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SHOWBIZ TONIGHT

Russell Crowe Hears Judgment on Phone Assault Charges; Robert Blake Found Liable for Wife`s Death; Dana Reeve Talks Publicly about Cancer Treatment; Fans Excited about New Harry Potter Film

Aired November 18, 2005 - 19:00:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

A.J. HAMMER, CO-HOST: I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
BROOKE ANDERSON, CO-HOST: I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. TV`s only live entertainment news show starts right now.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HAMMER (voice-over): On SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Dana`s determination.

DANA REEVE, WIDOW OF CHRISTOPHER REEVE: I feel, actually, quite vulnerable.

HAMMER: Tonight, for the first time since revealing she has cancer, Christopher Reeve`s widow speaks, and SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is there as stars show their support.

CATHERINE ZETA-JONES, ACTRESS: She has the greatest strength in the world.

HAMMER: The latest on Dana Reeve`s emotional and brave battle.

Plus, Crowe back in court. Judgment day for Russell Crowe. Will he go to prison for throwing that phone? Will he ever be able to work in the United States again? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, front and center at the courthouse with late-breaking details.

And Las Vegas laughs. Tonight, the country`s most hilarious comics in Sin City for a dog-gone good time.

ROBERT SMIGEL, TRIUMPH THE INSULT DOG: I`m at one with the grass every morning at about 8 a.m.

HAMMER: It`s the Friday funnies on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

SMIGEL: This is Conan`s Insult Comic Dog, Triumph. If it happens today, it`s on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: Hello, I`m Brooke Anderson, live in Hollywood.

HAMMER: I`m A.J. Hammer, live in New York.

A dramatic day in courtrooms on both coasts today. Late today in Los Angeles, a stunning verdict in the Robert Blake civil trial over his wife`s murder. The verdict and the most up to the minute details on that coming up in just a moment.

But first, Russell Crowe`s day of judgment came this afternoon in New York courtroom on assault charges. Our own David Haffenreffer was right there on the scene when it all happened. David joins us live in New York tonight .

DAVID HAFFENREFFER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: A.J., it was media mayhem down at the courthouse today. We were getting pushed around down there as every media outlet tried to get their shot of the Oscar-winning actor.

And you know, Russell Crowe got off pretty easy when you consider he could have been banned from working in the United States. Some say he got off easy because he`s a celebrity.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HAFFENREFFER (voice-over): Crowe at the courthouse.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Let us through.

HAFFENREFFER: Media madness today, where a silent Russell Crowe arrived at court, his wife at his side, to face charges that he threw a telephone at a hotel worker last summer.

Here he is trying to make his way through the media circus. He made it inside but wasn`t there long. It took him only a few minutes to plead guilty to a misdemeanor third degree assault charge. In doing that, he admitted to losing his cool and injuring a hotel concierge after a late night on the town.

(on camera) The trouble for Crowe began in the wee hours of the morning on June 6. He returned to his hotel room in the trendy Mercer Hotel in lower Manhattan and tried to call his wife at home in Australia.

(voice-over) Crowe was having trouble getting through. That`s when he went down to the front desk to get his faulty phone replaced. This man, Nestor Estrada, was the concierge on duty. He claims Crowe lost his temper and threw a phone at his face.

All things considered, Crowe got off easy today. The judge sentenced the actor to a conditional discharge, meaning he will be totally off the hook as long as he does not get arrested in Manhattan within the next year.

Crowe was also ordered to pay a $160 court surcharge. That`s peanuts to him. He makes a reported $20 million per picture.

Today could have been much worse for Crowe. If convicted of the more serious charges initially filed against him, he could have been banned from working in the United States. He could have also been sent to prison for seven years.

Sounds like he got off the hook but not quite.

MARSHA KASAROSIAN, THE LEGAL TALK NETWORK: The fact that he pled guilty to a misdemeanor and not a felony, I believe, still is going to put him in some jeopardy with immigration. Immigration could contact Russell Crowe directly and discuss with him the possibility of whether or not they`re going to put restrictions or revoke his right to work or stay in the United States.

HAFFENREFFER: Russell Crowe slipped out the back door, leaving his attorney to do the talking. He didn`t say much, but he was pleased.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Very happy. It`s a good day.

HAFFENREFFER: Crowe`s on his way home to Australia now. But that doesn`t mean he`ll be leaving all of this behind him. Remember this appearance on "Letterman"?

DAVID LETTERMAN, HOST, CBS`S "LATE NIGHT WITH DAVID LETTERMAN": Say hello to Russell Crowe, everybody.

RUSSELL CROWE, ACTOR: Just now that if you`ve given me the opportunity, I`m extremely sorry for this whole incident, and I regret everything that took place.

HAFFENREFFER: Well, that public apology on national television may not have been the smartest thing for him to do.

KASAROSIAN: In the court of public opinion, I think Russell Crowe surely helped himself by this public apology, because he is known, I think, as the bad boy here of the celebrities.

