ford?
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Right now the inspiring comeback that is trending big time tonight. Adam Greenberg was just given a second chance to hit in the Major Leagues after getting drilled in a head with a fastball seven years ago. He got seriously hurt at the time.
Now, he struck out, but you never would have known it from the standing ovation he got. He called these second chance in the big leagues magical.
Coming up, Jennie Garth`s rebirth after her devastating divorce. We`re going to tell you why she has never looked better.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Tonight the private pain of stars revealed.
We learned today that LeAnn Rimes is finally speaking out for the first time about the emotional issues that recently led to her to check into a facility for 30 days of treatment.
Rimes gave an interview, brand-new one to "The Boston Herald." She revealed how Twitter, Facebook, and angry fans actually pushed her to the brink.
Listen to what she says: "I think it`s really hard to deal with Twitter and Facebook, reading and seeing things that someone you don`t even know says about you. As much as you said you don`t want it to penetrate, it does. Because you`re human."
And you know, with the powers of social media on the rise, we have to ask is this the new price of fame where, you know, everyone is walking around with one of these?
Famed actress Rosario Dawson knows about having every move scrutinized. Rosario has starred in some great movies, including "Men in Black II" and "Sin City." And I am thrilled that she is with me in New York tonight. Rosario is now working with the Allstate Foundation`s great cause. It`s the purple purse campaign, raising awareness for domestic violence.
There`s the purple purse. There`s Rosario. It`s great to see you.
ROSARIO DAWSON, ACTRESS: Great to see you too, A.J. Thanks for having me.
HAMMER: You`re welcome. So look, you`re a really big star. I`ve got to believe that you sympathize with what LeAnn is saying here. No matter how thick-skinned you may be, it is tough seeing things that aren`t true, maybe even nasty things out these about you.
DAWSON: Oh, yes. I always say to people truly, really should not believe everything they read. If I read everything that was said about myself, it would just be astounding.
You know, I think the reality is that, you know, we are in an amazing period of time where we do have social media that gives us the opportunity to work and talk about great causes like the purple purse campaign which I`m here to talk about, but at the same time it exposes us to people we might not otherwise meet. I just did a speech at USF, and I walked out and 500 people had cell phones up like this. So immediately I had a sweat mustache and was like freaking out. Because you`re that much more exposed now than you ever were before.
But, you know, when I think about how amazing it would be to have Martin Luther King on Twitter, you know? What an amazing gift to have. To reach that many people and imagine the hate and the things he had to deal with as well. So it`s kind of just par for the course.
HAMMER: Yes. Sadly, it is this double-edged sword. But I was really surprised to see this, Rosario. You`ll get a kick out of this.
Even James bond feeling the pressures of living in the spotlight. Or at least the guy who plays Bond, is Daniel Craig, of course. Listen to what he just revealed in a brand-new interview with "Vanity Fair." It`s his feelings on how celebrities have no privacy.
Here`s what he said: "Back in the day you could go and have a drink in the bar, get drunk, fall over, have a good time, relax, whatever, and no one would know about it. But now everyone`s got a camera, which is sad because I like bars."
Craig`s obviously having some fun there. But he`s serious about missing his privacy.
DAWSON: Yes.
HAMMER: And I imagine you get where he`s coming from.
DAWSON: Yes. And I think it`s actually good for people to speak out about that, because you know, I think the automatic reply, especially from people who are putting up videos of themselves in some of the worst positions possible, like really embarrassing stuff out people put out there just so they can have a million views. They maybe find it hard to sympathize with someone who`s as famous as they want to be.
But the reality is that, you know, we`re human. I mean, there might be magazines that say, "They`re just like us." But yes, at what point did becoming an actor or a singer mean that you don`t walk your kids home from school? Or why is it a bad thing if they don`t?
You know, I was a latch key kid. My parents were working all the time. They weren`t always able to.
I think just trying to ostracize as a celebrity as being so different from us, as if they`re not human, is a big problem.
