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SHOWBIZ TONIGHT
George Zimmerman Charged; Sherri Shepherd Booted Off from "Dancing with the Stars"; Brad Pitt, Basketball Reject?; Khloe Kardashian on Team Kimye; Madonna`s One True Love
Aired April 11, 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: Big news breaking tonight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - George Zimmerman charged. Trayvon Martin shooting case takes another shocking the twist. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the very latest on the charges and the brand-new celebrity reaction.
Sherri`s stunner.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The couple unbelievably with the lowest overall combined total. Sherri and Val.
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HAMMER: Sherri Shepherd is done on "Dancing with the Stars." Her fans are floored. But what does her cohost from "The View", Elisabeth Hasselbeck, have to say about this ballroom bombshell? Elisabeth is right here breaking big news in a SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.
Brad Pitt, basketball reject? Tonight, the vault has been opened to reveal a 14-year-old Brad. Wait until you see the remarkable, never- before-seen photo of Brad.
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show breaks news right now.
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Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Thank you for watching. We have big news breaking tonight - charged. Explosive new developments today in the Trayvon Martin shooting are sending this tragic story into overdrive.
Now, tonight we learn that the neighborhood watchman who shot and killed Trayvon will face criminal charges. George Zimmerman will be charged with second-degree murder for the February shooting that has sparked a national frenzy.
The victim, Trayvon, was just 17 years old, didn`t have a weapon, and was only carrying Skittles and an iced tea. Zimmerman, who`s 28, was licensed to carry the 9 mm gun that he used to shoot Trayvon.
And all along Zimmerman has claimed self-defense. But late today special prosecutor Angela Corey made the announcement that Trayvon`s parents waited 44 days to hear.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANGELA COREY, SPECIAL PROSECUTOR: Today, we filed an information charging George Zimmerman with murder in the second degree. A capias has been issued for his arrest.
With the filing of that information and the issuance of a capias, he will have the right to appear in front of a magistrate Seminole County within 24 hours of his arrest. And thus, formal prosecution will begin. I will confirm that Mr. Zimmerman is indeed in custody.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: He is in custody. Just a heartbreaking situation all around. I want to this bring in CNN`s Martin Savage, who`s on location in Sanford, Florida right now.
So Martin, Zimmerman is charged now with second-degree murder. Tell us exactly what that means.
MARTIN SAVAGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Angela Corey essentially threw the book at him. That is the most powerful charge she could have levied against George Zimmerman.
She knew all along she could not charge him with murder in the first degree, because for that, she would have needed a grand jury. And we already know that earlier this week, she has dismissed the notion of a grand jury.
So second degree murder is as tough is as she can possibly get. It implies that there are parts of this investigation that as yet we do not know and apparently seem to be series against George Zimmerman.
So right now, he is charged with a very serious crime. The process has begun, A.J.
HAMMER: And Martin, as early as yesterday, Zimmerman`s ex-attorneys were saying all of the media attention had forced him to hide out of state.
And now, we understand that he`s back in Florida and in custody. So what`s exactly next for him?
SAVAGE: Next for him will be some sort of bond hearing, presumably. That could happen within, say, the next 24 hours or so.
Right now, he`s being held without bond. It`s clear that his attorney is now going to argue, that, look, George Zimmerman turned himself in. He turned himself willingly. He is not a risk to flight, thereby he should be entitled to bond. So it could be a quick process. We`ll see.
HAMMER: All right. We will certainly see. CNN`s Martin Savage, thank you so much.
And there`s no question about it. This case has become a national media obsession. Right now, I want to go to two people who have been following it very closely.
In Miami, Judge Karen, a Miami-Dade County court judge. And with me in New York, Crystal McCary, former attorney and author. I appreciate you both being here.
I want to get right to our first SHOWBIZ flashpoint, Judge Karen. Based on what you know about this case, was charging George Zimmerman with second- degree murder absolutely the right decision?
JUDGE KAREN MILLS-FRANCIS, MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT JUDGE: Well, I think what makes it the right decision, A.J., is what we don`t know, because second-degree murder requires - it`s called a depraved-mind killing.
And the Florida Supreme Court defined "depraved mind" as a killing done out of ill-will, hatred or spite. The fact that the state has charged George Zimmerman with second-degree murder leads me to believe that they have some evidence that George Zimmerman killed Trayvon Martin out of ill-will, hatred or spite.
And they have all the cards over there. They have the forensics. They have the technology. FBI has been involved in this case for weeks. They have the technology and listen to those tapes. Because the bottom line to me has always been, who is crying for help on that 911 call?
I submit to you that if the state`s evidence or investigation had shown it was George Zimmerman, he wouldn`t be charged at all.
HAMMER: Very interesting. And obviously, the state`s not going to be discussing any of this evidence in the case at this point. Crystal, let me get your take on that. Was this charge the right decision in this case?
CRYSTAL MCCARY, FMR. ATTORNEY AND AUTHOR: Well, I think as the judge said, it does hinge on what we don`t know. And we don`t - us, the public - know what his intent was.
