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Showbiz Tonight
A Man Posing as Heath Ledger`s Father Tries to Cash in on Heath`s Death; Is Britney Finally Getting Help?; A First Look at `Iron Man`
Aired January 29, 2008 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
A.J. HAMMER, CO-HOST: Is Britney Spears` family about to finally make a drastic intervention that could save her life? I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: And startling new information about what might have killed Heath Ledger. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
HAMMER: On SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, a wild night at Britney Spears` house. Call the cops. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the dramatic new video of the out of control scene at Britney`s mansion.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRITNEY SPEARS, POP STAR: Just go away.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Britney in tears. Crazy car chases. The men in her life apparently at war. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the over-the-top, caught- on-tape Britney drama.
The shocking Heath Ledger scam. Tonight, the almost unbelievable and disturbing story of a man posing as Heath Ledger`s father after Heath`s death and how he tried to con some of Hollywood`s biggest stars from Tom Cruise to John Travolta. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the outrageous and disgusting Heath Ledger scam.
Plus, the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive. The Hannah Montana miracle, as we pull off the impossible for a young girl who helped out a sick friend.
(MUSIC)
Hello, I`m A.J. Hammer broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
ANDERSON: Hi there, everyone. I`m Brooke Anderson coming you from Hollywood. And hey, we cannot believe that someone would stoop so low to try to capitalize on Heath Ledger`s death. We will get to that in just a moment.
First tonight, caught on tape, Britney`s wild night. Chaotic doesn`t even begin to describe what happened outside Britney`s mansion Monday night. And the chaos turned to outright craziness involving everybody from the strange men in Britney`s life to her family. And as SHOWBIZ TONIGHT will now reveal, cameras were there to catch her every single moment of the three-ring circus.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE REPORTER: You OK, Britney?
ANDERSON (voice over): The Britney Spears drama explodes into the streets of L.A. A battle erupts between the important men in her life. The police go to Britney`s house again and a surprise family reunion. Not that Britney`s dad was in the mood to talk about it.
JAMIE SPEARS, BRITNEY SPEARS` FATHER: Let me give you a (EXPLETIVE DELETED) clue.
ANDERSON: A car chase straight from "The Bourne Identity" that stops L.A. traffic cold. And Britney herself comes one step closer to a total meltdown.
B. SPEARS: Would you please go away?
ANDERSON: It`s a wild story that can happen only in L.A., only to Britney. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is the only show that asks - when is someone going to get the Britney circus under control before someone gets hurt?
KATIE DARYL, TMZ TV: Every night seems to be a rollercoaster with Britney Spears.
ANDERSON: It all began with a fight Britney apparently had with Sam Lutfi, her ever-present friend and self-described manager. He recently contacted "The View`s" Barbara Walters to give her a Britney mental health progress report.
BARBARA WALTERS, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": He said that she has been to a psychiatrist.
ANDERSON: The evening after that aired, Britney and Lutfi were seen arguing outside her home.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE PAPARAZZO: Are you OK, Britney?
ANDERSON: This TMZ video shows a tearful Britney finally turning on her paparazzi friends.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE PAPARAZZO: Britney, I love your hat.
B. SPEARS: Would you please go away?
DARYL: We are used to see Britney welcome people as well as the paparazzi into her life. She called Adnan to come and maybe save her, be her knight in shining armor.
ANDERSON: That would be Adnan Ghalib, Brit`s on-again, off-again boyfriend. This "Hollywood.tv" video shows him arriving at Britney`s house where a surprise was waiting for him.
DARYL: When Adnan showed up to Britney Spears` home, he was not allowed in the gate.
ANDERSON: A frustrated Adnan Ghalib is told by Britney`s guards that he is not allowed on the premises by order of the aforementioned friend/manager Sam Lutfi. Ghalib even showed the paparazzi the text message explanation he says he got from Lutfi. It reads, "You`re a manic trigger. If you continue to have any contact with her, you`ll kill her. It`s your decision. You need to cease all contact with her completely."
DARYL: Seems like there`s definitely a competition for her attention.
ANDERSON: Adnan eventually drives away, but don`t worry, he appears later in this story. But the paparazzi scene at Brit`s house is so chaotic someone calls the cops. The police know the address because they were at the house in early January during Britney`s infamous freak-out.
It was L.A`s drivers who were freaking out later Monday night. The paparazzi stopped traffic to snap pictures of a more subdued Britney Spears who went out for a drive with another paparazzi friend. And then things got weirder when Britney`s Mercedes passes Adnan`s Mercedes. Watch what happens next.
Adnan actually turns around and speeds off after Britney. They eventually meet up where they back up traffic again, by taking turns getting into and out of each other`s cars. Adnan eventually talks Britney into getting into his car and the two go speeding off into the night to live happily ever after.
