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Showbiz Tonight
Lifestyle of the Not So Rich and Famous; Usher`s Big Problem; More Kardashian Drama; Joy Behars Leaving "The View"; Countdown of Today`s top 5 Buzzmakers; Interview with Stars of `Extreme Cougar Wives`; Dog TV Launch
Aired August 08, 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, HLN HOST: Tonight the lifestyles of the not-so rich and famous.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No one --
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: -- ever wants to have to declare bankruptcy.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Alexis` house was going into foreclosure.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Going through this bankruptcy if anything made us stronger.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT follows the real money trail of the "Real Housewives" franchise. Bankruptcies, foreclosures. Are they just playing rich for the TV cameras?
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT investigates the money madness with "Real Housewives of New York" star Cindy Barshop and Lea Black from the "Real Housewives of Miami."
Beyonce`s dramatic new do. So will you be crazy in love with it or is it just plain crazy?
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT starts right now.
Hello, and thank you so much for watching, I`m A.J. Hammer. And tonight, SHOWBIZ investigates the lifestyles of the not-so rich and famous. The "Real Housewives" series shows us the glitz and glamour of everyday life for the privilege few. And now the explosive case of "Real Housewives of New Jersey" stars Theresa and Joe Giudice is exposing a stunning secret, Giudice face 39 federal counts of fraud, including tax and bankruptcy fraud.
So was their lavish life just for show? And are they among the many reality stars who play rich on TV, only to find themselves broke?
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER (voice-over): Extravagant houses.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is my beautiful kitchen.
HAMMER: Expensive cars.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I want a new car. It`s broken.
HAMMER: And nice vacations.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That`s my closet.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, I don`t want to get jealous.
HAMMER: High price glamour is the common theme running through Bravo`s "Real Housewives" franchise, but lately the show`s ritzy image has been overshadowed by scenes like this.
Teresa and Joe Giudice, from the "Real Housewives of New Jersey," being hauled into federal court charged with 39 counts of allegedly criminal financial shenanigans. They say they`re not guilty.
ALEXIS TERESZCUK, RADAR ONLINE: They are both facing a whopping 50 years behind bars.
HAMMER: And while the Giudices are the only "Real Housewives" facing possible prison time, they are far from the only ones with financial problems.
Bankruptcies, reported tax liens and major debts have all been part of the "Real Housewives" franchise. In a lot of cases the TV franchise known as the "Real Housewives" could just as easily be called lifestyles of the not- so rich and famous.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Here is my Gucci glasses, had to have these.
HAMMER: The Giudices are a prime example of "Real Housewives" cast members whose off-camera pocketbooks may not quite match their on-camera wealth.
TERESZCUK: Teresa and Joe have been in financial trouble basically since the show started.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you many of the Giudice`s federal charges stem from their filing for bankruptcy in October of 2009, which was just months after they first started showing off their opulent lifestyle on the "Real Housewives of New Jersey."
The bankruptcy filings said they were in debt to the tune of at least $10 million.
TERESZCUK: It looks like from the court documents that Teresa and Joe were not rolling in the dough. They apparently really didn`t bring in that much money over the years. This is a woman who in one episode of the show spent $120,000 on furniture.
HAMMER: There are others on the "Real Housewives" bankruptcy role. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you about a dozen current or former cast members of the "Housewives" franchise have dealt with bankruptcies or foreclosures. A lot of times the money trouble is even addressed on the show.
TERESZCUK: The other women are never afraid to call somebody out for not having as much money.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Everybody writes that you`re a whore and you`re leaving the house. Should I just belief it?
TERESZCUK: So when they hear that someone is having financial trouble, it is like sharks around something bloody in the ocean. They are going to go for it.
HAMMER: The Giudice`s bankruptcy issues have been a continuing TV story line.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Going through this bankruptcy, if anything, made us stronger, did not break us. On the "Real Housewives" of New York, Sonia Morgan talked about her 2010 bankruptcy filing.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, I`m heartbroken.
HAMMER: The threat of foreclosure looms over the "Real Housewives of Orange County."
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Alexis house was going into foreclosure.
HAMMER: But the most tragic example of the "Real Housewives" money issues happened on the "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills." To Taylor Armstrong and her late husband Russell.
TERESZCUK: They were in lawsuits. They were having a lot of financial trouble. And it tragically ended when Russell committed suicide. He left Taylor in millions dollars of debt and she has struggled since then.
RONALD RICHARDS, ATTORNEY: The show caused a lot of financial pressure.
HAMMER: After Russell Armstrong`s suicide, his attorney Ronald Richards told me right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT part of Russell`s financial stress came from all the money he spent to help keep him and Taylor on the show.
RICHARDS: Russell tried his best to keep this fictitious lifestyle going by over spending by a large degree.