But at the end of the day for me, I`m really grateful to be able to use social media. Anyone who follows me knows I`m constantly putting out stuff for petitions and things that I care about. And you know, I will debate with you. You know, I`m happy to agree to disagree. You know, agree to disagree. But I actually find it as a real gift. And I think people who hire me for films are really happy about it. Because I don`t just spend all my time in a red carpet talking about things other than the movie. I`m usually there to...
HAMMER: That is why we love you. You`re doing a lot of positive things including a great project this month raising awareness of domestic violence. Tell me about that.
DAWSON: Yes. It`s Domestic Violence Awareness month actually. So you know, there`s a lot of people wearing pink this month, because it`s also Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but we hope people will start rocking some purple purses, because it`s Domestic Violence Awareness Month. And Allstate Foundation is partnered with PurplePurse.com to get people talking about domestic violence.
Inside each of these 500 purses that they passed around the country is information for people who know someone who`s affected by domestic violence or is affected by domestic violence to get the resources and tools that they need. Usually, are -- which are financial. People tend to stay in abusive relationships, because they feel like, "Well, I`d either be homeless or I can feed my kids and be hurt." And people shouldn`t have to choose between their safety and financial security.
HAMMER: Well, good for you for getting the word out. And before I let you go, I must congratulate you on your new movie, "Fire on Fire." An amazing cast: you, you`ve got the Bruce Willis, you`ve got the Josh DeMille. That will be in theaters November 6. Rosario, it`s great to see you. Thanks for being here.
DAWSON: Thank you so much.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is getting ready to have some fun and count down the top five presidential impersonators tonight. Will Van Meter`s spoof of JFK take the top spot? Maybe it will be Darrell Hammond`s spot-on impression of Bill Clinton.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DARRELL HAMMOND, FORMER CAST MEMBER, NBC`S "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE": I would like to say my friend Al Gore is the right choice, but that would not be truthful. And I believe if there is one thing my presidency will be remembered for, it will be honesty and integrity.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Hot stuff. "Dancing with the Stars" judges called Kirstie "dirty flirty Kirstie" for that dance. You`ve got to give it up for 61-year-old dancing all-star Kirstie Alley for working it so hard on the ballroom floor last night. And I can tell you, she kept that flirty vibe going long after she left the dance floor.
Who encountered that flirty vibe? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s own Nischelle Turner, when they went one on one after the elimination round. And apparently, she dropped some kind of a bombshell to you, Nischelle. I`m dying to know what Kirstie revealed?
TURNER: You know, A.J., it was a little bit of a TMI moment for me. She and her dance partner, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, got downright dirty. Look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KIRSTIE ALLEY, CONTESTANT, "DANCING WITH THE STARS": I think Len is hot. And if you met Len in person, I think you would think -- I think he`s hotter in person. He`s handsome.
MAKSIM CHMERKOVSKIY, PROFESSIONAL DANCER, "DANCING WITH THE STARS": I never knew you needed glasses.
ALLEY: Len is handsome. Seriously a handsome man. I`d do him.
CHMERKOVSKIY: Well, that`s how I know...
ALLEY: If he wasn`t a judge. I can`t do him while the show is on, because then -- you know, you`re not supposed to what where your sleep. You know? You`re not supposed to -- whatever that saying is.
TURNER: Does anything ever surprise you with her?
CHMERKOVSKIY: I`ve got to picture that. I don`t even want to picture that.
TURNER: That mental picture is just there now.
ALLEY: I think he`s married. So I don`t think that`s going to happen.
CHMERKOVSKIY: He`s not.
ALLEY: Well, he`s hot.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TURNER: And of course they`re talking about Len Goodman, who`s a judge on the show. Now A.J., Look, Kirstie may be in her 60s, yes. But best believe she is still burning up the ballroom.
HAMMER: And you know, throw some flirtation the judges` way, and the flattery will get you far places perhaps. We`ll see. You know.
TURNER: Exactly.
HAMMER: We`ll get started with the dancing all-stars round. Kirstie was a favorite first time she was on the show. Are you thinking she`ll go all the way this time?