But I`ll tell you, if he was my client and he was the average American Joe, I would not be letting him make any apologies or any kinds of comments, because it could be construed as admission.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HAFFENREFFER: And Russell Crowe settled a civil lawsuit stemming from the assault back in August. No word on the details of that particular settlement.

And almost ironically, Crowe`s latest film, "Cinderella Man," is being re-released in theaters today, so it can be considered for an Oscar. It didn`t do so well the first time around. However, many think that it is -- will be considered up for an Oscar this year. Brooke, back to you.

ANDERSON: Could be, David. The film got really solid reviews from the critics. All right. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s David Haffenreffer, thanks.

HAMMER: And as we told you moments ago, a dramatic verdict today in the Robert Blake wrongful death trial.

This afternoon a Los Angeles jury found the star of the "Baretta" TV series liable for the death of his wife, Bonny Lee Bakley, who was murdered. They ordered her -- ordered him to pay her children $30 million in damages.

The jury, which deliberated eight days, said that Blake did himself in.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In going past the evidence as a group, we believe that Mr. Blake was probably his worst enemy on the stand. In the end, the evidence that was presented really convinced the jury to the standard that we were set to, which was more likely to have happened than not happened. We feel that our decisions are supported by that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: Well, you probably remember Blake was acquitted of criminal murder charges back in March. Bakley`s four children sued the 72-year-old actor in 2002.

And joining us now to explain what all of this means, live in Los Angeles, celebrity trial journalist Pat Lalama, who was right there.

Let`s get right to it, Pat. Shades of O.J. here, correct? I mean, he was found guilty (sic) in the criminal trial, today found liable -- found not guilty in the criminal trial, found liable in the wrongful death civil trial that ended today with this verdict.

This means that a majority of the members of the jury in the civil trial believe Blake is responsible for her death, whether or not he pulled the trigger. So how did this happen?

LALAMA: Well, I mean, you could almost sort of expect it if these jurors felt he did it, because remember, it is a preponderance of the evidence. You don`t have to feel beyond a reasonable doubt. You can just say, yes, like the juror said, who sounded very intelligent by the way, more likely than not that`s all you need, and you don`t need 12 people. So, obviously, the standard is different.

And clearly, this jury was trying to make a point by saying, "$30 million, Buster. We believe you did it, and now you have to pay."

HAMMER: Well, and as it applies to the money, there is no real standard in terms of coming up for this amount, as far as I understand things. Just a short time ago I understand you spoke with the judge. Why $30 million and what did the judge have to say about this amount?

LALAMA: The judge isn`t going to talk about why they came up with $30 million. All the judge is going to say is that in the state of California, they could basically come up with their amount that it`s not considered punitive damages in this wrongful death case, that the question they were to look at, No. 3, how much do you feel that this estate should be awarded.

And the jurors were strictly instructed not to consider elements like grief and pain and suffering and anguish, which I found kind of interesting. If you think the guy caused a murder, I mean, it seems a little bit inconsistent. They were only told to consider, you know, care and comfort and your mother`s not there for the rest of your life and what does that mean to you? And this is what they were able to come up with.

Now, let me just say, A.J., if the defendants don`t like that, and you can bet your bottom dollar they aren`t happy about it, they can file an appeal. There is a time limit. I`m not exactly sure what the time limit is today. But they do have a time frame in which they can file an appeal and ask for that amount to be reduced or thrown out or whatever it is they hope for.

But right now, it`s $30 million, and this jury did what a criminal jury could not.

HAMMER: Not only will they not like that amount, but there`s a very solid chance, from everything we understand, that Robert Blake doesn`t have that amount. So what happens as far as that`s concerned? Does that go to the appeal, as well, or how does that work?

LALAMA: Well, I mean, look, if we`re going to be blatant about it, bottom line it`s going to be probably a lot like O.J. That family isn`t going to see what they hoped to see, but he will have to pay.

I mean, he must have property. He must have, you know, royalties from past performances. You know, it`s unclear at this point what his estate is worth. He will have to pay. And it`s sad because he`s probably going to go to his grave a very, very, emotionally and financially spent human being.

HAMMER: Well, clearly this jury was sending out a message today with that $30 million amount.

LALAMA: Yes.

HAMMER: Live in Los Angeles, celebrity trial journalist Pat Lalama, thanks for being with us on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

LALAMA: My pleasure.

ANDERSON: Coming up, for the first time since announcing her battle with lung cancer, Dana Reeve speaks out, and SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is there, next.

HAMMER: Plus, we hit the streets for the very first reviews of new Harry Potter movie, right as the fans are leaving the theaters. Are they going hog-wild over Hogwarts? Or is this Potter flick a flop? I have a feeling I know the answer to that. You find out what they have to say next.