TERESZCUK: People are willing to put themselves in financial trouble to be on these shows because they`re desperate and they`re hoping that there will be a windfall when they get on the show.
HAMMER: In other words, spending a lot of money to appear to be rich in order to get on a reality show in hopes of really getting rich. It`s kind of like playing Black Jack so you can afford lottery tickets.
To be fair, there are plenty of "Real Housewives" who are really wealthy. But as we in the Giudices` case, over spending to stay on TV can turn into a very harsh reality.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: So what is it really like being a cast member on the "Real Housewives"? Is there really this financial pressure to keep up with the Jones` so to speak?
Well, we are so happy to have a current and a former "Real Housewife" with us tonight. Both of them very successful business women.
Cindy Barshop is a former cast member of the "Real Housewives of New York City." Great to see you.
Cindy Barshop, formerly "Real Housewives of New York City": Thank you.
HAMMER: She`s also the owner, by the way, of the spa Completely Bare.
In Hollywood tonight, Lea Black, cast member on the "Real Housewives of Miami" which returns for its third season on Bravo Monday night at 9:00 p.m. Eastern.
Great to have you both here.
LEA BLACK, "REAL HOUSEWIVES OF MIAMI": Thank you.
HAMMER: So, Cindy, let me start with you. Based on your time on the "Real Housewives," are you at all surprised to see that reality stars like the Giudices apparently living way beyond their means?
BARSHOP: No, I`m not surprised at all. Basically to put a group dynamics together, they take the wealthiest person and everybody tries to be like them. I mean, I felt it in New York itself. I mean, these are people making an average income and they`re supposed to be affluent.
HAMMER: And we see this play out in various aspects of the franchise.
In fact, Lea, lack of money has really become sort of a theme on your show, "Real Housewives of Miami," and in the new season, it actually begins with you fighting with another cast mate who helped -- who you happened to help out during her financial problems. Let`s look at that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BLACK: I felt that she had betrayed me. I thought I was helping a single mother get back on her feet and all the while, she was legally married to Frederick.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Wow, so Lea, we hear some housewives do find themselves under financial pressure to keep up with the Jones`, and as Cindy was saying, she actually does see that. Is that something you`re seeing as well?
BLACK: I think if they feel that pressure, they are putting it on themselves. I don`t think it`s coming from Bravo and I don`t think it`s coming for our producers, Purveyors of Pop. It`s -- they don`t influence it, they`re not trying to make you appear anything other than what you are.
I think, in fact, they would like for people to be who they really, really are, and that`s what they want to capture. So if the women feel the need to, you know, be more than they are, it`s a choice that they make and maybe it isn`t just on the show, maybe that`s how they are really in life as well. Maybe it`s just peeling back the layers.
HAMMER: Yes -- no, that`s --
BLACK: I don`t think people --
HAMMER: That`s a really good point --
BLACK: I was --
HAMMER: Go ahead.
BLACK: Yes -- no, I was going to say, I don`t think people change that much. You know, I think it becomes more of who you really are. You know, if you down play your money, you`re going to down play it more, if you up play it, you`re going to up play it more on. Perhaps.
HAMMER: Yes. Well, I do have to believe that the camera is being on you. And look, this is your chance to show yourself off to the world.
BARSHOP: Yes.
HAMMER: Right, Cindy? You`re going to want to try to put on the best show possible.
BARSHOP: Listen, you put on the best thing. They`re also making it -- you create a character for yourself. I mean, I went on and I said, I want to be a successful business woman, which I am, it`s not a character. But I also did it to promote the spas. Completely Bare. Other people to go on to become, what, to make money later on? So I felt pressure, I felt pressure. I had a birthday party for myself. I would never have birthday party for myself in a horse farm.
(LAUGHTER)
(CROSSTALK)
BARSHOP: It`s my birthday. I was just 45 years old.
HAMMER: But listen, you make a great point, so many of the housewives we`ve seen over the years actually do a good job going on the show, sort of as an investment to actually become truly rich and famous.
BARSHOP: Right.
HAMMER: Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn`t. But if you look at somebody like Bethany Frankel.
BARSHOP: Right. And it`s rare.
HAMMER: She had tremendous -- she`s had tremendous success.
So, Lea, do you think it is worth spending a lot for people who may not necessarily have it to be or appear in a certain way on a show like "Real Housewives" so hopefully you can cash in big time later on?
BLACK: I don`t think you have to spend the money to cash in later. I think the audiences root for an underdog, people like to help people when they`re down. People like to see people struggle and go through the effort of making it in life. And I don`t think you have to put on a show.
BARSHOP: Yes, but --
BLACK: And be something that you`re not. That is not how I view the world.