TURNER: She could, I mean, just like you said. First of all, the crowd loves her. The audience love her. The fans love her and Maks. And they could very well go far. Although I have to say, A.J., I also ran into my girl-crush, Anna Trebunskaya, who is with Drew Lachey this year. So I kind of have my fingers crossed for them. But Kirstie and Maks, I could see them in the final.
HAMMER: All right. We`ll see.
Let me move to another star trying to defy his age who`s turning heads today. Seventy-four-year-old Kenny Rogers was on "The View" this morning. He looked so different after all the plastic surgery he has done. He really opened up about the surgery. Let`s watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHERRI SHEPHERD, CO-HOST, ABC`S "THE VIEW": You didn`t write about your plastic surgery in the book.
KENNY ROGERS, SINGER: I`ve never had plastic surgery. Everybody knows. Why would I write about it?
I think I started tabloid journalism. I think it was me. They said, "Oh, let`s get this guy."
SHEPHERD: Yes.
ROGERS: So I`ve always been so open about everything I`ve done, because I figure if you tell people, nobody cares. If you don`t tell them, somebody`s going to dig it up. So I just told them.
Well, I didn`t make that mistake the second time. Because I didn`t -- didn`t want it to be all we talked about on the book tour. But I mean, it`s a part of my life. And do I regret it? I don`t know. I kind of wonder sometimes what my face would look like if I hadn`t done it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: that`s wild. I still love Kenny. But look at this picture. He looks so different after the work he`s had done...
TURNER: Wow.
HAMMER: ... which he owns up to. And I give him credit for that. Some of the change is obviously aging. But you really see a big difference. Surprising to me how different he looks.
All right, Nischelle, we will leave it there.
TURNER: Yes.
HAMMER: Good to see you as always.
Now, what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Well, the presidential debate, of course, just wrapped up on CNN. Now the debate over who does the best presidential impersonation of all time is getting underway.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are almost out of time. So I will instead ask each candidate to sum up in a single word the best argument for his candidacy. Governor Bush?
FERRELL: Strategery.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Is it the brilliant Will Ferrell as President Bush, or maybe Darrell Hammond`s Bill Clinton? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is counting down the top five presidential impersonators. The question, of course, remains which hilarious comedian will come out on top? Don`t you dare move. We`re going to tell you.
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LIVINGSTONE: The truth is, I am overweight. You could call me fat and yes, even obese on a doctor`s chart. But to the person who wrote me that letter, do you think I don`t know that? That your cruel words are pointing out something that I don`t see?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Right now on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, abusing the "B" word? Tonight the great debate about the anchorwoman who`s claiming she was bullied because someone called her fat. But was it really bullying?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMOND: I would like to say my friend Al Gore is the right choice, but that would not be truthful. And I believe if there is one thing my presidency will be remembered for, it will be honesty and integrity.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: It`s the SHOWBIZ Countdown, Playing the President. We are counting down the top five impersonators who ever played the president on TV.
Darrell Hammond`s crafty Bill Clinton. Dana Carvey`s hilarious George H. W. Bush. But which man will take the number one spot as the funniest leader of the free world? It`s the SHOWBIZ Countdown, Playing the President.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT continues right now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thanks for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer. Tonight in the SHOWBIZ Countdown, Playing the President.
Well, the world watched tonight as President Obama and Mitt Romney faced off in their first debate. That was the real thing. And what we also love are the comedians who play presidents. Some comics are so good at it, we often confuse their memorable quotes with what the real president actually said.
Well now SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is counting down our top five best greatest most dead-on funny presidential impersonator. As the current president knows --
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TOMMY DAVIDSON, COMEDIAN: The economy`s in the tank. The job market`s horrible.
HAMMER: -- being impersonated is the job. And there are a few comic giants whose presidential impersonations were one for the ages.
FERRELL: Guess what, amigo, I`m coming to get you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They`re bad.
HAMMOND: I am bulletproof.
HAMMER: Tonight in the SHOWBIZ Countdown, we bring you the top five presidential impersonators.
At number five, Chevy Chase as Gerald Ford.
CHEVY CHASE, COMEDIAN: What`s this about a press conference, Ron?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You called it, Mr. President.
CHASE: Called it what?
