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Showbiz Tonight
Mariah Carey`s Husband Overshares about Sex Life; Bon Jovi Sheds Light on Backstage at Benefit Concert; Bieber Kidnapping Plot Foiled; Taylor Swift Making Headlines; Madonna and Lady Gaga`s Feud; Nicki Minaj Threatened Mariah Carey; Lindsay Lohan Attempts And Falls At Major Transformation; Chris and Rihanna`s Unexpected Reunion; Donald Trump`s Election Rants
Aired December 13, 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, the top five most provocative celebrities of the year. Could Rihanna`s controversial reunion with Chris Brown top Lindsay Lohan`s train wreck return to acting with her role as Elizabeth Taylor? Who will be named the No. 1 most provocative celebrity of the year?
Hello, I`m A.J. Hammer. Thank you for watching.
We want to get to our most provocative celebrities a little bit later, and trust me, you definitely don`t want to miss that.
But right now on our first countdown tonight, "SHOWBIZ Caught on Tape." We are counting down the top five biggest bombshell stories today that no one can possibly deny, because lucky for us, there was somebody there recording all of the drama. Let`s get right to it.
Kicking it off with No. 5, it`s Nick Canon`s TMI about sex with his wife Mariah Carey.
HOWARD STERN, SHOCK JOCK: You`ve admitted to me that -- on the air -- that you make love to Mariah`s music.
NICK CANON, COMEDIAN: Absolutely.
STERN: You (EXPLETIVE DELETED) to Mariah`s music?
CANON: When she`s not there.
STERN: That`s unbelievable to me. You -- you know what I like about you?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What is your favorite song?
CANON: "Hero."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK. Now, it was a terrific interview, but Nick, you really may have shared just a little too much, at least for your wife`s comfort, don`t you think?
Out to lifestyle and pop culture expert Megan Meany. Megan, I`ve listened to the entire interview, and it really was terrific, but through the whole thing, I was thinking, Mariah has got to be more than a little ticked off that Nick was spilling all of this stuff.
MEGAN MEANY, LIFESTYLE AND POP CULTURE EXPERT: Well, who knows? Maybe it could turn into a little role play if she`s angry, but here`s what I`m thinking. I`m thinking, you know, I`m sure Nick is a dream lover and she`s hitting the high notes, but two words for Nick, zip it. Zip the lips, zip the pants. TMI. Although when you go on Howard Stern, you`ve got to deliver it, right?
HAMMER: Of course, of course.
MEANY: And at the end of the day, what did he really say? "We have sex to music."
HAMMER: I don`t know. Still, it`s one vision of love that I don`t necessarily need to see. But Nick didn`t hesitate at all to elaborate some more when Howard asked him about some even more private details about his and Mariah`s sex life. Let`s listen to that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STERN: Your wife is out of town and you (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
CANON: Don`t you (EXPLETIVE DELETED) to your wife -- she`s not a singer.
STERN: Cannot sing. Otherwise, it`s charming. So you put on "Hero" and you get some lotion?
CANON: I light candles, you know. And that, and sometimes you to be reminded of what is at home.
STERN: I always would say to Howie Mandell, "I wonder what Nick does in the dressing room." Now I know.
Is it weird to make love to your wife while Mariah`s music is going?
CANON: No. I mean, it`s not like that`s the thing. Like, when you`re married, you know how that goes. Sometimes there are some nights when you turn the music on and sometimes it`s the morning. You roll over and get coffee.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK. I wonder how loud they keep the music when this is going on.
Now you might remember, the last time that Nick talked about Mariah, he publicly proclaimed that she didn`t like changing their twins` diapers, and that actually ended up getting spun in some places as her not being a hands-on mom, and that reportedly made Mariah furious.
Let me bring in David Begnaud. He`s the host of the social media show, "NewsBreaker with David Begnaud." So David, I mean, think about this theory now. If diaper duty drama ticked off Mariah Carey, how do you think she reacted to all of Nick`s sex talk here?
DAVID BEGNAUD, HOST, "NEWSBREAKER WITH DAVID BEGNAUD": Look, I don`t know. I think she`s into this. I think she`s totally into the fact that he just, you know, goes on and on. Apparently, things have gotten a lot hotter in the bedroom after the babies. But Nick, look, he is totally cool. Your wife is hot. But dude, I do not want to know what you do when she`s not home.
HAMMER: I know.
BEGNAUD: Please. Good lord.
HAMMER; Spectacular interview, but then sometimes you back from it and say, too much information.
So we`ll move now from TMI caught on tape to our No. 4 on our SHOWBIZ Countdown. This one is actually going to make you jolly just in time for the holidays.