And so the depraved mind element that`s necessary in the second-degree murder charge is something that is going to come out in the evidence.
But I`ll tell you what does make me think. And this is coming from me, Crystal, my personal perspective, sort of the sniff test of this all.
You know, if it looks like a duck, smells like a duck, walks like a duck, let`s go through the facts, again, that we`ve all heard again and again.
He thought that Trayvon Martin looked suspicious, an African-American boy with a hoodie on. What made him look suspicious?
We know that he was certainly initially pursuing Trayvon Martin. We know that from what he says on the 911 tapes.
We know that with the tapes with his girlfriend where he`s talking on the phone and Trayvon tells his girlfriend, "Someone is following me."
We know the time slot when he was on the phone with him. And what we don`t know is this two to three minute period where a death occurred.
How do we not know that Trayvon Martin was standing his ground when - whatever altercation occurred? Let`s say an altercation did occur. Witnesses do say that there was some fighting. He did have some injuries.
Obviously, the injuries that George Zimmerman had were not life-threatening enough that he had to be taken to the hospital.
So all arrows point to some sort of additional intent above him just trying to quote, unquote, "protect his neighborhood as the captain."
HAMMER: And it`s just been amazing to watch the twists and turns this has all taken in really a relatively short amount of them.
But let`s remember, this is a case really didn`t get any attention until stars began tweeting about it and they have really kept the pressure going on the national level in keeping him in the national spotlight.
Earlier today, just hours before the charges were announced, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT did talk about the Trayvon Martin case with "America`s Got Talent" host, Nick Cannon. I want to show you what he told us.
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NICK CANNON, HOST, "AMERICA`S GOT TALENT": I mean, obviously, I think what`s happening is, you know, the right people are paying attention to it. And because everyone rallied to support, now, it`s getting the attention that it needs. And I believe justice will prevail.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: And justice is running its course now. It`s really been amazing to watch as we`ve seen so many celebrities speaking out about the Trayvon Martin shooting.
We saw the online petition calling for an arrest. That got almost 2.6 million signatures, many because so many celebrities did tweet out the link to the petition.
Here`s our next SHOWBIZ flashpoint, did attention from stars actually help lead to Zimmerman being charged? Crystal, what do you think?
MCCARY: Listen, I certainly think that it brought attention. But let`s talk about people besides the stars. They`re in the public.
I mean, look, Former Governor Jeb Bush of Florida did not feel the Stand Your Ground Law was applicable in the case, that it was misapplied, even as a defense for George Zimmerman.
But with respect to the stars, certainly it brought more attention. But from what I`ve seen of the special prosecutor, I do not believe that she`s going to be influenced in bringing the charge by the court of public opinion.
She seems like a thorough woman who takes her oath very seriously. So I don`t think the charge - that`s very serious to bring a second-degree murder charge.
HAMMER: But obviously, very important. I think all the attention that has been thrust upon this. And it can`t hurt to keep the pressure on and the fact that people will be watching very closely. Crystal McCary, Judge Karen, thank you so much, both of you.
Well, as we move on tonight, we have to get to Sherri`s shocker. Sherri Shepherd`s "Dancing" days over after a jaw-dropping elimination.
SHERRI SHEPHERD, CONTESTANT, "DANCING WITH THE STARS": I want to say to every person out there, that thing that scares you the most, that makes you say, "I don`t know if I can do it, I`m scared." Run towards it because it`s so amazing on the other side.
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HAMMER: Such an emotional night. Did America get this wrong? I certainly think so. But hey, I might be biased. But what does her cohost from "The View," Elisabeth Hasselbeck, have to say about the ballroom bombshell. Elisabeth tells me tonight right here in a SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.
The Kim and Kanye dating rumors are just picking up steam. Tonight, did her sister Khloe Kardashian spill the beans?
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KHLOE KARDASHIAN, REALITY TV STAR: I love Kanye. I think they`re cute together. Yes, I`ve said that.
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HAMMER: I`m thinking, you know, it may be only a matter of time before we`re keeping up with Kim and Kanye`s romance on reality TV.
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Madonna`s one true love. You`ve got to see Madonna`s bizarre new fragrance ad with her - in a passionate scene with herself. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: George Clooney to host $6 million fundraiser for President Obama. Howard Stern tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT he is excited about joining "America`s Got Talent."
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HOWARD STERN, JUDGE, "AMERICA`S GOT TALENT": This is a great outpouring of love for "AGT," for me as a new judge. It really is spectacular and a wonderful feeling to come out and get this kind of greeting.
These fans have been supporting me my entire career in this manner. And there`s nothing better in the world than to feel that embrace.
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UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: Primrose Everdeen.
JENNIFER LAWRENCE, ACTRESS: Prim! I volunteer! I volunteer as tribute.
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HAMMER: There`s a monumental change that actually could affect the future of the "Hunger Games" movie franchise. Could the sequel, "Catching Fire," be all washed up before it even starts?
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Real life "Hunger Games" cliffhanger. Is the sequel to the blockbuster hit suddenly in jeopardy?
