Hasselbeck Gets Heated, Teary Over N-word

July 17, 2008 2:09 PM

Elisabeth Hasselbeck let her emotions get the better of her, again.

The “View” co-host, who last year got into a shouting match about the Iraq war with former moderator Rosie O’Donnell, almost broke into tears today during a heated debate about why it’s OK for some people to use the n-word but not others.

“Sometimes I think it’s almost worse to use it privately than publicly,” she said, talking about how Jesse Jackson allegedly uttered the n-word during the same off-camera moment in which he said he wanted to castrate Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama.

Sherri Shepherd explained, “I can use it as a term of endearment [but] I don’t want to hear it come out of your mouth,” and Whoopi Goldberg chimed in too. But despite their reasoning and Barbara Walters’ remark that “everybody is giving you an answer,” Hasselbeck only got more heated.

“This is upsetting to me,” she said four minutes into the discussion, choking back tears. “This is a conversation that is hard and we’re going to have it here and we have it here well because we love each other. When we live in a world where pop culture that uses that term, and we’re trying to get to a place where we feel like we’re in the same place, where we feel like we’re in the same world, how are we supposed to then move forward if we keep using terms that bring back that pain?”

Goldberg offered an emphatic, “You must acknowledge the understanding of what it is and why it is,” which eventually quieted down Hasselbeck.

Hasselbeck, 31, last got teary in June, when Michelle Obama sat in on “The View” as a guest co-host. During a commercial break, Hasselbeck broke into tears while telling audience members she was sad to leave her baby boy, Taylor, for the first time to tape “The View” in Las Vegas. Obama looked over at the upset Hasselbeck and appeared to whisper to her and fellow co-host Sherri Shepherd, "Everything okay?"

Sheila Marikar

July 17, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (442) | TrackBack (0)

Obama's Presidential Bid: Life Imitating Art?

July 02, 2008 1:36 PM

Dennis Haysbert likes to think that his fictional portrayal of the first black president on the Fox TV drama “24” helped paved the way for Barack Obama.

"If anything, my portrayal of David Palmer, I think, may have helped open the eyes of the American people," the actor told reporters during a teleconference call promoting the upcoming American Century Celebrity Golf Championship at Lake Tahoe.

"And I mean the American people from across the board — from the poorest to the richest, every color and creed, every religious base — to prove the possibility there could be an African-American president, a female president, any type of president that puts the people first," said Haysbert, who has contributed $2,300 to the Obama campaign.

One thing that’s true, in the case of a black president, art has preceded reality. In the 2003 film “Head of State,” comedian Chris Rock played a Washington DC alderman plucked from obscurity to run for president after the party’s frontrunner dies unexpectedly. Though he’s expected to lose, Rock’s Mays Gilliam surprises even his own party by winning.

In a climactic scene from the movie, whose slogan was “the only thing white is the house,” hundreds of white people run out of their homes in droves when they learn that a black man has just been elected president.

Other black on-screen presidents include Tommy Lister’s President Lindberg who battles asteroids and an enemy aptly named “The Great Evil” in the year 2263 in the 1997 French fantasy film “The Fifth Element.”

In 1998’s science fiction disaster movie “Deep Impact,” Morgan Freeman’s President Tom Beck has to contend with comets threatening to destroy the earth. Freeman’s performance prompted this now famous crack from Jon Stewart when he hosted the Academy Awards earlier this year: "Normally when you see a black man or a woman president, an asteroid is about to hit the Statue of Liberty."

The first black president on screen was likely seven-year-old Sammy Davis Jr. In the 1933 musical-comedy short “Rufus Jones,” Davis plays a black child who is elected to the nation’s top office.

But it’s Haysbert who may have been the most credible president when he took the role of Palmer on the drama series’ first season in 2001. He played a senator running for president. Sound familiar? By the second season, he was in the White House.

Even since leaving the series to star on CBS’s “The Unit,” Haysbert has had people stopping him on the street, asking him to run for president. Recently, he told reporters, he stopped for dinner in Dana Point, Calif., a town he described as "very wealthy, very white and very Republican."

"I go into this little restaurant with that demographic and a lady comes up to me and says, `You know, I want to vote for you,'" he said. "I don't know if it is a joke or that people just like to say those things.

"One thing that happens in our culture, change does not come quickly," said John Matviko, a communications professor at West Liberty State College in Cranberry Township, Penn., and author of "The American President in Popular Culture." "Pop culture gets us ready for it. Because it's been seen on TV, it legitimizes it, makes it a lot less frightening. In some ways, the pop culture laid the groundwork for the larger culture's acceptance of (a black president)."