BARSHOP: I think -- but the show is about affluence, and if you`re not affluent even just to get your make up done can cost you, you know, $500. Every time you`re going o the show and everybody gets their make-up done.
HAMMER: Yes. I mean, there`s got to pressure.
BLACK: First, let me stop you right there. I don`t know where you get your makeup done.
BARSHOP: You do your own make up.
BLACK: And you don`t have to do your makeup to be on the show.
BARSHOP: Oh please --
(CROSSTALK)
HAMMER: All right. You`ve opened a whole another can of worms here. I think there`s pressure that people feel and people handle it in different ways. Thank you both for being here. Housewives of Miami debuts Monday night at 9:00 p.m. eastern.
All right. Changing gears now to Usher`s pain tonight, as the Grammy winner deals with the shock of his son`s near-fatal pool accident. Well, tonight, he is speaking out for the first time about this horrible ordeal.
Also Beyonce may be singing the best thing I never had when she looks in the mirror tonight because she is rocking a new do. Are you thinking Sasha Fierce or ring the alarm?
This is SBT, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KRIS JENNER, "KEEPING WITH THE KARDASHIANS": Your parents had been separated for eight to 10 years, so it wasn`t like I was breaking up a marriage. You know what I mean?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know, where are we going with this?
JENNER: He came with kids, I was really excited.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That`s Kris Jenner trying to mend fences with her stepson, Brodie, on this season of "Keeping with the Kardashians." But today Kris and the Kardashians including Kim have another family blow up to worry about. They`ve actually been slapped with a lawsuit from Kim`s stepmom.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. And I will get to the latest Kardashian chaos in just a bit but, first, in our SHOWBIZ "Justice Files," Usher`s big thank you.
So Usher is now commenting for the very first time since his son`s terrifying pool accident. Today the R&B star is thanking the men who saved little Usher Raymond V. He released a brand new statement to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Here`s what he`s saying, "I am blessed and fortunate to say that my son, Usher V, is doing well and is recovering. I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of prayers, love and support for my family`s well being. I would especially like to thank the two men who saved my son`s life, Eugene Stachurski, and Ben Crews. They are true heroes and I am deeply grateful to them."
Well, Usher did not mention the huge custody battle that came to a head right after the accident. So his ex Tameka has just filed for an emergency hearing to regain custody of both of her sons with Usher. But should he be worried?
With me now, Sunny Hostin, she`s in New York, she`s CNN`s legal analyst and a former federal prosecutor.
And, Sunny, you and I were talking about this off the air. This is a pretty big deal, the hearing is happening tomorrow, but Usher did make a point to not address it in his statement. I`m guessing that`s a pretty good move.
SUNNY HOSTIN, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Yes, that`s a very good move. You know, let this play out in court where it belongs. But I do think that his ex- wife has a pretty good point here. What is going to be determined by this judge is what is in the best interest ultimately? What is in the best interest of these children? And we know that they have this long and terrible custody battle and that Usher did say that Tameka was irresponsible, she was inattentive, and that he should have custody.
Well, now, while the kids were in his custody, he was not there and this really terrible accident occurred. While it is an accident, something, you know, even more terrible could have occurred. And so I think a judge is going to say, wow, you weren`t there. They were in the care of someone else. That someone else may not be the most responsible person. Isn`t it a better place for these children to be with their mother?
And so I think this is a pretty serious hearing that`s going to take place this week.
HAMMER: But of course there is some reason that we don`t really know why she doesn`t have custody to begin with. The last time that they were in court fighting over custody, Usher`s attorney said during his closing arguments that Tameka was, and this is the way he put it, in capable of being a proper parent to the boys. And Usher did win that case.
So what is that saying to you in terms of how much Usher should actually be worried now?
HOSTIN: Yes, I still think he has to be worried. Because clearly that first judge, that judge believed him. They believe that he -- she was inattentive, she was irresponsible, she was an unfit mother, even though she had several other children before having these children with Usher.
But I`ve got to tell you, circumstances do change.
HAMMER: Yes.
HOSTIN: People do change. And this judge may think, well, you know, I think it`s in the best interest of these children to be with their mother. Someone that can be attentive, someone that can be there. So you always have to take these kinds of cases seriously because children are involved, right, A.J.? And so --
HAMMER: Yes, no question.
HOSTIN: Yes.
HAMMER: That`s number one. And do I love that he is not speaking out about it and hopefully she won`t either.
But let me move on now to brand new -- another brand new lawsuit, this is filed by Kim K`s ex-stepmom. Ellen Kardashian was married to Kim`s late father Robert and she`s filed a defamation suit against Kim and her mom and the whole rest of the clan along with producers of their show, claiming that the Kardashians hired a private investigator to try and sell information to Ellen to make it appear that Ellen was blackmailing them.