ANDERSON: And so, Larry David, Ray Romano and Triumph the Insult Comic Dog walk into a bar. Want to hear the punchline? Stay tuned. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is on the Vegas strip with some very funny stars.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer.

Tonight, Dana Reeve`s courage. It has been a year since the death of her husband, Christopher Reeve, and now her first public appearance since she was diagnosed with lung cancer.

It has certainly been a painful year for Dana, but at a fundraiser that she hosted for the Christopher Reeve Foundation last night in New York City, her closest friends came out to support her, as they`ve been doing throughout her whole ordeal.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

REEVE: Going through what I`m going through now, I feel actually quite vulnerable, but I think you just forge ahead.

HAMMER (voice-over): Courageous, strong, inspirational, this is how the people around Dana Reeve describe her.

DIANE SAWYER, CO-HOST, ABC`S "GOOD MORNING AMERICA": We met in the course of doing interviews, and I immediately knew I was in the presence of something rare and magical.

ZETA-JONES: She has the greatest strength in the world, you know.

MICHAEL DOUGLAS, ACTOR: I don`t know, though. I think she`s taken care of her own issues. I think she`s dealing with it privately.

HAMMER: Privately and stoically. The past year has been a painful one.

REEVE: Chris passed away last October. Shortly thereafter, my mother passed away after surgery from ovarian cancer. Quite suddenly and unexpectedly. And then I got this diagnosis in the summer.

HAMMER: The diagnosis was lung cancer. But she has the support of a wide network of friends and family, there for her when husband Christopher Reeve became paralyzed after falling off a horse in 1995, there for her as she battles cancer.

GLENN CLOSE, ACTRESS: I think just knowing that people are there, you know, when the need arises and even if it`s to call up and say, "Do you have -- are your meals OK? And do you need anything delivered? Can I do anything for you? Does Will need to be driven anywhere?"

HAMMER: Actress Glenn Close became a good friend of Christopher Reeve in the early `80s, and that friendship extended to Dana when she married Reeve in 1992.

CLOSE: She ha a very, very strong support group that she and Chris have, for Chris` needs and because of the kind of people they are, they`re the people that, you know, they have staying power because -- it`s kind of a family.

HAMMER: Another close member of that family, comedian Robin Williams, friend of Christopher Reeve since college. He and his wife haven`t left Dana`s side.

REEVE: I have friends who accompany me every week to treatment, who have been unbelievable. I mean, I guess the more public ones are Robin and Marsha, who everyone knows and have become almost like a running thing, but they truly are two of the most generous, loving people who have ever been put on the planet.

HAMMER: We were there last night as Dana Reeve was joined by Williams and so many other friends who really are like family.

ZETA-JONES: Christopher Reeve, my husband and I have the same birthday.

HAMMER: Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones have been long-time friends. She honored them last night with the Spirit of Courage Award.

ZETA-JONES: I think Dana is a saint. I mean, she`s, like, struggling with her issues right now, but with Christopher, she was fantastic. And he just was a wonderful, wonderful person who we miss, we miss very much.

HAMMER: And Dana misses him, too. But even in death, she says her husband gives her the strength she needs to fight the cancer.

REEVE: He taught me so much about courage and about going forward, and he really lives with me in this.

HAMMER: And so does their son, Will, who at 13 years old has experienced a lot of heartache at such a young age.

REEVE: This boy has had a lot of lessons that he`s learned in life that I would rather he hadn`t had to learn so young, frankly. And, but at the same time, it is a kind of gift, and I think one of the greatest gifts we can give our children are the tools to face life`s inevitable adversity, and he`s the definition of resilience.

HAMMER: And so is Dana.

SAWYER: She said to me at one point, "You know, sometimes, you pay rent to be on this earth and to have a chance to good."

REEVE: I`ll tell you, it`s another journey, and I`m ready to be finished with the journeys, thank you very much.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HAMMER: With these stories, always look for good news, and there is some. Dana told us she has been responding well to treatment, and her tumor is shrinking.

And more good news, the fundraiser everyone attended raised over $2 million, and that`s going to go to finding cures for spinal cord injuries.

ANDERSON: All week, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has been wild about Harry Potter. It`s our special series on Harry Potter as the fourth movie in the series, "The Goblet of Fire," is finally in theaters today.

Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has your first reviews, and they aren`t from the critics. We went directly to the fans.

SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s David Haffenreffer is live. That was my best magic wand. David is live in New York City`s Times Square.

David, are the fans beside themselves with excitement?

HAFFENREFFER: You know, Brooke, the -- "Harry Potter" fans are very much like "Star Trek" fans. They will do just about anything for the film itself. They`ll read the book. They`ll pay ten bucks to see the movie, then they`ll run out and buy the DVD when it gets released.

