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Showbiz Tonight
Jodi`s First 48; Sisterly Love: Reality Stars` Offers of Surrogacy; Who Would Win the Battle of the `Housewives`?; Countdown of Top 5 Buzzmakers
Aired April 04, 2013 - 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: Well, we saw tonight on "HLN AFTER DARK," the Bold Accusation. Does Jodi remember everything? And now on the "SHOWBIZ Countdown," "Jodi`s First 48." The top three turning points in the first 48 hours of the Jodi Arias case. Could they determine the outcome of the case, and which stunning moment will be No. 1?
Plus, I`m firing up another amazing "SHOWBIZ Countdown" of the day`s top five buzz-makers including this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHNSON: We`ve known for a long, long time, you know, that my son E.J. was gay. I love E.J. so much. That`s my main man. So I told him, I said nothing has changed. I just want to help you along the way.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Magic Johnson`s powerful confessions about his son coming out at gay. Will the NBA legend top our Buzz-Makers Countdown. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT starts right now.
Hello and thank you for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer.
And now that the verdict is in on the latest debate over the Jodi Arias murder trial on "HLN AFTER DARK," SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is bringing you a must- see "SHOWBIZ Countdown," "Jodi`s First 48." The top turning points in the first 48 hours of the Jodi Arias case. Just like A&E`s hit true-crime show "The First 48" the Jodi Arias case is proving that those first days, right after Travis` death, are critical to how this case is shaping up and will probably be the key to the outcome of the trial.
Staying up AFTER DARK with us from Atlanta is "HLN AFTER DARK" co-host Ryan Smith, and in New York tonight, Jane Velez Mitchell, host of "THE JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL" show, seen weeknights here on HLN at 7 p.m. Eastern.
And, guys, we kick off our "SHOWBIZ Countdown" tonight with No. 3, Jodi`s mother`s stunning revelation about Jodi`s behavior right after Jodi killed Travis. In her police interrogation video, which was just released to HLN`s Dr. Drew, Jodi`s mom, Sandra, talks to police on the very day that Jodi was arrested, and what shocked Jodi`s mom even more than her daughter`s arrest was remembering how normal Jodi acted just days after she killed Travis. Let`s watch that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SANDRA ARIAS, JODI`S MOTHER: How can she come back here and be normal and then when her friends called her and told her he died, she totally freaked out, like she knew nothing about it? I mean, how can somebody do that?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I can`t imagine.
ARIAS: I can`t think of how anybody could do that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Jane Velez-Mitchell, to you. Jodi`s mom raises a very good question. How could someone kill someone, whether it`s in self- defense or not, and then just go about her life like everything`s normal?
JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, HOST, "JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL": Well, you can do it if you`re a cold-blooded killer, which is exactly the point the prosecution is trying to make.
Listen, I`ve heard Jodi Arias diagnosed all over the map by various shrinks: bipolar, borderline personality disorder, sociopath, psychopath. I will call her a liar, an actress, somebody who can act a certain way on command, draw tears on command, but who knows what`s really going on in her brain?
HAMMER: Ryan, is that how you reconcile the very normal behavior after the murder?
RYAN SMITH, HOST, "HLN AFTER DARK": Absolutely, and I think it`s telling that her mom is sitting there asking the same questions that we`re asking, because it just doesn`t seem like it makes sense. But it does if you talk about some of the constructs that Jane is mentioning.
This idea of her personality being one where she`s trying to cover certain things. She plays into what she needs to play into to show what she needs to show. And that`s what the state is trying to prove and it`s coming across so far, but it comes across strongly with her mom.
HAMMER: Sure does. And Jodi`s mom not the only one who noticed that Jodi was trying to behave so normally after slaughtering Travis. Jodi admitted on the witness stand during her trial that, within 48 hours of killing Travis, she visited and made out with a male friend, and she explains why.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JUDGE SHERRY STEPHENS, PRESIDING OVER TRIAL: How could you kiss another man when you knew what you just did to Travis?
JODI ARIAS, MURDER DEFENDANT: Again, my state of mind wasn`t right at that time. This was just hours afterward. And one of the reasons I went to Utah is because it was expected of me, and I thought by not showing up, it would look even more suspicious. I wasn`t in my right state of mind during that time.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: You think? Here`s yet another thing that I`m having a hard time reconciling. Jodi says that she purposefully did things like visit her male friend, because she didn`t want to break her routine. And yet she also says she was in a fog during that time and wasn`t always sure what she was doing. Jane, this has got to be another Jodi Arias inconsistency that the jury is sure to notice.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: The fog, as the prosecutor points out. Oh, the fog rolls in, and it rolls out and it rolls in, depending on when she needs "the fog."
The reason she went to Utah and canoodled with another fella because she needed to cover her tracks and establish an alibi. And she was hoping people think, "Well, she couldn`t have been there killing him, because she`s out there making out with this one."
