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SHOWBIZ TONIGHT
John Travolta`s Furious Response to a Sexual Assault Suit; Is Mila Kunis Safe?; Handsome Mansome; "Vogue`s" Brand New War on Skinny Models; The Million-Dollar Empire of Ryan Seacrest
Aired May 8, 2012 - 23:00:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
A.J. HAMMER, HOST: Hello, I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Tonight, when stars fight back. John Travolta`s furious response to a $2 million sexual assault suit filed by a male massage therapist. SHOWBIZ dares to ask, could Travolta`s bold stand end up backfiring?
Also tonight, Star stalker scare. Is Mila Kunis still in danger even though police arrested a creepy stalker who had a terrifying run-in with Mila?
A SHOWBIZ special report, inside the amazing, mind-boggling multi-million dollar empire of Ryan Seacrest.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RYAN SEACREST, HOST, "AMERICAN IDOL": Who will be the next "American Idol"?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: "American Idol" host, TV producer mogul, host of one of the most popular radio shows. And now, the "Today" show and NBC correspondent. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT reveals why Ryan Seacrest may now be the most powerful man in Hollywood.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT starts right now.
(MUSIC)
Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer. And tonight you can add John Travolta to the latest chapter of when stars strike back.
Yes, John Travolta is now ready to wage war over a newly-revealed sexual assault lawsuit filed by a male massage therapist who claims Travolta tried to seduce him.
Perhaps the simplest way to describe Travolta`s response to the outrageous claims is this - pulp fiction. But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has got to ask, could Travolta publicly responding actually backfire on him?
Or should this be seen as yet another warning shot to anyone, anyone at all, who`s thinking about spreading outrageous lies about stars that they are mad as hell and they are not going to take it anymore.
Because as we have seen before, when stars strike back, they often land a knockout punch.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over) An anonymous massage therapist who claims a big name movie star rubbed him the wrong way, and a big name movie star threatening an all-out war. It`s John Travolta versus John Doe in an explosive and X- rated Hollywood smack down.
JOHN TRAVOLTA, ACTOR: It`s (EXPLETIVE DELETED) dangerous to have a race car in (EXPLETIVE DELETED) red, that`s all. I could blow.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you, today, the "Pulp Fiction" star is getting medieval on a male massage therapist who is accusing Travolta of making an X-rated pass at him during a session.
KEN BAKER, E! CHIEF NEWS CORRESPONDENT: They`re actually threatening to sue him. They`re going to go after the masseuse himself, only this could get ugly really fast.
HAMMER: Today, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT obtained the explosive lawsuit.
BAKER: The person filing the lawsuit filed it anonymously, so we only know him as John Doe.
HAMMER: E`s Ken Baker tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT John Doe claims that this past January, Travolta called him and made an appointment for a massage.
BAKER: He claims that he went to meet John Travolta. John Travolta actually picked him up in his own car and drove him into the Beverly Hills hotel.
HAMMER: We`re not going to go into too much detail of what John Doe says happened next, because, well, we like being on the air. Suffice it to say the lawsuit has some pretty explicit stuff.
BAKER: The masseuse claims that John Travolta exposed himself, that he inappropriately touched the masseuse even though the masseuse said, "Don`t do that." He allegedly asked the masseuse to perform acts on him.
HAMMER: And according to the lawsuit, when John Doe rebuffed Travolta`s lurid advances, Travolta gave him a lecture on how things work in Hollywood.
TRAVOLTA: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) you need a pair of pants, drop them to the floor.
HAMMER: Travolta allegedly said that going back to his 1970s breakthrough role on the sitcom, "Welcome Back, Cotter," he had to perform such acts to get ahead in Hollywood.
BAKER: To hear that, masseuse aside, he says he was basically, totally freaked out by it and wanted to get away from him.
The guy is suing Travolta for sexual battery, assault, and emotional distress. And he wants him to pay damages up to $2 million.
HAMMER: Travolta`s people fired back today telling SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, quote, "This lawsuit is a complete fiction and fabrication. On the date when the plaintiff claims John met him, John was not in California, and it can be proved that he was on the east coast."
And in a declaration of war, Travolta`s people add, "John intends to get this case thrown out and then he will sue the attorney and plaintiff for malicious prosecution."
BAKER: You see a lot of celebrities like Travolta fighting back.
HAMMER: Celebrities like Justin Bieber who, last year, reportedly threatened to a sue woman who had accused him of fathering her child. The woman dropped her allegations.
And Tom Cruise who is legendary pursuing people who make lurid and explosive allegations against him. E`s Ken Baker tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that, by going after John Doe, Travolta might be hoping for a deterrent effect.
BAKER: By threatening to sue this guy and to make him pay a lot of money for perhaps fabricating this story, it would have a chilling effect on other people trying to do the same thing.
HAMMER: But if Travolta is trying to scare John Doe the massage therapist, it`s not working. About Travolta`s claim he wasn`t in L.A. the day of the alleged incident -
BAKER: The attorney for masseuse says they have proof that Travolta was in Los Angeles with this masseuse on the day that he claims.
HAMMER: In other words, Travolta might be fighting back against an opponent who is ready for war.