So it was with that in mind that we came down to the streets of New York City today to talk to Harry Potter movie goers about what they thought of the movie itself. We asked them, how many goblets do you give this new film?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I give it four. It was exciting, fast-paced and the characters were really true to the books. Very good. Four stars, four goblets.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Four full goblets. Excellent movie. I`d go see it again. It was best I`ve seen in the series, very visual. Excellent. And we took our four girls a little earlier to go see it, too.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Out of four goblets, four for sure. It was just a great book. But there was so much in it and they brought it into the movie and in such a great way. And he came all the way from Atlanta to see it. And it`s great to be in New York and see it.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Out of four goblets, I give them three, because it was -- the effects were very good, but she cut a few things that book, you know, book lovers of J.K. Rowling are going to catch, so...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Out of four goblets I give it a four. Mike Newell really did a great job, I think, making it Harry-centric, and I thought he did a good job just cutting out the elements that were needed for the film. And it was a good running time and all that stuff. So I loved it. It was four goblets.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAFFENREFFER: All right, pretty unanimous from the fans. We`re going to have to see what the box office results are come Monday.

Now for my magic wand, Brooke, back to you.

ANDERSON: I bet those box office results will be big, David. Thank you so much. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s David Haffenreffer.

And while "The Goblet of Fire" is a children`s movie, it has some very adult themes. The film is the first PG-13 Potter and includes death, destruction and sexual undertones.

Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT looks into whether the darker overtones will get in the way of a box office bonanza.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: People die in this tournament.

ANDERSON (voice-over): Death, destruction and a little sexual tension.

EMMA WATSON, ACTRESS: Actually, you don`t need to talk at all. It is more of a physical being.

ANDERSON: By all accounts, this Harry is heavy. "Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire" is the fourth movie in the magical series. And it`s the first film to receive a PG-13 rating. The previous three were PG.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The devils are inside the walls.

DANIEL RADCLIFFE, ACTOR: We`re supposed to be scaring people with this one. I mean, the book is terrifying. And the book is really dark and scary, and a 16-year-old kid dies. You can`t do that and make it light and fluffy.

ANDERSON: Some parents worry it`s too dark for their kids to see.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I`m concerned sometimes about the amount of violence or the scariness for young kids.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it`s a little to dark for their age group. So, yes, it does concern me.

RADCLIFFE: He`s coming closer. I can feel him.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The dark lord, arise.

ANDERSON: But will "The Goblet of Fire" set the box office aflame? The first three movies have made more than $2.5 billion worldwide. Mike Speier, managing editor of "Daily Variety," believes Warner Brothers is banking on the fact that Potter fans have grown up alongside the maturing themes of the books and films.

MIKE SPEIER, MANAGING EDITOR, "DAILY VARIETY": Warner Brothers knows that its audience from the first one is now of a certain age, and they`re going to just keep, of course, aging. And they`re capturing this audience as it ages, so it doesn`t lose anybody.

ANDERSON: The film`s director, Mike Newell, believes the strict aerating is appropriate.

MIKE NEWELL, DIRECTOR: Most of these people would have read the book many times. And they will know that the biggest, baddest villain in the world is going to hit Harry in this. And if that doesn`t get a PG-13, then they`ll say there`s something wrong, and they`re right.

BRENDAN GLEESON, ACTOR: End of story, good-bye, the end. Any questions?

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: Now, we want on to hear from you. It`s our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. Harry Potter: are the movies better than the books? Vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight and send us e-mail at ShowbizTonight@CNN.com. We`ll read some of your thoughts later on in the show.

HAMMER: So we heard what the fans think. Now we need to know what the critics think. A review of "The Goblet of Fire," that and the new Johnny Cash film, coming up in "People`s Picks and Pans."

ANDERSON: Plus, Joe Simpson dishes on his daughters. What he tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT about those Nick and Jessica marriage rumors, and he explains why things got a little messy for Ashlee at a McDonald`s, next.

HAMMER: And a brand new unprecedented miniseries about Pope John Paul II, and the current pontiff, Pope Benedict, screens it. So what does he think? Does he approve? Find out when SHOWBIZ TONIGHT continues.

But first, tonight`s "Entertainment Weekly Great American Pop Culture Quiz." Which "Cheers" regular did not guest star on the spin-off "Frasier"? Was it Woody Harrelson, Ted Danson, Shelley Long or Kirstie Alley? We`ll be right back with your answer.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: So again, tonight`s "Entertainment Weekly Great American Pop Culture Quiz." Which "Cheers" regular did not guest star on the spin- off "Frasier"? Woody Harrelson, Ted Danson, Shelley Long or Kirstie Alley? The answer is "D," Kirstie Alley.

HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer.

Tonight, Joe Simpson is speaking out to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT in defense of his daughter`s marriage.

Rumors have been buzzing around for many months now that Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey`s union is on the rocks. But Joe Simpson, who`s also Jessica`s manager, denies that there`s any trouble in paradise.