JO PIAZZA, SENIOR EDITOR, CURRENT TV: Chevy Chase as Gerald Ford was absolutely hilarious.
CHASE: Hello?
HAMMER: Chevy Chase, performing in the mid `70s on some new comedy show called "Saturday Night Live," didn`t try too hard to look or sound like the 38th president, what he did was fall down a lot.
CHASE: Whereas the --
PIAZZA: Gerald Ford was probably one of the most athletic presidents in modern history. But Chevy decided to play him as kind of this bumbling, clumsy fool.
CHASE: Shall we begin, gentlemen?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No problem.
HAMMER: Number four on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s countdown of the top five presidential impersonators: Vaughn Meader as John F. Kennedy.
VAUGHN MEADER, COMEDIAN: I see, ladies and gentlemen, there is someone going around in this country impersonating me.
HAMMER: In the 1960s, Vaughn Meader lampooned JFK on shows like "The Ed Sullivan Show." And on records that had people lining up by the millions.
PIAZZA: It was one of the best selling albums of all time after it was released.
MEADER: He`s doing my gestures and he`s using my lines. Do not ask what this country can do for you, that`s one of my original lines.
HAMMER: Number three on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s countdown of the top presidential impersonators, Will Ferrell as George W. Bush.
FERRELL: Don`t mess with Texas.
HAMMER: Will Ferrell`s skill at lampooning the 43rd president on "Saturday Night Live" can be summed up in one word.
FERRELL: Strategery.
PIAZZA: So a lot of the American public firmly believes that George W. Bush actually mangled the word strategy and said strategery, when actually it was just Will Ferrell`s impersonation.
FERRELL: I`d like to address my remarks tonight to Mr. Osama bin Laden. You made a big mistake. If you`d had any brains, you would have challenged me to a game of Scrabble.
HAMMER: Number two on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s countdown the top five presidential impersonators, Darrell Hammond as Bill Clinton on "SNL."
HAMMOND: And I believe if there is one thing my presidency will be remembered for, it will be honesty and integrity.
PIAZZA: Darrell Hammond really nailed both the southern drawl, the swagger.
HAMMOND: If there`s one thing I`ve learned it`s that our laws are like pinatas. The more you beat them, the more candy you get.
HAMMER: And now, the big reveal. Number one on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s countdown of the top five presidential impersonators. Dana Carvey as George H.W. Bush.
DANA CARVEY, COMEDIAN: Hurricane Hugo doing that damage down there going round and round doing that hurricane thing down there. A lot of damage. Natural disaster, not my fault.
HAMMER: How perfect was Dana Carvey`s George Bush on "SNL"?
CARVEY: Not going to do it.
HAMMER: It got the seal of approval from Bush himself.
PIAZZA: Bush 1 has actually impersonated Dana Carvey impersonating him.
CARVEY: Wouldn`t be prudent at this juncture.
GEORGE H. W. BUSH, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: As Dana Carvey would say, "Not going to do it, wouldn`t be prudent."
HAMMER: And that`s why it tops our countdown of the best presidential impersonations.
CARVEY: It was good, good.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: For me there`s no question -- that Dana Carvey impersonation will go definitely for down in history as one of the all time best. But we have our own pro here tonight. Rumor has it he does a killer Barack Obama. I`m talking about Tommy Davidson. His brilliant show is called "Black Dynamite." It airs Sunday night on the Cartoon Network Adult Swim.
Great to see you, Tommy.
DAVIDSON: You too.
HAMMER: So what do you think? Dana Carvey, number one. I mean, there`s no way we got that wrong.
DAVIDSON: I would put Dana Carvey number one, but is there a 01 spot, because I`d steal that.
HAMMER: OK. Steal that for yourself are you saying?
DAVIDSON: Yes. Of course. Vote for me. I`m like Obama. I mean, come on.
HAMMER: Well, then, you are going to have to give it up for us if I`m going to continue with this. You are going to have to give up a little Obama. Come on now.