HAMMER: And we didn`t just see the mom. We also saw Jodi Arias`s father in the new interrogation video, and he also told police that Jodi acted normally when she returned to (UNINTELLIGIBLE) in California after killing Travis, but he says that changed after Travis`s friends fought his body five days after the killing.
This is No. 2 on our "SHOWBIZ Countdown" of strange things THAT Jodi did in the days after killing Travis. Now, according to her dad, Jodi suddenly started talking about skipping town, but she wouldn`t tell her parents where or why.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WILLIAM ARIAS, JODI`S FATHER: She bawled her eyes out. She was already back, you know, and in the night she came over to the house once, you know, nothing big, no big deal. And then she went home.
And then that day I called her, and she couldn`t even talk, and I go, "What`s going on?"
She goes, "Travis was murdered."
And then she came over one day. I was on -- just got on dialysis, sat down with my wife. And we talked to her for three hours while I was on it, trying to get a question. She said, "I can`t tell you what`s going on, but all I know is I got to leave."
And I go, "Why?"
She goes, "Because I might be blamed for something."
And I go, "What?"
And she goes, "I can`t tell you." She goes, "I just won`t tell you." And she refused and never told us.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: "Travis was murdered. I might be blamed for something, but I can`t tell you what."
Now, look, we know that Travis [SIC] did try to cover up what she did, cleaning up the crime scene and dumping the gun, but hearing her dad say that she frantically spoke about going away. I mean, Ryan, it seems like she was expecting to get caught, doesn`t it?
SMITH: Exactly. It sounds a lot like consciousness of guilt. You hear that, and I can`t even believe that her parents are being so honest about what happened. Because essentially, what they`re doing is offering testimony or offering something to police that is against their daughter.
But at the same time, it just points out why it`s so hard to believe Jodi`s case. Look at all the things she`s saying and the things she`s doing. And then she`s saying, "Oh, I`m in this fog." But yet at the same time you`re telling Dad, "Hey, I got to get out of here."
And the fog is so convenient, but these kinds of statements are what really hold up. The jury`s not going to hear them at this phase in the trial, but, if they did, man, that would be tough on her case.
HAMMER: Yes. Can you imagine? It doesn`t seem like there would be any way out if there even is one already.
But all right. We had Jodi raising eyebrows by trying to act normally and talking about skipping town after killing Travis, but believe it or not, she did something even stranger. And we heard about it in the new video of her parents` police interrogation. And it`s No. 1 on our "SHOWBIZ Countdown" of strange things that Jodi did in those first days after killing Travis. She actually called the cops.
Now, while interviewing Jodi`s dad, Mesa, Arizona, Detective Esteban Flores revealed that, in the days after Travis` body was found, Jodi called him and kept calling him. Listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DETECTIVE ESTEBAN FLORES, MESA, ARIZONA, POLICE: I`ve been talking to her since the day after Travis was found. I talked to her on the phone, and she called me three times that week. It was a couple times the following week. Every week she calls me.
And I just sense there`s something there. And from day one, even before we found our first piece of evidence linking her to it, I knew there was something there.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK. Now, keep in mind that this was during the time that Jodi was still telling everybody that she was nowhere near Arizona when Travis was killed. Jane, please help us understand: why in the world do you think that Jodi would constantly call this detective after killing Travis?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, I think it`s a combo platter of motives. No. 1, I think it`s an extension of her obsession with Travis Alexander. She can`t let go even in death. She`s still obsessed. She still has to be involved with anything Travis. And so she calls this detective for that reason.
But also, I think she`s hoping to call him on the pretense that she`s innocent and wants to be helpful, and then extract information from him that she can use to cover her tracks further and to create alibis to create whatever defense she needs to create.
HAMMER: And this is exactly where so many TV crime shows get their story lines. I feel like I`ve seen that play out before.
All right, Ryan, Jane, thank you both so much.
SMITH: Sure.
HAMMER: Make sure to catch up with the very latest on the Jodi Arias trial with HLN`s newest hit show "HLN AFTER DARK: THE JODI ARIAS TRIAL." It airs Monday through Thursday 10 p.m. Eastern, right here on HLN, and it Is not to be missed.
And firing up yet another amazing "SHOWBIZ Countdown," it`s today`s top five "Biggest Buzz-Makers," including this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHNSON: I don`t care who`s attacking my son, you know. I`m going to still support him. I`m going to still him. As I told him, once he comes out, expect some of is. We knew this was going to happen.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Basketball legend Magic Johnson opening up for the very first time about his gay son, E.J. Why he`s telling the world his love for his son is stronger than ever.
And what about this? Chris Brown giving his unconditional support to Justin Bieber. Yes, Chris says that he`s praying for Justin as the Biebs` bad-boy antics just keep grabbing headlines. Something Chris certainly knows about.