I mean, wow, Sunny, if this is true, this is crazy. But there is a history there. The Kardashians filed suit against Ellen back in April after Ellen sold portion of the late Robert Kardashian`s diary, and now this.
How do you see it playing out?
HOSTIN: Yes. This doesn`t pass the smell test for me. This smells a little bit like sour grapes. Or at least tastes like sour grapes. They do have this history between one another. Her allegations just don`t really make a lot of sense. I mean we`re talking about the Kardashian empire. Do they really need to hire a private investigator just to try to frame this woman?
HAMMER: Yes.
HOSTIN: That does not make a lot of sense. I think Kris Jenner certainly is a little more savvy than to get caught up in something like that.
HAMMER: I think so, too, but I think somebody would be crazy to put a case like this out there if there was not something to it. But we`ll leave it there, Sunny Hostin.
HOSTIN: I have seen a lot of cases filed.
HAMMER: Well, that`s true. It happens every day.
All right, Sunny. Thanks as always.
HOSTIN: Thanks, A.J.
HAMMER: We switch gears now to the Hoff. A keyboard playing shark and a whole lot of soul.
People behind "Shark Week" have really topped themselves this little musical gem. Wait until you see Hasslehoff`s shark-tastic duet in our SHOWBIZ countdown of today`s top buzzmakers.
And speaking of memorable duos, LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian coming to a TV near you after public affair, messy divorces and two years of marriage, they are coming to reality TV. Is it something you`ll watch?
Which story is going to top our SHOWBIZ countdown?
This is SBT, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT goes on location at "The View" for Joy Behar`s big sendoff. The champagne was flowing, and so were the tears for Joy. She did her last live show today after a whopping 16 years. So what could be more appropriate than this cake with Joy`s signature line, "So what? Who cares?"
Actually we care a whole lot, Joy, and that`s why I was right there earlier today with Joy and her entire crew to get her thoughts on this very special moment.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: So August 11th, 1997. The very first time you did the show.
JOY BEHAR, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": August 11th, 1997.
HAMMER: 1997. August 11th, which happens to be your anniversary.
BEHAR: I got married on August 11th two years ago.
HAMMER: Yes. But that was the first day almost 16 years ago to the day that you walked out here for the first time for a live show. Do you remember what was going through your mind as you set foot out of those doors on to the stage?
BEHAR: I was thinking hey, I got a job in New York.
(LAUGHTER)
I`m so happy. I got a job in New York. Why don`t you come a little closer? What are you, a dentist? Back off.
HAMMER: So, today, nearly 16 years later to the day, what was going through your mind as you were walking out?
BEHAR: Today? I was thinking OK, the chapter is closed on this particular thing that I did for 16 years. I enjoyed almost every moment of it. Not all of it, 100 percent, no one enjoys 100 percent. I had a lot of friends here. I made a lot of friends. I mean, I have a lot of people that I love and go to dinner with and carry on with. I enjoy all of that around the job.
HAMMER: And what`s the one thing that you`re really maybe not going to miss about coming to do this live show?
BEHAR: The grind. The grind. Every day, every day. Every day, every day. I mean, I am at this -- at this point in my life, I have had so many jobs that required me to get up in the morning and go to work and get dressed. This has been easier than being a teacher because people do your hair and makeup here. I could have used that. I would have been a better teacher.
HAMMER: That didn`t happen at school?
BEHAR: No.
HAMMER: No.
BEHAR: No.
HAMMER: So can you clear this up, true or false, you do have the prettiest feet on TV?
BEHAR: I do.
HAMMER: Because we never actually get to see them.
BEHAR: Well, you know, unfortunately for you today, I had -- you really can`t see them because I have panty hose on.
HAMMER: OK. But they are the prettiest on all of television?
BEHAR: They`re pretty good. They`re pretty good. I don`t know. I mean, we had a foot model here one day and I compared my feet to hers and hers were better. So they`re not perfect.
HAMMER: I find that shocking.
BEHAR: But they`re graduated. My toes -- they have a Ph.D.
(LAUGHTER)
HAMMER: Words of wisdom for Jenny McCarthy as she sits in your chair when this -- "The View" returns in September?
BEHAR: I would give advice to -- the same advice to anybody who goes into a job like this. Have a good time, don`t take it too seriously. Don`t take it too serious. It`s not brain surgery, you know. You go out, you have a good time, do the best job that you can. I`m sure she`ll be great.
HAMMER: That`s how we should approach life, isn`t it, Joy?
BEHAR: Yes. So what, who cares? That`s my philosophy.
HAMMER: Who cares?
BEHAR: Yes.
HAMMER: See you around the block.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Perfect class act. Make sure you tune in to Joy`s final sendoff. It`s tomorrow on "The View" on ABC.