BAKER: This could be in the news for quite some time, and there could be a lot of details come out that could be very revealing, but we just don`t know.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: So while this may very well in the news for some time to come, there was a great debate today about whether John Travolta should have bothered to publicly respond to the lawsuit claiming that he tried to put the moves on the male massage therapist.
Let me take this to attorney and radio host Midwin Charles and "Inside Edition" correspondent, Megan Alexander.
So here, we have Travolta vehemently denying these allegations saying he wasn`t even in California when this allegedly happened. But of course, by responding, he is also bringing more attention to the case.
So here`s our SHOWBIZ flashpoint - Travolta`s response, smart move or waste of time? Megan?
MEGAN ALEXANDER, CORRESPONDENT, "INSIDE EDITION": I think it`s a smart move. And I will say this, A.J. - we`re messing with someone`s family, someone`s reputation, so this is very serious.
We live in a day and age where everyone wants to be famous and everyone wants to connect or be part of some story. So until things have played out, I think you`ve got to be skeptical because of that celebrity factor. And I think it`s great that came back hitting hard.
HAMMER: Yes. Everybody has to give Travolta the benefit of the doubt here.
ALEXANDER: Yes.
HAMMER: There`s no question in my mind. What do you think, Midwin, his move should be?
MIDWIN CHARLES, ATTORNEY AND RADIO HOST: John Travolta`s move? I think what he`s done is appropriate. I think it`s appropriate for him to respond to this.
Unfortunately, this is one of those downsides of fame where you are a walking target for these kinds of lawsuits and these kinds of allegations. So I think his response was appropriate.
I think it was done in a good time, and I think we`re going to see whether or not this allegation holds true.
HAMMER: Yes, because now, he`s really going to have to give some thought as to whether or not he speaks out yet again as yet another person has come forward, a second massage therapist and has also filed another lawsuit against John Travolta making similar claims.
Same lawyer involved, too. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, by the way, did reach out to Travolta`s camp on this today on the new second claim. Haven`t heard back as of show time.
It`s going to be interesting to see how this unfolds. I`m glad that he`s taking a stand though and hopefully setting a precedent if anybody else out there is thinking of making an allegation, particularly an untrue allegation.
There`s another big Hollywood star who is striking back. Tonight, Mila Kunis. Now, she`s working with police to keep an alleged stalker far away from her.
I find this such a disturbing story. Let me roll out the SHOWBIZ news line for you. The drama started in January. That`s when police arrested Stuart Dunn for allegedly breaking into her house.
He was sentenced in February to three years of probation, 60 days of jail. Then, just this weekend, she spotted Dunn waiting at her gym. She hid out in her SUV until police arrived.
Now, Midwin, aside from an order of protection, is there really anything that Mila can do other than that to protect herself legally?
CHARLES: There really isn`t. I mean, she`s done what she is supposed to do and what attorneys always tell victims to do, which is go to court, get an order of protection.
Unfortunately, all the courts can do is arrest the person if they violate that court order. So she followed all the rules, checked all the boxes, crossed all the T`s and dotted all the I`s. And yet you still have this creep hanging out on her property. It is really unfortunate.
HAMMER: And how scary for her. Anytime we hear of stalker scares going on with big stars, and for her in particular this is not the guy who has been so infatuated with her.
You might remember last year. We talked about this. Christopher Cheney was arrested. He was charged when he hacked her E-mail account and stole some private information.
I`m thinking she`s got to be absolutely terrified. And then you think, what should she do? You know, Megan, she has a choice to make. She can continue about life and not let it get the best of her.
Or for the sake of her own security as things sort of heating up, lay low for a while. What do you think she should do?
ALEXANDER: What she and everyone need to do is be careful. A.J., we live in a different day and age where you can literally, instantly tell somebody where you`re headed.
You tweet, "I`m heading to the gym," or "I`m going to the grocery store." I`m not saying that she was tweeting all that information.
HAMMER: Right.
ALEXANDER: But celebrities have this problem nowadays of this access with fans where Facebook and Twitter is making it a problem. I think you just need to be careful with your information. And don`t give out important details.
HAMMER: Yes. Midwin, what do you think, from a legal perspective - I mean, I hate the idea of anybody having to live their life differently, but it is part of the price of the fame.
CHARLES: Well, it is. It`s part of the price of fame and it`s also one of the things you have to do in order to remain safe. Megan pointed out that, you know, everyone tweets where they are, where they`re going. Maybe you tweet after you`ve left.
HAMMER: Yes.
ALEXANDER: Right.
CHARLES: And this is not to cast any aspersion on Mila Kunis. I mean, we don`t know whether she`s engaged in that sort of social media.
HAMMER: And turn off the thing that geo-tags your photos and tells everyone exactly where they were taken, particularly if you took them at your house. Right.
CHARLES: Your time and your location.
HAMMER: Right. Midwin, Megan, thank you both so much. Moving on now to the new handsome mansome.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So you go up, punk. You don`t get ingrowns when you go up?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You don`t have a regular, like, pattern that you do?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I do.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: This is so funny. It`s a brand-new documentary revealing the real secrets of the new metrosexual man. The beauty regimens. The man-scaping. All the products.
Tonight, filmmaker, Morgan Spurlock, is right here. It`s a great SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview. He`s showing us what it really means to be a man.
