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Showbiz Tonight

Showbiz Tonight for June 8, 2005, CNNHN

Aired June 08, 2005 - 19:00   ET

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


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


A.J. HAMMER, CO-HOST: Spending the night with a super hot super model.
KARYN BRYANT, CO-HOST: And will Harry Connick Jr. Return to "Will and Grace"? I`m Karyn Bryant.

HAMMER: I`m A.J. Hammer. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRYANT: Tonight, Rosie`s riveting reaction.

ROSIE O`DONNELL, COMEDIAN: He`s so beyond troubled, I don`t even know how to express it.

BRYANT: Rosie O`Donnell on Michael Jackson. Only SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has her stunning, no holds barred comments about the pop star.

HAMMER: Also, couples and cash. Brad and Angelina.

ANGELINA JOLIE, ACTRESS: Still alive, baby?

HAMMER: Tom and Katie.

Sure, everyone`s talking about their relationships, but is anyone paying attention to the summer blockbusters they`re in? All this buzz, will it help or hurt? Tonight`s "Showbiz In Depth."

BRYANT: And Smokey still sings. He`s the Motown legend behind "Tears of a Clown," "Cruising," and "Just to See Her Again." And you`ll see him live on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

ANGELA BASSETT, ACTRESS: Hi, I`m Angela Bassett. If it happened today, it`s on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HAMMER: Hello, I`m A.J. Hammer. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, and you`re at the top of the show.

BRYANT: I`m Karyn Bryant. You`re watching TV`s only live nightly entertainment news program.

HAMMER: Well, tonight a startling take on the Michael Jackson trial you will see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. And it comes from Rosie O`Donnell. The jury deliberating his fate has gone home for the day, still no verdict. And in just a minute, we`re going to go live to Neverland Ranch.

BRYANT: But first, Rosie O`Donnell`s brutally honest comments about Michael Jackson, his father and more. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s David Haffenreffer is live in New York City in Times Square.

Now David, Rosie did not hold back, did she?

DAVID HAFFENREFFER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: She did not, Karyn. And you know, for celebrities like Rosie O`Donnell, this trial has sparked a myriad of emotions, everything from sympathy to anger, even hope. And Rosie did not hold back at all when I spoke to her about this case.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

O`DONNELL: He is obviously a very, very troubled man in a lot of pain.

HAFFENREFFER (voice-over): Rosie O`Donnell held nothing back when I spoke with her about the Michael Jackson trial at Madonna`s book launch party in New York City. And candid may be an understatement, suggesting Jackson`s current troubles may stem from his past.

O`DONNELL: The ultimate effect of child abuse is when one becomes an abuser. But don`t forget where it started. That behavior is learned. And he learned it too young, probably from adults who were way too violent.

HAFFENREFFER: Then Rosie took on Michael`s father, Joe Jackson, telling SHOWBIZ TONIGHT she was shocked Monday when a frantic Joe showed up outside the courthouse where her son is on trial, demanding to see him. The display caused a media frenzy, and Rosie could barely hide her disgust.

O`DONNELL: When I saw his father running around the court yesterday going, "Where`s my son, where`s my son" in a, you know, manic display of public media whoredom. I felt even more compassion for the man, although by know means do I think he`s innocent.

HAFFENREFFER: What does Rosie think is going on in Michael`s head?

O`DONNELL: I know in his own mind he can`t imagine that anything he`s ever done has hurt any child. I think that what he suffered as a child was far worse than any action he ever did or did not commit upon a child.

HAFFENREFFER: Jackson has made no secret that his love of children and the amusement park setup at his Neverland Ranch are his way of reclaiming a childhood he never had. Rosie believes the result is a troubled man.

O`DONNELL: This little boy was 5 years old. He never had a childhood. He never had a life. This kid worked from the time he was 5 years old until up to the time he was taken away in handcuffs and pajamas, weighing 90 pounds, with his face cut up by himself. He`s so beyond troubled, I don`t even know how to express it. And it breaks my heart, truthfully.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HAFFENREFFER: And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT contacted the Jackson camp to get a response to Rosie`s comments. Our calls were not returned -- Karyn.

BRYANT: Thank you, David Haffenreffer in New York City.

HAMMER: Well, as we mentioned, the jury in the Michael Jackson trial has ended its fourth day of deliberations without reaching a verdict. Late today, there was all this buzz about some activity involving a note between the Jackson camp and the judge. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Brooke Anderson is live at the Jackson Neverland Ranch in Los Olivos, California, with the very latest -- Brooke.

BROOKE ANDERSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, there, A.J., the jury did complete its third full day of deliberations today. And here at Neverland about 30 minutes ago, defense attorney Tom Mesereau actually showed up. Now we don`t know if he has a meeting with Jackson or with the family.

But we do know that earlier today at the courthouse, he issued a statement to the media and that statement read, quote, "I have not authorized anyone to speak or hold any press conferences on behalf of Michael Jackson or his family. A gag order is in effect, which the defense team will continue to honor."

So there appears to be some squabbling between the Jackson camp, within the Jackson camp on who does have permission to speak on Jackson`s behalf. This could be a reference to Jesse Jackson, who has held press conferences every day at the courthouse, or to Raymone Bain, who describes herself as Jackson`s official spokeswoman.

Bain did speak at the courthouse to the media earlier today. She said Jackson is in good spirits, that he has confidence in the jury. She also says he is very nervous as he awaits the verdict. Bain also went on to say that Jackson indicates he will never get himself into a situation like this ever again.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RAYMONE BAIN, JACKSON SPOKESPERSON: Well, Michael Jackson himself has indicated through various statements that he has learned from this, and he is not going to put himself in this position again. Though innocent, it has caused a lot of pain for he and his family. But let me say again, Michael feels...

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Meanwhile, it is relatively quiet here at Neverland Ranch, where Michael Jackson is staying with his family as he awaits the verdict. Fans from all over the world are still here showing their support. They continue to place paper hearts with messages along the wooden fence in front of Neverland.

Some of these fans, to them, their devotion parallels deep religious convictions, A.J. They believe Jackson`s music and presence somehow invoke a type of spiritual experience.

Back to you?

HAMMER: Well, Brooke, obviously Michael Jackson`s going to be facing some huge legal bills when all of this is done. What kind of numbers are you hearing tossed around. And how is he going to pay for all of it?

ANDERSON: Well, it`s going to be difficult, A.J. His financial situation is tenuous. Bottom line, he reportedly has more than $250 million in outstanding loans. "The Wall Street Journal" said today that his advisors are worried about $10 million in legal fees.

You know, Jackson`s Neverland expenses, his lavish lifestyle costs him millions of dollars a year. His record career has been going downhill. You know, it took a nose dive about a decade ago after those first child molestation allegations against him.

Now, he does have 50 percent stake in what is called the most valuable and largest music collection in the world. We`ve got Beatles songs, Madonna songs, Elvis Presley songs, Jackson`s songs. Some of his advisors are advising him to sell that stake. But we don`t know if he`s going to do that. It`s valued at about $1 billion.

A.J., the verdict possibly could, you know, have an indication on what he does decide to do in the future.

HAMMER: OK, Brooke. Thanks very much. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Brooke Anderson live from the Neverland Ranch.

BRYANT: If Michael Jackson is convicted and goes to prison, his life will change in ways he can only imagine. And it won`t be pleasant. So we wanted to know what would life behind bars be like.

Joining us live to walk us through that scenario is "Celebrity Justice" correspondent Dan Simon, joining us live from Burbank, California.

Dan, if Michael is convicted, what immediately happens? Does he go directly to jail?

DAN SIMON, "CELEBRITY JUSTICE" CORRESPONDENT: Well, hello, there, Karyn.

In all likelihood, he would go to jail, because he would be considered a flight risk. So if the clerk says, "Michael Jackson, you`re guilty," you know, they`ll slap on the cuffs, and he`ll be taken into custody. He`ll be photographed. He`ll be strip searched. And as you said, it will not be pleasant.

BRYANT: So his prison intake process would be just like any other convicted criminal?

SIMON: Absolutely. He`ll be processed. He`ll be told what to expect. He`ll be given his rights, and as I mentioned before, strip searched. He`ll be given his cell, given all his clothes and basically, you know, be given an orientation process like any other inmate.

BRYANT: What will Michael be allowed to wear if he is convicted and he is in jail? And will he be allowed to have his makeup and, you know, have his hair the way it is now?

SIMON: Well, I think Michael Jackson will look a lot different. No fancy outfits. He`ll be given the standard prison garb, the uniform, which is basically a denim shirt, blue jeans and some boots.

And no, I mean, he will not be afforded the luxury of having the hair products and all the makeup. It is slightly different, though, for the makeup. We`re not entirely clear on that issue. Sometimes women are allowed to wear makeup in prison, so perhaps, you know, they`ll allow Michael to wear some makeup.

BRYANT: And, finally -- obviously, his Neverland Ranch is gigantic. What would his cell be like and what would he be allowed to have in there with him?

SIMON: You`re talking about an eight by 10 cell with a bed, a sink, a toilet and a desk. You can`t imagine anything worse than that, although my room at the fraternity house was about that size.

BRYANT: OK.

SIMON: You`re talking about something very small.

BRYANT: Tight quarters.

SIMON: And Michael Jackson will not be happy. That`s for sure.

BRYANT: All right. Well, thank you very much, Dan Simon of "Celebrity Justice," joining us live.

Now, with what you`ve just heard tonight, we want to know your thoughts. It`s our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question for the day. Michael Jackson, do you have sympathy for him? You can vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. Or if you`d like to tell us more, e-mail us at ShowbizTonight@CNN.com. We`ll share some of your thoughts later in the show.

HAMMER: Well, one of the witnesses in the Michael Jackson trial had his own day in court today. Macaulay Culkin, who testified recently that he spent time with Jackson as a boy and was never molested, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor drug charges in Oklahoma City.

Culkin, known of course from the "Home Alone" films, was arrested last December after police pulled over a car he was in and found marijuana and the antidepressant Xanax, for which he did not have a prescription.

Well, today Culkin was given one year deferred sentences for each of the charges and fined $500. We called his people; they had no comment.

BRYANT: Stay with SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, because we have the very first pictures of Denise Richards` new baby. But was Charlie Sheen in the delivery room? We`ll let you know.

HAMMER: Also, Hollywood`s biggest movies. Will the hottest twosomes, Brad and Angelina, Tom and Katie, make them sizzle or fizzle? We`re going to go in depth.

BRYANT: And, Smokey Robinson cruises by. A "Showbiz Sitdown" with the Motown legend, live.