Once the stuff of jokes and fantasy, a black president could become reality in November.

July 2, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)

Trump: Hathaway's the Con, Not Follieri

July 01, 2008 6:10 PM

The story behind Anne Hathaway's split with recently arrested Italian businessman Raffaello Follieri has everyone buzzing. That includes multi-billion dollar real estate tycoon Donald Trump, who lashed out at the starlet.

"After [his legal troubles] she was gone … and fast!," Trump said in a statement issued by his publicist to ABCNEWS.com. "Sadly, that seems to be the way life works."

The couple, who had been together since 2005, reportedly called it quits just days before the arrest of the Italian businessman and the premiere of Hathaway’s new movie, “Get Smart.” According to The Associated Press, Follieri allegedly spent millions of dollars of investors' money on his posh lifestlye, including an apartment in Trump Towers.

“She hasn’t remained very loyal to him, has she?” Trump added in an interview with Access Hollywood. “So when he had plenty of money, she liked him, but then after that, not as good, right?”

Hathaway’s representative declined to comment. But the actress' latest film, “Get Smart” was the No. 1 movie at the box office the weekend it opened, raking in close to $40 million. She's now busy filming a new flick, “Bride Wars,” with Kate Hudson. Considering her big screen success and the paychecks that come with it, does it really seem like the "Devil Wears Prada" star dated Follieri for three years because of his money?  Or should Trump lay off her because she probably just "got smart?"

What do you think?

Kelly Moeller

July 1, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (29) | TrackBack (0)

Madonna's Marriage 'Not on the Rocks'

July 01, 2008 3:10 PM

Message to all wannabe Mr. Madonnas: She's not up for grabs.

The pop star's publicist denied a recent rash of rumors that Madonna's 8-year marriage to director Guy Richie is falling apart.

"Their marriage is not on the rocks, and there are no plans for getting divorced," Liz Rosenberg told ABCNEWS.com.

In a statement to People magazine, Rosenberg also denied reports of late-night trysts between Madonna and New York Yankee Alex Rodriguez at her New York City apartment.

"Madonna and Alex have the same manager, Guy Oseary," she said. "They have met. They know each other and Madonna took her kids to a Yankees game last week. There's really not anything to comment on beyond that."

Rosenberg added: "It's nothing new that people are airing tons of dirty laundry Madonna's way lately -- much of it untrue." She joked: "By the way, rumors of Madonna and Lil Wayne are quite exaggerated as well."

The rumors aren't the only thing keeping Madonna's name in the news. Her childhood home in Rochester Hills, Mich., burned down over the weekend, and arson investigators are calling the circumstances of the fire suspicious.

Sheila Marikar

July 1, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

DNA Test to Tell if Lindsay Has a Secret Sister

June 30, 2008 2:17 PM

Does Lindsay Lohan have a secret sister? Only her dad's DNA test will tell.

Michael Lohan told ABC News' "What's the Buzz" that he took a paternity test to find out if he's the father of a now 13-year-old girl born to his former lover, Christy Horn.

"In fact, I did a test five minutes ago and I'm sending it for evaluation so we will find out shortly," he said.

Lohan confirmed he had a relationship with Horn in 1995 when he was separated from Lindsay's mother, Dina. But he's not happy she blabbed about their alleged love child to OK! magazine before confirming the girl is his.

"I was with Christy on two occasions, but why bring this up 10 years later? Why would she come forward in the press and hurt her daughter and my children when we don't even have a test done? I don't know why she's stating that I am the father when we don't have any results yet," he said.

Michael, 48, married Dina, 45, in 1985. They divorced last year, and are engaged in an on-going custody battle over Ali, 14, and Dakota, 12. Neither Lindsay, who turns 22 on July 2, nor her brother Michael, 19, are involved in the custody issue since they are no longer minors.

On Friday, OK! reported that Michael Lohan sent his alleged love child a photograph of himself from the Collins Correctional Facility and signed it, "Love Daddy." Horn told the magazine he called her daughter for her 13th birthday on June 12, but has never visited her or provided child support.

"It's time for Michael to take responsibility," Horn told OK!

Sheila Marikar

June 30, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (14) | TrackBack (0)

Heidi Says She Doesn't Drink, 'Hills' Begs to Differ

June 26, 2008 1:33 PM

"I don't drink, I've never done a drug in my life."

Really Heidi Montag?