Plus, is Ryan Seacrest now the most powerful man in Hollywood?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LARRY KING, RETIRED TV HOST: He loves the business into the business. He likes the figures. He likes meetings. He likes meetings. He likes meetings. Ryan likes taking meetings.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: From hosting "American Idol" to producing the Kardashian reality franchise, Seacrest is building an entertainment empire.
Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT investigates just how big a media mogul Ryan actually is. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
SHOWBIZ on location at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute gala with Donald and Melania Trump. Listen to their advice for new parents, Beyonce and Jay-Z.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, BUSINESS TYCOON: Well, I think Jay-Z and Beyonce are going to do a great job with their child, because they`re great people, and that`s what it takes.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: OK. So what do Tim Tebow, Donald Trump and Gerard Butler possibly have in common besides all attending the Met costume gala last night in New York City? I`ll give you a hint. It`s all in the way they groom themselves to look good or try to look good.
So handsome, so mansome. Oscar-nominated filmmaker, Morgan Spurlock, is blowing the lid off the secret world of men`s grooming and just how far men will actually go to get that perfect metrosexual look.
His brand-new documentary is fantastic. It`s called "Mansome." It stars Will Arnett and Jason Bateman and a whole lot of stars. Morgan and his mustache - there they are - joining us tonight from Hollywood. I had to make sure it was there, Morgan. Nice to see you.
MORGAN SPURLOCK, FILMMAKER: Good to see you, A.J. How are you?
HAMMER: Excellent. I know you shaved that thing off for the premiere of the movie when it at the Tribeca Film Festival. Do we have a picture that we could put up, Charles? There - I don`t even know who that is. I have no idea who that is.
SPURLOCK: Who is that guy?
HAMMER: Tell me, did you still feel like yourself without it? Because it`s something that - I get the impression you`ve had for an awfully long time.
SPURLOCK: No. The minute I shave it off, I feel like this odd, little naked version of myself. It`s very strange.
HAMMER: And did your head feel a few pounds lighter to be sure?
SPURLOCK: And a few pounds bigger. The mustache actually makes my face look smaller. Then I shave it off. I have a big, giant, you know, lollipop head.
HAMMER: No, you don`t at all. It`s nice to see you with or without the mustache.
HAMMER: You`re looking very mansome, A.J. You`re looking very mansome.
HAMMER: Well, thank you very much. Believe it or not, not a lot of work goes into this, I`m happy to say. I don`t quite fit the profile, and I think that shocks a lot of people, quite frankly.
SPURLOCK: That makes two of us.
HAMMER: Last night, on another red carpet, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was there with some men who definitely do fit the mansome profile. This was the red carpet for the Met Costume Institute gala here in New York City.
We found some really interesting examples of men who truly embrace their own grooming. Here are just a few of them. We saw Gerard Butler there, Donald Trump, even Tim Tebow, sporting very different looks, obviously.
But I`ve got to tell you, I think Trump is the one who really makes the most headlines about certainly the hair on his head. Why do you think that people are so obsessed about Donald Trump`s hair and the way he grooms himself?
SPURLOCK: Because we all want to know what`s going in there. We all want to know what`s happening underneath that helmet. There`s a tremendous amount of work that goes into that hairdo.
HAMMER: There`s a tremendous amount of work and I have to tell you, there`s a staff. There`s at least one woman. I see Donald Trump every week, and the woman that cares for that hair and his makeup is always right there.
SPURLOCK: Yes.
HAMMER: And very particular about it. But it doesn`t -
SPURLOCK: Always there. Always with a ladder following him around, fixing everything. Yes, it`s pretty perfect.
HAMMER: So that whole mansome metrosexual thing doesn`t just apply to a younger generation, obviously?
SPURLOCK: No, I think it is something now that is kind of transcending age and demographics. Now, men all across the world, you know, of every age, shape, size, are all kind of diving into their own little bit of man- scaping. It`s crazy.
HAMMER: Well, so many stars in your new documentary, "Mansome," like Zach Galifianakis talking about his beard. You`ve got Will Arnett and Jason Bateman sharing a bathtub in one scene, and they have a very funny exchange. Let`s roll that, Charles.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know -
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: SO you go up, huh? You don`t get ingrowns when you go up?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You don`t have like a regular like -
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I do.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You do? I mix it up.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Don`t put me to sleep right now.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I thought you were like, hey, why don`t you give me your tips on shaving.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Thank you. No. I`ve hit 42 all by myself. Thanks.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That`s not true. You had a lot of people pulling for you, Jason.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I sure did, didn`t I?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I just love it. Just bottom line it for me. Are men now just as obsessed as women with grooming, Morgan?
SPURLOCK: Oh, yes. I mean, I think as bad if not worse sometimes. I mean, if you look - just look at the magazines that are out now. There was a time when only like "Cosmo" or "Women`s Daily" - these types of magazines would tell women, you know, "You`re out of shape. Lose weight. You will look better for your man."
Now, every men`s magazine says the exact same thing. So now, we have all these men who are feeling just as insecure as women who got into for years.
HAMMER: And we get to see it all in your movie. And I have to get out of my way to shorten your name to "Morlock." Thank you, Morgan Spurlock. Great to see you.