HAMMER: It is time now for tonight`s "Entertainment Weekly Great American Pop Culture Quiz." Which film marked Dave Chappelle`s big screen debut? Was it "Half Baked," "Undercover Blues," "Con Air," or "Robin Hood: Men in Tights"? Stick around. We`re coming straight back with the answer.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Once again, tonight`s "Entertainment Weekly Great American Pop Culture Quiz." Which film marked Dave Chappelle`s big screen debut? "Half Baked," "Undercover Blues," "Con Air," or "Robin Hood: Men in Tights"? The answer, D, "Robin Hood: Men in Tights."

Well, tonight we have your very first look at Denise Richards` new baby, courtesy of "People" magazine.

The actress gave birth to six pound ten ounce Lola Rose last Wednesday. Richards, of course, filed for divorce from Charlie Sheen in March. And since then, the two have been locked in a custody battle over their kids, one-year-old daughter Sam, and now Lola. But, Richards allowed Sheen into the delivery room last week.

You can read the whole story in the new issue of "People" magazine, which comes out this Friday.

BRYANT: Another twosome showed off their baby last night, but it`s not what you think. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was there as Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie premiered their latest project, "Mr. & Mrs. Smith," in a star-studded Hollywood premiere.

All eyes were on them, as they made every effort not to be seen as a couple.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRYANT (voice-over): The bleachers packed, the fans swarming the streets, the noise level out of control. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was there for the premier of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie`s new flick, "Mr. & Mrs. Smith."

Lindsay Lohan, Oliver Stone, Cindy Crawford, Matthew Fox and Nicolette Sheridan all walked the red carpet. But since the fascination over the super stars` supposed romance has reached a fever pitch, the crowds, most likely, showed up to see for themselves if Brad and Angelina are more than just co-stars.

Brad and Angelina arrived separately, did not pose together and spent more time signing autographs than speaking to the media. Angelina Jolie claimed that the fans only asked about her son.

ANGELINA JOLIE, ACTRESS: Most of them asked where Maddox is, how he`s doing.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And what did you say?

JOLIE: I said he`s great, he`s home.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What else did you hear?

JOLIE: And sometimes there are people who last time they were here they brought me a Cambodian book or (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Anything unusual they asked you to sign? (UNINTELLIGIBLE)

JOLIE: Breasts.

BRYANT: Angelina and Brad play husband and wife assassins who are out to kill each other. Brad admitted to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that working with his co-star was the highlight of the production.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What was better for you, working with Angelina or getting to play with all the guns and have a lot of fun?

BRAD PITT, ACTOR: It`s a toss up. You know, we like our guns, but...

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRYANT: "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" hits theaters Friday.

HAMMER: Well, of course, "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" is just one of many potential summer blockbusters getting lots of attention. But not so much for what`s happening on screen, more for what`s going on off screen.

Tonight`s "Showbiz In-Depth," Hollywood public relations headaches. Rather than promoting the movie, most of the publicity concerning "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" has come from speculation, of course, about whether Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are real-life lovers.

And how about "Batman Begins?" We`ve seen an awful lot of star Katie Holmes recently, because she`s become the apple of Tom Cruise`s eye. And Cruise`s movie, "War of the Worlds," follows Katie`s. Yet, with two huge movies in the pipeline, it really seems they`d rather talk about their relationship instead of their movies.

Joining us live to talk about this is Hollywood headache -- we`re going to talk about it with Marvet Britto, who is a celebrity publicist and founder of the Britto Agency here in New York City. And our friend Paul Dergarabedian, president of the box office tracking company, Exhibitor Relations, joining us live from Los Angeles. Thank you both for being with us.

Marvet, I want to start with you, because you`re a pro at this. You work with huge stars, from Angela Bassett to Mariah Carey, of course. Let`s talk about Tom and Katie. Is this more helpful or hurtful. What`s going on with them and all this publicity?

MARVET BRITTO, CELEBRITY PUBLICIST: I think with Tom and Katie, it`s definitely more hurtful, because it`s so out of character for him. He`s typically more private. He`s typically not someone who is so accessible. And it seems at every turn, he`s accessible.

And I think it`s really not typical of what we`re used to seeing. And I think publicity should never appear contrived; it should always be natural and organic to who the public has grown to know you to be.

HAMMER: And you certainly would know about that. Paul, what`s your take on this?

PAUL DERGARABEDIAN, EXHIBITOR RELATIONS: I think it`s very interesting, because in my business, we`re looking at the box office results. And you know, I have to feel sorry for some of the people at the studios trying to do spin control when they`re trying to market a movie and everyone is fixated on the personalities involved.

But I guess at the end of the day, it`s whatever it takes to get in the theaters. And if they`re fixated on Angelina and Brad`s alleged romance, then they`re thinking, also, probably, about seeing the movie. And whatever gets them in the theaters, gets them in the theaters.

HAMMER: Marvet, you`ve had to deal with these types of situations before. How would you manage Tom and Katie, in terms of getting the right word out there about this movie or both of their movies?

BRITTO: Well, with Tom and Katie, again, I think it should just be organic to who they are. With Brad and Angelina, it`s different. They`re in a movie together. Tom and Katie are not in a movie together. So there`s really no reason for them to celebrate, you know, the relationship.

I think they should take a page out of, you know, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez`s book and keep the relationship, if it`s a real relationship, private, you know. And take it public when you have to, like Brad and Angelina have done.

HAMMER: And Paul, we`ve heard some rumblings, particularly with "Mission: Impossible 3" coming down the line, that the studios are a little upset about what`s going on in Tom Cruise`s life. Are they ripping their hair out over this?

DERGARABEDIAN: Well, I think any time that a studio does not have control over every aspect of the release of a movie, it is worrisome. Because you know, they have control over the marketing, but they don`t have control, necessarily, over the stars. And then they have to present a movie, and everybody is looking left, and they`re looking right.

I mean, they need the audience to be aware of the movie`s release date, to know that it`s coming. And I think with "War of the Worlds" and "Batman Begins," people know that, but they`re talking, it seems, people in general, more about these relationships than about the movies. It`s a tough situation.

HAMMER: All right. Marvet, you mentioned, of course, being organic, being true to yourself. We`ve seen a lot of publicity from Brad Pitt, particularly the "Primetime Live" appearance last night. And we`re seeing a lot of Angelina Jolie popping up also this week.

We`ve like to believe Brad is a really great guy and that Angelina is this great humanitarian. And she does terrific work, and not to take anything away from the good work that they do. But is all that of some degree of spin control and really just trying to make the best out of what`s become sort of a sticky situation?

BRITTO: Again, I don`t think in their case it`s the same as Katie and Tom, because they are only out in public when they`re promoting their work. And if you use your celebrity as a platform to get out a charitable cause that you happen to be affiliated with, I think that`s smart publicity. And I think it`s wise of them to use, you know, the public platform and the public`s interest to, you know, gain awareness for whatever celebrity cause you`re interested in.

HAMMER: But most of Diane Sawyer`s interview last night, it was about -- and I don`t know precisely -- but it seemed like it was about 90 percent of the humanitarian effort.

BRITTO: Right.

HAMMER: Then the rest about Brad and Angelina. Very little about the movie.

BRITTO: Right.

HAMMER: Is that something that, for instance, "Primetime Live" has to agree to? If you`re going to get Brad, this is what you`re going to do?

BRITTO: Absolutely. Definitely.

HAMMER: You`ve done some of your deals like that?

BRITTO: Great -- as a great publicist you should engineer a strategy, you know, and a very clever strategy that allows your client to get his greater message out. And the greater message of any celebrity, if they`re really talented, should never be their relationship. That should always be secondary.

HAMMER: All right. Well, Marvet, Paul, we appreciate you both, timing in (ph) and going in depth with us tonight and giving us your insight.

BRYANT: Soon after Tom Cruise`s "War of the Worlds" hits theaters, he`ll be back to work again on "Mission: Impossible 3." Today Paramount Pictures gave the go ahead, green lighting, in industry speak, to the third installment in the series based on the 1960s TV show.

There had been some concerns about the cost of the film, which reportedly topped $150 million, and there had also been negative press about Cruise`s relationship with Katie Holmes.

Production is set to start July 18 in Italy. "Mission: Impossible 3" will be directed by J.J. Abrams, who created the hit TV shows "Lost" and "Alias."

HAMMER: Well, one of the biggest unanswered questions in the Michael Jackson trial: what will happen to his kids if he is found guilty? Coming up, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT will look at what the future might hold for Paris, Prince and Blanket, should their dad be sent to prison.

BRYANT: Also ahead, we check out this Czech beauty as she gets ready for the biggest night in fashion. A SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive with Carolina Kakova (ph).

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BRYANT: It is time to get your laugh on in "Laughter Dark." We do it every night. We bring you the late night laughs you may have missed.

HAMMER: Well, "The Tonight Show" was in the mood for some bathroom humor last night, so they sent comedian Howie Mandel to a bathroom appliance convention. Yes, they do exist. Here`s some of Howie`s report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You see anything you like?

HOWIE MANDEL, COMEDIAN: How about a love seat?

You can kind of sit down and be with your friend.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That`s correct. That is correct.

MANDEL: Here, have a seat.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It`s a difficult moment, but it`s comfortable. How do you feel now?

MANDEL: What?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How do you feel?

MANDEL: I feel like we shouldn`t be here. I feel like we`re in J. Lo`s bathroom.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is comfortable.

MANDEL: It is comfortable.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You should ask her. She`s got one, I think.

MANDEL: This is huge. This is absolutely huge.

Can I be honest with you, regardless of how big it is? I`d still miss.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRYANT: I don`t even want to talk about it.

Tom Cruise sits down with Jay Leno later on tonight.

HAMMER: Smaller seats on "The Tonight Show" set, though. We have to be careful; they`ll be jumping up and down.

Well, you hear the name, you think of Motown, the man behind "Tears of a Clown," "I Second that Emotion" and many, many other hits joins us for a "Showbiz Sitdown," Smokey Robinson.

BRYANT: Also, another great musician, Harry Connick Jr. We want to know if he`s going back to "Will and Grace" next year. We`ll ask him that and much more, up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SOPHIA CHOI, CNN HEADLINE NEWS ANCHOR: Hello, I`m Sophia Choi. And here is your "Headline Prime Newsbreak."

FBI agents have arrested four people in ongoing terrorism investigation in Northern California. The suspects include two top Muslim leaders in Lodi, and a father and son. Investigators say one of the men trained at an Al Qaeda training camp in Pakistan to attack U.S. hospitals and supermarkets.