Victoria`s Secret has released a blooper reel. It has commercials -- or a commercial from their famous models, and it was shot to the tune of "Deck the Halls." Only, it was more like "Wreck the Halls." Let`s watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (singing): Don we now our gay apparel.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (singing): Fa la la la -- no.
(speaking): Is it "fa la la la la la"?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (singing): Deck the halls with boughs of jolly. Holly. Deck the halls with boughs of -- (speaking) my God.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (singing): La la la la.
(speaking): Come on, candles. Work with me.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (singing): Deck the halls with boughs of holly.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Can you feel the joy? I`m feeling so much holiday love right about now, Megan. Look, obviously, this was intended to be caught on tape. I think it was actually a brilliant move for them to release this unpolished version. And as you`re responding, Charles, I`d like you to reroll that videotape. I`m sure there are a few people who would like to see this.
MEANY: That`s right. We don`t care if they`re getting the words right to "Deck the Halls" right when they`re stacked. Right? No, very funny, very amusing. And it reminds me a little bit of tree trimming with my sisters. You know, the Santa bikinis and, you know, not quite getting all the tunes right. But no, hey yes...
HAMMER: Wow.
MEANY: Great marketing move here. You know, I think that we think these ladies are, you know, having fun, and -- I`m amused.
HAMMER: Yes. But Megan, let me just ask you something. Do you see the protests going on? I mean, were you at all offended by the, you know, slight stereotype that`s being tossed around here?
MEANY: Well, here`s the thing. I think that these women for a living, you know, model lingerie. I think that they`ve resolved those issues of maybe feeling like they`re being objectified, so I think they`re -- if they`re willing to do this commercial and be silly, I think they know what they`re doing. So it sits a little funny with me, but I think that they`re in control.
HAMMER: OK. Charles, would you roll the video again while David responds? David, are you offended at all by this video?
BEGNAUD: I am not offended at all, and look, neither are they. They`re loving the attention they get off this. Their voices are horrible. They can`t remember the words, but you know what? I promise you, it will get millions of clicks on YouTube and it`s not for the music.
HAMMER: OK.
MEANY: Two from you guys.
HAMMER: And just let them play out a moment longer. And there we have it.
Let`s move from one smashing success to a little smashup in the Ukraine. I sadly got a huge kick out of actually seeing this video the first time I watched it.
Members of the Ukrainian parliament literally brawled over a disputed vote yesterday. And that makes it No. 3 countdown on our SHOWBIZ Countdown, "Caught on Tape."
Look at that. One guy even caught in a head lock. Nice. Pretty painful looking, though. So a lot of people thought, you know, our fiscal cliff debate was getting ugly. Our lawmakers, in my mind, have got nothing on the Ukrainian parliament, Megan. I think Americans should actually be encouraged that our political battles haven`t gotten that bad.
MEANY: Isn`t that like sort of like the morning meeting looks like at SHOWBIZ TONIGHT? I mean, this happens. You know, people get heated.
HAMMER: Yes.
MEANY: But I just hope there was no -- no field trip to the parliament that day. You know, what a great example they`re setting.
Here`s the good news. Any of the women that are married to these guys that are surely in charge of the holiday card and the, you know, Christmas update letter, you know, they`re sitting there at home going, "All is well with Alexander. Nothing new here." Or they`re like, "That guy threw the first punch." So, you know, this could do some good things or some bad things for the holiday card.
HAMMER: David, should we feel encouraged?
BEGNAUD: Come on, look, this is how you solve the fiscal cliff, A.J. But when we talk about America, you know, you can`t solve anything, and it`s horrible here, just watch that video to remember it`s not quite so bad on Capitol Hill.
HAMMER: You know what memory I want to go out with? Can you please put up the Victoria Secret -- there we go. Yes. Let`s just wind it out with this.
MEANY: A naked memory.
HAMMER: but listen, I am here to tell you we are not done with our SHOWBIZ Countdown, "Count on Tape." Wait until you hear and what rocker Jon Bon Jovi just told me here hours ago that landed him on our countdown. There were no Victoria`s Secret models involved, I should warn you. But you definitely don`t want to miss it.
Megan, David, thank you both so much.
Well, tonight, this is pretty scary. An alleged plot to murder Justin Bieber fortunately foiled. But an obsessed Bieber fan allegedly hires two hitmen to kidnap and murder the Biebs. Coming up, you have got to hear the absolutely frightening details on exactly how close they got. I`ll have them for you.
This is SBT, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. We`re counting down the top five stories today that were caught on tape. And here`s where we stand.
No. 5, Nick Canon`s TMI about making love to his wife, Mariah Carey to Mariah Carey`s music.
No. 4, Victoria`s Secret models showing us they can look pretty, decorate and sing, just maybe not all at the same time.
No. 3, you thought the fiscal cliff debate was bad. Get a load of the political fight that was caught on tape in the Ukraine`s parliament.
