this is "nightline." >> tonight, dreaming of freedom while locked in prison. diane sawyer meets women behind bars. to find out what it's really like to do hard time. >> you call it death row? >> no, we call it life row. >> why we have more female inmates than any other country in the world. repeat after me. if you could make justin bieber do anything you wanted, what would you choose? tonight, why usher's learning basketball. michael bolton's serenading fruit. ♪ when a man ♪ >> the hillarious new hidden camera show with celebrities picking up strange habits. true colors. are you team white and gold or team blue and black? >> white and gold. >> it's the dress that broke the internet. now we're examining the scientific reasons why some see

things differently than others. but first, the "nightline 5." >> just tell us your budget and the name your price tool helps you find a range of coverages. no one else on could do options like that. no one at all. >> no one at all. >> no one. >> wake up! >> you okay buddy? >> i just had a dream progressive had this thing called -- >> name your price tool. >> it isn't a dream, is it? >> nope. >> sorry! >> that thing freaks me out. >> he can hear you. he didn't mean that kevin. >> yes he did. >> keeping our competitors up at night, that's progressive. >> number one in 60 seconds.

good evening. we start with a special report tonight from our diane sawyer. eight months in the making, which took her to four prisons

on a quest to understand what life is really like for women behind bars. like the former little league mom who became a heroin addict. and one prisoner about to taste freedom. their stories shining a light on the central issues of crime and punishment in our country. here's abc's diane sawyer for our series "hidden america." >> reporter: it's the biggest night of the year at this correctional institution for women. the prison version of "dancing with the stars." just like in the tv show. contestants practice for weeks. >> every day. even in my cell. >> reporter: heels and makeup will be returned when the night is over. for a brief moment inmates, some of whom are facing decades in prison become rock stars. and adoring fans. it's a unique reward for good behavior. but make no mistake, when the

contest is over, these women go back to their cells. tonight, across america, there is a nation of women living behind bars. 200,000, far more than any other country on the planet. >> we're all in here for stealing, killing, something. >> when i came here i was suicidal. >> reporter: who are the women in this vest continent of prisons? 63% are in for nonviolent crimes like drugs and theft. black will are still indaughters rated at a higher rate than white women, 2-1. but the rate is closing because of the new population here. white women, many driven here by prescription drugs. they are young and old. and women like nicole casster who says her story could happen to anyone. >> tell me your life before all of this. >> real life? that's when i had a real life. before the drugs? >> yes, yes.

>> before the accident? i had a great life. i had a wonderful family. i was very happy in my kids' life. >> reporter: a loving husband, three kids a good job as the manager of a car company a little league mom. one day a painful car accident. an oxycontin prescription. and when those pills got too expenseive she turned to something cheaper, heroin. >> it just happened. >> what do you mean, just happened? >> it was for pain then i realized it made everything so easy. you're done, you're done you're done. till the next morning and you start feeling stressed. >> reporter: she stole checks to pay for dr nickel casa sentence of 13 1/2 years. her husband comes to see her. she's only seen one of her children her eldest son. >> he's the only one who talks to me. i'm never in their lives. i'm no different than any other

mom. woman. we're all in here. >> reporter: here. not only in large numbers, but with long sentences. in the last seven years, a 14% increase in the women given life. they're called toe taggers. >> 36 years. growing up in here. >> do you remember the day you walked in? >> wow, i'm doing a life sentence. it hit me that i was here for the rest of my life. >> reporter: long sentences, long-lived regret. and often long lines. literally. in a prison system for nearly three-quarters of inmates have some kind of mental illness. a staggering number of women line up for pills multiple times a day. like at this prison in tennessee. >> this is what happens when mental health breaks down. you get lines this long. >> reporter: others in the system agree the broad spectrum of mental illness is overwhelming. housing an estimated ten times the number of mentally ill as america's hospitals. >> i got classified.

which is i was a danger to the institution. >> reporter: lila stokes was in maryland. she punched an inmate. >> i ended up busting her head open, coming out of my cuffs. >> reporter: she's diagnosed depressive bipolar. she grew up in poverty and joined a gang to have the fancy things other kids did. she was convicted of three attempted murders. in a moment of rage aimed a gun at a girl who survived. >> how close were you this. >> couple feet. >> when you pulled the trigger what were you thinking? >> i wasn't thinking. >> did you think you'd killed her? >> i don't know. i don't know. i just -- have you ever had an out of body experience? you see yourself but you're not actually there. you don't hear anything. you don't smell anything. it's just like tunnel vision. that's how it was. >> reporter: the question, what should a life like hers be while she's here? something you should know as a

little girl she was so bright she was singled out for scholarship money. she was excited at a better chance at college. >> what would you have been what would you have studied? >> anesthesiaologyanesthesiology. >> why? >> i like tinkering with things challenge my mind. >> reporter: her room is full of books. she's on medicine and therapy and asks for a chance to show she's different. >> i want to prove myself. that i can be -- that i'm changed. >> reporter: if she serves her full sentence lila stokes will be 69 when she gets out. older than her mentor fellow inmate betty brown, who is 53. finally leaving prison today after 29 years. >> let me hug you. >> the same way that i made it you're going to make it. >> am i scared? am i afraid? absolutely. becae i've been locked up for such a long time. but i'm going to be all right.

