Carding the Kardashians; Hollywood`s Hottest Couples; Should Susan Boyle Sing for William and Kate?
HAMMER: Big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - carding the Kardashians. The outrage today over Kim, Khloe and Kourtney`s debit card.</s>ANDERSON: Hot new Hollywood couples. Taylor and Jake. A-Rod and Cameron. Jessica and Eric. The SHOWBIZ Flashpoint today - love them or hate them?</s>HAMMER: Outrage today over Justin Bieber`s controversial new performance. Watch this.</s>HAMMER: And the Bieb does the unthinkable. He changes his hair. Whoo! Plus, breaking today from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker," Willie Nelson gets popped for pot. And Jay-Z now a best-selling author.</s>ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.</s>HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It is 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer coming to you from New York City.</s>ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with big news breaking today - Kardashian crackdown.</s>HAMMER: Yes, Brooke. Kim and her sisters sparked massive outrage today after a high-powered politician called them dangerous to teens everywhere. Now, the big ruckus is over their Kardashian card. It`s a prepaid debit card and it can cost up to $100 to sign up for. And it has so many fees that critics say they are almost impossible to keep up with. But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you there has been a surprising new twist breaking late today. Right now, in New York, Sunny Hostin - she is a legal contributor for "In Session" on Tru TV. Also, in New York, Midwin Charles. She`s an attorney and runs Midwin Charles and Associates. OK. So here`s the deal. Today, the Connecticut attorney general slammed the sky-high fees associated with Kim, Kourtney and Khloe`s Kardashian card saying in a statement to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT this, "This card appears to specifically target young adults in evoking the name and image of the Kardashian family who showcase lives of luxury and extravagance." "Known for their reality show, `Keeping Up with the Kardashians,` the family is marketing a dangerous financial fantasy." Now, late today, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT did learn the Kardashians contacted Connecticut`s top attorney and promised to pull the plug on the card. I`d say that`s pretty good news. Sunny, do you think they avoided some major legal fallout with this last-minute decision?</s>SUNNY HOSTIN, LEGAL CONTRIBUTOR, "IN SESSION": they did and they endeared parents to them which I think is key, because parents are concerned about their kids trying to emulate the Kardashian lifestyle, the luxury lifestyle. And by pulling the plug on the credit card, I think the parents are going to like them even more. So that`s a big, big move for them.</s>HAMMER: Yes. This was the right move. It was a smart move. And let`s face it. You know, regardless of what you may think of them, say what you will, they have made smart, smart, smart decisions about their businesses, clothes, perfume. The list goes on and on. Kim launched a line of watches today. So Midwin, I`m thinking by pulling the plug, they saved themselves some possible damage not only legally but also to their very valuable reputation.</s>CHARLES: I think they did. Thus far, just about everything they`ve touched has turned to gold. And this might be one of the first things that they`ve done that perhaps had a bit of a backlash. But I applaud the attorney general for kind of stepping out and doing what he`s supposed to do, which is protect consumers</s>HAMMER: Yes. Perhaps we can chalk this up to some bad advice handed over to the Kardashian sisters. Well, Kourtney, Khloe and Kim are trying to move past this whole debit card debacle. Today, they happened to be on the hot seat on "The View" this morning, talking about almost everything else. This morning, Kim made a stunning revelation about her love life. Take a look.</s>WALTERS: Are you dating Halle Berry`s ex, model Gabriel Aubry?</s>SHEPHERD: Oh, boy.</s>KIM KARDASHIAN: I`m single and I`m dating. And I`m having fun. I decided the entire year of me being 30, I`m going to try to be single.</s>WALTERS: One whole year.</s>KIM KARDASHIAN: I`m going to try. It doesn`t mean that I don`t meet gorgeous, amazing people. And you know I`m - but I`m trying.