That brings us to No. 2 on the "SHOWBIZ Caught on Tape" Countdown. It`s the dancing anchor.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(MUSIC: BEYONCE`S "SINGLE LADIES")
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That is cute. She`s a co-anchor at FOX affiliate KTXL. But she was just passing the time during a commercial break and, as you see, dancing along to Beyonce`s "Single Ladies." It became a viral sensation. She says she didn`t even know it was being recorded, but when she found out, she uploaded the video to YouTube, just to show her family.
The best part, Tia (ph) had all that energy, and it was 4:15 in the morning. I give her a lot of credit. And I`m not the only one. Apparently, Tia has gained a lot of fans, thanks to her dance. She`s even received a few offers from fans who are ready to put a ring on it.
From one priceless moment to a priceless moment for one rocker Jon Bon Jovi. The New Jersey was just nominated for a song, "Not Running Anymore," featuring in the new movie "Stand Up Guys" with Al Pacino, Christopher Walken, and Alan Arkin.
Well, I just caught up with Jon, fresh off his nomination earlier today. And fresh off his very long night of rocking for the Sandy benefit concert here in New York City is our No. 1 "Caught on Tape."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Dare I? I mean, really. Really.
JON BON JOVI, ROCK STAR: Well, that is true. I wasn`t rocking out. I was not at the rock show.
HAMMER: I want to talk to you about this in just a second. First, huge news tonight about your nomination. So the thing is, some 20 years ago you composed a song for a film. You win a Golden Globe for "Blaze of Glory." And then you take 20 years off from writing another song for a film, and if it gets nominated, why wait so long to write another one?
BON JOVI: Well, I have a bad memory. I enjoyed the morning immensely and I loved the film and I loved the opportunity to write the song. "Stand-up Guys" is that kind of script. That compelling to me, and I`m humbled by it.
HAMMER: Well, yes. And also, because it`s for a film, because now, this potentially sets you up for some love from Oscar, as well, which is always good. "Blaze of Glory" was nominated for an Oscar, and yesterday you found out that the song for "Stand-up Guys" is now at least now a contender to have an Oscar nomination.
BON JOVI: Well, it feels -- like I said, it`s wonderful, because I had done it once before many, many years before. And also, you also know how hard it is to write for film and then to be celebrated for it is even crazier. So this is a really humbling morning. Really, it is great. I`d like to have more of them.
HAMMER: Maybe you don`t wait so long is what I am thinking. All right? What are you doing?
BON JOVI: OK, OK, OK. I have to sleep some time.
HAMMER: And last night.
BON JOVI: Yes.
HAMMER: The concert for 12-12-12 and Sandy relief. Listen, you`ve done so many benefit concerts throughout your incredible career. This one, obviously, hits very close to home as a New Jersey cloud, because it is so close to home being a New Jersey guy, but give me a sense of what were you thinking personally, looking around and being a part of this. Different from any other concert you have participated in, I imagine?
BON JOVI: Yes. You know, when many of the same artists came together for what was the 9/11 concert, and my recollection of that night was that that was the emergency services all coming together, fire, police and all of the service providers. So that was a more somber night, even though we were rocking.
Last night felt more like a barn raising. You know, this was a kind of a night where we said, OK, we all came through, and this is something that we can fix. Let`s all just join hands and do something.
So both governors were there in a celebratory mood and able to relax. All of the artists came together.
And there was no great sadness as there was in 9/11. Not that, you know, there`s not a great reason to be incredibly sad at the loss of life or houses, but this felt a little bit more like we`re going to fix this. We`re all going to be better for it. We`re going to meet our neighbors. We`re going to create communities again. We`re going to believe in each other until our differences become one.
And you witnessed it politically. You witnessed it socially. And then you witnessed it, especially in the celebration last night.
HAMMER: Give me a sense of what it was like last night backstage?
BON JOVI: The mutual admiration society. A lot of people like being teenagers. You know, taking pictures and eating cold pizza and stealing bottles of wine. And...
HAMMER: Who`d you run up and take a picture with? Did you approach somebody and say, "All right, man. We haven`t seen each other in x-amount of years."
BON JOVI: Or ever. You know, Pete Townsend is one, right at the top of my head. You know, I told him it was an honor to meet him, like I was a little kid: "It`s an honor to meet you, sir."
So, there was a lot of that. But fortunately, and I`m blessed to say that I`ve known a lot of those guys for a long time. So any time you see Beatle Paul, you`re in awe, and Roger Waters was sharing a dressing room with me, and of course, between Jon Stewart and Bruce and the Jersey connection, everybody knows everybody there.
Billy is a neighbor out on Long Island. So we see him often, too. It was that kind of a great get-together.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Cool. Jon is so humble. Well, coming up, we have our top five most provocative celebrities of the year. Taylor Swift`s headline-making dating life, combined with her songs about love and heartache.