Former Baylor College basketball player Carlton Dotson has pleaded guilty for the 2003 killing of teammate Patrick Dennehy. Dobson faces a maximum of life in prison in the shooting death of the 23-year-old. He was arrested at his home in Maryland two years ago after calling police and saying he was hearing voices and needed help.

President Bush is leaving open the possibility that the prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, could be shut down. The camp faces mounting criticisms from former President Carter and others. When asked about the camp, Mr. Bush said, quote, "We`re exploring all alternatives."

That`s the news for now. I`m Sophia Choi. Now back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

HAMMER: It`s a modern-day miracle. Tonight, Motown legend Smokey Robinson joins us live, in the "SHOWBIZ Sitdown."

BRYANT: All dressed up with somewhere to go. We are there as supermodel Karolina Kurkova gets the ultimate dress made just for her. It`s a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive.

Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It`s 31 minutes past the hour. I`m Karyn Bryant.

HAMMER: And I`m A.J. Hammer. Here are tonight`s hot headlines.

BRYANT: Another day of jury deliberations is over and still we have no verdict in the Michael Jackson trial. Deliberations will continue tomorrow morning.

Just a short time ago, Michael Jackson and his defense lawyer released a statement saying, "The Jackson family appreciates the efforts of friends and supporters, but no one except the defense has been authorized to speak on Jackson`s behalf."

HAMMER: Well, Rosie O`Donnell isn`t holding anything back when it comes to her feelings on the Michael Jackson trial. O`Donnell tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that she feels compassion for Jackson, but she says he is obviously a very troubled man in a lot of pain, and says she does not think he is innocent.

BRYANT: Not only is Michael Jackson`s fate up in the air tonight, so is the future of his three children. What might happen to them?

Well, CNN`s Rusty Dornin has been looking into that. She`s live right now outside the courthouse in Santa Maria, California, for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Karyn, you can remember, even before Michael Jackson`s troubles started, he has been intensely private about three children, often appearing in public with them veiled. And when it comes to what happens if the jury finds him guilty, the family just doesn`t want to talk about it.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DORNIN (voice-over): It`s the big "what if?" If Michael Jackson gets convicted and goes to jail, what happens to his three children, Paris, Prince and Blanket? Will they be forced to leave Neverland? Child protective services will make that first call.

CRAIG SMITH, FORMER PROSECUTOR: They could take the children out of the home. The preference is to leave them with a family member, if possible. And I think there are several family members who would seem to be in a position to care for them, at least on a temporary basis, until it`s finally decided by the juvenile court judge.

DORNIN: The identity of Blanket`s mother, the youngest child Jackson dangled out the window in Germany, has never been revealed. So far, she has not tried to assert any custody rights.

Debbie Rowe, the mother of Paris and Prince, has been battling for at least partial custody. Rowe recently regained her parental rights, rights she initially gave up after she split up with Jackson. But a source close to the case says Rowe and Jackson want an arrangement for all three children that benefits everyone. Jackson`s biographer says Rowe is not looking for full-time motherhood.

RANDI TARABORRELLI, JACKSON BIOGRAPHER: And I don`t think that Debbie Rowe has really expressed an interest in raising the children.

DORNIN: When it comes to the official line, the Jackson family attorney says "the what happens if" scenario, is not in their vocabulary.

DEBRA OPRI, JACKSON FAMILY LAWYER: I can assure you that no one is planning for the worst. Everyone is planning for the best.

DORNIN: Excerpts from a Daphne Barrick (ph) interview with Michael Jackson`s father, Joe, in "The New York Daily News" quoted Jackson as saying, "It would be a pleasure to look after his grandchildren. Who else?" He said, "It`s our job to do that. We don`t mind."

That fits, says Jackson`s biographer.

TARABORRELLI: I believe the Jackson family will do everything in their power to keep Michael`s kids. You know, they have got a big family, and it will be very easy to absorb Michael`s three children into that family.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

DORNIN: No matter who wants those kids, the child protective services must first do an investigation. If they find the family member fit, and if there is no legal custody battle between Debbie Rowe and the Jackson family, it`s likely that a juvenile judge would leave the three children with one of Michael Jackson`s brothers and sisters or even perhaps his parents -- Karyn?

BRYANT: All right. Thanks for that report, Rusty Dornin.

Well, we have been asking you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. Michael Jackson: Do you have sympathy for him? Keep voting at cnn.com/showbiztonight. And send your e-mails our way at showbiztonight@cnn.com. We`ll share some of what you had to say at 54 past the hour.

And don`t forget, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT and "NANCY GRACE" are all over this story. Headline Prime is your place to turn for the latest in the Michael Jackson trial.

HAMMER: Tonight, in our first "SHOWBIZ Sitdown," Motown legend Smokey Robinson. He had 27 top-40 hits as the lead singer of the Miracles in the 1960s before going solo in the `70s. He has written huge hits for others, too, all songs that you know, including, of course, "My Girl" for the Temptations, Marvin Gaye`s "Ain`t That Peculiar."

Well, Smokey`s now out with a new album called "My World: Definitive Collection." Smokey Robinson joins us live on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

Excellent to see you, my friend.

SMOKEY ROBINSON, MUSICIAN: Good to see you, A.J. How`s everything?

HAMMER: Everything is really great. I have to ask you, how often have been driving in your car, and somebody pulls up next to you in their drop top, and they`re cranking a song that you wrote, they are singing along to "I Second That Emotion"?

ROBINSON: Oh, many times. And I think one of the most embarrassing things that`s ever happened to me along those lines is, one time, I`m singing. I`m really in the car. I`m jamming. I hear -- it`s not one of my songs, but it`s somebody`s song on the radio. I`m jamming.

And I turn around, and these people are in the car next to me. And they see me and they applaud.

(LAUGHTER)

(CROSSTALK)

HAMMER: A little private show. That`s not a bad deal. They didn`t throw money at you or anything like that?

ROBINSON: No, but it was embarrassing, man.

HAMMER: So many amazing songs over the years. And I want to run through a couple of them. And I`d like you to tell me a memory that you have attached to each of them. Of course, your very hit, "Shop Around," 1961, spent eight weeks at the top of the R&B chart. It went to number two on the pop chart. What do you think of when you hear that song?

ROBINSON: Well, I always think of Barry Gordon, first of all. You know, Barry Gordon is the founder of Motown. And he called me, because I had recorded "Shop Around" on the Miracles and me. And I had a very short bluesy version, like I wrote it, you know?

And he called me at 3 o`clock one morning and said he was going to change the beat and speed the tempo up, and so on and so forth, and get the group together and come to the studio at 3 o`clock in the morning and the record that became popular is that record. So that`s what I think of.

HAMMER: Barry working his magic right off the top.

ROBINSON: Yes, that`s what I think of.

HAMMER: Let`s flash forward a few years then to 1970 and "Tears of a Clown," your first number-one hit.

ROBINSON: "Tears of a Clown," I think of Stevie Wonder. Stevie Wonder came to me at a Christmas party we were having. And he had that musical track. And Stevie did the music for that. And he had the musical track. And he said, "Hey, Smokey, I can`t think of a song to go with this music. Write something." So I did.

HAMMER: All right. And one more I want to ask you about, "Just to See Her Again," 1987, as a solo artist.

ROBINSON: "Just to See Her" is not my song. It was written by Lou Pardini (ph) and Jimmy George. And the guy who was the A&R director at Motown at the time, Rush Regan (ph), who was a very good friend of mine, brought that song to me. He said, "Hey, man, here`s a song I love. What do you think?"

I loved it. It was one of the greatest songs I`ve ever heard. The melody, especially, is one of the greatest melodies I`ve ever heard. So I love it. I recorded it. And it was a really big hit for me.

HAMMER: And they`re all finally together on one album.

ROBINSON: Yes, they are.

HAMMER: But this is truly a definitive collection. And it`s the first time you`ve put all of your top-ten hits on one album.

ROBINSON: Yes, it is. It is. It`s the first time. Actually, the project was brought to me by a really dear friend of mine, Micky Stevenson (ph), who is the -- who was our first A&R director at Motown. And he and I are together all the time. We play golf together, do a lot.

And he had spoken to Universal about doing this. And they did. And I had been working with a couple of his young producers on some music. And they gave me the musical tracks to the two new songs that are on there, "My World" and "Falling in Love." And I wrote the songs to them. And that`s how they came to be on this particular CD.

HAMMER: It`s quite a collection.

We`re both watching in interest a minute ago the latest report on the Michael Jackson trial which continues. You have a special connection there, because you have known Michael since he was knee-high.

ROBINSON: Since when, exactly.

HAMMER: What`s your perspective?

ROBINSON: I just hope the best for him. I love Michael. And I hope things turn out well for him. And he`s in my prayers.

HAMMER: Do you have an early memory of him, first time you met him, perhaps?

ROBINSON: First time I met him I just thought he was an old man in a young boy`s body, because he sang and danced like that. And he was probably only about 9- or 10-years-old.

HAMMER: And the Jacksons, of course, had so many timeless hits, as all of your songs are, as well. All the songs that you`ve written, in addition to those for other groups, like the Temptations, as we mentioned, and Marvin Gaye over the years, songs that have endured, songs we all have singing for like 45 years.

Is there any music you`re hearing today that you think we`ll still be singing 40 years for now? Because we`ll still be singing your songs.

ROBINSON: Well, there is a lot of music out there, A.J., that I think is going to be around. You know, I think you got a lot of talented young writers out there, a lot of self-contained young people.

You got Alicia Keys. You got Usher. You got Maxwell. You got Beyonce. You got a lot of people out there that are making great music who are songwriters and who are great talents. And I think they`re going to be around for a long time.

HAMMER: All right, so there is hope.

ROBINSON: Yes, absolutely.

HAMMER: Smokey Robinson, it`s always a pleasure to see you. It`s always good to see you. And congratulations on your songwriter`s award...

(CROSSTALK)

ROBINSON: ... tomorrow night. And I`m very flattered by that and very excited about it.

HAMMER: Congratulations. And of course, this collection we`ve been talking about, Smokey`s "My World: Definitive Collection," in stores now.

BRYANT: Dressed for supermodel success. Coming up, a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive. We take you behind the scenes as supermodel Karolina Kurkova gets all dolled up for the Oscars of the fashion world.

HAMMER: Plus, we`re just wild about Harry, actor and musician Harry Connick, Jr., in a "SHOWBIZ Sitdown, coming up.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KELLY CLARKSON, SINGER: The new U2 record is just amazing to me. How does it (UNINTELLIGIBLE) they just are amazing. Like the bands like U2 and Aerosmith, people like Annie Lennox, they just stay around forever. Their music is like forever music, like...