These are just two of the "Big Buzz-Makers" tonight, but only one can top our countdown. Who will take the top slot?
This is SBT, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TOWANDA BRAXTON, REALITY TV STAR: When Tamar was talking about -- about how she wants to be a mom and that she may have complications with carrying, I told her, I volunteered, that I would carry the baby for her.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That`s reality TV star Towanda Braxton, sister to Tamar and Toni Braxton, revealing her stunning offer to become a surrogate for Tamar on the family`s We TV reality show "Braxton Family Values."
And that sisterly love kicks off tonight`s "Battle of the Baby Bumps." Now, Khloe Kardashian Odom has revealed that she is facing the very same struggle to get pregnant, and her sister Kourtney has also made the stunning offer to be a surrogate. So with two big reality stars stepping in to be surrogates, is it really such a crazy idea?
I figured who better to ask than someone who`s at the center of that tough decision. There she is. Singer/reality TV star Tamar Braxton with me tonight in New York. Tamar has just released her excellent new video for her hit song, "Love and War."
And it`s always great to have you here, Tamar.
TAMAR BRAXTON, SINGER/REALITY TV STAR: Thank you.
HAMMER: Sure. You look spectacular.
BRAXTON: Thanks.
HAMMER: And it turns out that you didn`t need your sister to be a surrogate after all. You are due to give birth in just a few months, and congratulations, by the way.
BRAXTON: Thank you so much.
HAMMER: But what do you think: should Khloe take Kourtney up on her offer?
BRAXTON: Definitely. You know, what better way to watch your surrogate than be your sister? I mean, you have to be comfortable with the person that`s carrying your baby, and I think that a sister would be her best bet.
HAMMER: It does seem to make sense. She could certainly easily keep an eye on her.
BRAXTON: Definitely.
HAMMER: And right now we have the whole world watching Khloe`s struggle playing out on reality TV.
BRAXTON: Yes.
HAMMER: You know what that`s all about.
BRAXTON: I do.
HAMMER: So having been in that same position, what`s your best advice for her as she goes through this whole thing right now?
BRAXTON: Well, I would just tell Khloe just to stay calm and be positive and don`t freak out anything, because you know, I want through the same process, and it was really difficult.
And the more I thought about it, the more I put my emphasis on having the baby, I want to have a baby, it didn`t happen. And so you just have to be calm and let go, and it will happen. Just one night of cocktails and lust with my husband, and here it is.
HAMMER: Perfect. Well, there`s one solution, for sure.
And there`s an awful lot of baby talk right now in the Kardashian household with sister Kim, of course, due to give birth in July. So Tamar, you`ve seen it: Kim has been taking a lot of flak for her maternity wardrobe. I think personally that people are being ridiculous with how they`re going after her, but I`ve said that before, and then people go after me saying, "No, she shouldn`t be wearing what she`s wearing."
So let me ask you. From one mom to be to another, are the critics being unfair to Kim?
BRAXTON: I think they are being a little unfair. You know, it`s really, really hard to be comfortable in your skin being pregnant, because it`s a definite change in your body. But for her to be high fashion and her -- she still wants to be cute and sexy. And I just think that we`re being a little bit too hard on her.
I mean, I don`t even wear maternity clothes myself. I wear McQueen Maternity, my own made-up one.
HAMMER: Nice. And as I`ve been saying, look, if she feels good, that can only be good for her baby. And I think that`s really what`s important right now.
But it`s not just her wardrobe that they`re criticizing. Also so much talk about all the weight that she`s gained during her pregnancy. That was something that you were very concerned about. What`s your take now?
BRAXTON: Yes. You know, It`s tough, you know, because you`re hungry all the time. And it`s really nothing you can do about it, and most of it is really like water gain anyway. I mean, I think I gained ten pounds when I found out that I was having a baby.
HAMMER: Listen, it`s the time of your life. Eat whatever the heck you want. You`re eating for two, sometimes more. I think it`s great.
All right. Tamar, thank you.
BRAXTON: Thank you.
HAMMER: So great to have your insight on all this.
And I want everybody to look out for your just-released great new video from the hit single, "Love and War."
We move on now from the "Battle of the Baby Bumps" to a controversial new collaboration.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SNOOP LION, RAP ARTIST (singing): Tonight there`s going to be a lot of new smoke in the air. Blow it all for the ones who ain`t here.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Miley Cyrus and the former Snoop Dogg, now Snoop Lion, just teamed up for that brand-new song, "Ashtrays and Heartbreak." And what they`re singing about is sparking up some outrage, but is it getting more buzz than this? Magic Johnson opening up for the very first time about his son coming out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHNSON: We`ve known for a long, long time, you know, that my son E.J. was gay.