SHOWBIZ TONIGHT caught up with him on the set of his client Ryan Cabrera`s new video for the song "Photo." And Simpson says he can`t be any more clear.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE SIMPSON, JESSICA AND ASHLEE SIMPSON`S FATHER: Jessica and Nick, we`ve only told everybody they`re together about four million times. Yesterday, I called her. They were making cupcakes together. I don`t know what else we got to do, you know. We`ve tried. Everybody always says, "If you`ll just tell us the story, we`ll fix it." So we told the story a thousand times, and we`re still in the same hole.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: People just don`t want to hear it or believe it. Meanwhile, Daddy Simpson is also defending daughter Ashlee after she was criticized for an allegedly drunken romp at a McDonald`s in Canada. Joe Simpson says that incident was just taken out of context and, quote, "She`s just a kid."

ANDERSON: Is Madonna stealing from other people`s songs? We`ll have the answer coming up next.

HAMMER: Also, the kings and queens of comedy out to save the world. Even President Bush shows up. "Friday Funnies" heading your way and SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has got your front row seats to the Las Vegas Comedy Festival next.

ANDERSON: And clear out the Kryptonite because the man of steel is back. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has your first look at "Superman Returns," the first Superman film in nearly 20 years. That`s still to come in tonight`s "SHOWBIZ Showcase."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(NEWSBREAK)

HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It is 31 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer, live in New York.

ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson, live in Hollywood. And you`re watching TV`s only live entertainment news show.

HAMMER: And as we launch into the weekend, Brooke, there`s a big comedy event happening on television this weekend. You may have heard about it, called "Earth to America."

Some major comedy stars are going to be a part of it, Robin Williams, Steve Martin, Larry David among them. It was part of the Las Vegas Comedy Festival that was taking place in Sin City all week long. We`ve got some really funny highlights coming up in just a couple of minutes.

ANDERSON: Some really hilarious comedians are there.

And also something else that`s very exciting, A.J., Superman is back. A new "Superman" film is hitting theaters next June. It stars Brandon Routh and Kate Bosworth. We will have the first look at "Superman Returns," coming up in the "SHOWBIZ Showcase."

HAMMER: But first, up, up and away to tonight`s "Hot Headlines." SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Sibila Vargas joining us, live again from Hollywood.

Hi, Sibila.

SIBILA VARGAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, A.J.

Well, lots of legal news tonight, with decisions in three celebrity court cases.

The most dramatic: actor Robert Blake has been found liable in the death of his wife, Bonny Lee Bakley. Blake was acquitted of criminal charges eight months ago, but Bakley`s four children sued him for damages in a civil trial and today, they won. Blake has been ordered to pay Bakley`s family $30 million.

And Russell Crowe has pleaded guilty to third-degree assault. Crowe was in court in New York today, where he admitted throwing a phone at a hotel concierge back in June. He was fined $160,000 and sentenced to conditional discharge, meaning he can`t get arrested for a year.

And Madonna is in hot water over her song "Frozen." A little known songwriter in Belgium has won a plagiarism case against Madonna. The songwriter says Madonna`s 1998 song, "Frozen," plagiarized parts of one of his songs, which he had written five years earlier. A court in Belgium had banned the Madonna song from sale or broadcast in the country. Madonna isn`t commenting.

And those are tonight`s "Hot Headlines." A.J., back to you.

HAMMER: I don`t think the lack of airplay in Belgium is going to hurt Madonna`s bottom line, Sibila. Thanks very much. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Sibila Vargas, live in Hollywood.

ANDERSON: Tonight, what may be the most unusual premiere of a TV miniseries ever. The fascinating life of the late pope, John Paul II, is the focus of a four-hour CBS miniseries. And at the Vatican, John Paul`s successor, Pope Benedict XVI, joined the star of the miniseries for a first look at the Vatican.

Here`s CNN`s Jennifer Eccleston for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JENNIFER ECCLESTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): High drama, intrigue, humor and love. The television miniseries, "Pope John Paul II," with actor Jon Voight as the late pontiff, and a papal stamp of approval.

John Paul`s successor watched the film during its world premiere at the Vatican, thanking the film`s actors and producers for honoring the memory of his dear friend.

It`s not often the Catholic Church gives such approval. It`s not often TV executives seek out such an endorsement.

LUCA BERNASEI, MOVIE PRODUCER: It was giving us the dimension there the Vatican was with us, was supporting this movie.

ECCLESTON: The Rome-based producer`s close contracts with senior Vatican officials and the film`s scant mention of the more controversial aspects of John Paul`s papacy, like the sexual abuse scandal in the U.S., may have hastened the Holy See`s warm embrace.

(on camera) An embrace that included script guidance, insight from Vatican historians, rare filming privileges within the secretive city state, and access to behind-the-scene footage.

(voice-over) John Paul`s varied travels and private conversations, including rare moments with the ailing pontiff just days before his death.

BERNASEI: The Sunday before he died, he appeared basically for the last time trying to talk with them. But because he was so emotional, he couldn`t talk. And it was just one week before dying. So, we will tell to the audience what happened in the room when they closed the window.