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRYANT: Now a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive, an inside look at supermodel Karolina Kurkova as she prepares for the CFDA awards. It`s the most important night in the fashion world, basically it`s the Oscars for designers. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was there from the beginning to see how much work goes into making a stunning entrance on the red carpet.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRYANT (voice-over): They`re young, funny, and forces to be reckoned with in the fashion industry.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is Karolina Kurkova. She`s a supermodel.

BRYANT: And these are her pals, Jack McCoullough (ph) and Lizzaro Hernandez (ph). They`re the award-winning design dream team that makes up Proenza Schooler (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We met their work, and we just instantly fell in love and became good friends.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Fell in love.

BRYANT: Today, they`re designing the ultimate dress for the CFDA awards.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The CFDA awards, which are like -- they`re basically like the Oscars of fashion. It`s that award, you see right there on the floor?

BRYANT: Jack and Lorenzo (ph) won for best up-and-coming designer in 2003. The ceremony is one of the biggest nights in the fashion industry. It`s a star-studded event, and the dress has got to be incredible.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It`s fun, but it`s a lot of pressure, too. You know (UNINTELLIGIBLE) is going to be there. So I always try to kind of surprise people, and always try to do something else on the red carpet. I definitely like the idea of something kind of short and like kind of fuller.

(CROSSTALK)

BRYANT: They talked, they sketch, and they come up with a plan, but there`s no guarantees.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You don`t know what to expect. You don`t know how it`s going to look, if it`s going to work or not going to work.

BRYANT: And we`re about to find off.

Almost a month later, it`s the day of the big award ceremony and the dress.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Karolina`s dress is on its way. It`s still not finished. It`s very last-minute, like, fashion, sort of, drama.

BRYANT: Drama indeed. In just four hours, they`re supposed to step out onto the red carpet. Plus, the heat is unbearable.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It`s so hot today. It`s so humid.

(CROSSTALK)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Tonight, I want to feel good, I want to be comfortable. I definitely would like to be in, you know, something that`s short, kind of show my long legs.

BRYANT: And when the dress finally arrives, it`s a knockout.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Nice, nice, nice.

BRYANT: But there`s no time to celebrate.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It is 4 o`clock. And I have to get ready. And we have to be out of the door at 6:00. This has to get shorter, tighter. The boys have to get ready. It`s getting pretty close.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We`re late, we`re late.

BRYANT: It`s 7 o`clock, an hour late. But the wait was worth it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You look amazing.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you, you look amazing, too.

BRYANT: They may look amazing, but it wasn`t easy getting there.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It`s very stressful. It`s always hard, like, making the alterations last minute.

BRYANT: And after all that work, there is only one thing left to do: Show off that dress.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It`s like photographers everywhere, you know, they`re all lined up. And TV crews, and they`re all screaming.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Of course, it`s nice, people screaming your name. You feel good. But it`s also stressful, you know, you`re like nervous. Oh, my god, do I like good?

BRYANT: She looks great. All the stress, the planning has totally paid off.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: If you feel good in what you`re wearing, and you like what you wear, you`ll look like a star. You`ll look like a million dollars. And that`s what it`s really all about.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRYANT: Karolina says one way she deals was jitters before she steps onto the red carpet is to have herself a gut laugh and get it out of her system.

HAMMER: It`s time now for a "SHOWBIZ Sitdown" with Harry Connick, Jr. If you don`t know him for his music, you certainly know him from his acting, from the small screen`s "Will and Grace," to big-screen hits like "Independence Day."

Well, on Tuesday, he`s going to drop this new album featuring revered saxophonist Branford Marsalis. It`s called "Occasion."

Harry Connick, Jr., nice to see you. Thanks for stopping by SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

HARRY CONNICK, JR., ACTOR AND MUSICIAN: Thank you. Good to be with you.

HAMMER: So you have known Branford Marsalis for the better part of your life. You guys kind of grew up together in New Orleans. But it`s the first time you`re working together.

CONNICK, JR.: Yes, we`ve done some things together. You know, I play a song, he`ll play a song on my record. But we`ve never done a whole project together.

He came up with an idea of putting a record label together a few years back, and it`s called Marsalis Music. And he asked me if I would come and record as an artist, but just play. He didn`t want any singing, just the playing.

And it was a great opportunity for me to kind of stretch out as a musician. And so this is a second of a series of piano records that I`m doing. And I asked him if he would play a couple of tunes. And then it turned out we were doing the whole record together.

HAMMER: You`ve got to have Branford play along.

CONNICK, JR.: Exactly right.

HAMMER: And the cool thing about it is, you guys cranked this out in a weekend. It sometimes takes years to record an album. And basically, over the course of one weekend, you just nailed it.

CONNICK, JR.: It was pretty fast. I mean, it was only two of us, so, you know, in fairness to all the other musicians who do things quickly, it`s really not that extraordinary. But when you`re working with somebody like Branford, I mean, he definitely brings your game up. And we just went in there on a weekend and did it. So it was nice. It`s kind of got a raw feel to it.

HAMMER: Well, as I mentioned, people do know you from "Will and Grace." I imagine you have a lot of new fans as a result of having done that show. Can you bring me up to speed on what happened? You know, a lot of letters were coming in from your character over the season. Didn`t see a lot of you. Are you going to come back for the last season next year?

CONNICK, JR.: I think that`s it for me. Yes, she threw me out, man. So I had to...

HAMMER: No chance you coming back?

CONNICK, JR.: I don`t think so.

HAMMER: So when she gets a letter from your character, do they pay you?

CONNICK, JR.: You know, I don`t know. I didn`t even -- this is news to me that she got a letter from me. So maybe a check in the mail would be news, too.

HAMMER: That would nice.

(CROSSTALK)

HAMMER: So you have been named, I understand, the icon of elegance. What the heck does that mean?

CONNICK, JR.: Hey, man, listen, my wife asked me the same thing. She said, "Are you kidding me?"

Langene (ph), which is a fantastic Swiss watch company that`s been around since 1832, has these different people from around the world representing their watches and spokespeople for their watches. And they`re called icons of elegance. And up until now, it was Audrey Hepburn, and Humphrey Bogart. And they asked me if I wanted to be one of these icons. And it just sounded like -- it was such an honor.

HAMMER: Well, I have to ask you real quickly, you know, big fancy icons of elegance often have very complicated backstage riders. Now, what is the one thing in your backstage rider that just might surprise people, something -- a little creature comfort that you like to have?

CONNICK, JR.: You know, I don`t have much. I have water in my dressing room. I have like maybe some fruit or something like that. But I don`t know.

You know what? It`s weird. People around me that are close to me sometimes make decisions. And I see -- it took me that three years.

HAMMER: And then it gets attributed to you, and you`re like, "I had nothing to do with this."

CONNICK, JR.: I see, like, things in my dressing room. And it finally occurs to me that, oh, maybe this is in a rider that I have. You know, it`s all about getting on stage at 8 o`clock. It`s not about the dressing room.

HAMMER: Exactly right. Well, thanks for stopping by. Harry Connick, Jr., always good to see you. And the new CD, "Occasion," will be out on Tuesday.

BRYANT: There is still time for you to sound off on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. Michael Jackson: Do you have sympathy for him? You can vote at CNN.com/showbiztonight or write us at showbiztonight@CNN.com. We`ll read some of your e-mails live, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BRYANT: Tonight, Mariah Carey is back as the queen of the charts. Her album, "The Emancipation of Mimi," bounced back from number three to number one on the Billboard top 200 in numbers out today. The record debuted at number one back in April.

System of a Down comes in this week at number two with "Mesmerize." They`re followed by Audioslave`s "Out of Exile." Toby Keith`s "Honkytonk University" is number four. And Gwen Stefani`s solo debut, "Love Angel Music Baby," is number five.

HAMMER: Well, throughout the show, we`ve been asking you to vote online on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. Michael Jackson: Do you have sympathy for him?

Here`s how the vote`s been going so far: 25 percent, a mere 25 percent of you say yes, you do have sympathy for him, 75 percent of you say no, you do not.

We`ve got a few e-mails on the question as well, including one from Tom from Illinois who writes, "I have sympathy for Michael Jackson. He never had a real childhood and he grew up in the spotlight." That`s similar with what Rosie O`Donnell said earlier.

And Timothy (ph) from Missouri says, "People who do ignorant things do not deserve sympathy. Pity, perhaps, but not sympathy."

Remember, you can still vote by going to CNN.com/showbiztonight.

BRYANT: It`s time to see what`s playing on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT tomorrow.

HAMMER: Time to take a look at the SHOWBIZ marquee.

Marquee Guy, it`s all yours.

MARQUEE GUY: Tommy, can you hear me? Tomorrow on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, it`s Tommy Hilfiger. He has got really good jeans -- get it, jeans? Oy -- and a brand new reality show called, "The Cut." We`ll find out if it`ll make the cut when Tommy stops by SHOWBIZ TONIGHT tomorrow.

Also tomorrow, here`s something to smile about. The DVD is out for Beach Boy Brian Wilson`s hit record, "Smile," and he`s here live on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

This is the marquee guy. And I`m picking up good vibrations about tomorrow`s show. Got to go surfing USA.

HAMMER: Do run run out the door, please.

BRYANT: Oh, my.

HAMMER: He said, "Oy."

BRYANT: He did say, "Oy."

HAMMER: He said, "Oy." That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Oy. I`m A.J. Hammer.

BRYANT: I`m Karyn Bryant. Stay tuned for the latest from CNN Headline News.

SOPHIA CHOI, CNN HEADLINE NEWS ANCHOR: Hello, I`m Sophia Choi. Let`s get to your "Headline Prime Newsbreak."

The U.S. Senate has voted today to confirm one of President Bush`s most controversial judicial nominees, Judge Janice Rogers Brown. This ends a two-year battle over Brown`s nomination and comes as a result of last month`s bipartisan agreement averting a filibuster showdown between Republicans and Democrats.

A jury in Miami has convicted two former America West pilots of operating an aircraft while drunk. The men were arrested almost three years ago when security (UNINTELLIGIBLE) smelled alcohol on the pilots as they were readying a plane for takeoff. The two men could be sentenced to up to five years in prison.

And a federal judge in Washington wants to know why government lawyers are deciding to go soft on big tobacco in a racketeering suit. The lawyers yesterday announced they want to reduce a suggested penalty against several tobacco companies from $130 billion to just $10 billion. The judge says the decision could reflect political meddling in the case.