So as Joy makes a major life change, Beyonce is entering a new phase of her life. It`s our SHOWBIZ countdown of today`s top buzzmakers. Beyonce`s unbe-weavable transformation. I`m going to show you her brand new do. Is it too extreme or is that tamed compared to "Extreme Cougar Wives"?
It`s a new reality show all about older women and the younger men who make them roar. The stars of "Extreme Cougar Wives" (INAUDIBLE) and Desmond revealed their love secrets despite a 24-year age difference.
Which big buzzmaker is going to top our SHOWBIZ countdown?
Time now for SHOWBIZ "Say What?" There`s superstar Ashton Kutcher on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. What is really going through his head?
Well, we asked you to weigh in. Here`s what you said. Jerome H. writing, "Sell." And we also heard from Vicky Ann who says, "Remember me?"
Go to HLNTV.com/showbiztonight. Fill in the thought bubble.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Right now, the SHOWBIZ countdown, today`s top buzzmakers. And wow, Beyonce chops off her flowing locks. This is Beyonce`s biggest transformation ever. We are revealing her epic short new do and you get to decide if it`s all kinds of awesome or if it`s awful.
Is Beyonce`s makeover dramatic enough to top this drama? The Hoff meets Discovery "Shark Week." Does the Hoff plus Shark plus the piano simply equals TV goals or worst David Hasselhoff`s worst moments ever. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT continues right now.
And welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thank you for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer. Tonight, on the SHOWBIZ Countdown, we are counting down the day`s top five biggest buzz makers. Let`s fire up at number five, Beyonce`s stunning transformation, the superstar singer really shocked her fans this morning. She took to the Internet to show off her dramatic new do. She went from big hair and long locks to - brace yourself - this. Beyonce right there, rocking a blonde, pixie cut, can you believe that? I mean she is nearly unrecognizable. Amanda Seales with the VH1`s "Best Week Ever" is with me tonight. And Amanda, let`s face it, all she really did was, you know, remove the extensions or pull off the wig.
(LAUGHTER)
HAMMER: But, for you. Her new look? Love it or leave it?
AMANDA SEALES, WITH VH1`S "BEST WEEK EVER": You know what? I`m going to say love it. You know, I wear my hair natural, meaning there is no chemicals, there is also no weaves or extensions in it and I think a lot of especially black women see it as a source of pride to go the natural route and to just rock what you got. You know? And I think that Beyonce doing this is more than just a style thing. It`s actually a real strong statement saying that you know, you are beautiful without all the extra flare.
HAMMER: Or is it something else entirely? Because I really could not help but wonder if that recent mishap she had when she got her hair caught in a fan, at a concert .
(LAUGHTER)
HAMMER: Had anything to do with her decision to go short. I mean seriously, it was stuck in the fan .
SEALES: Yeah.
HAMMER: She was a true pro, she went on with the show. But let me go to Hyla, he is an entertainment host with us tonight from Hollywood. Hyla, I don`t know about you, I`m on stage at a concert performing, which would never happen, but my long hair gets stuck in a fan. I`m considering cutting it off.
HYLA, ENTERTAINMENT HOST: Yeah, yes, if that happens to you, A.J., I want to know what you are singing and who you are singing with, but yes, if that happens to you, of course that is what you`re going to do. But when it`s Beyonce, this is what she does. She is a trend setter. And she is always changing up her looks. It doesn`t matter it feels back in the day with "Destiny`s Child" or "Austin Powers" here that she is going on. Her Pepsi ads or even her HBO especial, where she just looked completely natural. This girl switches it up. And here is the thing. While the hair is definitely drastic. She could be back to long hair next week. So, I don`t know if it`s as big of a deal.
HAMMER: It wouldn`t take too much, because I thought of all that would have to happen, now with the short due, she`d have to change up her choreography. Look at the way she whips her hair around, when she`s on stage. She actually even acted a hair spokesperson for Clairol.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANNOUNCER: Hair you`re placing into doll and flat. Come at this charismatic?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I want it.
ANNOUNCER: This multi ....
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I want it.
ANNOUNCER: Now, the shimmer I want is a shimmer I view. And they are worth it.
(END VIDEO CIP)
HAMMER: We`ll, sure, it`s worth it. And listen, if the law in here doesn`t come back, there will be no more of the hair flinging. I mean I can`t - I got nothing, there`s nothing happening here. Halle Berry, however, comes to mind, because she still pulls off commercials with her short hair. So, Amanda, is there any doubt that the Beyonce appeal is still very much there and perhaps even bigger tonight?
SEALES: Oh, I`m sure that we will within the next 48 hours start seeing many a cropped blonde do in the streets. You know, if Beyonce came out in a tutu it would be all the rage.
HAMMER: Maybe she was influenced by Miley Cyrus somehow when Miley cut her - no, I don`t think so.