SPURLOCK: Morlock - good to see you, A.J.
HAMMER: "Mansome" is in theaters on May 18th. Well, as "Mansome" blows the lid off the men`s grooming, Anna Wintour is blowing the lid and blowing the pages up of "Vogue" magazine, waging a war on skinny models.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANNA WINTOUR, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, "AMERICAN VOGUE": We`re just very conscious that we do not want to put anyone in the magazine that might have some kind of eating disorders.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, wait until you see this. Why the editor of the world`s most important fashion mag has just put out a ban on ultra-skinny teen models.
Also, the explosive Snooki confession from "Jersey Shore`s" Vinny.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VINNY GUADAGNINO, REALITY TV STAR: Any time a young person that loves to party every night gets pregnant, you think, that - you know, you think, oh, my god. Will she stop drinking?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Vinny tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT whether or not he thinks Snooki is going to be a good mom, seriously. It`s a surprising SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview. It`s only right here.
Time for the SHOWBIZ buzz list. This is what SHOWBIZ TONIGHT staff is buzzing about this week.
After eight years, several murders, countless feuds, "Desperate Housewives" signs off for good on Sunday.
I can`t get enough of this song. It is Carly Rae Jepsen`s new song, "Call Me Maybe." Could be the perfect pop song.
We`re all hailing new vice president on HBO`s hilarious new series, "Veep." You will love Julia Louis-Dreyfus` "The V.P."
Say hi, really, hi, bonjour. It`s the brand-new app that automatically translates whatever you say into your phone into whatever language you choose.
And wait is over. Tim Burton`s "Dark Shadows" opens this weekend, but will it be overshadowed by "The Avengers"? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Did you see this? It`s your very first look at Charlize Theron`s adopted baby boy, Jackson. There he is with his mom at the LAX Airport. The two have been out before. But until now, Charlize has kept Jackson under wraps in his stroller.
Tonight, the eighth grader who`s taking on "Seventeen." Fourteen-year-old Julia Bluhm is leading a crusade against airbrushed ads in the iconic teen magazine.
Now, Julia has started a petition, and some big name celebrities are now joining the call to ban the ads in "Seventeen."
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter has been following this girl power campaign from Los Angeles. Kareen joining me right now. What is the deal?
KAREEN WYNTER, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT CORRESPONDENT: Well, A.J., it`s a pretty big deal. Julia, she`s already collected more than 60,000 signatures from girls all around the world.
According to that army of teenager girls, well, airbrushed models are making them feel horrible about their own real-life bodies.
And I can tell you, well, Hollywood is on their side. You know, last night, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was at the always glamorous Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute gala here in New York City. Watch what superstars Liv Tyler as well as Hilary Swank told SHOWBIZ about the anti-airbrush campaign.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LIV TYLER, ACTRESS: It`s so fun when you see old "Vogue" magazines from 20 years ago and women used to have the hairs on their arms before airbrushing.
But it`s just the modern world I think. It`s important for young girls to see real things, yes.
HILARY SWANK, ACTRESS: I totally agree. I think it`s even hard for me when I see a cover of myself where I have an airbrush and I think that doesn`t really look like me.
And it just puts out false expectations that we`re supposed to be something that we`re not. And I don`t think that that`s right at all. I`ve always been against that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: So Kareen, what is "Seventeen" magazine saying about all this?
WYNTER: Well, you know, the magazine actually told us, A.J., that they met with Julia. They talked to her about the campaign.
They also told us, quote, "We believe that Julia left understanding that `Seventeen` celebrates girls for being their authentic selves and that`s how we present them." Very interesting
HAMMER: Well, it sounds like the - yes, very interesting. It sounds like airbrushed ads are staying in the magazine at least for now.
WYNTER: Yes. Not going away.
HAMMER: We`ll have to wait and see if things change down the road. All right. Kareen Wynter, thanks so much.
There`s another huge magazine debate tonight. "Vogue`s" brand-new war on skinny teen models. Why "Vogue" editor, Anna Wintour, is banning them from the world`s top fashion magazine.
Also, Beyonce`s amazing post-baby bod. I can tell you her body-baring outfit was what everyone was obsessed with last night at the Met gala in New York. SHOWBIZ dares to ask, love it or hate it?
Now, the SHOWBIZ lineup - here`s what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. A SHOWBIZ TONIGHT special report on Ryan Seacrest`s media empire.
He, of course, hosts "American Idol." He`s a TV produce, mogul, a correspondent for NBC. That just scratches the surface.
Is Ryan Seacrest on his way to become the most powerful person in Hollywood? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
TEXT: Bobby Brown to wed fiancee of two years in Hawaii this June. Jack Osbourne and fiancee reveal first pictures of their baby girl, Pearl.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Big news breaking tonight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - "Vogue`s" vow. The fashion magazine`s bold ban on teen models who are too thin.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WINTOUR: We`re just very conscious that we do not want to put anyone in the magazine that might have some kind of eating disorder.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ is on location at fashion`s most glamorous night asking the biggest names in Hollywood, is the skinny model ban healthy or just hype?