That`s the news for now. I`m Sophia Choi.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com

END


Aired June 8, 2005 - 19:00:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
A.J. HAMMER, CO-HOST: Spending the night with a super hot super model.
KARYN BRYANT, CO-HOST: And will Harry Connick Jr. Return to "Will and Grace"? I`m Karyn Bryant.

HAMMER: I`m A.J. Hammer. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRYANT: Tonight, Rosie`s riveting reaction.

ROSIE O`DONNELL, COMEDIAN: He`s so beyond troubled, I don`t even know how to express it.

BRYANT: Rosie O`Donnell on Michael Jackson. Only SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has her stunning, no holds barred comments about the pop star.

HAMMER: Also, couples and cash. Brad and Angelina.

ANGELINA JOLIE, ACTRESS: Still alive, baby?

HAMMER: Tom and Katie.

Sure, everyone`s talking about their relationships, but is anyone paying attention to the summer blockbusters they`re in? All this buzz, will it help or hurt? Tonight`s "Showbiz In Depth."

BRYANT: And Smokey still sings. He`s the Motown legend behind "Tears of a Clown," "Cruising," and "Just to See Her Again." And you`ll see him live on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

ANGELA BASSETT, ACTRESS: Hi, I`m Angela Bassett. If it happened today, it`s on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HAMMER: Hello, I`m A.J. Hammer. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, and you`re at the top of the show.

BRYANT: I`m Karyn Bryant. You`re watching TV`s only live nightly entertainment news program.

HAMMER: Well, tonight a startling take on the Michael Jackson trial you will see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. And it comes from Rosie O`Donnell. The jury deliberating his fate has gone home for the day, still no verdict. And in just a minute, we`re going to go live to Neverland Ranch.

BRYANT: But first, Rosie O`Donnell`s brutally honest comments about Michael Jackson, his father and more. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s David Haffenreffer is live in New York City in Times Square.

Now David, Rosie did not hold back, did she?

DAVID HAFFENREFFER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: She did not, Karyn. And you know, for celebrities like Rosie O`Donnell, this trial has sparked a myriad of emotions, everything from sympathy to anger, even hope. And Rosie did not hold back at all when I spoke to her about this case.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

O`DONNELL: He is obviously a very, very troubled man in a lot of pain.

HAFFENREFFER (voice-over): Rosie O`Donnell held nothing back when I spoke with her about the Michael Jackson trial at Madonna`s book launch party in New York City. And candid may be an understatement, suggesting Jackson`s current troubles may stem from his past.

O`DONNELL: The ultimate effect of child abuse is when one becomes an abuser. But don`t forget where it started. That behavior is learned. And he learned it too young, probably from adults who were way too violent.

HAFFENREFFER: Then Rosie took on Michael`s father, Joe Jackson, telling SHOWBIZ TONIGHT she was shocked Monday when a frantic Joe showed up outside the courthouse where her son is on trial, demanding to see him. The display caused a media frenzy, and Rosie could barely hide her disgust.

O`DONNELL: When I saw his father running around the court yesterday going, "Where`s my son, where`s my son" in a, you know, manic display of public media whoredom. I felt even more compassion for the man, although by know means do I think he`s innocent.

HAFFENREFFER: What does Rosie think is going on in Michael`s head?

O`DONNELL: I know in his own mind he can`t imagine that anything he`s ever done has hurt any child. I think that what he suffered as a child was far worse than any action he ever did or did not commit upon a child.

HAFFENREFFER: Jackson has made no secret that his love of children and the amusement park setup at his Neverland Ranch are his way of reclaiming a childhood he never had. Rosie believes the result is a troubled man.

O`DONNELL: This little boy was 5 years old. He never had a childhood. He never had a life. This kid worked from the time he was 5 years old until up to the time he was taken away in handcuffs and pajamas, weighing 90 pounds, with his face cut up by himself. He`s so beyond troubled, I don`t even know how to express it. And it breaks my heart, truthfully.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HAFFENREFFER: And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT contacted the Jackson camp to get a response to Rosie`s comments. Our calls were not returned -- Karyn.

BRYANT: Thank you, David Haffenreffer in New York City.

HAMMER: Well, as we mentioned, the jury in the Michael Jackson trial has ended its fourth day of deliberations without reaching a verdict. Late today, there was all this buzz about some activity involving a note between the Jackson camp and the judge. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Brooke Anderson is live at the Jackson Neverland Ranch in Los Olivos, California, with the very latest -- Brooke.

BROOKE ANDERSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, there, A.J., the jury did complete its third full day of deliberations today. And here at Neverland about 30 minutes ago, defense attorney Tom Mesereau actually showed up. Now we don`t know if he has a meeting with Jackson or with the family.

But we do know that earlier today at the courthouse, he issued a statement to the media and that statement read, quote, "I have not authorized anyone to speak or hold any press conferences on behalf of Michael Jackson or his family. A gag order is in effect, which the defense team will continue to honor."

So there appears to be some squabbling between the Jackson camp, within the Jackson camp on who does have permission to speak on Jackson`s behalf. This could be a reference to Jesse Jackson, who has held press conferences every day at the courthouse, or to Raymone Bain, who describes herself as Jackson`s official spokeswoman.

Bain did speak at the courthouse to the media earlier today. She said Jackson is in good spirits, that he has confidence in the jury. She also says he is very nervous as he awaits the verdict. Bain also went on to say that Jackson indicates he will never get himself into a situation like this ever again.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RAYMONE BAIN, JACKSON SPOKESPERSON: Well, Michael Jackson himself has indicated through various statements that he has learned from this, and he is not going to put himself in this position again. Though innocent, it has caused a lot of pain for he and his family. But let me say again, Michael feels...

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Meanwhile, it is relatively quiet here at Neverland Ranch, where Michael Jackson is staying with his family as he awaits the verdict. Fans from all over the world are still here showing their support. They continue to place paper hearts with messages along the wooden fence in front of Neverland.

Some of these fans, to them, their devotion parallels deep religious convictions, A.J. They believe Jackson`s music and presence somehow invoke a type of spiritual experience.

Back to you?

HAMMER: Well, Brooke, obviously Michael Jackson`s going to be facing some huge legal bills when all of this is done. What kind of numbers are you hearing tossed around. And how is he going to pay for all of it?

ANDERSON: Well, it`s going to be difficult, A.J. His financial situation is tenuous. Bottom line, he reportedly has more than $250 million in outstanding loans. "The Wall Street Journal" said today that his advisors are worried about $10 million in legal fees.

You know, Jackson`s Neverland expenses, his lavish lifestyle costs him millions of dollars a year. His record career has been going downhill. You know, it took a nose dive about a decade ago after those first child molestation allegations against him.

Now, he does have 50 percent stake in what is called the most valuable and largest music collection in the world. We`ve got Beatles songs, Madonna songs, Elvis Presley songs, Jackson`s songs. Some of his advisors are advising him to sell that stake. But we don`t know if he`s going to do that. It`s valued at about $1 billion.

A.J., the verdict possibly could, you know, have an indication on what he does decide to do in the future.

HAMMER: OK, Brooke. Thanks very much. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Brooke Anderson live from the Neverland Ranch.

BRYANT: If Michael Jackson is convicted and goes to prison, his life will change in ways he can only imagine. And it won`t be pleasant. So we wanted to know what would life behind bars be like.

Joining us live to walk us through that scenario is "Celebrity Justice" correspondent Dan Simon, joining us live from Burbank, California.

Dan, if Michael is convicted, what immediately happens? Does he go directly to jail?

DAN SIMON, "CELEBRITY JUSTICE" CORRESPONDENT: Well, hello, there, Karyn.

In all likelihood, he would go to jail, because he would be considered a flight risk. So if the clerk says, "Michael Jackson, you`re guilty," you know, they`ll slap on the cuffs, and he`ll be taken into custody. He`ll be photographed. He`ll be strip searched. And as you said, it will not be pleasant.

BRYANT: So his prison intake process would be just like any other convicted criminal?

SIMON: Absolutely. He`ll be processed. He`ll be told what to expect. He`ll be given his rights, and as I mentioned before, strip searched. He`ll be given his cell, given all his clothes and basically, you know, be given an orientation process like any other inmate.

BRYANT: What will Michael be allowed to wear if he is convicted and he is in jail? And will he be allowed to have his makeup and, you know, have his hair the way it is now?

SIMON: Well, I think Michael Jackson will look a lot different. No fancy outfits. He`ll be given the standard prison garb, the uniform, which is basically a denim shirt, blue jeans and some boots.

And no, I mean, he will not be afforded the luxury of having the hair products and all the makeup. It is slightly different, though, for the makeup. We`re not entirely clear on that issue. Sometimes women are allowed to wear makeup in prison, so perhaps, you know, they`ll allow Michael to wear some makeup.

BRYANT: And, finally -- obviously, his Neverland Ranch is gigantic. What would his cell be like and what would he be allowed to have in there with him?

SIMON: You`re talking about an eight by 10 cell with a bed, a sink, a toilet and a desk. You can`t imagine anything worse than that, although my room at the fraternity house was about that size.

BRYANT: OK.

SIMON: You`re talking about something very small.

BRYANT: Tight quarters.

SIMON: And Michael Jackson will not be happy. That`s for sure.

BRYANT: All right. Well, thank you very much, Dan Simon of "Celebrity Justice," joining us live.

Now, with what you`ve just heard tonight, we want to know your thoughts. It`s our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question for the day. Michael Jackson, do you have sympathy for him? You can vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. Or if you`d like to tell us more, e-mail us at ShowbizTonight@CNN.com. We`ll share some of your thoughts later in the show.

HAMMER: Well, one of the witnesses in the Michael Jackson trial had his own day in court today. Macaulay Culkin, who testified recently that he spent time with Jackson as a boy and was never molested, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor drug charges in Oklahoma City.

Culkin, known of course from the "Home Alone" films, was arrested last December after police pulled over a car he was in and found marijuana and the antidepressant Xanax, for which he did not have a prescription.

Well, today Culkin was given one year deferred sentences for each of the charges and fined $500. We called his people; they had no comment.

BRYANT: Stay with SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, because we have the very first pictures of Denise Richards` new baby. But was Charlie Sheen in the delivery room? We`ll let you know.

HAMMER: Also, Hollywood`s biggest movies. Will the hottest twosomes, Brad and Angelina, Tom and Katie, make them sizzle or fizzle? We`re going to go in depth.

BRYANT: And, Smokey Robinson cruises by. A "Showbiz Sitdown" with the Motown legend, live.