Also, Simon`s suit. Simon Cowell`s boy band, One Direction, could be heading in a new direction - to court.
And Sherri`s shocker. Sherri Shepherd takes a bow on "Dancing with the Stars." It`s all in "The Buzz Today."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over) Sherri`s last dance. "The View`s" Sherri Shepherd gave her last performance on "Dancing with the Stars." Shepherd and her partner were sent packing on Tuesday`s elimination show.
With tears in her eyes, Shepherd thanked the judges for letting her live a dream she always had.
One Direction too many? Simon Cowell`s hit U.K. group, One Direction, is being sued by One Direction. Cowell`s British boy band that was formed in 2010 is being sued by a U.S. group of the same name.
According to "The Hollywood Reporter, "the American band claims they formed in 2009. They`re asking for a court order to force the U.K. group to change its name and are asking Cowell`s record label for $1 million in damages.
"Hunger Games" sequel in jeopardy? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you the film`s director, Gary Ross, will not return to direct "Catching Fire", the sequel in the "Hunger Games" franchise.
Slamming any rumor that he had trouble negotiating with Lionsgate, the studio that produced the film, Ross says, "I have decided not to direct `Catching Fire.` As a writer and a director, I simply don`t have the time I need to write and prep the movie I would have wanted to make because of the fixed and tight production schedule."
"And contrary to what has been reported, negotiations with Lionsgate have not been problematic. They have also been very understanding of me through this difficult decision."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
And I get that it was a difficult decision for the director of the "Hunger Games" to step away. But wow, what about the millions of fans of the "Hunger Games" book series? Here`s the SHOWBIZ flashpoint - is the movie sequel to the "Hunger Games" in jeopardy?
With me, from Hollywood, Maggie Furlong from "The Huffington Post."
So Maggie, we know there have been a lot of movie sequels that bombed because the original director went away.
You can include in this that list "Robocop 2," Paul Verhoeven, who directed the original "Robocop" didn`t return for the sequel. I`m sure that`s why it failed.
"Airplane II," surely a disaster without the original writing and directing team from "Airplane."
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Stop calling me Shirley!
HAMMER: But the "Harry Potter" franchise, face it, it had blockbuster after blockbuster despite four different directors at the helm.
So it`s not always going to be a bad thing. Maggie, to our SHOWBIZ flashpoint, do you think the movie sequel to "The Hunger Games" is now in jeopardy because the original director is not directing it?
MAGGIE FURLONG, "THE HUFFINGTON POST": Absolutely not. I think much like "Twilight" and "Harry Potter," mixing it up a little bit sometimes helps.
And Gary Ross has done an amazing job with the first installment. But you have to look at it as a whole. If the second book needs a little more action on screen, maybe they need a new director who is better with big action sequences.
I think it can only help the franchise. I know people are obviously upset that it will be different. But I think it will shake some things up.
And I think it`s a fine move. It`s not a big deal. It`s still going to happen. And he`s still going to get paid, so good for him.
HAMMER: There`s too much money involved not to make a very careful decision with who is going to direct that film.
But right now, let me move onto my SHOWBIZ first look at my SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview with "Nurse Jackie" and "Sopranos" store, Edie Falco. I love her. And Edie just told me what she would say if David Chase were to call her and say a "Sopranos" movie is on.
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EDIE FALCO, ACTRESS: Absolutely. It was never for a moment not exciting, challenging, rewarding. And I don`t believe anything is ever really completely over.
I mean, I can`t imagine a circumstance in which you`d have to say, "Oh, my gosh." There`s always more that`s going to happen to people and even pretend people, you know. There will be storylines for those people.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. Maggie, it sounds like Edie would definitely be on board. Now, the "Sopranos" creator, David Chase, has dismissed the idea of a film. But should I really give up hope?
FURLONG: No, never give up hope. We have to know what happened when the screen went black. Honestly, I feel like anyone who loved "The Sopranos" and loved or hated that finale is still probably curious right now. What`s up with Carmela?
HAMMER: Yes.
FURLONG: What`s up with Tony?
HAMMER: Yes.
FURLONG: What`s up with the kids? Where are they? I want to know. They want to know. I say do it.
HAMMER: David Chase, are you paying close attention? Maggie Furlong, thank you very much. Make sure you`re with me tomorrow night right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT for more of my SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview with Edie Falco.
Can`t wait to you show Edie`s reaction to James Gandolfini`s confession in "Vanity Fair" that he`s in love with her. It`s pretty great.
Moving now to Miley`s diet backlash. Miley Cyrus got slammed by some people for her recent weight loss. She says it`s because of her new gluten-free diet.
And now, Miley`s encouraging everyone to be gluten-free. But could she be sending the wrong message? Well, gluten-free crusader and "View" cohost, Elisabeth Hasselbeck is right here and she`s sounding off this great debate in an all-new SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.