I love E.J. so much. That`s my main man. So I told him, I said, you know, nothing has changed. I just want to help you along the way.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The NBA icon telling the world about his absolutely unconditional son for his son, E.J. Will Magic`s emotional support for E.J. win him the top slot on our "SHOWBIZ Countdown" of today`s "Top Five Buzz-Makers"?
This is SBT, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Tonight it`s the "SHOWBIZ Battle of the Housewives." The world- famous reality wives just hit the red carpet here in New York City. It was for Bravo`s big reveal of the next TV season.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, of course, was right there. I can tell you: all the "Housewives" were together in one spot, and not a single fight broke out, while our cameras were rolling. But that got us thinking, just who would win an "Epic Battle of the Housewives"? Would it be the tough-talking "Housewives of New York"? We are on their home turf, after all.
Or maybe it would be the "Housewives of OC." They are the originals, after all.
But, of course, "Beverly Hills" really took things to a whole different level, so who do the "Housewives" themselves think would come out on top? Watch what they told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, they would. Absolutely.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We joked about this shooting the Bravo commercial. We`re like, God, some of the other cities, they would chew us up and spit us out. We look like nuns.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We`ve build some heavy kind of backup now. These girls, they`re like, you know...
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I`m worried about the rest of them.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, right.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We`re New Yorkers, honey. There`s no question about it.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We`re going to wind hands down.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No question about it.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We`re feisty and "fight-y."
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think Atlanta would give us a run for our money.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I agree. I agree.
NENE LEAKES, REALITY TV STAR/ACTRESS: Atlanta would definitely win, A, because we keep it more real than any of these other "Housewives" shows. I`ve watched all of them. I feel like we`re the realest ones. I also feel like we are the ones with the least amount of plastic surgery.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That would be us. Of course.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We the best. We`re the original, right? We have way too many things going for us.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What sets you apart from the others?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: All of us.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Vicki (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No. We make a good team, like if we had to rally together.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We`re the most adventurous out of all the Housewives.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: All right. Well, they have a pretty high opinion of themselves in this battle.
Maggie Furlong is the West Coast editor of Huff Post TV. She`s with us tonight; going to help us ref this "Battle of the Housewives," Maggie. So the only team I think there that didn`t think they could possibly win was "Beverly Hills." In your mind which cast would win an all-out "Housewives" battle?
MAGGIE FURLONG, WEST COAST EDITOR, HUFF POST TV: New Jersey. Hands down New Jersey. I would be so scared to see those women in a dark alley or a shopping mall. Doesn`t matter where you are. There are no limits in Jersey. They are the original table flippers, weave pullers. It`s, you know, lots of pulling punches with those Jersey girls. They`re scary. I would not -- they`d win, hand down.
HAMMER: OK. Fair enough. "Real Housewives of Atlanta" superstar Nene Leakes also broke some big news with us on the Bravo red carpet about her upcoming wedding to her ex-husband. That`s right; she`s remarrying her ex. And here`s what she just revealed to us.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LEAKES: I`m hoping for a fairy tale. I want a fairy-tale evening wedding. I don`t have a date set yet, but we will real soon.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Can I see your ring?
LEAKES: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, my God!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Maggie, she`s got to do this wedding on TV, right? No choice.
FURLONG: I mean, no choice. She`s already on three different shows. I`m just proud of Nene for actually showing the world what her new normal is. You know, she`s on "New Normal" on NBC. She`s making a big point of saying everybody`s life is different. You never know when love is going to strike, even with your ex. You never know.
HAMMER: Yes.
FURLONG: Guaranteed this will be televised. This will be Nene`s spinoff on Bravo. Mark my words.
HAMMER: Let`s just hope. And I`ll assume it will last longer than 72 days.
Maggie, thank you so much.
And move from the "Battle of the Housewives" now to a basketball icon`s uncompromising support of his son.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHNSON: I don`t care who`s attacking my son. You know, I`m going to still support him. I`m going to still love him.
As I told him, once he comes out, expect some of this. We knew this was going to happen.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Magic Johnson has just revealed that his son is gay. And Magic is speaking out for the very first time about his acceptance, love and support for his son, E.J. And that is making huge buzz tonight.
But is the buzz even bigger for this: a superstar beauty icon going without makeup. Wait until you see who this is. I`m going to reveal what everyone`s favorite glamour model looks like when she`s got no makeup on.
Only one buzz-maker can top the "SHOWBIZ Countdown" of today`s top five. Who will it be?
This is SBT, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHNSON: We`ve known for a long, long time, you know, that my son E.J. was gay.
I love E.J. so much. That`s my main man. So I told him, I said nothing has changed. I just want to help you along the way.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Right now the "SHOWBIZ Countdown," today`s "Top Five Buzz-Makers," including Magic Johnson`s powerful new revelations about his son`s coming out.
Plus, Chris Brown`s got Justin Bieber`s back. Why Chris just announced on a popular radio show that he`s praying for the Biebs.