Ryan`s enviable empire. Ryan Seacrest is the man in Hollywood. "American Idol," reality TV shows, NBC correspondent. Does Seacrest sleep?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KING: He loves the business end of the business. He likes the figures. He likes meeting. He likes meetings. Who likes meetings? Ryan likes taking meetings.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, SHOWBIZ special report, Ryan`s remarkable world.
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thank you for watching. Ryan`s enviable empire. Tonight, Ryan Seacrest is now ruling over a massive media kingdom.
It`s so enormous, in fact, that if Ryan quit "American Idol" today and gave up his new two-year $30 million deal, he`d be worth about $40 million.
So how did he manage to spin reality TV success into becoming Hollywood`s top mogul? And did you know that he just signed a deal to own part of a new network?
You`d think Ryan never stops working and SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter discovered that he wouldn`t have it any other way.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANNOUNCER: Ryan Seacrest -
WYNTER (voice-over): Ryan Seacrest is more than just a TV host, but could he be the most powerful person in Hollywood?
He`s got a syndicated radio show. He hosts one of the top rated shows on TV. He`s the heir apparent to Dick Clark`s "New Year`s Rocking Eve" and he`s also a megahit behind the camera, producing the reality show of all reality shows, "Keeping Up With the Kardashians."
And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can report Seacrest is adding NBC special contributor it to his credits. He recently cut a deal with NBC Universal where he`ll contribute to the "Today" show and specials like the Summer Olympics and elections.
MAGGIE FURLONG, WEST COAST EDITOR, "HUFFINGTON POST TV": You look at that. You just can`t help but wonder like, wow, how does he do all this?
WYNTER: "The Huffington Post`s" Maggie Furlong tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that as overwhelming as it may seem, it isn`t just work for Seacrest.
FURLONG: It`s the kind of thing where he actually really enjoys going, chatting with people, playing some new music, breaking new exclusives, getting to know, you know, Hollywood personalities.
He lives for this stuff. Even on the "Idol" stage, he gets really close to these contestants and he loves the banter with the judges.
WYNTER: One of the judges, Jennifer Lopez, who is known for her own crazy work schedule, says Ryan`s work ethic is like nothing she`s ever seen.
JENNIFER LOPEZ, "AMERICAN IDOL" JUDGE: Sometimes when I`m not feeling so great, I look up (UNINTELLIGIBLE) in the morning. He was on the radio. If he can do it, I can do it, you know what I mean? He`s inspiring in that way, and he`s built quite an empire for himself.
WYNTER: And at the age of 37, well, that empire is quite impressive. According to the "New York Times" Seacrest earns more than $50 million a year between his radio and TV deals.
How did he do it? Radio was his first love, but it was TV that changed his life forever.
SEACREST: This is "American Idol."
WYNTER: In 2002, Seacrest landed a hosting gig on "American Idol." And that set him up for one deal after the other.
SEACREST: Hi, it`s Ryan Seacrest.
WYNTER: First, with Clear Channel for his radio program "On Air with Ryan Seacrest."
SEACREST: We`re a couple minutes away from the new year.
WYNTER: Then on TV when in 2005 he joined the late Dick Clark for "New Year`s Rocking Eve." And just a year later, joining E! to host and produce several shows. And now, NBC.
KING: Ryan should be everywhere.
WYNTER (on camera): Everywhere.
KING: That is Ryan`s goal.
WYNTER (voice-over): Larry King, broadcast icon and close friend to Seacrest, tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Ryan is dialed into the business side of show business just like his mentor, Dick Clark.
KING: I asked him the other night we had dinner, "Would you rather produce a successful show or host a successful show?
WYNTER (on camera): What did he say?
KING: 50/50. He loves the business end of the business. He likes the figures. He likes meetings. He likes meetings. Who likes meetings? Ryan likes taking meetings.
WYNTER: Whether it`s meetings for the next hosting gig or his next blockbuster producing deal, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you Ryan is on top of the entertainment world. Forget the Kardashians. Try keeping up with him, a man who shows no signs of slowing down.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter is with me now from Hollywood. What a ride it`s been for him.
WYNTER: It`s been so, so huge. And you know, the CNN legend, Larry King, he also told me about the top secret plan that probably only two people knew about until tonight.
I`ll have the big reveal for you. You don`t want to miss this coming up, A.J.
HAMMER: All right. Kareen Wynter, thanks so much. Right now on location at fashion`s biggest night, the Met Costume Institute gala.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was right there where the big buzz was all about "Vogue" magazine`s bold move to banish Twiggy and underage models from the magazine forever.
"Vogue`s" editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, spoke exclusively with SHOWBIZ TONIGHT about this big change that is sparking a brand-new debate. Could "Vogue`s" healthy revolution actually spark a new trend?
Joining me from Hollywood, "The Real Housewives of Orange County" co-star, Tamra Barney. She`s a part of a great new charity project. It`s the Celebrity Wine of the Month Club organized by WinesByWives.com.
With me in New York, Megan Alexander, correspondent with "Inside Edition." She was also at the Met gala last night.
So let`s talk about what "Vogue" is doing. They, of course, have been the fashion standard for a very long time. This is a pretty big deal.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT got the exclusive with Anna Wintour. And we also spoke with Hilary Swank and designer Michael Kors at the Met gala. You`ve got to watch what they told us.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WINTOUR: We`re just very conscious that we do not want to put anyone in the magazine that might have some kind of eating disorder, so we`re really doing our best to be very careful.