HAMMER: It is time now for tonight`s "Entertainment Weekly Great American Pop Culture Quiz." Which film marked Dave Chappelle`s big screen debut? Was it "Half Baked," "Undercover Blues," "Con Air," or "Robin Hood: Men in Tights"? Stick around. We`re coming straight back with the answer.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Once again, tonight`s "Entertainment Weekly Great American Pop Culture Quiz." Which film marked Dave Chappelle`s big screen debut? "Half Baked," "Undercover Blues," "Con Air," or "Robin Hood: Men in Tights"? The answer, D, "Robin Hood: Men in Tights."

Well, tonight we have your very first look at Denise Richards` new baby, courtesy of "People" magazine.

The actress gave birth to six pound ten ounce Lola Rose last Wednesday. Richards, of course, filed for divorce from Charlie Sheen in March. And since then, the two have been locked in a custody battle over their kids, one-year-old daughter Sam, and now Lola. But, Richards allowed Sheen into the delivery room last week.

You can read the whole story in the new issue of "People" magazine, which comes out this Friday.

BRYANT: Another twosome showed off their baby last night, but it`s not what you think. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was there as Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie premiered their latest project, "Mr. & Mrs. Smith," in a star-studded Hollywood premiere.

All eyes were on them, as they made every effort not to be seen as a couple.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRYANT (voice-over): The bleachers packed, the fans swarming the streets, the noise level out of control. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was there for the premier of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie`s new flick, "Mr. & Mrs. Smith."

Lindsay Lohan, Oliver Stone, Cindy Crawford, Matthew Fox and Nicolette Sheridan all walked the red carpet. But since the fascination over the super stars` supposed romance has reached a fever pitch, the crowds, most likely, showed up to see for themselves if Brad and Angelina are more than just co-stars.

Brad and Angelina arrived separately, did not pose together and spent more time signing autographs than speaking to the media. Angelina Jolie claimed that the fans only asked about her son.

ANGELINA JOLIE, ACTRESS: Most of them asked where Maddox is, how he`s doing.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And what did you say?

JOLIE: I said he`s great, he`s home.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What else did you hear?

JOLIE: And sometimes there are people who last time they were here they brought me a Cambodian book or (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Anything unusual they asked you to sign? (UNINTELLIGIBLE)

JOLIE: Breasts.

BRYANT: Angelina and Brad play husband and wife assassins who are out to kill each other. Brad admitted to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that working with his co-star was the highlight of the production.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What was better for you, working with Angelina or getting to play with all the guns and have a lot of fun?

BRAD PITT, ACTOR: It`s a toss up. You know, we like our guns, but...

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRYANT: "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" hits theaters Friday.

HAMMER: Well, of course, "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" is just one of many potential summer blockbusters getting lots of attention. But not so much for what`s happening on screen, more for what`s going on off screen.

Tonight`s "Showbiz In-Depth," Hollywood public relations headaches. Rather than promoting the movie, most of the publicity concerning "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" has come from speculation, of course, about whether Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are real-life lovers.

And how about "Batman Begins?" We`ve seen an awful lot of star Katie Holmes recently, because she`s become the apple of Tom Cruise`s eye. And Cruise`s movie, "War of the Worlds," follows Katie`s. Yet, with two huge movies in the pipeline, it really seems they`d rather talk about their relationship instead of their movies.

Joining us live to talk about this is Hollywood headache -- we`re going to talk about it with Marvet Britto, who is a celebrity publicist and founder of the Britto Agency here in New York City. And our friend Paul Dergarabedian, president of the box office tracking company, Exhibitor Relations, joining us live from Los Angeles. Thank you both for being with us.

Marvet, I want to start with you, because you`re a pro at this. You work with huge stars, from Angela Bassett to Mariah Carey, of course. Let`s talk about Tom and Katie. Is this more helpful or hurtful. What`s going on with them and all this publicity?

MARVET BRITTO, CELEBRITY PUBLICIST: I think with Tom and Katie, it`s definitely more hurtful, because it`s so out of character for him. He`s typically more private. He`s typically not someone who is so accessible. And it seems at every turn, he`s accessible.

And I think it`s really not typical of what we`re used to seeing. And I think publicity should never appear contrived; it should always be natural and organic to who the public has grown to know you to be.

HAMMER: And you certainly would know about that. Paul, what`s your take on this?

PAUL DERGARABEDIAN, EXHIBITOR RELATIONS: I think it`s very interesting, because in my business, we`re looking at the box office results. And you know, I have to feel sorry for some of the people at the studios trying to do spin control when they`re trying to market a movie and everyone is fixated on the personalities involved.

But I guess at the end of the day, it`s whatever it takes to get in the theaters. And if they`re fixated on Angelina and Brad`s alleged romance, then they`re thinking, also, probably, about seeing the movie. And whatever gets them in the theaters, gets them in the theaters.

HAMMER: Marvet, you`ve had to deal with these types of situations before. How would you manage Tom and Katie, in terms of getting the right word out there about this movie or both of their movies?

BRITTO: Well, with Tom and Katie, again, I think it should just be organic to who they are. With Brad and Angelina, it`s different. They`re in a movie together. Tom and Katie are not in a movie together. So there`s really no reason for them to celebrate, you know, the relationship.

I think they should take a page out of, you know, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez`s book and keep the relationship, if it`s a real relationship, private, you know. And take it public when you have to, like Brad and Angelina have done.

HAMMER: And Paul, we`ve heard some rumblings, particularly with "Mission: Impossible 3" coming down the line, that the studios are a little upset about what`s going on in Tom Cruise`s life. Are they ripping their hair out over this?

DERGARABEDIAN: Well, I think any time that a studio does not have control over every aspect of the release of a movie, it is worrisome. Because you know, they have control over the marketing, but they don`t have control, necessarily, over the stars. And then they have to present a movie, and everybody is looking left, and they`re looking right.

I mean, they need the audience to be aware of the movie`s release date, to know that it`s coming. And I think with "War of the Worlds" and "Batman Begins," people know that, but they`re talking, it seems, people in general, more about these relationships than about the movies. It`s a tough situation.

HAMMER: All right. Marvet, you mentioned, of course, being organic, being true to yourself. We`ve seen a lot of publicity from Brad Pitt, particularly the "Primetime Live" appearance last night. And we`re seeing a lot of Angelina Jolie popping up also this week.

We`ve like to believe Brad is a really great guy and that Angelina is this great humanitarian. And she does terrific work, and not to take anything away from the good work that they do. But is all that of some degree of spin control and really just trying to make the best out of what`s become sort of a sticky situation?

BRITTO: Again, I don`t think in their case it`s the same as Katie and Tom, because they are only out in public when they`re promoting their work. And if you use your celebrity as a platform to get out a charitable cause that you happen to be affiliated with, I think that`s smart publicity. And I think it`s wise of them to use, you know, the public platform and the public`s interest to, you know, gain awareness for whatever celebrity cause you`re interested in.

HAMMER: But most of Diane Sawyer`s interview last night, it was about -- and I don`t know precisely -- but it seemed like it was about 90 percent of the humanitarian effort.

BRITTO: Right.

HAMMER: Then the rest about Brad and Angelina. Very little about the movie.

BRITTO: Right.

HAMMER: Is that something that, for instance, "Primetime Live" has to agree to? If you`re going to get Brad, this is what you`re going to do?

BRITTO: Absolutely. Definitely.

HAMMER: You`ve done some of your deals like that?

BRITTO: Great -- as a great publicist you should engineer a strategy, you know, and a very clever strategy that allows your client to get his greater message out. And the greater message of any celebrity, if they`re really talented, should never be their relationship. That should always be secondary.

HAMMER: All right. Well, Marvet, Paul, we appreciate you both, timing in (ph) and going in depth with us tonight and giving us your insight.

BRYANT: Soon after Tom Cruise`s "War of the Worlds" hits theaters, he`ll be back to work again on "Mission: Impossible 3." Today Paramount Pictures gave the go ahead, green lighting, in industry speak, to the third installment in the series based on the 1960s TV show.

There had been some concerns about the cost of the film, which reportedly topped $150 million, and there had also been negative press about Cruise`s relationship with Katie Holmes.

Production is set to start July 18 in Italy. "Mission: Impossible 3" will be directed by J.J. Abrams, who created the hit TV shows "Lost" and "Alias."

HAMMER: Well, one of the biggest unanswered questions in the Michael Jackson trial: what will happen to his kids if he is found guilty? Coming up, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT will look at what the future might hold for Paris, Prince and Blanket, should their dad be sent to prison.

BRYANT: Also ahead, we check out this Czech beauty as she gets ready for the biggest night in fashion. A SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive with Carolina Kakova (ph).

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BRYANT: It is time to get your laugh on in "Laughter Dark." We do it every night. We bring you the late night laughs you may have missed.

HAMMER: Well, "The Tonight Show" was in the mood for some bathroom humor last night, so they sent comedian Howie Mandel to a bathroom appliance convention. Yes, they do exist. Here`s some of Howie`s report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You see anything you like?

HOWIE MANDEL, COMEDIAN: How about a love seat?

You can kind of sit down and be with your friend.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That`s correct. That is correct.

MANDEL: Here, have a seat.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It`s a difficult moment, but it`s comfortable. How do you feel now?

MANDEL: What?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How do you feel?

MANDEL: I feel like we shouldn`t be here. I feel like we`re in J. Lo`s bathroom.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is comfortable.

MANDEL: It is comfortable.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You should ask her. She`s got one, I think.

MANDEL: This is huge. This is absolutely huge.

Can I be honest with you, regardless of how big it is? I`d still miss.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRYANT: I don`t even want to talk about it.

Tom Cruise sits down with Jay Leno later on tonight.

HAMMER: Smaller seats on "The Tonight Show" set, though. We have to be careful; they`ll be jumping up and down.

Well, you hear the name, you think of Motown, the man behind "Tears of a Clown," "I Second that Emotion" and many, many other hits joins us for a "Showbiz Sitdown," Smokey Robinson.

BRYANT: Also, another great musician, Harry Connick Jr. We want to know if he`s going back to "Will and Grace" next year. We`ll ask him that and much more, up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SOPHIA CHOI, CNN HEADLINE NEWS ANCHOR: Hello, I`m Sophia Choi. And here is your "Headline Prime Newsbreak."

FBI agents have arrested four people in ongoing terrorism investigation in Northern California. The suspects include two top Muslim leaders in Lodi, and a father and son. Investigators say one of the men trained at an Al Qaeda training camp in Pakistan to attack U.S. hospitals and supermarkets.