SEALES: I hope she doesn`t start working like Miley.
HAMMER: Well, yes, that would be bad.
Let`s move on in today`s buzz makers countdown to number four, now this is kind of a cringe worthy admission coming from Olympic great Michael Phelps. Apparently everybody is doing it though, especially Olympic stars. So Michael gave this brand new interview to TMZ and he confirms our worst fears. Everyone pees in the pool, it`s normal for everyone to pee in the pool. In fact, you remember Ryan Lochte offered up the same admission, and he took a few fun jabs over, but he still laughed it off in an appearance on the "Today" show. Remember this?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You admitted to Ryan that from time to time, help me out here, you pee in the pool?
(LAUGHTER)
RYAN LOCHTE: Yeah. I mean sometimes you`ve just got to go.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK, Hyla, here you have two world class swimmers giving the thumbs up to relieving yourself in the pool. I`m going to go on record right now and say, in my entire life, even as a small child, I never peed in the pool.
HYLA: Well, I`m glad that he`s doing it in the pool and not necessarily during the interview. So, that is a plus for both of those guys. I think this is a bad message for kids. I was yelled at all the time, I was told that the water would turn colors if I peed in the pool and now I learn that that was a lie the whole time.
HAMMER: I love that. And do you remember the sign, I don`t know if you can see this, Charles, I just made up my sign, welcome to our pool, notice that there is no pee in it, please keep it that way. That was always one of my favorite (inaudible) they never saw that sign. But we move now from swimming pools to quite possibly jumping the shark. This is number three on our buzz makers countdown tonight. David Hasselhoff, we love the Hoff. He is with the shark and a piano I believe we have pure TV gold, my friends, pure gold.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAVID HASSELHOFF (singing): It`s time to unwind, take a seat or a drink and welcome to shark after dark. Yeah, I`m (inaudible). Just he is the host (inaudible), Bob the Shark and I`m the Hoff shark after dark.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yeah, I mean, I feel groovy right now just sitting here watching that. A little taste of Discovery Channel`s hark after dark. That is their special that`s airing all this week for shark week. Hasselhoff made up a theme show, he did it right on the spot. Amanda, I get to know, for you perhaps the greatest thing you have ever seen on television?
SEALES: I mean, it is definitely up there. I would love to have been in that production meeting when they decided that this was a good idea. It`s definitely taking a leap. They could be jumping the shark. But, you know, it`s shark week. So, hey, you know, it`s just bite into it and see what happens. I love it. And he is actually hitting those notes.
HYLA: Of course, he is the Hoff, man.
SEALES: My bad, my bad.
HYLA: I don`t think he - Charles can we play it again, I`m sorry, I can`t get enough of this. I want to see him.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HASSELHOFF: It`s time to unwind, take a seat or a drink and welcome to shark after dark.
(LAUGHTER)
HASSELHOFF: Yeah, baby.
Josh, he is the host tearing tweets off the shark and I`m the Hoff "Shark After Dark."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Now that shark week is drawing so close, I don`t know if there is any truth to the rumor, but I`m going to look into it, that HLN after dark is looking to get the Hoff to sing their theme song.
Hyla, come on, you`ve got to love the Hoff, right? This is no shark jumping here, this is the Hoff, man.
HYLA: I think you guys have been drinking too much Michael Phelps pool water.
(LAUGHTER)
HYLA: This is horrible. This is really bad, and here`s the thing: like Discovery has a great franchise with shark week, it is huge. But you know what - I think it`s short of just throwing humans into shark infested waters and letting them go to town, they are scraping the barrel of trying to top themselves every single year. Now, unless they are taking, you know, shark week to Germany. I understand why you are bringing the Hoff into the mix. But this is horrible.
HAMMER: He`s a megastar in Germany, of course, shark week is huge here in the United States. You may be on to something there.
But look, Amanda, you`ve got - you`ve got to believe one of the best things about David Hasselhoff is the fact that, look, he is in on the joke.
SEALES: Yes.
HAMMER: He is not really up there trying to impress everybody with the crooning and this shark (inaudible) of piano.
SEALES: That`s what I love about it. He is not taking himself seriously. I mean, at this point in his career, like this is to me, those stance you`ve got to take. Like I know y`all think I`m a joke .
(LAUGHTER)
SEALES: . laughing with you.
HAMMER: And look, Hyla, at least they did not, you know, put him on the floor with the shark fighting over a cheeseburger. Or something like that. But seriously, give the Hoff a little credit. Can`t we hear, you know,, this is now sort of the wave that he is riding, no pun intended.
HYLA: Yes, OK, he is riding the wave and he is doing something with his career. I don`t know if it`s a successful thing. But he is doing something. So, yes, high five to the Hoff for that.