JON VOIGHT, ACTOR: He blessed us.

ECCLESTON: Extraordinary insight for the actor, who portrays John Paul.

VOIGHT: It certainly healed a lot of wounds and brought people together. A very impressive film. So, for me, it was a -- it was an honor to be asked to do it, and it was a joy to work on it.

ECCLESTON: The former pope`s message, he says, is universal, one that transcends the film`s religious context.

VOIGHT: Share and appreciate each other, you know, and encourage each other, sincerely. This was a marvelous thing that he did. Brought us all together.

ECCLESTON: The producers hope "John Paul II: The Movie" will also bring people together, a miniseries for the masses and not just for the faithful.

Jennifer Eccleston, CNN, Rome.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: That was CNN`s Jennifer Eccleston for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. The miniseries "Pope John Paul II" airs December 4 and 7 on CBS.

HAMMER: Well, religion has proven an unexpected ally for Bono. The U2 front man tells "60 Minutes" that conservative Christians helped pressure the Bush administration to get AIDS drugs to Africa. Bono reveals some people, quote, "openly laughed" at him when he approached the administration about the cause, and he said that he was initially angry that the religious right wasn`t more involved in the AIDS crisis.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BONO, MUSICIAN/ACTIVIST: I was saying, this is the leprosy that we read about in the New Testament. Christ hung out with the lepers, but you`re ignoring the AIDS emergency. How can you? And, you know, they said, "Well, you`re right, actually, we have been and we`re sorry. We`ll get involved."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: Bono says America`s efforts have saved 200,000 Africans. Bono, who has become increasingly political, tells Ed Bradley on "60 Minutes" that music is still the unforgettable fire that keeps him going. That interview, which also features the rest of U2, will air Sunday night on CBS.

ANDERSON: Tonight, Howard Stern fans are buzzing with anticipation about the shock jock`s last act on terrestrial radio. Stern is reportedly promising a cliffhanger on his final show December 16, dropping hints about juicy personal bombshells about him and his cast. The secrets are expected to be revealed on his new show, debuting on Sirius satellite radio in January.

And he`s serious about drumming up listeners. In fact, he was recently suspended by his current boss for talking up his new home. But the incident had an upshot, as Stern explained on last night`s "Late Night with David Letterman."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HOWARD STERN, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: "Are you going to pay me?"

He goes, "Yes."

I said, "How long is this suspension?"

He goes, "It`s a day."

I said, "You mean, I don`t have to come to work tomorrow and you`re going to pay me? Well, I`m in hell."

I went out to dinner with my girlfriend that night, had a great time. We had a beautiful time, and then the next day in the newspaper, every article was, "Sirius satellite radio and Howard Stern." They really foiled my plan.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: The king of all media helped deliver princely numbers for Letterman. Get this: it was his highest rated show of the season.

HAMMER: No big surprise there.

Well, Ben Stiller waxes poetic about hippies at Earth Day festivals. Get ready to laugh. We are taking you to the Las Vegas Comedy Festival, coming up next.

ANDERSON: Plus, look -- up in the sky -- it`s a new Superman movie. We have your first look at "Superman Returns," coming up faster than a speeding bullet in the "SHOWBIZ Showcase."

HAMMER: And should you stand in line for "Walk the Line"? We`re going to get a review of the new movie about Johnny Cash, coming up in "Picks and Pans."

ANDERSON: But first, a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT "Birthday Shout-out." This is where we give fans a chance to wish their favorite stars a happy birthday. Tonight, a "Birthday Shout-out" to "Wedding Crashers" star Owen Wilson. He`s celebrating his 37th birthday today.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hey, this is Dave, just want to wish Owen Wilson a happy birthday. One of my favorite actors. He was great in "Meet the Parents." God bless.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson.

Well, it`s three days of laughs at the Comedy Festival in Las Vegas. Everyone from Steve Martin to Ray Romano turning out for the all-star event. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was there, and we`re bringing you the very best highlights, of course.

SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Sibila Vargas joins us again, live from Hollywood.

Hi, Sibila.

VARGAS: Hi, Brooke.

Well, the ticket to definitely have at the comedy festival was the "Earth to America" special, and SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was right there at Caesar`s Palace, laughing it up with the stars. As they say, laughter is the best medicine even for what`s ailing the planet.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Plenty of other environmental challenges.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You`re telling me.

VARGAS (voice-over): Tom Hanks, Steve Martin, Eric Idle, Ray Romano and many more were on hand at the comedy festival`s "Earth to America" event in Las Vegas. But it was the environment that was center stage. Just ask Ben Stiller.

BEN STILLER, COMEDIAN: Do you ever drive by one of those -- those Earth Day festivals, you know, with the rainbow kites and solar-powered bikes and the zydeco bands? And first you think, "Hey, that`s really cool." But then you suddenly swerved your car into the crowd just to watch them scream and panic?