Brad Pitt, basketball reject? Could it be? Tonight, the vault has been opened to reveal 14-year-old Brad. Wait until we show you this remarkable, never-before-seen photo. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: Cast of "Modern Family" invited to White House correspondents` dinner. Brandy and Monica perform new duet "It All Belongs to Me" on "Live! With Kelly."
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They punch me and strangle me.
ANNOUNCER: Bullying is an epidemic in America.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He got hit pretty good.
ANNOUNCER: But the need to stand against it is the cure.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I will go to my grave until a difference is made.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That`s a look at a new ad for the movie, "Bully," such a powerful, powerful film. The documentary received a huge show of support from teen pop sensation, Justin Bieber.
He actually provided the music for that commercial. Well, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT just spoke with Justin all about the film. You will be shocked to hear what he reveals to us.
Tonight, Justin`s bullying revelation. Now, during an exclusive SHOWBIZ TONIGHT interview with Kareen Wynter, Justin talks about being bullied himself and why he decided it was so important for him to lend his support to this documentary which, of course, explores the difficult topic of school bullying through the eyes of five students.
I want you to look at what Justin just told Kareen Wynter.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KAREEN WYNTER, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT CORRESPONDENT: You`re actually throwing your support behind that. Why is that? There have been a lot of stars who are outspoken on that movie and the importance of making sure that, you know, kids know there is a way out.
JUSTIN BIEBER, POP STAR: Of course, I mean, for me, it`s like, I feel like I was bullied. And I think that almost every -
WYNTER: You were actually bullied?
BIEBER: Yes. I feel like most people in their lifetime have been bullied at some point. And I think that it`s about time that people start making a change.
And a lot of times, principals just let it go or teachers let it go or, you know, other students just let it go. But I think this movie is really powerful and it can help change a lot of lives.
WYNTER: What do you think is it like for the kid who is scared and they hear Justin Bieber say, "It`s happened to me and there is help"?
BIEBER: You know I think that it`s about telling people, you know, if you`re a bystander, to, you know, tell somebody, because a lot of times, it`s just not spoken. And you end up just keeping it all inside and then it just hurts you even more.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Wow. Really so terrific that Justin is speaking so candidly about this issue. And I`m sure you have Justin backing this film, that`s going to get a lot of young people out to see it.
And it`s important to note that after this massive national campaign, backed by a lot of big Hollywood stars, the film was finally given a PG-13 rating, which now means it can now be seen by really the crucial age group most affected by bullying.
"Bully," which is now in selected theaters, will open everywhere on April 13th. I really encourage you to see it. See it with your kids.
Now, the SHOWBIZ lineup - here`s what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
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KHLOE KARDASHIAN: I love Kanye. I think they`re cute together. Yes, I`ve said that.
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HAMMER: It`s official, Khloe on Team Kanye. Is Kim Kardashian`s sister spilling the beans about Kim`s next big romance?
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Madonna`s one true love? Tonight, why Madonna`s bizarre new fragrance ad is causing a stink. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
And this is the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: Betty White joins Twitter, sends flirty tweet to Ryan Seacrest. Red Hot Chili Peppers, Black Keys among performers at Lollapalooza.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHEPHERD: I want to say to every person out there, that thing that scares you the most that makes you say, "I don`t know if I can do it, I`m scared," run towards it because it`s so amazing on the other side.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Big news breaking on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - Sherri`s dancing shocker. Tonight, a "Dancing with the Stars" dramatic elimination leaves "The View`s" Sherri Shepherd in tears. Tonight, Sherri`s "View" cohost, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, right here to reveal her comforting words for Sherri in a headline-making SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.
And it`s the Kardashian couple that took the world by storm. Are Kim Kardashian and Kanye West really dating?
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KHLOE KARDASHIAN: I love Kanye. I love - I think they`re cute together. Yes, I said that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, does Kimye get the thumbs up from the Kardashian clan? Kim`s sister, Khloe, speaks out today.
A long lost photo of a young Brad Pitt revealed. Long blond locks. A bowl haircut. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT uncovers the must-see photo of the one-time sexiest man alive.
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
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Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thank you for watching. It is 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York with big news breaking tonight, Sherri`s ballroom shocker.
"Dancing with the Stars" fan favorite, Sherri Shepherd, was suddenly sent packing last night in probably the most shocking elimination of the season, stunning the audience and touching off a flood of tears.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The couple unbelievably with the lowest overall combined total and therefore leaving right now is Sherri and Val.
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HAMMER: Oh, I hated seeing that. Sherri, we were all rooting for you. Sadly, someone had to kick off the dancing shoes and head home.
Tonight, I`m delighted to have one of Sherri`s biggest supporters with me. Elisabeth Hasselbeck is, of course, a "View" cohost on ABC daytime show, "The View."
ELISABETH HASSELBECK, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": Hi.
HAMMER: Always good to see you. Have a seat, make yourself right at home.
HASSELBECK: I`m doing some bad chair dancing to protest Sherri`s voting off of "Dancing."
HAMMER: Chair dancing?
HASSELBECK: Yes, do you like it?
HAMMER: Some bad chair dancing.
HASSELBECK: Yes, bad chair dancing. That`s it. It`s over now.
