Showbiz Today

Kelsey Grammer Eyes Another Emmy; Sigourney Weaver and Gene Hackman Star in 'Heartbreakers'; Rachael Lampa is Latest Teen Singing Sensation

Aired August 29, 2000 - 4:30 p.m. ET

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

LAURIN SYDNEY, CO-HOST: Hi, everybody, I'm Laurin Sydney in New York. Jim Moret is off today.

One of Hollywood's top writers is attacking half of the Democratic presidential ticket. Joe Eszterhas, who penned "Showgirls" and "Basic Instinct," accuses vice presidential candidate Joseph Lieberman of promoting censorship in his campaign to clean up Hollywood. The author of the bestseller "American Rhapsody" took out a full-page ad in "Variety" Tuesday, urging the entertainment community to withhold donations to the Gore-Lieberman ticket until the senator clarifies his positions. A spokesperson for Lieberman says that the nominee has never supported censorship, but only wants Hollywood to regulate itself.

Eszterhas says he'd like to talk things over with Lieberman.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(AUDIO GAP)

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SYDNEY: The presidential debates may cause CBS to go back on its word. The network announced premiere dates for its fall shows Tuesday, including an October 1st debut for Bette Midler's sitcom. But CBS may have to revise its plans, depending on the final schedule for the debates. Republican candidate George W. Bush still hasn't agreed to three encounters in October. The uncertainty has prompted ABC and NBC to hold off on announcing their premieres.

Striking actors unions want this year's Emmy nominees to tie a yellow ribbon, not on the old oak tree, but on their outfits. They were asking stars to demonstrate support for the strike against advertisers by wearing ribbons at events leading up to the Emmys and on Emmy night itself. The unions have made it easy by mailing ribbons to every single nominee.

Kelsey Grammer is one of those stars who may wear a yellow ribbon Emmy night. He is nominated once again for his leading role on "Frasier."

Paul Vercammen talked with the good doctor, heading into the awards.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "FRASIER")

KELSEY GRAMMER, ACTOR: I'm Frasier Crane.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PAUL VERCAMMEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Kelsey Grammer admits he constantly ditched class during his days at the Julliard acting school. Undoubtedly, some of his former classmates marvel at his career longevity and 12 Emmy nominations.

GRAMMER: Probably a lot of them are just working actors around the neighborhood. How dare they give him -- well, you know, we'll see.

VERCAMMEN: Grammer is a survivor, like his character, Dr. Frazier Crane.

GRAMMER: Kelsey's certainly been kicked around a lot, but I did a lot of kicking myself. But still, yes, we share certain traits.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "FRASIER")

UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: They put his picture on the wall, and he thinks his forehead looks a touch too big.

GRAMMER: A touch? I look like a fugitive from Easter Island.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VERCAMMEN (on camera): Look right here, it says 1992 that you were an outstanding lead actor in "Wings."

GRAMMER: How about that? I was guest actor. They just got so used to writing lead actor.

VERCAMMEN: And look at this list, though. This is your career. Pretty good.

GRAMMER: Yes, it's not bad.

VERCAMMEN (voice-over): Grammer received that often forgotten outstanding guest Emmy nod on "Wings" in 1992.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "WINGS")

UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: I want my money back, and I want it now!

GRAMMER: I can't do that. If I did it for you, I'd have to do it for a 100. It's just policy!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VERCAMMEN: Grammer won outstanding lead actor in a comedy series for "Frasier," in 1998, 1995 and 1994.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "FRASIER")

UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: Of course it doesn't help that I didn't get any sleep last night.

FRASIER: Dating a snorer?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VERCAMMEN: The "Frasier" character first appeared on "Cheers" in 1984.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "CHEERS")

FRASIER: If you can't laugh at your patients, what fun are they?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VERCAMMEN: And Grammer earned best supporting actor Emmy nominations in '88 and 90 on "Cheers."

GRAMMER: The work is challenging, exciting still, fresh, and as long as it's that, we'll keep doing it. As long as it's fun, we'll go on doing it. And when it stops being fun, we'll quit.

VERCAMMEN: Counting the "Cheers" yeas, Grammer is entering his 17th season as "Frasier." Primetime record for playing one character, held by James Arness' Matt Dillon on "Gunsmoke" for 20 years.

Grammer once worked through appendicitis on "Frasier." He did see a doctor. Well, you seem like it could be appendix, you know, we're not really sure, because it's starting to feel a little better, but two nights later, I drove myself to the hospital and got it cut out.

VERCAMMEN: Grammer lived to see how his character, the pompous shrink, became Emmy's king of the couch.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "FRASIER")

UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: Radio psychiatrist Frasier Crane died suddenly today.