And what beauty icon is now going without makeup? She is inspiring stars everywhere and making huge buzz tonight. I`m going to reveal exactly who she is and if she managed to grab the top spot on our SHOWBIZ Countdown of today`s top five buzz makers. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT continues right now.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thank you for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer, and tonight in the SHOWBIZ Countdown, we`ve got today`s top five buzz- makers and we kicks things off with number five, with a fired up NBA legend. Magic Johnson speaking out for the very first time about his son revealing to the world that he`s gay.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHNSON: We`ve known for a long, long time, you know, that my son E.J. was gay, and, you know, it`s interesting when you`re his parents and we finally had to sit down and talk about, you know, and I told him, look, I`m going to love you regardless. Just let me know, are you or aren`t you, and then finally he just said yes, I am.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Wow.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Magic just so candid in his new interview with TMZ.com talking about his son E.J., and how do you not give him major kudos for being so supportive of his child? Right now, the Countdown question, just how big a deal is it that Magic is being so open about his son`s story? With me in New York is singer and reality star Tamar Braxton whose brand new single, "Love and War" has already climbed to number one on the urban adult contemporary radio chart and it went straight to number one on iTunes. I applaud you, Tamar ...
BRAXTON: Thank you.
HAMMER: And also applaud Magic here. I think it is terrific. When you hear a sports icon like Magic Johnson revealing to the world how proud he is of his son. So, to our Countdown question, Tamar, how big of a deal is that Magic, the dad, the sports icon ...
BRAXTON: I mean ...
HAMMER: ... is being so publicly supportive of his son?
BRAXTON: I mean how beautiful is this story? I mean he should get the father of the year award. Because what if half of - or more than half of American dads was this supportive, you know, it`s amazing that he sat down and talked to his son and was open and honest with him and just accepted him for who he was, and I just think that`s such a beautiful story.
HAMMER: Yeah, he`s a macho sports legend.
BRAXTON: Yes.
HAMMER: I mean there are so many fathers out there who have a tough time reconciling what Magic is dealing - or has had to deal with his son, and I think he sets a great example and I think it is so refreshing hearing him talk about this when you think about what a heavy burden it must have been for his son E.J. to carry for such a long time. Watch what magic said about that.
(BEIGN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHNSON: When I showed my support and love for him and I told him, hey, I`m good with it. Just be you. He went like because, OK, dad, it`s OK, you know, because he really wanted to make sure I was OK. He wasn`t worried about his mom. He was worried about me, and once I supported him, then I became -- he could talk more about it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Was it because you were such a huge sports star and there was that kind of aura?
JOHNSON: Exactly, exactly, and I think he was worried about what would I think. Am I going to change toward him or something like that? And I love E.J. so much. That`s my main man.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Now, I mean, well, imagine the pressure. Let me take it to the (inaudible) host of "Daily Buzz." on celebuzz.com. Hyla, how powerful of a message do you think Magic is now sending to the millions of teens out there who are struggling with their own sexuality and how they confront their parents?
HYLA, HOST, "THE DAILY BUZZ: ON CELEBUZZ.COM. Yeah, no doubt. This is huge, but this doesn`t surprise me. It seems a lot of people are like, oh, wow, it`s surprise Magic is acting like this. Not at all. First of all, he`s doing the right thing, he is doing what a father should. Also, Magic has dealt with the stigma of being HIV-positive and coming out early on in his career, so I think he understands what it means to come out with such big news like that. And if there`s anyone who is going to stick around and support him, especially his own son you expect Magic to do it and yes, he`s in a great position to be the a leader, to be the face of this because he is not only a sports legend, but now he owns sports franchises ....
HAMMER: Yes.
HYLA: And we know there`s controversy around athletes coming out and talking about being gay, so maybe that will open up the door in that regard.
HAMMER: Well, let`s talk about that, because there is a lot of buzz as to how his stance could have an effect on pro sports. He is, as you mentioned, an owner of the L.A Dodgers, Hyla, and he`s making it clear he has no problem having an openly gay player or players on his team, should that come to be.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
JOHNSON: If that ever happened, I`m going to support them, 150 percent.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you going to protect them?
JOHNSON: Oh, yes. As much as I can. That`s who I am. I`m a protector. You know, I protect my family. That`s why I was, you know, really upset people attacking my son and my family.
As an owner you really got to support the person, you really do, and then help educate the public, and that`s really important. Is, we stand with this player. We`re going to support this player. Once the organization and the owner does that, then everybody else has to say, OK. We`re going to support them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yeah, I mean what a great example to set. I have to believe that professional athletes who are gay will have an easier time coming out, if they choose to, because of Magic`s brand new message, Tamar, don`t you agree?