</s>WALTERS: OK. All right.</s>HAMMER: She`s trying to be single. Now, Sunny, I watched you very carefully studying her face as she answered that question. You were focused in like a laser. A smart move or is it just spin in your mind?</s>HOSTIN: It`s just spin. I think it`s clear she`s dating him, but that was a wonderful little sort of trick there. She said, "I`m single and I`m dating and I`m having a good time." And that`s really the way that you answer because Halle Berry is loved by so many people. People are upset about the breakup and then, she sort of comes in and looks like sort of the breakup master.</s>HAMMER: Yes. I don`t think that`s what happened here. But I do say - you know, I`m learning about the Kardashian sisters more and more every day. I did not realize that Kim was never single. She`s always been in a relationship since she was a teenager.</s>ANDERSON: Serial dater.</s>HAMMER: Never had time out, so she`s taking time out. Good move. All right. Let`s move on to breaking royal wedding news. Brooke Anderson, what`s going on?</s>ANDERSON: Well, there`s a brand-new mystery on both sides of the pond today, A.J. Is Susan Boyle going to sing at the wedding of the century, the wedding of Prince William and Kate? Also, another question - is Charlie Sheen`s wife in rehab? New reports today. And Lady Gaga going silent to save lives. It`s all making big news in "The Buzz Today."</s>ANDERSON: I think Susan Boyle singing at Prince William and Kate Middleton`s wedding would be an amazing coup. Midwin, do you think the royal wedding planners are working their fingers to the bone today to make this happen?</s>CHARLES: I certainly hope that they are. Listen, I love Susan Boyle. I love everything that she stands for. I mean, a woman who just didn`t look the part, stepped out on stage after so many years and is now living her dream. I mean, who can`t relate to that?</s>HOSTIN: I can`t relate, Midwin. I can`t relate. I disagree.</s>CHARLES: And the millions of albums that she sold say so.</s>HOSTIN: Her 15 minutes are over. And I think this is a really hip, a really now couple. I just can`t imagine that they`re going to -</s>ANDERSON: But Sunny, her voice is like that of an angel.</s>HOSTIN: I never liked her voice.</s>ANDERSON: If not Susan Boyle - if not Susan Boyle, Sunny, then who?</s>HOSTIN: I`m thinking someone kind of hip, kind of now, maybe, you know, Alicia Keys, maybe a little Jay-Z, something just a little hip. We know that his mom, Princess Diana, was on the music scene. She was good friends with Sir Elton John. Maybe Elton John. But Susan Boyle?</s>ANDERSON: Maybe Elton John. Midwin, could do you Elton John?</s>CHARLES: I could.</s>ANDERSON: Or Susan Boyle could do a duet with Elton John.</s>CHARLES: Yes.</s>ANDERSON: He was good friends with Princess Di.</s>HOSTIN: Yes. Maybe. Maybe.</s>CHARLES: I think Elton John would be a great pick because he did write a song and sing it at Princess Diana`s funeral. So I just thought this would be a beautiful way to kind of round things out.</s>HOSTIN: I`ll do that one. I`ll do that one.</s>ANDERSON: Sunny would accept Susan if she had a wing man maybe.</s>HOSTIN: Yes.</s>ANDERSON: All right. Sunny Hostin, Midwin Charles, thank you both.</s>HAMMER: All right. Moving on now, there are stunning new details today about Hollywood`s new "it" couples. I`m talking about Jake and Taylor, A- Rod and Cameron, Jessica and Eric. Today`s SHOWBIZ Flashpoint - love them or hate them?</s>ANDERSON: There`s big Oscar buzz today. We`re going to reveal right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT who will be hosting the 2011 Oscars.</s>HAMMER: It`s not who you think it would be either. Wait until you hear that. And also, Justin Bieber under fire today for this controversial performance.</s>TEXT: Willie Nelson arrested for marijuana possession in Texas. Usher wins "Best Album of the Year" at the Soul Train Awards.</s>HAMMER: This just in today, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has just learned two big stars will be hosting the Oscars this year. It`s Anne Hathaway and James Franco.</s>ANDERSON: Yes. And neither is a stranger to the Oscars, especially Anne, because she had that song-and-dance routine two years ago with Hugh Jackman when he hosted. And it surprised a lot of people there. It was great.