Or they would have if Adnan hadn`t gotten a flat tire. Adnan manages to drive her home, and later Britney heads out again to hit the drugstore with Sam Lutfi and her mother. Wait. Her mother? Weren`t they estranged?
DARYL: Her mom. Britney`s mom and her. They were on the outs. They were not communicating.
ANDERSON: TMZ`s Katie Daryl tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Brit`s family has come to town in hopes of finally getting Britney some help.
DARYL: For Lynn Spears to show up last night, for her dad to show up, it seems that, you know, the people that care about her, the people that want to get her help are finally surrounding her, so maybe it`s time. Maybe an intervention is on the way.
ANDERSON: But maybe the first step in getting Britney`s mind right is for the people around her to stop subjecting her to nights like these.
DARYL: It`s just drama, drama, drama. That makes you wonder, you know, will this girl ever get the peace and quiet she needs so that she gets to the mental state where she`ll be fixed.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Fortunately for all involved, Britney`s wild night didn`t end with anybody in jail. The LAPD says police were called to Britney`s house and didn`t arrest anyone. However, they wrote several tickets for illegally parked cars, cars driven by the paparazzi.
HAMMER: All right. I just need a moment here. My head`s just been spinning. I want to make sure everything was under control. All of that drama going on in one night. Joining me tonight in Hollywood, entertainment journalist, Ken Baker. Also in Hollywood, investigative journalist and the author of "Secrets Can Be Murder," this fine book - it`s Jane Velez-Mitchell.
All right. We have asked you on the program, Jane and Ken, to help us understand this. Just hours after we learned that Britney`s Svengali, Sam Lutfi, told Barbara Walters that Britney has mental issues. And all the while appearing to be her savior, Britney basically revolts against him and just kind of freaks out. Jane Velez-Mitchell, what`s your take?
JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST: My take on this, A.J., is that this was an intervention gone awry, an intervention of people who love somebody, confront them and say you need help and either they agree or they storm out in a rage. And I think she stormed out in a rage.
The parental units had arrived - mom, dad. Sam is there, her de facto manager. They`re all telling her, "Hey, you`ve got to get help. Get these bad influences out of your life." She says, "To hell with you," and she takes off with another paparazzo. And the problem is, wherever she goes, she takes herself with her so the drama only increases. I think this is reaching some sort of horrible crescendo, and I hope it doesn`t end in real tragedy.
HAMMER: Let me toss it over you, Ken Baker. It seems like we`re taking two steps forward and one step back in making any progress here with Britney Spears.
BAKER: Well, it would seem that way, but if you really break it down, look at that alleged text message that Sam Lutfi sent to Adnan that we saw from the "Hollywood.tv" clip. It said, "You are a manic trigger." You know, well, the good news about that is someone in Britney`s camp, apparently the closest person to Britney, is using the language of psychiatry, is using the language of someone who is undergoing therapy. That`s good news.
Now, whether or not he really is a trigger is up for debate but what is clear is that there are at least people around her, specifically last night, her mom, her dad, her best friend, Sam - OK, think what you want - all around her apparently supporting her.
Now, of course; the bad news is she decided to flee at some point and go on this 120-mile an hour, reportedly, drive down the freeway with Adnan before coming back. But she went back in the clutches of her mom. And I`ll tell you what was touching last night was Lynn Spears, her mom, came out. They went out late to the drugstore down the street and Lynn Spears was holding on to Britney`s arm, like a motherly hug, holding on to her in front of the paparazzi. For me, on a personal level, that was really refreshing to see because it`s just been this little girl lost for the last few months.
HAMMER: Yes. I mean that is a good sign that there is perhaps a real connection reemerging between the once-estranged mother and daughter. You mentioned the text message that Sam Lutfi sent to the on-again, off-again paparazzo boyfriend, hanger-on Adnan Ghalib. Whatever you want to call him. You mentioned it said that he`s a manic trigger, Sam calling Adnan this in the text message.
He also said that his presence in her life would kill her. What do you think about this Sam guy, Jane? Do you think he really has Britney`s best interest at heart here?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: You know, it is hard to tell. I think when you`re dealing with superstars - and we saw this with Michael Jackson who are surrounded by an entourage of hangers-on - it`s very hard to tell the good guys from the bad guys. Everybody`s pretending to be a good guy but a lot of them, or all of them, have ulterior motives. I mean, this is a person who may have her best interest at heart. But Sam was there, let`s face it, for a lot of acting out that has gone on for a long time.