BRAXTON: I definitely agree, and the more you listen to that interview you just realize what a great guy he is, you know. I mean number one, to support your family, but to support the players and the people that you don`t even know, you know, that works for you, you know. Is he`s just an amazing guy. Really, my hat goes off to him.
HAMMER: Yeah, it`s time for a change and what a great ambassador for that change. Well, we move from Magic Johnson`s buzz-making revelations to number four on our SHOWBIZ Countdown. Chris Brown`s prayer for Justin Bieber. In a brand new interview with New York radio station power 105.1 Brown says that he feels for Bieber, and he prays for him. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHRIS BROWN, RECORDING ARTIST: I pray for him. I pray for myself. I think - I think we both, you know, go through it because we`re, you know, great artists, you know, and he`s a big artist to his fans and everybody.
Being young, having limitless amount of, you know, income, whatever you want to do as a young guy and then at the same time you don`t have nobody who is going to say, hey, bro, you look whack right now, or you`re doing this, or you`re doing that. You know, for me I had the people that said it and, you know, it got through eventually. But you know, I think right now, I mean his team is wonderful.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK. Now, in his own special way I think Chris actually really means well here and he has a very mature message for Justin Bieber. Hyla, do you take this as at least a bit of proof that perhaps Chris is finally growing up and getting past his own troubles?
HYLA: Oh, my god, it`s going to take a lot more than that, man, come on ...
HAMMER: A little bit - a little bit of proof.
HYLA: We seen him, Chris Brown -- he trips somebody (inaudible) all the time. I`d like to see a body at work that lasts like, let`s say, more than a few months before he has to take down his Twitter because he makes a gay slur. No, I`m not buying this for a minute. Sorry, dude.
(LAUGHTER)
HAMMER: Oh, all right. They have that. That`s perfectly fair. I`m trying to be fair to Chris. I have noticed in the interviews he`s been doing lately he is speaking in a more mature way and taking ownership of so many things and to hear him give advice to Justin Bieber - look, I think it`s at least thoughtful. Tamar, is this a good sign to you about Chris` path
BRAXTON: I think it`s definitely a good sign, but I`m just like - who is praying for Chris Brown?
(LAUGHTER)
BRAXTON: What a list! But everybody has to grow up eventually.
HAMMER: And who knows, maybe we`ll hear from Justin Bieber that he`s praying and maybe they can have a prayer circle together. I don`t want to make light of it, or anything, but who knows.
BRAXTON: Right.
HAMMER: Everybody could use all the help they can get, it seems.
So, from reining things in to letting it all hang out, look at what`s coming in at number three on the SHOWBIZ Countdown of today`s top buzz- makers. Snoop Lion, the former Snoop Dogg in his brand new collaboration with Miley Cyrus. Now, get this - the title of the new songs, "Ashtrays" and "Heartbreaks." And the lyrics are well - they`re pretty self-explanatory. Let`s listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SNOOP LION (singing): Tonight there`s going to be a whole lot of smoke in the air - blow it all for the ones who ain`t here. Seems like every day we`re putting more (inaudible) underground, so bless what goes up must come down.
MILEY CYRUS, RECORDING ARTIST (singing): Now, I`m good to go ...
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: If I didn`t know that was Miley Cyrus, I wouldn`t know it was Miley Cyrus. I mean that`s terrific. OK. So they are singing about smoking and Miley, did you catch her lyrics there ...
BRAXTON: Yeah.
HAMMER: She`s singing about not letting anyone see her weak after her buzz is gone. Hyla, I`ve got to get your take on this. Is this the best duet ever or a huge mistake, what do you think?
HYLA: No, I`m not against this. Listen, if you saw his film, his documentary "Reincarnated". He talks about the song, while they were filming the song. He was in Jamaica and a friend of his had passed away and that`s kind what have inspired the song. Obviously, getting Miley Cyrus on the track is going to get it some more buzz because of her history with whatever it is that she is or isn`t smoking.
(LAUGHTER)
HYLA: But I don`t understand what the big stigma is, you know, what`s the big deal? If this was Gwen Stefani, would we be talking about? No, it`s Miley Cyrus and we know her history. But I don`t think it`s a big deal. It`s actually not a bad track.
HAMMER: Tamar?
BRAXTON:: What?
(LAUGHTER)
BRAXTON: I think it`s a stretch for Miley. You know, I`m a fan and I love Snoop, but I think right about now Miley needs a little bit of ratchetanonymous.com, like, girl, no.
(LAUGHTER)
HAMMER: Wait, she shouldn`t be singing on the track? I don`t understand why ...
BRAXTON: No, it`s ratchet and ridiculous behavior for me. Like I like Miley Cyrus.
HAMMER: Calling too much attention to things ...
BRAXTON: Yes.
HAMMER: ..,. you don`t think she should call attention?
BRAXTON: I just think it`s (inaudible) too much for her, you know.
HAMMER: All right.
BRAXTON: You know, she can really sing, and she should stick to that.