>> reporter: america has an unprecedented number of older women serving long sentences in prison. betty's blood pressure is high. she's on seizure medication. her crime, 29 years ago, was second degree murder. betty brown is taking with her $50, five boxes of books, and a thank you for the warden. >> it was nice knowing you. >> thank you very much. >> just a few more steps. i got to make it. i made it this far. oh, real air. real air. >> reporter: the moment of freedom they dream of perhaps still far away for nicole caster whose husband visits once a week. >> there she is. >> better or worse, remember? >> yep. >> reporter: and dalila, her grandmother and her mom are coming. >> on their way.

he's been there for me. >> how are you feeling? >> i feel good today. >> she loves me. i know that. >> yes. >> and i love her too. >> reporter: her grandmother, 93 years old. and she's had two strokes. >> you make sure. your my baby. >> i'm going to eat your ears. >> everything okay? >> yes, ma'am. >> reporter: dalila stokes knows with her full sentence it will be 43 years before she leaves. >> everybody i love will be gone. that's it. cells are lonely.

>> reporter: i'm diane sawyer for "nightline." up next, some celebrities are known to be divas. but this seems a little over the top. >> mommy! >> the new prank show that's got actors doing what they do best. speaking of mary, there's something i wanted to talk to you about. well, we've still got 11 hours til we stop. sir, your daughter and i we've been together for... feel that? 236 lb-ft of torque i have to ask you something. i think i know what it is. 44 highway miles per gallon. the volkswagen passat tdi clean diesel with up to 814 hwy miles per tank. hurry in and you can get 0.9% apr for 60 months on the 2015 passat tdi plus a $2,000 bonus. i'm louis, and i quit smoking with chantix. i told myself for so long that i needed to quit smoking. i would quit then i'd go right back to it. chantix absolutely helped me quit smoking. along with support, chantix (varenicline) is proven to help people quit smoking.

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. you're about to meet a woman who whispers into celebrities' ears and they do whatever she tells them to. bieber, usher, michael bolton at her mercy in the name of comedy. tonight's brandi hitt brings us

behind the scenes of a hilarious new hidden camera show. >> reporter: justin bieber botching a bowling lesson. >> i know my sexiness is distracting. >> reporter: scott foley throwing a toddler tantrum. >> mommy! i want my mommy! >> reporter: michael bolton serenading an orange. ♪ when a man loves a woman ♪ >> reporter: no, these celebrities haven't lost their minds. >> does this look like a hairpiece to you? >> does this look like a hairpiece to you? >> reporter: they're under the strict command of comedienne wendi mclendon-covey in the new hit show "repeat after me." >> has anybody refused to do what you've told them? >> no one has refused anything yet. let's just say if they refuse i would just keep saying it. because i'm that obnoxious. >> reporter: wendi communicates with the stars through an earpiece.

they must do and say anything she orders. no matter how outrageous or ridiculous. >> george w. bushytail is going to love these. >> reporter: seen playing out in front of everyday people who have no idea they're being watched by hidden cameras and a live studio audience. >> are you seeing this? >> yes. >> this is how babies are made. >> you're almost like a puppeteer. making these celebrity dozen ridiculous things. what that is like? >> what i love and what i'm reacting to most of the time are people who aren't necessarily known for being funny, being hysterical. and just blowing us away. it's just luscious. >> reporter: the show is sort of like "punk'd 2.0." instead of ashton kutcher pranking celebrities "repeat after me" takes it to the extreme, a celebrity pranking a celebrity pranking real people. it's the brain child of ellen degeneres. the producer and comedienne

first started this on her daytime talk show with this bit involving dennis quaid. >> gargle that. >> reporter: it became so popular ellen took the idea to primetime. >> how involved is ellen in the show? >> i don't see her usually. unless i've done something bad. >> has that happened? >> not yet. >> okay. >> but i'm waiting for her to find out about all the terrible things i've done. >> reporter: wendi is no stranger to comedy. >> if stealing a van and trying to break into my own home so i can snuggle my boy is crazy, then i don't want to be sane! >> reporter: she's known as the overprotective mom beverly on the abc comedy "the goldbergs." and her hysterical role in "bridesmaids." >> that's why every girl needs those slutty college years to experiment. >> reporter: what she can get these celebrities to do is shocking. >> kerry washington has stink breath. >> kerry washington has stink

breath. >> you've had big-name celebrities on this show who's surprised you the most? >> justin bieber was hysterical. >> what was your favorite moment with justin bieber? >> when he kept trying to get behind his instructor to imitate her form. and he just kept getting closer and closer and closer. i think she enjoyed it. >> do something where you can peek through your peek abuoo! >> reporter: she convinces usher to pretend he needs basketball less soons. >> usher's got a head rush! >> reporter: and "bachelor" host chris makes a fool of himself in a department store. >> and my mom told me to get my hemorrhoids checked. >> reporter: the stars have no clue what wendi will order them to do next. or how the public will react. >> the way you come up with the statements, done in advance? >> yes, there's a teleprompter