Did he co-sign all that? Did he enable that? Did he try to stop it? We don`t have all the answers. I think also suspicious are the parental units. They`re the ones that commoditized her and turned her into a business at a very young age. So I think they`re also - they deserve scrutiny.
HAMMER: Ken Baker, to Jane`s earlier point and we need look no further, I think, than the video of the little car chase that went on with Adnan catching up to Britney Spears and then blocking her in the middle of Sunset Boulevard. Is this not yet another dramatic heads-up that things could get really, really ugly here at some point?
BAKER: Well, you know, people already have been hurt. I mean, how many feet have been run over? How many near misses have there been with these cars? Just last night, I`m told - you know, actually last week someone on a motorcycle was hit by Adnan`s car. It is getting out of control. But what is interesting is that Britney seems to be sort of in this pinball mode and there`s all these people telling her what to do. Her lawyers are telling her what to do. The commissioner down at the courthouse tells her what to do.
(CROSS TALK)
HAMMER: Ken, I have to jump in on you because we`re out of time. But why don`t you stick around. Jane Velez-Mitchell, don`t go anywhere. We have a lot more to talk about. We`ll bring you back a little later on with so much more Britney Spears. There`s a lot of ground to cover here.
Is there anyone that can really help Britney? That`s something we`ve been wondering for a long time. Well, tonight, as you`re hearing, we are finally hearing that maybe the family is thinking about doing a dramatic intervention. All out. Well, we all think it`s about time. This has gotten under way and we have the stunning details of what they might actually do on the way.
ANDERSON: Also, A.J., an absolutely horrific Heath Ledger scam. Tonight, I`ve got the unbelievable and disturbing story of a man posing as Heath Ledger`s father after Heath`s death. And how he tried to con some of Hollywood`s biggest stars from Tom Cruise to John Travolta. This will make you sick, next.
Also, something to make you feel really good.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MILEY CYRUS, STAR OF "HANNAH MONTANA": Can I do it? You really want me to do it?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: I`m so happy we got to do this story. It`s a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive - a Hannah Montana miracle. We pulled off the impossible for a young girl who helped out a sick friend. You`ve got to see this.
HAMMER: And I can`t wait to see this. Well, the countdown is on to Super Tuesday. Of course, it`s the biggest day of the presidential primary season next week, but also, you need to get ready for the other Super Tuesday. It is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s "Superstar Tuesday."
Now, what we`re doing is asking you to vote online with a different question of Hollywood`s biggest stars every day and we will reveal and debate the results on a special edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT next Tuesday, February 5th. It is our own "Superstar Tuesday."
Now, here`s what we need you to vote on tonight - who is most likely to stay clean and sober? Is it A, Lindsay Lohan or B, Amy Winehouse? We`d like you to vote by going to CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. The polls are open right now and remember, the results will be revealed on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT "Superstar Tuesday." That is next Tuesday, February 5th.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Exactly a week since Heath Ledger`s death, police zero in on a man who allegedly did a terrible, unthinkable thing and posed as Heath`s grieving father.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, TV`s most provocative entertainment news show. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Tonight, a story so shocking that we can hardly believe it. Exactly one week after Heath Ledger`s sudden death, the startling news today that a man posing as Heath Ledger`s grieving dad allegedly called celebrities like Tom Cruise and John Travolta, hoping to get everything from sympathy to plane tickets.
With us tonight in Hollywood, investigative journalist Pat Lalama and CNN entertainment correspondent, Kareen Wynter. Kareen, Pat, this is unbelievable. Soon after Heath`s death, this man reportedly started impersonating Heath`s dad, Ken, reportedly getting in touch with Tom Cruise to be consoled by him, reportedly trying to convince John Travolta to buy him plane tickets from Australia. Pat, is this the sickest thing you`ve ever heard?
PAT LALAMA, INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST: You know what? Brooke, I`m beside myself. I`ve done a lot of work over the years with the threat assessment division of the LAPD and these are people who look into kooky, obsessive fan-related behavior. This, to me, tops it all.
What`s interesting about these types of people, though, is that along with their cunningness and their criminality and their kookiness is a level of ingeniousness. Because anybody who covers entertainment knows I can`t get through to Tom Cruise. I can`t get through to John Travolta. And I`ve got credentials. This person is a snake charmer and I hope they`re able to find him because it`s a worst kind of crime. What a thing to do to the family in this time of crisis.
ANDERSON: Yes. Right. And the NYPD confirmed to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that there is an ongoing investigation. We know this guy could face serious charges. He also reportedly tried to get the phone numbers of Mel Gibson, Christian Bale, even asked a funeral home, reportedly, to send gifts to an empty hotel room. Kareen, why would anyone even want to do this?
