Eva Longoria, Lindsay Lohan and Others Load Up on Free Stuff  7/30/05

Lindsay Lohan: "...It's a Nice Luxury to Have"

Carson Daly: "It is the Stupidest Thing You Have Ever Seen..."

SHOW AIRS ON FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2005

BURBANK, Calif. - July 29, 2005 "Access Hollywood" takes an in-depth look at star S.WA.G., an acronym in the celebrity world for "Stuff We All Get." The story airs on "Access Hollywood," Friday, July 29, 2005 (check local listings for time and station).

S.W.A.G., a practice in which designers and companies offer thousands of dollars in free clothes, purses and jewelry to celebrities in hopes that photographs of the celebrities wearing their merchandise will lead to a jump in sales, has seen an increase in the last few years. Teen star Lindsay Lohan says she enjoys the celebrity perk. "This is the nicest way to go shopping," she says. "It's a nice little luxury to have."

However, TV host Carson Daly says he doesn't agree with the concept of giving free merchandise away to people who aren't truly in need. "It is the stupidest thing you have ever seen," he says. "You spend your entire life...flat broke, you can't afford a pair of brand new shoes and that's when you need free stuff. Then all of a sudden you get on television and they just load you up with free crap."

Actor Jerry O'Connell concurs with Daly. "I'm not into the free clothes to the rich program here in Hollywood," he says.

That said, boutique owner Isabella Fiore says the practice paid off for her in spades when she gave one of her $385 bags to actress Katie Holmes. "Ever since Katie Holmes was photographed with Tom Cruise carrying our bag, the phone has been ringing off the hook," she says.

Not missing a beat, actress Eva Longoria told "Access Hollywood" that when the paparazzi were camped outside of her home, she took advantage of the situation. "I ran inside and got my Todd bag just to go to Starbucks," she said. "So of course, it's in a magazine and Todd sent me more bags! (laughs)"

"Access Hollywood" is produced by NBC and distributed by NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution. Rob K. Silverstein is the executive producer.