SWANK: It`s fantastic, kind of keying into what we talked about, about the cover of magazines. You know, the more real, the more healthy we are and the way we portray ourselves as role models for young girls is so important.
MICHAEL KORS, FASHION DESIGNER: I have realistic sample sizes. Listen, if you`re a great designer, you can dress someone who wears a 14 or you can dress someone who wears the size zero. If you`re smart and you`re talented, you can do it all.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: You can do it all. They all sound pretty positive about "Vogue`s" mission to change. I think it`s a great idea. Tamra, do you think that "Vogue`s" new changes will actually stick around?
Or do you think, you know, maybe a year from now, we`re going to back to seeing all those skinny models in that magazine?
TAMRA BARNEY, REALITY TV STAR, "THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ORANGE COUNTY": Well, A.J., I really hope that they do stick it out. I think that being a mother of two daughters, one 13, just going through that really tough age, and body image is huge in middle school. And I really hope that they do follow-through with that.
HAMMER: Yes. The magazine has an awful lot of influence. And of course, Anna Wintour wields a whole lot of power in the industry.
Do you think, Megan, that her decision will actually persuade designers to follow suit in, not just their ads, but also those runway shows.
ALEXANDER: Yes, this is a huge deal, A.J. I`m so excited about this. Anna Wintour still sets the standard in the fashion industry. And we`ve talked about this before.
With over 50 percent of teen girls having some type of body image disorder, the majority of those teen girls wanting to be models someday, this is so important.
And now, the viewers need to give positive feedback when they somebody with a healthy image on that cover.
HAMMER: Yes. Yes.
ALEXANDER: You write and you say you love it. This is a huge step (UNINTELLIGIBLE) straight.
HAMMER: If you`re flipping through a magazine and you like what you see and that is a positive body image, then absolutely respond to it.
And yes, you`re right. Anna Wintour does something, others follow. That`s just how it`s always been. And there`s an entirely different perspective, of course, when you`re a model and you`ve actually seen the pressures from the magazines.
And we know legendary supermodel Christie Brinkley has certainly seen it all. I want to take a look at what Christie told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT about the changing views on the world of skinny models. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHRISTIE BRINKLEY, SUPERMODEL: We have to watch out for tabloid magazines that love to focus in on a little drop of cellulite and make a big deal about it.
You know, I think there`s so many outlets out there right now that are searching for all that negative stuff, which does give terrible issues to girls everywhere.
The focus needs to be about, you know, health and, you know, and just how you feel. And I think that the magazines are wising up.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: And look how great that she looks there. Christie making a great point. Hopefully, it`s not too big of an issue to tackle.
But let`s talk about this, because this is what everybody was buzzing about last night in addition to Anna Wintour`s bold fashion statements.
It`s another bold statement that really rocked the red carpet. Look at that.
There she is, Beyonce just five months after giving birth to Blue Ivy, debuting her unbelievable post-baby body in that form-fitting, curve- hugging gown that really left very little to the imagination. Now, Tamra, what do you think? Love it or hate it?
BARNEY: I love it. I think that Beyonce - she brought her sexy back. I think after going through pregnancy and delivery, you want to be sexy again. And I think she definitely brought it back.
HAMMER: Megan, you saw it in person. You were right there. Love it or hate it?
ALEXANDER: Loved it. She`s healthy and curvy. Celebrate her.
HAMMER: And setting a good example.
ALEXANDER: Indeed.
HAMMER: Which is what we`re trying to make people pay attention to.
ALEXANDER: Yes, great example.
HAMMER: Megan Alexander, Tamra Barney, I thank you both. Moving now to Snooki, the mom. Hopefully, she will be setting a good example. Her "Jersey Shore" co-star, Vinny, is revealing to us why all that hard- partying could actually be good for the mom-to-be.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GUADAGNINO: Any time a young person that loves to party every night gets pregnant, you think that - you think that, oh, my god. Will she stop drinking?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Look out world. Here comes Mama Snooks. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Jimmy Fallon tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT the backstory of "Slow Jamming the News" with President Obama.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JIMMY FALLON, LATE NIGHT WITH JIMMY FALLON: You have a real housewife on one night. The next night, you`re slow-jamming with the president of the United States.
I had the craziest life ever, and we`re just having the best time, having so much fun. And we really appreciate like the president and the White House reaching out to us to do that.
We were like, they were thinking about maybe doing a sketch. We go, OK, well, would he want to do a whole show? And they go, don`t overstep your boundaries, buddy.
And then they call back and they said, yes, OK, the president would like to. I`m like, what?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Tonight, playing the fame game. No other reality stars know how to play the fame game more than the stars of "Jersey Shore."
And Vinny Guadagnino leads the pack. Vinny`s got this great new book out. It`s called "Control the Crazy." In the book, he reveals his struggles with anxiety. And as he recovers, he`s setting his sights on an acting career and maybe another reality show.
But for now, Vinny and the other stars from "The Jersey Shore" are getting set for a new season of the show. And in a brand-new SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview with SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter, Vinny admits he was blindsided by the news that Snooki, his party girl roomie, is going to be a mom.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WYNTER: I was shocked when I heard the news.