HAMMER: I think she got kicked off after having done some good chair dancing or floor dancing. First of all, thank you for being here for the SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.
HASSELBECK: I love chair dancing.
HAMMER: It was very sad, you know.
HASSELBECK: Yes.
HAMMER: You know, of course, as friends of Sherri, we were rooting for her. As a colleague and coworker of Sherri, you were especially rooting for her.
HASSELBECK: Of course.
HAMMER: She was so emotional. What did you say to her when you first spoke with her after she got the bad news?
HASSELBECK: You know, I texted her right away as soon as I saw. And I was sitting with my husband and I had been texting Sherri back and forth.
And she`s in love and she had the best spirit. I know how much this meant to her. And I was in tears, but I thought the message that she sent was ultimately more successful than any shiny trophy she could have taken home from a win.
And I think that that message is, don`t be afraid, run to it and you can actually find something so perfect on the other side of that fear. And kudos to her. She`s - I love her so much.
HAMMER: Well, she has such a positive spirit. I`ve always felt any time you`re around her.
HASSELBECK: Yes.
HAMMER: Any time you`re around her, I mean, it`s this truly infectious energy. But I also know, and you mentioned, this was such a big deal for her doing this, that it was so - it had to have been so hugely disappointing.
HASSELBECK: Sure.
HAMMER: Are you a little worried about her?
HASSELBECK: No.
HAMMER: I`m sure she`ll be fine. But this is going to take a little recovery time.
HASSELBECK: If anyone - anyone who knows Sherri knows one thing - she can take this in stride and she takes it with great faith and knows that there`s a bigger picture involved.
HAMMER: Yes.
HASSELBECK: And this was something that was a great challenge for her. And I`ve never seen anyone embrace it like she did.
HAMMER: Yes.
HASSELBECK: And so you know, I`m just so proud of her for taking it on. And I`m not worried about her one bit. There`s more to come from Sherri Shepherd.
HAMMER: It`s a big chance to really leap beyond yourself.
HASSELBECK: Sure.
HAMMER: And that`s what Sherri did. And how can you not just be proud of that. You guys at "The View" have been very supportive rallying around her throughout the whole thing.
HASSELBECK: Yes.
HAMMER: All right. So Sherri is done with it. Maybe they`ll take a break next season in terms of having another "View" cohost on. But would you do it if they came running?
HASSELBECK: You just saw my bad chair dancing. I don`t have any skills.
HAMMER: Well, it`s chair dancing, Elisabeth. I want to see you on the - well, a lot of people go on that show never having had skills.
HASSELBECK: Right.
HAMMER: Seriously, have they approached you before?
HASSELBECK: Yes, once. I can`t do it.
HAMMER: Well, you danced at Sherri`s wedding. That was fantastic.
HASSELBECK: Sherri will dance. I will run. That`s it.
HAMMER: OK. All right. We`ll talk about your running.
HASSELBECK: OK, good.
HAMMER: You`re doing it for a great cause.
HASSELBECK: I am.
HAMMER: I want to hear about that in just a moment.
HASSELBECK: Sure thing.
HAMMER: She`s not going to do "Dancing with the Stars." There is another star that has everybody talking today and I want to talk to you about this.
HASSELBECK: OK.
HAMMER: Jessica Simpson. Now, she`s very pregnant, as we know.
HASSELBECK: Yes.
HAMMER: And for some strange reason that I can`t still wrap my head around, some critics - people are actually going after her for how much weight she has gained while she`s pregnant. It befuddles me. I don`t understand it. I think it`s ridiculous.
HASSELBECK: Right.
HAMMER: What`s your reaction when you see something like that, having borne children yourself and being in the public eye?
HASSELBECK: Having gone through pregnancy three times myself, I throw the flag on anyone who comments on a woman`s weight or appearance during that time outside of saying, "Wow, you`re glowing and beautiful."
I mean, I think women really take joy in feeling as though during that time their bodies are really there to host and grow this baby inside of them.
And you know what? For anyone to comment on her weight at this time, I think, they should be denied all snacks for the rest of her pregnancy.
HAMMER: Shame on them.
HASSELBECK: Yes, shame on them.
HAMMER: Exactly right.
HASSELBECK: No Twinkies for you.
HAMMER: No more Twinkie. You can`t even get Twinkies anymore. Snickers - no more.
HASSELBECK: No more.
HAMMER: You can`t have them. And I do love that Jessica really seems to be having the last laugh with this. Did you see what she tweeted?
HASSELBECK: No, what did she say? Tell me.
HAMMER: Let me read this because this is fantastic. She goes on the Twitter and she writes this, "Last chance to see me fat, a.k.a. pregnant, on the cover of `Elle.` I loved this shoot, and it`s only on stands for a few more days." I think it`s great she`s keeping such a cool head about this.
HASSELBECK: Good for her.
HAMMER: Does that surprise you at all? Because she`s been under attack for a long time for all the wrong reasons, if you ask me.