VARGAS: Cedric the Entertainer says he was dragged into it all.

CEDRIC THE ENTERTAINER, COMEDIAN: You know, as a black man, I didn`t know what the hell was going on. I didn`t -- we`re not really into the environment like that and anything, you know. They said it was "Earth to America" and then I saw Tom Hanks I thought recent, "Oh, Lord, not another one of those them space miniseries he do."

VARGAS: Even President Bush was on hand. OK, Will Ferrell parodying President Bush in a taped address.

WILL FERRELL, COMEDIAN: I start my day and I think about the warming of the globe and how we can get it warmer.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Cut.

VARGAS: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was in on the laughs, and we went backstage to talk with the show`s hottest stars. Laurie David, wife of HBO`s "Curb Your Enthusiasm`s" Larry David, produced the show with TBS.

LAURIE DAVID, PRODUCER, "EARTH TO AMERICA": I can`t tell you what a big undertaking this has been, and I almost feel like I`m dreaming, walking through it now.

LARRY DAVID, COMEDIAN: It`s been hell on the house, though.

LAURIE DAVID: I was going to ask, how`s...

LARRY DAVID: The children need therapy now. She`s completely neglected the children. Those poor little things, they don`t have a mother anymore. It`s awful. Awful. I`ve had to take a mistress.

VARGAS: The comedy festival celebrated the earth, and stars told us conservation is important, no matter how big you are.

RAY ROMANO, COMEDIAN: But I care. I recycle. I do my share. And I`m -- I don`t live excessively. I was telling my pilot the other day.

VARGAS: Wanda Sykes told us she`s all about recycling.

WANDA SYKES, COMEDIAN: I recycle. I don`t make enough money to drive a hybrid yet. I`m hoping that I can get to the point where I can be so wealthy that after I could also be a conservationist.

VARGAS: Also feeling green? Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog.

SMIGEL: I`m at one with the grass, you know, every morning at about 8 a.m. We make beautiful music together.

VARGAS: The puppets from "Avenue Q" know about recycling first hand.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In fact, I have been recycled.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, I have, too. We`re all made out of recyclable materials, I believe.

VARGAS: Blue Man Group wasn`t talking. But Bill Maher told us everyone needs to get involved.

BILL MAHER, COMEDIAN; I don`t understand what people who don`t get behind this issue understand about, "You`re going to die, too." You know? I mean, you can get your own bottled water. You can`t get your own air. They haven`t figured out a way to make that for rich people.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

VARGAS: And the "Earth to America" event will be a two-hour comedy special airing on TBS this Sunday. And all the proceeds will go to help the environment.

Brooke, back to you.

ANDERSON: Thank you, Sibila. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Sibila Vargas.

Well, tonight in the "SHOWBIZ Showcase," it`s a bird. It`s a plane. It`s "Superman Returns." The man of steel is back. In the newest chapter of the "Superman" saga, Clark Kent returns after a several-year absence from earth to find that society has moved on without him.

Superman faces challenges of old enemies plotting against him and the realization that he may have lost the woman that he loves, Lois Lane.

Here is your first look at "Superman Returns."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Even though you`ve been raised as a human being, you are not one of them.

(MUSIC)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They could be a great people, Cal-El. They wish to be. They only lack the light to show the way. For this reason above all, their capacity for good, I have sent them you, my only son.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: "Superman Returns" opens worldwide June 30.

HAMMER: Time now for the "SHOWBIZ Guide," where, throughout the week, we help you decide where to spend your dollars on movies, music, DVDs and more. And tonight, in "People`s Picks and Pans," the film all the kids are buzzing about, "Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire," and the Johnny Cash film that all the adults are talking about, "Walk the Line." I`ll bet they both get good reviews.

We`re about to find out from "People" magazine movie critic, Leah Rozen.

Leah, I have to tell you, I read your review of "Goblet of Fire" in "People" magazine this week. I think you`ve got the hots for Harry.

LEAH ROZEN, MOVIE CRITIC, "PEOPLE" MAGAZINE: Well, you know, it wouldn`t be ladylike to say so, but the boy`s growing up nice, you know? We`re not talking beefcake. We are talking calf cake.

HAMMER: OK, because he`s 16, after all.

ROZEN: He`s 16, but you know.

Actually, what`s really nice, though, is the kids are turning into good actors. I think this is in many ways the best "Harry Potter" film yet. It`s exciting. It has incredible special effects and it has real dramatic heft.

And the kids can handle it now. You know, in sort of the first films, they sort of had a little tiny action stars trying hard. But now they`re sort of real story, their hormones are kicking in and this "Harry Potter" really works.

HAMMER: So much is being made about how dark this film is and the PG- 13 rating. What`s your take on that?

ROZEN: Yes, it`s scary. He meets Voldemort, finally, played by Ralph Fiennes, and that is one scary guy. My advice to parents is, if your child isn`t old enough to read the books themselves, they`re too young to go to the movie.