KAREEN WYNTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Besides the fact that he`s incredibly twisted and disturbed? I don`t know. Maybe for the thrill of it, to get a kick out of it. Who really knows? Each time I think about this, it just absolutely just makes my stomach turn.
And hey, for all we know, this person could be here in New York, Brooke. It seems as if he is in Australia. He was trying to get a plane ticket here. Well, for all we know, he could have walked by Ledger`s apartment numerous times, probably looked at all the memorabilia and all the attention that this was garnering and saying, "Hey, I want to get in on this without getting caught." And who knows? If there`s actually someone out there doing this, let`s just hope he gets what`s coming to him.
ANDERSON: Absolutely. It`s deplorable behavior and even as we got word of this impersonator, Heath`s actual father, real father, reportedly spent about an hour at Heath`s New York City apartment where his body was found. Pat, I can only imagine how something like this could just deepen the pain of their loss, compound the stress.
LALAMA: It`s too much to bear, I think. You know, Heath Ledger was a decent person who never asked for anything like this to happen nor did his family. I`ll tell you what. I think that law enforcement`s going to have to do - their only hope of tracking a person like this down is hopefully through some phone records, number one. Some sort of identity trace. But I think what`s really going to work for them is someone`s going to rat him out. Let`s hope that someone who knows this person rats him out and I think that`s going to be their best hope.
ANDERSON: Hopefully so and I do hope that this is an isolated incident and that no one else tries to capitalize on Heath Ledger`s death. And you know, it`s morbid as it sounds, stars often do become cash machines after their deaths. On Amazon.com, sales have spiked on three of Ledger`s films. And now, the estate attorney for the likes of James Dean and Marilyn Monroe says that Heath could be worth millions in death. Kareen, do you see that happening?
WYNTER: Gosh, Brooke, what a talent this rising star was. Of course, absolutely. "Brokeback Mountain" had put him on the map. Let`s face this. This film, the "Batman" film he had just wrapped up, it was going to take his career to an entirely, entirely different level.
He apparently was just remarkable playing The Joker and so, fans are probably going to see him in an entirely new light. And it`s also eerie in the interviews that he did when he was promoting this film, Brooke, when he talked about the fact he couldn`t sleep and that he had thrown himself in this role. It`s so eerie because people are going to be watching this and thinking this.
ANDERSON: I know. It impacted him deeply, this character. That movie, "The Dark Knight," will be out this summer. Kareen Wynter, Pat Lalama, we`ll leave it there. Thank you both.
HAMMER: Brooke, tonight, there`s startling new theories about what might have killed Heath Ledger. The official results not out yet but tonight we are investigating new information out there - what killed Heath? Did pills play a role? That`s coming up.
Also new right now, Britney Spears. We already told you about another meltdown. Tears and chaos again at her house. The men in her life at war. Has her family finally, finally seen enough? Are they about to take drastic steps that could actually save her life? You don`t want to miss this. Coming up next.
Also, this SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FAITH CARLSON, JADA CARLSON`S MOTHER: As soon Miley saw them, she said, "Hey, I remember you. You were on TV."
ANDERSON: I`m so happy we get to do this story. It`s a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive - a Hannah Montana miracle. We pull off the impossible for a young girl who helped out a sick friend. You`ve got to see this. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Now, here`s a look at some big Hollywood stories happening right now. Well, very quietly and totally under the radar, Zoey 101" is back on the air. That, of course, the show Jamie-Lynn Spears, Britney`s sister, stars in.
Just after the third season of "Zoey" ended last month, 16-year-old Jamie announced she is pregnant and that certainly caused a lot of controversy. Should Nickelodeon cancel the show? Would they deal with it in the storyline? The fourth season was shot last summer. No word yet if Nick will shake things up, but I don`t see how they can just ignore it.
Disney star Miley Cyrus didn`t want to ignore her fans. I`ve got to tell you, this teen star is a big-time trouper. So Miley was rocking out to a sold out crowd in New Orleans. She`s on tour with her super popular "Hannah Montana" concerts and she got sick. But as they say, the show must go on. Check out this video from TMZ.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CYRUS: You guys are here. I`m not feeling so well tonight. I`m going to take a quick break real quick. I`ll be right back.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. So Miley came back and she kept at it while seated on a stool. And her dad Billy Ray "Achy Breaky Heart" Cyrus was so proud he actually came out and sang with Miley. Nice going.
ANDERSON: Oh, A.J. I will tell you, Miley is such a terrific young star. She really seems to have a good head on her shoulders. And tonight, I`ve got the amazing Hannah Montana story you will only see right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CYRUS: Can I do it? You really want me to do it?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: We pull off the impossible for a young girl who helped out a sick friend. It`s an emotional SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive that you`ve just got to stick around for.