HAMMER: Listen, when sharks flying out of the sky being cut up by chainsaws, by Ian Ziering from 90210 can be - the huge hit that it is, in Sharknado, I think that Hoff on TV, playing with the shark, I think it`s all good.
Love for everybody. Stay right where you are. Number`s two and one on our buzz makers countdown, coming right up. But from "Shark Week" now to proof that TV has really gone to the dogs. And I mean it because there`s this new TV network for man`s best friend.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Look, it looks just like you. Look. It`s just like you. No wonder it`s just like her, it`s dog TV.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I`d watch this - but your pup now getting his or her own TV channel, is it worth the extra milk bones that you will have to shell out for the new cable channel? We`re going to show you, and we will let you decide. And wait until you see what we have named tonight as our moment of SHOWBIZ awesomeness. I promise you will not be disappointed. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, SBT on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT." We are in the midst of counting down the top 5 big buzzmakers that are making big news today, and here is where we are so far. In at number 5, did you see Beyonce`s new do? This morning, the superstar revealed her dramatic new transformation from long locks to that pixie cut. I like it.
Number four, Olympic great Michael Phelps offers up the rather cringeworthy admission in a new interview. He says he thinks it`s OK to relieve yourself in the pool. Very nice.
And number three, David Hasselhoff sings with a costumed shark. It`s for Discovery Channel`s "Shark After Dark," all for the love of shark week.
And that leaves us at number two on our SHOWBIZ countdown. Leann Rimes and Eddie Cibrian coming to a TV near you. Yes, after their public affair, messy divorces and two years of marriage, well, now they are tapped to star in a new VH1 reality TV show, to put even more of their not so private lives on display. It`s going to be called "Leann and Eddie." It is slated to premiere later this year. I`ve been wondering all day, did Brandi Glanville hear about this one yet? Because I kind of see another Twitter war going on.
That takes us to number one on our SHOWBIZ buzzmakers countdown. With all of the big buzz today about TLC`s "Extreme Cougar Wives" series set to premiere with an all-new season this Wednesday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I have dated younger men before. That is why I guess I`m a serial cougar. What I love about younger men is they are not afraid to try new things. They are curious. They are forever growing and wanting to reach their full potential.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Oh, love, yes, who are we to define what it`s supposed to be after all? With me right now, I`m so pleased to have two of the stars of the show`s all-new season. Sherri Winkelmann and boyfriend Desmond Huey. Great having you both here, guys.
SHERRI WINKELMANN, "EXTREME COUGAR WIVES": Thank you, A.J., appreciate it.
DESMOND HUEY, "EXTREME COUGAR WIVES": Thank you.
HAMMER: Absolutely. And look, obviously it`s not your typical relationship, and Sherri, I know you do not mind me saying you are 50, and Desmond, you are 26. I`m sure you don`t have a problem with me saying that. Let me ask you, with family and friends, and even strangers pushing back on your love life because of that age difference, I will start with you Sherri, why put it out there on TV?
WINKELMANN: You know, it`s a great question, and I really did give it great consideration. I am really not interested in having my personal life reviewed on camera. However, after I spoke with Fiona Kennedy (ph), our executive producer, she was definitely coming from the standpoint of empowering women and wanting to change conscience and move women forward, and I`m all about taking a little heat for anything that will break open barriers for women and allow us to have relationships as men have always had with respect for any age differences.
HAMMER: All right. So you are doing it for a cause, I can totally appreciate that. And obviously you embrace the cougar title?
WINKELMANN: You know, the word has different connotations. For me, it means an empowered, intelligent woman that lives life on her own terms. That`s how I interpret it.
HAMMER: Yes, you don`t look very predatory to me. But, Desmond, let me get your take on how your family reacted when you first told them about Sherri and this age difference that was going on there?
HUEY: Well, the interesting thing is that I actually introduced Sherri on the show to my entire family, and I think at first there was a little bit of shock there. But ultimately they ended up accepting and loving her. I mean, it`s been great. So, family has been very supportive.
HAMMER: That is good to hear. Look, what is television for if not to use it to introduce your companion to your family. The producers must have loved you for that.
WINKELMANN: Of course.
HUEY: Oh, yeah, hey.
(LAUGHTER)
HAMMER: Sherri, what do you say to the naysayers? Because obviously there are some people who just do not get it. And you are educating in a way. What do you tell those people?
WINKELMANN: I say, you are absolutely entitled to your opinion, you can feel however you feel. Here is the thing. Love comes from the soul. You know? And it`s really beyond age, race, and gender. And so, if you are not inside of what I`m experiencing and what I`m feeling, I can understand where it may appear odd. But once you feel that type of connection on a soul level, it really goes beyond all of those barriers that I described.
