‘Entertainment Tonight’s” strange decision to bury its interview with “Burlesque” star Cher on the weekend resulted from the Oscar-winning actress’s anger at the show, sources say.
“There was some kind of incident,” said an industry source. “Something [between Cher and ‘ET’] did happen.”
It’s not clear just what went down between Cher and “ET,” but it’s highly unusual to hold an interview with an A-lister like Cher, especially when she’s hitting the circuit to promote a big movie.
That makes it all-the-more strange that “ET” would wait until this weekend, when the show’s viewership is lower, to run its interview with Cher, who’s been all over the map promoting “Burlesque.”
“ET” sister show “The Insider” aired its interview with Cher Monday night, as did competitor “Access Hollywood.”
Cher is scheduled to visit “Live with Regis & Kelly” on Friday.
The movie, in which Cher co-stars with Christina Aguilera, officially opens Nov. 24.
“Cher is gold to them, she plays to their demo and it’s her first starring role in 12 years,” said an insider. “If they had a good interview with Cher, they would promote it at the beginning of the show and tease it later in the show.
“The weekend is considered the ‘dumping ground’ for interviews.”
A show spokeswoman confirmed yesterday that “ET’s” interview with Cher will not run until this weekend. Whether that now changes is anyone’s guess.
“ET” correspondent Kevin Frazier, and not show veteran Mary Hart, conducted the Cher interview. Frazier anchors the show’s weekend edition.
The well-respected Hart, who’s been the “face” of “ET” for nearly 30 years, is leaving at the end of this season and reportedly took a massive, 50 percent pay cut to remain on the show. She’s being replaced next season by Nancy O’Dell.
“The only reason Mary didn’t do the interview was that Cher was coming in from the Letterman show and the timing didn’t work out,” a show spokeswoman said.
“Cher did a little shout-out to Mary at the [movie’s red-carpet Hollywood] premiere Monday night.”