</s>HAMMER: Yes. And I actually thought she was really good. Anne Hathaway, by the way, was nominated for an Oscar back in 2008 for "Rachel Getting Married." And there`s lots of buzz for James Franco`s performance in "127 Hours." Franco plays a guy that actually has to cut off his own arm to save his own life, Brooke.</s>ANDERSON: That`s right. And the Oscars are, of course, on February 27th here in Hollywood. You know SHOWBIZ TONIGHT will be right there. A.J., I think it`s an inspired choice. Anne and James - they`re hip. They`re fresh. They can sing. They can dance. So Oscar producers are hoping to revitalize that telecast.</s>HAMMER: Yes. Keep them fresh. I actually like to call them a very modern choice, Brooke. I think it`s a really smart move. She is simply</s>ANDERSON: And here`s what we`re asking about their relationship, A.J. - love it or hate it? There was big news today about some of the biggest, highest profile couples in Hollywood from Jake Gyllenhaal and Taylor Swift to Cameron Diaz and Alex Rodriguez. Right now, in New York, Brian Balthazar from "PopGoesTheWeek.com." Also, right now, in New York, Noelle Nikpour, who is a columnist for "South Florida Sun Sentinel." Brian, Noelle, there has been so much speculation about whether Jake Gyllenhaal and Taylor Swift are an actual couple. Is it official? He`s 29, she`s 20. They were spotted together in Brooklyn on Thanksgiving on the holiday. Check out this picture posted today on "People.com" of Taylor and Jake. They were just enjoying breakfast in Taylor`s hometown of Nashville. Neither has officially confirmed a relationship. But really, right, it looks like things are getting serious. I love these two. I think they`re cutie pies. Noelle, what do you think of this couple? Love them, hate them?</s>NOELLE NIKPOUR, COLUMNIST, "SOUTH FLORIDA SUN SENTINEL": Oh, my gosh, I love, love, love them together. But they are so good together. And you know what? They both had their hearts broken and they`re both really cute. And I think they authentically want a romance and want a really good relationship. And I think it`s about time that both of them find somebody. And I love these two together. I`m so for this two.</s>ANDERSON: I do, too. And a nine-year age gap is nothing.</s>NIKPOUR: It`s nothing.</s>ANDERSON: Some people are talking about that. But Brian, what do you think? Jake and Taylor together, love it or hate it?</s>BRIAN BALTHAZAR, "POPGOESTHEWEEK.COM": I have to say I love it, too. I think they kept a - like those. I think they kept a relatively low profile.</s>ANDERSON: Those visual effects are nice.</s>BALTHAZAR: Yes. I love it. They`ve kept a pretty low profile which is nice. And the great thing is, when this all falls apart, Jake gets a song written about him. So -</s>ANDERSON: Oh, I don`t know if that`s a great thing for him or not, though.</s>BALTHAZAR: That happens every time. Yes. I think they`re a cute couple and they`re keeping it low key and just doing their thing and I like that.</s>ANDERSON: Well, we also learned today about another couple getting cozy over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. It seems that Cameron Diaz and Yankee slugger Alex Rodriguez are back together again, and we`re asking love it or hate it? A-Rod and Cameron sunning it up in Mexico. I really want Cameron to find a good guy. But Noelle, isn`t A-Rod a player? What do you think? Love it or hate it?</s>NIKPOUR: Well, Brooke, I like this. And the reason I like it is because I think both of them have met their match. She`s a little bit of a flirt. And you know, he`s got a roving eye. So I think this is a pair made in heaven. I like it.</s>ANDERSON: OK. Well, I can tell you that another one of Hollywood`s hottest couples also spent the holiday together. A.J., what was up with Jessica Simpson and her fiance, Eric Johnson?</s>HAMMER: Well, I am here to tell you, Brooke, that they spent their very first Thanksgiving together. Jessica whipped up some of her vegan dishes for her fiance and her family. Now, at first - I`m going to be completely honest. I liked Jess a lot but I was worried about her getting involved with another sports star. But now, I have to say I love them. And I can say that without the angelic bells, I guess. But Brian, there`s a lot of love in the room. What do you think of Jessica and Eric? Love them or hate them?