HASSELBECK: Of course. You know, I think she`s lovely. And I think she`s going to be a great mom. And I really hope she`s enjoying this. I, quite frankly, like to get pregnant so I can enjoy snacks without any guilt.
HAMMER: That`s part of the side-benefit of pregnancy, right?
HASSELBECK: Yes, enjoy it now. Right. As soon as she has the baby, don`t worry. She knows this is coming. She`s been in the media long enough to know it. As soon as she has that baby - great. Have the baby checked.
Now, let`s get her on the scale every day and see how long it takes her to lose the baby fat. Ridiculous.
HAMMER: There will be the post-baby weight watch.
HASSELBECK: Yes.
HAMMER: And hopefully, the magazine cover saying how did she lose so much weight? Was it health?
HASSELBECK: Right.
HAMMER: I mean, you know, it`s all coming down fine.
HASSELBECK: "Is she eating now that she`s a mom? Is she mommarexic?" You`ll see all these headlines. I promise.
HAMMER: Oh, you had to endure that yourself, didn`t you?
HASSELBECK: Oh, sure.
HAMMER: OK. Another star right now who is catching flak about weight - Miley Cyrus, and that`s because she slimmed down.
HASSELBECK: Right.
HAMMER: Now, there are some critics out there that had even called her anorexic. I want to read what she tweeted in reaction to this. And I give Miley a lot of credit for speaking out and being so blunt.
"For anyone calling me anorexic, I have a gluten and lactose allergy. It`s not about weight. It`s about health. Gluten is crapppp (spelled with four P`s) anyway."
Miley even went as far to say that everyone should go gluten-free for a week. Now, some medical experts did slam her for saying that gluten should be out of everybody`s diet since some people should not be gluten-free.
That`s what`s come out. You literally wrote the book on this. We talked about this before - "Deliciously G-Free" is what you wrote. You are gluten-free.
HASSELBECK: Yes.
HAMMER: So do you agree with what Miley said or with what medical experts said? What`s the reality there?
HASSELBECK: Here`s the reality of both, because I love - a majority of my great friends have gone either gluten-free or they are experts in the medical field surrounding this.
So I like to take my diet advice and medical advice from medical experts, and that`s what I`ve done, when I wrote "The G-Free Diet" and when I wrote my cookbook, "Deliciously G-Free."
I actually provided great recipes that are gluten-free that reduce inflammation. And you do have a gluten allergy and right now, it`s up to 13 percent of people that do, and if you do have celiac, and that`s one percent like me, this is a great way to eat.
And reducing inflammation will ultimately lead to better health and better fitness. And you know, some people do experience a slim-down. If you`re eating gluten-free doughnuts all day long, you`re not going to slim down.
But if you follow things like I outlined in "Deliciously G-Free," you can. And I do think everyone from Dr. Oz to Dr. Peter Green would recommend that people do see how they feel on a gluten-free diet. Ultimately, you want to get tested for celiac prior to going gluten-free to see if you may have it.
HAMMER: So people need to check it out for themselves. And meanwhile, you know, you have all of this knowledge. Your writing is going on. You`re cohosting on "The View" every day. And you`re running all the time, including in a half marathon on Sunday.
HASSELBECK: Yes. My big joke is that I run so that I don`t get pregnant again.
HAMMER: Keep away from the hubby.
HASSELBECK: Yes.
HAMMER: And this is for a good cause.
HASSELBECK: It is for a great cause, because, you know, the more fitness - women`s half marathon is remarkable. You`ve got 10,000 women running in New York City.
And I love just the visual of it, because it`s strong women running the city. I love it to death, kicking some asphalt as I like to say.
But you know, I`m actually running as Team No G, which is a protein, gluten-free, all-natural line that I developed. And also, more importantly, Team Red, White and Blue, and that`s TeamRWB.org. You can check it out.
It`s about veterans` reintegration. It`s about a buddy system. When veterans come back, they buddy up with somebody here.
And so I`ll be running in honor of all the men and women who have given their lives in sacrifice for our country.
HAMMER: Good for you.
HASSELBECK: Thanks, A.J.
HAMMER: I`m so pleased with what you`re doing. I`m sorry about Tim -
(CROSS TALK)
HASSELBECK: Happens all the time. April 15th, Sunday at 8:00 a.m.
HAMMER: Sorry about your husband that you running from him.
HASSELBECK: No, I`m just kidding. I run toward him.
HAMMER: Elisabeth`s new book is called "Deliciously G-Free." It`s available online and in stores now. And don`t forget, if you were in the New York area, you can join Elisabeth, as she said, in the half marathon. Check her out, April 15th and all of these women kicking asphalt in central park.
As we move on, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, a cute couple? Kimye, yes, that`s what fans have already nicknamed them. Shocking, right? Well, they shocked the world when they didn`t exactly deny that they were dating. Does the rest of the Kardashian clan approve?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KHLOE KARDASHIAN: I love Kanye. I love - I think they`re cute together. Yes, I`ve said that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, Kim`s sister, Khloe, revealing she actually likes Kim and Kanye as a couple. But can the Kanye phenomenon actually last?