HAMMER: So, Desmond, I got to know, have you always been attracted to older women, or was it just something about Sherri in particular that stood out to you?
HUEY: I just love -- Sherri is amazing to me, first of all. I mean, have I always been attracted to older women? Yes, I`m attracted to the maturity and I am attracted to her spirituality and I am attracted to, you know, things of that nature. I mean, I just love -- I don`t look at the physical so much. I mean, I do, but you know, it`s the connection that we just talked about, that is more of what I have. You know, it`s amazing.
HAMMER: And I think you guys make a lovely couple. I cannot wait to see your relationship play out on TV. Sherri Desmond, thanks so much for being here.
WINKELMANN: Thank you, A.J., appreciate it.
HUEY: Thank you.
HAMMER: You got it. TLC`s "Extreme Cougar Wives" premieres Wednesday, August 14th. Check your local listings for showtimes.
All right. Let`s move now from cougars to canines. Did you see this? Release the hounds.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS: Look, it looks just like you. Look. Just like you, no wonder it`s just like her, it`s dog TV.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I love this. A brand new 24/7 TV network just for your pooch. Do dogs really want to watch TV? I want to take you inside the new doggy channel that a lot of people feel is barking up the wrong tree. And I`ve also got your SHOWBIZ moment of awesomeness. This is SBT, "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now TV goes to the dogs. Seriously, there`s a brand new TV network just for your pooch. I mean, think about it, your dog is pretty much the perfect coach potato, right, lounging around on your coach when you`re gone, napping all the time. So why not harness the world`s most underserved TV audience, right? It`s happening. Dog TV launched this month nationwide, and CNN`s Jeanne Moos has the latest on pup programming for "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MOOS: Who would sit and watch three minutes of a dog running through a corn field? Not Ginger. Look, it looks just like you. Look. Just like you.
No wonder it`s just like her, it`s Dog TV. The first television network for dogs has just gone national on DirecTV. What is the target demo?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Wherever there is a dog that`s home alone, we feel that this is the perfect baby-sitter.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Been there, done that, been there, done that.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Don`t let your dog get lonely, Dog TV.
MOOS: The creators say they did three years of research on dog behavior. Watching video from surveillance cameras set up in 38 apartments to see what dogs do when they are alone. And how they react to TV.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We learned that a lot of dogs were not too happy with the barking noises. Some of them got irritated and angry and anxious or whatever.
MOOS: Romeo, for instance, gets so excited, his owners can`t even watch shows on Animal Planet. So Dog TV features almost no barking and just the occasional squeaky toy. They have enhanced certain colors to make them more visible to dogs, since canines don`t see as many colors as humans.
There are three types of doggy programming. Stimulation.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Good boy.
MOOS: Relaxation. And exposure, to get dogs used to things like car rides and babies and thunderstorms.
Dog TV costs $5 a month. But at least your dog won`t have to sit through erectile dysfunction ads.
Are there commercials?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It`s commercial free, it`s ad free. It`s 24/7.
MOOS: Forget channel surfing. Some trainers think Dog TV is silly, that it makes dogs hyper trying to make sense of stuff coming out of a box, but the Humane Society recommends leaving a TV on if your dog has separation anxiety. Dog TV is even being tested in veterinary clinics and shelters.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Immediately the dogs sat down and watched it.
MOOS: Dog TV`s creators say some say dogs are mesmerized. While others cannot be bothered.
Ginger, try to stay awake for this. Ginger, want the remote?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We do not expect dogs to sit all day and become canine couch potatoes.
MOOS: Ginger became a couch potato without showing even the remotest interest in Dog TV. Unless she`s dreaming of leaping through that cornfield.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: My director did not believe me, but I would pay the $5 a month for that, for my dog. That`s CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, and here is another TV first that may have you doing a double take. It`s "Today Show`s" Hoda Kotbe busting out a hip hop classic.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Yes, that is Hoda doing something to "Rapper`s Delight." I don`t think Kathie Lee is a fan, but I know you are going to want to see how it plays out. The whole glorious train wreck performance in your moment of SHOWBIZ awesomeness. This is SBT, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: I know you`ve been waiting for tonight`s moment of SHOWBIZ awesomeness. This will not disappoint. I`ve got the "Today Show`s" Hoda Kotbe busting out the hip hop classic, "Rapper`s Delight," did it this morning with the moves and the grooves, but I can tell you that Kathie Lee Gifford thinks that Hoda is missing one crucial element, and that is the talent to rap. So, judge for yourself. Rap for us, Hoda.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(MUSIC)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She knows every word, too.
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Please put me out of my misery.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I know every word too. I think it was pretty good, especially for 9:00 a.m., right? Thank you for watching. I am A.J. Hammer in New York. Be sure to watch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT every Monday through Thursday. We`re on at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific. HLN continues right now.
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