(LAUGHTER)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VERCAMMEN: Paul Vercammen, CNN Entertainment News, Hollywood.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SYDNEY: Now if you want to find out who else may reign at the Emmys, log on to our special web page at You will find the Emmy trivia and the inside scoop on all of the nominees. Now here's a peek at the outstanding comedy series category. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND")

UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: He's going to be all sitting on the couch and watching television.

UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: And that's your special job isn't it?

UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: You don't know, just wait until his shoes come off.

UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: Oh, his feet are fine.

UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Yes, fine, if you're trying to jumpstart a vomit.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "FRASIER")

UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Look at that smile on your face. I'd somebody got himself a bit last night.

UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: I find that remark rude, boorish and impossible to deny.

(LAUGHTER)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "FRIENDS")

UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Instead of proposing a toast, I'm just going to propose.

UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: It sounds perfect.

UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: You're going to mess it up, let me do it.

UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: I'm not going to mess it up.

UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: If she says no, can I have the ring?

UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: She's not going to say no.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "SEX AND THE CITY")

SARAH JESSICA PARKER, ACTRESS: I would never have agreed to be in an article "Single and Fabulous?"

UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: Oh I agree.

PARKER: They said "Single and Fabulous!" They did not say "Single and Fabulous?" That question mark is hostile.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "WILL & GRACE")

UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: I didn't plan this thing with Ben, it just happened. It's just a "wild, chemical ripping off of a pair of $50 panties" kind of thing.

UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Thank you, Grace. That will go next to the visual of my grandmother getting out of the tub.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SYDNEY: Thank you both. When Emmy nominations were announced in July, HBO walked away with 86 nominations, second only to NBC. While the cable channel's gritty prison drama "Oz" didn't get any nominations, it has received rave reviews from critics.

Bill Tush went behind the bars to pay a visit to the guys.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BILL TUSH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Guess what? You're not in Kansas anymore. Welcome to "Oz."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "OZ")

UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Prisoner number 97B412, Tobias Beecher, convicted July 5, '97, driving while intoxicated, vehicular manslaughter, sentenced to 15 years,

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEE TERGESEN, ACTOR: Even when he initially comes in, you know, things are stripped away from him, and he keeps searching for what is indestructible inside him.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "OZ")

EAMMON WALKER, ACTOR: I believe the American legal system to be inherently corrupt, unfair, chaotic. Oh yes, I am feeling very optimistic.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TUSH: For many of the acting prisoners, sometimes the lockup can seem a little too real.

WALKER: As you can see, there are no windows, so it starts to feel like prison for real.

TUSH: While most of the make-believe may feel that this New York City set is almost the real deal, Ernie Hudson could escape.

ERNIE HUDSON, ACTOR: Well, see, I'm the warden. TUSH (on camera): So you don't care.

HUDSON: No. There's a time when I can sort of retreat in my office. I have a great office.

TUSH (voice-over): Now all actors long for a steady gig, and the Winters brothers seem to have found one.

TUSH (on camera): How long is your sentence for?

DEAN WINTERS, ACTOR: I think mine's now life, and I think Scott just got 60 years.

UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Yes, which is life-esque.

(LAUGHTER)

TUSH: As the critically acclaimed HBO series prepares for its fifth season, "Oz" creator, Tom Fontana, promises more surprises, but for now, he's not letting them out of the can.

(on camera): Are we allowed to find out what's going to happen in the fifth season.

TOM FONTANA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Only if I can kill you before you leave.

TUSH: Or just lock me up.

(LAUGHTER)

TUSH (voice-over): But we did find one bird that was ready to sing -- "Oz" newcomer Luke Perry.

LUKE PERRY, ACTOR: I can tell you that today I meet my demise.

TUSH (on camera): No, you gave away a big secret.

PERRY: Can't really tell you what that is.

TUSH (voice-over): In a place where almost anything can happen, nothing passes the watchful eye of the prison's wheelchair-bound narrator.

(on camera): They look at you as the conscience of "Oz."

HAROLD PERRINEAU, ACTOR: Yes, I see myself -- I don't know if I see myself -- it seems like the conscience of "Oz, " or more like the Greek chorus, the storyteller in "Oz."

TUSH (voice-over): Welcome to the Emerald City. It's a great place to visit, but you wouldn't want to live here.

Bill Tush, CNN Entertainment News, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE) SYDNEY: Coming up, gross-out Web sites want to see how far you'd go for a buck, and the music of 15-year-old singing sensation Rachael Lampa.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SYDNEY: Child abuse charges against "Survivor" winner Richard Hatch were dropped on Monday. Hatch, who insisted since his April arrest that he was innocent, is suing the town and local police for over aillion dollars.