HAMMER: Yeah, and maybe it will all go up in smoke.
(LAUGHTER)
HAMMER: Who will we name number one on our SHOWBIZ Countdown of today`s top five buzz-makers? I` will give you a hint. She is a superstar, a beauty icon who is going without any makeup, a global superstar, I tell you. Stick around. You`ll find out who it is.
And this is also stirring up some serious buzz tonight. It`s Beyonce`s big new Pepsi ad.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BEYONCE: Singing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: You know, there hasn`t been this much excitement about a celebrity commercial since Britney Spears hit the stage for Pepsi. It is our SHOWBIZ Moments of Awesomeness with Beyonce. Trust me, you`ve got to see this incredible new video ad.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back. We`re counting down today`s top five buzz-makers. Let me roll back where we are so far. Coming in at number five, Magic Johnson`s brand new revelations today supporting his son E.J. who just came out to the world as gay. As number four, Chris Brown`s brand new confession that he`s praying for Justin Bieber. And at number three, Miley Cyrus and Snoop Lion`s news: smoking hot song, "Ashtrays and Heartbreaks", it`s sparking some controversy tonight. That leads us to number two on our countdown of today`s top five buzz-makers. Reality star Kendra Wilkinson who`s getting some backlash after she`s suddenly quit the ABC reality show "Splash" after she couldn`t go through with a 23-foot dive. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDOE CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you freaking out a little bit?
KENDRA WILKINSON, REALITY STAR: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You can`t do the jump at all?
WILKINSON: I wish ...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You were able to do it last week.
WILKINSON: For everybody, but I`m so sorry.
I`m so sorry. I`m so sorry, everybody.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK, so she quit the show and now there are a lot of people who are giving Kendra a hard time about this. I want to bring back singer and reality star Tamar Braxton. Tamar, obviously, Kendra felt really bad about quitting, she even tweeted a big thank you to all of her supporters and then she tweeted the hashtag shut up haters.
(LAUGHTER)
HAMMER: Are you with me in thinking that people just need to give Kendra a break? I mean that`s some scary stuff there.
BRAXTON: Yeah, I think they should give her a little bit of a break like that is high. I`m afraid of heights myself. She`s not doing that.
(LAUGHTER)
BRAXTON: This is the whole different kind of high that we were talking about with Snoop Dogg a couple of minutes ago. I mean I don`t understand why somebody would hate on her for not going through with it. I think we would have liked to all have seen her maybe face her fear and do it. But let me bring in Maggie Furlong, the West Coast editor for the HuffPost TV. Maggie, please tell me why you think there are so many haters hitting on Kendra for backing out of a scary, scary dive like that?
FURLONG: You know, it is scary, but this is also a woman who used to sleep with Hugh Hefner.
(LAUGHTER)
FURLONG: She she`s done scary things in her life.
HAMMER: Hey ....
BRAXTON: She tried ....
FURLONG: It`s not totally unheard of that she would take a big plunge like that. I just think that she was making such a huge deal about it and such drama, it kind of took people out of the show, and it was maybe drama for drama`s sake, but she said, she will never live it down, she`ll never, you know, forget this decision it was so tough to make. Very, very dramatic, Kendra, we get it.
HAMMER: Tamar, you`re practically a reality veteran right now. Isn`t this what makes great reality TV when the unexpected happens like this? You know, I think there are probably - it`s like the people who are watching a car race hoping that the car is going to crash, but you don`t want anybody to get hurt, and then suddenly somebody quits a reality show. I think that`s what people want to see actually.
BRAXTON: Exactly. It`s the honesty that we love. We love to see the honesty. Had she jumped, she would have jumped like everybody else.
(LAUGHATER)
HAMMER: All right. Well, I guess we`ll never get to see that. Well, I hope you`re ready for this, because I`ve been waiting all night for it. Time to reveal our number one showbiz buzz-maker. I have to say this brings brand new meaning to the phrase that we see so often in the tabloids, stars without makeup. I bring to you a legendary worldwide star who we have never seen without her makeup. May I have a drum roll, Charles. Let`s see. I mean, the woman never ages. Barbie sans makeup. Maggie, are you horrified or you`re entertained here?
FURLONG: I kind of wish that there was like a zit, I mean there is a couple of freckles, but I`m like where are the pimples? Why aren`t her bangs frizzier? They could have done a lot worse to barbie. I think, you know, I think this is a nice way to see Barbie, as crazy as that sounds, with her crazy proportions and, you know, she would be 6 feet tall and 100 pounds in real life. This feels more like a real life barbie.
HAMMER: Tamar, is that how you`re seeing this?
BRAXTON: Definitely. It looks like me in my sixth grade elementary picture.
(LAUGHTER)
HAMMER: Really?
FURLONG: What a mess. Now I want to see that.
HAMMER: Yes.