HAMMER: And new right now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that Britney Spears` family might be about to take a dramatic step to save her. Will they make a shocking intervention? I`ve got the stunning details of just what they are reportedly planning next.
Also startling details about what might have killed Heath Ledger. It`s a week now since his tragic death. "Showbiz Investigates" coming up next.
But first, you can stay on top of the most provocative entertainment news with our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsletter everyday. Head over to CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. Click on "sign up for newsletter." It`s a link at the bottom of the page, and you`ll get it everyday. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT coming right back.
(NEWS BREAK)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: On SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, the mysterious death of Heath Ledger. It`s now been one week since the 28-year-old actor was found dead in his apartment. And so many questions remain. Why did he die so young? Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT investigates the theories surrounding the tragic death of Heath Ledger.
Another wild night for Britney Spears. The paparazzi swarm and Adnan trying to come to the rescue. But an even bigger rescue operation could be in the works as Britney`s behavior continues to unravel. Could Britney`s family actually be planning an intervention? Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with late-breaking Britney news.
(MUSIC)
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It is 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson, coming you tonight from Hollywood. This is TV`s most provocative entertainment news show.
Tonight, two big stories that are new right now that we`ve just got to talk about. It was one week ago today that we learned of the shocking death of Heath Ledger. And tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is revealing the possible reasons behind his still mysterious death.
Also new right now - it appears Britney Spears` family is staging some sort of intervention. This comes on the heels of Spears` manager telling Barbara Walters that Britney is dealing with mental issues and a completely chaotic night in Spears` life that included a frightening car chase.
Joining me tonight in Hollywood, Jane Velez-Mitchell, investigative journalist and author of the book, "Secrets Can Be Murder." Also in Hollywood tonight, entertainment journalist, Ken Baker. And in New York, host of Tru TV`s "Hollywood Heat," Ashleigh Banfield.
Gang, thanks for being here. Before we ever get into Britney`s intervention, I want to show you this frightening video that "Hollywood.tv" captured on Monday night after this frenetic scene which was right outside of Britney`s mansion. Britney is her in car completely surrounded by the paparazzi, and then her paparazzo boyfriend shows up and a dangerous car chase ensues. Watch what happens.
(VIDEO CLIP OF BRITNEY`S CAR CHASE)
So once again here, I`m looking at a video of Britney Spears and I`m absolutely frightened for her. Jane Velez-Mitchell, how much more dangerous can Britney`s life get? Somebody is going to get killed here.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Yes. And as we mentioned, somebody`s already been hurt. How many toes has she run over as Ken mentioned? This is like the celebrity version of a police chase, a high speed chase. You know you see them on television. The suspect is driving crazy at high speeds, crashes his car, jumps out, runs through the backyards until he`s finally tackled.
You know, rationality will tell you he is going to be caught but he`s still doing it anyway. And that`s exactly where Britney Spears is. She`s running away, running away from the reality of her life. The truth of her life that she has to confront if she has any hope of getting her kids back ever or even being able to see them. But with this kind of behavior, she is just spiraling downward so swiftly. I really, really hope this doesn`t end in death.
HAMMER: Well, we are certainly all hoping that. And I watched this video and I`m thinking, it`s is like watching some chaotic, crazy version of "The Truman Show" with every aspect of her life caught on tape at this point. Ken Baker, it is just such a dangerous scene what we are getting to see.
BAKER: Well, I`m one up you. It sort of reminds me of some sort of epic tale or some sort of knight`s tale. You have Britney being fought over by these guys; there`s the paparazzi guy from one agency versus this other paparazzo. And there`s the third guy, Sam. They`re sort of her attention.
And guess what? I think she really loves the attention and I think that`s what it`s all about. But to a more serious point here, just that little clip you showed me, I`m seeing five or six infractions, traffic violations, you know, people walking across the street, jaywalking. Things like that. Where are the police?
I mean, I feel like there`s just sort of this is the Wild West out here, and that, you know, someone will eventually get hurt. And seriously, it is time for everyone to just lower the tension down a notch and I think last night was really high anxiety for a lot of people.
HAMMER: Yes. You make a good point and we`ve all driven up and down Sunset Boulevard, daytime, nighttime. There are always police around, yet we`re not seeing them showing up with any of these major traffic infractions going on.
Now, let`s move on beyond the car chase. After that took place, Britney took a little run to the drugstore. Fortunately her mom was by her side. Sam, who you mentioned, Ken, her manager right there as well. And her father also showed up to the mansion on Monday nigh, I might add. He was dropping a couple of F-bombs at the paparazzi. TMZ reporting Britney`s family is mounting an intervention. Ashleigh Banfield, is it too much to hope that Britney may actually respond if an intervention takes place?