Former Baylor College basketball player Carlton Dotson has pleaded guilty for the 2003 killing of teammate Patrick Dennehy. Dobson faces a maximum of life in prison in the shooting death of the 23-year-old. He was arrested at his home in Maryland two years ago after calling police and saying he was hearing voices and needed help.

President Bush is leaving open the possibility that the prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, could be shut down. The camp faces mounting criticisms from former President Carter and others. When asked about the camp, Mr. Bush said, quote, "We`re exploring all alternatives."

That`s the news for now. I`m Sophia Choi. Now back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

HAMMER: It`s a modern-day miracle. Tonight, Motown legend Smokey Robinson joins us live, in the "SHOWBIZ Sitdown."

BRYANT: All dressed up with somewhere to go. We are there as supermodel Karolina Kurkova gets the ultimate dress made just for her. It`s a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive.

Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It`s 31 minutes past the hour. I`m Karyn Bryant.

HAMMER: And I`m A.J. Hammer. Here are tonight`s hot headlines.

BRYANT: Another day of jury deliberations is over and still we have no verdict in the Michael Jackson trial. Deliberations will continue tomorrow morning.

Just a short time ago, Michael Jackson and his defense lawyer released a statement saying, "The Jackson family appreciates the efforts of friends and supporters, but no one except the defense has been authorized to speak on Jackson`s behalf."

HAMMER: Well, Rosie O`Donnell isn`t holding anything back when it comes to her feelings on the Michael Jackson trial. O`Donnell tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that she feels compassion for Jackson, but she says he is obviously a very troubled man in a lot of pain, and says she does not think he is innocent.

BRYANT: Not only is Michael Jackson`s fate up in the air tonight, so is the future of his three children. What might happen to them?

Well, CNN`s Rusty Dornin has been looking into that. She`s live right now outside the courthouse in Santa Maria, California, for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Karyn, you can remember, even before Michael Jackson`s troubles started, he has been intensely private about three children, often appearing in public with them veiled. And when it comes to what happens if the jury finds him guilty, the family just doesn`t want to talk about it.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DORNIN (voice-over): It`s the big "what if?" If Michael Jackson gets convicted and goes to jail, what happens to his three children, Paris, Prince and Blanket? Will they be forced to leave Neverland? Child protective services will make that first call.

CRAIG SMITH, FORMER PROSECUTOR: They could take the children out of the home. The preference is to leave them with a family member, if possible. And I think there are several family members who would seem to be in a position to care for them, at least on a temporary basis, until it`s finally decided by the juvenile court judge.

DORNIN: The identity of Blanket`s mother, the youngest child Jackson dangled out the window in Germany, has never been revealed. So far, she has not tried to assert any custody rights.

Debbie Rowe, the mother of Paris and Prince, has been battling for at least partial custody. Rowe recently regained her parental rights, rights she initially gave up after she split up with Jackson. But a source close to the case says Rowe and Jackson want an arrangement for all three children that benefits everyone. Jackson`s biographer says Rowe is not looking for full-time motherhood.

RANDI TARABORRELLI, JACKSON BIOGRAPHER: And I don`t think that Debbie Rowe has really expressed an interest in raising the children.

DORNIN: When it comes to the official line, the Jackson family attorney says "the what happens if" scenario, is not in their vocabulary.

DEBRA OPRI, JACKSON FAMILY LAWYER: I can assure you that no one is planning for the worst. Everyone is planning for the best.

DORNIN: Excerpts from a Daphne Barrick (ph) interview with Michael Jackson`s father, Joe, in "The New York Daily News" quoted Jackson as saying, "It would be a pleasure to look after his grandchildren. Who else?" He said, "It`s our job to do that. We don`t mind."

That fits, says Jackson`s biographer.

TARABORRELLI: I believe the Jackson family will do everything in their power to keep Michael`s kids. You know, they have got a big family, and it will be very easy to absorb Michael`s three children into that family.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

DORNIN: No matter who wants those kids, the child protective services must first do an investigation. If they find the family member fit, and if there is no legal custody battle between Debbie Rowe and the Jackson family, it`s likely that a juvenile judge would leave the three children with one of Michael Jackson`s brothers and sisters or even perhaps his parents -- Karyn?

BRYANT: All right. Thanks for that report, Rusty Dornin.

Well, we have been asking you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. Michael Jackson: Do you have sympathy for him? Keep voting at cnn.com/showbiztonight. And send your e-mails our way at showbiztonight@cnn.com. We`ll share some of what you had to say at 54 past the hour.

And don`t forget, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT and "NANCY GRACE" are all over this story. Headline Prime is your place to turn for the latest in the Michael Jackson trial.

HAMMER: Tonight, in our first "SHOWBIZ Sitdown," Motown legend Smokey Robinson. He had 27 top-40 hits as the lead singer of the Miracles in the 1960s before going solo in the `70s. He has written huge hits for others, too, all songs that you know, including, of course, "My Girl" for the Temptations, Marvin Gaye`s "Ain`t That Peculiar."

Well, Smokey`s now out with a new album called "My World: Definitive Collection." Smokey Robinson joins us live on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

Excellent to see you, my friend.

SMOKEY ROBINSON, MUSICIAN: Good to see you, A.J. How`s everything?

HAMMER: Everything is really great. I have to ask you, how often have been driving in your car, and somebody pulls up next to you in their drop top, and they`re cranking a song that you wrote, they are singing along to "I Second That Emotion"?

ROBINSON: Oh, many times. And I think one of the most embarrassing things that`s ever happened to me along those lines is, one time, I`m singing. I`m really in the car. I`m jamming. I hear -- it`s not one of my songs, but it`s somebody`s song on the radio. I`m jamming.

And I turn around, and these people are in the car next to me. And they see me and they applaud.

(LAUGHTER)

(CROSSTALK)

HAMMER: A little private show. That`s not a bad deal. They didn`t throw money at you or anything like that?

ROBINSON: No, but it was embarrassing, man.

HAMMER: So many amazing songs over the years. And I want to run through a couple of them. And I`d like you to tell me a memory that you have attached to each of them. Of course, your very hit, "Shop Around," 1961, spent eight weeks at the top of the R&B chart. It went to number two on the pop chart. What do you think of when you hear that song?

ROBINSON: Well, I always think of Barry Gordon, first of all. You know, Barry Gordon is the founder of Motown. And he called me, because I had recorded "Shop Around" on the Miracles and me. And I had a very short bluesy version, like I wrote it, you know?

And he called me at 3 o`clock one morning and said he was going to change the beat and speed the tempo up, and so on and so forth, and get the group together and come to the studio at 3 o`clock in the morning and the record that became popular is that record. So that`s what I think of.

HAMMER: Barry working his magic right off the top.

ROBINSON: Yes, that`s what I think of.

HAMMER: Let`s flash forward a few years then to 1970 and "Tears of a Clown," your first number-one hit.

ROBINSON: "Tears of a Clown," I think of Stevie Wonder. Stevie Wonder came to me at a Christmas party we were having. And he had that musical track. And Stevie did the music for that. And he had the musical track. And he said, "Hey, Smokey, I can`t think of a song to go with this music. Write something." So I did.

HAMMER: All right. And one more I want to ask you about, "Just to See Her Again," 1987, as a solo artist.

ROBINSON: "Just to See Her" is not my song. It was written by Lou Pardini (ph) and Jimmy George. And the guy who was the A&R director at Motown at the time, Rush Regan (ph), who was a very good friend of mine, brought that song to me. He said, "Hey, man, here`s a song I love. What do you think?"

I loved it. It was one of the greatest songs I`ve ever heard. The melody, especially, is one of the greatest melodies I`ve ever heard. So I love it. I recorded it. And it was a really big hit for me.

HAMMER: And they`re all finally together on one album.

ROBINSON: Yes, they are.

HAMMER: But this is truly a definitive collection. And it`s the first time you`ve put all of your top-ten hits on one album.

ROBINSON: Yes, it is. It is. It`s the first time. Actually, the project was brought to me by a really dear friend of mine, Micky Stevenson (ph), who is the -- who was our first A&R director at Motown. And he and I are together all the time. We play golf together, do a lot.

And he had spoken to Universal about doing this. And they did. And I had been working with a couple of his young producers on some music. And they gave me the musical tracks to the two new songs that are on there, "My World" and "Falling in Love." And I wrote the songs to them. And that`s how they came to be on this particular CD.

HAMMER: It`s quite a collection.

We`re both watching in interest a minute ago the latest report on the Michael Jackson trial which continues. You have a special connection there, because you have known Michael since he was knee-high.

ROBINSON: Since when, exactly.

HAMMER: What`s your perspective?

ROBINSON: I just hope the best for him. I love Michael. And I hope things turn out well for him. And he`s in my prayers.

HAMMER: Do you have an early memory of him, first time you met him, perhaps?

ROBINSON: First time I met him I just thought he was an old man in a young boy`s body, because he sang and danced like that. And he was probably only about 9- or 10-years-old.

HAMMER: And the Jacksons, of course, had so many timeless hits, as all of your songs are, as well. All the songs that you`ve written, in addition to those for other groups, like the Temptations, as we mentioned, and Marvin Gaye over the years, songs that have endured, songs we all have singing for like 45 years.

Is there any music you`re hearing today that you think we`ll still be singing 40 years for now? Because we`ll still be singing your songs.

ROBINSON: Well, there is a lot of music out there, A.J., that I think is going to be around. You know, I think you got a lot of talented young writers out there, a lot of self-contained young people.

You got Alicia Keys. You got Usher. You got Maxwell. You got Beyonce. You got a lot of people out there that are making great music who are songwriters and who are great talents. And I think they`re going to be around for a long time.

HAMMER: All right, so there is hope.

ROBINSON: Yes, absolutely.

HAMMER: Smokey Robinson, it`s always a pleasure to see you. It`s always good to see you. And congratulations on your songwriter`s award...

(CROSSTALK)

ROBINSON: ... tomorrow night. And I`m very flattered by that and very excited about it.

HAMMER: Congratulations. And of course, this collection we`ve been talking about, Smokey`s "My World: Definitive Collection," in stores now.

BRYANT: Dressed for supermodel success. Coming up, a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive. We take you behind the scenes as supermodel Karolina Kurkova gets all dolled up for the Oscars of the fashion world.

HAMMER: Plus, we`re just wild about Harry, actor and musician Harry Connick, Jr., in a "SHOWBIZ Sitdown, coming up.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KELLY CLARKSON, SINGER: The new U2 record is just amazing to me. How does it (UNINTELLIGIBLE) they just are amazing. Like the bands like U2 and Aerosmith, people like Annie Lennox, they just stay around forever. Their music is like forever music, like...