May be one provocative star, but can Taylor top two of the most provocative stars in the history of Hollywood? Madonna and Lady Gaga`s feud fueled one of the biggest star wars of the year. But will the dueling divas top the SHOWBIZ Countdown, top five most provocative celebrities of the year.
This is SBT, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Tonight, terrifying news for Justin Bieber. An obsessed fan allegedly plots to murder the super star.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT confirmed late today that two men were arrested separately last month, in part, for possibly trying to carry out the plot to kill the Bieber and three others.
The plan was hatched by so-called mastermind Dana Martin. He`s a 45-year- old convicted felon who`s allegedly so obsessed with the Biebs he reportedly hired the hitmen to kidnap and kill Justin Bieber.
Joining me now to hash out the scary, scary details is Midwin Charles, criminal defense attorney with Midwin Charles and Associates. Good having you here, Midwin.
So this guy, Dana Martin, supposedly has a tattoo of the Biebs on the leg, and he reportedly launched this murder-for-hire plot because the Biebs didn`t respond to his fan letters.
Reports say that the murder was supposed to be carried out on November 28 or 29, and that happens to be two of Bieber`s New York concert dates. Are you like me and just so surprised at how close these guys actually got to carrying out the plot?
MIDWIN CHARLES, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: It`s kind of scary. I mean, this is unfortunately what pop stars and celebrities have to concern themselves with, is you are going to now be the target of people who are -- let`s say for a better word -- imbalanced. And it`s really, really scary.
And I`m glad that, you know, their efforts were thwarted by police.
HAMMER: Yes. You and millions and millions of people. I mean, you make a great point. All the kid wants to do is sing a bunch of pop songs.
CHARLES: I`m telling you.
HAMMER: But when you attract this many people who are following your every move online, and going to your concerts, and buying your records, there are going to be some obsessive fans out there.
Now, of course, we reached out to Bieber`s team. We wanted to hear what they have to say about this. And they simply said, quote, "We take every precaution to protect and ensure the safety of Justin and his fans."
Now, the two men who were working with Martin were both arrested separately for two counts of conspiracy in the first degree and two counts of conspiracy to commit aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Midwin, do you think this is just one case, perhaps, out of dozens that perhaps we haven`t heard about?
CHARLES: You never know. I mean, this is something that a lot of us could never even have believed would occur in our wildest imagination, and it`s difficult to say, but those are some serious, serious charges, A.J.
HAMMER: So what are the lessons that other stars can walk away with from this, because obviously yes, it is something that they have to deal with all of the time, but we never really hear of it heightened to this level.
CHARLES: Yes. I mean, the lesson is heighten security. Get the best security that you can get and make sure that you take those necessary steps and precautions, not with just you, but those that you allow into your inner circle. People who work for you, people who intern for you, people who manage your affairs. That really is the best thing that they can do.
HAMMER: Yes. And the advice for all of the wannabe pop stars out there? This is a real part of it. At least certainly...
CHARLES: Yes, this is the ugly part.
HAMMER: Not necessarily a reason not to pursue something like this, but just now it`s out there. All right, Midwin. Always great to see you. Thanks so much.
CHARLES: Thank you.
HAMMER: Well, tonight, we are counting down the top five most provocative celebrities of the year. Could Nicki Minaj take the top spot for her nasty feud with Mariah?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NICKI MINAJ, "AMERICAN IDOL" JUDGE: We`re together and we`re professionals. And we`re adults. You know what I mean? We`re adults. She don`t want another woman on the show. That`s fine. But I`m there.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes, I`m pretty sure we haven`t seen the end of this fight. But is Nicki`s tough talk enough to outdo the always controversial Lindsay Lohan from run-ins with the law to her infamous betrayal of Elizabeth Taylor this past year. Who will top our SHOWBIZ Countdown? The most provocative celebrities of the year.
This is SBT, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, on HLN.
Time for the "SHOWBIZ Say What?" The very dapper Bruno Mars hops out of his limo with a sweet suit on, and we asked you to fill in the thought bubble on HLNTV.com.
One person writes, "Yes, I look good. Uh-huh, I know it."
And another person writes, "Where`s all the screaming fans that are supposed to be waiting for me?"
Send us your "SHOWBIZ Say What?" thought bubbles at HLNTV.com/ShowbizTonight.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MINAJ: We got along together, and we`re professional and we`re adults. You know what I mean? We`re adults. She doesn`t want another woman on the show. That`s fine, but I`m there.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Right now, the SHOWBIZ Countdown, the most provocative celebrity of the year. Will it be Nicki Minaj, her shocking new gig as a judge on "American Idol," and her even more shocking public battle with Mariah Carey. Or will Lady Gaga and Madonna top the list for their diva-sized love-hate smackdowns all year long?