He is also going online. BrodcastAmerica.com will stream his talk radio show live from WPRO in East Providence, Rhode Island.

Now if you think television is getting shameless, making people like Hatch eat rats and bugs for a fleeting moment of fame or fortune, wait until you see what's coming, if it finds its way from the Internet to primetime TV.

Mark Scheerer reports on some Web sites that will gross you out. Now, a little warning: This story is not for the squeamish.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARK SCHEERER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): All right, we know that people will eat rats for a chance to win $1 million on "Survivor." They'll surrender their privacy for a shot at half-a-mil on "Big Brother." But for a mere $500 would somebody jump rope in her underwear in a public park while being sprayed with milk? You bet.

Here's a Wall Streeter who hands over his clothes for $700, a guy who pours creamed corn down his pants for $100, a fellow who eats a whole jar of mayonnaise in three minutes for $50. And we won't even show you what this guy chews on for $400.

It all takes place on a Web site called...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: "I Bet You Will," the show that proves people will do anything for money.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCHEERER: Meanwhile, on another Web site, "Dare for Dollars," a couple is digging through a vat of horse manure. Their price is a little higher: $3,000. Coincidentally, both sites get people to act like dogs.

Who is making these people humiliate themselves?

BARRY POZNIK, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, "DARE FOR DOLLARS": We've had maybe 30 contestants so far, and all of them leave there laughing, leave there happy, send us e-mails, how much they loved it.

MATT CORBOY, HOST, "DARE FOR DOLLARS": It's great to see how it all evolves. I mean, the people come up with their own ideas, their own dares, and it sort of evolves in the forum.

MORGAN SPURLOCK, CREATOR/HOST, "I BET YOU WILL": We go out on the street with cash, and we just basically prove that everybody does have their price. You know, we can buy anybody's pride.

BARRY GLASSNER, SOCIOLOGIST, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: I'm more concerned about those of us who watch these shows and are tantalized by the prospect of watching people do these things than the people who are on.

SCHEERER: If you think this is Internet-only material that television would never get away with, think again. The producers of both "Dare for Dollars" and "I Bet You Will" say they are actively pursuing TV deals.

SPURLOCK: It was one day since the show was on the Web site that the first network called about taking it, you know, to a television platform, and that's been our goal all along.

POZNIK: You know, a year ago, if you would have asked us, "Could it ever end up on TV?" we'd say no way. Now the Tiffany network has people eating rats on TV. So we might have to get more outrageous to end up on the networks. Who knows?

GLASSNER: It's hard to imagine that TV could lower its standards below what some of the current programming is.

SCHEERER: So, believe it when you hear...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Pride is bought and sold daily.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCHEERER: Mark Scheerer, CNN Entertainment News, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SYDNEY: I'd rather be in debt.

With all the unusual sites on the Internet, you might be concerned about what your kids experience online. Disney is concerned enough to launch its own site helping kids safely surf the Web.

Lauren Hunter has the details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, SURFSWELLISLAND.COM)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If there's only one place you can visit this summer, make sure it's surfswellisland.

(END VIDEO CLIP) LAUREN HUNTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Summer may be nearly over, but Internet safety is always on the minds of parents. The folks at Disney have created a Web site to help teach smart surfing and online safety to kids.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, SURFSWELLISLAND.COM)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If someone online says something that makes you feel bad or scared, you should log off right away and tell your mom or dad. True or false?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNTER: Launched by Disney's Go Network in august, this interactive life preserver for parents helps young Web surfers learn important lessons in Web safety and Netiquette.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Never ever give out your password.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNTER: No privacy beach is just one of the zones on surfswellisland that parents are encouraged to visit with their kids. Other areas on the site include cyber resources to help guide kids.

Games, quizzes and activities all impart information about how to smartly surf the Web.

This is "SHOWBIZ Online."

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SYDNEY: Elliot Gould, star of the movie "M*A*S*H" celebrates his 62nd birthday Tuesday. Champagne wishes and caviar dreams for Robin Leach. He's 59 years old. And a thriller of a birthday for Michael Jackson -- The king of pop is 42.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN GRAPHIC)

"The Perfect Storm" has now made over $100 million overseas thanks to another lucrative weekend at the international box office.

(END GRAPHIC)

SYDNEY: Gene Hackman and Sigourney Weaver would love to match those kinds of numbers with their upcoming film. The comedy "Heartbreakers" opens next year after recently wrapping production in Los Angeles.