ASHLEIGH BANFIELD, HOST OF "HOLLYWOOD HEAT": Oh, god. I don`t know. But I have to say this. For successful interventions, people will tell you, you have to respect the interventionists. They have to be of value to you and they can`t be getting something from you. So I`m not so sure this family is the best interventionist group.
That said, you have to see where she`s come from. She was a Mouseketeer along with Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake, Keri Russell. All those kids are very famous and very together, seemingly because they have good families. So I`m sorry, but I don`t hold out hope for this kind of intervention if this is what it is.
HAMMER: Perhaps, though, this connection that we`re seeing, this new connection between mother and daughter, is going to lend itself to this becoming a good intervention situation. I guess it`s a wait and see on that. And we were watching the video of Britney outside of her mansion crying. I`ve got to say when I saw this, she looked like a scared little girl. Ken Baker, back to you. Do you think she`s simply at the end of her rope and finally realizes that she needs help desperately?
BAKER: The irony of all this or sort of the shocking aspect to me is that this news came down - or this video of her crying on the curb and the fight came down on the same day that the commissioner in her custody case issued a minute order that granted her the ability to have verbal contact with her two children. And so, I have to wonder, that would be a day of celebration but maybe the emotions of finally after three weeks being in touch with her two kids brought all this bubbling to the surface. I know it`s hard to sit here and psychoanalyze Britney but this came on a day of actual good news that said, "Hey, you can have verbal contact with your children."
HAMMER: Well, we will continue to hope for more good news. We`ve got to move on to the next story that`s new right now tonight. After a week after Heath Ledger`s death, suddenly, last week, we still don`t know why he died, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has learned that toxicology results are still a week away at this point.
Jane Velez-Mitchell, one of the leading theories out there is that he accidentally took a lethal mix of prescription drugs combined in a way that wasn`t a good thing, obviously. Does all the evidence so far seem to be pointing that way?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, we have to err on the side of caution. We don`t know. We won`t know until the test results are back in. But certainly, that`s a very, very good possibility. There were half a dozen prescription drugs found in the home. Some sleeping aids. Some anti-anxiety pills and we all know if these are combined incorrectly, it can lead to death.
And it`s a cautionary tale for all Americans. Just look at the TV commercials where they say, "You know, if this happens, that happens, this happens, that happens, call your doctor." Prescription drugs are just as dangerous, if not more dangerous, than illegal drugs. And we have to start looking at it that way. And it really is very frightening what can happen if you combine even one pill too many when you self medicate with these drugs.
HAMMER: I don`t know about you guys, but I`ve been hearing dialogue among my colleagues and just people on the street talking about exactly the subject since the death of Heath Ledger. Now, TMZ has been reporting another theory that Heath died of natural causes. That his heart just stopped, something obviously rare for somebody who`s only 28 years old, but it does happen. Ashleigh Banfield, if the results of the autopsy came back and pointed at that, would it surprise you?
BANFIELD: Yes. And actually since I knew that you were going to be doing this topic, I did a little test and I Googled how many famous young people have died of natural causes. I had a pretty tough time coming up with much. Rudy Valentino - he died of a perforated ulcer. Pimp C - we`re still kind of waiting on that one, but it suggested that it`s natural causes. And then the real obscure one, Lani O`Grady, from "Eight is Enough," one of the kids of "Eight is Enough," natural causes at the age of 47. But I couldn`t come up with a whole lot more than that, A.J. So, yes, I would be surprised if a young and healthy and successful young man like Heath Ledger died of natural causes.
HAMMER: Yes. It would be very surprising. We do know that he was probably exhausted. Again, we`ll have to wait and see. There are reports that he potentially had pneumonia and may have been taking prescription medication for a variety of reasons. Who knows? And I guess that`s what we have to wait for when the results are revealed probably a week from now. Jane Velez-Mitchell, Ken Baker, Ashleigh Banfield, I thank you all for being here tonight.
ANDERSON: All right. I am so excited about this story. "Hannah Montana" star, Miley Cyrus, and SHOWBIZ TONIGHT helped make a little girl`s dream come true.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
F. CARLSON: As soon as my Miley saw them, she said, "Hey, I remember you. You were on TV."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: We met a very generous 5-year-old girl named Jada who gave her Hannah Montana concert tickets to a sick schoolmate. Well, we thought Jada deserves something in return. And let you, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT hooked her up. She got to meet Miley Cyrus herself. You will not want to miss this. Straight ahead.
HAMMER: Also, the decision is in. And answer to the big question, will the Grammies go on despite the writers` strike? We`re going to tell you whether you`re going to see all of your favorite stars on the red carpet for that.