Which star will top the SHOWBIZ Countdown, "Most Provocative Celebrity of the Year"? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT continues right now.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, and thank you for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer.
And tonight it is the end all, be all of SHOWBIZ Countdowns, because we are here to count down the top five "Most Provocative Celebrities of the Year."
I can tell you it has been quite a year for stars to just throw caution to the wind and do some pretty jaw-dropping things.
Hollywood`s biggest stars love to keep things entertaining on and off camera and it has actually made it a little tough for us to narrow down the nominees this year.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
Apparently the old Mayan calendar that suggested that the world would come to the end in 2012 was taken literally in Hollywood, because this year stars acted like they have been saving their most shocking, most provocative acts for last.
Unlikely couples got together, unlikely couples split up, unlikely catch phrases were coined.
ALANA THOMPSON, REALITY TV STAR: You better redneck-ognize.
HAMMER: And stars already known for being outrageous went around being super provocative as if there really was no tomorrow.
TAYLOR SWIFT, SINGER (singing): We are never, ever getting back together
HAMMER: OK. Taylor Swift may not have shocked anyone by writing another breakup song "We Are Never, Ever Getting Back Together" but she raised eyebrows by reportedly dating a Kennedy family member, teenager, Connor Kennedy, a summer fling that ended as shockingly soon as it began.
HEIDI KLUM, HOST, "PROJECT RUNWAY": It just didn`t work. Like I tried my hardest, you know, he tried his hardest.
HAMMER: Heidi Klum explained to Katie Couric why she dumped her husband of seven years, Seal, and started dating the family body guard.
KLUM: He`s a great man, you know.
HAMMER: It all led Wendy Williams to be even more provocative than usual when talking about the romance on her show.
WENDY WILLIAMS, HOST, "THE WENDY WILLIAMS SHOW": Seal, what are you going to do about this? And it`d better be I`m going in for half her money.
HAMMER: And Katie Holmes made headlines by leaving Tom Cruise causing couples everywhere to ask.
OPRAH WIDFREY, MEDIA MOGUL: Ever bounced this way before?
HAMMER: If jumping on the furniture on the Oprah Winfrey show was not enough to make a marriage last, what is?
In 2012, stars also proved that getting together can be just as provocative as breaking up.
WINFREY: How did it get all revved up?
HAMMER: Even Oprah Winfrey struggled to wrap her head around Kim Kardashian getting together with Kayne West this year. Kim tried to explain it to her on the O Network.
KIM KARDASHIAN, REALITY TV STAR: I feel like I`m at a really happy good space.
HAMMER: And if that was not hard enough for poor Oprah, she along with the rest of us also had to try to figure out why on earth Rihanna would hook up with Chris Brown again after he put her in the hospital three years ago.
Rihanna tried to explain that to Oprah on the O Network.
RIHANNA, SINGER: We love each other and we probably - we always will.
HAMMER: Sorry, Rihanna, we still don`t understand, but judging by the provocative photos that she and Chris Brown keep posting of each other, they couldn`t care less.
And some stars provoked us by stepping up their game.
DONALD TRUMP, CHAIRMAN AND CEO, TRUMP HOTELS AND CASINO RESORTS: I have a deal for the president.
HAMMER: Donald Trump took his anti-Obama crusade to a ridiculous new level with this offer to president Obama during the closing days of the election.
TRUMP: If Barack Obama opens up and gives his college records and applications, I will give to a charity of his choice a check immediately for $5 million.
HAMMER: Even Trump`s friend Barbara Walters had to call him out on "The View."
BARBARA WALTERS, CO-HOST, ABC`S "THE VIEW": Donald, you are making a fool of yourself.
HAMMER: And trouble from Lindsay Lohan made everyone forget about her wildly mocked performance of the lifetime TV movie "Liz & Dick."
LINDSAY LOHAN, ACTRESS: I`m bored. I`m so bored.
HAMMER: Days after it aired, she pulled off a feat that most outlaws never managed. She got charged with four crimes on two coasts on the same day.
And speaking of which, rapper Nicki Minaj allegedly threatened to shoot fellow "American Idol" judge Mariah Carey. At least that`s what Mariah told Barbara Walters who recounted the story on "The View."
WALTERS: Multiple people heard Nicki say, if I had a gun I would shoot (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
HAMMER: Nicki Minaj denied that.
The Mayans may have predict the end of the world in 2012, but there is no way they could have predicted an alleged threat of gun violence on "American Idol" or that celebrities would be tripping over themselves to be named SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s "Most Provocative Celebrity of the Year."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
I mean, look at that so many stars to choose from this year, but some really did push the limits to stand out from the pack, right?