Sharon Osbourne, outraged over Katy Perry`s fame diss. Katy Perry says she`s tired of being famous.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHARON OSBOURNE, TELEVISION PERSONALITY: You silly little girl. You wanted it. You got it. Now, shut up.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, tonight, Sharon Osbourne is letting loose on Katy Perry. But what does Katy have to say? I`ll tell you, coming up. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Time for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: Tony Romo and Candice Crawford welcome a baby boy, Hawkins Crawford Romo.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Tonight, the lost Brad Pitt photo. Brad`s baby-faced basketball picture taken when he was just 14. Look at that. It`s going viral today. It`s a bowl cut. Fantastic.
He was definitely not in the cool club when this team photo was snapped. It turns out Brad didn`t even make his middle school basketball team back in the `70s, so he formed his own squad, called them "The Rejects" and convinced his dad to be the coach. That`s actually a pretty nice hustle, Brad.
With me right now in Hollywood, Maggie Furlong, of "The Huffington Post" and SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Nischelle Turner is in Hollywood tonight.
Let`s look at that picture again. It`s the lost Brad Pitt picture. And I say this thing right there is proof, proof I tell you, that Hollywood`s hottest actor was actually once a middle school geek just like the rest of us. I had that same haircut. Maggie, tell me if you agree. Doesn`t this little geeky guy -
FURLONG: So did I.
HAMMER: Give us all hope that anyone can become the world`s sexiest man someday?
FURLONG: Absolutely. I had the same haircut, too. That`s kind of strange. The thing I love the most about this picture is that he actually looks exactly like Shiloh, his daughter with Angelina.
HAMMER: Yes, he does.
FURLONG: I really do think there`s a very close resemblance there, which I think is really sweet. But this picture is adorable. The story of "The Rejects" is really cute. And you know, now, he`s a huge success in Hollywood, so good for him.
HAMMER: Good for him. Charles, would you put that up side by side, the split screen one more time? It`s Brad Pitt as a 14-year-old. Brad Pitt today.
I want to go to Nischelle Turner, because, you know, Nischelle, who knows? Maybe it will be a postage stamp one day. I need your take on who your favorite Brad is. Mr. Bowl Cut or present day Hollywood hunk?
NISCHELLE TURNER, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT CORRESPONDENT: Well, first of all, I would call that more of a mushroom, A.J. That`s a mushroom cut. And I had it, too, so I`m joining the club.
But I like that young mushroom, bowl cut Brad Pitt reject. That`s just giving me life right now.
HAMMER: All right. I`m happy to give you life. That`s what I`m here for. Mushroom cut. I suppose that could work.
There`s another Hollywood shocker tonight that I must reveal to you. Khloe Kardashian going on the record about Kim`s reported romance with Kanye West.
Her sister Kim Kardashian and Kanye West - everybody is speculating they are together. Get this, Khloe is all for it. She thinks they`re cute together. Watch what Khloe just told Ellen DeGeneres.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ELLEN DEGENERES, HOST, "THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW": What`s happening with them? Are they really a couple?
KHLOE KARDASHIAN: Honestly, we`ve known Kanye forever. He`s been a great family friend. I love Kanye. I don`t know what happens with Kim.
So I love Kanye. I love - I think they`re cute together. Yes, I`ve said that. But honey, I don`t know. You got to get her on the show and ask.
DEGENERES: All right. I will.
KHLOE KARDASHIAN: Why don`t you get them both on the show and ask them together?
DEGENERES: I would love to. I will. I`ll ask them together.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. Well, I think, listen, Khloe made a really good point. You`ve got two stars here that are famous, let`s face it, for being in love with themselves, possibly joining their narcissistic powers, creating one single colossal force.
How can they not understand each other? Maggie, what do you think? Perfect matchup here?
FURLONG: Oh, absolutely perfect. I actually loved it when Kanye was on the Kardashian show when they were in New York. I thought they were really cute and playful. And it seemed like Kim was having fun with him and very comfortable.
The only thing that worries me - I even like the nickname Kimye. But the only thing that worries me is the fact that they might be dueting. Like I don`t want him to get to that point with her where he makes her sing.
HAMMER: No. No. Bad. Duet, bad, Nischelle, right? I mean, fine if they`re a couple. Please don`t go in the recording studio together.
TURNER: A.J., the only good thing about this is it`s going to give us something to talk about for a long time. This is a recipe for disaster, people, and you know it.
HAMMER: Yes.
TURNER: This is going to turn out bad.
HAMMER: Well, let`s talk about true love that we know about. Take a look at this. We have Madonna kissing her favorite person ever, Madonna.
Now, this is part of her brand-new Macy`s ad campaign for her fragrance, Truth or Dare. All this Madonna self-love is coming just as sales for her new album "MDNA," which got off to a huge start.
The sales are plummeting now. Maggie, are people just getting tired of Madonna`s, you know, apparent three-decade long infatuation with herself?
FURLONG: I mean, I`m not sick of Madonna. But I also don`t think her new album is anything to write home about, so maybe people just realize it`s not that great.