Dennis Michael dropped by the set for a chat with the stars.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) DENNIS MICHAEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Some shooting days mean long hours at close quarters, and that's the case in this particular scene from MGM's "Heartbreakers," starring Gene Hackman and Sigourney Weaver. An important addition to Gene Hackman's rather extreme makeup is prosthetic false teeth. He's playing a tobacco billionaire who has obviously been a big fan of his own product.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "HEARTBREAKERS")

GENE HACKMAN, ACTOR: I love it here. It's the only bloody place left where they don't make you feel like a serial killer for having a damn smoke.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL: And Sigourney Weaver is a little extreme, too: a dark, seductive Russian beauty -- well, three out of four ain't bad.

SIGOURNEY WEAVER, ACTRESS: The character I'm playing is supposed to be Russian, today especially, but she is actually a con artist with a good, I guess, ear for languages.

MICHAEL: And therein lies the con. Sigourney seduces and marries wealthy Marks, and her partner, her daughter, played by Jennifer Love Hewitt, shortly afterwards lures the victim into a compromising position. The payoff comes in divorce court. It's a racket. But this time, Sigourney has to work for the money.

WEAVER: He's really disgusting, and he has these great sort of yellow teeth, and he's always smoking, even when he's eating, you know. It's just vile. It's great.

GENE HACKMAN, ACTOR: He's an interesting character for me. I find it fascinating to play somebody who is supposedly unattractive and try to make him somewhat human and appealing, and along with still being kind of an old curmudgeon, you know. That's always fun when you have kind of a multi-layered character.

MICHAEL: In this scene, Weaver's masquerade is in serious danger when she's called up onstage in a Russian restaurant to perform some music from her homeland. Her choice of music may be rousing, but it's Russian by way of Liverpool.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "HEARTBREAKERS")

WEAVER (singing): Back in the USSR.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL: Didn't know Sigourney Weaver could sing? With "Galaxy Quest" a hit on video and "Heartbreakers" on the way, the multi- talented actress is on something of a comedy streak.

WEAVER: It seems to be like that. Now I'm being offered some serious things. So it's nice for me to be able to jump back and forth. I really enjoy it. MICHAEL: Comedy can be pretty demanding, but, Gene Hackman says, one of the rewards is a lack of ambiguity. Drama is a matter of opinion, but comedy...

HACKMAN: If it isn't funny, it just isn't funny, regardless of how you see it.

MICHAEL: "Heartbreakers" is in postproduction now. Moviegoers will see if crime pays or not early next year.

Dennis Michael, CNN Entertainment News, Hollywood.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SYDNEY: With so many teens on the pop charts, you would think that record producers are recruiting talent on the schoolyards. The latest youngster to launch a singing career is 15-year-old Rachael Lampa, but she's a little bit different.

Sherri Sylvester reports that her music is not quite what you might expect.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(MUSIC)

SHERRI SYLVESTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): She's the newest arrival on the teen music scene, but 15-year-old Rachael Lampa says she lives for God and wants to spread his word through her songs.

RACHAEL LAMPA, SINGER: I've always tried to kind of tell people that what I have is from God and I'm using it for God.

SYLVESTER: Her debut album, "Live For You," arrived in stores earlier this month, a showcase of Lampa's wide vocal range. While pop music's reigning teen queens Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera battle it out to show the most skin and sing the most suggestive songs, Lampa hopes to top the charts singing about her devout faith.

LAMPA: People like my mom and my record company and everybody just encouraged me to be myself and let myself come out, and that's what I'm trying to do.

SYLVESTER: The budding singer got her big break during a chance encounter last year. She appeared at a Christian music conference on a whim in her native Colorado and record company executives quickly took notice.

LAMPA: Word Records saw me there and they pursued me, and then a few months later we signed with them.

SYLVESTER: Since then, they've been grooming her for the big time, including a recent taping of "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO")

JAY LENO, HOST: Please welcome Rachael Lampa.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SYLVESTER: Despite national television appearances and promotional tours, Lampa says she's really just like any other high school student, a message her family tries to hit home.

LAMPA: We kind of downplay it and it's -- we kind of think of it as my sport, because my older brother, he plays football, and my little sister dances, and my little brother plays every sport.

SYLVESTER: What she doesn't downplay is the responsibility that will accompany her rising fame.

LAMPA: It comes along with being a fashion statement and being a role model, and I hope people look up to me, and I hope that I can maintain a good image

SYLVESTER: Sherri Sylvester, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SYDNEY: And our time is up for today. But tomorrow on SHOWBIZ, the cast of the Emmy-nominated show "Everybody Loves Raymond" celebrates their 100th episode and we will be there.

Until then, in New York, I'm Laurin Sydney. We're going to leave you now with more music from Rachael Lampa. We hope you enjoy.

(MUSIC)

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