Let`s get busy with the SHOWBIZ Countdown of the most provocative top celebrities of the year, and kick it off at No. 5.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KATIE COURIC, TALK SHOW HOST: It is hard sometimes to get people to come into your world, because I don`t know, if I hung out with you, I would be afraid that you would write a song about me.
SWIFT: And the only time that has been an issue is when I was like going through a really bad breakup with a guy and he said, you`d better not write about this. I`m like, oh, I won`t.
COURIC: Did you?
SWIFT: Yes.
HAMMER: Taylor Swift breaking records and, yes, breaking heart. Well, what a year she`s had topping charts with her latest album, selling 1.2 million copies of it in just its first week, and her big time album sales have been matched with one headline making romance after another. Fans and critics can`t seem to get enough of Taylor Swift.
In New York, Megan Alexander, who is a correspondent for "Inside Edition."
Megan, you`ve been following closely along with me. Taylor ranking up there is the second highest earning female this year, only behind Britney Spears. I am thinking she`s actually found the winning combination of breakup equals record breaker.
And I`m actually starting to think, Megan, that the only reason she dates all these guys at all is just to keep her music hot.
MEGAN ALEXANDER, CORRESPONDENT, "INSIDE EDITION": I think that she`s brilliant, A.J. I`m a country music fan already. Taylor Swift is a very talented performer and songwriter, but she is also brilliantly blending her personal life and her professional life.
We no longer know if she really does like guy she is dating or if she`s just gathering song material, but it is a bit dangerous, A.J., because she is young. These guys may wind up in her songs as well. They may be just after the publicity. So, will she ever find true love? I don`t know.
HAMMER: Yes. So on many levels we have to wonder is this a wise thing to stay with this formula moving into a new year. I want to bring in Janell Snowden. Janell is correspondent for VH1`s "Big Morning Buzz Live."
So, Janell, Taylor takes a lot of flock (ph), not just from us but from critics, from fans for her romance songs. But you look at what`s going on with her, she`s got no shortage of guys still whining up to be with her. Are you fed up with Taylor`s romance hits or are you saying, as we hit the new year keep them coming, Taylor?
JANELL SNOWDEN, CORRESPONDENT, VH1`S "MORNING BUZZ LIVE": I am saying, go Taylor. Here we are working women struggling to get a date and she can`t seem to turn them down fast enough. She`s going from one guy to the next. I just hope she is playing it safe and wondering that maybe part of the reason she is goes from guy to guy is because she is gathering song material, and not giving them what they need in the bedroom. (INAUDIBLE).
HAMMER: Well, we don`t want to suppose any of that, but you know, I do hope that she has the capacity for stability. It is tough when you are touring the world and being a super star like that.
SNOWDEN: She`s on fire. I don`t worry about her.
HAMMER: OK. Let`s not worry about her. Let`s move from a super star`s romance to a super showdown.
It`s No. 4 in our SHOWBIZ Countdown of the year`s most provocative celebs, Madonna versus Gaga. It really has been one of the most talked about feuds of the year. They`re never ending war of words continued throughout the year.
ABC`s Cynthia McFadden asked Madonna to finally set the record straight about the feud that seems to keep marching on. Let`s watch that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CYNTHIA MCFADDEN, CO-HOST, "NIGHTLINE": Of all of these, there is one question that almost blew up the internet. Do you have any idea what it is?
MADONNA, SINGER: I don`t know.
MCFADDEN: They want to know what you think about Lady Gaga.
MADONNA: It feels reductive.
MCFADDEN: Is that good?
MADONNA: Look it up.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Oh, "Look it up." Nice (ph). It`s kind of a dig right there with Cynthia, but we did look it up. It was not a compliment. Reductive, as you probably know, means simplified or crude.
Megan, even though this feud, by the way I think is mostly on Madonna, do you think it is time for the two of them to perhaps call a truce and perhaps take the stage together already maybe in the new year?
ALEXANDER: There you go. That`s the idea. Take the stage together. Maybe go on tour together.
A.J., the thing about this is one is bona fide celebrity who stood the test of time, a triple (ph) performer, Madonna. Lady Gaga, the it girl of the moment, but they really share a similar fan base
I think a lot of Lady Gaga`s fans love Madonna and vice versa. So, I don`t think they really want these two to be in a feud, because they share that fan base. But both of these ladies are enjoying getting the other, I think.
HAMMER: Yes. Well, I think, Janell, I`m curious to see what you think, because quite frankly, I do believe that we now do have a bona fide star in Lady Gaga. She`s not a flash in the pan. She has a super strong foundation right now.
SNOWDEN: Totally. Yes. You know, a lot of people are saying that Madonna is just using this Gaga feud to stay relevant or to stay in the news, because, you know, she is older now and she doesn`t have the same capacity for the antics that maybe she did when she was Gaga`s age.