Everybody has a miss eventually. And I think this might be Madonna`s miss. Plummeting 88 percent - that`s a huge drop.
But we also can`t forget that Lady Gaga dropped almost just as much with her huge "Born This Way" album and she`s still ended up selling a million copies. So we might just be freaking out for nothing.
HAMMER: I`ve been covering Madonna for decades. And the one thing that I have learned, and this is absolutely for certain - never, ever count Madonna out.
FURLONG: Never.
HAMMER: Maggie Furlong, Nischelle Turner, I thank you both. Well, as we move on tonight, we have to get to Anderson Cooper`s giggle fit, part deux.
Now, you may remember when CNN anchor famously lost it over a Gerard Depardieu public urination incident that took place on an airplane.
Well, it`s happened again. Not the peeing on an airplane by Gerard Depardieu part, but Anderson`s infectious giggle.
And the way I look at it, it was bound to happen sooner or later. This time, it was his ridiculous segment on something called Dyngus Day.
Dyngus Day is a Polish-American celebration signifying the end of Lent. Well, let`s just say some of the Dyngus traditions had Anderson fighting another funny fit.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON COOPER, HOST, "ANDERSON COOPER": The quirky little rituals include boys sprinkling girls that they fancy with water, and the girls striking back with a tap from a pussy willow branch.
Sorry. I`m not going to do this. Sorry. This is torture. I`ve got to let it out. I just got to let it out.
(LAUGHTER)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Let it out Anderson. Really no use fighting it. He does sound kind of like a baby seal, though, doesn`t he?
I can tell you that Sharon Osbourne is not laughing at all today about Katy Perry`s revelation that she`s sick of fame.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
S. OSBOURNE: You silly little girl. You wanted it. You got it. Now, shut up.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Katy Perry says she`s so over being famous. But why is Sharon Osbourne so fired up about it? I`ll tell you what Katy has to say, next. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: William Levy is on fire, and I`ve got brand-new proof of that today. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT just obtained the brand-new issue of "People" magazine. It`s out on Friday.
Look who made the cover. There he is. The very hunky William Levy, currently on "Dancing with the Stars." He`s known as the Latin Brad Pitt. But now, he`s taken America by storm with his dance moves.
Joining me right now from Hollywood, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Nischelle Turner. Nischelle, what is the story here? Is William Levy, in fact, the hottest man on television right now?
TURNER: Well, A.J., first of all, if you saw this little eyebrow of mine go up, that`s all the answer that you need. You know, it was raining in L.A. today and you showing me that picture brought a little sunshine to my life.
So I would say, undeniably, they call him the Latin Brad Pitt. I think we should call Brad Pitt the American William Levy, because, yes, by far, hands down, the hottest man on television today. Absolutely.
HAMMER: OK. I`m glad I could bring a little sunshine to your day. What do you think though? Outside of "Dancing with the Stars," he is well known in the Latin world. But is he the next big crossover star here in America?
TURNER: You know what? I think he just could be, because not only - I mean, look at him there. Not only does he have these crazy dance moves. He`s so good looking.
Seems to be very charismatic. He`s got that accent that all of us women love. And also, in his personal life, you know, he`s got a little bit of baby mama drama.
He might be a commitment-phobe, so he is perfect for Hollywood, because he`s got that good, maybe that bad - a little bad boy image that we all love. So yes, I think so.
HAMMER: So far, he seems to be handling his new fame pretty well.
TURNER: Yes.
HAMMER: One star who may be over the fame game, however, that`s Katy Perry. She just gave an interview to "Teen Vogue" magazine.
And the pop star said this to many people`s surprise, "I`m tired of being famous already, but I`m not tired of creating. Fame is, I think, just a disgusting by-product of what I do."
Sharon Osbourne from "The Talk" took big offense to that today. Listen to what she said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
S. OSBOURNE: What are you doing? You silly little girl. You wanted it. You got it. Now, shut up.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Shut up! Well, Katy Perry has tweeted that her fame comment was taken out of context. It was said in jest. But Nischelle, do you think Sharon was too hard on Katy? Or does she have a point there?
TURNER: Well, let me just say I was about to say that Sharon was too hard on Katy until I heard that Katy came out and said, "Oh, it was taken out of context."
Stop saying everything is taken out of context. If you said it, you said it. If you think fame is kind of weird, you think it`s kind of weird.
Do I think Sharon went over the line with "silly little girl"? Yes, but that is Sharon Osbourne. I would say though, Katy, hey, if fame is getting on your nerves, say it`s getting on your nerves. Big deal.
HAMMER: Yes. I was going to say would we really expect anything differently from Sharon Osbourne who essentially calls it like she sees it.
And she`s had to put up with the fame game for a very long time, too. All right. Nischelle Turner, thank you so much. Nice to see you. I`m glad there`s some sunshine out there in Hollywood for you.
And that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer. Remember, you can catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusively weeknights. We are on at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific.
And that, of course, is right here on HLN. Thank you for watching.
END