ANDERSON: And the comic book super hero Iron Man coming back to the big screen. And wait until you see what kind of star power is involved here. Robert Downey, Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Terrence Howard - the list goes on and on. We`ve got your first look at "Iron Man." Coming up.
HAMMER: First, I need to tell you the countdown is on to Super Tuesday and the next presidential primaries which happen next week. But also, you need to get ready for the other Super Tuesday. It is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s "Superstar Tuesday."
CREW: Yes.
HAMMER: Everybody`s excited about this all over the planet. We`re going to be asking you to vote online with a different question about Hollywood`s biggest stars every single day. And we`ll reveal and debate the results on a special edition of the not-to-be-missed SHOWBIZ TONIGHT next Tuesday, February 5th, our "Superstar Tuesday."
Here`s what you need to vote on right now. Who is most likely to stay clean and sober, Lindsay Lohan or Amy Winehouse? Cast your vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. The polls are open right now. The results revealed SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s "Superstar Tuesday." It`s next Tuesday, February 5th.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CYRUS: Do you guys want to take a picture now?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Here we go. One, two, three.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Smile big. (END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: You`re watching a dream come true for two little girls who met Hannah Montana`s Miley Cyrus for the first time. It is a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive you don`t want to miss.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. You`re watching TV`s most provocative entertainment news show. Tonight, a Hannah Montana SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive. We`ve got a truly touching story of how SHOWBIZ TONIGHT helped two deserving little girls make their dreams come true and meet superstar Miley Cyrus of Hannah Montana. It`s just one of those stories you will never forget.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hi.
CYRUS: Hi. I saw you guys on TV. You were so good.
ANDERSON (voice over): This is the stuff dreams are made of.
CYRUS: Nice to meet you, too. You guys are amazing.
ANDERSON: Two little girls meeting their hero, Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana, for the very first time. It`s a happy moment in these little girls` lives but this story goes much deeper than meets the eye.
Five-year-old Jada Carlson`s mom wrote in to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT earlier this month to tell her very special story. Little Jada gave her much- coveted Christmas gift, "Hannah Montana" concert tickets, to a girl in her school she didn`t even know - eight-year-old Gabby. Gabby is battling a serious illness and Jada wanted to help however she could.
JADA CARLSON, GAVE HER "HANNAH MONTANA" TICKETS TO A SICK CLASSMATE: In my heart, I feel the true meaning was to give it to her.
ANDERSON: When SHOWBIZ TONIGHT heard about this extraordinary act of kindness from this little girl - who could resist that smile - we set up a very special day for the two of them to be Miley Cyrus` special VIP guests at her Phoenix concert. Miley Cyrus herself broke the news to Jada on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
CYRUS: Hey, Jada. How is it going? It is Miley Cyrus. I was so excited to see you on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with your story and what you did for your friend Gabby. So in return for all the amazing work that you did, you and your friend get to come to my Phoenix show. I really hope you can make it and I can`t wait to meet you guys.
ANDERSON: Oh, they met her all right and, man, did they have a good time.
F. CARLSON: They`re really, really excited. Gabby was beside herself. The girls were able to go up on the Miley.com tour bus where they had karaoke going.
ANDERSON: And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT brings you there exclusively, right there in front of the Mileyworld.com bus, in front of thousands. Jada busted one of her signature moves. What was it again, Jada?
J. CARLSON: The robot.
ANDERSON: Good moves, Jada. But the day only got better from there.
F. CARLSON: Shortly after that, they were escorted into the arena for a meet and greet with Miley Cyrus.
CYRUS: Hi. I saw you guys on TV and you were good.
ANDERSON: And that`s when Jada and Gabby asked for Miley Cyrus to sign their faces.
CYRUS: Can I do it?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Go for it.
CYRUS: You really want me to do it?
GABBY, JADA`S CLASSMATE: Yes.
CYRUS: What if it doesn`t come off? It will some day.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK.
ANDERSON: She signed Jada`s head and Gabby`s cheek in permanent marker. It was still on her forehead a few days later when Jada came straight to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
F. CARLSON: Everybody touched her head or kissed it.
ANDERSON: The experience was one these two little girls will never, ever forget.
F. CARLSON: They treated these girls like they belonged there. They were totally making sure they were having an awesome time.
ANDERSON: Even better, this simple act of kindness that started with a letter to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has created a new and happy friendship for the two of them. And a new friend.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(on camera): Oh, such a feel good and moving story. And for all of you "Hannah Montana" fans out there, her 3D movie is going to hit theaters this Friday. You don`t want to miss that. And for more information on all things Hannah Montana, log on to her official website at Mileyworld.com. You can find upcoming tour dates, games, contests, photos and much, much more.