But, you know, I think for Gaga -- there was a recent story about how Gaga turned down a request according to Madonna to perform on stage as you mentioned and I think maybe for Gaga it could be that she just had so much respect for her still, that it`s like that`s the ultimate in intimidation, you know, you are performing with your idol.
Or she just maybe feels like Madonna has been mean to her and does not want that energy. Artists are about energy and until maybe she feels that Madonna is going to give her, you know, some love, she`s like, I`m going to stay clear.
HAMMER: Yes. All right. Well, I don`t know if we`re going to see them on stage together.
We are going to see Nicki Minaj, at least on the "American Idol" stage in the new year, and she was a surprise choice to become a judge on "American Idol." I think we all agree on that
Her face-off with fellow judge, Mariah Carey, during auditions has everyone counting the minutes until the new season starts.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MINAJ: We got to work together and we are professional, and we are adults. We are adults. She did not want another woman on the show. That is fine, but I`m there.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: But is Nicki`s no nonsense attitude enough to make her the "Most Provocative Celebrity of the Year" or will it be Lindsay, for being a magnet for the fights, car crashes just about anything that could get you arrested?
Who will top the SHOWBIZ Countdown, the "Most Provocative Celebrity of the Year?"
This is SBT, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back. We are counting down the top five "Most Provocative Celebrities of the Year and let`s keep it going with No. 3.
Nicki Minaj, who made the headlines, taking her place as the newest judge on "American Idol" and setting off a battle even before the new season has hit the airwaves. She told Power 105.1 radio, it is what it is.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You and Mariah got to work together. You`re all are going to be together for the next few months.
MINAJ: We got to work together, and we are professionals, and we are adults. You know what I mean? We are adults. She did not want another adult on the show. That`s fine but I am there. And I am going to make the most of it and I actually thought it would be great to work with her, because she`s so funny and - well, we shot the video together we had such a great time, but it didn`t work out that way.
So, you know what? We`re moving on, but bygones be bygones.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, we will see if that actually happens.
Let me bring back Megan Alexander from "Inside Edition" and Janell Snowden from VH1`s "Morning Buzz Live."
And Janell, I`m going to start with you. You know, we have seen so much drama already. I actually think it`s pretty obvious this provocative combination is going to mean some monster ratings for "American Idol" in the new season.
SNOWDEN: Huge, huge ratings. I have not watched "American Idol" since Fantasia won, but I will be watching.
These are two of the most supreme divas we have ever known. It is going to be explosive on every possible level. We haven`t seen the half of what`s to come. And I am going to be champing at the bit for it. I never want to, you know, advocate two women going at each other, but I also can`t say that I won`t be watching.
HAMMER: I have to say, I bet "American idol" is happy to have you and all of the fans who have left back as viewers. Good luck with that.
SNOWDEN: Yes.
HAMMER: Well, we will continue our countdown of the year`s most provocative celebrities with number two. You knew she was going to be on the list. It`s Lindsay Lohan.
Wow. What a whirlwind year it has been for her. I feel like I say that every year. Now, if you remember she was off to a fresh start back in January, but things turned around with a supposed hit-and-run, a couple of clashes over her cell phone photos and even an attempted big TV comeback. (INAUDIBLE).
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LOHAN: I`m bored. I`m so bored.
What am I supposed to do, I have done 29 pictures since I was 9, 29. I have never learned how to do just absolutely nothing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. They did some big numbers, big ratings for that TV movie. Her role as Liz Taylor did not do a whole lot for her acting reputation though, Megan.
Lindsay, you know look, she has defined provocative for a few years now. I quite frankly don`t see any reason why she won`t be with us right back here on this very same list a year from now.
ALEXANDER: Oh, gosh. I hope not. A.J., she is not just a train wreck, she`s the Titanic going down and sinking fast. And this is somebody who has no support system around her, no friends that we know of. Her mom showed her true colors on Dr. Phil, couldn`t get it through that interview. Make a few (INAUDIBLE).
She`s got substance abuse issues and somebody who really, I think her fame, is now a true detriment to her when she goes out. The paparazzi picking fights with her. She`s unstable. Is somebody that I think truly needs to go away and heal.
HAMMER: Oh, wouldn`t that be nice. But Janell, there is no way to have a most provocative list this year without including Lindsay, right?
SNOWDEN: No. I mean, honestly, A.J., not to sound too morbid but I just hope she is around to be on the list if anything next year. I really worry about her. I feel like we`re just watching the most tragic Hollywood story that we have seen in recent years. And I am praying that she gets it together.
I think that if she goes to jail that might not be the worst thing if she could definitely get some supervision in there.
HAMMER: All right. Megan and Janell, the SHOWBIZ Countdown has certainly been a year in the making, and now we`re just moments away from No. 1, but who will it be? Will you agree? The big reveal coming up next.