The "Hills" villainess was on "The View" Thursday with soon-to-be hubby Spencer Pratt. Between gushing about their relationship and her clothing line, she explained how her good Christian values have kept her from participating in some of Hollywood's most popular extracurricular activities. [CLICK HERE to watch the video.]

"You'll never see me stumbling out of clubs drunk," she said. "I never drink, I never do drugs. I'm very religious."

Footage from "The Hills" begs to differ. In a season three episode, the surgically-enhanced blond bombshell ordered a glass of wine to celebrate her 21st birthday.

Of course, a girl can be forgiven for imbibing the day she's finally of legal drinking age. But Montag also hits the clubs … a lot. She dresses up. She dances. She drinks something, and sometimes she gets a little rowdy. (Remember when she and ex-best-friend/"Hills" star Lauren Conrad got into a screaming match at Les Deux?)

Do you really think sparkling water and soda is all that's ever in her cup?

Sheila Marikar

June 26, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (12) | TrackBack (0)

Johnny Drama Adds 'View' to His 'Entourage'

June 23, 2008 3:37 PM

Come September, "Entourage's" Season Five promises Johnny Drama a hit show, a break-up and a daytime meltdown with the ladies of "The View."

Appearing on ABC's "The View" from Las Vegas, Kevin Dillon, who plays the has-been older brother of Hollywood star Vincent Chase, said Monday his character will appear on the daytime talk show as part of a publicity blitz for Johnny Drama's hit television show "Five Towns." Dillon appeared on the "View" on Monday alongside "Entourage" co-stars Jerry Ferrara and Debi Mazar.

Dillon said the "View" appearance is "a big moment" for his character, who "loves the publicity and all that."

"He's also going through a tough breakup so he's a little depressed," Dillon said of his character. "He kind of has a meltdown on the show."

Watch Kevin Dillon's appearance on "The View" HERE!

Season Four left Johnny "Drama" Chase on the beach at Cannes with his newfound love interest, Jacqueline.

"You need our support, right?" "View" co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck interjected. "He'll need us."

"I do need your support," Dillon said, "As actors I need your support. I know Whoopi's got my back."

Co-host Sherri Sheppard suggested that all doesn't go according to plan for Johnny Drama's during his "View" debut.

"You kind of get hung out to dry and you don't know that, " Sheppard said to Dillon of the "View" scene which taped outside Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and includes herself, Hasselbeck and Whoopi Goldberg. Joy Behar and Barbara Walters will not appear in the scene, according to a spokesman for the show.

"I don't know that and I'm his publicist. How 'bout that?" said Mazar, who plays 'Entourage' star publicist Shauna. "I got beef with you all later."

The "Entourage" scene was shot following Dillon, Ferrara and Mazar's appearance Monday. The show's fifth season starts September 7 on HBO.

Nitya Venkataraman

June 23, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Diddy Divulges 'Private' Grooming Routine

June 20, 2008 4:31 PM

There are stars who hate show-and-tell. Like Jennifer Aniston, who shields her face from flashbulbs. Or Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, who offer vague, flippant answers in interviews. Or Angelina Jolie, who smiles wanly on the red carpet no matter what rumors run rampant around her.

Then there are stars who show-and-tell a bit too much. Like P Diddy.

Following in the path paved by actress Kate Beckinsale, who told Allure magazine earlier this year that she named her "spectacular" nether regions "The Pharaoh's Tomb," Diddy revealed to the Daily Mail that the last thing he wants to be is puffy … down there.

"Then I'll have a manicure and pedicure -- and yes, I wax as well," the music mogul told the British paper in an interview published this week, describing his two-hour long pre-party grooming routine. "Grooming's very important and men owe it to women to make sure they're well groomed."

"I wax my privates," Diddy continued. "I'll also wear my fragrance, Unforgivable Black. You can tell a lot by a man's fragrance, and either you have good taste or you can smell like your grandfather. In everything I do, I visualize myself either putting clothes on or taking them off."

Now, thanks to that vivid description, so will all his fans.

Sheila Marikar

June 20, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (10) | TrackBack (0)

Hasselbeck: I Was 'Soft' on Obama

June 19, 2008 3:18 PM

A day after Michelle Obama took her turn co-hosting "The View," regulars Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sherri Shepherd and Elisabeth Hasselbeck chatted about their impressions of her.

Hasselbeck, who gave her reaction to Mrs. Obama's 'View' appearance last night on Fox News' Hannity & Colmes, said she's received some flack for being friendly to the potential first lady.