NICOLE "SNOOKI" POLIZZI, REALITY TV STAR: I`m pregnant.
WYNTER: You were shocked when you heard Snooki was pregnant?
GUADAGNINO: Of course, yes. Of course. How could you not be? Anytime a young person that loves to party every night gets pregnant, you think that. You know think, oh, my good. Will she stop drinking?
But the second she found out, she stopped drinking. And you know, like I said, she`s a hearty person. Like, you know, like, I think of the relatives in my family. They`re like strong, Italian women.
You know what I mean? They can party. They can drink, but they also can, like, take care of their families and cook and you know -
WYNTER: So Vinny, you`re going on the record right now -
GUADAGNINO: And say what? Snooki is like my mom now?
WYNTER: No. We won`t go that far.
GUADAGNINO: Yes.
WYNTER: You`re going on the record right now and say that she`s going to behave this season?
GUADAGNINO: Oh, Snooki? 100 percent going on the record saying she`s going to behave.
WYNTER: No partying?
GUADAGNINO: She might be a little bitchy.
WYNTER: No drinking?
GUADAGNINO: Never.
WYNTER: No smoking?
GUADAGNINO: No, never.
WYNTER: OK. All right. We`re going to hold you to that.
GUADAGNINO: I said it. You heard it here.
POLIZZI: Hello. Party`s here.
WYNTER: But how will motherhood change her though?
GUADAGNINO: Can`t go out anymore, you know what I mean? You have the ultimate responsibility now, you know. You have another life to look forward to.
And you know, I think, hopefully, she wants to, you know what I mean? It`s not going to hold her back from doing anything. She`s going to say, "This is a new life for me."
WYNTER: So why were you so surprised when you heard the news?
GUADAGNINO: Just because I know her so well, and you know, we party every night, you know what I mean? I can`t picture her doing this, but I hope and think that she will. But I can`t picture it until I see it happen, you know.
WYNTER: Your big advice to Snooki?
GUADAGNINO: My big advice to Snooki? Let`s see. Don`t play - don`t play house music while the baby is trying to sleep.
(MUSIC)
WYNTER: You guys are the biggest reality show stars on the planet. It`s probably not something you imagined, you know, when you signed on for this.
Some would say, "You know what? You have the money and fame." At what point do you say enough is enough, especially as it relates to "The Jersey Shore"?
GUADAGNINO: It`s only been two years. It seems like it`s been 10 years. But it`s been two years, and I think the next one probably may be the last one. And -
WYNTER: Maybe the last one for you?
GUADAGNINO: Maybe the last one - no, for me, like, just in general, the last "Jersey Shore."
WYNTER: OK.
GUADAGNINO: But until - if I can do the "Jersey Shore" for like 20 years, I`ll do it. You know what I mean?
WYNTER: You are kidding?
GUADAGNINO: No, I`ll do it. I mean, listen, the money`s great. You know what I mean? It is what it is. It`s taken on a life of its own. Do I think it`s going to last for 20 years? No. Maybe one more.
(MUSIC)
WYNTER: When you look at all the reality shows out there, what`s the one show that you`d say you`d actually give some thought to say, "You know what? I`d love to be part of that," be it "Dancing with the Stars." The Situation has done that. But is that a show that we can perhaps see you on in the future?
GUADAGNINO: I have nothing against that show or any other shows, but I`m really trying to just work on scripted stuff, you know what I mean?
I`m trying to work on things that showcase a comedic personality like sketch comedy, anything to do with improv, anything to do with things that I love. The dancing thing would just be another kind of reality show facet for me. I`m not really -
WYNTER: So Vinny, I mean, that would be a huge compliment. If ABC came knocking saying, "Vinny, come on. Sign up."
GUADAGNINO: Oh, my god. Of course. I would definitely consider it, you know. I like "The Apprentice," too.
WYNTER: Oh, Donald Trump.
GUADAGNINO: Because I love to - you know, I`m a student. I love to think and figure stuff out. So "Celebrity Apprentice" I love, but no, "Dancing with the Stars" - I don`t know.
Every time you do these things, you have to think of what they`re doing for your career in the future as well. So I`d have to weigh it out. Is this a good career move for me?
Will this hinder me in any way in 10 years? So I`m trying to be in this game for a long time, not just right now.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: That`s smart thinking. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter joining me from Hollywood. So Kareen, "Celebrity Apprentice"?
WYNTER: Yes.
HAMMER: He actually seemed pretty serious about that. I think it`s a great move.
WYNTER: You know, he is very serious. He`s a smart guy who is a Poli Sci major in college. And he was heading to law school before "The Jersey Shore" actually came along. I was really surprised to hear that.
There`s more to Vinny than GTL. So I`m thinking, Donald Trump, he may want to consider Vinny for the next season of "Celebrity Apprentice." It could happen, A.J.?
HAMMER: Yes. It wouldn`t hurt the ratings for sure. I do love how honest he was about being shocked by Snooki`s pregnancy though.
WYNTER: Yes.
HAMMER: But did Vinny give you any idea about how different the show over all will be next season with a pregnant Snooki? And of course, and The Situation is just out of rehab.