This is SBT, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: We are counting down the top most provocative celebrities of 2012. Feuds, fights, breakups, our favorite stars end of the drama this year, but which will be number one?
Well, here`s who we have so far. No. 5, Taylor Swift, she is certainly at the top of her game and we love that her hit songs give us a glimpse into her life and her many loves.
No. 4, a tie, Lady Gaga and Madonna. Their love/hate relationship is just divalicious, isn`t it?
No. 3, Nicki Minaj, she`s the newest judge on "American Idol" of course. We cannot wait to see the fireworks between her and Mariah Carey.
No. 2, Lindsay Lohan, for her complete inability to stay the heck out of trouble.
And that brings us to the No. 1, the "Most Provocative Celebrities of the Year."
Yes, it`s a couple, Rihanna and Chris Brown, and the reunion that pretty much no one really wanted except for the two of them. The reunion buzz grew to a fever pitch when Rihanna tearfully opened up to Oprah Winfrey about her undying love for Chris even after he was arrested for beating her up back in 2009.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RIHANNA: We have been working on our friendship again and now we are very, very close friends. We built a trust again and that is it. We love each other, and we probably - we always will, and that is not anything that we are going to try to change. It is not something you can shut off if you have ever been in love.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK. As we know a few months after the interview, Chris broke up with the girlfriend and because of his renewed friendship with Rihanna, things didn`t work out on that end. So we are naming Chris and Rihanna, the "Most Provocative Celebrities of the Year."
Megan Alexander from "Inside Edition" back with me now. Did we get it right?
ALEXANDER: You did, but I say that unfortunately. A.J., two individuals who are incredibly talented, but extremely immature.
Rihanna is somebody who is a statistic. One in four women is affected by domestic abuse, and she was in a situation like that. We don`t if she`s still in a relationship where she`s being abused, but these individuals, these two have taunted the media with their relationship and I think really made light of a very serious subject which is domestic violence.
And I still don`t feel, A.J., to this day that Chris Brown ever truly gave a heartfelt apology for what happened. So, that all of those young kids watching, celebrities are not necessarily role models, and I don`t think this is true love, but they are young in love and that is not always true love.
HAMMER: And you know what`s interesting to reflect and think about how far Chris has come, because I think people have started to forgive him or at least let him move on with his life a bit, but them as a couple, I don`t know.
Janelle, you were just with Rihanna on her 777 Tour plane for VH1, did you think that she and Chris are definitely the most provocative celebrities of the year? I feel we didn`t have another choice.
SNOWDEN: Yes. No. You definitely made the right choice with this one. In fact as we were landing on the 777 Tour, I asked Rihanna what`s the first thing she was going to do after the tour was over was and she said she was going to go and see her friends for Thanksgiving, and so I obviously knew that that meant that she was going to go see Chris.
Lo and behold, we see the pictures. And I got to say, my heart ached for her, because I know I have done stupid things and perhaps desperate things for my first love, Chris is obviously her first, and so you kind of just want to say, girl, get it together. Run. Go get some more experience. But this is going to be something that they have to learn on their own.
I agree with Megan, that they are definitely exhibiting some immature behavior and they are certainly not role models, but the thing is they don`t pretend to be. So, I wish really wish them the best, but I don`t see this ending too well.
HAMMER: Well, hopefully it ends as best as it can if it ends.
Janell and Megan, thank you. We`re going to see if the top five can keep out of drama next year.
Well, we got to No. 1 on our SHOWBIZ Countdown, but it is not done yet, because there is one celebrity so big and brash we had to create a category just for him. That surprise reveal next.
This is SBT, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: All he has to do to get $5 million for a charity or charities of his choice is get his colleges to immediately give his applications and records and also to release his passport records. When he does that to my satisfaction, if it is complete, this check is delivered immediately.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes, that is Donald Trump, one of his many wild election rants against the credibility of Barack Obama and his presidency.
You know I like you, Donald, but I think you really went over the line when you started to seriously disrespecting the president and our democracy just after he won the election.
It was a tough call to narrow down the list of the most provocative celebrities of the year, but we could not overlook Trump`s erratic election year rant so he is getting a "Most Provocative Celebrity of the Year" honorable mention for his continued drum beat about Obama`s birth certificate, to implying that the president is lying about the real fate of the economy, Donald trump may not have been a candidate for president, but he was always inserting himself in the election this year.
I was totally bummed out when Trump just went nuts on Twitter on election night. It was just at the moment that it was declared President Obama had won his second term, and he had messages like, "We can`t let this happen. We should march on Washington and stop this travesty."
I honestly thought that he would be a little more hopeful than that. Oh, well.
Well, thank you for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. You can watch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Monday through Thursday 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific.
HLN continues right now.
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