FURLONG: I want to see that.
HAMMER: I think we`re going to have to dig that out. So, Maggie, here`s what I`m thinking tonight because I think this is pretty monumental. You know, she is, as I`ve mentioned, a global icon, and there is a lot of pressure for young dolls everywhere to look a certain way. Do you think that Barbie will now be an inspiration for dolls everywhere in toy stores and on shelves around the world to feel good about themselves going au natural?
FURLONG: I` mean rainbow bright is next.
(LAUGHTER)
FURLONG: She`s going to swipe that little rainbow tattoo right off her cheek. I can`t wait to see what other dolls come out without makeup. Barbie, you are an inspiration.
HAMMER: I actually believe Ken now feeling inspired to perhaps go without makeup.
HAMMER: Tamar Braxton, Maggie Furlong, thank you so much. Great having you both here.
BRAXTON: Thank you.
HAMMER: Well, we move now from making buzz to making waves, and I love this. You`ve got to check this out. We may have never gotten those jet packs that they promised all of us. We`re not all riding down the road in our segues every day, but this brand new hovercraft golf cart, it is a pretty amazing consolation prize. I mean it`s a hovercraft, obviously this thing can go over water. I`m going to reveal just how much better it could make your life, plus wait until you see what we have named our moment of SHOWBIZ Awesomeness. This is SBT, SHOWBIZ Tonight on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Check this out. You may not believe your eyes, but what you`re seeing is a hovercraft golf cart. That`s awesome. Let me tell you which pro golfer helped create that glorious piece of machinery in our premiere edition of the SHOWBIZ Bleacher Report, this is when SHOWBIZ TONIGHT fires up the biggest sports stories that are trending right now, and my good friend HLN`s Carlos Diaz is right here to give us the lowdown. Take it away, Carlos.
CARLOS DIAZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, A.J. We`re going to start in L.A. where the Lakers bought Shaquille O`Neal`s jersey retirement ceremony this week. They put Shaq`s name and number on the front of the jersey. You see, the v-neck is in the front, and -- and the name and number are supposed to be in the back where it`s rounded.
Uh-oh, a red-faced Lakers spokesperson said the oversight will be corrected and a New Jersey will be put up as soon as possible. Oopsie! Leave it to Bubba Watson to help design a hovercraft golf cart, not that, that! According to people at Oak Lake, Bubba aided in the concept in the design of the BW1 hovercraft which can go over water. Bubba says the advantages of his hovercraft are it can go over water hazards, you can drive it on the greens with no damage, and you can take it into the woods because as Bubba put it, that`s where a lot of his balls end up.
It`s joy and pain at the ballpark in Arizona. First off at the Diamondbacks game on Tuesday night, a female fan got hit in the face with a home run and her boyfriend just gets out of the way, what, and then he like gives her like a pat on the head. Give her a kiss, and just when you think chivalry is dead, at that very same ballpark the following night a Diamondbacks fan has a ball which turns out to be a box, which turns out to have a ring in it. That`s what I`m talking about. Oh, she says yes. It`s happily ever after.
That`s your bleacher report. I love love. I love you, A.J.
HAMMER: Love you too, man. Step away from the Red Bull, Carlos. And I thank you for that love-built Bleacher Report. Make sure you catch Carlos Diaz` Bleacher Report every morning with Robin Meade on Morning Express right here on HLN.
While we`re really loving tonight`s moment of SHOWBIZ Awesomeness.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Beyonce is the bold new face of Pepsi and her bold new ad make it the coolest celebrity spot in decades. You`ve got to see what B is up to. This is SBT, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Time now for SHOWBIZ say what? Look at President Obama doing pushups. Why did he hit the ground and start pumping like that? Some of your thoughts include don`t let this gray fool you, another jokes are commented I`m sexy and I know it. Keep your great thoughts. Come in and send us your SHOWBIZ say what thought bubble suggestion on HLNTV.com/showbiztonight.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Time for SHOWBIZ Awesomeness where we name the most awesome moment of the day and tonight it`s Beyonce`s big new unveiling. So, today happens to be Beyonce`s and Jay-Z`s wedding anniversary and to celebrate the special day, she revealed her brand new Pepsi ad. Beyonce is, of course, the brand new face of Pepsi and the first ad for the soda has just hit Youtube. The Pepsi ads always seem to create a lot of buzz, remember Michael Jackson`s video back in the 1980s, a lot of anticipation for that, so now with no further ado, Beyonce`s brand new take on Pepsi`s iconic performance ad.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BEYONCE: Singing.
Embrace your past, but leave for now.
(SINGING)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I would say she looks totally in control in that ad. Nice going, Beyonce. Coming up next on "DR. DREW ON CALL, " Dr. Drew`s behavior bureau breaking down Jodi`s web of lies and examining more of the interrogation video. Starting right now.
END