WYNTER: Right. You know, he didn`t give away too many juicy details. But he did point out that this is reality TV. It`s a show. It follows their lives and their lives have changed considerably since they all started the show a couple of years ago.
Dare I say the "Jersey Shore" kids are growing up? Did I just say that?
HAMMER: No, don`t say that.
WYNTER: Probably, I`ll eat my words.
HAMMER: Kareen, watch your tongue.
WYNTER: OK.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter, thanks so much. Well, right now, Johnny Depp`s new rock star gig. And after all of the reports, is NBC`s "30 Rock" officially a goner? Well, that story tops "The Buzz Today."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over) "30 Rock" no more? Well, it might just be time to say so long to the "30 Rock" gang. A brand-new report says that "30 Rock" is close to coming to an end.
Deadline.com says NBC is finalizing details with key writers and producers that will bring the show back for a shortened seventh and last season in the fall.
SHOWBIZ breaks news. Is Johnny Depp Aerosmith`s newest member? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was on location at the Hollywood premiere of "Dark Shadows" where Aerosmith`s front man, Steven Tyler reveals to us that Johnny has been providing major input as the band puts together its upcoming album.
STEVEN TYLER, BAND MEMBER, AEROSMITH: We`re in the studio right now. We`re (UNINTELLIGIBLE) with Jack, Douglas and Joe(ph). We`re all producing it, and at night when we finished the song, we brought it up to Johnny`s and had him and his gang listen to it and tell it us what they thought. So it`s been great.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: I`m glad he`s happy. Well, Ryan Seacrest certainly seems to be sitting on top of the world. He`s got a new $30 million "American Idol" deal, a slew of reality shows on TV and in the works.
But what`s the one thing that Larry King says Ryan really wants now? You will find out, next. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Time for the Showbiz on location. Johnny Depp reveals why he wanted to take his role in "Dark Shadows."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHNNY DEPP, ACTOR: I watched it religiously as a child. And it`s always been a character, you know, even like before I was an actor that I would want to play. And the idea has been floating around in my head for years and years.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Ryan`s top secret off-screen project. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has just uncovered Ryan Seacrest`s bevy of big money Hollywood deals from reality TV to "News Year`s Rocking Eve," even a new network.
Ryan`s TV projects seem to be endless. But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter just found out about one special goal that could change Ryan`s life forever. And Kareen, it`s not about a job, is it?
WYNTER: Oh, no. Let`s face it though, A.J. Ryan Seacrest and Julian Hough - they are the ultimate A-list reality TV couple. But you know, they`re remarkably low-key. We all know that they`re hardly ever spotted out or featured on the covers of celeb magazines.
But I got Ryan`s good friend, Larry King, the one and only Larry King, to spill the beans about Ryan`s personal life and about Ryan`s plan, yes, to become a dad.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KING: He`s a very good guy. He`s very happy now. He`s got a wonderful girlfriend. and I`m glad he`s at the top of his game.
WYNTER: Is he going to settle down anytime soon?
KING: I wouldn`t be surprised.
WYNTER: Really?
KING: Yes.
WYNTER: But he`s tackling so much (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
KING: I think he wants to be a father.
WYNTER: He does?
KING: Yes. He does.
WYNTER: What did he tell you about that? You guys are good friends. What did he say?
KING: He`s very - they`re really thinking about it.
WYNTER: Wow.
KING: She`s a terrific girl, and he is - I think he`d be a great dad, because he`s very involved in things. He`ll be hands-on. He`s a hands-on guy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WYNTER: I had so much fun with Larry. You know, Ryan reportedly once joked that he wanted more than five kids but less than 10.
I guess that kind of makes sense. Ryan could have as many jobs, as kids as he has jobs. But A.J., he`s amazing, but he`s not superman. I don`t know if he could handle that number. I have two and they keep me plenty busy. Are you not, Ryan?
HAMMER: Yes. It is certainly one of the toughest jobs on the planet, as you well know. But here`s the thing. Ryan already is used to not getting any sleep.
So really, that`s not going to change in his life at all. He will continue to not get any sleep. Kareen, great report. Thank you so much.
WYNTER: That`s a positive outlook. Thanks.
HAMMER: Moving on now to Kris Humphries and Kim Kardashian`s divorce war, which is heating up. Kris has a multimillion-dollar new demand. Wait until you hear what he wants from Kim.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: So Kris Humphries says that Kim Kardashian has something that is rightly his, her 20-carat $2 million engagement ring. According to "Radar Online," Kris wants the ring he gave to Kim because he reportedly believes that he was duped, duped into the entire engagement and 72-day marriage.
Now, as you can imagine, Kim is in no rush to give up that rock. Team Humphries also reportedly wants to know what happened to the $325,000 Ferrari that the couple got as a wedding gift from a wealthy Malaysian businessman.
Well, it seems that Kim isn`t trying to give that up either. This divorce war looks like it`s going to get ugly.
And that`s it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thank you so much for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer. You can catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusively weeknights at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific here on HLN.
And "DR. DREW" is coming up next. Tonight, Dr. Drew is speaking with the founder of the company that pairs attractive people with rich strangers for travel and possible romance. That starts right now.
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