DAVIDSON: Well, I think that the difference between Obama and the other candidate is that he can take something that is unimportant and make it sound important. Like for instance, Kellogg`s Frosted Flakes. They`re probably the essential breakfast. Tony is very athletic and he can do anything. He can jet ski, he can ride a bike and he`s got a swanky bandanna. So, if you watched the bandanna, you look at him ride a bike, you look at - they`re part of an essential breakfast. You can see that Kellogg`s Frosted Flakes, they`re great.
HAMMER: Now I`m going to have Frosted Flakes for breakfast and I`m not even going to know why. Listen, I might ask you about another funny man who is making headlines today. It is very strange headline. But Tommy, you are going to love this.
The great Jerry Seinfeld. I`m a enormous Seinfeld fan, but he is furious after "New York Times" writer Neil Genslinger had the audacity to write an article complaining we`re really all over using the word "Really?"
Now, Seinfeld wrote this letter to the editor and this is what he said. "Really, Neil? Really? You`re upset about too people saying really? I mean, really? If you`re a writer, fine, don`t use it. But in conversation, it`s fun to say."
All right, I`ve got to get your take on this, Tommy. Are you with Jerry that this guy shouldn`t be writing an article over the world really? Did I just confuse you?
DAVIDSON: No. I mean really? I mean, I`m saying to the guy writing the article, like really? You know, there`s an American language that goes on inside of our language. You know, and really is just one of them. You know, I mean, there is another that is like, it`s like, you know. So, when you describe and you go, "Yes, and he was like, and then she was like, and then, I was like and then they were like." So, that would be next, you know. "It`s like."
HAMMER: And I`d appreciate it if people would stop saying, "You know what I`m saying? I know what you`re saying?" I know what you`re saying. Maybe I don`t know what you are saying. Please stop saying it.
DAVIDSON: Yes. That basically came to us from hip hop. You know what I`m saying? You know I`m saying?
HAMMER: I have to say, I do love Jerry, but if I hear one more person say to me, "Really, A.J., really? Are you really going to do that? Are you really going to wear that? Really?"
All right. Tommy, thank you so much. I want everybody to catch you on Sunday night on your great show, "Black Dynamite." It airs on a Cartoon Network Adult Swim.
And as we move on tonight, there`s a big debate about the "b" word. No, not that one. I`m talking about bullying. Was a Wisconsin anchorwoman really bullied, really, when a viewer criticized her weight?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LIVINGSTONE: The truth is I am overweight. You could call me fat. And yes even obese on a doctors chart. But to the person who wrote me that letter, do you think I don`t know that? That your cruel words are pointing out something that I don`t see?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Now, plenty of people are cheering her on. But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT dares to ask is every critic a bully? Plus "Beverly Hills 90210" star Jennie Garth goes public about her weight woes. Why she says losing 30 pounds is nothing compared to what she`s gained over the past year.
Coming up, this is such an inspiring story that so many women can relate to.
And this is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LIVINGSTON: The truth is I am overweight. You could call me fat, and yes even obese on a doctor`s chart. But to the person who wrote me that letter, do you think I don`t know that? That your cruel words are pointing out something that I don`t see?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, the fat attack after a Wisconsin news anchor Jennifer Livingston strikes back after she got an e-mail from a viewer who accused her of being a bad example because she is overweight.
There was a furious debate today over that fat attack aimed at anchor Jennifer Livingston. She says, she was not only hurt and offended by the viewer, but is comparing him to a bully. Here`s just a taste of what the viewer wrote to her.
"I was surprised indeed to witness that your physical condition hasn`t improved for many years. Surely, you don`t consider yourself a suitable example for this community`s young people, girls in particular. Obesity is one of the worst choices a person can make and one of the most dangerous habits to maintain. I leave you this note hoping that you`ll reconsider your responsibility as a local public personality to present and promote a healthy lifestyle."
So what`s going on here? Is this guy acting like a bully or was this just a jerky mood?
With me in New York tonight, Michael Urie, best known for his role on the hit TV show, "Ugly Betty." But Michael soon best known for starring role his role on brand new CBS comedy called "Partners." Terrific show. And joining me from Hollywood is Kita Williams. She is a celebrity publicist that is known for VH1`s "the TL show."