HAMMER: And the special effects, absolutely spectacular.

ROZEN: Blow you away. There is a scene where Harry`s being chased by a flying dragon. The dragon lands on a rooftop and sort of scrabbles across the roof. Shingles start to fall and just -- you`re going, "Whoa! That is good special effects."

HAMMER: Well, let`s move to another one, and you actually gave this a really nice review, as well. I`m dying to hear your thoughts on "Walk the Line," the Johnny Cash story, with Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon.

ROZEN: I mean, I feel like the world`s nicest movie critic today. You know, usually I just trash these things, but these are actually both good.

"Walk the Line" is absolutely worth seeing. If you liked "Ray" last year, I think you`re going to like "Walk the Line." Lots of music. Both Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon sing the songs. Now neither one has a voice quite to match the originals, but they do fine.

And it`s just -- they give you a sense of Cash`s story. They give you a sense of what brought these two people together and they`re terrific performances. Phoenix is good; Reese Witherspoon is a revelation. I mean, she will be nominated for an Oscar for sure.

HAMMER: And there`s a lot of buzz about the film being nominated and the actors being nominated.

ROZEN: Yes. I mean, I think...

HAMMER: Do you think it`s a real contender?

ROZEN: I think it`s a contender, especially if it ends up making money. It`s a popular film. It`s made along fairly conventional formats, not the way "Capote" just takes a short look at someone`s life, but it`s good.

HAMMER: I guarantee they`ll be one and two at the box office this weekend. Thanks very much. "People" magazine`s Leah Rozen.

And for more "Picks and Pans," grab your copy of "People." It`s on newsstands now.

ANDERSON: And there is still time for you to sound off in our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. Harry Potter: are the movies better than the books? Vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. Or write us at SHOWBIZtonight@CNN.com. We`ll read some of your e-mails live, next.

HAMMER: It`s time now for the "Entertainment Weekly" "Must List." Here are five things "E.W." says you`ve got to check out this week.

First, see "Zathura." It`s a tale of a board game that transports its players to the stars.

Next, "E.W." says check out the new White Stripes music video, "Denial Twist," featuring Conan O`Brien.

And then, grab your copy of the book, "Two Lives" by Vikram Seth. It`s a story about the marriage between his Indian great-uncle and German great-aunt.

"E.W." also says to take a shot at the new game, "Can You Beat Ken?" Now you can test your knowledge against the "Jeopardy!" champ.

And finally, check out the new movie, "Pride & Prejudice," starring Keira Knightley, which is based on Jane Austen`s novel about societal love.

For more information on "The Must List," pick up your copy of "Entertainment Weekly," which is on newsstands now.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HAMMER: Time for the best in late-night laughs in "Laughter Dark." Well, it`s been awhile since we`ve seen him, but Seinfeld is back, and on "The Tonight Show," he brought back his famous stand-up routine. This time he`s talking about what grooms look forward to at weddings.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JERRY SEINFELD, COMEDIAN: The best part of the wedding for the groom is it`s really the only situation where a man can gather together the parents, the family of the woman that he is with, and announce to them, "I am now going to sleep with your daughter. I`m taking her to a hotel room right after this, and I`m going to do everything I can think of."

And have her father come over and go, "Well done, young man."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Or that could be his last day. Who knows?

All right. We have been asking to you vote online on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. Harry Potter: are the movies better than the books? Let`s take a look at how the vote is going so far: 17 percent of you say yes; 83 percent of you say no.

Here are some of the e-mails we`ve received.

Amy from Arizona writes, "They leave so many important facts out of the movies that someone who has not read the books are missing so much."

Maggie writes, "The books are much better than the movies. They can`t possibly put all the events in the book into a three-hour movie."

Cara says, "Potter movies are the best adaptations I know of. They are fantastic and incredibly true to the Potter books."

You can keep voting at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. We appreciate your e- mails.

HAMMER: Time now to see what`s playing on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on Monday. So let`s take a look at the "SHOWBIZ Marquee" with our Marquee Guy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANNOUNCER: Monday, the Orlando magic. Tony Orlando and Dawn are back together, so let`s "Tie a Yellow Ribbon" around the old marquee, and if you "knock three times," we`ll have them for you, live. Monday!

And we`re curious, George. George Clooney opens up about his serious side in "Syriana." George Clooney, one on one with SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, talking about CIA spy secrets. When? Monday!

This is the Marquee Guy, and one day I`ll tell you about "The Spy Who Loved Me." I may even do it tomorrow!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Marquee Guy revealing his secrets to us, A.J.

HAMMER: Once again. All right.

Well, you have a good weekend, Brooke.

ANDERSON: You, as well.

HAMMER: And you have a good weekend yourself. That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.

ANDERSON: I`m Brooke -- I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Please stay tuned for the latest from CNN Headline News.

END