full of stuff for me to say. but you never know how the people who are being pranked are going to react. their reactions spur on whatever i can improvise. >> reporter: backstage she gets nervous in her new role as host. >> you hear the crowd and then what do you think? >> butterflies. total butterflies. >> it's all live, it's all unpredictable. >> yeah, yeah. >> reporter: once onstage, those nerves seem to disappear. >> how do you get somebody like michael bolton and justin bieber to go the show? >> ellen degeneres. >> if ellen calls you show up? >> yeah, i think you just do it. >> can you start eating it? eat handfuls of it. >> reporter: as "repeat after me" finishes taping its final episodes of the season we watched wendi work magic with her "goldbergs" tv husband who agreed to follow her every order at this pet shop. >> okay, shake your legs in the air and start whimpering like a dog. >> reporter: the gags always ending with the big reveal.

>> justin, it's time to let her know what's going on. >> you're on a tv show. >> i am? oh, gosh. ♪ it's called repeat after me there's a camera over here ♪ >> would you ever reverse the roles? >> i guess at one point i'm going to have to take my punishment, right? >> it would be great if it was ellen. >> now i guess you've thrown the gauntlet down. >> reporter: not before getting her dream guests to play along first. >> let's put it out there, put it out there that justin timberlake would be amazing on this. >> she's talking to you, justin. >> reporter: for "nightline"," i'm brandi hitt in los angeles. next white and gold? or blue and black? everyone's weighed in. now it's time for the actual science behind this colorful debate. female vo: i actually have a whole lot of unused vacation days, but where am i gonna go? i just don't have the money to travel right now.

i usually just go back home to see my parents so i can't exactly go globe-trotting. if i had friends to go with i'd go but i don't want to travel by myself. someday. male vo: there are no more excuses. find the hotel you want, and the flight you want, and we'll find the savings to get you there. ok, if you're up there, i could use some help. smart sarah. seeking guidance. just like with your investments. that sets you apart. it does? it does. you're type e*. and seeking another perspective is what type e*s do. oh, and your next handhold... is there. you don't have to go it alone. e*trade gives you the support and guidance to make informed decisions. are you type e*?

that darn dress. you know the one i'm talking about. it's been inescapable today. dividing the world between those who see white and gold those who see blue and black. tonight we went in search of answers. when you can't believe your eyes what can you believe? lama hasan investigates. >> i swear white and gold. >> reporter: white and gold blue and black? what colors do you see? it's this picture of this dress posted by scottish singer date tin mcneil that's launched more than a million tweets and counting. blowing up the internet. no one immune from #dressgate. ♪ >> reporter: even the ever

in-style taylor swift weighing in on fashion's big debate tweeting, i'm confused and scared. yes, it's obviously blue and black. anna kendrick tweeting if that's not white and gold, the universe is falling apart. the company behind the divisive dress wearing the controversy well. traffic up 2,000%. at this store in the uk the dress sold out by mid-day. >> to ask you -- >> it's blue and black. >> reporter: this morning the designer behind the dress showing its true colors once and for all. blue and black. >> it's clear as day to me. but as you know people are saying that they see white and gold. >> reporter: so what is it about this picture? neuroscientist pascal wallish say our brains interpret things differently. >> like a game of telephone. >> reporter: the image that reaches our brain sometimes different than what our eyes

perceive. >> we need to move past this idea of correctness. the reality is richer than your perception. >> reporter: the only thing we're perceiving this is a must-have dress of the moment. for "nightline," i'm lama hasan in london. >> i don't know anymore. so what color does the dress look like to you? head to our facebook page and join the debate. finally tonight, the passing of a renaissance man. a poet photographer musician and author who will forever be remembered as mr. spock. half human, half vulcan. >> live long and prosper. >> reporter: embodying the conflict we internalize. logic and raw emotion. >> you'd make a splendid computer, mr. spock. >> that is very kind of you, captain. >> reporter: "star trek" fell out of orbit after three tv seasons but found new life when it was launched into syndication. six motion pictures later, two of which he directed nimoy earned new generations of fans.

>> all we have been and all we shall be. always shall be your friend. >> reporter: even in the latest series reboot the original mr. spock made a cameo. >> james t. kirk. >> reporter: he died this morning in l.a. at age 83 of smoking-related lung disease. his constellation of fans around the world grieving tonight, except, of course, on vulcan where they see it logically. that he lived long and prospered. >> thanks for watching abc news. so how lonong is your sister staying? oh, for a while, i hope, this time. yeah, well, with her we could just be some pit stop to some acupunctury aroma therapy hindu... festival of hugging. she's just trying to find herself, ray. she hasn't lookeked near the soap. she doesn't smell, ray. that was patchouli oil that time.

patchouli. what is that hindu for "stink"? stop it, ray. she smells fine. yeah, yeah, yeah. hi, dears. [chuckles] i brought you my big spoon. ah. see? ah. [sniff] ah, see, that's beautiful. that is what a woman should smell like. [inhales deeply] ahh! lemon pledge and meat sau. ♪ don't let bad odors escape. continuously neutralize them with glad with febreze. new glad bags... ...now with the irresistible scent of gain. ♪