Guys, this was striking to me because it is really not so often that you got to see a news anchor getting so personal like this. But that is exactly what Jennifer did on her newscast. Let`s watch this together.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LIVINGSTON: The truth is, I am overweight and you could call me fat and yes even obese on a doctors chart. But to the person who wrote me that letter, do you think I don`t know that? That your cruel words are pointing out something that I don`t see. You don`t know me. You are not a friend of mine. You are not a part of my family and you have admitted that you don`t watch this show. So you know nothing about me but what you see on the outside. And I am much more than a number on a scale.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK. First of all, Kita, you can`t blame her at all for standing up for herself, can you?
WILLIAMS: No. Absolutely. We can`t blame her. Because there are so many young women out there who do suffer from body image. And as a result, they become bulimic or anorexic. And let`s keep in mind, you know, that she is taking thin. She is telling young people in period, that we don`t define pretty based on our weight nor should anybody else. So, I`m happy that she actually took a platform. I`m not exactly sure if it`s bullying. I would say it`s more being insensitive and completely ridiculous.
HAMMER: Yes, Michael, I want to get into that with you in just a second. But first just on the idea that she`s standing up for something like that and doing it with such, I don`t know, ferocity I think is terrific.
URIE: Absolutely. I think, you know, we`re the ones who give bullies power. I was lucky when I was growing up I wasn`t bullied very much. Though many people like me were. And I think when you give the bully the power, that`s when they become a bully. And she`s immediately taking the power away from this guy. Whether or not it`s bullying or just a jerk move, I`m not really sure. What I think is most interesting is how responsible she`s being with her position and actually making a statement out of it.
HAMMER: Yes. She took it very personally not just because of what was being levied against her but she talked about the length she has three young daughters at home and that`s why she felt compelled to respond to the letter. But yes, some people were saying today that she went too far by comparing this guy to a bully. Let`s watch that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LIVINGSTON: But what really angers me about this is there are children who don`t know better. Who get e-mails as critical as the one I received or in many cases even worse each and every day. The internet has become a weapon. Our schools have become a battle ground. Listen to me right now. Do not let your self-worth be defined by bullies. Learn from my experience that the cruel words of one are nothing compared to the shouts of many.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK. So Kita, taking nothing at all away from her standing up for her own self-image, standing up for people who may be dealing with image issues, you know, people are complaining online today -- not everybody, but there are a lot people saying yes, we`re tossing around the "b" word, bully word, a little too much. Is this guy being a bully in your mind or really just a jerk and a critic?
WILLIAMS: Personally, I believe that this guy is just being a supersized jerk. You know? I think when we think about bullying, it`s important for us to understand that, you know, when we`re dealing with image and we`re dealing with the pressures that come with everyday life, you know, I wouldn`t put it under the category of being a bully. I would be more so maybe, discriminatory, because she is overweight and the fact that she`s on air. Let us know, that listen, you can overcome anything. It doesn`t matter what you look like. And I think that`s the message she`s sending.
HAMMER: She is sending a terrific example.
All right, Michael, Kita, thank you both so much. Make sure you catch Michael on his new show "Partners" Monday night on CBS.
And we move on now to a big star who`s talking about her weight battle after a pretty rough year. Tonight, Jennie Garth`s amazing transformation. That "Beverly Hills of 90210" star telling all about losing a husband and 30 pounds but gaining an inspiring new outlook on life. This is terrific to see.
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: 90210-wow. Look at Jennie Garth. `90s TV star, Jennie looks great. Fantastic on the cover of the new issue of "People" magazine after dropping 30 pounds. But Jennie tells people what she has gained this year after her divorce from her husband of 11 years is really the biggest transforms of all. With me in New York, "People" magazine reporter, Carlos Greer.
Good to have you here, Carlos.
CARLOS GREER. REPORTER, "PEOPLE" MAGAZINE: Thank you.
HAMMER: So on the cover it is screaming how I lost 30 pounds. But really there`s so much more to Jennie`s transformation than looking stun, right?