"I've probably taken some heat for being soft on her, you know, 'the role of the Republican was soft on Michelle Obama,'" she said. "But I think it was a nice environment here. We were actually able to have a nice talk."

"To think that as women, you couldn't sit down and have a civil conversation about the many things you do have in common, aside from the politics that you don't, I find ridiculous," Hasselbeck said. 

Watch the ladies debrief about Michelle Obama's "View" debut HERE.

Co-host Sherri Shepherd said she was touched by an exchange between Mrs. Obama and Elisabeth Hasselbeck.

"What I thought was so touching, she made you cry, you guys were talking about your kids," Shepherd said.

"We were talking about traveling and leaving the kids because we're going to Vegas and what we do when we leave them," Hasselbeck said.

During yesterday's show, Hasselbeck showed the ladies her jam-packed chart of instructions for her children's diet while she is away in Las Vegas next week taping the show.

At a commercial break, Hasselbeck burst into tears while telling audience members it's going to be the first time she'll be away from her baby boy, Taylor, since he was born.

Later, as Hasselbeck was trying to compose herself before the next segment, Mrs. Obama asked if she was okay, and appeared to briefly commiserate with her.

Read about the moment HERE.

Hasselbeck, 31, a Republican who often defends President Bush and the war on terror on the air, has been vocal about her criticism of Obama's husband, Sen. Barack Obama -- grilling him when he appeared on the show in March over his association with Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

But the two women appear to have bonded, with Hasselbeck offering praise Thursday for Mrs. Obama.
"She works out! We were doing push ups in the back," she said. "She's an extremely confident woman which is so great."

Whoopi Goldberg said she was surprised people were anticipating tension on the show.
"We weren't rude to Cindy [McCain] and we didn't go after her," Goldberg said. "It wasn't about us fighting her, it was about her saying who she was."

Sherri Shepherd said she thought Mrs. Obama showed a "different side of herself" as a wife and mother on the show.

"I found her very, very comfortable to be around," Joy Behar said. "She's extremely comfortable with herself and you know, we were kibitzing, and she's very charismatic, " she said. "People were drawn to her."

For more on Michelle Obama's appearance on "The View" click HERE.

Jennifer Parker

June 19, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (75) | TrackBack (0)

Michelle Obama Consoles Teary Elisabeth Hasselbeck

June 18, 2008 3:42 PM

When potential first lady Michelle Obama sat across from Elisabeth Hasselbeck Wednesday as a guest co-host of ABC's "The View," it wasn't the hair-pulling "girl fight" some anticipated.

Mrs. Obama -- wife of presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama -- co-hosted the program Wednesday, appearing relaxed and cracking jokes alongside "View" regulars Barbara Walters, Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Sherri Shepherd.

Early in the show, as if to diffuse any tension between Obama and Hasselbeck, a self-professed and vocal Republican, co-host Whoopi Goldberg said on-air, "Okay you two, no more hair-pulling!"

"I'm sorry," Obama deadpanned. "We're through," Hasselbeck said, smiling at Obama.

Later, during a commercial break, Hasselbeck broke into tears while explaining to audience members that she is sad to be leaving her baby boy, Taylor, for the first time next week to tape the show in Las Vegas. The potential first lady appeared to briefly console her as all of the ladies sat on the couch in preparation for a group interview of celebrity guest Matthew Broderick.

Obama looked over at a teary Hasselbeck and appeared to whisper to her and fellow co-host Sherri Shepherd, "Everything okay?"

It was a stunning demonstration of concern between two women of very different political views.

Hasselbeck, 31, a Republican who often defends President Bush and the war on terror on the air, has been vocal about her criticism of Obama's husband, Sen. Barack Obama -- grilling him when he appeared on the show in March over his association with Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

For her part, Mrs. Obama, 44, has never been shy about voicing her opinions and has come under fire from conservatives for a remark early in the primaries that her husband's candidacy was "the first time in my adult life I am really proud of my country."

On the air today, Hasselbeck said it was ridiculous for people to anticipate a "girl fight" between herself and Michelle Obama.

"We must be enemies because we disagree politically?" Hasselbeck asked rhetorically.

During the show Obama said of Hasselbeck: "This girl is solid, she's got great kids, she's funny."

Adding to the scene: Vogue editor-at-large Andre Leon Talley sitting in the front row, sporting a natty pinstripe suit and a Barack Obama pin.

Jennifer Parker

June 18, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (106) | TrackBack (0)