HAMMER: I can`t stop smiling. That is such a great story. Well, a lot of people smiling in the music business. The show will go on for the Grammies. The striking Writers` Guild has come to an interim agreement with the producers of Grammy Awards. What that means is that the show will not be disrupted by the strike. The union won`t picket. The Grammies are set for February 10th in Los Angeles, still no word on an agreement for the Oscars, however. Those are scheduled for February 24th.
Time now for the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT first look. You will want to watch every minute of this. This is so cool. Tonight, Marvel Comics` hero Iron Man comes to the big screen. Robert Downey Jr. stars as the Iron Man, billionaire genius and inventor who`s kidnapped and builds a high-tech suit of armor. Here now, your first look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: Mr. Stark, you`ve been called the Da Vinci of our time. What do you say to that?
ROBERT DOWNEY, JR., ACTOR, AS TONY STARK/IRON MAN: Absolutely ridiculous.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: What do you say about your other nickname, the Merchant of Death?
DOWNEY: That`s not bad.
DOWNEY: They say the best weapon is one you never have to fire. I prefer the weapon you only need to fire once. That`s how dad did it. That`s how America does it. And it`s worked out pretty well so far. To peace.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: You think I can take a picture with you?
DOWNEY: Yes. It is very cool. I don`t want to see this on your MySpace page. Please no gang signs. No, throw it up. I`m kidding.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: You have until tomorrow to assemble my missile.
DOWNEY: I should be dead already. There must still be a reason. I just finally know what I have to do. (UNINTELLIGIBLE)
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: What are you building, Stark?
DOWNEY: I`m working on something big.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: I love it. Robert Downey, Jr. is "Iron Man" and will arrive in theaters on May 2nd.
ANDERSON: Coming up next, an exclusive interview with the cast of "No Country for Old Men." We sit down with Josh Brolin, Tommy Lee Jones and Javier Bardem to get their take on all that Oscar buzz. It`s up for eight awards including best picture. I think it will probably take that one home easily. And it also won at the SAG Awards this weekend. That`s next in the interview you`ll see only right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now an exclusive interview with the cast of an Oscar contender for best picture, "No Country for Old Men." CNN entertainment correspondent Kareen Wynter sat down exclusively with the actors just after they won best ensemble cast at the Screen Actors` Guild Awards. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TOM CRUISE, PRESENTER AT THE SAG AWARDS: The actor goes to "No Country for Old Men."
WYNTER: A big night for all of you with "No Country for Old Men."
JOSH BROLIN, ACTOR: The fact that we got best ensemble cast is kind of funny because we never worked together.
TOMMY LEE JONES, ACTOR: I don`t think that Comedie-Francaise would call this an ensemble.
(LAUGHTER)
WYNTER: How much did you really look forward to working with the Coen brothers?
JAVIER BARDEM, ACTOR: Yes. For me it`s always been kind of a dream to imagine one day working with the Coen brothers. Being a Spaniard and barely speaking the language, it was kind of a mission impossible.
(AS ANTON CHIGURH): Call it.
But it happened. So it was like a miracle for me. It was reason enough for me to be pinching my face the whole day which I actually did for real once.
WYNTER: Did you really?
BARDEM: Yes, I did.
(AS ANTON CHIGURH): You know how this is going to turn out, don`t you?
BROLIN (AS LLEWELYN MOSS): No.
BARDEM (AS ANTON CHIGURH): I think you do.
WYNTER: Some people may have had questions regarding the ending. What was that about?
BROLIN: Well because the structure is unfamiliar. You know? It doesn`t pander the audience. You know, you rape the audience of the protagonist and that is not something that is normal. You know? And so that`s why people react as strongly as they react, to the ending.
WYNTER: Talk about the Academy Awards. We`re hoping that the show will be on, but eight nominations -
BARDEM: Of course, you want to go there and do the red carpet or maybe not. I don`t know. But I think that`s the last thing to think about. It`s about people really being hired again.
JONES: I would like to se some resolution. I would like to see that resolution be equitable. That`s about all I have to say.
BROLIN: It`s a mess, isn`t it, Sheriff?
JONES: If it isn`t, it will do until the mess gets here.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: That was CNN`s Kareen Wynter for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Obviously, we`re going to have to wait and see what happens at the Oscars. "No Country for Old Men" up for eight Academy Awards including Best Picture. Javier Bardem nominated for Best Supporting Actor. I think they`re looking at wins, Brooke, in both these categories.
ANDERSON: I do, too. Javier Bardem is the creepiest villain I have ever seen.
HAMMER: Just an amazing portrayal. Well, that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thanks a lot for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. The latest from "CNN HEADLINE NEWS" is next.
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