</s>BALTHAZAR: I`ve got to say I hate them. First of all, don`t get me started on a tofu thanksgiving. I hate it. And I just feel that Jessica has an air of desperation about her right now. You know, it came a week after her ex-husband drew his engagement. I just feel this is a desperate plea to prove everyone she`s happy and - I`m sorry, they just get the thumbs-down from me.</s>HAMMER: We did find out, by the way, there was a rumor, you`d be happy about this - that they had eaten a tofurkey. I mean, they actually didn`t eat the tofurkey.</s>BALTHAZAR: I mean, listen, I love the vegetarian and vegan people. But I`m not - Thanksgiving without meat is insane.</s>HAMMER: Noelle, are you - really? Oh, no. Are we going to hear the buzzer on you, too?</s>NIKPOUR: Yes. I`m not real crazy about either one of them. I like Jessica Simpson. I think she`s been through a whole lot, but I think too much, too quick, too soon. And they haven`t even dated a year, you know? Celebrity or not celebrity -</s>HAMMER: Here`s my theory - here`s my theory as to why this is OK because she has been through so much. So obviously, she knows when it`s the real thing perhaps at this point. She`s been through the tough things. She knows she`s got to get it right this time. No? Nobody`s with me?</s>BALTHAZAR: I think she is confused. She`s confused.</s>NIKPOUR: I think she`s confused. I think she`s wearing the suit of the Riddler. I think she has question marks and she has just jumped into it.</s>HAMMER: All right. Fair enough. I do want to talk about this couple - Ryan Seacrest and Julianne Hough. Now, he`s 35 years old; she`s 22 years old. They also spent the holiday together. And I`ve got to say, I actually love this couple. I`m just a little concerned about Ryan`s busy schedule. He`s one of the busiest guys in showbiz, so I do hope that he takes enough time from that busy schedule to keep not only Julianne happy, but their relationship healthy. Brian, love it, hate it?</s>BALTHAZAR: Gentlemen, bring on the hearts. I love him. I think they`re great. He`s America. He`s apple pie. And I just think, you know, they`re adorable together. And so they go on a vacation. They went on a balcony and did a little kissy face for the press. They`re giving the press what they want. They`re following them anyway. So I think they had a nice family trip. They were with friends and family and I`ve got to love it.</s>HAMMER: And you know what I`m saying? This is a guy with focus.</s>BALTHAZAR: Right.</s>HAMMER: And if he`s going to invest his time in somebody - he doesn`t have that much spare time.</s>BALTHAZAR: Yes.</s>HAMMER: He`s going to hopefully be doing that with the right person.</s>BALTHAZAR: Unlike Jessica, he knows what he wants and gets it.</s>HAMMER: Noelle, buzzer or bells? What are we going to hear? Love them or hate them?</s>NIKPOUR: You`re going to get a thumbs-up, so you get some bells. But I will say I think this is the most normal relationship out of them all. He`s already met her parents. I think they spent time in Paris.</s>HAMMER: Yes.</s>NIKPOUR: So they seem like they`re getting to know each other and they`re doing the day-to-day thing. Not Paris day-to-day. But I`m just saying that they`re getting to know each other and they`re dating. And I think it`s a great relationship and I think they`re two cool cats and I like it.</s>HAMMER: Yes. I have felt an awful lot of love in the room and it warms my heart in this the holiday season. Thank you very much, guys. Brian Balthazar, Noelle Nikpour, we appreciate it. And in today`s exclusive SHOWBIZ TONIGHT poll, we`re asking specifically about Jake Gyllenhaal and Taylor Swift reportedly dating. Love it? Hate it? You can text us your vote. You can send a text to 45688. Type "SBT1" to vote for "love it." Text "SBT2" for "hate it."</s>ANDERSON: There`s big Bieber news breaking today. Fans are upset and outraged today at Justin Bieber for his brand-new controversial performance. And that`s not all. People all over the world are shocked over what the Bieb did to his hair. And we`re going to show you. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.</s>HAMMER: That`s pretty rad. Now, it`s time for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.</s>TEXT: Jay-Z`s "Decoded" debuts at number three on the "New York Times" bestsellers list. Kim Kardashian`s little sister, Kylie Jenner, makes her modeling debut.