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRYANT: Now a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive, an inside look at supermodel Karolina Kurkova as she prepares for the CFDA awards. It`s the most important night in the fashion world, basically it`s the Oscars for designers. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was there from the beginning to see how much work goes into making a stunning entrance on the red carpet.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRYANT (voice-over): They`re young, funny, and forces to be reckoned with in the fashion industry.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is Karolina Kurkova. She`s a supermodel.

BRYANT: And these are her pals, Jack McCoullough (ph) and Lizzaro Hernandez (ph). They`re the award-winning design dream team that makes up Proenza Schooler (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We met their work, and we just instantly fell in love and became good friends.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Fell in love.

BRYANT: Today, they`re designing the ultimate dress for the CFDA awards.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The CFDA awards, which are like -- they`re basically like the Oscars of fashion. It`s that award, you see right there on the floor?

BRYANT: Jack and Lorenzo (ph) won for best up-and-coming designer in 2003. The ceremony is one of the biggest nights in the fashion industry. It`s a star-studded event, and the dress has got to be incredible.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It`s fun, but it`s a lot of pressure, too. You know (UNINTELLIGIBLE) is going to be there. So I always try to kind of surprise people, and always try to do something else on the red carpet. I definitely like the idea of something kind of short and like kind of fuller.

(CROSSTALK)

BRYANT: They talked, they sketch, and they come up with a plan, but there`s no guarantees.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You don`t know what to expect. You don`t know how it`s going to look, if it`s going to work or not going to work.

BRYANT: And we`re about to find off.

Almost a month later, it`s the day of the big award ceremony and the dress.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Karolina`s dress is on its way. It`s still not finished. It`s very last-minute, like, fashion, sort of, drama.

BRYANT: Drama indeed. In just four hours, they`re supposed to step out onto the red carpet. Plus, the heat is unbearable.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It`s so hot today. It`s so humid.

(CROSSTALK)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Tonight, I want to feel good, I want to be comfortable. I definitely would like to be in, you know, something that`s short, kind of show my long legs.

BRYANT: And when the dress finally arrives, it`s a knockout.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Nice, nice, nice.

BRYANT: But there`s no time to celebrate.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It is 4 o`clock. And I have to get ready. And we have to be out of the door at 6:00. This has to get shorter, tighter. The boys have to get ready. It`s getting pretty close.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We`re late, we`re late.

BRYANT: It`s 7 o`clock, an hour late. But the wait was worth it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You look amazing.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you, you look amazing, too.

BRYANT: They may look amazing, but it wasn`t easy getting there.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It`s very stressful. It`s always hard, like, making the alterations last minute.

BRYANT: And after all that work, there is only one thing left to do: Show off that dress.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It`s like photographers everywhere, you know, they`re all lined up. And TV crews, and they`re all screaming.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Of course, it`s nice, people screaming your name. You feel good. But it`s also stressful, you know, you`re like nervous. Oh, my god, do I like good?

BRYANT: She looks great. All the stress, the planning has totally paid off.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: If you feel good in what you`re wearing, and you like what you wear, you`ll look like a star. You`ll look like a million dollars. And that`s what it`s really all about.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRYANT: Karolina says one way she deals was jitters before she steps onto the red carpet is to have herself a gut laugh and get it out of her system.

HAMMER: It`s time now for a "SHOWBIZ Sitdown" with Harry Connick, Jr. If you don`t know him for his music, you certainly know him from his acting, from the small screen`s "Will and Grace," to big-screen hits like "Independence Day."

Well, on Tuesday, he`s going to drop this new album featuring revered saxophonist Branford Marsalis. It`s called "Occasion."

Harry Connick, Jr., nice to see you. Thanks for stopping by SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

HARRY CONNICK, JR., ACTOR AND MUSICIAN: Thank you. Good to be with you.

HAMMER: So you have known Branford Marsalis for the better part of your life. You guys kind of grew up together in New Orleans. But it`s the first time you`re working together.

CONNICK, JR.: Yes, we`ve done some things together. You know, I play a song, he`ll play a song on my record. But we`ve never done a whole project together.

He came up with an idea of putting a record label together a few years back, and it`s called Marsalis Music. And he asked me if I would come and record as an artist, but just play. He didn`t want any singing, just the playing.

And it was a great opportunity for me to kind of stretch out as a musician. And so this is a second of a series of piano records that I`m doing. And I asked him if he would play a couple of tunes. And then it turned out we were doing the whole record together.

HAMMER: You`ve got to have Branford play along.

CONNICK, JR.: Exactly right.

HAMMER: And the cool thing about it is, you guys cranked this out in a weekend. It sometimes takes years to record an album. And basically, over the course of one weekend, you just nailed it.

CONNICK, JR.: It was pretty fast. I mean, it was only two of us, so, you know, in fairness to all the other musicians who do things quickly, it`s really not that extraordinary. But when you`re working with somebody like Branford, I mean, he definitely brings your game up. And we just went in there on a weekend and did it. So it was nice. It`s kind of got a raw feel to it.

HAMMER: Well, as I mentioned, people do know you from "Will and Grace." I imagine you have a lot of new fans as a result of having done that show. Can you bring me up to speed on what happened? You know, a lot of letters were coming in from your character over the season. Didn`t see a lot of you. Are you going to come back for the last season next year?

CONNICK, JR.: I think that`s it for me. Yes, she threw me out, man. So I had to...

HAMMER: No chance you coming back?

CONNICK, JR.: I don`t think so.

HAMMER: So when she gets a letter from your character, do they pay you?

CONNICK, JR.: You know, I don`t know. I didn`t even -- this is news to me that she got a letter from me. So maybe a check in the mail would be news, too.

HAMMER: That would nice.

(CROSSTALK)

HAMMER: So you have been named, I understand, the icon of elegance. What the heck does that mean?

CONNICK, JR.: Hey, man, listen, my wife asked me the same thing. She said, "Are you kidding me?"

Langene (ph), which is a fantastic Swiss watch company that`s been around since 1832, has these different people from around the world representing their watches and spokespeople for their watches. And they`re called icons of elegance. And up until now, it was Audrey Hepburn, and Humphrey Bogart. And they asked me if I wanted to be one of these icons. And it just sounded like -- it was such an honor.

HAMMER: Well, I have to ask you real quickly, you know, big fancy icons of elegance often have very complicated backstage riders. Now, what is the one thing in your backstage rider that just might surprise people, something -- a little creature comfort that you like to have?

CONNICK, JR.: You know, I don`t have much. I have water in my dressing room. I have like maybe some fruit or something like that. But I don`t know.

You know what? It`s weird. People around me that are close to me sometimes make decisions. And I see -- it took me that three years.

HAMMER: And then it gets attributed to you, and you`re like, "I had nothing to do with this."

CONNICK, JR.: I see, like, things in my dressing room. And it finally occurs to me that, oh, maybe this is in a rider that I have. You know, it`s all about getting on stage at 8 o`clock. It`s not about the dressing room.

HAMMER: Exactly right. Well, thanks for stopping by. Harry Connick, Jr., always good to see you. And the new CD, "Occasion," will be out on Tuesday.

BRYANT: There is still time for you to sound off on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. Michael Jackson: Do you have sympathy for him? You can vote at CNN.com/showbiztonight or write us at showbiztonight@CNN.com. We`ll read some of your e-mails live, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BRYANT: Tonight, Mariah Carey is back as the queen of the charts. Her album, "The Emancipation of Mimi," bounced back from number three to number one on the Billboard top 200 in numbers out today. The record debuted at number one back in April.

System of a Down comes in this week at number two with "Mesmerize." They`re followed by Audioslave`s "Out of Exile." Toby Keith`s "Honkytonk University" is number four. And Gwen Stefani`s solo debut, "Love Angel Music Baby," is number five.

HAMMER: Well, throughout the show, we`ve been asking you to vote online on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. Michael Jackson: Do you have sympathy for him?

Here`s how the vote`s been going so far: 25 percent, a mere 25 percent of you say yes, you do have sympathy for him, 75 percent of you say no, you do not.

We`ve got a few e-mails on the question as well, including one from Tom from Illinois who writes, "I have sympathy for Michael Jackson. He never had a real childhood and he grew up in the spotlight." That`s similar with what Rosie O`Donnell said earlier.

And Timothy (ph) from Missouri says, "People who do ignorant things do not deserve sympathy. Pity, perhaps, but not sympathy."

Remember, you can still vote by going to CNN.com/showbiztonight.

BRYANT: It`s time to see what`s playing on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT tomorrow.

HAMMER: Time to take a look at the SHOWBIZ marquee.

Marquee Guy, it`s all yours.

MARQUEE GUY: Tommy, can you hear me? Tomorrow on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, it`s Tommy Hilfiger. He has got really good jeans -- get it, jeans? Oy -- and a brand new reality show called, "The Cut." We`ll find out if it`ll make the cut when Tommy stops by SHOWBIZ TONIGHT tomorrow.

Also tomorrow, here`s something to smile about. The DVD is out for Beach Boy Brian Wilson`s hit record, "Smile," and he`s here live on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

This is the marquee guy. And I`m picking up good vibrations about tomorrow`s show. Got to go surfing USA.

HAMMER: Do run run out the door, please.

BRYANT: Oh, my.

HAMMER: He said, "Oy."

BRYANT: He did say, "Oy."

HAMMER: He said, "Oy." That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Oy. I`m A.J. Hammer.

BRYANT: I`m Karyn Bryant. Stay tuned for the latest from CNN Headline News.

SOPHIA CHOI, CNN HEADLINE NEWS ANCHOR: Hello, I`m Sophia Choi. Let`s get to your "Headline Prime Newsbreak."

The U.S. Senate has voted today to confirm one of President Bush`s most controversial judicial nominees, Judge Janice Rogers Brown. This ends a two-year battle over Brown`s nomination and comes as a result of last month`s bipartisan agreement averting a filibuster showdown between Republicans and Democrats.

A jury in Miami has convicted two former America West pilots of operating an aircraft while drunk. The men were arrested almost three years ago when security (UNINTELLIGIBLE) smelled alcohol on the pilots as they were readying a plane for takeoff. The two men could be sentenced to up to five years in prison.

And a federal judge in Washington wants to know why government lawyers are deciding to go soft on big tobacco in a racketeering suit. The lawyers yesterday announced they want to reduce a suggested penalty against several tobacco companies from $130 billion to just $10 billion. The judge says the decision could reflect political meddling in the case.

That`s the news for now. I`m Sophia Choi.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com

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