GREER: Exactly. She, Jennie, she looks in the mirror. It`s not a matter of her feeling overweight. She looked in the mirror and saw someone that she didn`t recognize. So she wasn`t feeling well either. She was going through a divorce, living in this life and watching her marriage unravel. In fact, she told us in the interview that she spent nearly two years sleeping and being depressed so this is more about her getting back to who she was and finding her strength.
HAMMER: I`ve always loved her. I`m so happy that she has found the strength. And you know, so many young women who grew up loving "Beverly Hills 90210" are around Jennie`s age now possibly going through the same drama that Jennie experienced. Some may have dealt with it in the same way Jennie did. You know, sleeping, sitting on the couch eating Pringles, as Jennie spoke about.
I have to imagine that Jennie really hopes to inspire her fans by example, which is why she probably spoke out.
GREER: Well, you know what, a lot of us, we did grow up watching her and she`s certainly looking like she did back during her "90210" days. So, a lot of people are really, look at the story, read it and hear her story and say, you know, get inspired. And we are all rooting for her. You know, she`s a very inspirational woman.
HAMMER: And she just turned 40. She`s a single mom now. And as were are hearing from you, she`s very, very happy which I`m so thrilled to hear. The question is, Carlos, did you find out if that happiness includes a new man?
GREER: I knew you were going to ask that. Well, she is dating. She`s back on the market. In fact, last month, she was spotted out. But it`s a little too soon for her. She`s not used to being scrutinized, her relationships being scrutinized. She was married for 11 years. Si, she is taking things slowly. But funny enough, her former co-star Luke Perry is trying to hook her up and she`s terrified of his choices.
HAMMER: Really? Any examples given?
GREER: No examples of who he`s trying to hook her up, but --.
HAMMER: But he`s playing match maker.
GREER: You remember Luke Perry, what a bad boy he was.
HAMMER: Carlos, thank you so much. Remember to get the new issue of "People" magazine on newsstands Friday.
One of our favorite on-screen couples of all time back together after more than 30 years. "Grease" stars John Travolta and Olivia Newton John reunite in song. The details next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Well, looks like the star power is about to get brighter on "The X-Factor." They are this close to naming new high wattage hosts.
Also they`re the ones we want. "Grease" stars John Travolta and Olivia Newton John reunite in song.
And the season`s first "Dancing with the Stars" controversy. We`ve got all the details on the buzz today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Joey`s dancing departure.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Joey and Kim.
HAMMER: "Dancing with the Stars" just had its first surprise of the season with Joey Fatone getting voted off the show despite the fact that Bristol Palin got the lowest scores. The former `N Sync member made it to second place when he competed on "Dancing" in 2007. But Joey was sent packing in week two after being pitted against this season`s cast of defending champions.
JOEY FATONE, FORMER MEMBER OF `N SYNC: It`s a completely new season, different season, where you got six people who had won it already. Some of them are out for blood. Some are here for a good time. Maybe I was here for a good time. I should have been more out for blood, hey, but I enjoyed it.
HAMMER: Khloe and Mario have "The X-Factor." Khloe Kardashian and Mario Lopez are closing in on a new gig joining "The X-Factor" as co-hosts. A source closed to the singing competition program tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that both Mario and Khloe are on board and the ironing out the final details of the contract. If the deal goes through, Kardahian and Lopez will debut on "The X-Factor" this November, alongside the star-studded judging panel of Britney Spears, L.A. Reid, Demi Lovato, and Simon Cowell.
"Grease" reunion. Olivia Newton John and John Travolta are teaming up for the first time in more than 30 years for a brand-new holiday album called "This Christmas". The idea to reunite for the album came after the "Grease" stars` 1978 smash, "You`re the One That I Want," became the best- selling duet in pop music history. The 13 track Christmas record will include sequel to that hit called, "I Think You Might Like It".
Both John and Travolta are donating proceeds from the album to their respective charities, the Jett Travolta Foundation which combats children`s disabilities, and the Olivia Newton John Cancer and Wellness Center.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Moving on. It is sex and relationship, Wednesday on the DR. DREW show. Tonight, divorce and infidelity. Is there ever only just one person to blame? That starts next.
END
